The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-17 00:00:00

VISI

1 OF THE SULTAN TO THE CRYSTAL
PALACE.

The musical festival given yesterday at the
Crystal Palace by royal command, in honour of his
Imperial Majesty the Sultan, attracted a large
attendance, and passed off with great éclat. True,
St. Swithin's sway was unpleasantly felt, and for a
great part of the day the weather was exceedingly
unpropitious ; but it did not prevent the assembling
of a merry and well-dressed multitude large enough
to fill the vast building in every part. Two o'clock
was the time fixed for the opening of the Palace,
but long before that hour the doors were besieged
with crowds eager to obtain admission. For a long
time the rain continued to fall in such torrents that
it penetrated the roof, and from one end of the nave
to the other might be seen that most dreary and un-
poetic of spectacles, a sea of open umbrellas. At
three o'clock the sky cleared, the umbrellas were
put down, and the scene in the interior of the
Palace was brilliant and animated. But during the
remainder of the day occasional showers were the
nearest approach to fair weather. There was no
attempt at special decoration anywhere except under
the central dome, which was hung with flags and
banners of all nations, particular prominence being
given to those of the Ottoman empire. These many-
coloured ensigns commingled with the surrounding
foliage and the pendant flower-baskets had a pretty
and picturesque effect. The whole area beneath
the roof of the central transept was railed off for
reserved seats, every one of which was occupied.
Exactly opposite the Handel Orchestra a state box
in the form of a proscenium was erected for the ac-
commodation of the imperial and royal visitors. It
was divided into three compartments, and was taste-
fully decorated in crimson and gold. In front of
this costly structure—which, gaily appointed and
sumptuously furnished, contrasted strikingly with
the fac-simile of Shakspere's humble cottage in its
immediate vicinity—was a parterre of rare and
bright flowers, arranged with due regard to har-
mony of colours. The musical entertainment con-
sisted of an operatic concert in two parts, supported
by the entire company of Her Majesty's Theatre, as
well as by two military bands, the excellent band of
the Crystal Palace Company, and contingents from
all the most celebrated choral societies and choirs iu
London. The first part of the concert began at half-
past 4, and was under the direction of Signor Arditi
and Mr. Alanns.

This portion of the concert was performed in ex-
cellent style, but only for the gratification of the
public at large, the great guests of the day not having
as yet arrived. It was near 7 o'clock before the
booming of the royal salute conveyed the glad intel-
ligence of their approach. The Sultan was accom-
panied by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales
and his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.
His Imperial Majesty had also with him his Impe-
rial Highness Youssouff Izzedin Effendi, eldest son of
his Imperial Majesty; his Imprial Highness Hamid
Effendi, nephew of his Imperial Majesty; and his Im-
perial Highness Murad Effendi, nephew of his Impe-
perial Majesty ; besides aides-de-camp and various
officers of State. The illustrious party drove over
from Woolwich, and entered the Palace-park by
the Penge-gate. As they drove round the grounds
amid the hearty cheers of the spectators, the foun-
tains were set playing with dazzling effect, and the
Sultan seemed much impressed by the beauty and
brilliancy of the scene. On alighting at a private
entrance on the north side of the central transept
the distinguished visitors were received by Mr.
Grove, Mr. Bowley, and other officers of the
Crystal Palace Company, by whom they were
escorted down the nave, through some of the most
interesting courts, and finally into the ante-room
adjoining the state box. In this apartment, which
was richly appointed and adorned with floral deco-
rations of singular beauty—the work for the most
part of Messrs. Carter, of Holborn—the royal party
dined. . At a quarter to nine they made their ap-
pearance in front of the state box, the Sultan occu-
pying the centre seat, with the Prince of Wales on
his right and the Duke of Cambridge on his left ;
his kinsmen and courtiers being either grouped
around or accommodated in the other compartments
of the box. They were received with enthusiastic
acclamations, which the Sultan repeatedly acknow-
ledged. The National Anthem was then sung with
great spirit and expression by Madlle. Titiens and
other principal artistes of Her Majesty's Theatre;
after which was sung, in the original language, an
ode to the Sultan, written in Turkish expressly for
this occasion by Zafiraki Effendi, and the music
for which was composed by Signor Arditi.
Before leaving the Palace the Sultan presented
the munificent donation of 1,000 guineas to the re-
storation fund.