The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-25 00:00:00

ST. JAMES'S PARK.

Early this morning, the scene in St. James's
Park became one of great animation, and shortly
after daylight great numbers of persons began to
assemble for the purpose of securing the best places
from which a sight of the interesting procession, in
its progress from Buckingham Palace to the Chapel
Royal could be obtained.

About eight o'clock, a large body of policemen,
from all divisions of the metropolitan force, under
the direction of experienced officers, mustered on
the mall, and shortly afterwards they were stationed
in the different avenues leading to and in the park,
for the purpose of keeping order and regularity.
The line of road from palace to palace was kept
by regiments of Life Guards, by which means a clear
space was kept down the centre mall for the pas-
sage of the royal and illustrious party.
At nine o'clock the area in front of Buckingham
Palace was densely thronged with spectators, and
from this hour up to the time of the departure of
the royal cortege the crowd kept augmenting,
the police having the greatest difficulty in carrying
out the order for the prevention of confusion.

The Commissioners of Police, to prevent accidents,
had issued directions that no standings should be
fixed in the park, and the constables placed in the
different entrances had directions to prevent the
admission of tables, planks, or benches, in order
that the spectators on portable platforms might not
obstruct with their lumber any part of the space
between Buckingham Palace and the Royal G Arden
Gate in the Mall. But several adventurous Hiber-
nian'', wishing to evade the ♦igilance of the
police, slily dropped their benches over the
railings of the Green-park and other places
left unguarded, and the consequence was that a
regular line of reckless platforms were erected at
either side of the centre mall. Hundreds of per-
sons risked life and limb, mounted the crazy struc-
tures, and there remained for hours. Groups of
men and boys ascended the trees which line the
avenue, but on the aspiring individuals being
noticed by the police they received such gentle
hints from the custodians of the public peace, that
they descended and joined the motley crowd, which
by this time (half-past 10) had greatly increased.
An hour more (half-past 11) and the scene pre-
sented was such as in all our experience we had never
witnessed before. Solid masses of people kept pouring
in from all parts, and eaoh one seemed determined
that no exertion on his or her part should be
'wanting to gratify their curiosity. The usual
attendants on such scenes of bustle were present
in great numbers, and every moment some person
Was startled by a stentorian voice bawling out
"The Marriage Percession, only a Penny." The
venders of hot and strong peppermint lozenges
also seemed to be driving a good trade, but the
salesman whose stock was soonest exhausted was
that of an individual who held in hand a bottle
and shouted at the top of his voice, " Who's for a
drop of gin f"

The success of this spirited venturer induced
others, who had the "ways and means" at com-
mand, to embark in the same enterprise, and in
about an hour after gin was not the only spirit to
be had in the park, but here and there quite a
little part► were to he observed round one of
these unlicensed victuallers, keeping out the cold
by drinking " Long life and happiness to the
Royal couple," in bumpers as quick as one glass
amongst six would allow.

Passing onward, the next group to be met with
'mei occasioned by a number of big, hulking
fellows bawling—certainly not singing—a dog-
gerel ditty about the Royal wedding, to the tune
of the " King of the Cannibal Islands"—the
refrain of which was, " When I get married on
Monday."

If those of our readers not present can imagine
St. James's-park under the circumstances above
described, they will form a pretty correct picture
of the scene, without having encountered the
discomfort of being present.

As the hourof twelve approached the excitement
and the crowd increased, and at this time the
whole of the park became a scene of danger.
It appeared that orders had been given that the
carriages of some of the nobility. should, after
setting down, drive into the park and there remain
until the ceremony was over ; but the number of
those attending had not been thought of, and the
consequence was that in the midst of surging
crowds carriages were driven until the time for
closing the gates of the Chapel Royal arrived.
A troop of the Royal Artillery was in the park
for the purpose of firing a salute at the interesting
moment, as one of the gallant fellows good-
humouredly informed our reporter, " the two
Were made one."