The Sun.
London, England, 1857-06-26 00:00:00

EVENING, JUNE 26, )P57.

THE VICTORIA CROSS.

Distribution of the Order of Valour by

Her Majesty.—(This Morning.)

This morning the long promised distribution of
the order of valour by Her Majesty, took place in
Hyde-park in the presence of one of the largest and
most brilliant assemblagAs that has probably ever
been known in this country.

Great interest has been manifested by the public
in this long promised military spectacle, and public
bestowal of a nation's gratitude for the bravery
displayed by our troops during the late struggle,
and so numerous were the applications for tickets
of admission to the reserved part of the ground,
that the officials ware unable to comply with them,
and numbers were disappointed attending in con-
sequence.
The public commenced assembling at
a very early hour. By eight o'clock thousands had •
taken up their position, and by half-past eight
there was such a continuous stream of car-
riages through the approaches to the park
entrances appointed for the admission of visitors,
that slow march was the order of the day, but by
the admirable police arrangements no unnecessary
delay occurred, and, so far as we could ascertain,
uo casualties happened of a serious character.
The space selected for the interesting ceremony
to take place in was near Grosvenor-gate, but it
was much too limited. The reserved seats formed
but one side of the square, viz., that near Gros-
venor-gate, the other three being open for the pub-
lic, subject to the inconvenience of keeping the
line by good tempered policemen, assisted by the
military.

The Queen's Pavilion was in the centre of one
side of the square. On either side were galleries,
one for the accommodation of foreigners of dis-
tinction and members of th 3 corps diplomatique,
and the other for members of the Legislature.
Bayond these, again, were larger galleries, for the
friends of the parties decorated and for the general
public. The total accommodation did not seat
more than seven thousand persons, and as the
applications for places were 16,000 in number,
we have another instance of official inaptitude on
great occasions.

The troops, numbering about 8,000,, commenced
taking up the respective positions assigned them on
the ground at 9 o'clock, preceded by their bands
playing various martial and inspiriting strains.
The first on the ground was the Horse Artillery,
followed by the Life Guards, the Dragoons, the
Royal Engineers, the Foot Guards, the Royal Ma-
rine?, the 79th Highlanders, the Rifle Brigade, the
Artillery, the Military Train, and others.
The boys of the Royal Military Asylum and the
Chelsea pensioners formed on the left of the line,
and in front of the military train. The " blue
jackets" toik a position between the 11th Hussars
and the Sappers and Miners, in front of her Ma-
jesty's pavilion.
Amongst the earliest arrivals on the ground was
Lord Cardigan, mounted on his charger that has
gained as much renown as his lordship, from hav-
ing successfully carried him through the Russian
lines and back again on the fatal day of Balacklava.
At ten o'clock precisely a Royal salute, fired
by the Artillery at the left of the line, announced
her Majesty's entry at Hyde-park-corner, and in a
few minutes the Royal cortege was within the line,
and rode up to the pavilion is the following
order :

Captain Sayer,
Deputy-Assi,ta t Quartermaster-General.
Detachment of Royal Horse Guards.
The Sovereign's led horses.
Aides de Camp to the General Commanding-in-Chief,
Lieutenant-Colonel Maude (extra),
Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Lieutenant-Colonel
Burghersh, Clifton,
Colonel Tyrwhitt. Hon. Colonel Macdonald.
Colonel Marquis of Ailesbury, Colon 1 Patten,
Colonel Duke of Bucel-uch, Colonel Lord Dynevor,
Colonel Marquis of Donegal. Colonel Holloway,
Colonel his Serene High-
Colonel Lake, ness Prince W. A. of
Saze Weitnar,

Colonel J. W. Gordon. Colonel Sir T. Troubridge.
Deputy-Quarterinaster-Ge- Deputy-A.djutant-General
neral to the Force, to the Forces,
lion. Col )nel A. Gordon. Colonel F,riter.
Ecprries to the Queen, and to his Royal Highness
Prince Albert, in Waiting.
_ _ _

Military Secretary, Quartermaster-General,
Maj m-Gen. Sir C. Yorke. Major General Sir It. Airey.
Adjutant-General Royal Adjutant-General of the
Artillery. Forces.

Gen. Sir H. D. Rose. Major-Gen. Sir G. Wetherall.
His Rlyal Highness the General Commanding-in Chief
Prince Albert, Her Majesty Prince Frederick
The QUEEN. William of Prussia.
Master of the Horse.
Prince of Wales.
Prince Alfred.

Gold Stick.
Lody Churchill.
Lady Codrington.
R )yal Carriages,
Conveying Members ,of the Royal Family, each
attended by an Equerry.
General Officers.
Foreign General Officers,
and
Equerries and Attendants upon Foreign Princes
Two and Two.
Assistant Adju- Assist aut-Adju- Assistant Quarter-
tant-Generdto the tant-Generals, master-General to
Forces. Royal Artillery. the Forces.
Lieut.-Col. Pipon. Colonel O'Brien.
Colonel Polliser. Lieut.-Colonel Bingham.
Lords-Lieutenant of Counties in Uniform,
Two and Two.
Royal Carriages, if empty.
Detachment of Royal Horse Guards.

Her Majesty, who was on horseback, was dressed
in a scarlet jacket with a gold sash across it, and
had on a black hat trimmed with a gold band and
white plume, and she rode between his Royal High-
ness Prince Albert and his Royal Highness Field
Marshal the Duke of Cambridge. His Royal High-
ness Prince Frederick William of Prussia was present
on horseback, as were the Prince of Wales and
Prince Alfre.l, both of whom were dressed in the
Royal tartan. The Princess Royal was in one of
the Royal carriages. Immediately on the Queen
and the Royal cortege entering within the lines
they were received with loud cheers. After proceed-
ing to the pavilion the Royal party turned round and
took a circuit of the ground, passing in front of the
assembled force, the binds of the respective regi-
men's playing the national anthem and other airs.
Her Majesty, who looked remsrkab'y well, was
enthusiastically cheered during her ride round the
lines.

The appearance of the ground on Her Majesty's
arrival was of the most magnificent description, the
gorgeous uniforms of the Staff officers, covered
with decorations, sparkling in the rays of the sun,
the varied uniforms of the soldiers, from the " dark
Rifle green" of the Rifle Brigale, to the picturesque
uniforms of the Highlanders, intiTspersed with the
curass and helmet an 1 waving plume of the Life
Guardsmen presented one of the most brilliant
and interesting spectacles imaginable, and such as
is rarely witnessed by the peace-loving people of
this country.

Previoust ) Her Majesty's arrival the officers and
men of the Army an 1 Navy appointed to receive the
decoration, had tak-n up their position in front
of the pavilion, an 1 from the diversity of their at-
tire they presented a rather motley group. They
comprised officers and men of the army and navy
in their Uniform;, as wall as men who bad left the
service and who appeared in the costume of civi-
lians—one
of them being a recently appointed
park-keeper, who wore his new livery on the occa-
sion. The following is a list of the names of the
officers and men of both services who received the
decoration from the hands of her Majesty :

1. Commander Henry James Baby.
2. ,9 John Bythesea (Baltic).
3 71 Hugh Talbot Burgoyne.
4. Lieutenant Charles Davis Lucas (Baltic).
5.
__ ~ _ William Nathan Wright Hewett.

6. Mr. John Roberts, Gunner.
7. Mr. Joseph Kellaway, Boatswain.
8. Mr. Henry Cooper, Boatswain.
g. Joseph Trewavas, Seaman.
10. Thomas Reeves, Seaman.
11. Henry Curtis, Boatswain's Mate.
12. George Ingouviik Captain of the Mast (Baltic).

ROYAL MARINES.
13. First Lieutenant Georg DAre Dowell, Royal Ma-

rine Artillery (Baltic).
14. Thomas Wilkinson, bombardier, Royal Marine
Artillery.
Royal Navy ..
Royal Marines

. 12

Total
ARMY
1. 2d Dragoons . Sergeant-Major John Grieve
2. 4th Dragoons Private Samuel Parkes
$. 11th Ilussarb (late) Lieut. Alexander Robert Dunn

4. 17th Lancers Troop Sergeant-Major Jehl
B .eryrnan
5. Royal Artillery Col. Culliugwood Dickson,C.B
6. Royal Artillery CapE. Andrew Henry— Quar
termaster (late of the Land
Trativport Corr F).
7. Royal Artillery Captain Gronow Davi;
8. Royal Artillery Sergeant Daniel Cambridge*
9. Royal Artillery Gunner and Driver Thon as
Arthur
10. Royal Engineers • Lieutenant Gerald Graham
11. Royal Engineers Corporal John Rosa
12. Royal Engineers Corporal \Vm. J. Lendrim
13. Royal Engineers Sapper John Peri©
14. Grenadier Guards Colonel Hon. Henry -Hugh
Manvers Peray
15. Grenadier Guards Brevet-Major Sir Charles Rue-
. s li, Bart.
16. Grenadier Guards Sergeant Alfred Ablett
17. Grenadier Guards Private Anthony Palmer.
18. Coldstream Guards Bravet-Major Gerald Little.

bales G7.iodlake
19. Coldstream Guards—Brevet-Maim. John Augustus
Canolly (late of the 49th Regt.)
20. Coldstream Guards Private George S'rong
21. Scuts Fusilier Guards Brevet-Major Robert James
Lindsay
22. Scots Fusilier Guards Sergeant James M.Kechnie
23. Scots FucilierGuards Private Wiliam Reynolds
24. 4th Regiment Private Thomas Grady
25. 7th Regiment (late) Lieut. William Hope
26. 7th Regiment Assistant - Surgeon Thomas
Egerton Hale, M.D.
27. 7th Regiment Private Matthew Hughes
28. 7th Regiment Private William Norman
29. Bth Regiment .Ensign Andrew Moynihan
30. 12th Regiment Private Samuel Evans
31. 19th Regiment Private John Lyons .
31 (a.) 23.1 Regiment Lieut. Luke O'Connor
32. 23d Regiment (late) Corporal Robert Shields
33. 34th Regiment Private William Coffey
34. 33th Regiment (late) Private John Sims
35. 44th Regiment Sergeant Wm. M'Wheeny
36. 49th Regiment (late) .Sergeant George Wakers
37. 49th Regiment Corporal James Owens
38. 97th Regiment Brevet-Major Charles Henry
Lumley
39. 97th Regiment Sergeant John Coleman
40. Rifle Brigade, lstßat.Brevet-Major Hon. Henry H.
Clifford
41. Rifle Brigade, lstßat.Private Francis Wheatley
42. Ritleßrigade, 2d Bat. Captain William James Cun-
, ninghame
43. Rifleßrigade, 21 Bat.Lientenant John Knox
44. Rifle Brigade, 2d-Bat.Plivate Roderick M'Gregor
45. Rifle Brigade, 21 li!at.Private Robert Hurnpston

4d. Riga Brigade, 2d BA.Private Joseph, Brad,haw
47. ltdie Brigade, 31 Bat.Brevet-Major Claude Thomas
Bourchier
Total 4B

On the return of the Royal cortege from an in-
spection of the lines to the pavilion, her Royal
Highness the Princess Royal and many of the dis-
tinguished persons who accompanied her Majesty
both on horseback and in carriages took up their po-
sition in the pavilion. Her Majesty, however, will
Prince Albert, his Royal Highness the Duke of
Cambridge, his Royal Highness Prince Frederick
William of Prussia, and others, remaining on
horseback in front of the pavilion.
The recipients of the decoration then passed be-
fore her Majesty, and received from her gracious
hands this honourable mark of distinction, which
they no sooner received than they placed it on their
breast by the side of tho e they had already
obtained as a slight rec mapensa for their
noble courage and daring in the hour of danger,
and their endurance of unparalleled hardships and
deprivations from'official blundering.
The distribution of the crosses topli place in
silence, so far as the public was concerned. The
spectators appeared to be divided in thought be-
tween the pleasurable emotions which the recogni-
tion of valuable services engender in the feelings
of an Englishman, and the regret that so many
valuable and estimable lives of men of all ranks
should have been unnecessarily sicrificel in the
late struggle. Notwithstanding the brilliant sun-
shine that enhanced the grandeur and magnificence
of the scene, a feeling of sadness appeared to pos-
sess the people, which neither the wi nessiug of
the interesting ceremony, nor the beautiful strains
of the numerous bands in attendance, could dispel.
The distribution of the crosses occupied about
ten minutes, and on its termination the recipients
defiled past her Majesty, and took up a position in
front of her Majesty and suite, and by the side or
the staff officers.

The interesting ceremony of distributing the
crosses having terminated, the troops marched past
her Majesty and the Royal party in" open column,
the artillery first, followed by the ambulance wag-
gons, heavy but commo lions vehicles, with a co-
vering over them with which to protect the wounded
soldier from the injurious effects of weather, and
providing, to a certain extent, ease from pain during
his transit. These were followed by the ambulance
mules, provided with a kind of sofa or couch, with
a head on each side resembling the warped body
part of a Bath chair, and from their singular mo-
tion they appeared to be an excellent contrivance
as a torture machine. The motion of the head pert
fireibly reminding the beholder that the head of the
wounded soldier being conveyed in it would be
continually bobbing backwards and forwards like
the effigy of a Chinese mandarin in a toy shop.
The Artillery were followed by the Dragoons and
the Hussars at a walk, and the infantry in slaw
time ; the Highlanders especially attracting the
attention of the spectators. The Artillery and
Cavalry then repassed her Majesty in quarter dis-
tance column at a trot, and the infantry in quick
time, the field-batteries and infantry resuming their
original position.
The appearance of the Naval Brigade, dressed in
black glazed hats, blue jackets, and white trousers,
was a very peculiar feature in the day's proceed-
ings, both from the novelty of their combination
with soldiers in a military spectacle, and the sim-
plicity of their dress in comparison with the other
branch of the service. The Blue Jacket=, as they
marched past the Queen, were placed between the
three combined bands of the Foot Gulrds and the
Royal Marines ; and on the first time of their
passing Jack saluted her Majesty by doing his
hat.

The cavalry and horse-artillery then marched
beyond the third wheeling point, counter-marched,
and repassed the Queen at a canter, and afterwards
re-formed into columns on their original ground.
As a reward of merit, the spectacle might, in
some respects, be said to be satisfactory, but as a
military review it was a failure, and it would have
been better if the farce of putting the troops
M motion had been dispensed with, especially
in the presence of foreigners who, from our
bungling in these matters, have no doubt formed
erroneous opinions as to the real military ardour
and natural bravery and courage that still remains
in the breast of an Englishrhan. So tame was the
affair that not a cheer was raised ; but, on the con-
trary, the half trot half gallop movement adopted
by the cavalry as representing a charge appeared
to produce ridicule instead of admiration in the
minds of the thousand 3 of spectators present.
Throughout the whole of the morning the sun
shone with great fervour, and the heat was most
oppressive. Her Majesty was exposed the whole
of the time to the direct rays of the sun, and ap-
peared to suffer much inconvenience from it. The
troops also appeared to participate in it, including
the pet sheep of the Rifles, who had great difficulty
from over feeding and heat t) keep step with the
regiment as it passed before her Majesty. We
can answer that the spectators generally felt much
oppressed by the heat, and it is but natural to con-
clude that Her Majesty and those whose duty
called them there, did the same.
At the conclusion of the review a }loyal salute
was fired, and her Majesty le't the ground attended
by the same distinguished suite as acccomp
her thither, amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the
assembled thousands.
The Crosses distributed on this occasion have
a two-fold value. Ia addition to their value
as the reward of bravery, they possess ano-
ther value, that of being made from the
metal. of the cannon taken at Sebastopol, whose
thundering voices and destructive properties were
brought to bear against the fortunate and honour-
able recipients, who escaped the fate of so many of
their brethren in arms, now at rest beneath the
arid soil of the Crimea.
The Crosses were manufactured by Messrs. Han-
cock and Co., of 39, Bruton-street, her Majesty's
jewellers, and we -have reason to believe that her
Majesty and H.R.H. Prince Albert took a cl: ep
interest in the design, which was adopted upon
their entlime approval.

A detachment of sailors from her Majesty's ships Ex-
cellent and Osborne arrived at Nine Eloas station, from
Portsmouth, this morning, and proceeded to Hyde-park,
a d afterwards returned to Nine Elms station si h
Capt. Seymour, and several officers, and partook of a
substantial luncheon, provided Ly Mr. Heritage, of
t le Royal Albert, adjoining the station, which gave aa•
t sfaction to both officers and men, who afterward.
proceeded to Portsmouth, per spec'al train, at 1.45 p.m.

E

FRANC?.

PARIS, THURSDAY EVENING*

The following ate the °file:al results of the
remaining elections in France, the only one still to
be decided being Corsica, in which place the elec-
toral proceedings will take place on Sunday next :--
ARIEGE.—Ist Cir.: Didier, G., against Arnaud
de l'Ariege and Latour Saint Ybars, 0.-2 d : Bus-
son, G.
AVEYRON. —2d Cir. : Calvet-Rogniat, G.-3d :.
A. Chevalier, G.
CHARENTE-INFERIETTRE. —lst Cir.: Baron Es-
ch•isseriaux, G.-4th : Viscount A. Lemercier, G.
COTE D'Ott.-Ist Cir. : Vernier, G , against Mag-
nin-Philippi'', 0.
CREITSE.-Ist Cir. : Delana9rre, G., against Ley-
raud, 0.-2 d Sallandrouze de Lamornaix, G.
DOURS-2d Cir. : Latour-du-Moulin, G., against
Blondean.

HAUTE-GARONNE. —lst Cir. : Count de Tauriac,
G., against Pages de I'Ariege, 0.
LANDES. —2d Cir. : Carts, G.
LOZERE.—SoIe Cir. : Viscount de Chambrun,
G., against Des Molles, 0.
MoRBIHAN.--3d Cir.: Count de Cinmpagmy, G.
NORD.-2d Cir. : Brame.

OlSE.—ht Cir. : Baron de Corberon, G.-2d :
Viscount de Plancy, G., against de Pontalba
and Gerard de Blincourt.-34 : Lemaire, G., agst
E Leroux, 0.
PAS-DE-CALAIS.-sth : Wattebled, G.
BASSES-PYRENEES.-2d Cir. : Marquis de Bel-
mont-Briancon, G.-3d : Etcheverry, G.
SAONE-ET-LOIRE.—ht Cir. : Count de Barban-
tane, G., ag dust de Romand.-2d : Schneider, G.
—3d : Gen. Baron Brunet-Denon, G , against
Daron, 0.
YONNE. —2d Cir..: Javal.
The opposition, up to the present time, has ob-
tained only six nominations in all—namely MM.
Carnot and Goudchaux in Paris, Dr. Henon
at Lyons, M. Cure at Bordeaux, M. Migeon
at Colmar and Viscount Rambourgt, in the
Aubs.• There are c:rtainly some other nomina-
tions of persons not comprised among the go-
vernment candidates, but these gentlemen can-
not be claimed by the opposition. As a set-off
to the six candidates named above, the opposition
has lost the five deputies belonging to it in the last
Chamber, viz., Count de Montalembert, the Duke
d'Uzes, and M. de Civrac, Charlier, and Des-
molles. The Opposition had brought forward 115
candidates in 58 departments, so that it has been
defeated in 111 places. A somewhat remarkable
fact of the late elections is the very limited number
of cases in which a second ballot will be necessary,
being in fact as yet only six in ail—three in Paris,
and the three others in the Maine-et-Loire, Mayenne,
and the Somme. In the last three, the contest took
place altogether between candidates fully support-
ing the policy of the Government.
In Paris, M. Gamier-Pages has addressed the
following letter to the electors of the 4th circum-
scrip.ion :
" I return my sincere thanks to the electors who
have been pleased to honour me with their votes.
In the interest of my democratic principles, to
I which 1 'have devoted the whole of my life, I re-

que3t my supporters to transfer their votes to M.
Emile 011ivier." _

" The Council of the Bank of France has reduced
the rate of discount on commercial bills (escompte
des effets de commerce) to 5i per cent. it main-
tams the interest on advances at 6 per cent."
BOURSE, June 25.—Sales were again pressed
upon the market, and Threes, which had been done
at 68f. 85c., receded to 68°. 55c. ; Mobilier from
1,190 f. to 1,172 f. 50c. ; Lyons, 1,520 f. to 1,510 f. ;
Orleans, 1,490 f. to 1,482 f. 50c. ; Northern, 990 f.
to 9821. 50c. ; Southern, 765 f. to 755 t. ; and Aus-
trian, 657 f. 50c. to 650 f.

TBE 78th HIGHLANDERS.