The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-20 00:00:00

THE STREETS.

Although it was widely announced that the procession
would not leave the Castle for the Cathedral until about
three o'clock; the whole population of the city began to
prepare for the grand event some hours before: At one
o'clock the contingents of military who had been told o$
for the purpose began to line the streets, and the multi-
tude who could not find accommodation within the houses
along the route thronged the footways and extended to the
depth of many files towards the centre of the thorough-
fares, until stopped by the close red rampart which pre-
sented an effectual barrier on each side. Each regiment
had its band at its head, and throughout the
day the sound of merry music filled the air.
All the gay festoons and brilliant flags which were
displayed on Wednesday decorated the streets, and
in some instances were retouched and rendered more
attractive. Innumerable balconies were constructed along
the line through which the pageant was to pass. Some of
them were' extemporised for the day ; others were more
permanent structures, and were elaborately embellished
with evergreens and flowers ; all were filled with specta-
tors, arrayed in all the brilliant colours of the loom. Every
window was crowded, and the roofs of the houses in com-
manding places were fringed with double lines of people,
who were content to view the spectacle from that dizzy
height. The scene in the vicinity of the-Castle and along
Dame-street and College-green was singular and exciting.
Every available inch of ground was covered. The statue
of King William 111. was surrounded with a clustering
throng, who hung in strange positions from every limb of
the clumsy holte, and threatened to force him into shape.
The lamp-posts along the route bore groups of adventurous
youth, who sheaved by their gesticulations and their shouts
that they entered heartily into the enjoyment of the
scene. At half-past two o'clock all traffic between the
lines of soldiers was intercepted, and no vehicle of any
description was allowed to pass, save the royal and vice-
regal carriages and those furnished with " carriage passes"
issued by the Installation Committee. After waiting
patiently for more than two hours the spectators were
at length rewarded for their endurance by seeing the
head of the procession emerge from the Castle-gate. A
load ringing cheer proclaimed the fact to those in the dis-
tance, and was gradually caught up and passed along the
dense mass of people. Every eye was strained in the
direction of Castle-hill, and presently a detachment c 6
Lancers made its appearance, followed by an escort o)
Carbineers, who were in Attendance-upon the Lord-Lieu-
tenant. As soon as his Excellency was recognised the
cheering was taken, up vehemently. In the carriage with
his Excellency were the Marchioness of Abercorn, Captain
Stewart, and Sir H. Pelly. Next came the state coach of
the Prince of Wales, containing his Royal Highness and
the Princess of Wales. The royal carriage was escorted
by a detachment of the 10th (Prince of Wales's Own)
Masan. Other carriages followed.

A detachment of the 12th Lancers brought up the rear
of the procession. The Prince and the Princess of Wales
were loudly and cordially cheered along the entire route.
The ladies occupying the windows and platforms waved a
loyal welcome. Her Royal Highness seemed to enjoy
large measure of this favour, and returned the friendly
salutations of the multitude with a kindly and unaffectei
grace. The procession took the prescribed route to th.
west door of the cathedral. The splendour of the royal
equipages and the glittering uniforms of the cavalry, the
•many-tinted costumes of the civic and military authorities
and the fanciful dresses of the fair spectators—thrown into
relief by the dark masses of the multitude—the music of
the bands and the voices of the people, combined to give
singular beauty and life to the pageant, as it moved on
between the lines of soldiers, under waving festoons and
arches decked with banners. As it approached the cathe-
dral, where it became more concentrated, and the impos-
ing structure, whose architectural outlines were fully
revealed, added a new feature to the scene, f-he t►fect
highly picturesque.