The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-10 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

The visit of her Majesty, accompanied by the Emperor of 1
Russia and the King of Saxony to the Opera, drew an audi-
ence more numerous than any that has been collected within '
this theatre for the last quarter of a century. By six o'clock
a large crowd had collected round the doors. In Pall-mall
and the Haymarket the windows of most of the houses were •
crowded, and the ends of the streets leading into the line of
route were filled with carriages of various descriptions. At
five minutes past eight o'clock the Royal and Illustrious party
left Buckingham Palace in eight royal carriages, each drawn
by two horses, with the servants in scarlet liveries. The first
six carriages contained the members of the suites of the
Emperor of Russia and the King of Saxony ; the seventh,
which had two footmen, contained her Majesty, Prince
Albert, the Emperor of Russia, and the King of Saxony ;
and the eighth contained the immediate attendants of the
' Queen and her Consort. The illustrious party were loudly
cheered as they proceeded towards the Opera House, but
much astonishment was expressed at the absence of all that
pomp and circumstance which might have been expected
on such an occasion ; two footmen were behind the carriage
which conveyed her Majesty and her illustrious guests, whilst
one servant only was allotted to each of the other carrriages.
The untidy and dingy appearance of the Royal equipages,
the horses, harness, &e., was the theme of general observa-
tion, and presented a strong and unfavourable contrast with
the sumptuous displays of elegance, combined with magni-
ficence in which our nobility are wont to indulge upon similar
occasions.
The appearance of the interior of the house was splendid
in the extreme. Many of those whose boxes were placeAl in
an unfavourable position to view the royal group removed to
the opposite side. The Duchess of Beaufort, the Countess of
Chesterfield, and the Hon. Mrs. Anson, occupied the Melton
omnibus box on the stage, whilst their Graces the Duke. and
Duchess of Leinster were for a time seated in another above.
Nothing could be more brilliant than the array of ladies on
this side of the house, dressed in the most splendid toilettes,
scintillating with gems and diamonds. At twenty minutes
past eight the arrival of the royal party without was
announced, and at once began the beautiful overture of
the Barbiere. A prolonged interval ensued before the en-
trance of the Sovereigns into the royal box itself; during
which the audience seemed divided between eager curiosity
and fear of disappointment. On the appearance of her Majesty
and her august guests the whole house rose, and the re-
markable silence that had prevailed gave way to a general
explosion of applause, accompanied by the most cordial
cheei ing from the male parts of the assemblage, and the wav-
ing of handkerchiefs by the ladies. This scene was so pro-
longed as to interrupt the performance, and whilst it lasted
the house presented the most impressive and animated
sight imaginable. When the curtain fell after the • first
act, " God save the Queen" was unanimously called for from
all parts of the theatre. After a short interval; the curtain
drew up, revealing the whole operatic troupe marshalled be-