The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-10-26
The Prince ut Portland.

After all live prince isn't to be seen every
day, and the thoughtful consideration Of this
fact decided our wayering mind in favour Of
going to Portland on Saturday, and seeing
II. X. II. take his departure, and embark for
4" Merrie England"
The day was rather cool, but yet pleasant,
and when we arrived in Portland We found
everybody there before us. We stopped at the
first corner where crowd Was collected, all
busily engaged in waiting, and waited too.
4" Where is the prince 7" said we To IN expect
ant looking individual at our side. and were
informed by him that " He was coming right
along;" true prophet and We set 1t down as
the first time in our life that We were SO fortu-
nate as not to get tired to death in waiting for
the appearance of any parade or exhibition.
Music in the distance, and nearer, and soon
appeared Col. l.. d. NJ. Sweat and staff, fol-
lowed by the Portland Brass Band, Mechanic
Blues, Portland Light Guarl, Norway Light
Infantry. Portland Light Infantry, and then
the Prince himself, seated in an elegant bar
ouche, drawn by four handsome horses, teside
him Mapor Howard, and Lord Lyons-and the
Duke OF Newcastle ris-d-ris. The people did
not cheer, and we suppose they couldn't spare
the time. just as we couldn't stop ito wave our
handkerchief, which act Of courtesy We fully
meant to perform. but entirely forgot in en-
deavouring to get good look at the Prince.
Perhaps the Prince didn't care however, and
as he didn't even look our way, we guess 1t
raade " no manner Of difference. The Prince
looked to us like good sensible young man
a little sleepy looking, but that was to be
expected, considering the late hours he has kept
lately. We don't think he is handsome nor yet
ugly. Ills hair is brown, his complexion ra-
Their sallow, and his features Of refined tho
hardly classic cast. His dress was plain, and he
wore " shocking bad hat" decidedly too tall
for the latest fashion. His manners were very
pleasing. modest, and more natural than VIC
should think it possible to maintain with the
knowledge that hundreds OF curious eyes were
upon him. On the whole VIC rather liked his
IIighness. The Duke of Newcastle hal red
vhiskcrs. and pretty good supply, and that's
all We know about him. Following this bar
ouche came the Portland Rifle Corps, the bar
ouches with the Princes suite and others, the
City Government Of Portland, then Portland
Cornet Band, Lewiston Light Infantry, Au-
burn Artillery, Auburn Band, Portland Rifle
Guards, and the rear was brought up by little
company Of lads, " Tho Temperance Cadets"
who evidently stood in mortal fear OF the
horses whose hoofs were just behind them,
which fear rather interfered wth..the precision Of
their step we thought. The Governor Of Maine
was in the city, but thro' the bungling Of the
City Government, or somebody else, neither he
nor the distinguished gentlemen accompanying
the Prince from Boston, appeared in the pro-
cession. II did strike as little queer, and
the Portland Advertiser gives the City officials
q round scolding for their mismanagement.
A constant procession Of carriages seemed TO
be winding their way to Munjoy Hill to the
Eastern Promenade, whence the Prince
WA, to embark. We Joined in the crowd and
mixed ourselves up on Mupjoy with . perfect
lam of carriages, horses and people. One tip
over, and good many like-to's enlivened the
scene. The gentlemen engaged to keep the
WAY clear for the Princes arrival seemed in
rather a confused state of mind. and one 70
minded us as we were grsvely proceeding
straight forward behind another carriage, that
VIC must "either TO forward or back" We
hardly understood this ambiguous order, but
kept right on in the same old way, which SEEM
ed on the whole the only way possible, and he
appeared suited.
A swaying back Of the mass and again ap-
pears the Prince. and stepping lightly from the
carriage passed down the Hill beneath trium-
phal arch to the wharf The scene was now .
most beautiful one Munjoy swarmed with
people, while Casco Bay was gay with crafts
Of all sorts with cOlors flying and flags and
bunting in profason. About half . mile away
lay the British Fleet at anchor, and rs the
Prince entered his barge to proceed thithcr,
hearty cheers arose from thousands Of voices.
The yards of the whole feet were instantly
manned, and at little after four the firing OF
n royal salute announced the arrival Of the
Prince on Board the Hero. The firing Of the
salutcs was q stirring thing, and as the smoke
obscurcd the air and the cannon doomed. We
felt quite warlike. But the children, Of which
there was the usual complement present, didn't
like Il at all, and the awful faces and dolefnl
CRYING with which they manifested their fright
rather detracted from the grandeur Of the affair,
Wen, the Prince was gone. and we had looked
our last on royalty, for some time at least
May he have prosperous voyage. always re-
member his visit with pleasure. and make,
should he live to become one, - good King