, 1893-09-09

OOIIln9, that 80 ambitious a sCheiHc SllOulu
have been planned aud Carried through with
complete success on the brlefest possible
notice.
Although theIperformalce WIS not appoint
cd to commence until $50, an hour before
that time saw the entrances to the Opera
House beset by visitors. Under the great
portico in Bow-street was drawn up a de-
tachmc1t Of the Coldstream Guards. under
Major the Hon. II. G. Legge, the scarlet coats
making Il brave show Of colour as day merged
into night and the lights Of the theatre sprang
into their full effulgence. In the %vest!bule,
which was adorned with tropical plants and
an endless array Of blossoms, there burned
hither and thther sundry high officials OF
State clad in resplcndent uniforms and sedu-
Ously devoted to their task Of ushering the
various Royal pelsonagcs as they arrived up
the flower dccked staircase. First upon the
scene a the Duke of Cambridge, heralded
by a sharp word Of command an the clash Of
arms presented. Shortly afterwards the sal
u~tations due to royalty were again called Tor
by the coming Of the Duke and Duchess OF
Edinburgh, together with their daughter, the
Princess Victoria Melita. There followed
quickly Princess Louise and the Marquis OF
Lorne, Prince and Princess Henry Of Batten-
berg, and then the Duke and Duchess of
0OIllduSui. AL udll pdob CiShb " bCloN -
cheering made itself heard in the yestibule,
and Immediately after wards there entered
the Duke and Duchess of Teck, with their
daughter, the Princess, towards whom the
eyes of all England are now turned. Con-
Quoted forthwith up the crimson stairway,
past the familiar statue of Mr.. Frederick eye,
embedded in greenery, and past the halberds
Of certain sturdy Yeomon Of the Guard who
kept watch and ward outside the doors OF the
grand saloon, a surprise awaited the BRIDE
Elect. This was contrived by SIR Augustus
Harris, who, in rendering respectful greeting
to the Princess, begged OF the some time her,ac-
ceptanco of a singularly beautiful pair Of gold
opera glasses, set with brillionts and pearls.
Graciously was this most suitable Offering re-
ceived, and no less graciously was it ac-
knowledged.
Meantime the stream Of arrivals had reach
ed its end with the coming Of the Prince and
Princess Of Wales, who were accompanied by
the King and Queen Of Denmark, the Cesare-
witch. the Duke Of York, and the Processes
Victoria and Maud Of Wales. The entrance
into the building of these august personages, to
the strains OF the National Anthem, made the
tale of distinguished visitors complete. It
should be noted, however, that, in addition to
the Royal personages already mentioned,
there were present Prince and Princess Chris
tian, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of
Mecklenburg-Strelitz the Grand Duke of
Hesse, Prince Waldemar of Denmark, Prince
and Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar, Prince
Albert Of Belgium, Prince Albert of Sohleswig
Holstein, Princess Victoria Of Schleswig-
Holstein, Prince Philip of Saxe-Coburg,
Prince Louis of Battenberg and Princes
Francis. Adolphus, and Alexander of Teck.
Let us pass, then, in Imagination through
crimson corridors lined with beefeaters and
picked companies of the Guards. Let us
mount staircases filed with rare exotics and
statuary decorations so complete and admira-
Bile that the mere familiar outline Of old
Covent-garden is almost lost in a wealth of
lavishness Of adolnment. And then let us
prepare for the sight of sights, the noblest
theatre i'll London arranged for the reception
of the Royal marriage party. 1t is a sight to
astonish even those to whom Royal pageantS
are familiar. It is a scene which will be re-
when other festal occasions of a
like character are past over and forgotten.
Many a faithful sightseer present recalls the
State visit to the opera of the German EN-
peror on July 8, 1891. Was it possible to
on that scene of SplendOur and mag
Eyes, yes" would have been the
answer last night had the question been put
to the vote. The only theatrical scene of
equal scope and decorative magnifcence which
for the moment we can call to mind was one
o-.o-.I1o ~;.bt aF tho Empira Tbaotra