THE QUEEN IN THE CITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 536, 7 February 1870, Page 2

THE QUEEN IN THE CITY.

To come now to our own Royal circle, the Queen's visits to the city, for which we were preparing when I wrote last month, was carried out in strict accordance with the programme. T^e dull November days for which London is celebrated, «eemed to have set in with their darkest tl >uds, and the rain fell ia torrents while the workmen completed their preparations along the route. But the next morning (November 6) broke clear nd culm, ■md the sun shone out in a mnnner that revived our old belief in "the Quoen'< weaiher." The day was made a general holiday, and enthusiastic crowds gathered alou« the line of streets to welcome her Majesty once •nore among her pcple. Along 1 the whole It-ngih of the new Blaoklriara-bridge, and also of the Holborn viaduct, seats were erected nnei'her side, and occupied by privjl ged citizens or their friends. The Queen came from Windsor by rail to Paddington, and thence proceeded in semi-state across Hydep«rk, and by tl.e Horse Guards, over West-minster-bridge, round to the Surrey end of Biackfriira bridge. She was ia an opea tiiirriiige, and accompanied by the Princesses L mise and Beatrice and Princa eopold. The royal cortege paired the principal points at a moderate pacj, through avenues of wtilldressed poojile ia ihe wost, and through

throngs of workingfolk githered sooth, and was everywhere loudly cheered. Not a single incident occurred to mar the pleasure of tin day. There had been rumours of a Fenian demonstration, but they proved to bte baselees; and some attempts were mude to per suade the unemployed poor to combine and show themselves in a body, but they knew better. There was nothing but loyalty in the hearty cheers that were caught up and passed on from street to street. It was noon when Her Majesty reached Blackfriars-bridge, and there she was received by the civic authorities, who descended from their, temporary pavillion with all due formalities, and presented an address. The Queen afterwards declared the bridge open for public traffic, aud a procession having been formed, passed slowly over it. Tiie pealing of innumerable bells announced her entrance into the city proper. As she crossed the bridge, the Holborn viaduct with its magnificent arch came fully into view; and towards this the procession moved between the thick ranks of people held back on either hand by a thin red line of Life Guards. To reach the elevation of the viaduct a circuit was made into Hmithfield, and past l the handsome new Metropolitan Meat Market, which is now among the least of recent improvements. On the viaduct itself gallerieß had b en erected, and it may give some idea of the extent of the preparations to know that something like two miles of red cloth were used to cover the temporary structures here. In the pavillion alone, on which much ornamentation was expended, 800 spectators were accommodated. Here , another address was presented; and the Royal m party passed over into Holborn, socompleting * the ceremony of the day. The return to Paddington was quickly ack complished, but not before Her Majesty had expressed her gratification at the hearty welcome she had received. t»he looked well, and appeared to enter into and enjoy the scene. In the letter of the Home Secretary to the Lord Mayor, Mr Brace informs him that he is spe tally commanded to say " how deeply she was touched with the manifestations of loyal attachment with which she was greeted by the vast multitudes who witnessed her progress through the metropolis." The Lord Mayor has carried with him out of office another memorial of Koyal favour in the baronetcy bestowed to commemorate the visit. It must be added that he has manoeuvred cleverly to obtain it, for it was only at the banquet at which he surrendered his mayoralty that he was enabled to announce the fact, " personal to himself, yet not without ediflwUion to the citizens generally I" The sheriffs have received the honour of knighthood. BIRTH OF A PRINCESS. Amongst festive events inußt also be chronic Jed the advent of another Princess. On the 26th ult. the Princes of Wales gave k birth to a daughter, the third daughter and fifth child of their Royal Highnesses. Both | mother and child are stated to be going on a* I well as possible. The family of the Prince of * Wales now consists of the following :— Prince Albert Christian Victor Edward, born ar Frogmore, January 8, 1864 ; Prince Geor/fe Frederick Krnest Albert, born at Marl-borough-house, June 3, 1865 ; Princess Louise Victoria Alexandra Dagmar, born at Marl-borough-house, February 20, 1867 j Prince?s Victoria Alexandra Olga Mary, born at Marl-borough-house, July B, 1868 ; and the infant Princess, born at Murlborough-house, Nok vember 26, 18G9, as we have said.