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Leader (1850-1860), 14th August 1858, Edition 1 of 2, Page 797, THE CHERBOURG FETES. The events attendin...

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      ^ Jsto. 438, Atj&Tjst 14, 1858.] The Lea...

      JSTo . 438 , Atj & tjst 14 , 1858 . ] THE LEADER . 797

      The Orient. China - The Latest News From...

      THE ORIENT . CHINA - The latest news from China is contained in an official telegram dated " Corfu , August 6 th , " which states that our gunboats were proceeding up the river Peiho at the commencement of June , and that " no serious attempt was made by the Chinese to impede the navigation . The gunboats advanced to Tiensin , which commands the river and the great canal , without a mark of hostility . The people supply provisions of excellent quality cheaply . The English , and French ambassadors were living on shore in a temple ; the liussinns and Ameri-^

      cans had followed the allies up the river . The second officer of the empire , and the President of one of the six Koards of Government had arrived in Tiensin to negotiate ; they are invested with a title which the interpreter describes to convey full powers , and profess their readiness to treat on the demands put forward in the letter to the Prime Minister of China , -which had been previously ignored . The first interview was to take place on the 4 th of June , after the departure of the steamer . The Chinese continue to consider the proceeding as something between peace and war , but not exactly one or the other . "

      The Hong-Kong papers contain details of the capture and decapitation of several Europeans , the murder of Sepoys and police on duty , and attempts at incendiarism . "No person feels safe ; and one of two things must shortly bo performed ; either we must entrench the foreign quarter at Ilonan in such a manner that foreigners may sleep o' nights , or vacate the place altogether . " Some heavy floods in the interior of Chekiang have had the effect of checking the advance of the rebels . At Macao , a fearful epidemic , resembling cholera morbus , has been imported from Singapore , and fears are entertained of its reaching Hong-Kong ,

      EGYPT . "A report lias reached this island , " says the Malta Times , " to the effect that an attempt had been made on the life of the Viceroy by orm of the fanatical party , who was discovered in his Higaness ' s chamber under his bed . No explanation could be got from the would-be assassin , further than that God had sent him there . He was immediately taken out and decapitated . Four thousand / stand of arms , with a large quantity of gunpowder , are said to have been discovered in one of the mosques at Cairo . "

      rKRsrA . The Persian court and the citj' of Teheran have been thrown into deep mourning on account of the unexpected death of the young Emir Nizam , who last year was proclaimed presumptive heir to tlie crown of Persia .

      The Cherbourg Fetes. The Events Attendin...

      THE CHERBOURG FETES . The events attending the visit of the French Emperor and Empress to Cherbourg occurred either so near the end of last week as to prevent the possibility of bur giving detailed accounts in our last issue , or absolutely after our time of publication . We therefore now give fuller details of the earlier incidents , and complete our narrative toy relating the concluding ceremonies . TUB DIKNER OK nOAHD THE BUETACNH . The dinner given by the Emperor to the Queen and Prince Albert on board the Bretagne was marked by some interesting features . We borrow from the account given by tlie correspondent of the Morning Stav : — " About half-past seven [ en the evening of the 5 th inst . ] , the Emperor and Empress , with Count and Countess Walewski , Admiral Hamelin , and other members of the French suite , started , in the Imperial state barges , to convey her Majesty to the Bretagne , she having nccepted the Emperor ' s invitation to dine on board the Admiral ' s ship . When the Emperor stepped on board the Erctagne , the Imperial standard , which is a tricolor , covered with bees , carrying an Imperial crown on the white centre , was rim up to the main , and with it the familiar Royal standard of England . During the dinner , the Society of * Orpheonistcs' of Cherbourg sang the English and French national anthems—the lotter to words written for the occasion , and not the usual ' Partnnt pour la Syrio '—a cantata in praise of St . Cecilia , and a famous old chorus . About ten o ' clock

      , the illustrious party appeared at the gallery of the Admiral ' s cabin , which was hung with crimson drapery , to witness the display of fireworks . It is impossible to do justice to the magnificent effects which woro produced . The prin c ipal display was made from the central fort of the breakwater . It consisted of some thousands of rockets , bourbill ons , stars , garters , and bouquet of varied kinds , costing on the whole , m it was reported , sscvcrnl thousands of pounds . There was n colossal display of the Royal and Imperial anna , in fireworks , wreathed with lines of glittering firo , which was moat imposing . Then , as the Queen and his Mnjusty descended from the Admiral ' s ship , tbo guns on the forts and the ships fired the usual tnplo snlute , and the- client of this seen at night was most imposing . The lire from tho guns lighted up the horizon with the momentary glare of brond sheets of red and lurid lightning , and it" wns difficult to eny whether

      the eense of sight or hearing was most satisfied by this grand night salute . Up to the time of the Queen ' s departure from the Bretagne to come on board her yacht , the English ships had taken no part in this grand exhibition ; but immediately on her stepping on board the Royal yaclit , all the British ships , as if by rnagic , appeared suddenly illuminated with blue lights burning from every part of the spars and rigging , and myriads of fire balls rose from the deck of the Victoria and Albert . This display was followed by a mass of red , white , and blue fires , which burned along the whole of

      one side of the Royal yacht . The blending of these colours of the French flag , as well as of the three divisions of the British navy , was most pleasing and effective . As the Emperor was roweil away in . his state barge towards the shore , some hundreds of rockets were simultaneously discharged from the deck of the Royal yacht , which , as they soared upwards , or fell in graceful curves , threw a light bright as day over the whole harbour . This was followed by a vast shower of coloured stars , and the display of a newly-invented life light by Captain Fitzmaurice , on board tl : e Diadem .

      " Before finishing my account of the proceedings on Thursday , I must state that , at the dinner on board the Bretagne , the somewhat unusual course at Imperial festivities of speech-making was adopted—a proceeding in which the Emperor and Prince Albert were tho only performers . The . Emperor , as I am- informed , proposed the Queen ' s health , that of the Prince Consort , and the Royal family , in a comprehensive toast ; and expressed the gratification which he felt at showing the feelings which lie entertained towards his guests on board of one of his own Admiral ' s ships , and in the port of ' Cherbourg . Such a circumstance as this , hs said , proved , in the most convincing manner , that nothing had occurred to weaken the alliance between the two countries , and he hoped that any attempts to revive the hostile feelings of past times would be as ineffectual as the waves of the

      ocean against the breakwater which at that moment protected the squadrons of the two nations . " Prince Albert followed , in a speech in French , saying that her Majesty had desired him to state how deeply she felt the additional proof of friendship which the Emperor had afforded her , in proposing the toast in language which she would never cease to remember with pleasure . The Prince told the Emperor that he was already aware of the friendly sentiments which the Queen

      entertained towards himself and the Empress , and that the continued object of her Majesty's desires . was to preserve a good understanding between the two countries , and was happy at having the opportunity , by her presence on that occasion , of strengthening , as far as possible , the existing feeling of amity and of friendship which , resting on the firm , basis of mutual prosperity , would not fail to receive the blessing of Heaven . The Prince concluded by proposing , on behalf of the Queen , the health of the Emperor and Empress . "

      THE DEPARTURE OP THE QUEEN . Wo again quote from the Morn i ng Mar correspondence : — " The time fixed for the departure of her Majesty was eleven o ' clock in the morning fof the Cth inst . ] ; but it was nearly half-past twelve before the Royal squadron got under weigh . At eleven o ' clock , the Emperor . Empress came off in their state barge to the Royal yacht and breakfasted with her Majesty . The Imperial state barge is covered with a canopy of green velvet , embroidered with the * busy bees , ' and ornamented with deep gold fringe and tassels . The barge itself , from its

      admirable finish and beauty of decoration , was shown at the Paris Exhibition of 1855 . A second barge , which followed with the suite of the Emperor , -was provided with crimson awnings , and was not ornamented , as the first one , with the golden Imperial eaglo surmounting a colossal globe . Alter the dejedner her Majesty went on board the Victoria and Albert , and signal was at once made to get under steam . The Royal squadron shortly after moved oft" in two lines in this order : — ltcnown , 90 . Roval Albert , 131 . Diadem , 32 . Euryalus , 51 . Uacoon , 22 . Curacoa , 31 .

      Victoria and Albert . Ulack Eagle . The Firo Queen . Ellin . Vivid . Banshee . Fairy . " As soon a 3 the heavy ships liad got fairly away from their anchorage , tho Royal yacht steamed awny between tho two lines of ships and frigates , and shot ahead of them out of tho harbour . As the Victoria and Albert passed along tho ships , the crews on the rigging gave hearty cheers such ns English sailors lovo to give . On the topmost truck of the main , fore , and mizen masts of the Ilcnown , a sailor was perched , nnd each of those , with cklessl

      re y energy , waved a Union Jack in one hand and liis hat in tho other , and shouted and cheered as though lio were secure on tho solid earth . Her Mnjcsty , from her own yacht , ami tho Emperor , from on board tho Brotngne , watched with much interest tho movements of these daring fellows , who divide * with her Majesty herself tho cheers of the Engliali visitors who observed them . Of course there wns another tremendous salute from tho ships and all tho forts , and tho English squadron gave a parting saluto to tho Emperor . Directly th « j flhips were in the oiling , tho wind being favourable , they set full sail , and were soon lost to view .

      " A frightful accident was very near occurring as the squadron was leaving the harbour . The Prince Frederick-William , one of the boats of the Dover Mail Packet Company , with a large number of English excursionists , male and female , on board , was following pretty closely—perhaps too much so—in th « wake of the Royal yacht . She was passing between the Banshee and the Fairy , when the lianshee suddenly altered ler course , and , in the most lubberly manner , ran her bows into the Frederick-William . Fortunatelyj only- a small amount of damage was done . The confusion on board was for a moment most alarming , but most happily no injury was sustained by anv person on board .

      " The departure of the Royal squadron left a serious gap in the harbour ; but there still remained the ten French ships , the immense fleet of pleasure yachts , nearly a hundred in number , the steamers of the Peninsular and Oriental Company , those of the South . Western Company , and several from the Channel Islands , from Havre , Brest , and other places . There was , however , still left abundant sources of excitement . At ten minutes past one , the first of the yachts of the Royal Yacht Club , which had started from Cowes in the race

      for the Emperor ' s Cup , entered the harbour . It -was the Alarm , the property of Mr . T . Weld . About a quarter of an hour later , the Zara , belonging to the 15 arl of Wilton , entered . The Shark ( Mr . Curling , ) came in third , the Arrow ( Mr . Chamberlaynej ; : fourth , and Fair Rosamond ( the Earl of Gifford ) fifth . The other yachts which competed were tlie Aurora , the Minx , the Claymore , the Julia , the Uirsuline , the Resolution , the Extravaganza , and the Columbine . The flotilla of pleasure yachts gave a most animated appearance ta the liar-> our . "

      ^ The rest of the day was passed in various festivities , succeeded by brilliant illuminations and fireworks at night ; and tlie following day ( last Saturday ) was signalised by

      THE FLOWING OK THE WATERS . The Emperor and Empress arrived at the dockyard at half-past twelve o ' clock , entering by the southern , gate , ¦ - ¦ where a triumphal arch , thirty-four feet hi gh , had been raised . Various trophies , consisting of cannon-balls and small field-p ieces , wer e erected in the- vicinity of the arch and of the bridge leading to the new dock . "In front of the dock , " & a . ysGalignanVs Messenger , " another triumphal arch had been constructed , decorated in the same manner a 3 the others with pieces of cannon and naval articles ; the pillars of the arch were moreover ornamented with trophies composed of weapons employed in vessels of war . Above this arch were placed two suns , seven feet in diameter , with the initials in gold of their Majesties represented in the centre . From the centre of the suns issued innumerable

      sparkling rays formed of polished chisels , saws , and other carpenters' tools . Smaller suns and stars , composed in the same manner , were placed to the right and left of the arcli . Altogether , the appearance of this triumphal arch was most original . On each side of the arch wa 3 suspended an immense screw , while anchors , boardingpikes , muskets , hatchets , chains , & c , were grouped in the most ingenious manner around the structure . Their Majesties were there received by the Maritime Prefect and the a \ ithorities of the port . Their Majesties and their suite descended into the dock by a staircase made for the occasion , and covered with a handsome carpet ; and the Emperor then fastened in its place a plate commemorative of the important event which was about to take place , and a box containing medals and coins . The Imperial cortege afterwards reascended to the quay , and placed themselves under a handsome tent , richly decorated , and surmounted by the Imperial flag . "

      The religious ceremony was then performed by the Bishop of Coutances ; the Emperor gave a signal ; a , mine was sprung ; and a section of the vast dam of earth and sand which had been raised at the uortliern entrance of the dock was thrown down , allowing the passage of the outer waters into tho vast hollow . But the explosion had been in some measure mismanaged ; the breach was not so large as it should have been ; and the water did not at first rush in with that grand impetuosity which had been anti c i pated . In time , however , the gap vas widened by tho action of the waves , and the dock then rapidly

      filled . Meanwhile , the Emperor and Empress (' accompanied by their suite , and l ) y sevoral English noblemen , including some of tho Ministers ) visited the armoury , tho building sli ps , the worksheds , & c . The new Imperial yacht , Aiglc ( now on the stocks ) , was also inspected , and the Empress suggested some improvementa in tho arrangements of tlio state cabin nnd Imperial rooms . At six o ' clock in tho evening , their Majesties returned to the dock , nnd the Ville do Nantes—a vessel of 90 guns and 900 horse-power —was launched amidst the cheers of tlie numerous spectators . Tho Emperor and Empress iil ' tonvards dined at the Prefecture , nnd at nine o ' clock attended a ball at the Hotel < lo Ville given by tho town .

      THE INAOCUJRATIOiN OF TIIK 8 TATUK OF NAl'OI . KON I . The concluding fete—tho inauguration of tho equestrian statue of tlie First Nnpolcou—took place on Sunday . Tho coiemonicfl , which were very brilliant , arc thus described in UalignnnVs Mm > $ enye ) ' : —

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 14, 1858, page 797, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/ldr_14081858/page/5/