HER MAJESTY IN PARIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 335, 16 January 1856, Page 6

HER MAJESTY IN PARIS.

The Oi'EitA.—Returning to St. Cloud at fouro'clock, the Emperor ami his quests dined en famille. At night they went in state to the Grand Opera, passing thither between a double row of illuminations. The exterior of the opera-house was also splendidly lighted up, and no expense spared in display. "The Emperor's box was erected in the grand tier directly opposite the stage ; and on either side of it stood, like a slum*.', a soldier of the Cent Guard, en grande tenue —superb looking fellows, as superbly .dressed and equipped. Two others stood sentry on the stage at either sviug. The pit was entirely filled with gentlemen in full evening costume; aud the stalls and tiers of boxes re-s-mbled so many panerres of rare flowers, from the amount of beauty exalted by the highest triumphs of the toilette with which thcv "overflowed. When the Emperor and Empress, with their guests, entered, the whole house rose' to receive then< ; and from that brilliant assemblage our Queen met with a reception worthy of tiio.,e who gave and of her who was ihe object, oi it. 'Die enthusiastic plaudits had hardiy subsided when the orchestra began to play the National Anthem, and at iis close the ch.-ering was renewed and lon^ sustained. Her .Majesty gracefully acknowledged these tokens ut the high favour wiili whinii' sh* is regarded by the upper cia^e* in Pans, she was tasteful!^ but simply mca : , c u. and wore the Hound of the Garter, and on her head a tiara of diamonds, She sat on the right liand of the Empress-, having the Emperor on her right, and hiuked remarkably well;'on the right hand of llm KmiuT-r was t»i» Prince Nupukon, and on tlio left ot the Empress. Prince Albert, who again had iii« Pnncess Mathilde on his ifcii. The Emperor wore the riband of the Garter also, and, as usual, appeared in the tsmiunn of a General of Divi,iun. Prince A.bert disp{ il)fc ,l ihe insignia ..f the Legion of Honor nv^r his Kield-Marshar s uniform. Tlie Kuiiiress wore a magmli ( -out tiara of diamonds ; ■Mid ncr <j..-lic:tt.e but b.-atililui feattirts were the tneme of general admiration. liie royal and imperial personage* scaled in front, with the u.iidsoi hon.mr behind them, ,'Wmed together a group which was at once historical and dram-

atio.1' Anotiier entiiusiastie correspondent $nyn —" Her Majesty looked remarkably well, and in excellent spirits. She talked a great deal to the Kmp'.ror in the course of the evening. Her unaffected good humour, and the ease, simplicity, and dignity of her manners, charmed all beholders. There is an,indescribable fascination in her smile, which sheds gladness around her. The geniality of her nature was visibly reflected in the usually impassible fralures of the Etnp&ror. When he sp,.ke to her his eyes sparkled with unwonted brilliancy and a smile curled about his lip. fn tint eountriianee, so dillicult to read, one michl plainly see, mixed with an unfeigned deference and respect for his illustrious guest, a setiumen iof intense self-satis-faction at having gained a great political point at which he had long hem aiming— the presence of iheQ'ieen of England in the capital of France. The Empress, 1 regret to say, looked Te'ry delicate. She spoke but little either to-the Queen or Prince Albert, and seemed to suffer from fatigue.''

The official Jfonitntr lulls us that" the imperial box occupied the centre of the first gallery opposite the stage The front boxes bad been removed to make place for the vast platform which joined u> the amphitheatie. A vast dais nf red velvet, with a rich {fold fringe falling on huth sides in rich draperies, in the grand and severe st\ !e of Louis XIV., covered the platform, which harmonized well with the handsome decorations of the house. Four Cent Gardes were placed as sentries, two below the imperial box, and one to the riirlu and one lo the leit of tin: stage. The house was dazzling. The ladies were in full dress, the men in ball dress ; on all sides light, diamonds, and flowers. At half past eight the shouting outside announced to those wiio were fortunate enough to get places that their .Majesties had arrived! Everyone rose, and the wannest app-ause and the most enthusiastic cheer*, resounded through the house. The ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and the men seem>-d never weary of slioutiij"" • Vive la Reiiie /' ' Vive I'Emptrcur V ' Vivc^i Impc rat rice !' Vive la Prince Albert.' The orchestra could not .strike up ' God save the Queen' until these loudjmauifeslutinns of enthusiasm had sinnewhat abated. H"er Majesty the Q leen of England,- having- bowed graciously, sat down, haviuy; the Emperor on her right hand and the Empr»-.-.s on her left. Next to the Empress sat ins lloval Highness Prince Alberc, and to the left of the Prince her Imperial Highness Princess^ Mathilde. His Imperial Highness Prince. Napoleon sat near the' Emperor, at the other end of the platform. The high officers, the officers of the Emperor's Household tiie ladies of hou.iur of the Queen of Eng-Jand, and the ladies of honour of the Empress^ stood behind their Majesties. As soon as the orchestra had titi!s':ed playing 'God save the Queen'the cm Uin rose. A. musical interlude was performed, consisting of the Irio in William Tell, by Gue.vmnrd, Obin, and Merlj, vacations' of Mummel. by -Madame Alh-mi, the duo of Ow Heine dc Ct/prc, by. Roger and Bonehee, and the bolero of ihe Vrpres Siciliennes, by Mademoiselle CimeHi. All ihe.se artistes displayed the utmost z-j.ii and talent to deserve the approbation of their Majesties, who repeatedly deiirned m jrf v «j the signal for applause. The ballet of La Fond was afterwards peifomied, the principuiciiar.icter by Mademoiselles llosati, ami in which a new ;w.uviis introduced, danced oy Mademoiselles Pln-iket and Be,v,ic!u;. la the last tahleau .vhich represented WiiuLsor Oaslie, all the principal peiionneis and the corps dc ballet appeared r.n the stage. At this moasciu aM tlie uriistns and choruses of the Opera sau-'God save the Queen1, which produced an immeube effect. The whole hou^e stood up hieing ihe Queen, and ap-.landed and ciieeied in tin-most enthusiastic i,,, <imer H er Majesty bowed most -raeiuusiy ; ih e public then encore.l the national hymn of England, lbeir Alajcsnes then wuhdrew, and the same ncclamnli.Mis groelod the.n at their departure as on thurarnval and a« ; companied them along Uh- whole hue the c<nH<;je had to pass through on m return to St. Vimul."-Guardian