PUBLIC LANDING OF THE DUKE.

West Coast Times, Issue 669, 15 November 1867, Page 3

PUBLIC LANDING OF THE DUKE.

Oc.t. 31. The good city of Adelaide has assumed an appearance she has never presented before, and in all probability will not again exhibit for many years to come. Taking it as a whole, we are, however, bound to say that the decoration of the city was very effective. On Wednesday evening our country cousins poured in pretty freely, but this morning there was a perfect invasion. The trains were crowded Dm mail coaches were not only full but over filled. Private vehicles ot every sort and shape ; carts, waggons drays and indescribable looking traps', apparently hauled out of a seven years 5 seclusion, and furbished up for the particular occasion, might be seen mm g

ling with oz'dinaiy vehicles ; added to all which every saddle-horse in the colony appeared to be in requisition, aud finally pedestrians were neither few nor far between. It was not only the crowded condition of the streets that was remarkable ; the great influx of strangers was still more so. There was no njistataking these strangers, for not only were their faces unknown to the frequenters of King William street, but everything was so evidently unknown to our visitors, and so surprising to many of them, that their looks of curiosity and wonderment betrayed them as thorough novices. The morning broke cloudy and dull, but the glass stood well for fine weather, and towards noon it was very pleasant. The central street was not closed against horse traffic until shortly before the arrival of the Prince, and meanwhile numerous equestrians and parties in carriages passed up and down surveying the decorations. There had been much fear expressed that the colored calico flags, fixed half-mast high on the poles in King William street, would give a tawdry look to the whole of the arrangements, but this was certainly not the case. In the first place, they were judiciously looped up, and in this modest retirement did not challenge criticism. In the next place, the enormous quantity of real bunting, bright and bran new, altogether eclipsed the glazed calico accessories, which were scarcely noticeable at all in the grand display. Then, again, a new feature was added in the course of the previous night, by something b'ke a mile of evergreen iestooning, stretching from flagstaff to flagstaff, on both sides of the streets, from Victoria Square to Government House. This arrangement added much to the picturesqueness of the scene. So likewise did the imitation-stone pedestals, with their surmounting vases of evcrfreens and flowers placed equidistant etween the flag-poles on both sides of King William street. But the balconies were by far the most conspicuous features of the exhibition. A few days before, ; the almost boundless ranges of deal structures presented anything but a pretty view, and our columns have been availed of by many persons, whose misgivings as to these balconies were very marked indeed. Here, again, criticism was too fast. As if by magic, the dingy timbers were quicidy covered with upholstery of many hues, festooned in elegant devices, whilst evergreens were introduced in such profusion . that King William Street looked almost like a conservatory. Various devices, intended as transparencies for the night, made very nice pictures by daytime, so that King William street had somewhat the appearance of a picture-gallery. Bundle street also looked very gay. Every house had its flag-pole, and in some places more than one, and every flag-pole had its flag, which was more or less gorgeous and brilliant .in the colours presented. The appearance of tho street was greatly enhanced by various festoons which were thrown across from side to side. A simple line of foliage stretched from the Globe Hotel to Wigzell's opposite. A festoon bore a boldly worked motto, "Advance Australia," on a red background, and this added very much to the tout ensemble of the street. But when the balconies were filled with their various occupants, the final effect was completed, and every South Australian might have felt pardonably proud of tho city as the Royal procession passed on to Government House. A vast number of people assembled in town ; far more than would be imagined, except by those who occupied elevated positions, commanding extended views. From Government House, through King William street, to South Terrace, and thence to the Cemetery, tho streets were lined ; and as the roads arc wide, with many open acres southward of the square, a very large area was available. Of course tho greatest pressure was from the Post-office to Go-vernment-house, the crowd culminating at the Post Office corner, where the Sundayschool children attracted an enormous multitude. The special constables and the mounted troopers had a difficult task to keep an open passage for the thousands of little ones who, with their teachers, for about two hours were marching onward in one unbroken stream. It was a sight unparalleled in South Australia. As the enormous platforms slowly filled, the up-

turned sea of juvenile faces and the buzz of conversation, almost resembling distant thunder, produced unusual emotions. Yet everything went on like clock work, — no mistakes, no unpleasantness, no accident. We have no wish to exaggerate, but it is only the simple truth to say that the Sunday school demonstration was 1 marvellous : and when, on the arrival of the Duke opposite the platform, the children rose to the call ot Mr Loder, and sang the National Anthem, the effect was overwhelming.