derable number of persons assembled near the hotel to witness the departure, and along the route to the railway station many were on the look-out to give their Royal Highnesses a respectful greeting. The Prince and Princess rode in their own carriage followed by a second carriage containing the royal infant and its two nurses, and a third carriage in which were Lieut Gen. Knollys and Major Teesdale. Traveling, as before, by the South Eastern railway, Mr. Descon, the station master had arranged to have the approaches unobstructed, and had covered the platform with crimson coloured baize. The royal party were received on the platform by the following members of the Corporation: - J. Rock, Esq Mayor; R Growse, Ex Town Clerk); Aldermen Hayles, Ross and Ticehurst and Councillors Putland, Bromley, Winter, Gutsell, How, Gausden, and Picknell. On alighting from their carriage the Prince and Princess bowed to the authorities present and immediately entered the royal saloon. This was the magnificent carriage of the South-Eastern Company, consisting of a spacious centre compartment, lined and cushioned with amber damask, an ante saloon, lined with similar material, and having a communicating door also a coupée, lined with blue damask. On the elegant exterior were gilded devices, including the royal arms, recumbentions, and the rose, thistle and shamrock. There were also two ordinary saloons and two first class carriages, which, with the guards vans made up a train of eleven carriages drawn by a powerful engine. . . The train moved off within one minute of the appointed time, amidst the quiet but respectful salutations of those who witnessed it. Mr. J. Knight, superintendent of the traffic department, took up a position on the engine, while other duties were assigned to Capt. Warren, one of the directors. There were also carried out on this occasion the signalling by hand and the means of communicating with any station in case of need, as was the system on the down journey.
Moving out slowly from the St Leonards station, the royal train soon increased its momentum to an express rate of speed, arriving at Tunbridge Wells shortly after midday and at Charing Cross at 1.44. Thence the Royal party travelled in their private carriages and arrived at Marlborough House by two o'clock. The second special train was despatched at about half past one and was made up of one first-class carriage, three carriage trucks, four horse boxes, and two guard's vans. These conveyed the coachmen an grooms, the horses and carriages, and a portion of luggage belonging to the royal household. It was gratifying to all parties that the journey of their Royal Highnesses and suite to Marlborough House was accomplished rapidly, easily and pleasantly, and that an assurance to that effect was conveyed to the railway officials in charge of the train.
Said the St. Leonards Gazette, from which the foregoing extracts are taken, We cannot conclude this notice of the royal visit without congratulating the townspeople upon so fortunate an occurrence; being well convinced that such a visit must needs confer a lasting benefit upon a -
