rived at the Waterloo station shortly after three. The south western engine was here detached and its place supplied by one belonging to the South-Eastern Company. The train being then under the direction of the latter company, proceeded slowly on to London Bridge, passing that station at only a walking pace. It then proceeded again slowly on its journey, via Croydon, Redhill and Tonbridge, to Tunbridge Wells, where it was timed to arrive at 4.28. The train was there delayed for a few minutes for taking in water, and for examining and greasing the wheels. It then set off for St. Leonards direct, where it arrived at 17 minutes past five. Every precaution had been taken by both
railway companies against the possibility of accident, the latter company having also arranged to have the royal train signalled by hand, men being stationed for that purpose at all the crossings, tunnels, curves, &c throughout the journey. It was said that an arrangement was also made whereby the royal train could be put into instant communication with any station on the route. Notwithstanding the slowing down and other precautions taken to insure safety, the journey from London Bridge was accomplished in two hours
and from Tunbridge Wells in 47 minutes. The train consisted of six carriages, the first of which was the magnificent saloon of the South-Western Company. This contained the royal pair, and a second saloon was appropriated to the use of two nurses and the royal infant. The third carriage contained the Hon. Mrs Coke, Magor-Gen. Knollys, and Major Teesdale. The Prince and Princess on alighting, bowed graciously to the officials and then proceeded in their own carriage to Starkey's Victoria Hotel. The route to the hotel, about half a mile, was thronged on both sides with carriage occupants and pedestrians, and a welcome more sincere than boisterous was given to and acknowledged by the royal visitors.
Friday being the first complete day of their Royal Highnesses sojourn, was, unfortunately one of those rainy and boisterous days which are not over numerous in this locality mild winters excepted. It is pretty well known, however, to meteorologists at least, that when they do occur, they not only clear the air of noxious vapours, but bring also, in the case of south west gales, an amount of ozone which confers on those who inhale it a greater boon than bane. During the roughest part of the day it would have been impossible for the royal visitors to have taken outdoor exercise, but as the storm abated in the afternoon, the Princess took an opportunity of an airing in her carriage, whilst the Prince walked on the esplanade The members of the gentlemen's club, in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, placed their billiard and reading rooms at the disposal of the Prince during his sojourn, and Mr. Curteis, master of the East-Sussex hounds, kindly offered to give his Royal Highness a meet on any day he might be pleased to appoint. It was worthy of notice that the lamps within and around the hotel had been fitted with new burners, portions of unmelted snow had been removed, and the approaches in -
