It was not long before the five steamers were entering the harbour, the one bearing Her Majesty leading the way.  As each vessel had a number of distinguished persons on board, the people appeared to be at a loss to know which was the Queen; and as each party made its appearance on the promenade deck, they were received with great enthusiasm, the party having the best looking lady being received with the greatest applause.  The Prince of Wales, and Prince Alfred, while crossing the deck were recognised and greeted with three cheers; the former taking off his hat and bowing to the people, showed that he had had some training as a public man although not ten years of age.  But not so with Prince Alfred; for, when his brother turned to him and asked him to take off his hat and make a bow to the people, he shook his head and said, “No.”  This was received with hearty laughter by those on board, and was responded to by the thousands on shore.  But greater applause was yet in store for the young prince; for the captain of the steamer being near by, and seeing that the Prince of Wales could not prevail on his brother to take off his hat, stepped up to him and undertook to take it off for him, when, seemingly to the delight of all, the prince put both hands to his head and held his hat fast.  This was regarded as a sign of courage and future renown, and was received with the greatest enthusiasm—­many crying out, “Good, good:  he will make a brave king when his day comes.”

After the greetings and applause had been wasted on many who had appeared on deck, all at once, as if by some magic power, we beheld a lady rather small in stature, with auburn or reddish hair, attired in a plain dress, and wearing a sky-blue bonnet, standing on the larboard paddle-box, by the side of a tall good-looking man, with mustaches.  The thunders of applause that now rent the air, and cries of “The Queen, the Queen,” seemed to set at rest the question of which was Her Majesty.  But a few moments were allowed to the people to look at the Queen, before she again disappeared; and it was understood that she would not be seen again that evening.  A rush was then made for the railway, to return to Dublin.

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August 8.

Yesterday was a great day in Dublin.  At an early hour the bells began their merry peals, and the people were soon seen in groups in the streets and public squares.  The hour of ten was fixed for the procession to leave Kingstown, and it was expected to enter the city at eleven.  The windows of the houses in the streets through which the Royal train was to pass, were at a premium, and seemed to find ready occupants.