Chapter I: Declare This Dock Now Open, and That Henceforth It Is to Be (6)

"The list of toasts which we all have before us has now come to
an end, but I shall take the liberty of proposing one more
toast, the last, but by no means the least. We have been
honoured on this occasion by fair ladies, and I think it would
be very wrong if we were to separate without cordially drinking
their health. We see especially how much the comfort, the
well-being, prosperity, and happiness of farmers and
agriculturists depend upon a kind wife to cheer them by the
fireside at the end of their day's work, and to lighten by
female influence the load of difficulties. It affords me the
most sincere pleasure to couple with this toast the name of one
to whom this institution is so much indebted--Mr. Mechi. Lord
Huntly has been mentioning to you the word 'energy'; and if it
had not been for the energy of Mr. Mechi this society would
never have existed. Let me also say, it would not be so
prosperous as it is now if it were not for those energies and
the assistance which he has given it. I hope the words and
expressions which the noble marquis has lately made use of will
not be lost by this company, and that all those who wish to
further the work so worthily begun by Mr. Mechi will continue
it, so that it may never decrease in funds for the excellent
object for which it is designed. I beg to propose the toast of
'The Ladies,' coupled with the name of Mr. Mechi."

Mr. Mechi, in the course of his reply, said that the help of His Royal Highness would be of the greatest importance to the institution.

The way in which the Prince introduced the toast of the founder of the Institution was in his happiest vein. Mr. Mechi's death was a great loss to the agricultural community, for no one more efficiently brought their claims before the public. It may be added, that the tenant-farmers of the kingdom have no truer friend than the Prince of Wales.

THE INDIAN EMBASSY.

_November 1875-May 1876._

The visit of the Prince of Wales to India, apart from what it brought of personal information or amusement, must be regarded as one of the most important services he has yet rendered to the Empire. This is why we call it an embassy rather than a tour or a journey. It appears that as far back as the year 1858, the idea of a tour in the Eastern possessions of the Crown was suggested by Lord Canning to the Prince Consort, as part of the education of the Heir Apparent. But he was then only seventeen, and the proposal was made merely as an incident of foreign travel. A succession of events, both at home and in the East, caused the scheme to be postponed, nor was it seriously renewed till the Prince had attained an age, and acquired an experience in affairs, which would secure for the expedition high consideration for political and imperial, as well as personal, purposes.

In the beginning of the year 1875 it was rumoured that the project was seriously entertained, and on the 16th of March the Marquis of Salisbury made an official announcement to the Indian Council of the intended visit. Many arrangements, however, had to be made, and many difficulties surmounted, before actual preparations for the journey commenced. All these are recounted in detail by Dr. W. H. Russell, in the introduction to his book on the 'Prince of Wales's Tour,' a reprint in expanded and permanent form of his letters as the special correspondent of the _Times_. Dr. Russell had the advantage of accompanying the Prince as one of his personal suite, under the title of Honorary Private Secretary. It is fortunate that the journey had such a historian. The work not only gives a Diary of the tour in India, with a full record of the proceedings of the Prince, but is in itself a most interesting and instructive book of travel, full of information, conveyed in the graphic and bright style which has made the author famous as a man of letters. To this book the reader of these pages is referred for the story of the Royal expedition, both in India and in the countries through which he passed on the outward and homeward journey.[A]

[Footnote A: 'The Prince of Wales's Tour: a Diary in India, with some accounts of the visits to the Courts of Greece, Egypt, Spain, and Portugal.' By William Howard Russell, LL.D. With illustrations by Sydney P. Hall. Sampson Low & Co.]

The Prince was fortunate in the companions of his journey, even to the humbler and useful attendants. It is greatly to the credit of his judgment and his right feeling that the first to whom he expressed a wish to accompany him was Sir Bartle Frere, a wise and good man, and whose Indian experience would be of immense value. In the suite there were, of his own household, Lord Suffield, Sir Dighton Probyn, Colonel Ellis, and Sir Francis Knollys. The Duke of Sutherland, Lord Alfred Paget, Lord Aylesford, Lord Carington, Colonel Owen Williams, Lord Charles Beresford, Captain Fitz George, were invited to join the expedition. Canon Duckworth was selected as chaplain, and Sir Joseph Phayrer as physician; Mr. Albert Grey, secretary to Sir Bartle Frere, Dr. Russell, and Mr. S. P. Hall as artist, completed the list of those who formed the suite of His Royal Highness. Several of these--General Probyn, Colonel Ellis, and Dr. Phayrer--had long Indian experience; and Lord Charles Beresford had accompanied the Duke of Edinburgh in his Indian tour the year before.

The route to be laid down required much consultation, partly from public considerations and partly from questions of climate and care for the Prince's health. The best time of starting had also to be considered. At last all was arranged, and on the 11th of November the Prince started. The route was to be viâ Brindisi, to Greece, Egypt, Bombay, Ceylon, Madras, Calcutta, Lucknow, Delhi, Lahore, Agra, Gwalior, Nepal, Bareilly, Allahabad, Indore, Bombay, and home by Egypt, Malta, Gibraltar, Spain, Portugal. The departure from Lisbon was on the 7th of May, and on the 11th the _Serapis_ anchored off the Isle of Wight, where the Princess of Wales and the children, in the _Enchantress_ yacht, awaited the arrival. "The scene at the landing at Portsmouth," says Dr. Russell, "was a becoming prelude to the greeting which the whole country gave the Prince of Wales on his return from the visit to India, which will be for ever a great landmark in the history of the Empire."

The numerous and diverse events and incidents of the months in India--the sight-seeing, the adventures (some of them strange and perilous), the shooting parties and hunting expeditions, the manifold amusements and excitements of travel--all these were enjoyed by the Prince as much as if he were only the most light-hearted tourist or keenest sportsman. But at the same time, so far as official ceremony and public affairs were concerned, he bore himself all through with a thoughtfulness and dignity worthy of his high position, and of the important mission with which he was entrusted as representing Royalty and the British nation.

There was ceremonial reception at Athens, and again in Egypt in the court of the Khedive, but the first official and formal event of the Prince's mission was the investiture of Prince Tewfik, the Viceroy's eldest son, with the Order of the Star of India. This was done in the palace, with imposing ceremony.

The next official event was the reception of an address from the inhabitants of Aden, which was presented by a Parsee merchant, on behalf of the community. The address of the Parsee showed very clearly how well the object of the Prince's visit was understood throughout the East. The Prince made an appropriate reply, which no doubt was speedily wired to Bombay, and read in the native newspapers all over India.

On arriving at Bombay it was again a Parsee who headed the first deputation and read the first address to the Prince on landing in India. It was from the Corporation of Bombay, the second city in the British Empire, in population if not in wealth. The address set forth in glowing terms the historical and commercial claims of the city to distinction, and expressed the pleasure of seeing among them the heir to the Crown, whom the Queen had sent to become personally acquainted with the people of India. The Prince replied in the following words:--

"It is a great pleasure to me to begin my travels in India at a
place so long associated with the Royal Family of England, and
to find that during so many generations of British rule this
great port has steadily prospered. Your natural advantages would
have insured a large amount of commerce under any strong
Government, but in your various and industrious population I
gladly recognize the traces of a rule which gives shelter to all
who obey the laws; which recognizes no invidious distinctions of
race; which affords to all perfect liberty in matters of
religious opinion and belief; and freedom in the pursuit of
trade and of all lawful callings. I note with satisfaction the
assurance I derive from your address, that under British rule
men of varied creeds and nations live in harmony among
themselves, and develop to the utmost those energies which they
inherit from widely separate families of mankind, whilst all
join in loyal attachment to the British Crown, and take their
part, as in my native country, in the management of their own
local affairs.

"I shall gladly communicate to Her Majesty what you so loyally
and kindly say regarding the pleasure which the people of India
derive from Her Majesty's gracious permission to me to visit
this part of Her Majesty's Empire. I assure you that the
Princess of Wales has never ceased to share my regret that she
was unable to accompany me. She has from her earliest years
taken the most lively interest in this great country, and the
cordiality of your greeting this day will make her yet more
regret the impossibility of her sharing in person the pleasure
your welcome afforded me."

This reply, so happily conceived, and delivered with quiet earnestness, delighted all who heard it. But the echoes of it would soon reach every part of India, and the chiefs and rulers, and also the leaders of opinion in the native press, would from these words of the Prince receive a lesson of true statesmanship and constitutional government.

The greatest event at Bombay was the reception of the Rulers and Chiefs of Western India, a scene of truly Oriental magnificence, the description of which forms one of the most brilliant chapters in Dr. Russell's book. All the established forms of Indian ceremony were observed. The greatest rulers were saluted with the largest number of guns, the Maharajah of Mysore, for instance, having a salute of twenty-one guns, while others were fifteen-gun chiefs or eleven-gun rajahs, as the case might be, according to the population and wealth of the territories over which they ruled. Their dresses, and jewels, and retinues, and the modes of reception, as well as their personal characteristics, are all duly recorded. The Viceroy of India, Lord Northbrook, was with the Prince of Wales at one grand Durbar, and his position in regard to the Royal Envoy from the Queen, the arrangement of which had caused some difficulty in anticipation, was gracefully managed by the Viceroy and the Prince themselves. The Bombay Durbar passed off admirably. It was the Prince's birthday, the 9th of November, and no such scene as on that day can he expect again to witness. The "Carpet," which takes an important place in Oriental durbars, the nuzzars or gifts of homage, and other points of ceremonial, as well as the number of guns in the salute, had all been arranged by official notices to the political officers attached to the native courts. But the cordial bearing of the Prince, and his kindly words when he was told that any visitors knew the English tongue, gave more satisfaction than the formal ceremonials.

A State banquet was given by the Governor in honour of the Prince's birthday. In returning thanks for his health, proposed by the Governor, the Prince made a short but telling speech. He said:--

"It has long been my earnest wish--the dream of my life--to
visit India; and now that my desire has been gratified, I can
only say, Sir Philip Wodehouse, how much pleased I am to have
spent my thirty-fourth birthday under your roof in Bombay. I
shall remember with satisfaction the hospitable reception I have
had from the Governor, and all here, as long as I live, and I
believe that I may regard what I have experienced in Bombay as a
guarantee of the future of my progress through this great
Empire, which forms so important a part of the dominions of the
Queen."

These last words were a true forecast of the Royal progress throughout India. What has been said of Bombay, must serve to give an idea of what everywhere had to be recorded. But we must refrain from further details of what occurred at other Presidencies, and only add that the crowning public event of the whole tour, the chief ceremony of the mission of the Prince, the holding the Chapter of the Order of the Star of India, came off, at Calcutta, on New Year's Day, 1876, with brilliant _éclat_.

This only may be said, that no more successful embassy than that undertaken by the Prince ever went forth from England. It may be added that the great ends accomplished by it cost to the British Exchequer less than £60,000; and this, although no expense was spared in carrying out the mission with due display and munificence. Nor ought it to be omitted that the Prince was most generous, as he is at home, in his gifts to useful and charitable institutions, visited by him in the course of his journey. But we must leave the fascinating story of the Indian visit, to resume the record of the humbler, but not less honourable duties, undertaken by the Prince after his return to England.

LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ASYLUM.

_May 7th, 1877._

The "Licensed Victuallers," as might be expected from so numerous, wealthy, and ancient a Corporation, possess several charitable institutions. They have a "Permanent Fund," founded as far back as 1794, and incorporated in 1836, which grants weekly allowances to about two hundred and sixty persons, at an annual outlay of £4770; grants £300 yearly for the maintenance of twelve children in the Society's School; and dispenses temporary relief amounting to £500. The School just named, founded in 1803, situated in Kennington Lane, Lambeth, wholly maintains and educates 200 children of deceased or distressed members of the Incorporated Society of Licensed Victuallers. Its income from all sources averages £6000. Besides these charitable operations, there is the Licensed Victuallers' Asylum, in the Old Kent Road, founded in 1827, and incorporated in 1836, for the reception and maintenance of decayed aged licensed victuallers, their wives or widows, and for granting weekly allowances of money to fifty candidates, while waiting for the more substantial benefits of the Society. The Asylum comprises 170 distinct houses, with a common library, a chapel and resident chaplain. The property covers six acres of freehold land, and the annual expense is about £8500.

In support of this useful and well-managed Asylum, the Prince of Wales presided, at a special jubilee festival held on May the 7th, 1877. The Duke of Sussex was its first patron in 1827, and he was succeeded by the Prince Consort, on whose death the Prince of Wales assumed the office. A large number of influential persons accepted the invitation to be present, including Earl Granville, several members of the House of Peers, many members of the House of Commons, and three Bishops, in all about 300 supporters of the institution.

After grace by the Bishop of Winchester, in whose diocese the Asylum is situated, the Chairman rose to propose the usual opening toast of "The Queen," saying that Her Majesty had always taken deep interest in this Asylum, and had sent £50 to its funds at one of its annual festivals. Earl Granville, in a genial and humorous speech, proposed the toast of "The Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family." The noble Lord said he considered it a fortunate circumstance that he was there that evening, because in the afternoon he met a friend, who said to him: "You really don't mean to say you are going to dine with those wicked people the licensed victuallers?" Now, in arguing the case with his friend, he did not go into the abstruse question whether all persons who dealt in articles of general demand and great consumption, useful in themselves, and capable of being misapplied or abused, such as food, or drink, or money, or physic, or a great many other things which, excellent in themselves in a small quantity, might be most deleterious, when misapplied--were monsters. He satisfied himself with a much shorter answer, which was that, as a study in human nature, it would be rather interesting to see 300 monsters of iniquity assembled cordially to promote the work of genuine charity and benevolence. Having justified his presence, he ventured to say that the toast he proposed would be received with the most unfeigned and genuine pleasure, since he had to give "The Health of the Prince, of the Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family." He might recommend it on the score of the high position of the Chairman, which enabled him to influence so many for good, or on the ground that the Prince and Princess are the most popular couple in the country, and in all the vast dependencies of the British Crown. He might put it on the ground that the Prince shows that genial and cordial energy in anything which he undertakes, whether in protecting the interests of British exhibitors on the Champs de Mars at Paris, or in presiding in a work of charity and kindliness. He might also recommend it in consequence of His Royal Highness being the very best chairman of a public dinner. Instead of long speeches, His Royal Highness made addresses that were, to use a homely expression, as full of meat as an egg. But without using any arguments whatever, he would give them "The Health of the Prince and Princess, and the rest of the Royal Family," and he was sure it would be received with enthusiasm.

The band of the Grenadier Guards, under Mr. Dan Godfrey, played "God Bless the Prince of Wales," after which the Prince rose and said:--

"My Lords and Gentlemen,--I am excessively grateful to the noble
Earl for the most kind and flattering--I may say far too
flattering--terms in which he has been kind enough to propose my
health, that of the Princess, and the other members of my
family, and for the excessively cordial manner in which you have
been kind enough to receive it this evening. It is, no doubt,
somewhat unusual that the health of the Chairman should be given
at so early a period, but I am very grateful to the noble Earl
for the kind manner in which he has given it, and to you for
the way in which you have received it. Lord Granville has just
mentioned to you that this afternoon he was accosted by a
friend, who asked him why he was coming to-night, and expressed
some surprise at his doing so. Lord Granville was asked by one
friend. During the last three or four days I have received as
many as 200 petitions from bodies in all parts of the United
Kingdom begging me on no account to be present here this
evening. Of course, I do not wish in any way to disparage those
temperance societies, which have, no doubt, excellent objects in
view. But I think this time they have rather overshot the mark,
because the object of the meeting to-night is not to encourage
the love of drink, but to support a good and excellent charity.
I can only say, and I am sure all those here will agree with me,
that no one had the interest of all those in his adopted country
more at heart than my lamented father, and I feel perfectly
convinced that he would never have been the patron of the
society unless he was sure that it was one that was likely to do
good, and that it was deserving of his support. Lord Granville
has made far too flattering allusion to me as a Chairman, but as
he has been kind enough to say--giving me certainly a broad
hint--that speeches of this kind should be short, I am only too
happy to avail myself of it; and if brevity is the soul of wit,
I shall be the wittiest of chairmen.

"Before sitting down I wish to bring to your notice a toast
which is always honoured with enthusiasm at every assemblage of
Englishmen. The toast is given, indeed, so often that it is
difficult to vary the manner of giving it, and especially at the
present moment I feel it would be unbecoming in me to dilate in
any way on the Army or the Navy. But at the present moment, when
the political horizon far away is so obscure, I feel sure that,
whatever may happen, it is the wish of all Englishmen that our
Army, though small, should be in the highest state of
efficiency, and that our Navy should be, as it ought to be, the
best in the world. I have lately returned from a short trip in
the Mediterranean, where I had the pleasure of spending ten days
in one of the finest men-of-war in Her Majesty's service; and
though the captain of that vessel is my own brother, I feel I
may say that there are few vessels which are in a better state
of order and discipline. And I think that if all the rest of
the Fleet are in the same state we shall have no cause to
complain of our Naval Service. With the Army and Reserve Forces
I beg to couple the name of General Sir W. Knollys, and with the
Navy that of Admiral Sir A. Milne, who for so long a time has
given his valuable services to the Admiralty."

Sir W. Knollys, in returning thanks, said that, in addition to intemperance in drink, there was such a thing as intemperance of the brain and pen, and he had observed marks of that in some of the communications which, as a member of the Prince's household, he had had under his notice during the last few days. Sir Alexander Milne also returned thanks. The Prince of Wales then rose and said:--

"My Lords and Gentlemen,--The toast which I now give you is the
toast of the evening--'Renewed Prosperity to the Licensed
Victuallers' Asylum.' We are met here together to-night for the
purpose of doing honour to its 50th anniversary, and when I look
round me and see so numerous an assembly, I feel sure that we
shall have in every respect reason to be grateful for the bounty
of these gentlemen, who are prepared to do much towards
benefiting this excellent charitable institution. As everybody
is aware, it was founded as a refuge for the aged and decayed
members of the trade, so that they might be spared from dying of
hunger, or being thrown on the poor-rates as recipients of
parish relief.

"The first stone of this Asylum was laid by my grand uncle, the
Duke of Sussex, and forty-three houses were then erected. Up to
the year 1835 lodging only was provided; but the Board of
Management then originated a fund which enabled them to maintain
the inmates as well. A weekly allowance in money and coals was
granted to these poor people.

"In the year 1849 the applicants had become so numerous that it
was determined to erect an additional building. The first stone
of that building was laid by my lamented father, who again
performed a similar service when it was found necessary,
nineteen years ago, to enlarge still further this Asylum. In the
year 1866 my brother, the Duke of Edinburgh, laid the foundation
stone of another wing.

"In the year 1863 I had the pleasure of becoming the Patron of
this Society, although in sad circumstances, in succession to
my father. I had great satisfaction also in assisting in the
ceremony of unveiling the statue which has been erected to the
memory of my father in the grounds of the Asylum. I believe I am
correct in stating that the institution now consists of about
170 separate habitations. The number of inmates is about 210,
who receive, the married couples, 10_s._, and the others, 8_s._
per week, besides coals, medical assistance, &c. The annual
expenses are very large, as they amount to upwards of £8000, and
as for the greater amount of that expenditure the Asylum is
dependent upon voluntary contributions, the Governors are most
anxious to collect now a sum which may be added to their capital
in order that they may feel that they have more certain sources
of income. I feel sure you will aid them, and I call upon you
once more to give most liberally all that is in your power to
give, and to show that you are anxious by pecuniary means as
well as by your presence here this evening to benefit the
institution. I will not weary you with any more words, because
no doubt at many other dinners the main facts of the case have
been brought before your notice. I will only say that it has
given me the greatest pleasure to take the chair this evening. I
thank you again for the cordial support which you have been kind
enough to give me, and I feel that now again I may call upon you
once more to do all in your power for the prosperity of the
Licensed Victuallers' Asylum."

Lord G. Hamilton, M.P., proposed the toast of "The Stewards," Mr. E. N. Buxton, M.P., in acknowledging the toast, said they had no desire to claim from His Royal Highness in any sense any appearance of taking sides on a question by his presence there that night. The kind words he had spoken only showed his approval of the great principle that every trade should provide for its poor and disabled members.

The Secretary of the Institution read a list of subscriptions, headed with an additional donation of 100 guineas from His Royal Highness, which was followed by large subscriptions from Messrs. Bass, Allsopp, Huggins, Mr. C. Sykes, M.P., and other gentlemen. The whole list amounted to £5000.

In recent years the subject of intemperance has attracted more attention, and the crime and poverty resulting from drink has led to a general consent of opinion that some greater regulation of the trade is necessary.

UNVEILING ALBERT STATUE AT CAMBRIDGE.

_January 22nd, 1878._

The election of His Royal Highness Prince Albert to the Chancellorship of the University of Cambridge, was one of the honours of which he was most justly proud. He was only twenty-eight years of age, and had not yet been eight years in England. But during these years he had won the respect and admiration of all that was highest and best in the nation. When the Chancellorship of Cambridge became vacant by the death of the Duke of Northumberland, on the 12th of February, 1847, application was made to the Prince, on the next day, by Dr. Whewell, the Master of Trinity, to allow himself to be put in nomination for the office. The request was separately made by the Marquis of Lansdowne on the same day. A letter from the Bishop of London (Blomfield) conveyed the assurance that the Prince's acceptance of the office would be regarded by many of the leading members of the University, with whom he had conferred, as "honourable and advantageous to the University." The Prince replied, through Mr. Anson, to whom the bishop's letter was addressed, that he would be gratified by such a distinction, if it was the unanimous desire of the University.

Unfortunately there was another candidate proposed, and an election took place, the Prince obtaining a large majority. Of 24 Professors who voted, 16 gave their votes for the Prince; of 30 Senior Wranglers, 19 were on his side; while of the resident members 3 to 1 voted for him. Notwithstanding this strong expression of opinion, the Prince felt inclined to refuse the office, but was induced to accept it, on the reasons of the opposition being explained to him, and on the assurance that the contest would be forgotten after a few months, and that he might then count on the confidence and goodwill of the whole Academical body.

Fortunately he accepted, and the assurances of his supporters were more than verified. On the 24th of March the ceremony of inauguration was gone through at Buckingham Palace, when the Letters-Patent ware presented to the Prince by the Vice-Chancellor, accompanied by the most distinguished officials, and about one hundred and thirty members of the University. How soon and how powerfully his influence was felt in advancing education at Cambridge, is matter of history. The following simple entry in his Diary, on the 1st of November, 1848, shows the result of his first efforts: "My plan for a reform of the studies at Cambridge is carried by a large majority." To the enlightened and judicious plans of the Prince the subsequent advances and extension of education in England have been largely due. Nowhere was this more gratefully acknowledged than at Cambridge.

During his life he was honoured, and after his death a statue was erected to his memory, chiefly by subscriptions from the University. The site chosen was in the Fitzwilliam Museum, a memorial worthy of the noble benefactor, who bequeathed to the University his valuable collection of pictures and books, with a sum of £100,000 to be spent in providing a building suitable for their reception. The statue of Prince Albert was here fittingly placed. It was one of the best works of Mr. Foley, in his later years, and is universally admired as a striking and worthy representation of the illustrious Chancellor.

It was for the ceremony of unveiling this statue that the Prince of Wales visited Cambridge on the 22nd of January, 1878. He was met at the gate of the Museum by the Chancellor, the Duke of Devonshire, the Lord High Steward, the Vice-Chancellor, and a distinguished company. On entering the vestibule an address was read by the Chancellor, setting forth the services to the University of the Prince Consort, during his fifteen years' tenure of office. The address thus concluded:--

"This memorial of the Prince Consort cannot but serve to remind us also as Englishmen of the signal benefits conferred by His Royal Highness upon our Queen and country by his wise and far-seeing counsels, his never-wearying vigilance and attention to the public welfare, and his entire devotion to the duties of his exalted station at the sacrifice of all personal interests and objects.

"We thank your Royal Highness for the distinguished honour conferred upon the University by your presence among us this day. It remains only for us to prefer our request that your Royal Highness will now be graciously pleased to uncover the statue. To no one does this honourable office more appropriately belong."

The Prince of Wales returned the following reply:--

"My Lord Duke, Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Members of the Senate, and
Gentlemen,--I thank you for your address. I feel that it is
hardly necessary for me to assure you what pleasure it affords
me to be present on this occasion for the purpose of unveiling
the statue of my illustrious father and your late Chancellor, in
compliance with the special desire and invitation of the
Chancellor and the Members of the Senate of the University. But,
apart from the performance of this duty, I must express my great
satisfaction at having an opportunity of revisiting Cambridge as
a member of your University, and recalling to my mind the
agreeable recollections which I have always retained of my
undergraduate's days. The interest which the Prince Consort took
in everything relating to the welfare of the University is well
known to us all, and it is a source of deep gratification to me
to witness the respect which the members of the University show
to his memory by the erection of this fine statue. I will now
proceed to execute the task imposed upon me of unveiling the
statue."

The Prince then walked up to the Statue, and having pulled a string, it stood unveiled before the assembly, who contemplated it for a few moments in silence.

The Chancellor again addressing the Prince, thanked him for the honour which he had done the University in being present on so interesting an occasion. It was, however, a source of regret to him that so many had passed away who had the best means of becoming acquainted with the views and thoughts of the Prince Consort--such as Professor Sedgwick and Dr. Whewell--who, if they were alive, would gladly have borne testimony to his great virtues that day. There were, however, many now in that hall who, he had no doubt, entertained the liveliest recollections of the deep interest which was taken by His Royal Highness in the work in which the University was engaged.

The Earl of Powis also bore testimony to the unwearied interest which was taken by the Prince Consort in the development of new studies in the University, even amid the weighty cares of State.

Dr. G. Paget, Regius Professor of Physic, spoke in highly eulogistic terms of the Prince Consort's love of science and art, observing that it was under his auspices that the Moral and Natural Science Triposes had been established, to the great advantage of teaching in the University.

The ceremony in the entrance-hall was thus brought to a close, and the Prince of Wales, the Chancellor, and their respective suites proceeded to the picture gallery, where His Royal Highness held a _levée_, which was very numerously attended. After the _levée_ he returned to Trinity College. It was several years since the Prince of Wales had paid a visit to Cambridge of any duration. He spent some time there as an under-graduate, and made with the Princess of Wales a stay of three days in 1864, when he had the degree of LL.D. conferred upon him.

Another memorable visit was paid on the 9th of June, 1888, when the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Princess and their three daughters, witnessed the conferring of an honorary degree on Prince Albert Victor. Other notable graduates _honoris causâ_ were on the list that day, including the Marquis of Salisbury, the Earl of Rosebery, Lord Selborne, Mr. Balfour, Mr. Goscheu, and Professor Stokes. At the luncheon afterwards given in the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Prince of Wales said it was seven and twenty years since he was first connected with the University. "They were happy days," he added, "and I always look back to them with the greatest pleasure and satisfaction."

INFANT ORPHAN ASYLUM, WANSTEAD.

_June 28th, 1878._

This institution maintains and educates the orphans of persons once in prosperity, from earliest infancy till fourteen or fifteen years of age. About 60 children are now (1888) annually elected. Nearly the whole of the income depends on voluntary contributions. Subscribers have votes, according to the amount of their subscriptions. There are now nearly 600 in the Asylum, which is open to children from all parts of the British dominions. The Asylum stands in beautifully wooded grounds, at Wanstead, on the outskirts of Epping Forest.

The Prince, accompanied by the Princess of Wales, presided at the anniversary festival, on June 28th, 1878. They drove to Wanstead, and were received at the Asylum by the Bishop of St. Albans, in whose diocese it is, and by the officers of the institution. They were conducted to the Examination Room, where, Dagmar Mary Petersen, a little orphan girl, eight years old, daughter of a Dane, who settled in London as a commercial clerk, herself admitted just eighteen months ago by the loyalty of a lady of the Society of Friends, who wished thus to honour the Princess, commenced the proceedings with a pretty speech which she had got perfectly by heart and recited very clearly. In her childish voice she gave those assembled a distinct account of the asylum. "She had been told that it was the largest of the kind in England. When the boys, girls, officers, and servants are all there, 700 persons sleep in the building. The schools are in three divisions, senior, infants, and nursery children. In the two large senior schools there are about 400 boys and girls. They learn grammar, history, geography, arithmetic, French, music, and drawing, and the girls learn needlework besides. In the two infant schools they do not learn quite so much. In the nursery they learn just a very little and play a good deal. And being little children they learn about the Bible." The little girl who spoke this simple address presented a bouquet to the gracious Princess after the ceremony, and was kissed, praised, and otherwise gratified.

"God bless the Prince of Wales" was excellently sung at the conclusion of the speech; the children came up to the Princess and took their prizes from her hands; and marched out of the room, keeping time to lively music. The Royal party inspected the school-rooms, play-rooms, and dormitories, cheerful and well-ventilated halls; and the Princess carried toys to the children in the nursery.

The Prince of Wales took the chair at luncheon, supported by the Princess of Wales, and their suite, the Duke and Duchess of Manchester, the Bishop of St. Albans and Hon. Mrs. Claughton, and a large assembly. After grace the Prince of Wales rose and proposed "The Health of Her Majesty the Queen." The toast-master next announced a bumper toast, and the Duke of Manchester gave "The Health of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and the Princess of Wales," "a toast which is never more heartily honoured than on these fortunately frequent occasions, when their Royal Highnesses patronize and encourage well-organized charitable institutions, among which this was perhaps one of the best he knew."

The Prince of Wales said, in reply:--

"Ladies and Gentlemen,--On the part of the Princess and myself,
we beg to return our warmest thanks to the noble duke for the
kind way in which he has proposed this toast, and to you, ladies
and gentlemen, for the cordial manner in which you have received
it. It has afforded both the Princess and myself the greatest
possible pleasure and the greatest possible gratification to
come here to-day and to inaugurate the fifty-first anniversary
of this excellent and commendable institution. What we have seen
ourselves, and what the most part of the company have witnessed
on their own part, I think will do more than anything I can say
to show you what an excellent institution this is, and how
worthy it is of support in every way. The manner in which the
children sang, the discipline under which they are evidently
kept, the clean and healthy appearance of all of them, is a
matter of sincere congratulation to all those who take interest
in this institution or have the trouble of its management. I may
say that there is one little girl who perfectly astonished us by
the elocution which she possessed--well worthy of many a
distinguished member of Parliament.

"It was highly interesting to the Princess, as well as to
myself, to have been here to-day, the fortieth anniversary of
the Queen's Coronation. The first stone of the building in which
we are now was laid by my lamented father a few months before I
was born; and I hold in my hand the mallet which was used by him
on that occasion, and which has been sent to me by Sir Charles
Reed, the chairman of the London School Board, whose father, Dr.
Andrew Reed, was, I understand, one of the promoters of this
institution, and always took the warmest interest in its
welfare. This day seventeen years ago the Prince Consort visited
this institution, and this day exactly twelve years ago was the
last time the Princess and I were here.

"I am sure there is but little more for me to say in commending
so admirable an institution to you, which has now existed for
half a century, which maintains 600 children during the course
of the year, and has educated and sent forth into the world as
many as 3000 up to the present time. But a well-managed
institution like this, with the spacious rooms which we have
seen, will naturally convince you that it must cost a
considerable sum, and I believe I am not incorrect in stating
that it requires at least £18,000 a year to maintain this
asylum. And as it is almost entirely supported by voluntary
contributions I feel sure that all those present will do all
they can to support this institution, and to tell their friends
when they go home how worthy it is of support. I have now, in
conclusion, only to propose--a toast which I give most
heartily--'Prosperity to the Infant Orphan Asylum.'"

The Prince of Wales then left the chair, resigning it to the Bishop of St. Albans, who gave the other usual toasts.

The secretary read a list of subscriptions. The Queen had sent her annual donation of 10 guineas; the Prince of Wales before leaving placed in the hands of the secretary a cheque for 100 guineas; the Duke of Edinburgh gave 10 guineas; H. S. C. (who had long been an anonymous benefactress), 100 guineas; country friends, £462. In all, about £1600.

This concluded the formal proceedings, but the summer weather tempted many of the visitors to prolong their stay in the pleasant gardens of the asylum.

THE TRAINING SHIP 'BRITANNIA.'

_July 24th, 1878._

In the autumn of 1877, the Prince of Wales went to Dartmouth, to place his sons, Prince Edward (as he was then usually called) and Prince George, on the training ship _Britannia_, under the care of Captain Fairfax, R.N. At the end of the summer term, in the following year, the Prince consented to preside at the distribution of prizes on the _Britannia_, and graciously announced that the successful pupils should receive their medals and books from the hands of the Princess of Wales.

The Mayor and Corporation of the ancient borough of Dartmouth took advantage of the occasion to give official welcome to the Royal visitors, and to present an address, which the Prince signified his readiness to receive on board the Royal yacht, _Osborne_. Thither the magistrates repaired in the forenoon. The picturesque estuary of the river Dart never had displayed so festive an appearance. The _Britannia_, and her attendant yacht the _Sirius_, the Royal yacht, the Admiralty yacht, which had brought the Lords of the Admiralty, several ships of the Plymouth fleet, under Admiral Sir Thomas Symonds, besides a large flotilla of yachts, steam launches, and all sorts of boats, were covered with gay bunting, while flags floated from every point of the shore and the town.

The Town Clerk having read the Address from the ancient borough, which was first incorporated by a charter of Edward III., in 1342, and had figured in subsequent history, especially at the time of the Spanish Armada, the Prince, in reply, said:--

"On behalf of the Princess of Wales, as well as on my own
behalf, I offer my sincere thanks to you for your address and
for your cordial welcome to us on our visit to this ancient and
beautiful town. The salubrity of the climate of Dartmouth and
the excellence of your sanitary arrangements have long been
known to me, and I can appeal to no better proof of my entire
confidence in them than that afforded by the step I have taken
in sending our two sons to be educated on board the _Britannia_.
I beg to assure you that with that step both the Princess and
myself are perfectly satisfied. I trust you will continue to
devote your attention as you have done in the past to the
improvement of the sanitary arrangements of the town. I thank
you again for the kind wishes you have expressed towards the
Princess, myself, and our family."

The Prince also congratulated the Mayor, Sir Henry Seale, on the splendid effect of the illuminations of the previous evening. Accompanied by the Municipal authorities, and by the Duke of Connaught, Prince Louis of Battenberg, and a numerous retinue, the Prince and Princess then proceeded to the _Britannia_ for the distribution of the prizes. They were received by Mr. W. H. Smith, then First Lord of the Admiralty, and the other Lords; by the Commander-in-Chief of the Plymouth division of the Channel Fleet; and Captain Fairfax of the _Britannia_. Between 500 and 600 of the friends or relatives of the cadets, and other invited guests, among whom were Lord and Lady Charles Beresford, Sir Samuel and Lady Baker, were assembled on the quarter-deck, sheltered from the sun by a canopy of flags, surmounted by the flag of Denmark, and the white ensign of England.

The distribution of the prizes took place, a report on the state of the training having been previously read by Dr. Hirst, director of studies at the Greenwich Naval College, who had superintended the examination of the cadets.

After the distribution, the Prince of Wales, standing on the deck in the uniform of a captain of the Royal Naval Reserve, said:--

"My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen,--Permit me to express to you
the great pleasure it has given the Princess to present the
cadets who are about to leave the _Britannia_ the prizes which
they have so successfully won, and to express to you on my own
part as well as on that of the Princess the very great pleasure
it has given us to be here to witness and take part in these
interesting proceedings. From Dr. Hirst we heard a most
interesting and exhaustive speech regarding the studies of the
cadets and their merits. I can only wish those who are about to
leave the _Britannia_, and who have now fairly entered that
noble service for which they have been trained, all possible
success. Let me hope that the tuition they have received here
will not be thrown away upon them, and that they may all emulate
those bright examples to be found in English history and of
which every naval officer must be proud. To those cadets who
still remain on board this ship I can only recommend strict
assiduity to their studies and strict obedience to discipline,
and all of them to try to pass out of the _Britannia_ as highly
as they can, remembering, above all, that saying which one of
our greatest admirals has handed down to posterity--'England
expects every man will do his duty.' A personal interest which
the Princess and myself take in this ship and the confidence we
have of its being an excellent practical school for boys have
been testified by the fact that we have sent our two sons among
you to be educated. For myself, my only hope and trust is that
they may do credit to the ship and to their country."

Mr. W. H. Smith, M.P., First Lord of the Admiralty, thanked their Royal Highnesses for their welcome presence, and called upon the cadets to give three cheers for the Prince and Princess of Wales. The cheers were prolonged to three times three, caught up in row-boats around, and echoed by the high banks of the Dart. The chief captains of the cadets, who are mainly responsible for discipline and occupy a place of honour in the ship's mess-room on the main deck, were presented to the Prince and Princess, and the proceedings came to an end. Captain and Mrs. Fairfax had the honour of entertaining the Royal personages and a select party at luncheon. Later in the day the Prince of Wales paid a visit to Captain Zirzow, on the German Imperial frigate _Niobe_, and drank a glass of wine to the health of the Emperor of Germany. Captain Zirzow telegraphed at once to the Emperor that the Prince of Wales had called a health to him.

When the Prince and Princess arrived at Dartmouth on Tuesday they were rowed to the _Britannia_, one of their sons steering and the other pulling the second bow oar. They left the ship in a boat rowed by full-grown sailors, and with their two sons, who were going home for their holidays, sitting in the stern sheets. From the _Britannia_ to the landing-place, which was brightly draped with crimson cloth, hawsers were stretched and thus a clear lane was kept among the crowd of craft for the passage of the Royal boat. Tho cadets of the _Britannia_ sat in their blue coats with tossed oars, and cheers were raised by those on the boats, yachts, the many little steam launches, and the shore. Little girls threw flowers before the Princess as she stepped upon the landing stage. A special train was waiting to meet the ordinary mail from Penzance and Plymouth.

So ended a visit which formed an interesting incident in the family life of the Prince, and the events of which will long be remembered in South Devon.

CABDRIVERS' BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

_May 5th, 1879._

The objects of the Cabdrivers Benevolent Association are: 1, to give annuities of £20 a year; 2, to grant small loans; 3, to give temporary assistance in cases of urgent distress; 4, to assist the widows and orphans of cabmen. This is an institution the benefits of which are so obvious, and for the help of a class of men so hard-worked, so uncertainly paid, and so useful to the public, that we are not surprised at the readiness with which the Prince of Wales assented to preside at one of its annual festivals, and at the hearty earnestness in which he made an appeal on its behalf. It was at the festival dinner on the 5th of May, 1879. On coming to the toast of the evening His Royal Highness said:--

"There is, I think, no class of our fellow-countrymen that
deserve more of our consideration than the cabdrivers of this
great city, and it has already been truly expressed to you that
one cannot think without pity of those poor men sitting on their
cabs in the cold east winds with which we are, alas! so well
acquainted, and in the rain and snow which have been our lot now
for so many months.

"They are as a rule, I believe, a class honest, persevering, and
industrious. For them I have to plead to-night, and for this
excellent institution, which has for the last nine years
rendered to them such great benefits.

"The objects of this Cabdrivers' Benevolent Association are, as
you are aware, threefold--first, to give annuities at the rate
of £12 each to aged cabdrivers or to those who from infirmity
are unable to earn their living; secondly, to grant loans
without interest to members requiring such aid, and to give
temporary assistance to those who may be in distress through
unavoidable causes; and, thirdly, to give legal assistance to
members who may be unjustly summoned to the police courts. It is
hardly possible to conceive that any benevolent institution of
this kind is more deserving of support, not only by the large
assembly who are gathered here, but by the inhabitants generally
of our great Metropolis. There are a thousand cabmen who are
members of this Association, and they pay 5_s._ a year. Pensions
of £12 are granted now to old and indigent cabdrivers, but it is
our great wish to augment that sum to £16" (now £20). "The
system of loans seems to have answered admirably in every
respect; £600 has been granted to the members without interest,
and these loans have, I understand, been always most regularly
and most punctually repaid. Two hundred and thirty-three cabmen
or their families have been assisted by this society in various
years since its formation, and its existing capital is more than
£3000; but this we hope to augment still further.

"One statement I may make which may be of interest to those
present here this evening. I mentioned that as a class the
cabmen are thoroughly honest. As a proof of that I have
statistics here before me which state that last year there were
between 16,000 and 17,000 articles left in cabs, amounting in
value to about £20,000, which have been punctually returned. I
believe, at least it is the popular belief, that there is only
one article a cabman never returns, and this is an umbrella, and
I think that is, we may consider, quite fair. A gentleman having
an umbrella may not want a cab, but without an umbrella he will
be compelled to take a cab if the rain comes on!