Chapter I: Declare This Dock Now Open, and That Henceforth It Is to Be (14)

For the same reason it is with regret that the Editor has to omit descriptions of many important and interesting functions both in the Metropolis and throughout the country. The truth is there are few parts of England, certainly few of the great centres of population and industry, which have not been visited by the Prince, generally accompanied by the Princess of Wales, for some purpose of local and often of national utility. Now it is at Birmingham, to open a new Hospital or an Art Gallery. Now it is at Sheffield to open the Park, which was the munificent gift of its Mayor, Mark Firth. Now it is at York, for opening the New Institute. Now it is at Leeds, for inaugurating the Art Exhibition; and at Leeds the Prince addressed an audience which included the Lord Mayors of London and York, and the Mayors of almost every town in Yorkshire, in the Town Hall, opened many years before by the Queen and the Prince Consort. Another year there was a Royal visit to Lancashire, where a new Infirmary was opened at Wigan, an institution praised by the Prince as due as much to the gifts of the working classes as to the liberality of the employers of labour in that great mining district. At Bolton, for the first time in its history honoured by a Royal visit, the Prince opened the Town Hall, one of the finest edifices of the kind in the provinces. At Hull the new Albert Dock was opened, and new docks at Grimsby. Another time the Prince is among the agricultural people, at Dorchester for a Cattle Show, or at Hunstanton for opening a Convalescent Hospital. Or he is at Newcastle, opening the Coble Dene Dock for the Tyne Commission. Or he is at Southampton laying the foundation-stone of a new church for Canon Wilberforce. Another time he is at Worcester, admiring with the Princess of Wales the splendid Porcelain Works, as well as the Cathedral and antiquities of the loyal city. Many other expeditions have been made during these twenty-five years, and it is noteworthy that in places supposed to be the most democratic and independent, as Birmingham and at Sheffield, the reception of the Royal visitors was the most hearty and enthusiastic. Opening the Victoria Hall at Ealing on December the 15th was the occasion of the latest public appearance in 1888. It adjoins the Parish building, and the Free Library, to which the Prince alluded in his brief speech.

Reference has not been made to occasions of a private kind, such as Regimental and Club Dinners, where the presence of the Prince is always welcomed, and what he says is remembered, though not reported. Perhaps it is right to mention the Savage Club, of which many Press reporters are members, and where the Prince made one of his genial addresses, and drew from the Club very acceptable aid towards founding the Musical Scholarships in which he was then interested.

Any one who could see the engagement book of the Prince of Wales during a season would think there is little exaggeration when it is said he is one of the most busy and hard-working of public men. If it cannot be said _nulla dies sine lineâ_, there are few days on which some important business has not to be attended to, besides his personal or private affairs in town and country. In one of his early addresses, he said that, being excluded by his position from taking active part in political life, he would devote his time to "duties connected with works of charity and of public utility." How far this resolution has been carried out, the readers of this volume have the means of judging.

In many of his speeches the Prince has, in grateful and touching terms, referred to the useful and beneficent services rendered by his revered and lamented father, whose example he desires to follow. That example also influenced the character and the life of the late Emperor of Germany, "Frederick the Noble." In the introduction to the brief biographical memoir of 'Frederick, Crown Prince and Emperor,' recently published by Mr. Rennell Rodd, the widowed Empress--our own Princess Royal--expresses a hope that the book will make his name better known to the English public, and give him a place in their affections beside that of her father, the Prince Consort, "for whom he had so great love, admiration, and veneration." The words of Lord Tennyson are thus recalled with new power:--

"Dear to thy land and ours; a Prince indeed
Beyond all titles, and a household name
Hereafter through all times--ALBERT THE GOOD."

SPEECHES AT ROYAL ACADEMY BANQUETS.

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SPEECHES AT ROYAL ACADEMY BANQUETS.

The first appearance of the Prince of Wales at the annual dinner of the Royal Academy, with the short speech made on the occasion, has been given under the date, May 4th, 1863. In many subsequent years the Prince has been a welcome and honoured guest, and has been called to address the company. Instead of giving these speeches in the years when they were delivered, it seems better to group them together. The guests at the banquet are in the main the same year by year. After the Royal and official personages, and notable public men always present, and the Academicians and their friends, there remains not much room for variety in the invitations. If any very distinguished stranger is in London at the time, or some hero of the day, he is pretty certain to be invited, and the speech of such a guest is a distinctive feature in the yearly record of the banquets. There is also effort made to secure some eloquent speakers to reply to some of the toasts given from the Chair. But on the whole there is considerable sameness in the reports, the same toasts being always given, and often the same speakers responding. The Prince of Wales has been more than once complimented for his being able to find fresh material for his speeches at these dinners. The simple art in effecting this is that he takes some topic which is before the public at the time, or refers to his own public acts, which interest the audience on account of his personal popularity. We cannot give all the speeches on these occasions, but the following show the general spirit of them, and the variety of subjects touched by him.

_1866._

At the banquet of 1866, on the 5th of May, the President, Sir Francis Grant, then recently elected, for the first time occupied the chair. In proposing the health of the Prince of Wales, Sir Francis wished to his Royal guest, "amidst the cares and labours of his exalted station, all the soothing influences of a love of art. He inherits the enlightened appreciation of art, which had distinguished both his illustrious parents. But the title of artist is not confined to the subjects which occupy the Royal Academicians. In England, especially in the Midland counties, a gentleman who particularly distinguishes himself in riding across country after hounds is popularly called an artist. Gentlemen," continued the President, himself an artist of high repute in both senses of the word, "I am able to assure you from my own personal observation, and I feel sure his Grace the Duke of Rutland will bear me out, that His Royal Highness in his recent visit to Leicestershire, in two very severe runs across the Vale of Belvoir, proved himself a first-rate artist in that particular department of art. Since His Royal Highness has proved himself in one sense an artist, may I, if His Royal Highness will forgive my boldness, claim his sympathy for his brother artists of the brush? Allow me to add, the brush is an important element in both departments of art. I beg to say on the occasion alluded to His Royal Highness was most deservedly presented with the brush. I have the honour to propose 'The health of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales and the other members of the Royal Family."

The Prince, in responding, said:--

"Sir Francis Grant, your Royal Highnesses, my Lords, and
Gentlemen,--I thank you most sincerely for the very kind manner
in which you have proposed my health, that of the Princess of
Wales, and the other members of the Royal Family, and for the
cordial manner in which it has been received. I need hardly
assure you that it is a source of sincere gratification for me
to be present a second time at the annual dinner of the Royal
Academy, more especially as I am enabled to have the opportunity
of supporting you, Sir Francis, on the first occasion that you
take the chair as President of the Royal Academy. Although we
are assembled on a festive occasion, I cannot omit referring to
the memory of one whose loss we must all deeply deplore. I
allude to your late President, Sir Charles Eastlake. You Royal
Academicians all knew him so well, and how justly popular he was
for his many distinguished qualities, that it would be
superfluous for me to pass any eulogy on his name. But I cannot
forbear offering my small tribute to his merits, having always
considered him as an old friend, and having known him, indeed,
since my childhood. I now take the opportunity of thanking you,
Sir Francis, for the very kind manner in which you have adverted
to me in connection with art. I need not assure you that I shall
always be most ready to do my little best in assisting to
promote the welfare of art and science, and thus following the
bright example of the Queen and my lamented father. I thank you,
also, for the allusion you made to me as a brother of the
'brush.' Although, as I observed before, I will do my utmost to
support art, still I am afraid I shall never be able to compete
with you as a painter, but at the same time I shall always be
ready to enter the lists with you in the hunting field as long
as you do not attempt to ride over me at the first fence. With
respect to the present Exhibition, it may, I think, be said that
the pictures in a great measure not only show the progress of
art, but record the times in which we live. Taken as a whole,
the Exhibition is one of a peaceful character, and indicative of
peace. There is only one picture to which I would refer which,
at the present moment, bears anything of a warlike character--I
mean 'Volunteers at a firing point,' in which there is a picture
of a distinguished Highlander (Mr. Ross), a countryman of your
own, who is represented as shooting for a prize. That is a very
interesting picture, and it reminds us forcibly that the
Volunteers who came forward for the protection of their country
have not been required in that capacity, and are now employing
their time usefully in the art of rifle shooting. Without
further trespassing on your time, permit me once more to thank
you for the manner in which you have proposed and drunk my
health."

The Duke of Cambridge, in responding to the toast of the Army, referred to the distinction in art attained by the President, the brother of one already highly distinguished in arms, his friend Sir Hope Grant. Prince Alfred responded for the Navy.

An interesting fact, not generally known, was mentioned by Sir Francis Grant, who had been called the successor of Sir Charles Eastlake. Sir Edwin Landseer had been elected; and, although he could be only persuaded to retain the office for one week, the Academy had the proud satisfaction of knowing that his name is registered among its Presidents.

The other speeches at this banquet were of unusual interest, from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Earl Russell, and the Earl of Derby. Allusions were made to the loss of Lord Palmerston, and of Mr. Gibson, the sculptor, and also to the approaching marriage of the Princess Mary of Cambridge, for whom the Duke of Teck responded. The Earl of Derby made special reference to the National Exhibition of Portraits at South Kensington, interesting alike to the artist and to the student of history.

_1867._

After dinner, the customary loyal toasts were proposed and responded to, the President making special reference to the severe and protracted illness of the Princess of Wales, which they all deplored, with the trust that it would please God soon to restore her to perfect health. The Prince, on rising, was loudly applauded, and spoke with evident emotion, in witnessing the warm sympathy shown by the assembly:--

"Sir Francis Grant, your Royal Highness, my Lords, and
Gentlemen,--I beg to tender you my warmest thanks for the very
kind manner in which you have proposed and received the health
of the Princess of Wales and myself. I feel sure she will be
deeply gratified for the kind words you have this evening
uttered, and I am glad to say that, although she has now for
very nearly two months been kept to her room by a long and
tedious illness, she is now progressing towards recovery. I know
I can have no more pleasing announcement to make to her Royal
Highness than to tell her of the very kind feeling which has
always been exhibited to her since her first coming to this
country. I beg also, Sir Francis, to thank you for the very kind
manner in which you have alluded to the interest I take with
regard to science and art. I need not tell you that I do take
such an interest. If I may say so, I take the same interest
which my parents have always taken, although I may not have the
same experience or knowledge; still, I hope I shall always tread
in their footsteps in that respect.

"I am flattered, Sir Francis, by your statement that I have
shown an appreciation of art in becoming the possessor of a work
by so celebrated an artist as Sir Edwin Landseer. I think it
would be impossible to find at this table any one who would not
feel the same appreciation of so admirable a work of art. I
obtained the picture under somewhat peculiar circumstances. It
had been painted for a private person who was kind enough to
give it up to me. Sir Edwin Landseer, although he has been
before the public for many years as a painter, has within the
last two months achieved great distinction as a sculptor, and
has produced one of the finest monuments of art that exist in
this country. He kept us perhaps some time in waiting for his
lions, but the result has certainly been a most magnificent
one.

"With reference to the Exhibition now before us, I think I may
say that for many years we have not seen a finer exhibition. The
names of Grant, Watts, Millais, and others I need not
particularise. Last year we had to mourn the loss of Sir C.
Eastlake, and now we have to lament the departure from among us
of another Royal Academician, Mr. Philip, to the vivid
truthfulness of whose pictures from Spanish life I myself, from
having been in Spain, can amply testify. I beg, my lords and
gentlemen, again to thank you for the kind manner in which you
have proposed and received my health, and the still kinder
manner in which you have received the health of the Princess of
Wales."

_1870._

The Royal Academy banquet for 1870 fell on the 30th of April.

Sir Francis Grant, the President, in proposing "The Health of the Queen," stated that Her Majesty had, in May of the previous year, conferred on the Academy the honour of visiting the new galleries in state, and was pleased to express her high approval. At that visit she gave commissions for pictures to several young artists of rising fame; and she presented to the Academy the beautiful marble bust of herself, executed by her accomplished daughter the Princess Louise.

In next proposing "The Health of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family," the President said that they were all glad to welcome the Prince, for the first time, in the new galleries. "Last year His Royal Highness was well employed elsewhere visiting the historic wonders of ancient Egypt, accompanied by the Princess of Wales, whom we must all rejoice to see returned to this country in perfect health. It must be a gratifying circumstance to all Her Majesty's loyal subjects that the Royal Princes, her sons, are not too delicately reared, as Princes were of old, but are all manly English gentlemen and great travellers, who seek to elevate and enlarge their minds by studying the customs and policy of foreign nations, and to strengthen the cords of sympathy and loyalty which bind our colonies to the mother country. I read with pleasure of His Royal Highness recently presiding at a meeting of the Society of Arts, and the able sentiments he then expressed on the subject of education. I am glad also to learn that the Prince has succeeded the late lamented Lord Derby as President of the Royal Commission of 1851--an institution, if I may so call it, which has done such great things for the progress of art, especially in connection with manufactures, and which owes so much, I might say entirely its great success, to the enlightened genius and active support of the Prince's illustrious father."

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who was received with much cheering, said:--

"Mr. President, your Royal Highness, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--I
beg to tender you my warmest thanks for the kind way in which
this toast has been proposed and received. It has afforded me
great gratification once more to attend the hospitable board of
the Royal Academy, and especially as I have this evening for the
first time had the pleasure of dining in these new rooms. As the
President has remarked, he was kind enough last year to invite
me to inaugurate these rooms, but, being abroad, I was
unfortunately unable to do so. I regret it, especially as that
was the one hundredth anniversary of the Royal Academy. I think
I may be allowed to congratulate the President and all the Royal
Academicians on the Exhibition of this year. Of course, every
artist strives each succeeding year to produce still better
pictures and statues, and I think the Academicians have no
reason to complain on the present occasion. We must regret, as I
am sure all Academicians will, the death of Mr. Maclise, and it
is with feelings of sorrow that we shall now for the last time
see a picture of his adorn these walls. The President has kindly
alluded to me as having recently presided at a meeting of the
Society of Arts, and I cannot but thank him for the compliment
he has paid me in connection with the observations I made upon
that occasion. It afforded me great pleasure to preside at that
meeting, and, although my position as President of the Society
is to a certain extent an honorary one, I promise that I shall
be ready on every occasion to come forward and give as much time
as I can in promoting any of its very important objects. I beg
also to thank the President for having alluded to me as
President of the Commission of 1851. It is with deep regret that
I have had to succeed one whose presence we must all miss on
occasions like these--one whose name can never be forgotten in
the country's history, and who always took the highest interest
in the welfare of all our great institutions, and more
especially those connected with art--I allude to the late
lamented Lord Derby. My lords and gentlemen, I assure you the
Princess of Wales will be highly gratified to hear how kindly on
this, as on every other public occasion, you have received her
name and health, and I beg to thank you for the kind manner in
which you have listened to the few remarks I have made."

The usual toasts were afterwards given, and responded to by eminent men, including Mr. Motley, the American Minister, and Charles Dickens.

_1871._

At the Royal Academy banquet of 1871, the President, Sir Francis Grant, in proposing "The Health of Her Majesty the Queen," referred to the recent opening of the Albert Hall, a proceeding which, in some degree, tended towards the realisation of the late Prince Consort's constant efforts for the promotion of Science and Art in this kingdom.

In proposing "The Health of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal family," Sir Francis referred to the zeal of the Prince in the encouragement of Art, and said that he was shortly to preside on two different occasions in connection with Art, at the opening of the International Exhibition, and at the dinner of the Artists' General Benevolent Institution.

The Prince, in responding, said:--

"I feel very much touched by the kind way in which you, Sir
Francis, proposed my health, and this company received it, and I
beg also to thank you for the very kind terms in which you
alluded to the name of the Princess, who, I am confident, will
be deeply gratified by the kind way in which you alluded to her
name and the company have received this toast. You have referred
to the opening of the International Exhibition next Monday, and
I sincerely trust that the opening of that series of Exhibitions
may be as successful as the others which preceded it, and that
the promotion of science and art may be carried forward by the
means of these numerous Exhibitions. It is always a great
pleasure for me to meet you here at this annual gathering, to
see so many distinguished and celebrated persons, and to be
surrounded on all sides by the pictures of the most celebrated
artists of our own country, and also, by the permission of the
Academicians, by the pictures of the most distinguished foreign
artists. I feel sure that the artists of this country take it as
a great compliment that these pictures should be sent here for
exhibition. With respect to the present Exhibition, it must
strike all of us on looking around these walls that some
pictures are wanting--pictures from an artist whose health, I
fear, is failing, although I am sure we all hope most heartily
he may yet be spared to us; still we do miss the pictures of Sir
Edwin Landseer. Gratifying as it must be for distinguished
artists to see their pictures exhibited, and to hear the remarks
made on them by critics and others, there are two beautiful
drawings in this Exhibition of which, alas! the artists will
never hear the praise that may be bestowed upon them, and I feel
sure that it will not be considered out of place if on this
occasion I offer my condolence to the Royal Academicians for the
absence of one of their number, and the cause of it in the
terrible bereavement he has sustained (alluding to the death of
the son of Mr. Goodall, R.A.). My lords and gentlemen, I thank
you for listening to these few remarks, and as many speeches
have to be made I will not trespass further upon your attention
than by again thanking you for the very kind manner in which my
health and that of the Princess have been received by this
distinguished assembly."

_1874._

The chief interest of the evening was in the speech of Sir Garnet Wolseley, the "hero of Coomassie." His health was proposed by the Prince of Wales, who said he would have preferred that the toast should have been given by some one better qualified, but that he felt it a pleasure and honour to fulfil the duty laid on him by the President.

The Duke of Cambridge, in responding for the Army and Navy, had in very happy terms also referred to the services of Sir Garnet Wolseley, who in his speech gave well-merited praise to the Commander-in-Chief, for his efforts to raise the standard of military education.

Returning to earlier proceedings of the evening, the President of the Academy, Sir Francis Grant, in proposing "The Health of the Prince and the Princess of Wales and the other members of the Royal Family," said:--"It is a subject of infinite satisfaction to the members of the Royal Academy to observe the unmistakable and earnest love of art which His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales manifests on all occasions. Notwithstanding the numerous calls that are made on the time of His Royal Highness, to which he assiduously responds, we learn through the Press of his occasionally visiting the studios of some of our leading artists, thus honouring and encouraging Art in the most gratifying manner. We have also to thank the Prince for the active assistance he gave us in promoting the success of the Landseer Exhibition. It was owing to his personal influence that we are enabled to thank his Majesty the King of the Belgians for two beautiful pictures sent from the royal collection at Brussels, and also his Serene Highness the Duke of Coburg, who sent from Coburg one work of great interest, and besides several other valuable pictures, one of Van Amburgh and the Lions, the property of his Grace the Duke of Wellington, a picture that possesses this special interest, that the subject was suggested and the picture commissioned by the Duke's illustrious father. I am glad to be able to announce that the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the other members of the Royal Family, honoured the Exhibition with their presence on Thursday. I hope the Prince will forgive me for the liberty I take, if I venture to mention that we members of the Academy always witness with pleasure the honest and zealous way in which both the Prince and Princess go over the Exhibition, beginning catalogue with pencil in hand, at No. 1, and working steadily through all the galleries. It cannot but be gratifying, even to the humblest artist who is so fortunate as to obtain a place on these walls, to know that he has good reason to hope that his labours will not escape the observation of the Prince and Princess of Wales."

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who was received with much cheering, said:--

"Mr. President, your Royal Highness, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--I
beg to thank you for the very kind manner in which you, Sir
Francis, have proposed my health with that of the Princess of
Wales and the other members of the Royal Family, and for the
cordial way in which you, my lords and gentlemen, have been
pleased to receive it. I can assure you, Sir Francis, and the
members of the Royal Academy, that it affords me the greatest
pleasure and satisfaction to have been able to accept your kind
invitation. It is now two years since I had the opportunity of
partaking of your hospitality, and you may be sure that whenever
I am able to come to the Royal Academy it will always give me
the greatest pleasure. Sir Francis Grant has been kind enough to
allude to me with reference to the Exhibition at the Royal
Academy of pictures by his late distinguished and
never-to-be-surpassed colleague, Sir Edwin Landseer. I will only
say that any efforts of mine--the efforts were but small, but
such as they were, any efforts I could make--were most
cheerfully devoted to give the country the opportunity of seeing
those magnificent works, some of which, having for many years
been in the possession of their proprietors, had not been
placed before the eyes of the public. It gave me very great
pleasure to help in any way such an exhibition. Thanks to the
efforts of the President and the members of the Royal Academy,
that exhibition was a great success, and afforded the utmost
interest and pleasure to all who saw it. I feel assured that you
must all deeply deplore the loss of that great man. Last year he
was still living, though, alas! his health was such that it was
impossible for him to come among his colleagues as he used to
do. At any rate, he lived to render his name illustrious, and we
can never hope to see his fame excelled. Sir Francis, I hope you
will allow me to congratulate you on this most excellent
Exhibition. When we see these walls surrounded with
pictures--when we look at the catalogue and see the names of
yourself, of Messrs. Millais, Leighton, Prinsep, Watts, Ward,
Frith, Graves, Calderon, Sant, Alma-Tadema, and many others I
might mention, it is unnecessary to say that we have here a
collection of pictures of the greatest artists which this
country can produce. I am glad to take this opportunity of
saying that I hope those gentlemen who have come to the Royal
Academy on this occasion have not forgotten to look at one
picture in the next room, which I think well deserves attention.
It is numbered 142 in the catalogue, and is entitled 'Calling
the Roll after an Engagement in the Crimea.' This picture,
painted by a young lady who, I am given to understand, is not
yet twenty-three, is deserving of the highest admiration, and I
am sure she has before her a great future as an artist. In the
next room, the Lecture Room, is a statue of 'A Horse and his
Master,' by Boehm, which I am confident all who take an interest
in sculpture will agree with me is one of the finest pieces of
sculpture of modern times. The name of the artist is so well
known that it is superfluous for me to make any remarks upon it.
I only hope that at no very distant day he will have the
privilege of writing R.A. after his name. My lords and
gentlemen, I beg to thank you for the very kind way in which
this toast has been proposed and accepted by this distinguished
company."

The marked way in which the Prince called attention to the now celebrated picture of "The Roll Call" was a generous tribute to rising merit. The young artist thus signalised has more than fulfilled the anticipations formed of her. The name of Elizabeth Thompson soon became distinguished in Art, and she continues to excel in depicting military scenes, now that her name, Lady Butler, is associated with that of a most gallant and distinguished officer, Sir William Butler, K.C.B. The praise bestowed on "The Roll Call" by the Duke of Cambridge was equally hearty, and was a high compliment as coming from the head of the British Army.

_May, 1875._

The President, Sir Francis Grant, in proposing "The Health of the Queen," referred to Her Majesty's constant and cordial encouragement of Art. "In carrying out our Winter Exhibition of the Ancient Masters, Her Majesty has always given us her cordial support; and I hope I may be allowed to remind you that last year, when we held an exhibition exclusively of the works of the late Sir Edwin Landseer, the Queen was so kind as to contribute no fewer than sixty works by that eminent artist. For that and other gracious acts the Academy desire to record their grateful acknowledgments."

On giving the toast of "The Prince and Princess of Wales and the other members of the Royal Family," Sir Francis Grant said:--"I beg to assure His Royal Highness that the members of the Royal Academy are very sensible of the honour he confers on us by his presence on this as on many former occasions. They especially value the compliment as an additional proof of the interest His Royal Highness has at all times manifested in the promotion and encouragement of Art. I am glad to say the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family, honoured the Exhibition with their presence on Thursday, and after their usual careful examination of the works of Art were pleased to express their approbation. We cannot but be impressed by the cordial and zealous manner in which both the Princess and the Prince fulfil the many onerous duties which devolve on their exalted position. We can scarcely take up a newspaper without reading of their Royal Highnesses performing some public duty or lending their presence for the support of some charitable institution, combining as they do this honourable desire to do good with the most gracious manner--a graciousness which, I venture to say, does not proceed from mere courtly education, but from the genuine impulses of good and noble natures."

The toast was drunk with all the honours, and His Royal Highness, who was received with much cheering, said:--

"My Lords and Gentlemen,--For the exceedingly kind manner in
which my health and that of the Princess of Wales have been
proposed by you, Sir Francis, and received by the company here
present allow me to return my most sincere thanks. The President
of the Royal Academy and the Royal Academicians may be assured
that it affords us the greatest pleasure on all occasions to
come to the Royal Academy, to attend their annual Exhibition. I
am sure, Sir Francis, that you and your brother Academicians
have no cause to complain of the Exhibition this year. I am
certain that all who have any knowledge of Art will agree with
me that this is a very fine Exhibition, in no way inferior to
any of its predecessors. For myself, I will only say that it
affords me the greatest gratification to be present on an
occasion when one meets with the most distinguished men--men of
the highest position and talent, surrounded by all that is most
beautiful in Art. I beg to return my best acknowledgments for
the kind manner in which you have received the health of the
Princess of Wales, of myself, and of the other members of the
Royal Family, and I sincerely hope, that on many future
occasions I may have the happiness to be present at the annual
gatherings of the Royal Academy."

In responding for the Army, the Duke of Cambridge referred with high praise to the picture of "The Last Muster," and also to that of the young lady who has again distinguished herself by a military picture, "The Square of the 28th Regiment at the Battle of Quatre Bras," and also the picture by a foreign artist in another room delineating an historic "Charge at Waterloo."

In speaking of the Navy, the President said that Mr. Brassey had presented to the nation the fine picture of the _Devastation_. "I believe," said Sir Francis, "this is the first representation of an ironclad that has found a place on these walls--a picture of the _Devastation_--of which the genius of the talented artist has made quite a picturesque object by concealing more than half the vessel in smoke, and adorning what remains with a variety of flags."

_1879._

After having missed the anniversary festival at Burlington House for four years, mainly on account of pressing work, partly in connection with Art, the Prince of Wales honoured the President and Council by his presence on the 3rd of May, 1879. There was the customary number of Royal and distinguished guests, but another President now filled the Chair, and other changes were witnessed among the Academicians.

Sir Frederick Leighton, in proposing "The Health of the Queen," said that, "as members of the Royal Academy, we acclaim in this toast the head and immediate patron of this institution--a patron whose patronage has been for forty years not formal merely, but whose interest in its well-being has constantly shown and still shows itself in acts of gracious and enlightened generosity and high examples of support, a generosity and support the fruits of which were but a few weeks ago again magnificently evident on our walls. Deep gratitude, therefore, mingles with loyalty in the toast which I have now the honour to propose--'The Health of Her Majesty the Queen.'"

The President said of the Prince of Wales, that "his absence for a time had not been caused by any diminution of the interest which he has ever evinced in this Academy and in the arts which are its care, but, on the two last occasions at least, by the performance of self-imposed and onerous duties in which the furtherance of English Art had no small share. Those who had the honour to co-operate with His Royal Highness in the work to which I allude--and not a few are seated at this table--know by experience with what steadfast zeal and devotion and with what inexhaustible kindness in his dealings with all he carried it out; but no one, perhaps, so well as myself knows how desirous the Prince of Wales has been throughout that English Art should receive at the International Exhibition that recognition and honour which in his view it deserved, and which in the event was measured out to it by the opinion of Europe." The Princess of Wales, as all knew, co-operated with never-failing grace with the Prince in fulfilling the duties of their high station. As to the other members of the Royal Family, "all had grown up in the love of arts, and several of them practise one or other of those arts with enthusiasm and with marked success. I give 'The Prince and Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family.'"

The Prince, in responding, said:--

"Sir Frederick Leighton, your Royal Highnesses, my Lords, and
Gentlemen,--I am very grateful for the excessively kind manner
in which this toast has been proposed and received by this large
and distinguished company. As the President, Sir Frederick
Leighton, has said, it is four years since I last had the
advantage of being present at your annual celebration. It was a
matter of great regret to me that so long a time should elapse,
but it has given me great pleasure to come here to-night and
take part in your proceedings. During those four years events
have occurred in the history of the Royal Academy which have
awakened deep regret. The members of the Royal Academy--I may
say all who sit at these tables--feel that they lost a friend in
the death of Sir Francis Grant, who so long presided with so
much geniality and kindness at these anniversaries. But of the
Academy, as of Royalty, it may be said, '_Le Roi est mort! Vive
le Roi!_' The President is dead; another President is elected.
Sir Frederick Leighton is an old friend of mine--a friend of
upwards of twenty years' standing. I congratulate him most
cordially and sincerely on the high office he now holds. I may
also congratulate the Royal Academy on having such a man to
preside over their meetings.

"I have to return my thanks, and those of my colleagues, to Sir
F. Leighton for the able assistance he has rendered during the
recent International Exhibition in Paris. Your President was
unanimously elected chairman of the Section of Fine Arts, and he
presided over a jury of at least forty members, and I think we
have every reason to congratulate ourselves on the results.

"Let me now congratulate you, Sir Frederick, and the Royal
Academy generally, on the magnificent Exhibition which we see
before us this evening. I have not yet had sufficient time to
enable me to speak to its merits, but I hope on some future
occasion to have the opportunity of going over it more
carefully. I thank you again for the kind way in which my health
and that of the Princess of Wales have been proposed and for the
very warm reception you have given me."

The Duke of Cambridge, in responding for the Army, referred to wars now being carried on in different parts of the world. He also spoke with praise of two pictures in this year's Exhibition by Miss Thompson. Mr. W. H. Smith spoke for the Navy. Lord Beaconsfield responded for Her Majesty's Ministers, Mr. Froude for Literature, the Lord Chief Justice for the Guests, and the Lord Mayor for the Corporation of London. The Lord Chief Justice (Sir Alexander Cockburn) gave an eloquent description of the chief works of Sir Frederick Leighton, beginning with the "Procession of Cimabue," nearly a quarter of a century ago, from which men felt that "a new genius had arisen who was to add to the lustre and renown of British Art." Sir Frederick Leighton, in his concluding speech, paid a generous tribute to the memory of Sir Francis Grant, and also of Mr. E. M. Ward, in whom the Academy had lost "one of the few artists who made the history of our country a constant subject for study."

_1880._

At the annual banquet in 1880, the President, Sir Frederick Leighton, paid to the Prince of Wales a handsome compliment when he said: "Sir, of the graces by which your Royal Highness has won and firmly retains the affectionate attachment of Englishmen, none has operated more strongly than the width of your sympathies; for there is no honourable sphere in which Englishmen move, no path of life in which they tread, wherein your Royal Highness has not, at some time, by graceful word or deed, evinced an enlightened interest." Coming from Sir Frederick Leighton, this was not the mere language of flattery.

In replying, the Prince, after expressing his sincerest thanks, said:--

"Year by year the members of my family and myself receive
invitations to take part in the proceedings at this anniversary
banquet. You can therefore well understand that I find some
difficulty in replying to the toast. At the same time I can
assure the President and the members of the Academy that, though
year by year we visit these exhibitions and take part at these
banquets, the interest we take in them does not in any way
diminish. I may be allowed to congratulate him and his
colleagues on the very great success of this Exhibition. I had
the opportunity two or three days ago of going through these
rooms, and, though I do not profess to be in any way an art
critic, I am quite sure they have no reason to fear any
criticism upon the works of art which adorn these walls.

"I have been charged by my brothers, who generally take part in
this day's proceedings, to express their great regret that they
have not been able to be present. My brother, the Duke of
Edinburgh, has been for the last five or six weeks absent on
duty in Ireland, where he is employed on an important and, I
trust, useful mission, not only as Admiral Superintendent of the
Naval Reserve, but in doing what he can to relieve the distress
which exists in Ireland. He has lately had the opportunity of
taking the supplies for distribution on the West Coast from that
gallant ship the _Constitution_, sent over by our American
cousins, so nobly and generously, to afford relief to their
distressed brethren in Ireland. In a letter I received from him
two days ago he says the distress still exists, and both food
and clothing are much wanted; in many instances the corn is not
yet sown. I will not touch more upon this topic, and I should
not have mentioned it had I not been particularly requested to
do so."

_1881._

At the banquet of 1881, the most notable incident was the special toast in honour of Sir Frederick Roberts. The President, Sir Frederick Leighton, said that "it was unusual at that table to single out a guest, however distinguished, when the profession to which he belongs has already been made the subject of a toast. But the brilliant achievements of Sir Frederick Roberts, especially the now famous march from Cabul to Candahar, had stirred all hearts." Sir Frederick, while grateful for the hearty welcome, spoke of the services of Sir Donald Stewart, and said that officers and men were all animated by one spirit--to do their duty, and to uphold the honour of their Queen and country.

Other events, that had occurred since their last assembly, were touched upon by the Prince of Wales, in responding to the toast with which his name is usually associated at these banquets. He said:--

"It is always a great gratification to myself and any other
members of our family who may be present to come to this annual
gathering of the Royal Academy, and we greatly regret when any
cause arises to prevent us being present. It is a matter of
great interest not only to be surrounded by all that is finest
in modern art, but also to meet so distinguished an assembly,
although we who come year by year find that gaps are made which
we must all deeply regret. One of the most recent of these has
been occasioned by the death of the great statesman just taken
from us, who but two years ago made in this room one of his most
eloquent speeches, which must be in the memory of all who were
then present, many of whom are here to-night. I will not allude
to the late Earl of Beaconsfield further than to say how
gratifying it is to see that fine portrait of him in the next
room, executed by one of our first artists, Mr. Millais. I might
also allude to the removal from among us of the late Lord Chief
Justice of England, opposite to whom I had often the pleasure of
sitting at this table. The Academy, I am sure, also deplores the
loss of Mr. Elmore, and Mr. Knight, who was many years
Secretary, and we must all sympathise with the Academy for the
loss they have thus sustained.

"It is not for me on this occasion to offer any criticism on the
pictures which adorn these walls. I have only had the
opportunity of taking a very cursory glance at them, and even if
I were able I should not indulge in any critical remarks. But I
will say this--neither the President nor the members of the
Academy have any reason to deprecate fair and just criticism.
One of the greatest pictures in the Exhibition is the portrait
of the President, painted by himself. In this he has only
followed the example of some of the great masters, who painted
their own portraits. As there are so many more speeches to be
made--some of the greatest possible interest--I will not weary
you with more words. I will only again thank you, in my own
name, in the name of the Princess, and of my brothers who are
present, for your very kind reception."

The Duke of Cambridge said the Artists' Corps was one of the smartest and most efficient in the Volunteer Army, and he was glad of the opportunity of paying this tribute to them.

_1885._

At the banquet of 1885, the Prince of Wales was accompanied for the first time by Prince Albert Victor. In the speech in reply to the usual toast from the Chair, the Prince referred to his being accompanied by his son in a very different place from the Academy of Art.

"You, sir" (addressing the President), "have kindly alluded to
our late visit to Ireland. I can only assure you that, if that
visit was a labour at all, it was a labour of love. We had for a
long time past looked forward to a fitting opportunity for once
more visiting Ireland, and we were glad to avail ourselves of
the opportunity recently afforded us. I was sure that on going
there we should meet with a kind and hearty reception, and such
was the case with very few exceptions. We received as kind and
loyal a reception as it could be the good fortune of any one to
meet with. You, sir, have touched upon a subject of interest to
us. My son and I had the opportunity of visiting, although the
time allowed us was too short to do all that we could have
wished to do, those districts of the town of Dublin in which the
houses, although they might have picturesqueness, were certainly
not calculated to promote the happiness and welfare of their
inhabitants. This reminds me that I have had the honour of
serving for upwards of a year on the Commission which has for
its object the improvement of the dwellings of the poorer
classes of this country. I will not anticipate our first report,
which will be shortly issued. I will only say before sitting
down that not only has it been to me a sincere pleasure and
satisfaction to have aided so important and valuable a work, but
I have had the advantage of working with some of the most
distinguished of my countrymen, some of whom are here to-night."

The Duke of Cambridge made touching reference to the death of General Gordon. "I feel that the remarks of the President call for a sympathetic sentiment on my part and that of the Army. The allusion to General Gordon is one that touches the heart of every English soldier, from myself down to the youngest soldier of us all. I can only deplore the fact that he is no longer among us, and that his brilliant career is now over."

_1888._

At the banquet of 1888, the President, Sir Frederick Leighton, after the toast of "The Queen," in proposing "The Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family," referred to this year being the "Silver Wedding," and also alluded to the anxiety then darkening the home of "the Princess Royal of England," the Empress of Germany.

The Prince, in reply, said:--

"Mr. President, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--This toast has been
proposed in far too flattering terms, but the words which have
fallen from Sir Frederick Leighton have not failed to touch me
deeply, as they also will touch the Princess. I thank you,
therefore, Mr. President, for the kind manner in which you have
given the toast, and you, gentlemen, for the way in which you
have received it. My coming here this evening marks, as it were,
a double anniversary. This is not only the year of my silver
wedding, which your President has kindly referred to, but it is
now just a quarter of a century ago since I first had the
pleasure and gratification of accepting the kind hospitality of
this great Academy. There have, no doubt, been many changes
during that interval in this body. Many illustrious and
distinguished members of the Academy have passed away; but,
while we cannot but regret them, we know that there has been no
lack of others to fill their places. When one thinks of the old
buildings in which we used to assemble, which are now devoted to
the purposes of the National Gallery, and when one sees this new
edifice, which has existed now for nineteen years, and the
beautiful objects that adorn its walls, one can form some idea
of the great progress that has been made in art in this country.
It is a remarkable fact that, although many new galleries are
constantly springing up, there appears to be no difficulty in
adorning their walls and filling them with pictures and
sculpture. In 1869, 3000 works of art were offered for
acceptance by this Academy; but this year, I am told, no less
than 9300 were sent in. Unfortunately, of that number upwards of
7000 had to be returned, because you have only room for 2000
odd. The responsibility which rests upon the President, and
especially upon that most hard-working and perhaps I may say
also best-abused body, the hanging committee, is very great, and
their labours increase as years go on. They, of course, cannot
give satisfaction to everybody; but those distinguished artists
who must be disappointed at not seeing their works upon these
walls may perhaps find some consolation in observing how very
high is the general standard of excellence attained by their
more fortunate brethren whose works have been accepted.

"Before sitting down I wish to acknowledge on behalf of my
sister and her husband the kind sympathy which you, sir, have
expressed to-night in such feeling words. I wish it were
possible for me to give on this occasion greater hopes of the
life of one so near and dear to me, of one of such value, not
only to his own country, but, I maintain, to the world at large.
The recent news which we have received has been rather more
favourable, and God grant that such news may continue. At any
rate, as long as there is life there is hope. I thank you once
more, Mr. President, for the cordial terms in which you have
proposed my health and the kind way in which you have alluded to
the members of my family."