Chapter II: Preface (2)

The Prince then subscribed the Oath of the Company, with its quaint old phraseology, affixing his usual signature, ALBERT EDWARD, P.

The Clerk then presented His Royal Highness with the formal document which enrolled him as a Freeman, enclosed in a massive gold casket of exquisite design and workmanship. The numerous visitors who had witnessed the ceremony afterwards had a _déjeuner_ in the Banqueting Hall, the Prince with a small number of select guests being at the same time entertained in the Council Room.

THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND.

_May 18th, 1864._

In the last annual Report of the Royal Literary Fund, for 1888, it is said: "The anniversary of 1864 was memorable as the first public dinner presided over by the Prince of Wales, to whose presence in the chair the Institution is indebted for a success altogether unprecedented in the history of its anniversaries."

The annual Report for 1864 contains a detailed account of the proceedings at that meeting, the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Institution. It was natural that a large number of eminent men should assemble to support the youthful Chairman, whose illustrious father had presided at the fifty-third anniversary, in 1842. In the long list of Stewards, in 1864, appear the names of almost all those most distinguished at that time, not only in Literature, but in Art and Science, and in every department of the public service. Upwards of four hundred attended, and the special donations to the fund at the dinner amounted to £2328 17_s._, a sum then far in advance of any profit of former anniversaries. This amount has only once since been exceeded, when the King of the Belgians presided, in 1872.

In commemoration of Prince Albert's presidency, Her Majesty was graciously pleased to grant to this Institution the privilege of bearing the Crown as an addition to its Armorial bearings, and the style of the Institution was thenceforth that of "The Royal Literary Fund." Her Majesty confers upon it the sanction of her name as its Patron, and has shown her interest by an annual benefaction of One Hundred Guineas, ever since the year of her Accession.

By the donations and subscriptions of members of the Corporation, with the addition of legacies, and the profits obtained at the anniversary festivals, the Royal Literary Fund has been enabled, since its foundation in the latter part of the eighteenth century, to dispense upwards of £105,000 to needy persons of the literary class.

The importance and the benefits of the Institution will more clearly appear from a brief statement of the proceedings at the Festival over which H.R.H. the Prince of Wales presided. The dinner was served in St. James's Hall on Wednesday, May 18th. Grace was said by the Lord Primate of Ireland. After the removal of the cloth, and the singing of the "Deum Laudate," the Prince rose to propose the first toast:--

"The first toast I have the honour to propose is 'The health of
Her Majesty the Queen, our munificent Patron;' a toast which I
feel sure will be drunk with the enthusiasm which it elicits on
all public occasions. Although the Queen is now compelled, to a
certain extent, to withdraw from public life, still her interest
in every institution of this country, and particularly in
charitable institutions, remains undiminished. Gentlemen, I give
you 'The Queen.'"

The next toast was proposed by the Marquis of Salisbury, "The health of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family." The toast was drunk with all the honours and responded to by His Royal Highness the Chairman. "The Church" having been proposed by the Rt. Hon. Edward Cardwell, and responded to by the Archbishop of Armagh, H.R.H. the Chairman proposed the toast of "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," saying:--

"This is a toast which it gives me especial pleasure to propose
from the circumstance of my having served for a time with both
infantry and cavalry. Short as my service was, it has been long
enough to impress me with the conviction of the efficiency of
all ranks composing the British army. I have also had an
opportunity during my voyage to America in 1860, and on many
other occasions, of witnessing the able manner in which the
duties of the navy are performed. The volunteers demand our
warmest thanks and approbation for the zeal with which they came
forward when they thought their services were required, a zeal
which they still evince on every occasion afforded to them. I
beg to couple with 'the Army and Volunteers,' the name of my
illustrious relative the Duke of Cambridge, who so ably fills
the arduous post of Commander-in-Chief entrusted to him by the
Queen, and to whose practical and liberal administration the
army owes its present high state of efficiency. With 'the Navy,'
I will couple the name of Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, who
has only lately returned from the successful discharge of the
difficult duties attaching to the command of the North American
Station. Gentlemen, let us drink to the 'Army, Navy, and
Volunteers.'"

The Duke of Cambridge and Admiral Sir Alexander Milne having responded, His Royal Highness the Chairman then gave the toast of "The Royal Literary Fund," saying:--

"Your Royal Highness, my Lords, and Gentlemen, I have now the
honour to propose the most important toast of the evening, it is
'Prosperity to the Royal Literary Fund.' Although the most
important, it is nevertheless the toast upon which, perhaps, I
can say least, certainly I can give you no new information, as
every one here present knows better than I do the character of
this institution. Still it is right that I should offer a few
remarks on the working of this Society. You are all aware,
gentlemen, of the immense advantages which have been derived
from it in support of literature and science. One of its
principal features is that it is not limited to our own
countrymen, but is often extended to literary men of all
nations; so that we may feel proud to think that by our timely
assistance, we not only advance the literature of our own
country, but that of other nations. In this way, many eminent
men who would otherwise be incapacitated from carrying on their
labours, and from making their talents known to the world, are
enabled to do so. The second important feature is the secrecy
with which this timely aid is given,--a secrecy so sacredly
observed that in the whole number of cases, which amount to
1,645 since the foundation of this Corporation in the year 1790,
there is not a single case of any indiscretion having been
committed; and if cases have been brought to light at all, it
has only been through the acknowledgment of the literary men
thus assisted, who have been anxious to express their gratitude.
I ought here to mention the name of an eminent man of letters,
whose loss must be deeply deplored in all literary circles. I
allude to Mr. Thackeray. I allude to him, not so much on account
of his works, for they are standard works, but because he was
an active member of your committee, and always ready to open
his purse for the relief of literary men struggling with
difficulties.

"Gentlemen, some of those here present do not perhaps know that
in France, since 1857, an Institution similar to ours, and
founded by M. Thenard, has been in existence for the benefit of
scientific men only, and that a few days ago M. Champfleury, a
distinguished writer, proposed to form a Literary Society
adopting some of our principles. It is to be hoped that some day
these two societies may form sister Literary Funds; and if
administered on our model, I think we may augur for the new
institution a large measure of success. We shall at all times be
most happy to enter into communication with it, and show it the
result of our long experience and of the unwearied zeal and
exertion of the Officers of this Corporation.

"I will not detain you much longer, gentlemen, but I cannot sit
down without bringing back to your recollection the deep
interest which my dear and lamented father took in everything
connected with literature and science, and particularly in the
labours of this Society. Nobody has forgotten that the second
time he spoke in public in this country, was as chairman of the
Literary Fund dinner. And we all, I am convinced, deeply regret
that the speeches made on that occasion were not reported at
full length, as every word falling from those lips could not
fail to command universal admiration. Gentlemen, let us drink
'Prosperity to the Royal Literary Fund.'"

The list of subscriptions and donations having been read, including a donation of £110 from the Prince of Wales, Earl Stanhope, as President of the Institution, responded. Speeches being delivered by Earl Russell, Mr. Anthony Trollope, Lord Houghton, and H. E. M. Van de Weyer, Earl Stanhope proposed the health of the Chairman, which was received with much enthusiasm, and the Prince thus replied:--

"Your Royal Highness, my Lords and Gentlemen, I thank you most
sincerely for the kind and cordial manner in which you have
drunk my health, and I feel proud to have occupied the chair for
the first time, on so interesting and important an occasion. I
must now take the opportunity to congratulate this Corporation
on the great advantage which it enjoys, in the services of the
distinguished nobleman who now fills the high office of your
President, and who has contributed so much to historical
literature. I can give him no higher praise, than by saying that
he is a worthy successor of a nobleman who was for more than
twenty years your president; who throughout a long political
career never made an enemy, and who always found time to assist
in the advancement of literature and art. I allude to the late
Marquess of Lansdowne. Gentlemen, allow me to propose one more
toast. In the presence of a Society, accustomed to cultivate
with such signal success the flowers of literature, it would be
unpardonable to forget the flowers of society. I propose the
health of 'The Ladies,' who, by their numerous attendance here
this evening, evince the interest they take in the Literary
Fund."

The toast was received with the usual honours. It should have been mentioned that nearly 400 ladies were present, but in the galleries, not at the tables as guests, as is the better custom at some anniversaries.

IRISH INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1865.

_May 9th, 1865._

The city of Dublin has seldom presented a scene of more general joy than when the Prince of Wales opened the International Exhibition, on the 9th of May, 1865. The weather was superb, the loyal demonstrations in the streets were enthusiastic, and the great Hall where the opening ceremony took place, decorated with the flag of all nations, was densely crowded with the most distinguished assembly that Ireland could bring to welcome the heir of the throne, and the representative of the Queen. There were no disloyal feelings nor discordant sounds in the Palace that day. The Duke of Leinster, the Earl of Rosse, and the highest and most distinguished of the nobles of Ireland were there. The Lord Mayor and Corporation of the City appeared in their civic robes. The Mayors of Cork and Waterford and Londonderry walked together; and the Lord Mayors of London and York, and the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, with many official personages, joined in the procession. When His Royal Highness took his place in the chair of State, the orchestra, 1000 strong, performed the National Anthem, and 10,000 voices sent up their loyal cheers at its conclusion.

The Duke of Leinster read the address of the Committee, to which the Prince replied:--

"My Lords and Gentlemen,--I thank you for your address. It is a
source of sincere pleasure to me to discharge the duties
confided to me by Her Majesty the Queen in thus inaugurating
your Exhibition. It is not less in accordance with my own
feelings than with those of Her Majesty to assist in every
measure calculated for the happiness and welfare of the Irish
people. The example of my lamented and beloved parent will, I
trust, ever be present to my mind as a stimulus in the
encouragement of every work tending to advance international
prosperity, and to develope the powers and resources of our own
country. The cultivation of the fine arts, in itself so powerful
an auxiliary in the civilization and refinement of the human
race, has been an important object in these Exhibitions, and
seems already to have produced most satisfactory results.
Believe me very sensible of your kind wishes on behalf of the
Princess of Wales. Her regret at being unable to accompany me
equals my own, and you may rely upon her anxiety to come among
you, assured of the welcome she will receive."

Then from the grand organ and choir rose the ever impressive music of the Hundredth Psalm, the most Catholic of all strains of praise and thanksgiving. At its close there was another address, giving an account of the origin and history of the Exhibition. A copy of the Catalogue, and the key of the building, having been presented to the Prince, the organ and orchestra pealed forth Handel's Coronation Anthem. Then came another address, presented by the Lord Mayor and the Corporation of Dublin, in their civic robes. This was read and handed to His Royal Highness, who thus replied:--

"My Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the City of
Dublin,--I return you my hearty thanks for the kind welcome you
have given me, and for your loyal expressions towards Her
Majesty the Queen. I regret that circumstances should prevent
the extension of my visit to a longer period. It would have been
very gratifying to the Princess had she been able to accompany
me, and I request that you be assured that we look forward to
another occasion when she will have the opportunity of
appreciating the hearty welcome which my own experience leads me
to anticipate for her. You justly ascribe to me a peculiar
interest in this day's ceremony. As the son of that revered and
lamented parent to whose wisdom, energy, and influence you truly
state exhibitions such as these owe their origin, I may well
feel proud in being able to assist in the inauguration of the
one we are about to open. May your prayers be granted that it
will be the means of producing the usual result attending
well-directed labour, and conduce to the prosperity of Ireland
and to the happiness of her people."

Then followed more music, from Haydn's Creation, and the State procession moved from the centre of the nave, and made a tour of the Exhibition. The Committee had arranged that music should form a notable feature of the ceremonies, for when the Prince returned to the daïs, the orchestra gave with grand effect Mendelssohn's 'Hymn of Praise.' At its conclusion the Prince rose and commanded Sir Bernard Burke, Ulster King-at-Arms, to declare the Exhibition open. This was done amidst a flourish of trumpets, and on a rocket being sent up as a signal, salvos of artillery were fired from the forts and batteries, and from the ships of war off Kingstown.

Such was the opening ceremony. In the evening the Lord Mayor gave a ball at the Mansion House. The city was brilliantly illuminated. Next day there was a review in the Phoenix Park, the number of spectators on the ground being greater than on any occasion since the visit of the Queen in 1849. The Prince of Wales, who wore the uniform of the 10th Hussars, of which regiment he is Colonel, was received with the utmost enthusiasm.

This was the first State visit of the Prince of Wales to Ireland. His second visit, along with the Princess of Wales, was a time of even greater brilliancy, and evoked equal enthusiasm of loyalty. If later visits were marked with less unanimity of rejoicing, the causes of the apparent disloyalty are well understood, and the disaffection is known to be partial and temporary. Nothing has ever occurred to lessen the personal popularity of the Prince of Wales, nor to give reasonable cause for the reception of any of the Royal Family being less cordial and enthusiastic than that of the Prince in 1865. The Exhibition of that year was held under the patronage of the Queen, who wished every success to the "patriotic undertaking," as she called it. They can be no true patriots who seek to lessen the Queen's interest in the welfare of Ireland.

INTERNATIONAL REFORMATORY EXHIBITION, HELD IN THE AGRICULTURAL HALL, ISLINGTON.

_May 19th, 1865._

After the great national and international Exhibitions, in which were seen the most advanced displays of art, fostered by wealth, skill, and training, it is pleasant to look back upon other exhibitions, of a humbler but not less useful kind, which were encouraged and patronized by the Prince of Wales. One of the most memorable of these, the pattern and parent of many local exhibitions of similar kind, was the Reformatory Exhibition held in the Agricultural Hall, Islington, in 1865. It was to exhibit the productions of various schools connected with the Reformatory and Refuge Union. The articles were the veritable manufacture of poor boys and girls of the lowest classes, many of them utterly destitute and hopeless as to any usefulness in life, until rescued and taught various industries, by the efforts of Christian and philanthropic men.

The good and venerated Lord Shaftesbury was the President of the Union, of which the Prince of Wales had gladly allowed himself to be named Patron. In an address read by Lord Shaftesbury, it was stated that the objects exhibited were contributed by workers in above two hundred separate institutions in London and other great towns. An invitation had been sent out for contributions from foreign schools of the same class, and this was responded to by articles being sent from almost every part of Europe, and some from Africa and America. Hence the title of international could be fairly given to the show. The representatives of several foreign governments were present on the occasion. The opening of the meeting by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the sacred choral music performed by about one thousand children from the Reformatory and Refuge Schools, showed that moral and religious training was associated with the industrial work of the Union.

To the address of Lord Shaftesbury, the Prince replied as follows:--

"Your Grace, your Excellencies, my Lords, Ladies and
Gentlemen,--I have gladly taken a part in the proceedings of
this day, and complied with your request that I should attend,
as patron of this society, with the greatest satisfaction. The
benevolent purpose of this Exhibition cannot fail to be followed
by deserved success, and claims the co-operation of every one
who has the interests of the industrious poor at heart, and who
desires to forward the object which the Reformatory and Refuge
Union has in view--namely, industrial and moral training. The
Committee do me justice in believing that I cordially sympathize
in the welcome this society offers to those representatives of
foreign countries who have responded to the invitation they have
received by their presence and contributions. In doing so they
have borne testimony, in common with ourselves, to the value of
these international exhibitions in promoting the growth of those
Christian and kind feelings towards each other which we ought to
pray should animate the whole of the nations of the world."

This reply, read in a clear, sonorous voice, was heard in every part of the building, and at its conclusion the cheers were loud and prolonged. Prayers were then offered up by the Archbishop of Canterbury, after which, and the singing of a hymn composed by the late Prince Consort, His Royal Highness declared the Exhibition opened.

The Prince then spent considerable time in examining various parts of the Exhibition, and delighted many youthful manufacturers by the very numerous purchases of every description, from the girls' as well as the boys' stalls, such as lace and crochet work to take to the Princess of Wales. The heartiness with which the Prince entered into the spirit of the occasion charmed all who were present.

On an earlier day of the same year, on the 1st of March, the Prince had visited an Exhibition got up by the South London Working Classes. No formal address or speech marked this visit, but the interest taken by the Prince, and his liberal purchases, of which all the neighbourhood soon heard and spoke, secured the success of the Exhibition. One exhibitor wished the Prince to accept a toy cart, which had attracted his notice, but the Prince good-humouredly declined such irregularity, however kindly intended, and insisted on paying for this as for all the purchases during the visit.

THE SAILORS' HOME, LONDON DOCKS.

_May 22nd, 1865._

The objects and the advantages of Sailors' Homes are now so universally known, that few words are needed for introducing a brief report of the visit of the Prince of Wales to the Home at the London Docks, on May 22nd, 1865. This institution has now for above fifty years afforded protection, comfort, and instruction to all classes of the mercantile marine service. With increase of the trade and shipping of London, new accommodation was required; and in 1863 the foundation stone of a new wing to the Sailors' Home was laid by Lord Palmerston.

It was to open this completed building that the Prince of Wales made his visit to the east of London. The event was regarded as a great honour by the crowded and busy population of that quarter, and a general holiday was held on the occasion. Many distinguished persons, including some of the Foreign Ministers, were present. Foreign seamen in the British mercantile service are admitted to benefits of the Home. An address having been read by Admiral Sir William Bowles, President of the Institution, the Prince replied:--

"Sir William Bowles, your Excellencies, my Lords, and
Gentlemen,--It is very gratifying to me to comply with the
invitation I have received to take a part in this day's
proceedings and to preside at the opening of the new wing of
this institution. The beneficial results attending the
establishment of a Sailors' Home for our immense mercantile navy
are shown by the statements and figures which you have now
given, and which establish in the most satisfactory manner the
necessity of adding to the original building. The interest taken
by my lamented father in the religious welfare of this
institution, evinced by his laying the foundation stone of the
Seamen's Church adjoining, will not, I trust, be less in his
son, who is well aware of the sentiments of loyalty and devotion
to the Throne which distinguish the mercantile navy of Great
Britain."

ROYAL DRAMATIC COLLEGE.

_June 5th, 1865._

How much the Prince of Wales has, from early life, favoured dramatic art, and encouraged its professors, is universally known. While enjoying the drama for his own recreation, amidst more arduous labours, he has been always ready to support any well-devised and well-directed scheme for the benefit of the dramatic profession. It was with this feeling that he accepted the invitation to inaugurate and formally open the Royal Dramatic College at Woking.

There was a great gathering on the occasion, and the hall was well filled, principally by ladies, before the proceedings commenced. Mr. Webster, the Master of the College, having presented the Prince with a massive gold key, symbolical of the ceremony, and having read an address describing the objects of the Institution, His Royal Highness replied as follows:--

"Gentlemen,--It is truly gratifying to my feelings to find
myself this day called on to take a part in the final completion
of a building the foundation of which was the work of my
lamented father, as it was also an object which he had much at
heart. My satisfaction is increased by finding his beneficent
plan carried out in a manner worthy of the cause and of the
profession for the benefit of which the Dramatic College has
been instituted, and that, as the inevitable hour approaches, he
who has so often administered to your amusement, blended with
instruction, will here find a retreat open for age and its
infirmities, in grateful recognition of a debt due by the world
at large. I am happy to learn that the funds are progressively
increasing towards conferring the inestimable boon of education
on the children of men who, whether by their performances or by
their writings, have themselves laboured so well in the cause of
literature, and so justly earned this provision for their
offspring. The inauguration of the building we are now in
completes the three purposes which you have enumerated as
forming the original design of this institution. After having
provided for the material wants and comforts of those who are
entitled to seek a shelter in this asylum, the last object is to
cheer their evening of life, and to embellish its closing scenes
with the books, memorials, and records of their art, that they
may again live in the past, and make their final exit in a
spirit of thankfulness to God and their fellow-creatures."

FISHMONGERS' HALL DINNER.

_June 11th, 1865._

On the 11th of June, 1865, a banquet was given to the Prince of Wales by the Fishmongers' Company in their hall at London Bridge. Two years before, in 1863, the name of the Prince was added to the roll of the Company, so that on this occasion he appeared as a member as well as a guest. Allusion was made to this by the Prime Warden, James Spicer, who, as Chairman, proposed the health of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family. Reference was also made to the recent birth of another infant Prince, so that there was prospect of two Royal members, who would in due time have the right of inscribing their names on their freemen's roll. Some of the Prime Warden's words are worth reproducing, as showing at how early an age the Prince had exhibited the traits of character, and the line of action, by which he has now so long been distinguished. The Prime Warden said that "he was not using the language of flattery, but simply recording a fact with which the people of these realms, from one end of the kingdom to the other, were conversant, when he said that the esteem and the affection with which His Royal Highness was regarded by Her Majesty's subjects were owing no less to his amiable manners, his kindly disposition, and the condescension which he invariably displayed in his intercourse with all the classes of the community, than to the exalted position which he occupied, and the relation in which he stood as heir apparent to the British Throne. There was another circumstance which had endeared him to the people of England, and that was that he had followed so closely in the footsteps of his ever-to-be-lamented and illustrious father, by lending his high sanction to the promotion of those industrial exhibitions that tended so much to elevate and improve the tastes and habits of the people."

The Prince of Wales, in acknowledging the toast, said:--

"Mr. Prime Warden, your Royal Highness, my Lords, Ladies, and
Gentlemen,--I thank you very much for the kind manner in which
my name and that of the Princess of Wales, and the other members
of the Royal family, have been proposed and received. I need
hardly tell you that it is a source of sincere gratification to
me to be present here this evening; not only as a guest, but as
a member--a freeman of this corporation. I have not forgotten
that soon after I came of age the first freedom of any of the
ancient guilds of this city with which I was presented was that
of the Fishmongers' Company in 1863. I am proud also to think
that I have been thus enrolled as a member of a company into
which so many of my relations have been admitted, whose
portraits adorn these walls. Although this is a joyous occasion,
I cannot forbear alluding to the loss of one whose name is
intimately connected with the city of London, Mr. Cubitt, who
was twice elected Lord Mayor of London, and who was your Prime
Warden three years ago when I took up my freedom in this
company. I need not recall to your memory how anxious he was to
promote every kind of charity, and I feel sure you will not
think it unbecoming in me or inopportune to mention his name on
this occasion. In conclusion, I beg again to thank you for the
kind manner in which you have alluded to a recent event, and the
cordial wishes you have expressed for the speedy recovery of the
Princess. I can assure you my heartfelt wish is that my two sons
may learn to emulate and follow the bright example of their
revered grandfather."

SPEECH DAY AT WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

_July 3rd, 1865._

On the 3rd of July 1865, the ceremony of distributing prizes at Wellington College was performed by the Prince of Wales, in presence of a distinguished company. The Governors of the College were in attendance, the Bishop of Oxford, the Earl of Derby, Earl Stanhope, Lord Eversley, Lord Chelmsford, Mr. Walter, M.P., and Mr. Cox. At the luncheon, which followed the proceedings in the large hall of the College, the head master, Mr. Benson (now Archbishop of Canterbury), having proposed the toast of the Prince of Wales, thanking him for his presence that day, and for the kind favour and interest with which he had uniformly regarded the institution, the Prince replied:--

"My Lords and Gentlemen,--I am deeply sensible of the manner in
which Mr. Benson has proposed my health, and in which it has
been received by the company assembled here to-day. I need
hardly assure you that it is a source of sincere gratification
to me to find myself once more within the walls of Wellington
College, taking part in the proceedings of 'Speech Day,' and
distributing prizes to the successful competitors. Allow me, Mr.
Benson, to congratulate you, and through you the whole college,
on the highly efficient state in which I find it. I feel
convinced that my young friends have not forgotten that it bears
the name of one of the greatest soldiers England ever knew. In
the success of this institution Mr. Benson has already
mentioned, and I need hardly remind you, that the Queen takes a
strong interest; a still greater interest was taken by my
father, to whose exertions the college really owes its origin. I
have now, my lords and gentlemen, a very pleasing task to
perform, and that is to make an announcement which I hope will
not be considered indiscreet on my part. At the last meeting of
the Governors of Wellington College, Lord Derby intimated that
it was his intention to devote the profits of his justly
celebrated translation of 'Homer' to the production of a prize
to be given annually as a reward to the foundationer who within
the year of his leaving the college should conduct himself to
the entire approbation of the Head Master--be considered, in
fact, the most industrious and well-conducted boy or young man
in the school. I feel certain that this announcement will be
received with great pleasure. It will show you the interest
which the noble lord takes in this institution, and will be a
stimulus to increased exertion on the part of those within its
walls. I thank you, Mr. Benson, for proposing, and you, my lords
and gentlemen, for drinking, my health so cordially; and I
assure you it affords me great gratification whenever I can do
anything to promote the welfare of Wellington College."

The report of the proceedings states that this speech was "delivered with a heartiness which elicited corresponding enthusiasm in the audience." The other speakers were Sir John Pakington, who said he had the most gratifying proof of the efficiency of the College in the progress made by his son as one of the pupils; and Lord Derby, who said that no worthier and suitable memorial of "the Great Duke" could have been erected in his honour than this institution, which was not merely a military school, but a college for training young Englishmen for the Universities, and for every department of public life, although all the foundationers are sons of deceased officers. Lord Derby also referred to the prize instituted by him, such rewards being usually given only to ability and successful study, while his object was to hold forth a stimulus to general study, and persevering good conduct. He would not have referred to the gift which it was his happiness to make, had not the matter been mentioned by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

The Prince was again at Wellington College on the 17th of June, 1867, and he has ever since taken personal interest in the institution, as one of its Governors.

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.

_May 9th, 1866._

The President and Council of the Institution of Civil Engineers had the honour of entertaining the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, as he was then styled, and a very distinguished company, at dinner, in Willis's Rooms, on the 9th of May, 1866. Among the guests were the veteran Sir John Burgoyne, the Dukes of Sutherland and Buccleuch, Earl Grey, Lord Salisbury, Sir John Pakington, Sir Edwin Landseer, Professor (Sir Richard) Owen, Baron Marochetti, the Presidents of the Royal Society and of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and representatives of various departments in the public service. The members and associates of the Institution, numbering nearly two hundred, included all the civil engineers most eminent at that time, or who have since risen to distinction. Some of the names recall notable events and achievements in our time, sometimes called "the age of the engineers." Rennie, Armstrong, Bidder, Hawkshaw, Scott Russell, Hawksley, Cubitt, Penn, Fairbairn, Brunlees, Brassey, Samuda, Bramwell, Bessemer, Maudsley, Rawlinson, Vignoles, are on the list of those present on this memorable occasion. Mr. Fowler, President of the Institution, presided at the dinner, and in proposing the loyal toasts which are given at all such meetings, said of the Prince of Wales, that, "notwithstanding the numerous duties of his exalted station, His Royal Highness has always taken the greatest interest in those works which occupy the thoughts and lives of engineers, and therefore it is a source of peculiar gratification to the profession that His Royal Highness has been pleased to join the Institution of Civil Engineers, which had the honour to rank as its most distinguished honorary member His Royal Highness the Prince Consort."

The Prince of Wales in returning thanks, said:--

"Mr. President, your Royal Highness, my Lords and Gentlemen, I
have indeed every reason to feel deeply flattered and gratified
at the very kind manner in which you, Mr. President, have
proposed this toast, and for the way in which it has been
received by the company present. Under any circumstances, it
would have afforded me sincere pleasure to have been present
this evening--present at a meeting of so distinguished a body as
the Civil Engineers of Great Britain; but it is still more
agreeable to me to find myself here in the position of one of
your honorary members. I thank you for the manner in which you
have mentioned my name regarding me as one of yourselves. I feel
proud to think that my lamented father was also an honorary
member of this distinguished Institution. Mr. President and
Gentlemen, perhaps it is a difficult task for me to address so
eminently scientific a body, more especially to eulogize them;
but I cannot forbear adverting to the names of two most
distinguished members of it--I allude to Mr. Brunel and Mr.
Stephenson, whose names will never be obliterated from our
memory. The important services they have rendered to this
country can never be forgotten. Let us look round at the vast
works which have been completed, or which are in the course of
completion in this country. Though it may, perhaps, seem
unnecessary, I think it is right I should on this occasion ask
you to look for a moment at the vast extension of our docks all
over this country--at the great improvements in the electric
telegraph, and also in our steamships, and, in fact, in the
general steam navigation on our waters. Let us look at what has
been done at home--and when I say at home, I mean in this
Metropolis. No one can walk over Westminster-bridge without
being struck by those magnificent quays which are being built on
either side of the river, and are commonly called the Thames
Embankment. These constitute the most important works of the
day. I must also refer to the Metropolitan Underground Railway,
which is owing to the continued exertions of your distinguished
President, and which, although not entirely completed, has been
in use for nearly three years, and has, I believe, to a
considerable extent diminished the traffic in our streets. Let
us look also at our colonies, and see the many important works
which our engineers have contrived there. I would allude more
especially to one--the celebrated bridge built over the St.
Lawrence, called the Victoria-bridge, which is close to
Montreal, and which was constructed by one of your most renowned
engineers, Mr. Stephenson. I had the honour of inaugurating that
bridge in the name of Her Majesty the Queen. I have to be
thankful to you all in many ways; but I have to be particularly
thankful to Mr. Stephenson for having built such a bridge,
because, perhaps, I should never have had an opportunity of
visiting our North American colonies and a portion of the United
States if I had not received an invitation to inaugurate that
great work. Let me thank you once more, Mr. President, for the
honour done me, and for the kind way in which the name of the
Princess of Wales has been received. And let me assure you that
it affords me the deepest gratification to have the honour of
being present this evening as one of your members."

The Chairman then gave the toast of "the Army, Navy, and Volunteers," coupling with it the names of Prince Alfred, Sir John Burgoyne, and Colonel Erskine. The speech of Prince Alfred, in reply, is worth recalling, as one of the earliest occasions on which he represented the profession in which he now holds so high a position:--

"Mr. President, your Royal Highness, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--I need scarcely tell you with what pleasure I rise to respond to this toast, nor how proud I feel to hear my name associated with the Royal navy. Within the last few years the navy has become more connected with the civil engineers than ever it was before. Many improvements we owe--in fact, I may say all the later improvements we owe--to the civil engineers. There is only one thing they have not succeeded in doing, and that is making us look more beautiful than we did before. Indeed, I am afraid they have rather caused us to deteriorate in appearance. I need not add that I take, and shall continue to take, the greatest interest in this body; the more so from the fact of my father having been an honorary member of the institution, and from my brother having now for the first time taken his place in the same character."

THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

_June 11th, 1866._

The foundation-stone of the stately edifice in Queen Victoria Street, the head-quarters of the British and Foreign Bible Society, was laid by the Prince of Wales, on the 11th of June, 1866. On the ground near St. Andrew's Hill, Doctors' Commons, a spacious awning stretched over an area with ranges of seats for above 2000 persons. On the platform were many good and eminent men, most of whom--Lord Shaftesbury, Lord Teignmouth, the Archbishop of York, the Bishops of Winchester and Carlisle, the Dean of Westminster, Dr. Binney--are with us no more.

The proceedings commenced with prayer, praise, and reading some portions of Scripture appropriate to the occasion. An address was then read by the Rev. S. B. Bergne, one of the Secretaries, giving a summary of the history of the Society, and stating its objects and operations.

The Earl of Shaftesbury then formally requested His Royal Highness "to undertake the solemn duty of laying the foundation stone of an edifice which shall be raised for the glory of God, and for the promotion of the best interests of the human race." The Prince duly and formally laid the stone, and then replied to the address that had been read:--

"My Lord Archbishop, my Lords and Gentlemen,--I have to thank
you for the very interesting address in which you so ably set
forth the objects of this noble Institution.

"It is now sixty-three years ago since Mr. Wilberforce, the
father of the eminent prelate who now occupies so prominent a
place in the Church of England, met, with a few friends, by
candlelight, in a small room in a dingy counting-house, and
resolved upon the establishment of the Bible Society.

"Contrast with this obscure beginning the scene of this day,
which, not only in England and in our colonies, but in the
United States of America, and in every nation in Europe, will
awaken the keenest interest.

"Such a reward of perseverance is always a gratifying spectacle;
much more so when the work which it commemorates is one in which
all Christians can take part, and when the object is that of
enabling every man in his own tongue to read the wonderful works
of God.

"I have an hereditary claim to be here upon this occasion. My
grandfather, the Duke of Kent, as you have reminded me, warmly
advocated the claims of this Society; and it is gratifying to me
to reflect that the two modern versions of the Scriptures most
widely circulated--the German and English--were both, in their
origin, connected with my family. The translation of Martin
Luther was executed under the protection of the Elector of
Saxony, the collateral ancestor of my lamented father; whilst
that of William Tyndale, the foundation of the present
authorized English version, was introduced with the sanction of
the Royal predecessor of my mother the Queen, who first desired
that the Bible 'should have free course through all Christendom,
but especially in his own realm.'

"It is my hope and trust, that, under the Divine guidance, the
wider diffusion and the deeper study of the Scriptures will, in
this as in every age, be at once the surest guarantee of the
progress and liberty of mankind, and the means of multiplying in
the purest form the consolations of our holy religion."

The Archbishop of York then invoked the Divine Blessing on the work. The Bishop of Winchester, as one of the oldest living members of the Society, expressed the grateful acknowledgments of the Committee to the Prince, for his presence among them, and for the act performed at their request. Two verses of the National Anthem having been sung, and the benediction pronounced, the meeting dispersed.

The Lord Mayor, with true civic hospitality, invited the Prince of Wales, the officers of the Society, and all who had taken any part in the ceremony to luncheon at the Mansion House. On the health of the Prince and the Princess of Wales being proposed, the Prince acknowledged the compliment in the following words:--

"I am, indeed, deeply touched and gratified by the toast which
has just been proposed by the Lord Mayor, and by the very kind
and feeling manner in which you have drunk to the health of the
Princess and myself. It is to me a source of sincere
gratification to receive again the hospitality of the Chief
Magistrate of the City. I can never forget, nor can the Princess
ever forget, the manner in which she was received on her first
entry into London; and although she is not here to-day--a fact
which I most deeply regret--I can bear testimony that she has
never forgotten, and never will forget, the reception given to
her three years ago. The occasion which has brought me here
to-day has given me sincere gratification. I shall be happy on
all occasions to do any thing that may tend, as the Lord Bishop
of Winchester said this morning, 'to alleviate the sufferings of
man.' But I feel sure that the work I have been enabled to
perform, small as it may be, will bear testimony to the great
good done to the poorer classes by a Society which has existed
for so many years. Sincerely I thank you for the opportunity you
have given me in coming forward on this interesting occasion,
and I shall always be happy to render every assistance in my
power to an institution which is calculated to render such
important benefits to the world. I return my best thanks for the
greeting I received this morning at the ceremony, and also for
the kind manner in which I have been received on this occasion."

Her Majesty the Queen signified her interest in the proceedings of the day by sending £100 to the Building Fund, and £100 was also contributed by the Prince of Wales.

The Bible Society has, since its establishment in 1804, issued about 113 millions of Bibles, Testaments, or portions thereof. Its issues yearly are now about four million copies. The full income in 1887 amounted to £116,761; and the sum received for Scriptures sold was £104,880. The Society has aided the translation of the Bible into 280 languages or dialects.

FRIEND OF THE CLERGY CORPORATION.

_June 13th, 1866._

The sixteenth anniversary festival of this institution was celebrated at Willis's Rooms on the 13th of June, 1866. Among the guests were the Archbishops of Canterbury, York, and Armagh, and numerous dignitaries in Church and State, the Marquis of Salisbury presiding. The Prince of Wales honoured the company with his presence, and on his health being proposed by the chairman, he said:--

"My Lord Chairman, my Lords and Gentlemen,--I feel, indeed,
deeply flattered and gratified by the kind terms in which you
have spoken of me, and by the kind manner in which my health has
been received by the company, and I have earnestly to thank you
in my own name and in the name of the Princess of Wales and of
the other members of the Royal family. Among the many charities
in this country, I believe there are few which demand our
sympathy and support more than the Friend of the Clergy
Corporation. Its object is to assist the orphans and unmarried
daughters of clergymen of the Church of England, and to afford
temporary aid to their necessitous parents. We have met here
this evening to advocate the cause of the institution, and I
believe that at the present moment the pensions which it
distributes amount to the large sum of £4000 per annum, and that
it helps to maintain 106 pensioners, while there are 60 more
persons applying for its bounty. One remarkable characteristic
of the institution is that its pensions, which never exceed £40
a year, are granted for life, and another is that these pensions
are bestowed on members of the Church not only in England, but
also in Ireland and the colonies. Young though I am, I think I
may state that I am aware from my own personal knowledge how low
are the stipends received by many of our clergymen, and I can,
therefore, support most cordially this institution. I feel,
however, some diffidence in alluding to that subject, because I
know I shall thereby be trenching on the special province of our
noble chairman. But I believe he will forgive me for saying that
I think we ought upon this occasion to show the greatest
possible liberality, and, if I may use the expression, that we
ought freely to open our purses. I can again assure you that the
Princess of Wales and the other members of the Royal family are
most ready to participate with me in the feeling of sincere
gratitude with which I now acknowledge the compliment you have
just paid us. I now thank you, too, for the kind manner in which
you have just listened to me, however imperfectly I have
expressed myself."

In giving the toast of "Prosperity to the Institution," the noble chairman said, that after the speech which they had just heard in its favour from His Royal Highness it was scarcely necessary for him to say another word. He could fully confirm everything which had been said by His Royal Highness as to its value, and the urgent need of such an institution was proved by the fact that there were in this kingdom no less than 10,000 clergymen who occupied benefices of less value than £150 a year. How was it possible for men with such incomes, who had to move in a respectable sphere of life, to lay by anything for a period of distress or to make a provision for their widows and orphans? He therefore cordially concurred in the eloquent appeal made to them by His Royal Highness.

The result of the appeal was a subscription list amounting to £1200, including 100 guineas from the Prince of Wales.

It may be added that now (1888) there are about 100 pensioners, besides special grants for urgent cases. Last year's receipts were £6,000, and the invested funds are about £18,500.

WAREHOUSEMEN AND CLERKS' SCHOOL.

_June 18th, 1866._

One of the earliest public functions undertaken by the Prince (July, 1863) was laying the foundation stone of the School, near Croydon, for children of warehousemen, clerks, and agents of wholesale houses and manufactories, so employed in any part of the United Kingdom. The building was not completed till the spring of 1866, and on the 18th of June of that year, the Prince, on being applied to, at once and cordially agreed to preside at the inauguration or formal opening of the Asylum.

The Prince was received by Earl Russell, President of the Charity, the Bishop of Winchester, the Lord Mayor of London, the High Sheriff of Surrey, and other official and distinguished persons interested in the Institution. Having thoroughly inspected the building, the arrangements of which are admirable, and having heard an address explaining the origin and purposes of the Institution, briefly replied as follows:--

"My Lords and Gentlemen,--It is a sincere pleasure to me to see
the work which we commenced in July, 1863, brought to a happy
conclusion. Such a consummation, when we reflect on the numerous
classes of the great commercial community of our country whose
interests it promotes, cannot but be gratifying to every one
present, and will induce us all gratefully to invoke the Divine
blessing on the ultimate success of this undertaking. The
attention that has been paid to the details of the building and
to the comforts and wellbeing of the children it is destined to
shelter, I may say, without presumption, merits this success.
And if, as you have stated, 'that which is worth doing at all is
worth doing well,' be a truth requiring any corroboration, I
have only to point to this structure for the most unanswerable
argument in its support. It only remains for me to thank you, my
lords and gentlemen, for the kind expressions you have used with
reference to the part I have taken in this day's proceedings."

Prayer was then offered by the Bishop of Winchester, and a thanksgiving hymn sung. The ladies present then came forward with their collection purses, and amusement was caused by the hugeness of the heap of offerings that rose before the Prince, exceeding even the large sum presented when the foundation stone was laid. On this occasion upwards of one thousand ladies presented the charitable gifts, and above £5000 in money or subscriptions proved to be the gratifying result. Prayer and thanksgiving were again offered, and the Prince, amid much enthusiasm, declared the Asylum open.

The schools, first established in 1853, had been formerly conducted in three separate houses at New Cross, under many disadvantages. The building inaugurated by the Prince of Wales is one of the most commodious and beautiful structures possessed by any charity. Its imposing appearance and picturesque site must have been admired by many travellers on the Brighton and South Coast Railway, near Caterham Junction. The prosperity of the Institution has been in keeping with its auspicious beginning.

MERCHANT SEAMEN'S ORPHAN ASYLUM.

_June 28th, 1866._

The object of the Merchant Seamen's Orphan Asylum is sufficiently indicated by its name. Founded in 1817, the institution had for nearly fifty years been carried on with success. Upwards of 800 children had found shelter and training, but this number represents a very small proportion of the orphans left destitute through the calamities of which merchant seamen are constantly in peril. This asylum was at first located in the parish of St. George's-in-the-East, and subsequently removed to the Borough Road, where the first stone of a new building was, in 1861, laid by the Prince Consort. The building was opened by Earl Russell in 1862. The support given to the charity encouraged the building of the present asylum, near Snaresbrook, in a healthy and beautiful part of the country.