Chapter III: Preface (3)

It was for the opening ceremony of the erection of a new dining-hall that the Prince and Princess of Wales visited the Asylum, on the 28th of June, 1866. Received by a guard of honour of the Hon. Artillery Company, their Royal Highnesses were conducted to a tent where luncheon was served. In proposing the health of the Royal visitors, Lord Alfred Paget, who presided, said that "he had known His Royal Highness almost, he might say, before he knew himself, and that he could bear testimony to the interest he took, not only in every manly English sport, but in everything which tended to contribute to the advancement of such institutions as that whose success he testified by his presence on that occasion his desire to promote."

In returning thanks the Prince of Wales said:--

"I am, indeed, deeply sensible of and deeply grateful for the
excessively kind manner in which the noble lord has proposed my
health and that of the Princess of Wales, as well as for the
very kind manner in which you all have been good enough to
receive the toast. My presence here to-day affords me the
greatest satisfaction, because we have come to honour a work
which to me is particularly interesting, inasmuch as the
foundation stone of this asylum was laid by my lamented father
in 1861. But, under any circumstances, it would be a pleasing
and a proud moment for me to be here on such an occasion as
this. We must all know how important a part our mercantile navy
plays at the present moment, and how important it is that we
should provide for the orphans of those brave men who are
exposed to so many dangers. As you are well aware, this
institution has furnished an asylum since its opening in 1862
for upwards of 180 boys and girls at a time, and it must, I am
sure, be greatly gratifying to us that I should to-day be called
upon to lay the foundation stone of an additional room, which I
understand will embrace part of the plan of the original
building. I beg again to thank you, on my own behalf and on that
of the Princess, than whom, I assure you, nobody takes greater
interest in the work which we are assembled to promote."

Lord A. Paget next proposed the toast of "Prosperity to the Merchant Seamen's Orphan Asylum," which was responded to by Mr. Green, one of the directors.

The Prince of Wales then rose and said:--

"I have to give you the health of our noble chairman, to whom, I
think, we ought all to be very grateful for the kind manner in
which he has undertaken to perform the duties of his position on
this occasion, as well as for the interest which he manifests,
not only in this great and important charity, but in the welfare
of the sailor all over the world. I felt almost inclined to
blush at the terms in which he alluded to his friendship for
myself, and I can never forget the kindness which he has shown
towards me since my early boyhood."

The toast was very cordially drunk, and shortly after Lord A. Paget had briefly responded to it their Royal Highnesses paid a brief visit to the beautiful chapel, which has been endowed for the use of the asylum at the sole cost of Lady Morrison. An address was afterwards read, expressing the gratification which the friends of the institution derived from the presence of their Royal Highnesses, and their thankfulness for the interest thus manifested in its prosperity. In reply the Prince said:--

"My part in the proceedings of the day is attended with peculiar
pleasure from the circumstance of its being the anniversary of
the inauguration of this building by my lamented father. The
call for its extension by the increased numbers applying for
admission tells its own story. The steady support which the
institution has continued to receive from its commencement
encourages us to persevere in the good work so auspiciously
begun. The interest of the Queen in its welfare is, I can assure
you, fully participated in by me, and it only remains for me now
to invoke the Divine blessing on the benevolent objects which
have led to this undertaking."

The foundation stone was then laid with the usual formalities, and after a religious service, conducted by the Archbishop of Armagh, the Royal visitors left, amidst the cheers of the assemblage.

ROYAL VISIT TO NORWICH IN 1866.

_August, 1866._

From the time of making his home at Sandringham, the Prince of Wales, like all English country gentlemen, has felt that his county had special claims on his public spirit and personal exertions. Norfolk has not been slow to understand these claims, and the Prince has more than met the expectations formed of him in regard to his county life. In the record of future years it will be seen how heartily he has associated himself, not with the agriculture only, but with the various occupations and industries, the works and the sports, the schools and the charities of Norfolk.

One of the earliest public appearances of the Prince and Princess of Wales in the county chosen as their home, was at Norwich in the autumn of 1866. The time chosen by the Mayor and Corporation for the invitation to visit their city was that of the Norwich musical festival of that year. Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark, and the Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied the Prince and Princess on this visit, which was in every way a most enjoyable and successful one. Among the attractions of the musical festival was the performance for the first time of Sir Michael Costa's oratorio _Naaman_. The Norwich concerts of 1866 were remarkable both in the richness of the programmes, and the rare excellence of the performances. Seldom has opportunity been afforded of hearing such variety of classic music, performed by the greatest vocal and instrumental artists of the time.

The musical festival was not, however, the sole attraction. The capital of the Eastern Counties was in high festival, and other entertainments were provided. Advantage was also taken of the Prince's presence for the ceremony of opening the Drill-shed recently erected for the Norwich Volunteers. Colonel Black, the commander, in addressing the Prince, referred to the great interest always taken by him in the organization and efficiency of the volunteer force of the country, and they had therefore sought the honour of his inaugurating the building erected for military purposes, by the volunteers of the ancient and loyal city of Norwich. The Prince replied that he had the greatest pleasure in complying with the request; and, having complimented the commander on the efficiency of his corps, and the suitability of the building for its purposes, he declared the hall open. The chaplain of the battalion then offered a brief prayer. The planting of memorial trees, and other incidents associated with the Royal visit, will long be remembered by the people of Norwich.

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

_March 1st, 1867._

In a maritime country like this, with seas crowded with shipping, and with coasts dangerous from rocks or shoals, a lifeboat service for preservation of life from shipwreck is a necessity. The Royal National Life-boat Institution meets the want. It has now, in 1888, nearly 300 stations, all round the coast. The wreck chart, which is published annually with the Society's Report, shows at a glance where wrecks are most numerous, and there the boats of rescue are most required. It is not only British coasting vessels that are thus provided for, but the ships coming from foreign seas, and of all nations, as they crowd towards our estuaries and ports, benefit by the lifeboat service.

On the 1st of March, 1867, the Prince of Wales took the chair at the annual meeting of the Institution held, through the courtesy of the Lord Mayor, in the Egyptian Hall of the Mansion House. Received in the State Drawing-Room, by the chief magistrate of London, attended by the sword and mace bearers of the Corporation, the Prince was thence conducted to the Hall, where a numerous and distinguished company had assembled. On taking the chair, the Prince said:--

"My Lord Mayor, my Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen,--It affords me
very great pleasure to occupy the chair to-day, upon so
interesting an occasion as the present. Among the many
benevolent and charitable institutions of this country there
are, I think, few which demand our sympathy and support more,
and in which we can feel more interest, than the National
Life-boat Institution. An institution of this kind is an
absolute necessity in a great maritime country like ours. It is
wholly different in one respect from other institutions, because
although lives are to be saved, they can in those cases in which
this society operates only be saved at the risk of the loss of
other lives. I am happy to be able to congratulate the
Institution upon its high state of efficiency at the present
moment, and upon the fact that by its means very nearly one
thousand lives have been saved in the course of the past year.

"Lifeboats have been given by many benevolent individuals--some
as thank-offerings from the friends of those whose lives have
been saved, and others in memory of those who are unhappily no
more. I am happy also to be able to say that lifeboats do not
only exist upon our coast, but that our great example in this
matter has been imitated by many foreign maritime countries, and
they have chosen our institution as the model for their own. I
beg upon this occasion to tender, in the name of the
Institution, our warmest thanks for the kindness and courtesy of
the Lord Mayor in allowing us to hold our meeting in this hall.
It is indeed a peculiarly fitting place in which to hold such a
meeting, closely connected as the Institution is with the City
of London. Very nearly half a century ago the Institution
originated in this city. In 1850 the late Duke of Northumberland
became its president. My lamented father was also a vice-patron,
and took the warmest interest in its prosperity. I am happy to
say the respected secretary, Mr. Lewis, occupied that position
at that time, as, indeed, he had long before that time. He has
held it ever since, and much of the success of the Institution
is owing to his long experience, and the energetic manner in
which he has directed its working has raised the Institution to
its present high state of efficiency.

"I may say that there are 174 lifeboats afloat, and that in the
course of the past year 33 have been called into existence, at a
cost of no less than £17,000, the whole of which has been
defrayed by benevolent individuals. Before concluding the brief
remarks which I have addressed to you, however imperfectly, upon
this occasion, I call upon you once more to offer your support
to so excellent an Institution. I am certain you must be
convinced that it is one which is really a necessity for a great
maritime nation like this. I congratulate you that it has
arrived at so efficient a state, and I feel quite sure that you
would be the last to wish it to decay from want of funds."

The Secretary having read the Report, and various speeches having been delivered, donations were announced to the amount of £1200. At the luncheon, which was afterwards given in the Long Parlour, the Prince hoped that the proceedings of that day would advance the prosperity of the Institution, the benefits of which had only to be more widely known, to be more largely supported.

We may add that the receipts, as stated in last year's report (1887), were £56,970, and the expenditure £74,162. During the year 368 lives had been saved by the Society's boats, and ten vessels saved from destruction. Besides medals and other testimonials, £3345 had been granted in rewards. Since the formation of the Society it has voted as rewards 97 gold and 996 silver medals or clasps, 139 binocular glasses, 15 telescopes, and money to the amount of £96,700. These statistics are furnished by the present secretary, Mr. Charles Dibdin, a descendant of the Dibdin whose naval songs are known to all sailors. British seamen are always ready to risk their lives to save their fellow men, and there is never any difficulty found in manning the lifeboats, but it is necessary to have a permanent staff, and to keep up the stations, while those who volunteer to imperil their own lives ought to have reward, in order to help to provide for others dependent on them. The Prince again presided at the Annual Meeting in 1884.

SOCIETY OF ANCIENT BRITONS.

_March 1st, 1867._

A Welsh charitable institution might claim the patronage of the Prince of Wales, from his title, apart from the sympathy shown by him towards benevolent works amidst all classes of the people. On St. David's Day, March 1st, 1867, the Prince presided at the 152nd anniversary festival of this ancient and useful charity, the origin of which dates back from the year 1715, shortly after the accession of George I.

Caroline, the Princess of Wales, was born on the 1st of March of that year; and as there were divisions and intrigues at the period, many influential Welshmen combined to show their loyal attachment to the House of Hanover.

At first the combination was probably prompted by political motives, but the Society soon took up practical work, and founded a school for the education of poor children of Welsh parents in London. The Scotch had already formed similar patriotic institutions, and at a later period the Irish followed the example. On the present anniversary the Prince was supported by a distinguished company, including several of the most eminent and influential natives of the Principality.

The Health of the Queen having been drunk with enthusiasm, that of the Prince and Princess of Wales was proposed by the Duke of Cambridge, who said that every one would agree with him in expressing the high sense which every body entertained of the admirable way in which His Royal Highness had supported not only the general interests of the country, but also those of individual societies. The Prince responded in a few hearty words, saying he would always be found ready to assist charitable objects, whether as an onlooker, or as a participator in the proceedings, as he was that night. Having returned warm thanks for the reception given to the toast, and the good wishes expressed towards himself and the Princess of Wales, he then proposed the toast of the evening: "Prosperity to the Welsh Charity School, and Perpetuity to the Honourable and Loyal Society of Ancient Britons."

"I feel sure, Gentlemen, I shall not have to call upon you twice
to respond most heartily to this toast. You all of you must
know, perhaps far better than I can tell you, the history of
this society; but at the same time it may be well that I should
go back and give you a brief sketch of the society from its
commencement. In 1715 it was founded on St. David's Day, which
was the birthday of Caroline, Princess of Wales. My ancestor,
George II., then Prince of Wales, became the first patron of the
society. The Princess took great interest in the well-being of
the society, independent of the fact of its having been founded
in commemoration of her natal day. The school in those times was
nothing more than a day school. It was found to be too small,
and was removed to Clerkenwell, and there it flourished for some
time. In 1771 it was removed to Gray's-inn Lane, and in 1818, at
the death of the much lamented Princess Charlotte of Wales,
whose loss the whole country most deeply felt, 50 additional
children were, by means of a public subscription, sent to the
school in remembrance of her name. The school continued to
flourish, but it was thought advisable, if it could be effected,
that the institution should be removed into the country, in
order, among other advantages, that the children might derive
the benefit of the fresh air. Accordingly in 1854 the school was
removed to Ashford, and on the 13th of July, 1857, my lamented
father inaugurated and opened the school on its present site. I
am happy to say that I accompanied him on that occasion, and
from that time to this you will believe me when I assure you
that I have felt the deepest interest in the prosperity of the
school. It has frequently occurred on my journey from Windsor to
London by the South-Western line for me to notice the school as
I have passed by it, but that circumstance alone would not be
required to remind me of its claims. When the school was removed
from London to the country considerable expense was incurred; so
much so that it was rendered necessary to reduce the number of
children from 200 to 150, but I am happy to be able to inform
you that in the course of the last century and a half as many as
3000 Welsh children have been by means of this institution
clothed, fed, and educated, and afterwards sent forth into the
world provided, to a certain extent, for their future career.
This must be a gratifying announcement, and brief and imperfect
as the sketch may have been which I have now given you, still I
trust I have said enough to call upon you most heartily to
continue that support which in past years you have given on the
occasion of these annual festivals. Gentlemen, I thank you for
the kind manner in which you have been pleased to receive these
remarks, and I beg to propose to you, in a bumper, the toast of
the evening."

Other toasts and speeches followed, and a most liberal collection was made for the Charity, which is now generally known under the name of "High School for Welsh Girls."

LONDON INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE.

_July 10th, 1867._

On the 10th of July, 1867, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales inaugurated this institution, established under the auspices of the International Education Society. Some years previously a Committee, of which Mr. Cobden and M. Michael Chevalier were members, proposed the formation of an International College, having four principal establishments, in England, France, Germany, and Italy. The pupils were to pursue their studies at each branch in succession. It was to inaugurate the English branch of this institution, at Spring Grove, under the direction of Dr. Leonard Schmitz, formerly Rector of the High School of Edinburgh, that they assembled this day.

After inspecting the building and grounds, the visitors assembled at luncheon, the chair being occupied by Mr. Paulton, the treasurer of the College, having on his right the Prince of Wales, and on his left the Duc d'Aumale. The Prince de Joinville and the Comte de Paris were also among the guests. On the health of the Prince of Wales being proposed, he replied as follows:--

"Mr. Chairman, Ladies, and Gentlemen,--I beg to thank you for
the kind manner in which you have drunk my health, and for the
feeling and touching sympathy you have evinced for the Princess
of Wales. I can assure you it gives me the greatest
gratification to be present to-day to inaugurate this College
under the auspices of the International Education Society. I
sincerely trust that this propitious weather and the goodly
company I see around me may be omens of the future of this
institution. The site of this College is all that can be
desired, and I know that its management will be so administered
as to fulfil to the utmost the anticipations of its promoters.
There is now room for 80 pupils within its walls, and when the
new wings are completed it will be capable of accommodating
twice, probably treble, that number. There are, I understand,
two sister institutions abroad--one in Germany, and the other in
France; and after the pupils have completed their studies here
they can avail themselves of the advantages of these
institutions to perfect themselves in modern Continental
languages.

"I am not going to discuss the relative claims on our attention
of the living and dead languages; but I believe it to be most
important that modern languages should form one of the principal
subjects of study on grounds of practical utility. No persons
were ever more deeply impressed with this fact than my late
lamented father, and another man whose name is now celebrated
through England, Richard Cobden. I have travelled a great deal
on the Continent, and I am confident that I should have found my
sojourn in these countries far less pleasant than it was if I
had not possessed a considerable knowledge of the vernacular of
the people.

"I thank you again sincerely for the manner in which you have
drunk my health, and I shall convey to the Princess the deep
sympathy you have evinced for her in her illness, the
enthusiastic affection with which you have received her name,
and your warm good wishes for her speedy restoration to health.
Before sitting down I beg to propose a toast, which I am sure
you will receive with every demonstration of approbation. It is
"Success to the London College of the International Education
Society." With that toast I beg to couple the name of Dr.
Schmitz, whose pupil, I am proud to say, I once was while
studying in the city of Edinburgh."

The toast having been received with great enthusiasm, Dr. Schmitz, in reply, said he had to thank His Royal Highness for the kindness of heart with which he had spoken of his humble name, and hoped that the College so happily inaugurated would have a prosperous issue. The distinctive feature of the institution was that in it the study of modern languages and natural sciences were to be largely pursued. The dead languages, however, were not to be ignored. They protested only against the exclusive study of classical literature. He had himself devoted his life to letters, but at the same time he fully recognized the claims of the modern continental tongues and the natural sciences, by which the civilization and progress of the world were unquestionably advanced. Professor Huxley then proposed the "Health of the Committee of Management," coupling with it the name of the chairman. The Chairman having briefly replied, the meeting broke up, and the visitors dispersed throughout the grounds for promenade.

THE VICEROY OF EGYPT, ISMAIL PASHA, AT THE MANSION HOUSE.

_July 11th, 1867._

Among the many illustrious rulers of foreign nations who have been entertained by the Lord Mayor of London, have been three Viceroys of Egypt. On the 11th of July, 1867, at a banquet at the Mansion House, a distinguished company assembled to meet his Highness the Viceroy, Ismail Pasha. Twenty-one years previously, the father, and on a subsequent occasion the brother of the Viceroy had been similarly honoured in the capital of the British Empire. The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Teck, Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, many of the ambassadors of foreign powers, and the most eminent men of all shades of political opinion were among the company.

The reply of the Viceroy, to the toast, given by the Lord Mayor, was responded to in his native tongue, and interpreted by Nubar Pasha in French: "If Egypt had rendered services to England, chiefly in facilitating communication with India, his country was only acknowledging the debt due to this country for the benefits received in promoting the material and the moral progress of his people."

The next toast was the health of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the other members of the Royal Family, to which the Prince thus responded:--

"My Lord Mayor, your Royal Highnesses, my Lords, Ladies, and
Gentlemen, I beg to thank you most warmly and sincerely for the
kind manner in which you, my Lord Mayor, have proposed my health
and that of the Princess of Wales, and the other members of the
Royal Family; and to thank the company here present for the way
in which it has been received. I need not assure you, my Lord
Mayor, that to have been invited here this evening has been a
source of great pleasure to me. Under any circumstances I always
feel it a great compliment to be invited to the hospitable board
of the Lord Mayor and the Corporation of the city of London.

"But this evening we have been invited here to do honour to a
guest, and that guest the Viceroy of Egypt. As the Lord Mayor
has very truly remarked, England and Egypt, though far distant
from one another, though very different from one another in
religion and in habits, are countries which have been, and will
continue to be, closely allied to one another. We have every
reason to be grateful to the Viceroy and to his Government for
the means he has afforded us of visiting that country, and for
the great hospitality that he has shown to us on all occasions.
I myself received distinguished marks of kindness under the rule
of his brother, the late Viceroy, in 1862. Nothing could exceed
the kindness and courtesy with which I was treated, and the
facilities with which I was enabled to visit that most
interesting country. We are also indebted to the Viceroy and the
Egyptian Government for the great facilities he has afforded our
troops in their transit to India.

"Egypt, as has been remarked, is a country that is fast
improving in every way. Manufactures are rising on all
sides--especially the manufacture of cotton. I myself visited a
very important sugar manufactory, and it was interesting to find
that there were English, French, and German workmen employed in
that manufactory.

"I do not wish, my Lord Mayor, to take up more of your time this
evening, knowing that there are other toasts to be proposed. I
will, therefore, conclude by again thanking you once more for
the honour you have done me in drinking my health, and for the
very kind expressions you have used towards the Princess of
Wales. I know I only express her feelings when I say that she
has been deeply touched by that universal good feeling and
sympathy which has been shown to her during her long and painful
illness. Thank God she has now nearly recovered, and I trust
that in a month's time she will be able to leave London and
enjoy the benefits of fresh air."

FESTIVAL OF ST. PATRICK.

_March 17th, 1868._

On various occasions, the Prince of Wales has shown on Irish soil, his sympathy with the people of the Sister Isle, and has been always welcomed with warm and loyal feeling by the mass of the population. He has given practical proof of his good feeling for the Irish nation by being a patron and supporter of the Benevolent Society of St. Patrick, in the schools of which the children of poor Irish parents residing in the Metropolis receive education and other benefits.

The annual festival has long been well attended and supported, but never before was there so great and brilliant a gathering as when the Prince of Wales, on the 17th of March, 1868, presided at the dinner, at Willis's Rooms. Among the company were the Archbishop of Armagh, the Bishop of Derry, and many members of the House of Lords, and of the House of Commons, connected with Ireland, with other distinguished persons of all classes interested in the charity. The London Irish Volunteers formed a guard of honour in front of the building, and the Prince on entering, and taking his place as president, was greeted with enthusiastic cheers.

The usual loyal toasts having been given, and responded to by the Prince, with warm appreciation of the good-will, especially directed towards the Princess of Wales, on her health being proposed by the Archbishop of Armagh, the Prince proposed "The Army and Navy, the Militia and the Volunteers," saying some suitable words as to each branch of the united services.

The Earl of Longford briefly replied for the Army. Mr. Corry, in responding for the Navy, said he believed that St. Patrick had never been so far south as that fine harbour which was "_statio bene fida carinis_." Complaints had been made from time to time that the Government had not availed themselves of the facilities which Cork harbour afforded for dockyard accommodation, but after the works at Haulbowline were completed, he hoped that the people of Cork would see that the Admiralty had no desire to do any injustice to Ireland in respect of the navy. He was glad to announce to the company that on the occasion of the forthcoming visit of the Prince of Wales to Dublin a division of the armour-clad vessels of the Channel fleet would be sent to the Bay of Dublin, where, weather permitting, the ships of the division would anchor and remain during the time His Royal Highness was to stay in Ireland.

Captain M. J. O'Connell, in returning thanks for the Volunteers, remarked that in the London Irish there never had been any political or polemical disputes.

At this stage of the proceedings there occurred a scene thoroughly "racy of the soil" of which most of the noblemen and gentlemen present were natives. The children of the schools were brought into the room, and "St. Patrick's Day" having been struck up by the band, the boys and girls proceeded to make the circuit of the tables. The national air of Ireland told alike on the benefactors and the recipients of the charity. The children looked with glistening eyes on the company, and the latter, as the young ones passed by, loaded them with fruit and cakes to such an extent that before the juvenile procession had made its exit from the apartment the tables had been cleared of the entire dessert, which was a very liberal one. The boys and girls raised a loud cheer as they left the room, and the entire company, including the illustrious President, appeared all the happier for having made the festival the means of so unusual a treat for the little sons and daughters of poor Irish parents struggling for their living in London.

After the performance of a selection of Irish airs, the Prince of Wales again rose and said:--

"My Lords and Gentlemen.--The next toast which I shall have the
honour of proposing to you is the toast of the evening. We are
here to-night for a very excellent and charitable purpose. The
objects of the Benevolent Society of St. Patrick have been so
often stated--so many able speeches have been made at so many
successive anniversaries of this festival, that there is very
little left for me to say; but having accepted, which I did with
pleasure, the post of chairman this evening, I feel it is due to
the institution and to this company that I should make a few
observations. I may as well at once say that I am about to call
upon you to drink prosperity to the Benevolent Society of St.
Patrick. This Society was instituted in 1784, with the object of
relieving the necessitous children of Irish parents resident in
London. One of its first patrons was my grandfather, the Duke of
Kent. I have always understood that he took a very great
interest in the Society, and I may further observe that several
of my grand-uncles acted as presidents at your annual dinners.
At the present moment I believe the schools are in what may be
called a flourishing condition, They afford education to as many
as 400 children. That the boys and girls are in good health and
thriving is, I think, pretty evident, from the appearance they
presented as they passed through the room just now. A special
feature in the conduct of the schools is that no doctrinal
teaching is permitted. They are entirely national and
non-sectarian schools. At the same time the children are
strongly advised to attend the instructions given by the
ministers of the religion in which their parents wish them to be
brought up, and they are afforded an opportunity of doing so
every week. If it is thought desirable, the children are
apprenticed on leaving school. This system has been found to
work remarkably well. Inducements are held out for proficiency
and good conduct by rewards given after examination. A
comparatively new feature in the management of the institution
is this--that at times when the parents are enduring hardships
and perhaps privations owing to the want of work--when they may
not have a sufficiency of daily bread for the maintenance of
their families, as, for instance, during severe winter weather,
when many poor people find it difficult to obtain employment--a
daily meal is given to children who are in want of it. This has
been found to afford much assistance to the parents as well as
the children, and may therefore be regarded as a satisfactory
addition to the arrangements of the managers. I am informed that
of late years the institution has lost many valuable patrons and
supporters, but I should hope that any void in this way may
speedily be filled up. My Lords and Gentlemen,--though this may
be called an annual festival in aid of a charity, and in this
respect it is exceedingly useful, it has also another advantage.
It has long been regarded as an occasion when Irishmen living in
London may meet together without sectarian feelings or political
allusions. Such meetings are beneficial, and they must be all
the more so when their main object is the furtherance of a most
excellent institution like the Benevolent Society of St.
Patrick, prosperity to which I now ask you to drink."

The illustrious President next gave "The Lord-Lieutenant of
Ireland," and in doing so said, "he was sure every one would
agree with him in thinking that Lord Abercorn had filled his
high office with credit to himself and benefit to the country.
His Excellency had had a very arduous task to perform. During
Lord Abercorn's administration there had been great troubles in
Ireland, but it was to be hoped that these were almost at an
end."

The Earl of Mayo, in returning thanks for the Lord-Lieutenant, expressed his opinion that the Prince of Wales on his forthcoming visit to Ireland would experience such a reception as would induce His Royal Highness to go there again.

The Earl of Kimberley, in proposing the health of the illustrious President, said he thought the friends of Ireland ought to feel much obliged to His Royal Highness for his presence there that evening. He was convinced that good would result from it. Having on one occasion, while filling the office of Lord-Lieutenant, had the honour to receive the Prince of Wales at Dublin, he could state from his own knowledge that His Royal Highness took the deepest interest in all that concerned the welfare of Ireland, and showed the greatest anxiety to make himself acquainted with her affairs. The Prince had made himself acquainted with her affairs, and was in a position to give an intelligent and a just opinion on the matter. This was of great importance for Ireland. He thought he might venture to say that the Prince of Wales felt an affection for Ireland.

The toast was drunk with all the honours, and with unusual enthusiasm. The Prince of Wales said:--

"I am exceedingly gratified by the very kind terms in which my
noble friend has proposed my health, and the more than cordial
manner in which you, my lords and gentlemen, have received it. I
hope I need not assure you that it has been a source of great
pleasure to me to take the chair at a dinner in aid of a society
which does so much for the benefit of so many children of the
poorer Irish in London. My noble friend has alluded to my
approaching visit to Ireland. I shall only say that I am glad to
visit a portion of the United Kingdom in which I have
experienced such extensive kindness from all parties. I agree
with the noble Lord the Chief Secretary for Ireland. If this
visit should tend to give pleasure to the people of Ireland I
hope there may be a longer visit hereafter. During the course of
the last two years there has been much that has been
disagreeable to loyal Irishmen; but I am convinced that the
people of Ireland generally are thoroughly true and loyal, and
that the disaffection which has existed will only be of short
duration. It has not been engrafted on the minds of any portion
of the Irish people by the Irish people themselves. But as we
are assembled here for a purely charitable object this is not
the place for political allusions. I shall, therefore, conclude
by once more thanking you for the kind way in which you have
drunk my health, and for the manner in which you have supported
me this evening."

The amount contributed to the funds of the charity was about £1200, which included 100 guineas from the Queen, and a similar sum from the Prince of Wales.

DUBLIN AND CARNARVON.

_April 15-25th, 1868._

The projected visit to Ireland, referred to in a previous article on St. Patrick's festival, took place in April, 1868. It was a successful and memorable visit in every way. On the 15th of April the Prince and Princess of Wales, who had started from Holyhead at 4 A.M., arrived in Kingstown Harbour at 9.30, and landed amidst salutes from the fleet attending the Royal yacht. On the way to Dublin Castle they were received with enthusiasm by the crowds. The streets and houses were profusely decorated with banners and evergreens. "Welcome to Erin" was the burden of the mottoes. No troops lined the way, but reliance was put on the loyal and hospitable spirit of the people, who kept the track clear for the cortège, and when the escort had passed the crowd closed in behind, like the waters in the wake of a ship which has passed through. At night the city was brilliantly illuminated. Next day the royal party went to Punchestown races in open carriages, and were greeted with enthusiasm as great as on the first entrance to Dublin. On Saturday the Prince was installed, with great ceremony, a Knight of St. Patrick, in St. Patrick's Cathedral.

The Prince was belted with the same sword worn by George IV. In the evening his Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant entertained the Knight, the Royal visitors, and a distinguished company, at dinner in St. Patrick's Hall. In proposing the health of the Prince and the Princess of Wales, the Lord Lieutenant said that "the shouts of acclamation that for four successive days have rung in our ears, will have shown to the illustrious Heir of these Kingdoms, better than any words of mine, the kindly nature of the Irish people, and the attachment that may be awakened in their generous and warm hearts."

His Royal Highness, in returning thanks, said:--

"Your Excellency's, your Royal Highnesses, my Lords, Ladies, and
Gentlemen,--In the name of the Princess of Wales and myself, I
beg to tender you my warmest thanks for the very kind and
flattering manner in which this toast has been proposed, and for
the cordial way in which it has been received by the company
present here this evening. Under any circumstances I should feel
it a great honour to have my health proposed by his Excellency
the Lord-Lieutenant, but to-night the circumstances under which
it has been proposed are peculiar, for I appear here as a Knight
of the Illustrious Order of St. Patrick. I can assure you that
I feel very proud to wear this evening for the first time the
star and riband of this illustrious Order; and I am very
grateful to Her Majesty the Queen for having given it to me. On
former occasions I have received the Orders of Great Britain
from Her Majesty's own hands; and, although I cannot but regret
that on this occasion she has not been able to give this Order
to me herself, still it was the Queen's wish that I should
receive it on Irish soil, from the hands of her representative,
the Lord-Lieutenant.

"This Order was first founded, now more than 80 years ago, by my
great-grandfather, King George III., and was instituted by him
as a mark of his goodwill and friendship towards this country,
and it is my hope that, as his great-grandson, having to-day
received it on Irish soil, I may also be instrumental in
evincing in this country, in the name of my Sovereign and my
mother, her goodwill and friendship towards Ireland. I feel also
proud that I have been not only invested with the insignia of
this Order, but installed in the magnificent Cathedral of St.
Patrick, for the restoration of which we are indebted to the
great munificence of a private gentleman of Ireland, whose name
is so well known that I need not mention it to you, more
particularly as I have the pleasure of seeing him at this table.

"My Lords and Gentlemen, I am very glad to have this opportunity
of stating to you, on behalf of the Princess and myself, how
deeply gratified we are by the reception which has been accorded
to us in this country, not only, as the Lord-Lieutenant has
observed, by the higher classes, but by the sons of the soil as
well. After the sad times of the past year it might, perhaps,
have been thought by some that our reception would not have been
all that could have been wished. I myself felt confident that it
would, and my hopes have been indeed realised. I beg, therefore,
to offer, not only to those present who participated more
immediately in our reception, but to the whole Irish people, our
thanks for the cordial, hearty, and friendly welcome which we
have received. I will not weary you with more words, but thank
you once more for the honour you have done us in so heartily
drinking our healths."

The Prince, we are told, spoke with an unaffected earnestness which deepened the impression left by his words. The reference to "the sad times of the past year" included the wretched Clerkenwell explosion affair, the perpetrators of which outrage were on their trial in London, at the very time when the people of Dublin were showing their loyal attachment to the throne, and observing the most remarkable order and decorum, even in the most crowded and poverty-stricken districts.

Besides an incessant round of banquets, receptions, concerts, balls, and what are humorously called "entertainments," the Royal visitors devoted much time to inspecting museums, libraries, hospitals, colleges, schools, including some sights not usually attractive to strangers, such as the collections of preparations and curiosities in the College of Surgeons, and the College of Physicians. The antiquities in the Royal Hibernian Academy's rooms were duly inspected; a conversazione at the Royal Dublin Society attended; a flower-show at the Rotunda; The Catholic University in Stephen's Green visited; and above all there were splendid doings at Trinity College, where the Prince (and at the same time, the Duke of Cambridge, and Lord Abercorn) received the investiture of honorary Doctor of Laws. After this the Royal LL.D. went out, unrobed, to unveil the statue of Edmund Burke.

Then there was the Cattle Show, for it happened that the usual spring meeting of the Royal Dublin Society fell at the very time of the Prince's visit. Of course there was also a review in Phoenix Park, and on this occasion the military spectacle was of unusual brilliancy.

On Sunday, the 19th, His Royal Highness attended the service in Christ Church, a cathedral exceeded by few in historic interest.

In addition to the many engagements in Dublin, visits were paid to Lord Powerscourt's beautiful domain, with the romantic and classical scenes of county Wicklow; and to the Duke of Leinster at Carton, and to Maynooth College, fifteen miles off. The President, Dr. Russell, with the officials, formally received the Prince, while the hundreds of students gave him a cheerful welcome in the great quadrangle.

It would occupy too much space to mention all the incidents crowded into the days of the Irish sojourn. They are all recorded in full detail, in the newspapers of the period, and especially in the columns of the _Times_, who sent a special correspondent to chronicle the events, day by day. In a leading article of the _Times_, the writer gives a summary of the proceedings, and makes comments on what might be the result of the Royal visit. Some sentences of this article we quote as showing what was the impression made at the time by the Prince himself:--

"Any reader of our daily correspondence could easily make out a hundred distinct occasions during these ten days on which the Prince, most frequently with the Princess, had to be face to face with some portion of the people, in some ceremony or other, and had to perform a part requiring all the graces and gifts of Royalty. There were presentations and receptions; receiving and answering addresses; processions, walking, riding, and driving, in morning, evening, military, academic, and mediæval attire. The Prince was invested as a Knight, robed as an LL.D., and made a Lord of the Irish Privy Council; he had to breakfast, lunch, dine, and sup with more or less publicity every twenty-four hours. He had to go twice to races with fifty or a hundred thousand people about him; to review a small army and make a tour in the Wicklow mountains, of course everywhere receiving addresses under canopies, and dining in state under galleries full of spectators. He visited and inspected institutions, colleges, universities, academies, libraries, and cattle shows. He had to take a very active part in assemblies of from several hundred to several thousand dancers, and always to select for his partners the most important personages. He had to introduce the statue of Burke to the wind and rain of his country. He had to listen to many speeches sufficiently to know when and what to answer. He had to examine with respectful interest pictures, books, antiquities, relics, manuscripts, specimens, bones, fossils, prize beasts, and works of Irish art. He had never to be unequal to the occasion, however different from the last or however like the last, and whatever his disadvantage as to the novelty or the dullness of the matter and the scene. He was always before persons who were there at home, on their own ground, and amid persons and objects familiar to them, and sometimes in a manner made by them. Be it Cardinal, Chancellor, Rector, Mayor, Commanding Officer, President, Chairman, or local deputation, he had to hold his own, without even seeming to do so--that is, without effort or self assertion. All this he had to do continually for ten days. Now, men of common would know what an anxious thing it is to have to do this even once, and how utterly they may be upset by the concurrence of two or three such occasions."

All this and more the Prince had to do and to suffer during his visit. The speeches if not long, were numerous and appropriate. Altogether the Irish campaign of 1868 was not an easy one. Let it be remembered with the more honour.

On the 25th of April, the Royal visitors returned to Holyhead, and stopping at Carnarvon, the birthplace of the first Prince of Wales, received a public greeting, and an address. At a banquet subsequently given, the Prince thus responded to the toast given by the High Sheriff of the County:--

"On behalf of the Princess and myself I return our warmest
thanks for the kind way in which our health has been proposed,
and for the manner in which it has been received. It has
afforded the Princess and myself the very greatest pleasure to
come to North Wales and visit the ancient castle of Carnarvon.
It is particularly interesting to us to come upon this day, the
anniversary of the birthday of the first Prince of Wales. For a
long time it had been our intention to pay a visit to Wales, and
I regret that that intention has been so long in the fulfilment;
but the cordial reception which we have received to-day will, I
am sure, lead us to look forward with great pleasure to another
visit on some future day. We deeply regret that our stay should
be so short, and that, it being necessary for us to go
homewards, we cannot remain longer with you. I thank you once
more for the kind way in which you have received the few words I
have addressed to you, and for the welcome we have received from
the people of Carnarvon."

His Royal Highness concluded by proposing the health of the Lords-Lieutenant, the High Sheriffs, and the Mayors of the towns and counties of North Wales.

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF FOREIGNERS IN DISTRESS.

_May 5th, 1868._

There is no form of charity more obviously suitable and good, than helping distressed strangers in a strange land, and especially foreigners in London. The sixty-second anniversary of the "Society of Friends of Foreigners in Distress" was celebrated on May 5th, 1868, at Willis's Rooms, under the presidency of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. The guests included many representatives of various nations, the charity itself being cosmopolitan, and helping the distressed of all races and regions.

In proposing the health of "The Queen, the Protectress of the
Society," the Prince observed that "Her Majesty had shown a deep
interest in the charity, ever since 1837, the year of her
accession to the throne, when she became an annual subscriber;
and his lamented father became its protector at his marriage,
and continued to subscribe to its funds."

In proposing the health of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Sir Travers Twiss, her Majesty's Advocate-General, said that he was not merely following the high example of his august mother and lamented father, but was moved by his own kind disposition. As it was not generally known, he took the liberty of mentioning, even in his presence, that the Prince, in the course of his Eastern travels, passed through no great city without having visited its institutions in aid of suffering humanity; and it was still fresh in the memory of those who were around him how much his heart was touched at the sight of the shelter afforded by British and American philanthropy to the unfortunate Syrian Christians, who had been driven from their homes at Damascus, and found a temporary asylum among the European residents at Beyrout.

His Royal Highness, in returning thanks, expressed the high pleasure it was to be present in support of the institution, and proposed the health of the "Foreign Sovereigns and Governments--protectors and patrons of the Institution," coupling with the toast the name of his Excellency the Prussian Ambassador; to which Count Bernstorff responded.

In proposing the principal toast of the evening, His Royal Highness said that he was sure it would be received with enthusiasm:--

"The 'Society of Friends of Foreigners in Distress' was the
first of the kind established in London, and its object was to
afford assistance to deserving and necessitous foreigners in
this country, without distinction of nationality, religion, age,
or sex. This institution, which had now existed for more than
sixty years, was even at the time of its initiation thought to
be a work of necessity; how much more so had it become such
since the means of communication between country and country had
been so vastly increased, and trade, manufactures, and commerce
had so largely attracted the people of other nations to our
shores!

"The charitable objects of the society were first to grant
allowances to deserving foreigners in their old age. Pensioners
were elected by the governors, and the Board of Directors paid
the pensions annually. The second object was to grant temporary
relief in time of sickness. These cases were inquired into with
the greatest care, and sums from a few shillings up to £5 or £10
were sometimes given where the cases required it. A third object
was to afford temporary assistance to the younger members of
families when the heads of the families were by infirmity or ill
health unable to support them; but when such relief had been
once afforded to any extent a period of eight weeks was required
to elapse before any further help was rendered, unless in cases
of great emergency. The fourth and last object of the society
was to afford means by which foreigners might be able to return
to their native country. As many as 243 families had been
enabled to return to their native country by the assistance
rendered to them by this society. Several of the families so
assisted had been induced to quit their native land in that
unfortunate expedition to Mexico. They had engaged in what they
thought was a good cause, but when that fell to the ground,
owing to events that occurred last year, those poor creatures
were totally unprovided for, and then it was that the society
granted them the means of returning to their native country.