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Transcriber's Note:
In the original, the speeches of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales are set in a
larger type face. In this e-text the larger type sections are represented
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* * * * *
SPEECHES AND ADDRESSES
OF
H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES:
1863-1888.
[Illustration: Albert Edward P.]
SPEECHES AND ADDRESSES
OF
H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES:
1863-1888.
EDITED BY
JAMES MACAULAY, A.M., M.D. EDIN.,
AUTHOR OF "VICTORIA R.I., HER LIFE AND REIGN."
_WITH A PORTRAIT._
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
1889.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.
To the Memory of
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS
T H E P R I N C E C O N S O R T,
THE "NOBLE FATHER OF OUR KINGS TO BE,"
ALBERT THE WISE AND GOOD.
PREFACE.
The year 1888, that of the Silver Wedding of the Prince and Princess of
Wales, is also the 25th anniversary of the year when the Prince first
began to appear in public life. It is, therefore, a fit time to present
some record of events in which His Royal Highness has taken part, and of
services rendered by him to the nation, during the past quarter of a
century. The best and the least formal way of doing this seemed to be
the reproduction of his Speeches and Addresses, along with some account
of the occasions when they were delivered.
Some of these speeches, in more recent years, are known to all, and
their importance is universally recognised; such as those relating to
the various International Exhibitions, the foundation of the Royal
College of Music, and the establishment of the Imperial Institute. But
throughout the whole of the twenty-five years, there has been a
succession of speeches, on all manner of occasions, of many of which
there is no adequate record or remembrance. It is only due to the Prince
to recall the various services thus rendered by him, especially during
those earlier years when the loss of the Prince Consort was most deeply
felt, and when the Queen, whose Jubilee has been so splendidly
celebrated, was living in retirement. A new generation has come on the
stage since those days, and there are comparatively few who remember the
number and variety of occasions upon which Royalty was worthily
represented by the Prince of Wales, and the important and arduous duties
voluntarily and cheerfully undertaken by him.
Before carrying out this design, it was advisable to ascertain if there
might be any objection on the part of the Prince of Wales. There might,
for instance, be a purpose of official publication of these speeches. On
the matter being referred to the Prince, he not only made no objection,
but, in most kind and gracious terms, gave his sanction to the work, and
hoped it might be "useful to the various objects which he had publicly
advocated and supported."
The number and diversity of occasions on which the Prince has made these
public appearances will surprise those who have not personal
recollection of them. The speeches themselves will surprise no one. The
Prince has had education and culture such as few of any station obtain;
directed at first by such a father as the Prince Consort, and by tutors
who carried out the design of both his parents. Accomplished in Art, and
interested in Science, in Antiquities, and most branches of learning;
with some University training at Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh, and
with his mind enlarged by foreign travel, we might expect the fruits of
such training to appear in his public addresses. Add to this the
kindliness which comes from a good natural disposition, the sympathetic
influence of a genial manner, and the grace which is given by a training
from childhood in the highest station, and we can understand how the
speeches even of the earliest years were heard with pleasure and
approval. Some of the speeches are very brief, but are always to the
point, and present the gist of the subject in hand. It was Earl
Granville who once said, in proposing his health, that, "if the speeches
of His Royal Highness were usually short, they were always, to use a
homely expression, as full of meat as an egg." Even where there has been
no formal speech, we are interested in knowing what the Prince has done
as well as what he has said; and therefore some important occasions are
included when no speech was made.
It is the variety of subjects that will strike most readers. Let it be
noted, moreover, that the speeches now reproduced are only those
addressed to meetings where reporters for the press were present. There
have been innumerable meetings besides,--meetings of Commissions, of
Boards, of Councils, of Committees, at none of which has the Prince ever
been an inactive or silent member, but rather the guiding and moving
spirit. If the voluntary offices of His Royal Highness were printed at
length, they would far outnumber those mere honorary titles with which
the College of Arms concerns itself; and are such as imply thought and
work, in many useful and beneficent ways.
Long may His Royal Highness have the health and the will for such
offices and duties. If his future career is equal to the hopes and
promise of his early life, and the performances of the last twenty-five
years, he will leave a name illustrious and memorable in the history of
the British Empire.
* * * * *
[***symbol] _The frontispiece portrait, under which the Prince of
Wales has been pleased to put his autograph, is etched by W. Strang,
from a recent photograph by Van der Weyde._
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
THE EARLY YEARS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES 1
AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY BANQUET OF 1863 11
FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON 12
BRITISH ORPHAN ASYLUM 14
AT MERCERS' HALL 16
THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND DINNER 17
IRISH INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1865 21
INTERNATIONAL REFORMATORY EXHIBITION, HELD IN THE
AGRICULTURAL HALL, ISLINGTON 24
THE SAILORS' HOME, LONDON DOCKS 25
ROYAL DRAMATIC COLLEGE 26
FISHMONGERS' HALL DINNER 27
SPEECH DAY AT WELLINGTON COLLEGE 29
INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS 31
THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY 33
FRIEND OF THE CLERGY CORPORATION 36
WAREHOUSEMEN AND CLERKS' SCHOOL 38
MERCHANT SEAMEN'S ORPHAN ASYLUM 39
ROYAL VISIT TO NORWICH IN 1866 41
ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION 42
SOCIETY OF ANCIENT BRITONS 44
LONDON INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE 47
THE VICEROY OF EGYPT, ISMAIL PASHA, AT THE MANSION HOUSE 49
FESTIVAL OF ST. PATRICK 50
DUBLIN AND CARNARVON 55
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF FOREIGNERS IN DISTRESS 59
ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S HOSPITAL 62
LAYING FOUNDATION-STONE OF NEW BUILDINGS, GLASGOW UNIVERSITY 66
FOREIGN TOUR, 1868-1869 67
THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY 69
EARLSWOOD ASYLUM 71
THE ALEXANDRA DOCK AT LYNN 73
VISIT TO MANCHESTER 74
THE PEABODY MEMORIAL, UNVEILING OF THE STATUE IN THE CITY OF
LONDON 78
THE SCOTTISH HOSPITAL 81
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS 85
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITION 87
ROYAL GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND 89
ST. GEORGE'S HOSPITAL 93
DULWICH COLLEGE 96
SCHOOLS FOR THE CHILDREN OF SEAMEN 98
NEW GRAMMAR SCHOOL AT READING 100
ALBERT GOLD MEDAL TO M. DE LESSEPS 103
OPENING OF THE THAMES EMBANKMENT 105
WORKMEN'S INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION 106
THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL 107
THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1871 110
ARTISTS' ORPHAN FUND 111
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS 114
EARLSWOOD ASYLUM FESTIVAL 116
HOMES FOR LITTLE BOYS 118
THE ROYAL CALEDONIAN ASYLUM 120
DUBLIN AGRICULTURAL SHOW 122
THE ILLNESS OF DECEMBER, 1871 128
NORFOLK AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 132
AT GREAT YARMOUTH 135
THE SCHOOL DRILL REVIEW 138
WEYMOUTH AND THE PORTLAND BREAKWATER 139
VISIT TO DERBY 140
RAILWAY BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION 142
UNVEILING THE ALBERT STATUE ON HOLBORN VIADUCT 145
THE BRITISH ORPHAN ASYLUM FESTIVAL 146
BANQUET TO SIR GARNET WOLSELEY 148
ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT COLLEGE 150
AT THE MIDDLE AND THE INNER TEMPLE 152
NEW GUILDHALL AND LAW COURTS, PLYMOUTH 154
VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM IN 1874 156
THE ROYAL CAMBRIDGE ASYLUM 159
AT MERCHANT TAYLORS' SCHOOL 163
THE GERMAN HOSPITAL 165
INSTALLATION AS GRAND MASTER OF ENGLISH FREEMASONS 169
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION 175
THE INDIAN EMBASSY, 1875-76 180
LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ASYLUM 185
UNVEILING ALBERT STATUE AT CAMBRIDGE 190
INFANT ORPHAN ASYLUM, WANSTEAD 193
THE TRAINING SHIP 'BRITANNIA' 195
CABDRIVERS' BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION 198
THE PRINCESS HELENA COLLEGE 201
NEW HARBOUR AT HOLYHEAD 203
NEW COLOURS TO THE ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS 205
THE ROYAL HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN 208
AT KING'S COLLEGE 209
COLONIAL BANQUET AT THE MANSION HOUSE 211
CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE 215
THE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CONGRESS 218
MEMORIAL TO DEAN STANLEY 220
RIFLE VOLUNTEERS 223
BRITISH GRAVES IN THE CRIMEA 225
THE FISHERIES EXHIBITION 228
OPENING OF FISHERIES EXHIBITION 230
CLOSING OF FISHERIES EXHIBITION 231
FINANCIAL RESULTS OF FISHERIES EXHIBITION, AND DISPOSAL
OF SURPLUS 235
NEW CITY OF LONDON SCHOOL 237
THE NORTHBROOK CLUB 238
CITY OF LONDON COLLEGE IN MOORFIELDS 239
HOUSING OF THE POOR AND THE WORKING CLASSES 241
THE GUARDS' INDUSTRIAL HOME AT CHELSEA BARRACKS 243
ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION 244
THE HEALTH EXHIBITION 246
OPENING OF GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE 248
ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY MEETING IN GUILDHALL 252
VISIT TO IRELAND IN 1885 261
THE DARWIN MEMORIAL 271
THE BIRKBECK INSTITUTION 272
RAILWAY GUARDS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY 274
CONVALESCENT HOME AT SWANLEY 276
THE YORKSHIRE COLLEGE AT LEEDS 278
THE GORDON BOYS' HOME 282
OPENING OF THE MERSEY TUNNEL 286
INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS 290
AT THE COLONIAL OFFICE 293
INSTALLATION AS GRAND MASTER OF MARK MASONS 294
FOUNDATION STONE OF THE PEOPLE'S PALACE 296
SALE OF SHORTHORNS AND SOUTHDOWNS AT SANDRINGHAM 298
SION COLLEGE 301
COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION OF 1886 303
THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE 310
THE LONDON ORPHAN ASYLUM 315
THE COLLEGE OF PRECEPTORS 318
THE MANCHESTER EXHIBITION 319
THE LONDON HOSPITAL NEW BUILDINGS 321
DEACONESSES' INSTITUTION AND HOSPITAL AT TOTTENHAM 324
THE FREEMASONS AND THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE 325
THE SHAFTESBURY HOUSE 327
CONSECRATION OF TRURO CATHEDRAL 328
NEW COLOURS TO THE OLD 46TH REGIMENT 330
THE GLASGOW EXHIBITION OF 1888 332
SIR BARTLE FRERE'S STATUE 337
NEW GYMNASIUM IN LONG ACRE (OF Y. M. C. A.) 338
THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTE FOR GIRLS 340
WEST NORFOLK HUNT 344
AT BLACKBURN 345
THE ANGLO-DANISH EXHIBITION 347
GREAT NORTHERN HOSPITAL, HOLLOWAY ROAD 349
* * * * *
SPEECHES AT ROYAL ACADEMY BANQUETS 355
ROYAL BANQUETS AT THE TRINITY HOUSE 377
THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 391
NATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL FOR MUSIC 391
FOUNDING THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 394
THE COLONIES AND THE COLLEGE OF MUSIC 403
INAUGURATION OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 408
INDEX 417
THE EARLY YEARS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.
As the record of Public Speeches in the following pages does not begin
till 1863, it may be well to give a few dates and incidents of previous
years in the life of the Prince of Wales.
He was born on the 9th of November, 1841, at Buckingham Palace. From
Windsor, to which the Court removed on the 6th of December, the Queen
wrote next day to King Leopold, "We arrived here safe and sound, with
our awfully large nursery establishment, yesterday morning.... I wonder
very much whom our little boy will be like. You will understand how
fervent are my prayers, and I am sure everybody's must be, to see him
resemble his father in every respect, both in body and mind."
The Prince, named Albert Edward, was baptized in St. George's Chapel,
Windsor, on the 25th of January, 1842. King Frederick William of Prussia
was invited to be the boy's Godfather, and he came over personally to
undertake the office. The other Sponsors, six in number, were members of
the Houses of Saxe-Coburg and Saxe-Gotha, and of the English Royal
family. There was a full choral service at the christening. A special
anthem had been composed by Sir George Elvey. On the Prince Consort
being told of this, and asked when it should be sung, he answered, "Not
at all; no anthem. If the service ends by an anthem we shall all go out
criticising the music. We will have something we all know--something in
which we can all join--something devotional. The Hallelujah Chorus; we
shall all join in that, with our hearts." The Hallelujah Chorus ended
the service accordingly. The incident is noteworthy, as showing how the
infant Prince was committed, at his baptism, not in outward form only,
but in devout spirit, to the care of the Heavenly Father.
When the Queen told King Leopold of the removal of the Court to Windsor,
she had made special mention of "the nursery establishment." No mother
in any rank of life ever paid greater attention to this part of the
home, wherever the Court might be. In Memoirs and Recollections of the
Queen, by those who have belonged to her household, many anecdotes are
found which show the watchful care and the personal superintendence of
the Royal Mother.
It is only this year, in the autumn of 1888, that Mrs. Hull, who entered
Her Majesty's service as nurse to the Prince of Wales, died, in her
seventy-ninth year. She was a kind and conscientious attendant to every
one of the Royal children, and the Queen ever retained great regard for
the faithful nurse--"Dear old May," as she used to call her. When she
retired from the Royal service, and lived in recent years in Windsor,
she was always welcome at the Castle. The Queen herself and the
Princesses often saw her, and the Prince of Wales frequently brought her
handsome presents. In reading the account of her funeral, it is pleasant
to see that on the card attached to one of the many wreaths laid on her
coffin were the words: "A mark of affection and gratitude from Victoria
R. I." A beautiful wreath sent by the Prince and Princess of Wales bore
the inscription: "In remembrance of dear old May."
When the Royal children came to be under governesses and teachers, they
were taught well the usual branches of early education, and were also
trained in practical ways, the boys in the use of tools, and the girls
in household work, especially when the Swiss Cottage at Osborne was
occupied by the young folk.
In the story of the 'Early Years of the Prince Consort' there is an
amusing reference to the interruptions of the schoolroom studies by the
old Duke of Saxe-Coburg, who loved to carry off the two boys, and take
them on excursions. The Prince himself did this sometimes, as when the
two elder children, in the autumn of 1846, were taken with their parents
in the _Victoria and Albert_ to Portland, Weymouth, Guernsey, Dartmouth,
and Plymouth, between August 8th and 25th; and to Jersey, Falmouth, St.
Michael's Mount, and the Duchy of Cornwall, between September 2nd and
9th. Of these excursions details are given in the Queen's 'Leaves from a
Journal.' The Queen tells how, at several places off the Cornish coast,
"boats crowded round us in all directions, and when Bertie showed
himself the people shouted, 'Three cheers for the Duke of Cornwall!'"
... In the Journal, under date September 7th, Prince Albert having that
day landed to visit some mines, the Queen has this entry, "The
Corporation of Penryn were on board, and very anxious to see the Duke of
Cornwall, so I stepped out of the pavilion with Bertie, and Lord
Palmerston told them that that was the Duke of Cornwall; and the old
Mayor of Penryn said that 'he hoped he would grow up to be a blessing to
his parents, and to his country.'"
On September the 2nd, on the evening of the day when the Royal yacht
left Osborne for the Channel Islands, "Bertie put on his sailor's dress,
which was beautifully made by the man on board who makes for our
sailors. When he appeared, the officers and sailors, who were all
assembled on deck to see him, cheered, and seemed delighted with him."
In 1847 there was another holiday journey, this time to Scotland, the
Queen and the Prince taking with them, as before, the two eldest
children, with Miss Hildyard, their governess. They embarked at Osborne,
in the Royal yacht, on the 11th of August. On the 14th they were at
Pembroke, when the dockyard and the castle were inspected: thence along
the coast of Wales, landing at Bangor, from whence there was an
expedition to Penryn Castle, and thence past the Isle of Man to the
Scottish coast. Of this journey a detailed account is given in a letter
to Baron Stockmar. At Rothesay in the Isle of Bute, the Prince Consort
says, "The people were as much rejoiced to see the Duke of Rothesay as
the Welsh were to salute the Prince of Wales on their native ground." It
was this enthusiasm about local associations that led the Queen, after
the first visit to Ireland, to desire for the Prince the title of Earl
of Dublin.
During 1848 and the following year there was much in the state of public
affairs, at home and abroad, to occupy the attention of the Queen and
the Prince Consort, but they were anxiously considering the plans for
the future education of the Prince of Wales. In May 1848 negociations
had been opened with Mr. Birch, who had been highly recommended as
tutor. In the spring of 1849 the appointment was made, and Prince
Albert, in a letter to the Dowager Duchess of Gotha, dated Windsor
Castle, 10th April, thus wrote, "The children grow more than well.
Bertie will be given over in a few weeks into the hands of a tutor, whom
we have found in Mr. Birch, a young, good-looking, amiable man, who was
a tutor at Eton, and who not only himself took the highest honours at
Cambridge, but whose pupils have won especial distinction. It is an
important step, and God's blessing be upon it, for upon the good
education of Princes, and especially of those who are destined to
govern, the welfare of the world in these days very greatly depends."
Of the course and conduct of the studies of the Prince, under Mr. Birch,
from 1849-1851, and under his successor, Mr. Gibbs, from 1851-1858, it
is not necessary to speak. His other teachers were efficient in their
departments, such as Mr. Corbould, who taught drawing to all the Royal
children; and M. Brasseur, the French teacher, to whom the Prince paid a
visit when in Paris in 1888. As in the earlier years, so when he was
under tutors, the real education for public life was less in study than
in the companionship and the example of his parents. A man of wide
knowledge and of varied accomplishments like the Prince Consort had
higher views of education than mere scholastic routine. He took his son
to all places where a love of arts and sciences might be encouraged and
fostered, and hence the Prince obtained knowledge and acquired tastes
not universal among young Englishmen, in times before the subjects of
academic training and honours had been enlarged, mainly through the
influence of the Prince Consort, as Chancellor of the University of
Cambridge. From his father also he inherited the taste for music which
has been since turned to national benefit. But above all, he was often
taken to meetings and festivals connected with charitable institutions,
a Princely duty in which the son has been proud to follow the example of
his lamented father.
The extra-scholastic education of the Prince was continued throughout
the time that Mr. Gibbs, his classical tutor, remained with him. He was
also gradually introduced to public life, and initiated in affairs of
modern as well as ancient history,--events reported in the newspapers of
the day, as well as those recorded by the historians of antiquity. As
early as the 3rd of April, 1854, when the Addresses from both Houses of
Parliament were presented to the Queen, in answer to Her Majesty's
message announcing the opening of war with Russia, we are told that "the
Prince of Wales took his place, for the first time, beside the Queen and
Prince Albert upon the throne." In the succeeding years these
appearances in public were frequent, and in 1857 he accompanied the
Queen and the Prince on their memorable visit to the Art Treasures
Exhibition at Manchester. The Princess Royal, the Princess Alice, Prince
George, and Prince Frederick William of Prussia, were also guests at
Worsley Hall during this visit. In Manchester, as recorded by the Queen
in her Diary, "The crowd was enormous, greater than ever witnessed
before, and enthusiastic beyond belief--nothing but kind and friendly
faces." Upwards of a million people were computed to have been in the
streets that day. Not only were the treasures of the Exhibition
carefully inspected, but visits were paid to some of the great
manufacturing works of the town. On the day that the Queen drove to see
the statue of herself recently erected in the Peel Park, the Prince
Consort, with his two eldest sons, and Prince Frederick William, went to
the Manchester Town Hall, to receive the address which the Corporation
presented to the Prussian Prince on his approaching marriage with the
Princess Royal.
In July of that year, 1857, the Prince of Wales went to Königswinter,
for the purposes of study. He was accompanied by General Grey, Sir Henry
Ponsonby, and several companions, among whom were Mr. C. Wood, son of
Lord Halifax, Lord Cadogan, and Mr. F. Stanley, son of Lord Derby. With
Mr. Gibbs was now associated the Rev. Canon Tarver, who, on the
retirement of Mr. Gibbs in 1858, was appointed Director of Studies and
Chaplain. In this capacity he accompanied the Prince to Rome, Spain, and
Portugal, and afterwards went with him to Edinburgh, remaining with the
Prince till the autumn of 1859, when his education ceased to be
conducted at home.
Of the principal events of the year 1858 as regards the Prince, a most
interesting statement is given in a letter of his father to his old
friend Stockmar. It is dated Windsor Castle, April 2nd. "Yesterday the
Confirmation of the Prince of Wales went off with great solemnity, and I
hope with lasting impression on his mind. The previous day his
examination took place before the Archbishop and ourselves. Wellesley
(Dean of Windsor) prolonged it a full hour, and Bertie acquitted himself
_extremely well_. To-day we take the sacrament with him." In a
Memorandum by Her Majesty, it is said that the Prince Consort "had a
very strong feeling about the solemnity of this act, and did not like to
appear in company either the evening before or on the day on which he
took the sacrament; and he and the Queen almost always dined alone on
these occasions." With such habitual feelings about the solemnity of the
service, the "First Communion" of his eldest son must have deeply
touched his heart.
In the letter to Stockmar the Prince continues his statement about the
educational plans for his son. "Next week he is to make a run for
fourteen days to the South of Ireland, with Mr. Gibbs, Captain de Ros,
and Dr. Minter, for recreation. When he returns to London he is to take
up his residence at the White Lodge, in Richmond Park, so as to be away
from the world, and devote himself exclusively to study, and prepare for
a military examination. As companions for him we have appointed three
very distinguished young men, of from 23 to 26 years of age, who are to
occupy in monthly rotation a kind of equerry's place about him, and from
whose more intimate intercourse I anticipate no small benefit to
Bertie." These companions were Lord Valletort, eldest son of Lord
Mount-Edgecombe, Major Teesdale, R.A., of Kars celebrity, and Major
Loyd-Lindsay, V.C., of all of whom the Prince expresses to Stockmar his
high opinion. "Besides these three, only Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Tarver will
go with him to Richmond. As future Governor I have as yet been able to
think of no one as likely to suit, except Colonel Bruce, Lord Elgin's
brother, and his military secretary in Canada, who now commands one of
the battalions of Grenadier Guards. He has all the amiability of his
sister (Lady Augusta Bruce, afterwards Lady Augusta Stanley), with great
mildness of expression, and is full of ability."
Fortunately for the Prince, the wish to obtain the services of Colonel
Bruce was successful. On the 9th of November, 1858, writing from Windsor
Castle to the King of Prussia on political affairs, which in Prussia
were then in troubled condition, the Prince adds: "I ought not to tease
you just now with family trifles, still I will let you know that Bertie,
who to-day solemnizes his eighteenth birthday, proposes to pay a
fortnight's visit to his sister, and asks leave to present himself to
you. It will not be a State, but purely a family visit; and we,
therefore, beg you only to show him such slender courtesies as are
suitable to a member, and a very young one, of the family. To-day he
becomes a Colonel in the Army, unattached, and will receive the Garter.
Colonel Bruce, Lord Elgin's brother, has become his Governor."
The Prince speaks of family events as trifles, compared with great
political affairs, but he felt deeply every change in the home life. A
few weeks earlier, he had taken his son, Alfred, to his ship at
Spithead, from which he went to sea at once. On the day before, the
father wrote, "His departure will be another great trial to us: the
second child lost to our family circle in one year."
On the 10th of January, 1859, the Prince of Wales started on his Italian
tour. He had previously been hard at study. He had opportunities of
seeing much that was interesting in his continental journey, but the
stay at Rome, which was greatly enjoyed, had to be abruptly ended. The
restless ambition of the Emperor of the French had brought about war
with Austria, and a French descent on Sardinia. Orders were sent to the
Prince of Wales to leave Rome and repair to Gibraltar, which he reached
on the 7th of May. The plan now arranged was that he was to visit the
south of Spain and Lisbon, to return to England in the middle of June,
and in July and August to take up his head-quarters in Edinburgh for
study.
All this was well carried out, and on the 11th of September the Prince
joined his parents at Balmoral. The Court had left Osborne on the 29th
of August for the Highlands, and reached Balmoral on the 31st, after
spending a day and a night in Edinburgh. Writing to Stockmar a few days
after, the Prince Consort says they had "travelled for the first time by
night, straight through from London to Edinburgh, in order to gain a day
for that place. The experiment proved a complete success, and the Queen
was not at all tired. When in Edinburgh I had an educational conference
with all the persons who are taking part in the education of the Prince
of Wales. They all speak highly of him, and he seems to have shown zeal
and good will. Dr. Lyon Playfair is giving him lectures on Chemistry in
relation to Manufactures, and at the close of each special course he
visits the appropriate manufactory with him, so as to explain its
practical application. Dr. Schmitz, the Rector of the High School of
Edinburgh, a German, gives him lectures on Roman History. Italian,
German, and French are advanced at the same time; and three times a week
the Prince exercises with the 16th Hussars, who are stationed near the
city. Mr. Fisher, who is to be tutor at Oxford, was also in Holyrood.
Law and History are to be the subjects on which he is to prepare the
Prince."
All this shows the care taken in regard to the education of the Prince.
The Royal pupil had rather a stiff course of study in these days, but he
stuck manfully to all his work, which had been carefully planned by his
good father, who held that little relaxation should be allowed even
during holiday time. In a letter of 17th September, 1859, to Mr. Tarver,
who was still Director of Studies, he wrote, "I should be very sorry
that he" (the Prince of Wales) "should look upon the reading of a novel,
even by Sir Walter Scott, _as a day's work_." Fond as he was himself of
high-class works of fiction, the Prince held they should be sparingly
laid open to young people during years which should be devoted to
study.
In December 1859 the Prince Consort wrote to the old Duchess of Coburg,
who ever retained lively interest in all the family affairs, "The visit
of Prince Frederick William of Prussia and his Princess came to a close
on the 3rd. He has delighted us much. Vicky has developed greatly of
late, and yet remained quite a child,--of such is the Kingdom of
Heaven." With sad interest we recall this, after recent events. Also it
is written about the same time, "The Prince of Wales is working hard at
Oxford."
The year closed, and the new year dawned very peaceably and happily, the
Queen saying in her Diary, "I never remember spending a pleasanter New
Year's Day, surrounded by our children and dear Mama. It is really
extraordinary how much our good children did for the day, in reading,
reciting, and music."
In the early spring arrangements were being made for the proposed visit
of the Prince of Wales to America. A promise of this visit had been
given to the Canadians during the Crimean War for which Her Majesty's
loyal subjects in the Dominion had levied and equipped a regiment. A
request was then made that Her Majesty would visit her American
possessions. On this being pronounced inexpedient, the Canadians asked
that one of the Queen's sons might be Governor-General. Their youth made
this impossible, and then the promise was made that the Prince of Wales,
as soon as he was old enough, should visit Canada. It was now announced
that this visit should be early in the autumn of 1860, and that it
should be signalised by laying the foundation stone of the new Canadian
Parliament House at Ottawa. It was also arranged that the Prince should
be accompanied by the Duke of Newcastle, Secretary Of State for the
Colonies.
This no sooner became known on the other side of the water than the
President of the United States, James Buchanan, addressed a letter to
the Queen, dated on June 4th (Independence Day), offering a cordial
welcome to the States, and assuring Her Majesty that the Prince would be
everywhere greeted in a manner that could not fail to be gratifying to
the Queen. A reply was sent, in the same friendly spirit, informing the
President that the Prince would return from Canada through the United
States, and that it would give him pleasure to have an opportunity of
testifying in person to the President that the feelings which prompted
his invitation were fully reciprocated on this side of the Atlantic.
After a short visit to Coburg in the early summer, the Prince started
for the New World on the 10th of July, and on the 25th landed at St.
John's, Newfoundland. His arrival caused a fever of excitement. "If all
the Colonies feel towards the Prince as Newfoundland does," wrote one
who witnessed the scenes, "it was a most politic step to have sent him
on this tour." The rough fishermen and their wives were delighted, and
were full of admiration. "God bless his pretty face, and send him a good
wife!" was their most frequent exclamation. The manner of the Prince to
the venerable Bishop of Newfoundland was "very beautiful, so gentle, and
quite reverential," that all were touched, and the old man said, "God
bless my dear young Prince! I hope he will carry away a favourable
impression of this almost unknown rugged island."
The same enthusiasm was shown everywhere in Canada, and the Duke of
Newcastle writing to the Queen on the 23rd of September, from Dwight in
Illinois, after he had crossed into the United States, thus summed up
the results of the visit: "Now that the Canadian visit is concluded, the
Duke of Newcastle may pronounce it eminently successful, and may venture
to offer Her Majesty his humble but very hearty congratulations. He does
not doubt that future years will clearly demonstrate the good that has
been done. The attachment to the Crown has been greatly cemented.... The
Duke of Newcastle is rejoiced to think that this is not the only good
that has sprung out of this visit. It has done much good to the Prince
of Wales himself, and the development of his mind and habit of thought
is very perceptible. The Duke of Newcastle will be much disappointed if
your Majesty and the Prince Consort are not pleased with the change that
has been brought about by this practical school, in which so many of the
future duties of life have been forced upon the Prince's daily
attention. He has certainly left a very favourable impression behind
him."
Besides laying the foundation stone of the buildings for the Parliament
House at Ottawa, the Prince performed another memorable action in
driving home the last rivet of the magnificent Victoria Bridge at
Montreal.
The enthusiasm caused by the visit to the States was immense. Chicago
was the first great town reached after leaving Niagara, and here the
reception was remarkable. It was the same at Cincinnati, and at St.
Louis. In fact everywhere the friendly spirit of the people was the
same, and the courtesy of the civic authorities, and of the educated
classes, most marked. A pleasant record of the prevailing feeling is
given in a letter from a well-known American author. "The Prince is
decidedly a popular character with us, and he may consider himself a
lucky lad if he escapes nomination for President before he reaches his
home-bound fleet. The funny part of the whole affair is to note the
unwillingness of people to be _shabbed_ off with a sham title (Baron
Renfrew, under which name he travelled in the States), instead of His
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, a real up and down and out and out
Prince, and of the right stuff too; coupled with a hope he may long
remain so; for there is not a living being more sincerely beloved by our
people than his Royal mother."
Washington was reached on the 3rd of October. The most memorable
incident of his stay at the capital was an excursion, on the 5th, in
company with the President to Mount Vernon, the home and the
burial-place of George Washington. The reporter of the Times thus speaks
of the event, "Before this humble tomb the Prince, the President, and
all the party stood uncovered. It is easy moralizing on this visit, for
there is something grandly suggestive of historical retribution in the
reverential awe of the Prince of Wales, the great-grandson of George
III., standing bare-headed at the foot of the coffin of Washington. For
a few moments the party stood mute and motionless, and the Prince then
proceeded to plant a chestnut by the side of the tomb. It seemed when
the Royal youth closed in the earth around the little germ, that he was
burying the last faint trace of discord between us and our great
brethren in the West."
The Prince left Washington for Richmond on the following day, and closed
his American tour at Boston, after having had a magnificent welcome at
New York from the vast population of that city. In an American paper of
the day it was said, "All our reminiscences, the history, the poetry,
the romance of England for ten centuries, are concentrated in the
huzzahs with which we greet the Prince of Wales."
The Prince landed at Plymouth on the 13th of November and the same
evening arrived at Windsor. On the 18th of January he went to Cambridge
for his first term, and resumed his studies, under his preceptors, at
Madingley Hall. At the end of his second term he went to the camp of the
Curragh of Kildare during the summer vacation.
In the autumn of 1861 he went to Germany, with the intention of meeting
the Princess Alexandra of Denmark, with the view to marriage, if the
meeting should result in mutual attachment. The meeting, which took
place at Speier and at Heidelberg, led to their engagement. The Prince
returned to Madingley Hall, from whence he was summoned to Windsor on
the day before his beloved father's death, on the 14th of December,
1861.
It is not our purpose to encroach further on the office of the future
biographer of the Prince of Wales. In the 'Life of the Prince Consort'
the sad incidents of that December are described with touching pathos.
Neither do we propose to narrate the events that occurred between the
death of the Prince Consort and the marriage of the Prince of Wales, to
the Princess Alexandra, on the 10th of March, 1863. These events are
fresh in the recollection of many to whom the incidents of the earlier
life of the Prince are less known. It is enough to say as to these
years, that he continued to be diligent in the acquirement of varied
knowledge; that he carefully attended to his military duties; that he
took active part in the volunteer movement; and in town and country was
alike popular, from his love of manly sport as well as of the pursuits
of art.
The coming of age of the Prince was not celebrated with great ceremony,
for he was abroad at the time, and the shadow of sorrow was still over
the Royal household. But when the Prince brought his bride to England
the joy of the nation was unbounded. The passage of the Prince and
Princess through the streets of London was a scene of popular
enthusiasm such as has seldom been witnessed, so tumultuous was the
outburst of joy. The magnificent splendour of the marriage itself was as
nothing compared with that national demonstration. In the following
pages it will be seen how the Prince and Princess were one in public
life, as they were in heart and home.
When the Prince and Princess were returning from Osborne, where they
spent the honeymoon, on arriving at Portsmouth, _en route_ to Windsor,
the Mayor and Corporation presented an address, upon the deck of the
Royal yacht _Fairy_. This was the first of a succession of "addresses,"
which were merely marriage congratulations, couched in complimentary
strains, and responded to in a few grateful and gracious words. These
addresses were so numerous that they came to be merely mentioned in
list, and in that early time might have been troublesome, but for the
courtesy and good nature of the Prince. These demonstrations continued
throughout the summer, the last being at Edinburgh, where their Royal
Highnesses remained for a night on the way to Abergeldie, their Highland
home near Balmoral. They did not go to Holyrood Palace, but to Douglas'
private hotel, in St. Andrew's Square. Here a vast crowd assembled, and
the Prince and Princess had to appear and bow their acknowledgments from
the open window, till the multitude dispersed. But before going to the
North, the Prince had already made public appearances, and his voice had
been heard, in the City of London. The words were few, but the occasions
were so important that with them may be commenced the record of the
Speeches of His Royal Highness. The earliest appearance in a public
assembly was at the banquet of the Royal Academy of Arts, on the 2nd of
May, 1863.
SPEECHES OF H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES.
AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY BANQUET.
_May 2nd, 1863._
The annual banquet given by the President and Council of the
Royal Academy of Arts, at Burlington House, is one of the chief
events of the London season, or rather, it marks the opening of the
season. It always takes place on the Saturday preceding the
first Monday in May, when the Exhibition of Pictures is opened
to the public. Seldom can a more distinguished company of men,
eminent in art, science, and literature, as well as in social position
and public life, be seen together than on these occasions. The
Prince of Wales has been a very frequent guest, and his speeches
have been so numerous, that it seems best to group them together,
at a later part of this volume. But the first speech at the Academy
banquet was so interesting an occasion that it is given under the
date of its delivery.
The presence of the young Prince, and so soon after his
marriage, gave unusual _éclat_ to the banquet of 1863. At that
time Sir Charles Eastlake was President, and the rooms of the
Academy were at Trafalgar Square. After the toast of "The Queen,"
the President made touching reference to the loss which the
nation as well as the Royal Family had recently sustained. He
gave "The memory of the great and good Prince Consort," which
was drunk in deep silence. Then followed the toast of "The Prince
of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family." "The Council of the
Royal Academy," said the President, "had that day the honour of
offering their respectful and heartfelt congratulations to His Royal
Highness on his marriage to a Princess, whose personal attractions
and gracious manners enhance the impression of Her Royal
Highness's amiable character."
The Prince, in replying, spoke (as was said at the time)
"evidently under deep emotion, but in a peculiarly clear and
pleasing tone of voice, and with great impressiveness of
manner":--
"Sir Charles Eastlake, your Royal Highnesses, my Lords, and
Gentlemen,--It is with the most contending feelings of pleasure,
pride, and sorrow that I rise to return you thanks in the name of
myself and the Royal family for the kind terms in which you, Sir
Charles, have proposed our health, and for the very cordial way
in which this distinguished assembly has received it. I cannot on
this occasion divest my mind of the associations connected with
my beloved and lamented father. His bright example cannot fail to
stimulate my efforts to tread in his footsteps: and, whatever my
shortcomings may be, I may at least presume to participate in the
interest which he took in every institution which tended to
encourage art and science in this country, but more especially in
the prosperity of the Royal Academy. Adverting to my marriage, I
beg you to believe how grateful I feel for, and I may be
permitted to add how sincerely I appreciate, the sentiments you
have expressed with reference to the Princess. I know that I am
only speaking her mind in joining her thoughts to mine on this
occasion. We neither of us can ever forget the manner in which
our union has been celebrated throughout the nation; and I should
be more than ungrateful if I did not retain the most lasting as
well as most pleasing recollection of the kind expressions and
reception which my attendance at your anniversary meeting has
evoked this evening."
Among the speakers at this banquet of 1863 were Lord Palmerston,
Mr. Thackeray, and Sir Roderick Murchison.
FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON.
_June 8th, 1863._
The first event of importance in the public life of the Prince of Wales,
after his marriage, was the taking up the freedom of the City of London,
on the 8th of June, 1863. As far back as the 12th of March the following
resolution had been passed by the Court of Common Council:--
"That His Royal Highness Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, be very
respectfully requested to take upon himself the freedom of the City, to
which he is entitled by patrimony; and that upon his acceding to this
request His Royal Highness be presented with the copy of the freedom,
enclosed in a casket, in testimony of the affection and profound respect
entertained by the Court for his person and character."
Having signified his assent to the request, the 8th of June was fixed as
the day when the Prince would come to Guildhall to take up the freedom.
The Lord Mayor and the civic authorities thought that this would be the
fittest time for the official reception of the Prince and Princess, and
for an entertainment, worthy of the occasion of the marriage, and of the
ancient hospitality of the City of London. Invitations were accordingly
issued to about two thousand guests to meet the Royal visitors, and the
list included all the most eminent persons in public life or in society,
and the ambassadors and representatives of foreign countries. Immense
and costly preparations were made, both in the decoration of the Hall,
and for the reception of the guests. Shortly after 9 p.m. the sound of
trumpets announced that the Royal party had arrived. The Prince wore his
military uniform, and the Riband and Star of the Garter. The Princess
wore a rich but simple white dress, with coronet and brooch of diamonds,
the wedding present of her husband, and the splendid necklace of
brilliants which the City of London had presented. With them came Prince
Alfred, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and Princess Mary of
Cambridge, and other Royal personages, followed by a numerous retinue.
The Royal party were conducted to the daïs, in front of which was a
table at which the Lord Mayor (Alderman Rose, M.P.), and the City
officials took their places, and there resolved themselves into a Court
of Common Council. All wore their robes and insignia of office, the
sword and mace laid on the table before the Lord Mayor. The resolution
passed on the 12th of March having been read, and also the official
record of His Royal Highness's title to the freedom, the Prince then
read aloud and afterwards subscribed the following declaration:--
"I, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, do solemnly declare that I will be
good and true to our Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria; that I will be
obedient to the Mayor of this City; that I will maintain the franchises
and customs thereof, and will keep this City harmless, in that which in
me is; that I will also keep the Queen's peace in my own person; that I
will know no gatherings nor conspiracies made against the Queen's peace,
but I will warn the Mayor thereof, or hinder it to my power; and that
all these points and articles I will well and truly keep, according to
the laws and customs of this City, to my power.
"ALBERT EDWARD."
Mr. Benjamin Scott, the Chamberlain, then read an address, at the close
of which he offered the right hand of fellowship as a citizen of London,
and presented the gold casket containing the record of the freedom. The
Prince, in reply, said:--
"My Lord Mayor, Mr. Chamberlain, and Gentlemen,--It is, I assure
you, a source of sincere gratification to me to attend here for
the purpose of being invested with a privilege which for the
reasons you have stated you are unable to confer upon me, and
which descends to me by inheritance. It is a patrimony that I am
proud to claim--this freedom of the greatest city of the
commercial world, which holds its charter from such an ancient
date. My pride is increased when I call to memory the long list
of illustrious men who have been enrolled among the citizens of
London, more especially when I connect with that list the
beloved father to whom you have adverted in such warm terms of
eulogy and respect, and through whom I am here to claim my
freedom of the City of London. My Lord Mayor and Gentlemen, the
Princess and myself heartily thank you for the past--for your
loyalty and expressions of attachment towards the Queen, for the
manifestations of this evening towards ourselves, and for all
your prayers for our future happiness."
When the ceremony was ended, the Prince and the Royal visitors withdrew
from the Hall, but soon returned to join in the festivities, which began
with a ball. "The Lord Mayor led off in a spirited quadrille with Her
Royal Highness the Princess, and the Prince with the Lady Mayoress." So
runs the record, with details of the dances, and the names of the
dancers in the area kept clear, in front of the daïs, for the special
guests. Attempts were occasionally made to keep up dancing in the body
of the Hall, but the crowd was so great that, till after supper, and the
retirement of the Royal party, the fête was more of a grand assembly
than a ball. Under whatever name, it was a magnificent entertainment,
and aged citizens tell us that Guildhall had never witnessed a scene so
splendid and joyous.
BRITISH ORPHAN ASYLUM.
_June 24th, 1863._
One of the earliest appearances of the Prince and Princess of Wales in
support of a charitable institution was when they opened the new
buildings erected at Slough for the British Orphan Asylum, on the 24th
of June, 1863. The scholars belonging to the Asylum had so largely
increased in number that the Board of Directors resolved in 1862 to move
the whole establishment from Clapham Rise, its former locality, to more
spacious premises at Slough. They bought the freehold of the well-known
and large Royal Hotel, which had been closed since the old coaches had
been driven off the road by the railway. The situation was admirable,
and the grounds spacious, and by adding an additional story the building
was readily adapted to its new purpose.