has just been proposed by the Lord Mayor, and by the very kind
and feeling manner in which you have drunk to the health of the
Princess and myself. It is to me a source of sincere
gratification to receive again the hospitality of the Chief
Magistrate of the City. I can never forget, nor can the Princess
ever forget, the manner in which she was received on her first
entry into London; and although she is not here to-day--a fact
which I most deeply regret--I can bear testimony that she has
never forgotten, and never will forget, the reception given to
her three years ago. The occasion which has brought me here
to-day has given me sincere gratification. I shall be happy on
all occasions to do any thing that may tend, as the Lord Bishop
of Winchester said this morning, 'to alleviate the sufferings of
man.' But I feel sure that the work I have been enabled to
perform, small as it may be, will bear testimony to the great
good done to the poorer classes by a Society which has existed
for so many years. Sincerely I thank you for the opportunity you
have given me in coming forward on this interesting occasion,
and I shall always be happy to render every assistance in my
power to an institution which is calculated to render such
important benefits to the world. I return my best thanks for the
greeting I received this morning at the ceremony, and also for
the kind manner in which I have been received on this occasion."
Her Majesty the Queen signified her interest in the proceedings of the
day by sending £100 to the Building Fund, and £100 was also contributed
by the Prince of Wales.
The Bible Society has, since its establishment in 1804, issued about 113
millions of Bibles, Testaments, or portions thereof. Its issues yearly
are now about four million copies. The full income in 1887 amounted to
£116,761; and the sum received for Scriptures sold was £104,880. The
Society has aided the translation of the Bible into 280 languages or
dialects.
FRIEND OF THE CLERGY CORPORATION.
_June 13th, 1866._
The sixteenth anniversary festival of this institution was celebrated at
Willis's Rooms on the 13th of June, 1866. Among the guests were the
Archbishops of Canterbury, York, and Armagh, and numerous dignitaries in
Church and State, the Marquis of Salisbury presiding. The Prince of
Wales honoured the company with his presence, and on his health being
proposed by the chairman, he said:--
"My Lord Chairman, my Lords and Gentlemen,--I feel, indeed,
deeply flattered and gratified by the kind terms in which you
have spoken of me, and by the kind manner in which my health has
been received by the company, and I have earnestly to thank you
in my own name and in the name of the Princess of Wales and of
the other members of the Royal family. Among the many charities
in this country, I believe there are few which demand our
sympathy and support more than the Friend of the Clergy
Corporation. Its object is to assist the orphans and unmarried
daughters of clergymen of the Church of England, and to afford
temporary aid to their necessitous parents. We have met here
this evening to advocate the cause of the institution, and I
believe that at the present moment the pensions which it
distributes amount to the large sum of £4000 per annum, and that
it helps to maintain 106 pensioners, while there are 60 more
persons applying for its bounty. One remarkable characteristic
of the institution is that its pensions, which never exceed £40
a year, are granted for life, and another is that these pensions
are bestowed on members of the Church not only in England, but
also in Ireland and the colonies. Young though I am, I think I
may state that I am aware from my own personal knowledge how low
are the stipends received by many of our clergymen, and I can,
therefore, support most cordially this institution. I feel,
however, some diffidence in alluding to that subject, because I
know I shall thereby be trenching on the special province of our
noble chairman. But I believe he will forgive me for saying that
I think we ought upon this occasion to show the greatest
possible liberality, and, if I may use the expression, that we
ought freely to open our purses. I can again assure you that the
Princess of Wales and the other members of the Royal family are
most ready to participate with me in the feeling of sincere
gratitude with which I now acknowledge the compliment you have
just paid us. I now thank you, too, for the kind manner in which
you have just listened to me, however imperfectly I have
expressed myself."
In giving the toast of "Prosperity to the Institution," the noble
chairman said, that after the speech which they had just heard in its
favour from His Royal Highness it was scarcely necessary for him to say
another word. He could fully confirm everything which had been said by
His Royal Highness as to its value, and the urgent need of such an
institution was proved by the fact that there were in this kingdom no
less than 10,000 clergymen who occupied benefices of less value than
£150 a year. How was it possible for men with such incomes, who had to
move in a respectable sphere of life, to lay by anything for a period of
distress or to make a provision for their widows and orphans? He
therefore cordially concurred in the eloquent appeal made to them by His
Royal Highness.
The result of the appeal was a subscription list amounting to £1200,
including 100 guineas from the Prince of Wales.
It may be added that now (1888) there are about 100 pensioners, besides
special grants for urgent cases. Last year's receipts were £6,000, and
the invested funds are about £18,500.
WAREHOUSEMEN AND CLERKS' SCHOOL.
_June 18th, 1866._
One of the earliest public functions undertaken by the Prince (July,
1863) was laying the foundation stone of the School, near Croydon, for
children of warehousemen, clerks, and agents of wholesale houses and
manufactories, so employed in any part of the United Kingdom. The
building was not completed till the spring of 1866, and on the 18th of
June of that year, the Prince, on being applied to, at once and
cordially agreed to preside at the inauguration or formal opening of the
Asylum.
The Prince was received by Earl Russell, President of the Charity, the
Bishop of Winchester, the Lord Mayor of London, the High Sheriff of
Surrey, and other official and distinguished persons interested in the
Institution. Having thoroughly inspected the building, the arrangements
of which are admirable, and having heard an address explaining the
origin and purposes of the Institution, briefly replied as follows:--
"My Lords and Gentlemen,--It is a sincere pleasure to me to see
the work which we commenced in July, 1863, brought to a happy
conclusion. Such a consummation, when we reflect on the numerous
classes of the great commercial community of our country whose
interests it promotes, cannot but be gratifying to every one
present, and will induce us all gratefully to invoke the Divine
blessing on the ultimate success of this undertaking. The
attention that has been paid to the details of the building and
to the comforts and wellbeing of the children it is destined to
shelter, I may say, without presumption, merits this success.
And if, as you have stated, 'that which is worth doing at all is
worth doing well,' be a truth requiring any corroboration, I
have only to point to this structure for the most unanswerable
argument in its support. It only remains for me to thank you, my
lords and gentlemen, for the kind expressions you have used with
reference to the part I have taken in this day's proceedings."
Prayer was then offered by the Bishop of Winchester, and a thanksgiving
hymn sung. The ladies present then came forward with their collection
purses, and amusement was caused by the hugeness of the heap of
offerings that rose before the Prince, exceeding even the large sum
presented when the foundation stone was laid. On this occasion upwards
of one thousand ladies presented the charitable gifts, and above £5000
in money or subscriptions proved to be the gratifying result. Prayer and
thanksgiving were again offered, and the Prince, amid much enthusiasm,
declared the Asylum open.
The schools, first established in 1853, had been formerly conducted in
three separate houses at New Cross, under many disadvantages. The
building inaugurated by the Prince of Wales is one of the most
commodious and beautiful structures possessed by any charity. Its
imposing appearance and picturesque site must have been admired by many
travellers on the Brighton and South Coast Railway, near Caterham
Junction. The prosperity of the Institution has been in keeping with its
auspicious beginning.
MERCHANT SEAMEN'S ORPHAN ASYLUM.
_June 28th, 1866._
The object of the Merchant Seamen's Orphan Asylum is sufficiently
indicated by its name. Founded in 1817, the institution had for nearly
fifty years been carried on with success. Upwards of 800 children had
found shelter and training, but this number represents a very small
proportion of the orphans left destitute through the calamities of which
merchant seamen are constantly in peril. This asylum was at first
located in the parish of St. George's-in-the-East, and subsequently
removed to the Borough Road, where the first stone of a new building
was, in 1861, laid by the Prince Consort. The building was opened by
Earl Russell in 1862. The support given to the charity encouraged the
building of the present asylum, near Snaresbrook, in a healthy and
beautiful part of the country.
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."