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.