of stating to you, on behalf of the Princess and myself, how
deeply gratified we are by the reception which has been accorded
to us in this country, not only, as the Lord-Lieutenant has
observed, by the higher classes, but by the sons of the soil as
well. After the sad times of the past year it might, perhaps,
have been thought by some that our reception would not have been
all that could have been wished. I myself felt confident that it
would, and my hopes have been indeed realised. I beg, therefore,
to offer, not only to those present who participated more
immediately in our reception, but to the whole Irish people, our
thanks for the cordial, hearty, and friendly welcome which we
have received. I will not weary you with more words, but thank
you once more for the honour you have done us in so heartily
drinking our healths."
The Prince, we are told, spoke with an unaffected earnestness which
deepened the impression left by his words. The reference to "the sad
times of the past year" included the wretched Clerkenwell explosion
affair, the perpetrators of which outrage were on their trial in London,
at the very time when the people of Dublin were showing their loyal
attachment to the throne, and observing the most remarkable order and
decorum, even in the most crowded and poverty-stricken districts.
Besides an incessant round of banquets, receptions, concerts, balls, and
what are humorously called "entertainments," the Royal visitors devoted
much time to inspecting museums, libraries, hospitals, colleges,
schools, including some sights not usually attractive to strangers, such
as the collections of preparations and curiosities in the College of
Surgeons, and the College of Physicians. The antiquities in the Royal
Hibernian Academy's rooms were duly inspected; a conversazione at the
Royal Dublin Society attended; a flower-show at the Rotunda; The
Catholic University in Stephen's Green visited; and above all there were
splendid doings at Trinity College, where the Prince (and at the same
time, the Duke of Cambridge, and Lord Abercorn) received the investiture
of honorary Doctor of Laws. After this the Royal LL.D. went out,
unrobed, to unveil the statue of Edmund Burke.
Then there was the Cattle Show, for it happened that the usual spring
meeting of the Royal Dublin Society fell at the very time of the
Prince's visit. Of course there was also a review in Phoenix Park, and
on this occasion the military spectacle was of unusual brilliancy.
On Sunday, the 19th, His Royal Highness attended the service in Christ
Church, a cathedral exceeded by few in historic interest.
In addition to the many engagements in Dublin, visits were paid to Lord
Powerscourt's beautiful domain, with the romantic and classical scenes
of county Wicklow; and to the Duke of Leinster at Carton, and to
Maynooth College, fifteen miles off. The President, Dr. Russell, with
the officials, formally received the Prince, while the hundreds of
students gave him a cheerful welcome in the great quadrangle.
It would occupy too much space to mention all the incidents crowded into
the days of the Irish sojourn. They are all recorded in full detail, in
the newspapers of the period, and especially in the columns of the
_Times_, who sent a special correspondent to chronicle the events, day
by day. In a leading article of the _Times_, the writer gives a summary
of the proceedings, and makes comments on what might be the result of
the Royal visit. Some sentences of this article we quote as showing what
was the impression made at the time by the Prince himself:--
"Any reader of our daily correspondence could easily make out a hundred
distinct occasions during these ten days on which the Prince, most
frequently with the Princess, had to be face to face with some portion
of the people, in some ceremony or other, and had to perform a part
requiring all the graces and gifts of Royalty. There were presentations
and receptions; receiving and answering addresses; processions, walking,
riding, and driving, in morning, evening, military, academic, and
mediæval attire. The Prince was invested as a Knight, robed as an LL.D.,
and made a Lord of the Irish Privy Council; he had to breakfast, lunch,
dine, and sup with more or less publicity every twenty-four hours. He
had to go twice to races with fifty or a hundred thousand people about
him; to review a small army and make a tour in the Wicklow mountains, of
course everywhere receiving addresses under canopies, and dining in
state under galleries full of spectators. He visited and inspected
institutions, colleges, universities, academies, libraries, and cattle
shows. He had to take a very active part in assemblies of from several
hundred to several thousand dancers, and always to select for his
partners the most important personages. He had to introduce the statue
of Burke to the wind and rain of his country. He had to listen to many
speeches sufficiently to know when and what to answer. He had to examine
with respectful interest pictures, books, antiquities, relics,
manuscripts, specimens, bones, fossils, prize beasts, and works of Irish
art. He had never to be unequal to the occasion, however different from
the last or however like the last, and whatever his disadvantage as to
the novelty or the dullness of the matter and the scene. He was always
before persons who were there at home, on their own ground, and amid
persons and objects familiar to them, and sometimes in a manner made by
them. Be it Cardinal, Chancellor, Rector, Mayor, Commanding Officer,
President, Chairman, or local deputation, he had to hold his own,
without even seeming to do so--that is, without effort or self
assertion. All this he had to do continually for ten days. Now, men of
common would know what an anxious thing it is to have to do this even
once, and how utterly they may be upset by the concurrence of two or
three such occasions."
All this and more the Prince had to do and to suffer during his visit.
The speeches if not long, were numerous and appropriate. Altogether the
Irish campaign of 1868 was not an easy one. Let it be remembered with
the more honour.
On the 25th of April, the Royal visitors returned to Holyhead, and
stopping at Carnarvon, the birthplace of the first Prince of Wales,
received a public greeting, and an address. At a banquet subsequently
given, the Prince thus responded to the toast given by the High Sheriff
of the County:--
"On behalf of the Princess and myself I return our warmest
thanks for the kind way in which our health has been proposed,
and for the manner in which it has been received. It has
afforded the Princess and myself the very greatest pleasure to
come to North Wales and visit the ancient castle of Carnarvon.
It is particularly interesting to us to come upon this day, the
anniversary of the birthday of the first Prince of Wales. For a
long time it had been our intention to pay a visit to Wales, and
I regret that that intention has been so long in the fulfilment;
but the cordial reception which we have received to-day will, I
am sure, lead us to look forward with great pleasure to another
visit on some future day. We deeply regret that our stay should
be so short, and that, it being necessary for us to go
homewards, we cannot remain longer with you. I thank you once
more for the kind way in which you have received the few words I
have addressed to you, and for the welcome we have received from
the people of Carnarvon."
His Royal Highness concluded by proposing the health of the
Lords-Lieutenant, the High Sheriffs, and the Mayors of the towns and
counties of North Wales.
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF FOREIGNERS IN DISTRESS.
_May 5th, 1868._
There is no form of charity more obviously suitable and good, than
helping distressed strangers in a strange land, and especially
foreigners in London. The sixty-second anniversary of the "Society of
Friends of Foreigners in Distress" was celebrated on May 5th, 1868, at
Willis's Rooms, under the presidency of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. The
guests included many representatives of various nations, the charity
itself being cosmopolitan, and helping the distressed of all races and
regions.
In proposing the health of "The Queen, the Protectress of the
Society," the Prince observed that "Her Majesty had shown a deep
interest in the charity, ever since 1837, the year of her
accession to the throne, when she became an annual subscriber;
and his lamented father became its protector at his marriage,
and continued to subscribe to its funds."
In proposing the health of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Sir Travers
Twiss, her Majesty's Advocate-General, said that he was not merely
following the high example of his august mother and lamented father, but
was moved by his own kind disposition. As it was not generally known,
he took the liberty of mentioning, even in his presence, that the
Prince, in the course of his Eastern travels, passed through no great
city without having visited its institutions in aid of suffering
humanity; and it was still fresh in the memory of those who were around
him how much his heart was touched at the sight of the shelter afforded
by British and American philanthropy to the unfortunate Syrian
Christians, who had been driven from their homes at Damascus, and found
a temporary asylum among the European residents at Beyrout.
His Royal Highness, in returning thanks, expressed the high pleasure it
was to be present in support of the institution, and proposed the health
of the "Foreign Sovereigns and Governments--protectors and patrons of
the Institution," coupling with the toast the name of his Excellency the
Prussian Ambassador; to which Count Bernstorff responded.
In proposing the principal toast of the evening, His Royal Highness said
that he was sure it would be received with enthusiasm:--
"The 'Society of Friends of Foreigners in Distress' was the
first of the kind established in London, and its object was to
afford assistance to deserving and necessitous foreigners in
this country, without distinction of nationality, religion, age,
or sex. This institution, which had now existed for more than
sixty years, was even at the time of its initiation thought to
be a work of necessity; how much more so had it become such
since the means of communication between country and country had
been so vastly increased, and trade, manufactures, and commerce
had so largely attracted the people of other nations to our
shores!
"The charitable objects of the society were first to grant
allowances to deserving foreigners in their old age. Pensioners
were elected by the governors, and the Board of Directors paid
the pensions annually. The second object was to grant temporary
relief in time of sickness. These cases were inquired into with
the greatest care, and sums from a few shillings up to £5 or £10
were sometimes given where the cases required it. A third object
was to afford temporary assistance to the younger members of
families when the heads of the families were by infirmity or ill
health unable to support them; but when such relief had been
once afforded to any extent a period of eight weeks was required
to elapse before any further help was rendered, unless in cases
of great emergency. The fourth and last object of the society
was to afford means by which foreigners might be able to return
to their native country. As many as 243 families had been
enabled to return to their native country by the assistance
rendered to them by this society. Several of the families so
assisted had been induced to quit their native land in that
unfortunate expedition to Mexico. They had engaged in what they
thought was a good cause, but when that fell to the ground,
owing to events that occurred last year, those poor creatures
were totally unprovided for, and then it was that the society
granted them the means of returning to their native country.
"There were some almshouses at Lower Norwood belonging to the
society, in which several families were comfortably lodged and
maintained. Since the origin of the society as many as 116,000
cases had received its attention and aid. Last year 3000 persons
were assisted, not including the 243 families that were enabled
to return to their native home. Similar societies had recently
sprung up, but they all differed from the one they were then
celebrating in this respect, that they confined their assistance
to the natives of certain countries, while this society had for
its object the giving relief to foreigners of all nations. He
had one more statement to make which had only been mentioned to
him a few minutes ago. There was a gentleman present who was
well known to them, but did not wish his name to be announced,
who had already given £1000 to the society, and who had
expressed himself ready to give an additional £100 if he could
find nine other gentlemen who would each give a like sum. He
hoped the society would be able to find those nine gentlemen to
assist them. Having made this brief statement, he begged to
propose that the toast be drunk up-standing with three times
three."
The call was heartily responded to, and, after some further
complimentary and formal toasts, His Royal Highness and the principal
guests retired.
ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S HOSPITAL.
_May 13th, 1868._
As President of the Governors of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, the Prince
of Wales has always taken a warm and active interest in the affairs of
that great charitable institution. On the 13th of May, 1868, he took the
chair at what is called the annual "View" dinner. It is the custom on
that day for some of the Governors to make a visitation of the wards and
other departments of the Hospital. On this occasion the Royal President
visited six of the wards. At the dinner he was supported by Prince
Christian, the Bishop of Oxford, and other distinguished guests, as well
as the officials of the Hospital. After dinner the Royal President rose
and said:--
"My Lords and Gentlemen,--The first toast which I have the
honour to submit to you I propose in the form in which it has
always been given at this anniversary festival; it is 'The
Church and the Queen.' I need hardly remind you that the Queen
takes the liveliest interest in the hospitals of the country,
and she has to-day evinced that interest by laying the
foundation-stone of the sister hospital of St. Thomas. Although
the Queen, as I understand, has never visited this hospital, I
trust that before long I may induce her to do so, and that I may
have the honour of showing her over it."
The Bishop of Oxford responded, and in proposing the health of "The
Prince and Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family," said
that the presence of the Royal President that day was not only a tribute
to humanity, most graceful in the heir of a hundred kings, but it was
also a tribute to the highest of human science, a tribute as much to the
noble profession of medicine, to those who ministered to the relief of
human sufferings, as to the sufferers themselves.
The Royal President said:--
"My Lords and Gentlemen,--I thank you for the toast that has
just been given by the right rev. prelate, and has been so
kindly received. In responding to the very kind words in which
my health has been proposed, I can assure you it has given me
more than ordinary pleasure to be President of this hospital and
to take the chair, for the first time, at its anniversary
festival. My only regret has been and is, that the many duties
devolving upon me do not allow me to come here oftener than I
have done; but you may be sure I take the greatest interest in
the hospital, and the more the Treasurer tells me of what is
going on in the hospital the better I shall be pleased. Whenever
I have availed myself of an opportunity of visiting the hospital
I have found it in a condition which left nothing to be desired.
The Princess of Wales has also taken as great an interest in it
as I have done, and as soon as she could move about after her
return from abroad she accompanied me on a visit to this
hospital. In the name of the Princess of Wales and the other
members of the Royal Family I return thanks for the manner in
which this toast has been drunk."
In proposing the next toast, "The Army, Navy, Militia, and Volunteers,"
the Royal President said:--
"I always think that this is a puzzling toast for a chairman to
give, although at the same time it is an easy one, because so
many have given it, and will continue to give it, that there is,
unfortunately, little scope for originality and variety in
proposing it. On such an occasion as this, however, and in a
hospital, too, it is a most appropriate toast, because medical
departments are essential in our army and navy, and medical
science is specially invoked by their active services. Alas that
it should be so! But, fortunately, in our last campaign, in
Abyssinia, there was less call than ever for medical science on
our own side, as only one person was wounded in action."
Other customary toasts having been given, the Royal President again
rose, and said:--
"The toast I have now the honour to propose you will receive
with enthusiasm: it is, 'Prosperity to St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, and Health and Ease to the Patients.' It gives me the
greatest pleasure to propose this toast. This hospital, the
largest and most ancient of the metropolitan hospitals, was
founded in 1123 by Rahere, and was then attached to the Priory;
and on the suppression of the monasteries, in 1544, it had a
charter granted to it by Henry VIII., whose portrait occupies
the wall on my right. At that time the hospital had only 100
beds, one physician, and three surgeons; it has now 650 beds, 12
physicians, and 12 surgeons, besides an array of lecturers,
dispensers, and other officers. We may regard this as a grand
day, and those who have gone through the wards of the hospital
will have found everything in good order; but I once took the
officers by surprise, and I came here in the winter, practically
without giving notice. I can assure you I found everything on
that occasion in the same condition as to-day--nurses and
attendants in their places, and surgeons and physicians
punctiliously discharging their duties.
"I may here advert to the terrible event which occurred in the
winter--the Clerkenwell explosion. That showed how well
organized the hospital is, and how admirable its arrangements
are adapted to such an emergency. Almost immediately after the
explosion as many as 40 patients were safely housed in the
hospital, while many had their wounds dressed and were sent
away. I came here, and found that the sufferers were receiving
every possible attention. Much is, no doubt, due to the
unremitting care and supervision of the Treasurer; and if one of
the surgeons--Mr. Holden--were not present, I would express my
appreciation of his valuable services in terms which, I am sure,
many in this room would be ready to endorse. Every one is
satisfied of the thorough efficiency of the hospital; but there
is still wanting a convalescent hospital. True, there is the
Samaritan Fund, out of which you aid patients when they are
dismissed; but still, when they are nearly well, you wish to
send them into the country to recruit their health, so that they
may return to their homes thoroughly convalescent. When this
question is mooted I shall take the greatest interest, and do
all I can to promote the establishment of the additional
hospital. I have the greatest pleasure in coupling with this
toast the name of the Treasurer, and no one will more heartily
drink his health than I shall. He has been called upon to act as
Treasurer to Christ's Hospital too, and, although he will
conscientiously serve it, he will not forget his first love--St.
Bartholomew's."
Mr. Foster White, the Treasurer, in responding, said that such had been
the demand upon the resources of the hospital during the past year that
its income had been exceeded by £4,000, which was owing, however,
chiefly to the high price of provisions. At the time of the Clerkenwell
explosion he was prepared, if it had been necessary, to make a ward of
the dining-room, feeling sure the Governors would have supported him.
The Governors of this hospital and the Merchant Taylors' Company were in
communication, with the object of erecting conjointly a convalescent
hospital, at an expenditure of £45,000 each corporation. In conclusion,
the Treasurer denounced with some warmth the taxation of charities.
The Royal President proposed "The Medical Staff," coupling the toast
with the names of Dr. Frederic Farre and Mr. Paget. To the latter he
tendered his heartfelt recognition of the services he had rendered
during the severe illness of the Princess of Wales.
Dr. Farre and Mr. Paget having responded, the "Corporation of London"
was proposed from the Chair, and responded to by Mr. Alderman Finnis,
and this terminated the proceedings.
This 13th of May was a day of special interest in connection with
Metropolitan Hospitals, the Queen having in the morning, with great
state ceremony, laid the foundation stone of the new St. Thomas's
Hospital, when the Prince and Princess of Wales were also present.
The informal visit paid to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, referred to by
the Prince in his speech, was on the 17th of February of that year, when
he was accompanied by the Princess of Wales. The Princess had long
wished to see the Hospital, and attention was then recalled to it by the
announcement of the reception there of the sufferers from the Fenian
outrage at Clerkenwell. They were conducted over the whole establishment
by the Treasurer and principal surgeons. The Royal visitors had the
opportunity of seeing all the Clerkenwell sufferers and of expressing
their sympathy with them. Before leaving, they inspected the beautiful
little church of St. Bartholomew the Less, which stands within the walls
of the Hospital, and is, in fact, the Hospital chapel. The informal
visit of their Royal Highnesses, which afforded great gratification to
the authorities of the institution, lasted about an hour and a half.
* * * * *
The visits of the Prince to St. Bartholomew's have been frequent in
subsequent years, one interesting occasion being on the presentation of
a testimonial to Sir James Paget in 1871, on retiring from the post he
had long held.
LAYING FOUNDATION STONE OF NEW BUILDINGS, GLASGOW UNIVERSITY.
_October 8th, 1868._
Whatever else Scotland may have to boast of, she may point with pride to
her parish schools and her universities. These have contributed largely
to raise her among the nations, and laid the foundation of much of the
enterprise, energy, and success in life, which have long characterized
the Scots at home and abroad, and given them an honourable place in
letters, science, and commerce.
Next to St. Andrews, and later only by a few years, Glasgow is the
oldest of the Scottish Universities. It owes its origin to the Church in
pre-Reformation times, being founded A.D. 1450, and was at first
connected with the Cathedral. The buildings did not assume their
collegiate form till after the Reformation. The front and gateway facing
the High Street were not erected till 1660. Many still remember the
dingy-looking old building, with its quaint barred windows, and
projecting balconies over the gateway, surmounted by the Royal Scottish
Arms, in the style and period of the last of the Stuarts. The visitor
passed through the four open courts, on to the handsome modern building,
the Hunterian Museum, containing the valuable collection of Dr. William
Hunter, bequeathed by him in grateful remembrance of his connection with
this University.
The venerable old College, having served its purpose through successive
generations, for more than three centuries, the Senate of the University
and the citizens of Glasgow determined to provide new buildings, upon a
site and on a scale more suited to the requirements of the time.
Subscriptions, in response to the appeal of the Senate, were obtained,
to the amount of over £160,000; and this being supplemented by the money
for the sale of the old building and the old site, with a parliamentary
vote of £120,000, gave a total of £440,000.
The site chosen for the new buildings was the rising ground called
Gilmore Hill, on the west of Kelvin Grove. The plans were prepared by
Gilbert Scott, and all the world knows how the magnificent structure in
due time rose, to be the pride and ornament of the western capital of
Scotland--in wealth and population the second city in the United
Kingdom.