of loyalty and devotion towards the Queen, the Princess of
Wales, and myself contained in your address. I have gladly
availed myself of the opportunity afforded me, in the fulfilment
of my duties as President of the Royal Agricultural Society, to
visit a city second to none in the Empire in commercial
importance, to become better acquainted with its history, its
locality, and the sources of its prosperity. The wise provision
of my lamented father and of the Queen, my dear mother, has
secured for me at an early age the advantages of visiting the
centres of the world, the most remarkable and the most deserving
of study for their interest and for their development of the
elements of wealth. In admiring, and, I trust, appreciating, the
successful result that has distinguished foreign exertions, I
have also learnt to look with increased admiration on those
wonderful works of human ingenuity, perseverance, and industry,
the products of the heads and hands of my own countrymen, and
especially of those who now surround me. May we all be grateful,
gentlemen, to a superintending Providence, which has blessed
the efforts of our commercial enterprise and the free
institutions of our country,--themselves a pledge of our future
prosperity."
The Prince presided at a general meeting of the Council of the Society,
and opened the proceedings by a brief speech which was loudly applauded.
He also received in his own marquee a numerous deputation from the
Agricultural Society of France. At the close of the meeting the Royal
visitors drove to a station on the Manchester South Junction line, where
a train was waiting to take them to Brough, near Hull, viâ Normanton;
the Prince having engaged to be at Hull in the afternoon in order to
inaugurate the new Western Dock at that town.
The principal object of the Prince's visit was to see the Royal
Agricultural Show, the members mustering in great force for the occasion
from all parts of England. At the midday luncheon the Chairman, the Earl
of Sefton, gave the toast of "The Queen," who was deeply interested in
the agricultural affairs of the Kingdom, and set the practical example
of being an exhibitor at the present Show. The Chairman next proposed
"The Health of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales."
He said the present toast should be the last. He had to ask them to
drink to the health of the President of the Royal Agricultural Society
of England, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, coupled with the
toast of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales. He had looked forward
to this meeting for a long time, and it was with the greatest pride they
learnt that it was to be held under the presidency of His Royal
Highness. The reception their Royal Highnesses met with the day previous
and that day sufficiently testified to the loyalty and attachment of the
people of this country to the Crown. It was difficult to allude to the
good qualities of His Royal Highness, but he was ever foremost in the
furtherance of works of charity and usefulness. They also experienced
the warmest attachment and the truest loyalty towards the Princess.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in replying, said:--
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kind way in
which you have received this toast. My health has been proposed
twofold--first for myself, and also in my position as President
of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. I can assure you
it was great honour that was conferred upon me when I was asked
to assume this presidency, and my only regret is that this
office has been a mere nominal one, and that I have not been
able to be of so much use as I should have liked. At the same
time I feel a pride in being President of a Society which has
existed for so long, and which is one of the greatest
agricultural societies anywhere, always helping forward
improvements in agriculture. It was a great satisfaction to this
Society to hold one of its annual meetings at Manchester, one of
the greatest manufacturing towns of England. It is my duty as
President of the Society to return, in the name of the Society,
our most cordial and our warmest thanks for the extensive and
liberal way in which the local committee have made their
arrangements. It is to them we owe this magnificent
entertainment in this fine tent, and also the excellent
arrangements which we see before us. Lord Sefton told us not to
make many speeches or long ones. I will, therefore, not make any
further remarks, but, before sitting down, allow me to thank you
in the name of the Princess for the kind way in which you have
received her. I can assure you it has given her great pleasure
to be present at this second visit to the Royal Agricultural
Society, and this her first visit to Manchester. We both feel
deeply grateful for the kind and hearty welcome which we have
received, not only from Manchester, but from the inhabitants of
Lancashire."
THE PEABODY MEMORIAL. UNVEILING OF THE STATUE IN THE CITY OF LONDON.
_July 23rd, 1869._
The best memorials of George Peabody, American citizen and
philanthropist, are the piles of buildings which stand as monuments of
his generous liberality, and of his desire to advance the physical and
moral welfare of the poor of London. He received from the Queen of
England, and from many public and official bodies, warm recognition of
his beneficence. But it was also fitting and right that in some public
place a Statue should be erected, to perpetuate his name and his
likeness, as well as to commemorate his good deeds. The citizens of
London, headed by all the leading men of the Metropolis, subscribed for
the Statue, which now adorns the site on the east of the Royal Exchange.
The Prince of Wales, having consented to perform the ceremony of
unveiling the Statue, was received at the Mansion House by the Lord
Mayor, where a distinguished company had assembled. In response to the
toast of his health, the Prince said:--
"I thank you for the compliment you have paid me in drinking my
health. I assure you it is always a pleasure to me to be present
here at the Mansion-house. It is not, indeed, the first time I
have received the hospitality of the Lord Mayor and of the City
of London. We are assembled to take part in a great ceremony,
and I accepted with much pleasure the invitation and the
privilege of unveiling the statue of Mr. George Peabody. After
the appropriate remarks the Lord Mayor has made concerning him I
have little to say except to indorse what has been so well
expressed by his Lordship. He is a man whose name will go down
to posterity as a great philanthropist, and you, my Lord Mayor,
and the citizens of London in particular, can never be
sufficiently grateful to him for what he has done."
After the luncheon His Royal Highness was escorted to the site of the
memorial. Here Sir Benjamin Phillips, Chairman of the Committee,
addressed the Prince, concluding with these words:--"Let us hope that
this statue, erected by the sons of free England to the honour of one of
Columbia's truest and noblest citizens, may be symbolical of the peace
and goodwill that exist between the two countries, and that a people
springing from the same stock, speaking the same language, and inspired
and animated by the same love of freedom and progress may live in
uninterrupted friendship and happiness. Your Royal Highness may remember
the language so beautifully expressed by George Peabody, in the letter
that accompanied his last noble gift, when, speaking of America he said,
'I will pray that Almighty God will give to it a future as happy and
noble in the intelligence and virtue of its citizens as it will be
glorious in unexampled power and prosperity.' Your Royal Highness, these
are the sentiments uttered by a man of ripe age, and alike applicable to
the land of his birth and to the country of his adoption. May they
inspire us, may they animate us, and may they find an echo throughout
the length and breadth of our own free and happy homes."
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales than presented himself to speak,
and was hailed with enthusiastic cheers. He said:--
"Sir Benjamin Phillips, my Lord Mayor, Ladies, and Gentlemen,--I
feel sure that all those who have heard the words which have
just been uttered cannot but be gratified with what has been
said. Allow me to say to you that among the many duties which I
have to perform, and which I have the privilege of performing,
none could have given me greater pleasure than to assist and
take part in the unveiling of this statue on this occasion. The
name of George Peabody is so well known to all of you that
really I feel some difficulty in saying anything new of that
remarkable man; but, at the same time, it affords me the deepest
gratification to join in paying a mark of tribute and respect to
the name of that great American citizen and philanthropist--I
may say, that citizen of the world. England can never adequately
pay the debt of gratitude which she owes to him--London
especially, where his wonderful charity has been so liberally
distributed. For a man not born in this country to give a sum, I
believe, more than a quarter of a million of pounds sterling for
purposes of benevolence is a fact unexampled. His name will go
down to posterity as one who, as Sir Benjamin Phillips so justly
remarked, has tried to ameliorate the condition of his poorer
fellow-citizens, and especially to benefit their moral and
social character. I have not yet had the opportunity of seeing
the statue which is about to be unveiled, but having had the
privilege of knowing the sculptor, Mr. Story, for a space of now
about ten years, I feel sure it will be one worthy of his
reputation, and worthy also of the man to whom it is dedicated.
Before concluding the few imperfect remarks which I have
ventured to address to you, let me thank Mr. Motley, the
American Minister, for his presence on this occasion, and assure
him what pleasure it gives me to take part in this great and I
might almost say, national ceremonial of paying a tribute to the
name of his great and distinguished countryman. Be assured that
the feelings which I personally entertain towards America are
the same as they ever were. I can never forget the reception
which I had there nine years ago, and my earnest wish and hope
is that England and America may go hand in hand in peace and
prosperity."
At the conclusion of His Royal Highness's address the Statue was
uncovered, and at a signal from the Lord Mayor a loud and prolonged
cheer was raised on its being exposed to view.
His Excellency, the American Minister, then addressed the vast audience.
He said, towards the close of his speech, "It is a delightful thought
that the tens of thousands who daily throng this crowded mart will see
him almost as accurately as if in the flesh, and that generations after
generations--that long, yet unborn, but I fear, never ending procession
of London's poor--will be almost as familiar in the future with the form
and features of their great benefactor as are those of us who have
enjoyed his acquaintance and friendship in life."
Mr. Story, the sculptor, having been called on, said he had no speech to
make. He added, significantly pointing to the Statue, "That is my
speech,"--a remark which occasioned much merriment and cheering.
The ceremony was then brought to a close, and the Prince took his leave.
His Royal Highness, as he did so, was repeatedly cheered.
THE SCOTTISH HOSPITAL.
_November 30th, 1869._
The Scottish Corporation is commonly called the Scottish Hospital, but
this is rather misleading as to the uses of the charity. Its objects are
to assist, by pensions, poor aged natives of Scotland living in London,
to afford temporary relief to Scotchmen in distress, or to aid them to
return to their own country; and also to educate poor Scottish children.
The last-named object is also carried out by a kindred institution, the
Royal Caledonian Asylum, which receives some children of indigent
Scotchmen in London, although its main purpose is the maintenance and
education of children of soldiers, sailors, and marines, natives of
Caledonia. The Scottish Hospital possesses funded property to the amount
of £40,000, and the annual receipts are about £5000. In trust to the
Scottish Hospital there is also attached the "Kinloch Bequest," for
granting pensions to Scottish soldiers and sailors, resident in the
United Kingdom, who have been wounded or have lost their sight in the
service of the country, and whose incomes do not exceed £20 from other
sources.
The anniversary festival of the Scottish Corporation is always held on
the 30th of November, St. Andrew's day. In 1869 His Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales presided at the dinner. The guests at this festival are
mostly Scottish, and a large muster of Highland Chiefs and Lowland
Lairds, as well as prosperous Scotchmen of London, supported the Royal
chairman upon this occasion. Prince Christian and other distinguished
visitors were also present. Many of the stewards wore the garb of old
Gaul, and the tartans, scarves, flags, and decorations made the Hall of
the Freemasons' Tavern assume a national appearance. The "bagpipes" were
also in honourable use, the Prince being conducted to the chair to the
tune of the Highland laddie, played by the Queen's piper, the Prince's
first piper, and the piper of the Royal Caledonian Asylum. The Prince
had previously been received by a guard of honour of the London
Artillery, whose band played the National Anthem, while the band of the
London Scottish Volunteers performed a selection of Scotch music during
the dinner. The three pipers also, at intervals, paraded the hall, and
regaled the guests with their stirring strains.
The health of the Queen was drunk with enthusiasm, specially as the
patroness of the Scottish Hospital. To the toast of "the Princess of
Wales and the rest of the Royal Family," proposed by the Duke of
Roxburghe, the Prince responded, and then gave: "The Army, Navy,
Militia, and Volunteers," referring in his speech to the Kinloch
Bequest, which provides pensions for about 400 disabled soldiers and
sailors. A Scotch vocalist, Mr. Maclagan, sang "Scots wha hae wi'
Wallace bled." Then the Prince rose to give the toast of "Prosperity to
the Scottish Hospital":--
"Your Royal Highness, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--I have now to
give you the toast of the evening: 'Prosperity to the Scottish
Hospital.' I feel assured that it is a toast which the numerous
assembly I see before me will drink in bumpers. As you know, the
Queen is patroness of this hospital; she has been so for
thirty-seven years, and she has contributed to its funds between
£3000 and £4000. At twenty different anniversaries the late King
William, as Duke of Clarence, presided. The Duke of Kent, the
Duke of Sussex, and the Duke of Cambridge also presided at
various anniversaries, and contributed largely to the funds of
the hospital.
"The hospital, as no doubt most of you know, was originally
founded in the reign of James I. Its first charter was given to
it by Charles II., in 1665, and a second charter of
incorporation was granted by the same Monarch, in 1676,
containing more extended privileges. It became necessary,
however, to enable the corporation to extend its relief, to
obtain a new charter, which was granted by King George I., in
1715.
"By the paper which has been placed in my hands I observe the
pensions which are contributed by this ancient corporation are
very numerous. I see that a sum is set apart for the support of
five persons exceeding 65 years of age who have occupied a
respectable social position, and who have a permanent income of
not less than £15, but not more than £30 per annum; for 20 poor
and infirm persons exceeding 72 years of age, to whom a pension
of £15 each per annum is allowed; for 110 above 68, to whom a
pension of £12 each is allowed. Pensions of £6 are granted to 50
persons selected from the casual list. Monthly casual relief to
upwards of 200 is awarded by the committee, and free passages to
Scotland are given to such as require them.
"The charity of the Scottish Hospital is applicable to the poor
natives of Scotland and their children resident in the
Metropolis and its immediate neighbourhood, who, not being in
receipt of parochial relief in this country, would in age and
poverty, in sickness or distress, or when in want of employment,
be exposed to the utmost wretchedness, or to discreditable
beggary, but for the fostering relief afforded them by this
institution. Those natives of Scotland resident in London who
may desire to spend the remainder of their days in Scotland have
free passages granted to them by the corporation. From the
accumulation of a subscription which was raised in India thirty
years ago the corporation is also enabled to allot £120 a year
to the ministers and Kirk Sessions of the several congregations
of the Scottish churches in London and Westminster, for the
purpose of affording education to the children of Scottish
parents at the schools attached to these churches.
"I am happy to say that the Scottish Hospital is in a more
prosperous state this year than at any former period. But at the
same time further demands have been made upon its funds. The
claims during the past year have been in excess of any previous
year, and several of the cases relieved have been of a very
pressing and urgent nature. Pensions of £6, £12, £15, and £25
per annum have been granted to nearly 200 respectable men and
women, whose means of support have been greatly increased by the
timely aid afforded. Nearly 300 monthly applicants have had sums
given to them by the directors, in several instances amounting
to £5 at one time. In addition to these, more than 1300 persons
have had casual assistance at the office of the corporation.
Passages to Scotland have been granted to about 200 deserving
persons. But for the intervention of this corporation many would
have been compelled to apply to an English parish for relief,
and by doing so would have lost that feeling of independence
which every Scotsman cherishes and desires to maintain. Upwards
of 208 children of Scottish parents resident in the Metropolis
have during the year been educated at the expense of the
corporation. Soldiers and sailors, natives of Scotland, to the
number of nearly 400, have been in receipt of pensions from the
Kinloch Bequest.
"Although the facts must be known to most of you, I have
nevertheless thought it necessary to mention a few of them in
order to stimulate your generosity this evening, and induce you
to contribute as largely as you can for the benefit of this
excellent charity. I hope you will drink the toast of
'Prosperity to the Scottish Hospital' in full bumpers. I have
great pleasure in coupling with the toast the name of the noble
Duke on my left, who has been president for four successive
years."
The Duke of Roxburghe, in responding to the toast, announced that His
Royal Highness had kindly consented to allow his name to appear as that
of President of the Corporation for the ensuing year. As Duke of
Rothesay he had a warm welcome that evening, and in the name of his
brother Scotchmen he gave his heartfelt thanks for appearing among them.
"Nay more, I thank him in the name of the aged recipients of this great
charity, many of whom have seen better days, but who now, bowed down by
poverty, look to you for assistance in the hour of need. I also thank
His Royal Highness in the name of all whose sorrows have been lessened,
and whose homes have been brightened, by the ministrations of this
Society." He proposed the health of the Prince of Wales.
The toast was drunk with "Highland honours." His Royal Highness, who was
loudly cheered, said:--
"Your Royal Highness, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--Allow me to
return you my most hearty thanks for the excessively kind way in
which my health leas been proposed and received by you. On any
ordinary occasion I should have been deeply gratified by the
kind feeling displayed towards me, but I am deeply touched by
the enthusiasm you have manifested just now in drinking my
health with Highland honours. I can only say it has afforded me
great pleasure to preside here this evening. Although for some
years past the Duke of Roxburghe asked me to take the chair,
different circumstances unfortunately prevented me--being absent
from the country two years ago--- and again last year being on
the Continent. I feel, therefore, exceedingly happy that I have
been enabled to be present this evening, and to discharge what I
have found to be the very easy duties of chairman. My lords and
gentlemen, let me thank you once more for the honour you have
done me in drinking my health, and for the support you have
given me this evening."
His Royal Highness then announced that telegrams had been received
during the evening from meetings with similar objects held in New York,
Glasgow, Belfast, Ipswich, and Aberdeen, and answers had been returned
expressive of kindly feeling to the different associations. The
secretary then read a list of contributions received, among which were
100 guineas from Her Majesty the Queen, 100 guineas from His Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales, 100 guineas from the Highland Society of
London, 300 guineas from the Caledonian Society of London--in all about
£2500, being by far the largest subscription received at any anniversary
of the Scottish Hospital.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS.
_March 30th, 1870._
The seventy-second anniversary festival of this institution was held at
Freemason's Hall on the 30th of March, 1870. The Prince of Wales
presided, and was supported by Earl de Grey and Ripon, G. M. elect, the
Duke of Manchester, the Earl of Jersey, Earl Percy, the Marquis of
Hartington, and a numerous company of above six hundred brethren, all of
whom wore dress of the craft. The galleries were crowded with ladies.
After dinner His Royal Highness, in giving the toast of "The Queen,"
said that Her Majesty had been patroness of the institution since 1852,
and on this occasion sent a donation of a hundred guineas, in addition
to the annual subscription.
The next toast was "The health of the Earl of Zetland," the retiring
Grand Master, who had held the honourable and useful post for more than
a quarter of a century. The Grand Master elect, the Earl of Ripon, in
giving the toast of the Prince and the Princess of Wales, said that the
Prince had entered the craft determined to discharge his duties to the
fullest extent, and he had taken the earliest opportunity of presiding
at one of the festivals of the craft. The Prince of Wales, in
responding, said:--
"Brethren, I feel deeply touched by the excessively kind manner
in which this toast has been received by you. I wish to take
this opportunity of thanking you for the kind reception you have
given me this evening, and I desire especially to express to you
the pride I feel at being so heartily received among you as a
brother Mason. I feel deeply grateful for the kind words which
have fallen from the Deputy Grand Master, and I can assure him
and you of my desire to follow the footsteps of my grand
uncles, who were so long connected with the craft. Brethren,
much has been said against Freemasonry by those who do not know
what it is. People naturally say they do not approve secret
societies; but I maintain that the craft is free from the
reproach of being either disloyal or irreligious; and I am sure
you will all support me in that assertion, for I am convinced
that Her Majesty has no more loyal subjects than are the
Freemasons of England. Brethren, I desire to remind you that
when, about 70 years ago, it became necessary for the Government
of that day to put down secret societies, my relative the late
Duke of Sussex urged in his place in Parliament that Freemasons'
lodges ought to be exempt from such a law, and the force of his
appeal was acknowledged. From that time Freemasonry has been
devoid of politics, its only object being the pure and Christian
one of charity. Brethren, I once more thank you heartily for the
welcome you have given me this evening, and let me assure you
that the interests of Freemasonry shall be always upheld and
respected by me."