situated, the Chairman rose to propose the usual opening toast of "The
Queen," saying that Her Majesty had always taken deep interest in this
Asylum, and had sent £50 to its funds at one of its annual festivals.
Earl Granville, in a genial and humorous speech, proposed the toast of
"The Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family."
The noble Lord said he considered it a fortunate circumstance that he
was there that evening, because in the afternoon he met a friend, who
said to him: "You really don't mean to say you are going to dine with
those wicked people the licensed victuallers?" Now, in arguing the case
with his friend, he did not go into the abstruse question whether all
persons who dealt in articles of general demand and great consumption,
useful in themselves, and capable of being misapplied or abused, such as
food, or drink, or money, or physic, or a great many other things which,
excellent in themselves in a small quantity, might be most deleterious,
when misapplied--were monsters. He satisfied himself with a much shorter
answer, which was that, as a study in human nature, it would be rather
interesting to see 300 monsters of iniquity assembled cordially to
promote the work of genuine charity and benevolence. Having justified
his presence, he ventured to say that the toast he proposed would be
received with the most unfeigned and genuine pleasure, since he had to
give "The Health of the Prince, of the Princess of Wales, and the rest
of the Royal Family." He might recommend it on the score of the high
position of the Chairman, which enabled him to influence so many for
good, or on the ground that the Prince and Princess are the most popular
couple in the country, and in all the vast dependencies of the British
Crown. He might put it on the ground that the Prince shows that genial
and cordial energy in anything which he undertakes, whether in
protecting the interests of British exhibitors on the Champs de Mars at
Paris, or in presiding in a work of charity and kindliness. He might
also recommend it in consequence of His Royal Highness being the very
best chairman of a public dinner. Instead of long speeches, His Royal
Highness made addresses that were, to use a homely expression, as full
of meat as an egg. But without using any arguments whatever, he would
give them "The Health of the Prince and Princess, and the rest of the
Royal Family," and he was sure it would be received with enthusiasm.
The band of the Grenadier Guards, under Mr. Dan Godfrey, played "God
Bless the Prince of Wales," after which the Prince rose and said:--
"My Lords and Gentlemen,--I am excessively grateful to the noble
Earl for the most kind and flattering--I may say far too
flattering--terms in which he has been kind enough to propose my
health, that of the Princess, and the other members of my
family, and for the excessively cordial manner in which you have
been kind enough to receive it this evening. It is, no doubt,
somewhat unusual that the health of the Chairman should be given
at so early a period, but I am very grateful to the noble Earl
for the kind manner in which he has given it, and to you for
the way in which you have received it. Lord Granville has just
mentioned to you that this afternoon he was accosted by a
friend, who asked him why he was coming to-night, and expressed
some surprise at his doing so. Lord Granville was asked by one
friend. During the last three or four days I have received as
many as 200 petitions from bodies in all parts of the United
Kingdom begging me on no account to be present here this
evening. Of course, I do not wish in any way to disparage those
temperance societies, which have, no doubt, excellent objects in
view. But I think this time they have rather overshot the mark,
because the object of the meeting to-night is not to encourage
the love of drink, but to support a good and excellent charity.
I can only say, and I am sure all those here will agree with me,
that no one had the interest of all those in his adopted country
more at heart than my lamented father, and I feel perfectly
convinced that he would never have been the patron of the
society unless he was sure that it was one that was likely to do
good, and that it was deserving of his support. Lord Granville
has made far too flattering allusion to me as a Chairman, but as
he has been kind enough to say--giving me certainly a broad
hint--that speeches of this kind should be short, I am only too
happy to avail myself of it; and if brevity is the soul of wit,
I shall be the wittiest of chairmen.
"Before sitting down I wish to bring to your notice a toast
which is always honoured with enthusiasm at every assemblage of
Englishmen. The toast is given, indeed, so often that it is
difficult to vary the manner of giving it, and especially at the
present moment I feel it would be unbecoming in me to dilate in
any way on the Army or the Navy. But at the present moment, when
the political horizon far away is so obscure, I feel sure that,
whatever may happen, it is the wish of all Englishmen that our
Army, though small, should be in the highest state of
efficiency, and that our Navy should be, as it ought to be, the
best in the world. I have lately returned from a short trip in
the Mediterranean, where I had the pleasure of spending ten days
in one of the finest men-of-war in Her Majesty's service; and
though the captain of that vessel is my own brother, I feel I
may say that there are few vessels which are in a better state
of order and discipline. And I think that if all the rest of
the Fleet are in the same state we shall have no cause to
complain of our Naval Service. With the Army and Reserve Forces
I beg to couple the name of General Sir W. Knollys, and with the
Navy that of Admiral Sir A. Milne, who for so long a time has
given his valuable services to the Admiralty."
Sir W. Knollys, in returning thanks, said that, in addition to
intemperance in drink, there was such a thing as intemperance of the
brain and pen, and he had observed marks of that in some of the
communications which, as a member of the Prince's household, he had had
under his notice during the last few days. Sir Alexander Milne also
returned thanks. The Prince of Wales then rose and said:--
"My Lords and Gentlemen,--The toast which I now give you is the
toast of the evening--'Renewed Prosperity to the Licensed
Victuallers' Asylum.' We are met here together to-night for the
purpose of doing honour to its 50th anniversary, and when I look
round me and see so numerous an assembly, I feel sure that we
shall have in every respect reason to be grateful for the bounty
of these gentlemen, who are prepared to do much towards
benefiting this excellent charitable institution. As everybody
is aware, it was founded as a refuge for the aged and decayed
members of the trade, so that they might be spared from dying of
hunger, or being thrown on the poor-rates as recipients of
parish relief.
"The first stone of this Asylum was laid by my grand uncle, the
Duke of Sussex, and forty-three houses were then erected. Up to
the year 1835 lodging only was provided; but the Board of
Management then originated a fund which enabled them to maintain
the inmates as well. A weekly allowance in money and coals was
granted to these poor people.
"In the year 1849 the applicants had become so numerous that it
was determined to erect an additional building. The first stone
of that building was laid by my lamented father, who again
performed a similar service when it was found necessary,
nineteen years ago, to enlarge still further this Asylum. In the
year 1866 my brother, the Duke of Edinburgh, laid the foundation
stone of another wing.
"In the year 1863 I had the pleasure of becoming the Patron of
this Society, although in sad circumstances, in succession to
my father. I had great satisfaction also in assisting in the
ceremony of unveiling the statue which has been erected to the
memory of my father in the grounds of the Asylum. I believe I am
correct in stating that the institution now consists of about
170 separate habitations. The number of inmates is about 210,
who receive, the married couples, 10_s._, and the others, 8_s._
per week, besides coals, medical assistance, &c. The annual
expenses are very large, as they amount to upwards of £8000, and
as for the greater amount of that expenditure the Asylum is
dependent upon voluntary contributions, the Governors are most
anxious to collect now a sum which may be added to their capital
in order that they may feel that they have more certain sources
of income. I feel sure you will aid them, and I call upon you
once more to give most liberally all that is in your power to
give, and to show that you are anxious by pecuniary means as
well as by your presence here this evening to benefit the
institution. I will not weary you with any more words, because
no doubt at many other dinners the main facts of the case have
been brought before your notice. I will only say that it has
given me the greatest pleasure to take the chair this evening. I
thank you again for the cordial support which you have been kind
enough to give me, and I feel that now again I may call upon you
once more to do all in your power for the prosperity of the
Licensed Victuallers' Asylum."
Lord G. Hamilton, M.P., proposed the toast of "The Stewards," Mr. E. N.
Buxton, M.P., in acknowledging the toast, said they had no desire to
claim from His Royal Highness in any sense any appearance of taking
sides on a question by his presence there that night. The kind words he
had spoken only showed his approval of the great principle that every
trade should provide for its poor and disabled members.
The Secretary of the Institution read a list of subscriptions, headed
with an additional donation of 100 guineas from His Royal Highness,
which was followed by large subscriptions from Messrs. Bass, Allsopp,
Huggins, Mr. C. Sykes, M.P., and other gentlemen. The whole list
amounted to £5000.
In recent years the subject of intemperance has attracted more
attention, and the crime and poverty resulting from drink has led to a
general consent of opinion that some greater regulation of the trade is
necessary.
UNVEILING ALBERT STATUE AT CAMBRIDGE.
_January 22nd, 1878._
The election of His Royal Highness Prince Albert to the Chancellorship
of the University of Cambridge, was one of the honours of which he was
most justly proud. He was only twenty-eight years of age, and had not
yet been eight years in England. But during these years he had won the
respect and admiration of all that was highest and best in the nation.
When the Chancellorship of Cambridge became vacant by the death of the
Duke of Northumberland, on the 12th of February, 1847, application was
made to the Prince, on the next day, by Dr. Whewell, the Master of
Trinity, to allow himself to be put in nomination for the office. The
request was separately made by the Marquis of Lansdowne on the same day.
A letter from the Bishop of London (Blomfield) conveyed the assurance
that the Prince's acceptance of the office would be regarded by many of
the leading members of the University, with whom he had conferred, as
"honourable and advantageous to the University." The Prince replied,
through Mr. Anson, to whom the bishop's letter was addressed, that he
would be gratified by such a distinction, if it was the unanimous desire
of the University.
Unfortunately there was another candidate proposed, and an election took
place, the Prince obtaining a large majority. Of 24 Professors who
voted, 16 gave their votes for the Prince; of 30 Senior Wranglers, 19
were on his side; while of the resident members 3 to 1 voted for him.
Notwithstanding this strong expression of opinion, the Prince felt
inclined to refuse the office, but was induced to accept it, on the
reasons of the opposition being explained to him, and on the assurance
that the contest would be forgotten after a few months, and that he
might then count on the confidence and goodwill of the whole Academical
body.
Fortunately he accepted, and the assurances of his supporters were more
than verified. On the 24th of March the ceremony of inauguration was
gone through at Buckingham Palace, when the Letters-Patent ware
presented to the Prince by the Vice-Chancellor, accompanied by the most
distinguished officials, and about one hundred and thirty members of the
University. How soon and how powerfully his influence was felt in
advancing education at Cambridge, is matter of history. The following
simple entry in his Diary, on the 1st of November, 1848, shows the
result of his first efforts: "My plan for a reform of the studies at
Cambridge is carried by a large majority." To the enlightened and
judicious plans of the Prince the subsequent advances and extension of
education in England have been largely due. Nowhere was this more
gratefully acknowledged than at Cambridge.
During his life he was honoured, and after his death a statue was
erected to his memory, chiefly by subscriptions from the University. The
site chosen was in the Fitzwilliam Museum, a memorial worthy of the
noble benefactor, who bequeathed to the University his valuable
collection of pictures and books, with a sum of £100,000 to be spent in
providing a building suitable for their reception. The statue of Prince
Albert was here fittingly placed. It was one of the best works of Mr.
Foley, in his later years, and is universally admired as a striking and
worthy representation of the illustrious Chancellor.
It was for the ceremony of unveiling this statue that the Prince of
Wales visited Cambridge on the 22nd of January, 1878. He was met at the
gate of the Museum by the Chancellor, the Duke of Devonshire, the Lord
High Steward, the Vice-Chancellor, and a distinguished company. On
entering the vestibule an address was read by the Chancellor, setting
forth the services to the University of the Prince Consort, during his
fifteen years' tenure of office. The address thus concluded:--
"This memorial of the Prince Consort cannot but serve to remind us also
as Englishmen of the signal benefits conferred by His Royal Highness
upon our Queen and country by his wise and far-seeing counsels, his
never-wearying vigilance and attention to the public welfare, and his
entire devotion to the duties of his exalted station at the sacrifice of
all personal interests and objects.
"We thank your Royal Highness for the distinguished honour conferred
upon the University by your presence among us this day. It remains only
for us to prefer our request that your Royal Highness will now be
graciously pleased to uncover the statue. To no one does this honourable
office more appropriately belong."
The Prince of Wales returned the following reply:--
"My Lord Duke, Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Members of the Senate, and
Gentlemen,--I thank you for your address. I feel that it is
hardly necessary for me to assure you what pleasure it affords
me to be present on this occasion for the purpose of unveiling
the statue of my illustrious father and your late Chancellor, in
compliance with the special desire and invitation of the
Chancellor and the Members of the Senate of the University. But,
apart from the performance of this duty, I must express my great
satisfaction at having an opportunity of revisiting Cambridge as
a member of your University, and recalling to my mind the
agreeable recollections which I have always retained of my
undergraduate's days. The interest which the Prince Consort took
in everything relating to the welfare of the University is well
known to us all, and it is a source of deep gratification to me
to witness the respect which the members of the University show
to his memory by the erection of this fine statue. I will now
proceed to execute the task imposed upon me of unveiling the
statue."
The Prince then walked up to the Statue, and having pulled a string, it
stood unveiled before the assembly, who contemplated it for a few
moments in silence.
The Chancellor again addressing the Prince, thanked him for the honour
which he had done the University in being present on so interesting an
occasion. It was, however, a source of regret to him that so many had
passed away who had the best means of becoming acquainted with the views
and thoughts of the Prince Consort--such as Professor Sedgwick and Dr.
Whewell--who, if they were alive, would gladly have borne testimony to
his great virtues that day. There were, however, many now in that hall
who, he had no doubt, entertained the liveliest recollections of the
deep interest which was taken by His Royal Highness in the work in which
the University was engaged.
The Earl of Powis also bore testimony to the unwearied interest which
was taken by the Prince Consort in the development of new studies in the
University, even amid the weighty cares of State.
Dr. G. Paget, Regius Professor of Physic, spoke in highly eulogistic
terms of the Prince Consort's love of science and art, observing that it
was under his auspices that the Moral and Natural Science Triposes had
been established, to the great advantage of teaching in the University.
The ceremony in the entrance-hall was thus brought to a close, and the
Prince of Wales, the Chancellor, and their respective suites proceeded
to the picture gallery, where His Royal Highness held a _levée_, which
was very numerously attended. After the _levée_ he returned to Trinity
College. It was several years since the Prince of Wales had paid a visit
to Cambridge of any duration. He spent some time there as an
under-graduate, and made with the Princess of Wales a stay of three days
in 1864, when he had the degree of LL.D. conferred upon him.
Another memorable visit was paid on the 9th of June, 1888, when the
Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Princess and their three daughters,
witnessed the conferring of an honorary degree on Prince Albert Victor.
Other notable graduates _honoris causâ_ were on the list that day,
including the Marquis of Salisbury, the Earl of Rosebery, Lord Selborne,
Mr. Balfour, Mr. Goscheu, and Professor Stokes. At the luncheon
afterwards given in the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Prince of Wales said it
was seven and twenty years since he was first connected with the
University. "They were happy days," he added, "and I always look back to
them with the greatest pleasure and satisfaction."
INFANT ORPHAN ASYLUM, WANSTEAD.
_June 28th, 1878._
This institution maintains and educates the orphans of persons once in
prosperity, from earliest infancy till fourteen or fifteen years of age.
About 60 children are now (1888) annually elected. Nearly the whole of
the income depends on voluntary contributions. Subscribers have votes,
according to the amount of their subscriptions. There are now nearly 600
in the Asylum, which is open to children from all parts of the British
dominions. The Asylum stands in beautifully wooded grounds, at Wanstead,
on the outskirts of Epping Forest.
The Prince, accompanied by the Princess of Wales, presided at the
anniversary festival, on June 28th, 1878. They drove to Wanstead, and
were received at the Asylum by the Bishop of St. Albans, in whose
diocese it is, and by the officers of the institution. They were
conducted to the Examination Room, where, Dagmar Mary Petersen, a little
orphan girl, eight years old, daughter of a Dane, who settled in London
as a commercial clerk, herself admitted just eighteen months ago by the
loyalty of a lady of the Society of Friends, who wished thus to honour
the Princess, commenced the proceedings with a pretty speech which she
had got perfectly by heart and recited very clearly. In her childish
voice she gave those assembled a distinct account of the asylum. "She
had been told that it was the largest of the kind in England. When the
boys, girls, officers, and servants are all there, 700 persons sleep in
the building. The schools are in three divisions, senior, infants, and
nursery children. In the two large senior schools there are about 400
boys and girls. They learn grammar, history, geography, arithmetic,
French, music, and drawing, and the girls learn needlework besides. In
the two infant schools they do not learn quite so much. In the nursery
they learn just a very little and play a good deal. And being little
children they learn about the Bible." The little girl who spoke this
simple address presented a bouquet to the gracious Princess after the
ceremony, and was kissed, praised, and otherwise gratified.
"God bless the Prince of Wales" was excellently sung at the conclusion
of the speech; the children came up to the Princess and took their
prizes from her hands; and marched out of the room, keeping time to
lively music. The Royal party inspected the school-rooms, play-rooms,
and dormitories, cheerful and well-ventilated halls; and the Princess
carried toys to the children in the nursery.
The Prince of Wales took the chair at luncheon, supported by the
Princess of Wales, and their suite, the Duke and Duchess of Manchester,
the Bishop of St. Albans and Hon. Mrs. Claughton, and a large assembly.
After grace the Prince of Wales rose and proposed "The Health of Her
Majesty the Queen." The toast-master next announced a bumper toast, and
the Duke of Manchester gave "The Health of His Royal Highness the Prince
of Wales, and the Princess of Wales," "a toast which is never more
heartily honoured than on these fortunately frequent occasions, when
their Royal Highnesses patronize and encourage well-organized charitable
institutions, among which this was perhaps one of the best he knew."
The Prince of Wales said, in reply:--
"Ladies and Gentlemen,--On the part of the Princess and myself,
we beg to return our warmest thanks to the noble duke for the
kind way in which he has proposed this toast, and to you, ladies
and gentlemen, for the cordial manner in which you have received
it. It has afforded both the Princess and myself the greatest
possible pleasure and the greatest possible gratification to
come here to-day and to inaugurate the fifty-first anniversary
of this excellent and commendable institution. What we have seen
ourselves, and what the most part of the company have witnessed
on their own part, I think will do more than anything I can say
to show you what an excellent institution this is, and how
worthy it is of support in every way. The manner in which the
children sang, the discipline under which they are evidently
kept, the clean and healthy appearance of all of them, is a
matter of sincere congratulation to all those who take interest
in this institution or have the trouble of its management. I may
say that there is one little girl who perfectly astonished us by
the elocution which she possessed--well worthy of many a
distinguished member of Parliament.
"It was highly interesting to the Princess, as well as to
myself, to have been here to-day, the fortieth anniversary of
the Queen's Coronation. The first stone of the building in which
we are now was laid by my lamented father a few months before I
was born; and I hold in my hand the mallet which was used by him
on that occasion, and which has been sent to me by Sir Charles
Reed, the chairman of the London School Board, whose father, Dr.
Andrew Reed, was, I understand, one of the promoters of this
institution, and always took the warmest interest in its
welfare. This day seventeen years ago the Prince Consort visited
this institution, and this day exactly twelve years ago was the
last time the Princess and I were here.
"I am sure there is but little more for me to say in commending
so admirable an institution to you, which has now existed for
half a century, which maintains 600 children during the course
of the year, and has educated and sent forth into the world as
many as 3000 up to the present time. But a well-managed
institution like this, with the spacious rooms which we have
seen, will naturally convince you that it must cost a
considerable sum, and I believe I am not incorrect in stating
that it requires at least £18,000 a year to maintain this
asylum. And as it is almost entirely supported by voluntary
contributions I feel sure that all those present will do all
they can to support this institution, and to tell their friends
when they go home how worthy it is of support. I have now, in
conclusion, only to propose--a toast which I give most
heartily--'Prosperity to the Infant Orphan Asylum.'"
The Prince of Wales then left the chair, resigning it to the Bishop of
St. Albans, who gave the other usual toasts.
The secretary read a list of subscriptions. The Queen had sent her
annual donation of 10 guineas; the Prince of Wales before leaving placed
in the hands of the secretary a cheque for 100 guineas; the Duke of
Edinburgh gave 10 guineas; H. S. C. (who had long been an anonymous
benefactress), 100 guineas; country friends, £462. In all, about £1600.
This concluded the formal proceedings, but the summer weather tempted
many of the visitors to prolong their stay in the pleasant gardens of
the asylum.
THE TRAINING SHIP 'BRITANNIA.'
_July 24th, 1878._
In the autumn of 1877, the Prince of Wales went to Dartmouth, to place
his sons, Prince Edward (as he was then usually called) and Prince
George, on the training ship _Britannia_, under the care of Captain
Fairfax, R.N. At the end of the summer term, in the following year, the
Prince consented to preside at the distribution of prizes on the
_Britannia_, and graciously announced that the successful pupils should
receive their medals and books from the hands of the Princess of Wales.