report that has been read to you by the Chairman of the
Executive Committee. From what we have heard, I think it is
patent to all that the late Fisheries Exhibition has in every
point of view been a success. It has been a financial success,
and it has also been a success as regards the enormous number of
people who have visited it, not only of our own countrymen and
those from our colonies, but from every part of the globe. It is
unnecessary for me on an occasion of this kind to enumerate the
objects of this Exhibition, but I maintain that its two salient
objects--viz., the scientific and practical ones--have fully
justified its existence: its scientific object by the display of
every possible kind of modern appliance, thus showing the great
improvements that have been made in the fishing industry of the
world; and its practical object because it not only showed to
our own countrymen, but to all the world, what a valuable means
of subsistence fish is. Many, I believe, had no idea of its
value; while the existence of varieties of fish was made known
which had not even been heard of by the great majority of
people. Well, gentlemen, you have all heard that there is a
surplus amounting to £15,243, and the question is naturally how
to employ that sum. In the address that I read to you at the
closing of the Exhibition I held out some hope that this might
be applied in a useful and practical manner, and I would
therefore now suggest to the General Committee that one of the
best objects by which to perpetuate the results of this
successful Exhibition would be to appropriate, say, about
£10,000 to alleviate the distress of widows and orphans of sea
fishermen. I use the words 'alleviate the distress' because I do
not wish to bind any of you to our erecting an orphanage. That
would cost a great deal of money, and, I think, would possibly
be a mistake. If we were to embark in any great building
enterprise of that kind, and in future find ourselves in debt,
we should have frustrated the very object we have in view, viz.,
supporting the widows and orphans of those brave men who peril
their lives at sea. I would also suggest that £3000 should be
given as an endowment to a society, which might be called the
Royal Fisheries Society. What shape that might take will be for
your future consideration; but possibly some society might be
founded under such a name or character, similar to the Royal
Agricultural Society. We shall then have a surplus of about
£2000 left, which, I think you will all agree, will be a good
thing to keep in reserve. It would be for the general public in
future to show their interest in this scheme by supporting it to
the best of their ability. I beg, therefore, to move the
following resolution:--'That a sum of £10,000 be invested, with
a view to applying the proceeds to the assistance of families
who have suffered the loss of a father or husband in the
prosecution of his calling as a sea fisherman; and that a
further sum of £3000 be applied to the formation of a Fisheries
Society, such as was suggested by His Royal Highness the
President in his reply to the report of the Executive Committee
on the 31st of October, 1883.'"
That suggestion was that a society should be formed, having for its
object the collection of statistics and other information relative to
Fisheries; the diffusing among the fishing population of a knowledge of
all improvements in the methods and appliances of their calling; the
discussion of questions bearing upon fishing interests: we wish we could
add, "the interests of the public," in obtaining more and cheaper fish!
NEW CITY OF LONDON SCHOOL.
_December 12th, 1882._
The large and commodious building on the Embankment, which is the new
seat of the old "City of London School," was formally opened by the
Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Princess of Wales, on the 12th of
December, 1882. The Lord Mayor, in state, the masters of the principal
City Companies, and a large assembly of civic and educational notables
were present. The Lord Mayor having given an address on the history of
the school, and the work done by the Corporation in connection with it,
asked the Prince to declare the new building open.
The Prince, after expressing the gratification it gave to himself and
the Princess to take part in the proceedings of the day, and, having
thanked the Lord Mayor for the historical address, said:--
"After what you have all heard with regard to the existence of
this school, it will be hardly necessary for me to add more than
a very few words. I also express my fervent hope that a school
such as this one, which has flourished for a space of between
forty and fifty years, will continue ever to do so. It is a
palpable fact that many pupils have gone up to the Universities,
and taken high degrees, both in Classics at Oxford and in
Mathematics at Cambridge. The present Head Master is one of
those who took high honours at Cambridge. Last, but not least,
the Lord Mayor himself was educated in this school, and is the
first boy who has reached that high position.
"I must congratulate the architect, and all those who have
designed and built this school. I feel convinced from what we
have seen that it is an admirably suited building for all
educational purposes. Its site, close to the Thames, where it
will get fresh air, and the admirable manner in which all the
rooms are constructed, promise well for the future. Let me once
again express a fervent hope that, under the blessing of God, it
will continue to flourish and prosper. I now declare the new
buildings open."
The announcement was received with great cheering, with a flourish of
trumpets. The present Head Master, Dr. Abbott, worthily sustains the
reputation which the school held under Dr. Mortimer.
THE NORTHBROOK CLUB.
_May 21st, 1883._
The opening of the club, in Whitehall Gardens, named after the Earl of
Northbrook, for the use of native gentlemen from the East Indies and
their friends, attracted a large and influential assemblage. By the
request of Lord Northbrook the Prince of Wales declared the club open.
He said that, after the clear and full statement by Lord Northbrook, he
had little to say about the objects and advantages of the club. After
expressing his gratification at being invited to be present, he said:--
"I have not forgotten--and I address this especially to those
gentlemen who come from India--nor am I likely ever to forget,
the magnificent reception I met with in India, not only from the
Native Princes, but from every class in India; and the interest
I take in all that concerns Her Majesty's Indian empire I assure
you will ever continue. I think it highly desirable that a club
of this nature should have been formed, so as to bring natives
of India into direct communication with our own countrymen, and
that facilities should be afforded them to find a comfortable
place where they can meet together for the interchange of ideas,
and where they can seek relaxation after their labours in the
professions which they have come here to study. That it will be
found in every respect desirable, I am sure, and I have not the
smallest doubt that it will be successful. I am glad to hear
from Lord Northbrook of the money which has come from India. It
is gratifying to know that the Indian Princes have been
magnanimous in their subscriptions, and have shown the great
interest they take in the success of the undertaking. I heartily
wish prosperity to the Northbrook Club."
Some letters from India having been read, and several native gentlemen
having been presented, the Prince made a tour of the club with the
committee.
CITY OF LONDON COLLEGE IN MOORFIELDS.
_July 8th, 1883._
The City of London College, which has spacious premises in White Street,
Moorfields, is intended for giving educational advantages to young men,
chiefly by means of evening classes for those engaged in business or
work during the day. It was originally established, in 1848, at Crosby
Hall, moving from there to Sussex Hall, Leadenhall Street, and finally
settled in the new building in Moorfields, the cost of which was
£16,000. To inaugurate this new College, the Prince of Wales,
accompanied by the Princess, went to the City. After being shown over
the building their Royal Highnesses were conducted by the Lord Mayor to
the great hall, which is capable of holding about 1000 persons, and
which was densely filled.
The Reverend Prebendary Whittington, Principal of the College, read an
address thanking the Prince for his presence, and stating the objects of
the College. He mentioned that in 1858 the Prince Consort paid a visit
to Crosby Hall, and testified his approval of the work done for the
intellectual, social, and moral improvement of the young men of London,
by consenting to become the first patron, an office which had since his
death been filled by the Queen. Her Majesty had testified her continued
approval by a generous donation to the new building fund.
The Prince of Wales, in reply, said:--
"Ladies and Gentlemen,--It is with sincere pleasure that I thank
you on behalf of the Princess of Wales, as well as on my own,
for the loyal address of welcome which has just been presented
to us, and for being given this opportunity of expressing to you
our approval of your efforts for the improvement of the
intellectual, social, moral, and spiritual condition of the
young men of this vast metropolis. Such occasions are always
fraught with the deepest interest to me, recalling as they do
the memory of my beloved father, the Prince Consort, who devoted
his time, his experience, and his great abilities to the
promotion of undertakings such as the one you now have in hand,
to which he lent his countenance by becoming its first patron,
and which the Queen still encourages by her patronage. We
sincerely trust our presence here to-day may encourage others to
take an interest in this great undertaking, and we rejoice to be
able to declare your new building open."
A prayer for the continued success of the institution was then offered
up by Bishop Claughton, and the Old Hundredth Psalm was sung.
The Secretary then read a list of subscriptions, including fifty guineas
from the Prince of Wales. The Lord Mayor said that the Prince always
showed his interest in education, and he had lately been present at the
opening of the City of London School. This College gave more advanced
and practical teaching than was given at that School.
Mr. Clarke, Q.C., M.P., said he had been a student of the College
twenty-six or twenty-seven years ago, and the education he there
received had been most valuable to him. Mr. Prebendary Mackenzie having
supported the resolution of a vote of thanks to their Royal Highnesses,
the Prince returned his warm thanks and added:--
"So much has been said with regard to this College that I should
only be taking up your time if I were to allude to it further
than to say that I feel convinced--and it is our earnest
hope--that this College, which has been so successful hitherto,
will continue to prosper in the new building. Most cordially do
we wish it all success. A greater proof cannot be given of the
excellent character of the education which the students here
receive than that given by the seconder of the resolution, Mr.
Clarke, who has not only attained a high position in the
profession he has adopted, but who has also become a member of
Parliament. I thank you again for your kind reception of us
to-day, and for the pleasure it has given us to inaugurate this
very handsome building."
HOUSING OF THE POOR AND THE WORKING CLASSES.
_February 22nd, 1884._
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is not infrequent in his
attendance in the House of Lords, but he has very rarely addressed the
House. It is natural that he should avoid even the appearance of being
mixed up with political controversies, or touching points that might
bear a party construction. But on questions of a social or patriotic
bearing to which he is known to have given personal attention, the voice
of the Prince would be always heard with pleasure, and his opinions
carry due weight. It was so in the matter of the Housing of the Poor,
which was brought before the House on the 22nd of February, 1884.
The Marquis of Salisbury moved an Address to Her Majesty for the
appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the housing of the
working classes. Lord Carington seconded the motion, after which the
Prince of Wales rose, amidst cheers from both sides of the House. He
said:--
"My Lords,--The speeches which have fallen from the lips of the
noble Marquis who introduced this subject, and from the noble
Lord who has just sat down, cannot fail to have been heard with
the deepest interest by your Lordships. I feel also convinced
that your Lordships, in common with all classes of Her Majesty's
subjects, will be gratified to learn that the noble Marquis has
asked for a searching inquiry to be made into that great and
momentous question with regard to the housing, and the
amelioration of the dwellings, of the poor and the working,
classes, and that Her Majesty's Government have already
appointed a Commission for that purpose.
"My Lords, it is not my intention to trouble your Lordships with
many remarks, though I take the keenest and liveliest interest
in this great question. Still, I confess I have not gone
sufficiently into the matter for me to venture on giving an
opinion, especially after what has fallen from the noble Marquis
and the noble Lord. At the same time, I can assure you, my
Lords, that I am deeply flattered at having been appointed a
member of the Royal Commission. The subject of the housing of
the poor is not entirely unknown to me, as having acquired a
property in Norfolk now for twenty years, I have had something
to do in building fresh dwellings for the poor and working
classes. On arriving there I found the dwellings in the most
deplorable condition, but I hope now that there is hardly one on
the estate who can complain of not being adequately housed.
"I quite endorse what has fallen from the noble Marquis and the
quotation which he made from the letter of Mr. Williams which
appeared in to-day's newspapers. A few days ago I visited two of
the poorest courts in the district of St. Pancras and Holborn,
where, I can assure you, my Lords, that the condition of the
people, or rather of their dwellings, was perfectly disgraceful.
This in itself proves to me how important it is that there
should be a thoroughly searching inquiry. As your Lordships are
aware, there have existed now for some short space of time
several private societies organised for the purpose of inquiring
into this very question. I am sure that we ought all to be
grateful to these gentlemen for giving up their time to so
important a subject, and I feel that the Royal Commission can in
nowise clash with the efforts of these private individuals.
"In conclusion, my Lords, I wish to say that I cherish an
earnest hope, which I feel will be shared by your Lordships,
that the result of this Royal Commission will be a
recommendation to Parliament of measures of a drastic and
thorough kind, which may be the means of not only improving the
dwellings of the poor, but of ameliorating their condition
generally."
His Royal Highness was followed by Lord Shaftesbury, the Bishop of
London, and others, but nothing was added in the debate of a practical
nature, and the motion of Lord Salisbury was unanimously carried.
THE GUARDS' INDUSTRIAL HOME AT CHELSEA
BARRACKS.
_February 25th, 1884._
The Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Princess Louise,
Marchioness of Lorne, and the Princesses Louise, Victoria, and Maude of
Wales, visited Chelsea Barracks on Monday, the 25th of February, 1884,
for the distribution of prizes to the girls at the Guards' Industrial
Home. It is very honourable to the officers of the Guards, that they
provide as far as they can for the welfare of the wives and families of
the soldiers, as well as of the men of their regiments. The boys
educated in the regimental schools were easily provided for, but for the
training of the girls for useful occupations it had been advisable to
establish this Industrial Home in the neighbourhood of the barracks.
This was explained by General Higginson, commanding the brigade of
Guards in the Home district, and a report of the state of the
institution during the past year was read by Colonel Cockran, the
honorary secretary.
The Prince of Wales then distributed the prizes to the girls, in his
usual kindly manner. General Higginson, in the name of the brigade,
thanked their Royal Highnesses for the proof they had given of their
favour and good will. The Prince replied--
"General Higginson, Ladies, and Gentlemen,--The Princess begs me
to return her warmest thanks for the very kind words in which
you have expressed your thanks to her on behalf of the brigade
for taking part in the ceremony which we have just witnessed. I
know I am only expressing her views when I state that it has
given her sincere pleasure to be here, and that she shares with
me an interest in everything which concerns the brigade of
Guards. After what has fallen from you, General Higginson, and
after the reading of the report, there is little left for me to
say beyond congratulating those who founded this institution and
those who so ably maintain it, upon the highly satisfactory way
in which it is managed and upon the creditable manner in which,
as we know, every detail connected with its working is
conducted. We sincerely hope that those young ladies who have
to-day received prizes will go forth to pursue their avocations
in life with credit both to themselves and to the instruction
they have received in this institution. We trust that having
reached its 21st anniversary--the coming of age of the Guards'
Industrial Home--the institution will ever continue to flourish.
For my own part, I may say, General Higginson, that I think all
the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the
Household Brigade are aware of the deep feeling which I
entertain towards them, and that I have not forgotten my
association with them three-and-twenty years ago. That feeling
of kindliness towards them, and of interest in all that concerns
them, will continue to the day of my death."
After the ceremony was over, there was an amateur theatrical
performance, to the great amusement not only of the young folk, but of
the crowd of spectators who filled the hall.
ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION.
_March 15th, 1884._
The Prince of Wales presided, not for the first time, at the annual
meeting of the Lifeboat Institution, which was held at Willis's Rooms on
the 15th of March, 1884. The Secretary, Mr. C. Dibdin, having read the
report, the Prince of Wales said:--
"Ladies and Gentlemen,--Before calling upon the noble duke (the
Duke of Argyll) to move the first resolution, I wish to say a
few words. You have all of you, I feel convinced, heard with the
greatest interest the report which has just been read by the
secretary, and I think we must all be unanimous in the opinion
that that report is highly satisfactory as regards everything
connected with this institution.
"The National Lifeboat Institution, having been founded in 1824,
has now reached its sixtieth anniversary, and I think you will
all agree with me that there is no institution throughout our
country which is of greater importance or more demands our
sympathy and assistance. From our geographical position as a
sea-girt isle, and from the immense colonies which we have
acquired, the mass of ships that travel to and fro and reach our
islands is almost too vast to enable us even to realize what
their number can actually be. Those vessels naturally encounter
tempests, the results of which are shipwrecks and loss of life.
The risks especially which that valuable and important
community, the fishermen on our coasts, have to run from the
beginning to the end of the year must be well known to you all.
It is especially to save their lives, and not only theirs, but
the lives of all who travel on the sea, that this great national
institution has been founded. Strange to say that
notwithstanding the great improvements which have been effected
in navigation and in the different scientific inventions which
have been made, there is no doubt that an increase of shipwrecks
annually occurs.
"I may mention that it must have been of interest to those of
you who visited the Fisheries Exhibition last year to notice all
the models of boats, contrivances for fishing, and apparatus for
saving life which were there shown to you. It must be patent to
everybody that a society of this kind is an absolute necessity.
Look at what it has done. Since its foundation nearly 31,000
lives have been saved by its instrumentality. Already this year
up to now--the middle of March--300 lives have been saved, and
last year the total number was nearly 1000. The institution has
now 274 lifeboats, and no doubt you are fully aware, through the
medium of the Press, of the gallantry which has been displayed
by the coxswains and crews of those boats. This is so well known
to you, I am sure, that I need not engross your attention by
dwelling upon the topic. Of one thing, however, I must remind
you. I must impress upon your minds the fact that, although we
admit this to be a national and most important institution, it
is at the same time entirely supported by voluntary
contributions. Therefore I most urgently ask you to ponder well
over this fact, and impress upon you the great necessity which
exists for keeping it up and maintaining it in a state of
efficiency with adequate funds. A large annual income is, of
course, required for this purpose. To maintain a lifeboat
station in a good state £70 per annum is needed.
"Allusion has been made in the report to the fact that the
Princess of Wales has become a vice-patroness of this
institution, and I need hardly tell you that she shares with me
all the views that I hold in relation to it. It was a great
gratification to her quite recently to present medals to two of
the most deserving coxswains who had distinguished themselves
in saving lives. Upon the utility and merits of this
institution one might speak for hours, but our meeting to-day is
for business, and not merely for the purpose of delivering
addresses; so I will now call upon the Duke of Argyll to move
the first resolution."
Speeches having been made by the Duke of Argyll, Admiral Sir H. Keppell,
Lord Charles Beresford, and the Lord Mayor (Fowler), and resolutions
passed, the Duke of Northumberland proposed a vote of thanks to the
Prince of Wales for presiding, who in responding said:--
"I assure you it has been a source of sincere gratification to
me to take the chair on this occasion. I assure you also that
nobody more cordially wishes this institution continued success
and prosperity than I do. It is a thoroughly national and useful
institution, and if it is only as ably managed and conducted in
the future as it has been in the past, I feel convinced it will
continue to flourish. I know how much we ought to feel grateful
to those who have undertaken the arduous duty of managing this
institution, for giving their valuable time and assistance, and
bow much our hearts ought always to go with those I brave and
gallant men who seek to rescue the lives of their
fellow-countrymen in all weathers, and in all times by day or
night."
THE HEALTH EXHIBITION.
_June 17th, 1884._
The lamented death of the Duke of Albany on the 28th of March,
1884, prevented the Prince of Wales from taking active part in the
preparations for the Health Exhibition of that summer. He had
before arranged, along with the Executive Council, of which the
Duke of Buckingham was Chairman, the general plan of the
Exhibition, in the designs of which Prince Leopold had taken deep
interest. On the 17th of June the Prince formally inaugurated
the work of the international juries, a necessary and important
part of the whole undertaking. It was the first occasion in
which His Royal Highness had taken part in public affairs since
the death of his brother. The meeting took place in the Albert
Hall, and a great assembly had gathered, including many distinguished
foreigners.
The Duke of Buckingham, on behalf of the Executive Council, expressed
the great gratification they felt at the appearance of His Royal
Highness among them, as to him was due the inception of the undertaking.
Sir James Paget, the Vice-Chairman of the Council, delivered an
elaborate and eloquent address on the purposes and the importance of the
Exhibition. He was followed by Sir Lyon Playfair. After these addresses
Lord Reay presented to His Royal Highness, the Foreign Commissioners,
and the Chairmen and Jurors for the different sections. The Prince then
said:--
"Your Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,--Owing to a very sad
cause I was unable to open the Health Exhibition. But I am
particularly glad to have had this opportunity of being present
to preside here to-day on the occasion of the assembling of the
international juries. It has given me great pleasure to have
made the personal acquaintance of all those distinguished
gentlemen who have come from the Continent, and who, no doubt at
considerable inconvenience to themselves, have so kindly
consented to come over here to decide on matters appertaining to
the Health Exhibition. It is particularly gratifying to me to
have been here to receive them, and I sincerely hope that their
labours will be crowned with success. That the Exhibition has up
to the present time been successful so far as numbers are
concerned we have evidence to show, but I hope at the same time
that for scientific and educational purposes the public at large
may derive even greater benefit from it than they can get by
merely coming here to enjoy the Exhibition as a place of
recreation.