of a tent, Sir Sydney Waterlow, who had for several years given the use
of Lauderdale House at Highgate, read an address, which gave a summary
of the facts relating to the new institution. Besides the gift of
£15,000 by Mr. Kettlewell for the building, an anonymous donor, a
governor of the Hospital, contributed £500 for the site; Mr. Homan,
another governor, and Mrs. Homan had built a chapel and provided its
furniture and communion plate; and Sir James Tyler had given an organ to
the chapel, and built the lodge at the entrance of the grounds.
Sir Sydney having finished his address, the Prince of Wales said:--
"Sir Sydney Waterlow, Ladies, and Gentlemen,--You have given us
a most interesting account of the history of the institution you
wish me to open. I can only say on behalf of the Princess of
Wales and myself that we are extremely happy to have an
opportunity of assisting at the inauguration of an institution
such as this, where the patients ought to feel very grateful for
the manner in which every plan for their comfort has been
carried out through the munificence of Mr. Kettlewell. Nothing
can be of greater importance than that convalescent homes such
as this should exist, especially in connection with large
hospitals such as St. Bartholomew's. The spot now chosen, with
its healthy aspect and beautiful scenery, will, I am sure, meet
all requirements. It affords me great pleasure to be here
to-day, and I feel proud to be the president of such an
institution as St. Bartholomew's, and to be able to assist Sir
Sydney Waterlow, who takes such interest in, and devotes so much
of his time and energies to, the prosperity of the hospital. I
have great satisfaction in declaring the home to be now open."
The ceremony over, the Rev. S. Kettlewell, who had offered the
dedicatory prayer, and his son, Mr. C. T. Kettlewell, donor of the
building, were presented to the Prince of Wales by Sir Sydney Waterlow.
Before leaving, the Royal party visited the home, and also inspected the
adjacent laundry buildings which have been erected for use as a washing
establishment for St. Bartholomew's Hospital.
THE YORKSHIRE COLLEGE AT LEEDS.
_July 15th, 1885._
The Yorkshire College at Leeds is one of the most important and useful
of the educational institutions that have in recent times been
established. Commencing in 1874 on a comparatively small scale, it has
gradually grown to be a great school, not for technical and scientific
training only, but for all departments of study. The staff of the
College includes professors of mathematics, physics, chemistry,
engineering, and various branches of industrial teaching; and also of
classics, history, and modern literature, and languages. The celebrated
Leeds School of Medicine has been affiliated to the College. For special
departments of practical instruction provision has been made, the
Clothworkers' Company of London undertaking to support that which
pertains to textile industries, and the Drapers' Company that of
colliery management and mining engineering. Workshops, laboratories,
lecture rooms, and other premises, are connected with the College, the
buildings of which were designed by Sir Alfred Waterhouse, and commenced
in 1877, when the foundation stone was laid by the Archbishop of York.
The friends of the College have contributed not less than £200,000 to
bring it to its present condition. To inaugurate this great institution
the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Leeds on the 15th of July,
1885.
On arriving at Leeds from Studley, the seat of Lord Ripon, their Royal
Highnesses were received by the Mayor and Corporation, and conducted to
the Town Hall, which was opened by the Queen and the Prince Consort in
1858. An address being read by the Town Clerk, the Prince replied:--
"Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,--I receive with the greatest pleasure
the address which you have just presented to me, and the
Princess of Wales joins me in thanking you most sincerely for
your kind words of welcome. Coming from the civic authorities of
one of our greatest industrial centres these expressions are a
proof, if any were required, that the population of this country
remains true in its appreciation of the value of our
time-honoured institutions, in devotion to the Queen, and in
attachment to the Royal Family. I rejoice to learn from your
address that the visits of the members of my family at various
times to this great city have been attended with beneficial
results, and have contributed in some degree to its welfare and
prosperity, and to the development of the many useful
institutions for which Leeds is so justly famous. Although it
has pleased the Almighty to remove some of my dearest and most
gifted relations from the scene of their labours, I can assure
you that their survivors will always be ready to encourage by
their presence and assistance the foundation and advancement of
such institutions as the one which we are brought together
to-day to inaugurate. It will be a source of sincere
gratification to me to convey to the Queen your expressions of
loyal devotion, and I can assure you that they will be highly
appreciated by Her Majesty."
An address from the Leeds Masonic lodges was also received and responded
to, after which their Royal Highnesses proceeded to the Yorkshire
College. Here they were received, in the Clothworkers' Court, by the
Marquis of Ripon, President of the College and Chairman of the Council,
Sir Edward Baines, Sir Andrew Fairbairn, Mr. Beckett Denison, and other
distinguished persons. Deputations of the London Companies, the Mayors
of several Yorkshire boroughs, and Yorkshire Members of Parliament; the
Principal and Professors of the College; and a numerous company had
assembled. Prayer was offered by the Archbishop of York; an address was
read by Professor Bodington, the Principal. Sir Edward Baines made a
statement as to the origin and growth of the College, in which he said
that he must mention a feature of the College which, so far as he knew,
was original and highly useful. Their professors had always been ready
to deliver popular scientific lectures on extremely moderate terms, and
those lectures had proved very attractive, but recently they had
undertaken, in addition, to give scientific instruction to the numerous
teachers of elementary schools on Saturdays and several evenings of the
week, and thus they not only conferred a boon on the teachers, but
qualified them to impart the elements of science to their scholars. A
double advantage was realized to several hundreds of teachers and to
thousands of scholars of elementary schools. The scholars were by these
means introduced to such a knowledge of the elements of science as would
qualify them to become useful members of mechanics' institutes, and
might in many cases implant a taste for higher attainments than had been
looked for either in the school or the institute.
The Prince of Wales replied as follows to the address read by the
Principal:--
"My Lords and Gentlemen,--We have received your addresses with
feelings of extreme gratification, and it affords us sincere
pleasure to be present here to-day, and to be able to take a
part in the inaugural ceremony in connection with this
important and useful institution. I have for a long time been
deeply impressed with the advisability of establishing in our
great centres of population colleges and schools, not only for
promoting the intellectual advancement of the people, but also,
as you have very justly observed, for increasing their
prosperity by furthering the application of scientific knowledge
to the industrial arts. I rejoice to hear that your laudable
endeavours have been duly appreciated, and have received liberal
support from various quarters, and I beg to offer my most hearty
congratulations to the great company of the Clothworkers of the
City of London for their judicious and liberal encouragement of
your College--an example which, I trust, will ere long find many
ready followers. We have inspected with considerable interest
the various lecture-rooms and laboratories over which you have
conducted us, and we have had much satisfaction in acceding to
your request to declare this valuable addition to the science
and art of the country open. I thank you, in conclusion, for
your expressions of loyalty and devotion to the Queen, which I
will not fail to communicate to Her Majesty. I declare the
Yorkshire College now open."
This concluded the proceedings in this part of the day's programme, and
the company then dispersed. The Royal visitors accepted an invitation
from the authorities of the College to luncheon in the Coliseum, which
is a newly-erected edifice affording much larger and better
accommodation than any other building in the town for great public
gatherings. Besides the invited guests, the two tiers of galleries were
overcrowded with spectators. The Marquis of Ripon, who presided, having
proposed the usual loyal toasts, the Prince replied as follows:--
"In the name of the Princess and in my own, I beg to tender to
you, Lord Ripon, our warmest thanks and acknowledgments for the
very kind terms in which you have proposed this toast, and to
you, ladies and gentlemen, for the way in which you have
received it. I am anxious to tender to the mayor, as the
representative of the citizens of this large and important town,
our thanks also for the magnificent and cordial reception we
have met with to-day, one which we are not likely to forget.
This is certainly not the first visit I have paid to Leeds, as I
did so some seventeen years ago, but the pleasure on this
occasion is enhanced in my eyes as the Princess has been able
to accompany me. The mayor also alluded to the fact that the
visit of the Queen and of my lamented father had not been
forgotten, and we were glad to visit that very Town Hall which
they opened some twenty-six or twenty-seven years ago. I
consider that the object of our visit here is connected in some
respects with the visit of the Queen and my lamented father, as
he alluded at that time to the great importance of scientific
and technical education, and of a great town like this if
possible taking up the matter. In opening to-day that important
and useful building, the Yorkshire College, I feel I may in some
way have followed in his footsteps, by having been the means of
promoting what is of the greatest importance to our country, and
what is also of the greatest importance to the success of our
great commercial enterprises--viz., technical and scientific
education.
"The building which we have visited to-day will always be in our
recollection one of great interest, and we feel sure that it is
likely to flourish and be of the greatest importance, and to set
an example to all the other great towns of the kingdom. The
rooms we visited, and all the arrangements for learning in a
scientific and technical manner not only the industries
themselves, but their scientific principles, cannot but be
productive of the greatest good not only now, but in years to
come. The College has received many great and munificent
donations, which will be read out later on, but I may mention
the names of Sir Andrew Fairbairn, the Duke of Devonshire, and
Lord Ripon, your President, as having contributed largely to the
funds of the institution. I must say also that those who are
interested in the College owe a deep debt of gratitude to the
Clothworkers' Company of the City of London, for the magnificent
donations which they have given are a proof of the importance of
this institution. They have also shown their interest in it, and
their belief that it is certain to be successful."
His Royal Highness then referred to the importance attached to
music in Yorkshire, and to the great interest he had taken in
the Royal College of Music. He remarked that he thought the
promotion of that art would materially benefit all classes in
this country. Towards that College he knew nearly £1000 was
collected in Leeds, but that unfortunately was insufficient to
endow a scholarship, but if the president and directors of the
Yorkshire College could see their way at some future time to add
music to the list of subjects taught he felt sure they would not
in years to come regret it, and that it would be of great
benefit to the people of Leeds.
Before proceeding with the toast he had the privilege to
propose, "Prosperity to the Yorkshire College," with which he
could not help feeling that he must associate the health of Lord
Ripon. He felt that they would wish him to say a word with
regard to its former president, one who was distinguished and
lovable in every sense of the word, and who was carried off by
the hand of the assassin in the midst of health and life. That
was indeed matter for thought and reflection, and he felt sure
that every Yorkshireman deeply regretted the death of Lord
Frederick Cavendish. In his successor, however, they had found
one who had occupied some of the most important offices which
could be held under the Crown, and who, having himself been
President of the Council on Education, was well fitted to hold
the high office which he now did. He therefore called on them to
drink with him, "Prosperity to the Yorkshire College," with
which he had the greatest pleasure in coupling the name of their
president, Lord Ripon.
The Chairman, in acknowledging the warmth with which the toast was
honoured, alluded with pride to the position the College had in ten
years won. He hoped they would place the crown upon their work by coming
into union with the Victoria University at Manchester.
THE GORDON BOYS' HOME.
_January 12th, 1886._
After the sad tidings of the death of General Gordon at Khartoum had
been confirmed, there was a universal desire to connect his name with
some national memorial. Tributes of honour were paid to him by the
leaders of both parties in Parliament, and a grant was voted for a
public monument, in the form of a statue, which is now seen in Trafalgar
Square. But a desire was felt for some other memorial, and after much
consideration the most suitable was thought to be an institution for
training boys of the class in whose welfare he took deep personal
interest. This was the origin of the Gordon Boys' Home, first located at
Fort Wallington, Fareham, and now having its permanent site at West End,
Chobham.
From the time of the first suggestion of a memorial the Prince of Wales
took the most active interest in the matter. He attended the early
meetings of the committee formed to carry out the proposal, and moved
the first resolution for a memorial at the Mansion House on May 30th,
1885. At that time the idea was to found a hospital at Port Said, but
this scheme was not carried out. There seemed to be difficulty in
agreeing about some fitter memorial, but the committee finally resolved
on the establishment of the Boys' Home, and the War Office granted the
use of Fort Wallington to commence the undertaking, for which the funds
had to be provided by public subscription. In support of this fund the
Prince of Wales summoned a meeting at Marlborough House on the 12th of
January, 1886. At this meeting he said that "having had the honour of
presiding at the meeting of the Gordon Memorial Committee in the summer
of 1885, he thought it desirable, at the beginning of another year, to
summon a meeting to hear what progress had been made." He told of the
appointment of Major-General Tyndall, C.B., as commandant, and of his
commencing the work with a few boys at Fort Wallington, the number
gradually rising to fifty. The Prince called on Lord Napier of Magdala
to say a few words in addition to the formal report which was read.
Lord Napier of Magdala, as Chairman of the Executive Committee, then
presented the report of the progress made in the establishment of the
Gordon Memorial Home. He said that on visiting the institution a few
days ago he found the boys on parade in a neat and appropriate uniform.
They looked clean, smart, and steady. The dormitories were like
soldiers' barrack-rooms, in perfect order. The lavatories gave every
facility for cleanliness. In the kitchen the boys all took a turn in
cooking. In the workshops the pupil teachers were undergoing instruction
in carpentry work. The school was well arranged and the teaching
effective. In short, the progress of the institution was remarkable,
considering the short time it had been established, and this was due to
the organization of General Higginson and the administration of General
Tyndall and his staff. Nor had the necessity for amusement been left
unprovided for. The work was done in the spirit of the great soldier and
Christian whom the institution commemorated, and the results were most
gratifying.
The Prince of Wales said:--
"I feel sure it must be gratifying to all of us to hear the
statements made by Lord Napier of Magdala of the satisfactory
manner in which the Gordon Boys' Home is progressing. I may
also say that all of us are indebted to the great energy which
Generals Higginson and Tyndall have displayed."
His Royal Highness then called on General Higginson, who pointed out the
special advantages to be obtained by the institution, where the training
would fit the boys for any calling which they might choose, if they do
not go into the army. He said that "this was a national memorial to a
great man. It would be more than pitiful if an institution like this
were allowed to languish or to be cramped in its development. That would
lead the world to believe that Gordon's memory was forgotten. The one
great object Gordon had was to help the distressed, and he could not
imagine that when it was known what work was being done the institution
would fail for want of funds."
The Duke of Cambridge made a very earnest and generous appeal, and ended
by telling the meeting that it was to the Prince of Wales that the
success of the movement would be mainly due. "Gentlemen," said the Duke,
"we have had great praise bestowed, and justly bestowed, upon my gallant
friend Field-Marshal Lord Napier of Magdala and upon General Higginson,
who have taken up this interesting charge; but allow me to remark that
there is nobody to whom we owe so much as His Royal Highness the Prince
of Wales. I do not wish to flatter him, but I must say that when the
Prince takes up a subject he always does so thoroughly and well. I do
not think there has ever been a subject which he has taken up more
feelingly and thoroughly than he has taken up this Gordon Memorial, and
having done honour to those who have assisted in the way they have, I
think we should do equal honour to His Royal Highness, and I therefore
beg to move a vote of thanks to him for the kind and gracious manner in
which he has taken up this subject and has presided at this and other
meetings."
The Prince of Wales said:--
"After the kind and flattering remarks which have fallen from my
illustrious relative I regret to be under the painful necessity
of calling him to order, but there is a motion which has not yet
been put to the meeting. At the same time I thank him beforehand
most sincerely for what he has been good enough to say. You all
know the very great interest I take in this important matter,
and I feel sure it is right we should bring before the public as
much as possible the name of that great and distinguished
officer and Englishman who is now no more. He is not forgotten,
but as months and years go by so many important events come
before the public that sometimes other matters naturally are
considered more prominent, and even a name like General Gordon's
might be forgotten for a time. I am inclined to think there is
nothing that could perpetuate his memory in a more satisfactory
form in regard to his own relations, and what they think he
would have wished, than this boys' home. I cannot help thinking
'The Gordon Boys' Home' will be ever associated with the name of
General Charles Gordon.
"To obtain money is always a difficulty. I do not doubt the
willingness of the public to give money, but their ability is
not always so great, and I have a suggestion to make to you
which may find favour in your eyes. If it is thought desirable
that we should have a public dinner, I should be happy to take
the chair. We could invite many to attend and give as much as
they were able, and I have great hopes that in that way, and
from speeches that may be made, the subject will be brought
still more prominently before the public, and that we may do
more good than by advertising." The resolution "That the
Institution cannot be developed without larger funds, and it is
resolved that further effort be made to obtain them," was then
put to the meeting by His Royal Highness and carried.
The Duke of Cambridge said: "Having made my speech, I will not repeat
it. I admit I was out of order, but I now beg to move a vote of thanks
to His Royal Highness for his kindness in presiding on this occasion."
The motion was seconded by the Duke of Norfolk.
The leading article in the _Times_ on the following day thus closed:
"There are few benevolent institutions which offer fairer promise of
good results than the Gordon Boys' Home. But the care with which it has
been organized and the special sphere which it seeks to fill enable us
to press with greater confidence its peculiar claim to the support of
the English public, founded upon the fact that it forms a national
monument to the memory of a great Englishman. The heroism of General
Gordon, his betrayal by those who utilized his rare personal qualities
in the hour of their need, and the tragic end of a life of simple
devotion to duty have been somewhat obscured by the ephemeral contests
of the passing hour. Looking back over the records of the last few
months, we are almost reduced to the sad and savage mood of
Hamlet--'then there's hope a great man's memory may outlive his life
half a year.' But the memory of Gordon's life and death will be a point
of light in the history of the Victorian age long after the strenuous
trifling of our politicians has sunk into forgetfulness. In honouring
this man of antique mould, this Englishman who in a somewhat tricky and
small-minded age 'could do and dared not lie,' we shall far more honour
ourselves; and in munificently endowing a work such as he loved to carry
out the nation will find itself twice blessed."
The London office of the Gordon Boys' Home is at 20, Cockspur Street,
within sight of the statue in Trafalgar Square.
OPENING OF THE MERSEY TUNNEL.
_January 20th, 1886._
For more than half a century, in fact ever since the opening of the
first English railway, it has been the dream of engineers to obtain
direct communication between Liverpool and Birkenhead, and the Welsh
lines. The ferry-boat traffic had been enormous and ever increasing, but
it little helped the transit of minerals and heavy goods. Even since the
construction of the great Runcorn bridge the land route had been found
long and troublesome. It was not till 1870 that parliamentary sanction
could be obtained to make a direct route by tunnelling under the Mersey,
but attempts to carry out the scheme were not then successful. At
length, towards the close of 1879, an arrangement was made with Major
Isaac, and from that time the work was unceasing, above 3000 men having
been constantly employed. In 1886 the work was completed. The importance
of the undertaking was recognized, and the Prince of Wales was invited
to open "The Mersey Tunnel." The Princess of Wales was unable to be
present, but on the 20th of January, 1886, the Prince, with his sons
Prince Albert Victor and Prince George, came from Eaton Hall, where they
were the guests of the Duke of Westminster.
On his arrival at Birkenhead the Prince was escorted to a daïs, and an
address was read by Mr. Knight, the secretary, on behalf of the
chairman. Mr. Cecil Raikes, M.P., and the directors, engineers,
contractors, and officers of "The Mersey Railway Company." In reply His
Royal Highness said:--