the Princess of Wales and myself, for your address, and I can
assure you that we heartily rejoice that an opportunity has been
afforded us of again visiting this important district of the
Metropolis. We thoroughly appreciate the endeavour of the
trustees to promote a scheme which, from the comprehensiveness
and liberality of its scope, should not fail to prove
advantageous to the population of the near neighbourhood in
which the Palace is to be erected, and to the inhabitants of the
Metropolis at large. We do not doubt that the opportunities for
healthy recreation so essential in a population that is
comprised mainly of artisans and mechanics and their families
will be promptly and properly appreciated by those for whom the
People's Palace had been provided. The facilities which will be
afforded for continuous education of all kinds will, we are
convinced, materially tend to still further develop and perfect
the various handicrafts of this neighbourhood, and should
therefore prove of the greatest importance, not only to the
inhabitants of East London, but to the nation at large, and
should enable Englishmen to continue to maintain in the future,
as they have in the past, that supremacy in the arts of peace at
home which, among civilized nations, must be the invariable and
necessary accompaniment of power and prosperity abroad. We
congratulate the trustees upon the success which has already
attended their efforts in having secured £75,000 of the £100,000
required, and we sincerely trust that the munificent donations
of the Drapers' Company, Mr. Dyer Edwardes, Lord Rosebery, and
the Duke of Westminster will influence others to follow so
excellent an example. The 'Queen's Hall,' of which I am about to
lay the first stone, will, I understand from the architect, Mr.
Robson, be capable of accommodating more than 3000 persons, and
will be so constructed as to serve the purpose of a winter
garden, affording a resort for social intercourse and
entertainment at a period of the year when the summer garden
will not be available. We humbly join in the prayer of the
Archbishop of Canterbury that God's blessing may rest upon this
great work, and that, in the years to come, benefits both
material and moral will result to the thousands who, we trust,
will not fail to avail themselves of the facilities which the
scheme will afford."
The stone was then laid with the usual ceremonies, the Prince's
declaration that it was "well and truly" laid being received with
general cheers. The proceedings were concluded with the benediction,
pronounced by the Archbishop.
* * * * *
Long before the time of the People's Palace, visits to the East of
London had not unfrequently been made by members of the Royal Family. On
the 24th of June, 1880, the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by
their sons, Prince Albert Victor and Prince George, went to open a
Recreation Ground in Whitechapel, for the benefit of the people of that
parish, and of Bethnal Green, Spitalfields, and other adjacent
districts. The ground, above an acre in extent, had formerly been a
burial-ground of the Society of Friends, some of the members of which
had contributed towards its being laid out as a pleasure-garden. The
Rev. J. F. Kitto and the Rev. S. A. Barnett, whose names have long been
associated with good deeds in East London, hoped that the presence of
the Prince and Princess of Wales that day would give new impetus to the
movement for obtaining open spaces in crowded parts of the Metropolis.
The Prince expressed his gratification at being present, and said he was
desired by the Princess to say that she declared the Recreation Ground
now open.
SALE OF SHORTHORNS AND SOUTHDOWNS AT SANDRINGHAM.
_July 15th, 1886._
To be "President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England" is an
honour which the Prince of Wales gained not merely from his high
position, but from his genuine love and practical knowledge of
agriculture. Old King George III. was proud to be known as "Farmer
George," but his great-grandson, the "Norfolk farmer," knows vastly more
about the subject, and turns his knowledge to more profitable account.
This was shown at the great sale of Shorthorn cattle and Southdown sheep
which the Prince held at Sandringham, at the time of the Royal
Agricultural Show at Norwich, in July 1886.
The idea of holding the sale at that time was a fortunate one, for the
Show had brought to Norwich breeders of stock from every part of the
kingdom, and some from foreign countries. Many of the leading members of
the Royal Agricultural Society were the guests of the Prince at
Sandringham during the week of the Show. Special trains were run to
Wolferton Station from Norwich, so that there had never been seen such
crowds at Sandringham, as on Thursday, the 15th of July, the day of the
sale. Ample provision had been made for their reception, a large marquee
capable of seating 1500 persons being erected in a field adjacent to
the homestead. Among those who sat down to the luncheon were almost all
the agricultural celebrities of England, and some of the most noted
breeders of cattle and sheep in France. The entrance of the Prince and
his family to the tent was received with immense enthusiasm.
After luncheon the Prince proposed the health of the Queen, which was
duly honoured, and then the Duke of Richmond and Gordon gave the toast
of "The Prince and Princess of Wales." He said that two days before it
had fallen to his lot to move a vote of thanks to the Prince in his
capacity as President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England,
which might be deemed the Royal Academy of farming. Now he had to speak
of him in his capacity of a Norfolk farmer. Amid much cheering, the Duke
went on to say that it would be well for Norfolk farmers if all of them
had such a wife as it was the good fortune of the Prince to possess, and
that the high qualities of the Princess had endeared her not less to the
people of Norfolk than to the other inhabitants of her future realm. In
speaking of the sale itself, the Duke said that the quality of the
stock, all of which he had personally examined, was remarkably level and
good, and that the Prince was conferring a distinct benefit upon the
agricultural community in the eastern counties by giving them an
opportunity of obtaining such grand strains of blood as were to be found
in the Sandringham Shorthorns and Southdowns. It is needless to add that
this toast was received with the most enthusiastic cheering, and the
plaudits were so sustained that the Prince had to wait some time before
beginning his reply. He said:--
"Your Grace, my Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen,--The kind way in
which this toast has been proposed by the Duke of Richmond and
Gordon and received by you all cannot but give the greatest
possible pleasure both to the Princess and myself. We derive the
most genuine satisfaction at seeing so many of the inhabitants
of Norfolk here in our country home, for I can assure you that
we take the deepest interest in all that concerns the welfare of
this county. This has been a week of great agricultural interest
for the county of Norfolk, and we have among us many men eminent
as breeders and farmers from other parts of the kingdom, and to
them also I extend a cordial welcome. As we have a busy
afternoon before us, I will not detain you long, but before
sitting down I should like to say a few words with respect to
the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, which has urgent
need of support, as, owing to the recent depression in
agriculture, the demands upon it have been so heavy that it is
unable to do as much as it could a few years ago. In conclusion,
let me bid you heartily welcome to Sandringham, and ask you to
bid well at the sale."
This genial speech was received with applause, and its closing words
with cheerful laughter. The Duke of Manchester next proposed the health
of Mr. John Thornton, the auctioneer, who may be regarded as the
Tattersall of the Shorthorn world, and who, in responding, said that he
was more anxious to hear others than others would be to hear him. The
company then broke up, the Prince and Princess of Wales leading the way
to the sale-ring, which had been pitched close to the homestead, with
three covered stands for the Royal party, the auctioneer and his chief
customers, and for the county people, who mustered in great force.
The auctioneer gave much interesting information as to the establishment
of the herd of Shorthorns and the flock of Southdowns at Sandringham.
Since the herd of Shorthorns was formed the Prince of Wales has been in
the habit of exhibiting at the Royal and other shows held within easy
reach of home, and the animals selected for exhibition, but not forced
into extreme condition, as is so often done, have been very successful,
for they have taken sixteen first prizes, twelve seconds, four thirds,
and four special prizes, while it is interesting to note that at the
Royal Agricultural Show at York three years ago the Prince obtained what
is generally regarded as the highest honour of the showyard--viz., the
prize for a family group consisting of mother and several daughters.
The Prince has been not less conspicuously successful with his Southdown
sheep, as this flock, first formed in 1886 by the selection of sheep
from the flocks of the Duke of Richmond at Goodwood, Lord Walsingham at
Merton, Mr. Webb at Babraham, and Mr. Gorringe at Kingston, has won
sixty-eight first and sixty-two second prizes, to say nothing of minor
distinctions, bringing the total of prizes up to 183, while at the
Smithfield Show last winter three Southdowns from Sandringham won the
£50 champion cup and the gold medal as the best pen of sheep in the
hall. These facts being well known to all those who attended the sale,
while they had the further assurance that all the lots offered would be
sold without any of those reservations which mar so many auctions, the
bidding was very brisk; but in spite of this the number of lots was so
great that the sale, commencing at two o'clock, lasted until nearly six.
The detail of the sale only concern those who have to do with buying or
breeding: and the records of the pedigree stock, and the prices
obtained, and other particulars, will be found in the reports of the
meeting. To the general reader of this book the whole proceedings are
full of interest, as being a scene of genuine English country life, and
the Prince of Wales was thoroughly in his element as the centre of the
grand agricultural assemblage. How Washington Irving would have rejoiced
to be there, and what a description he would have given of the scene!
SION COLLEGE.
_December 15th, 1886._
Sion College was founded by the Rev. Dr. White, Vicar of St. Dunstan's
in the West, in the time of Charles I. He held several other
preferments, but we forgive him for being a notable pluralist because he
made such good use of his money. By his will he left £3000 for the
purchase of a site in the City of London, for erecting a hospital,
consisting of twenty almshouses, and a college, which he endowed, with
an annual revenue, not large, but sufficient in those times. Dr. White's
intention was to enable the clergy of the City of London, and the
incumbents of outlying parishes, to obtain corporate existence, like
other crafts and professions, and so be legally qualified to hold and to
administer property. This was well carried out by the Rev. Dr. Simpson,
Rector of St. Olave's, Hart Street, one of the executors, who gave
special attention to the library, now so important a feature of the
College.
The College was established by Charter in 1630, and confirmed in 1664 by
Charles II. The site selected was that of the Priory of Elsing Spital,
London Wall, where a spacious building was afterwards erected, and
continued in use till our own day. The library gradually became an
important one, especially after 1710, when the Government conferred upon
it the privilege of being one of the libraries entitled to receive
copies of all books entered at Stationers' Hall. In 1843 this privilege
was commuted for an annual grant, which barely sufficed for the
maintenance of the library and other expenses. At length it was
determined to sell the site in London Wall, the value of which was great
for business purposes, and to remove to a better site, on which more
commodious buildings might be erected. By Acts of Parliament authority
was obtained to sell the old site, which realized thirty-three times the
amount given for it in 1627. Another Act of Parliament authorized the
purchase of a site on the Thames Embankment, the freehold of which cost
£31,625, and on this, at a cost of £25,000, the present magnificent
building, designed by Mr. A. W. Blomfield, was erected. To open this new
Sion College, the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Princess of Wales,
went to the City on the 15th of December, 1886.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, and several Bishops, the Lord Mayor and
Sheriffs of London, the Lord Chancellor, and many distinguished persons
were present, and a numerous body of the Clergy. The President of the
College (who is elected annually by the Fellows), the Rev. Richard
Whittington, a name of good omen, read an address, the Archbishop having
previously conducted a short religious service. To the address the
Prince replied:--
"Mr. President and Gentlemen,--I thank you for your address, and
for the kind terms in which you allude to the Princess of Wales
and my children. I experience the greatest satisfaction at being
present on this interesting occasion, when your ancient
corporation may be said to take a new departure. I are gratified
to learn that the words of advice which I uttered two or three
years ago have borne good fruit and have helped on the removal
of your College from the comparative obscurity of London Wall to
this central and eligible spot. I congratulate you on the
completion without any serious drawback of a work which from its
nature could not but be surrounded by many administrative and
financial difficulties, only to be overcome by much tenacity of
purpose, energy, and hard work. Many of you will probably look
back with some feeling of lingering regret upon a spot hallowed
by the memories of two centuries and a half, and by the
recollection that in the same place, for many years before Sion
College existed, the Augustinian canons devoted themselves to
the alleviation of suffering, and providing a refuge for the
homeless and the outcast. Yet, if Sion College was to continue
its work in the future as it has carried it on in the past, such
a change as I inaugurate to-day was essential. On this site and
with this building, upon the beauty and convenience of which
your architect may well come in for his share of congratulation
and praise, Sion College may become more than ever a centre
where the London clergy may meet together to exchange
experiences and learn by personal intercourse how substantial is
the tie which results from devotion to one high purpose. Of your
library I need say little. The high place which it occupies
among similar institutions is well known, and the extent and
excellence of its contents are universally acknowledged. I have
to congratulate the clergy of London upon having at their
command such a varied collection of the best literature of all
ages to stimulate their studies and enrich their minds. I will
only add an expression of my satisfaction at learning that
those poor persons for whose temporal wants your benevolent
founder, Dr. Thomas White, made provision have reason to claim a
full share in the gratification which attends the proceedings
to-day."
The Lord Mayor said it was a great privilege for him to be called on, as
Lord Mayor, to say a few words on that most interesting occasion. He
congratulated the President and Fellows that Sion College was rebuilt
under such favourable auspices and so happily placed between those
seminaries of the law, the ancient and honourable societies of the
Temple, of which His Royal Highness was so distinguished a member, and
the more modern institution, on which he thought the Corporation might
justly pride itself, the City of London School for the classical and
commercial training of our younger citizens, which His Royal Highness
graciously inaugurated just four years ago.
The Lord Chancellor said there were no words of his which would
adequately express the gratitude and affection which all those present
felt towards His Royal Highness and the Princess. This was only one of a
series of acts by which their Royal Highnesses had exhibited their
sympathy with the people, and there was nothing good, high, and noble
that was not from time to time graced by their presence.
The Prince of Wales then, amid loud cheers, declared the library to be
open.
The procession, having been re-formed, left the library and descended to
the hall, which was also filled with spectators. Here the President
pointed out the ancient panels, the pictures, including portrait of the
founder, and other treasures removed from the old building. The Prince
declared the Hall open, and their Royal Highnesses signed their names in
the Register of Benefactors.
It may be added that it was a hint from the Prince of Wales that
hastened the decision to remove from London Wall. He was viewing from
the roof of the old library the fire in Wood Street, Cheapside, when he
said to the Rev. W. H. Milman (the librarian, son of Dean Milman) that
he thought it was the duty of the Governors to remove their valuable
library to a safer locality.
COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION OF 1886.
On the 10th of November, 1884, the Queen issued a Royal Commission to
arrange for holding an Exhibition of the products, manufactures, and
arts of Her Majesty's Colonial and Indian Dominions, in the year 1886.
Of this Commission the Prince of Wales was President, and Sir Philip
Cunliffe-Owen Secretary. The first meeting took place at Marlborough
House on the 30th of March, 1885. In opening the proceedings His Royal
Highness said:--
"In addressing you for the first time, I would remind you that
the objects for which Her Majesty has been pleased to appoint
this Commission are, briefly, to organise and carry out an
Exhibition by which the reproductive resources of our Colonies
and of the Indian Empire may be brought before the people of
Great Britain, and by which also the distant portions of Her
Majesty's Dominions may be enabled to compare the advance made
by each other in trade, manufactures, and general material
progress.
"This project, to the realisation of which I have looked forward
for some years, is essentially one of a National and Imperial
character, differing in this respect front former Exhibitions,
in which the elements of trade rivalry and profit largely
existed.
"No such opportunity of becoming practically acquainted with the
economic condition of our Colonies and the Indian Empire has
ever been afforded in this country. The attractive display in
the Indian and Colonial Courts at the Paris Exhibition of 1878
could only be witnessed by a comparatively small number of the
population of these Islands, millions of whom may be expected to
view and profit by the evidence which the Exhibition of 1886
will afford of the marvellous progress made by their
fellow-countrymen beyond the seas.
"I also trust that this gathering may serve even a higher
purpose, and be the means not only of giving a stimulus to
commercial interests and intercourse, but of strengthening that
Bond of Union between Her Majesty's subjects in all parts of the
Empire, the growth and manifestation of which are most sincerely
appreciated by us all.
"Whilst Her Majesty's Government have given their hearty
approval to the objects for which the Commission has been
appointed, they have not so far found it desirable to make any
definite grant towards it. The Commission have, therefore, to
rely entirely upon the public support of the great purposes
which the Exhibition is intended to promote; and on the
attractive form which it will be the endeavour of all concerned
to give to it.
"I cannot doubt but that, under such conditions, should no
untoward events occur, the project will be more than
self-sustaining.
"At the same time, it has been thought prudent not to dispense
with the usual provision of a Guarantee Fund, though I trust no
circumstances may arise rendering it necessary to make any call
on the guarantors. To this Fund the Indian and Colonial
Governments have made liberal contributions, amounting to
£51,000."
The Prince then gave detailed announcements of the responses made to
appeals addressed to corporations, firms, and individuals in Great
Britain, and in the Colonies and India. He also explained the
arrangements for administrative and financial affairs, and for the
reception of foreign representatives.
"In conclusion, let me express the hope that this great
undertaking, and the many occasions for friendly intercourse
with our fellow-subjects from India and the Colonies which it
will afford, may convey to them the assurance that, while we are
deeply moved by the spirit of patriotism they have lately shown
in desiring to bear their share in the graver trials of the
country, we on our part wish to participate in every effort to
further and develop their material interests--interests which we
feel to be inseparably bound up with the prosperity of the
Empire. We must remember that, as regards the Colonies, they are
the legitimate and natural homes, in future, of the more
adventurous and energetic portion of the population of these
Islands. Their progress, and their power of providing all that
makes life comfortable and attractive, cannot, therefore, but be
a matter of serious concern to us all. And, as regards India,
the increasing knowledge of that vast Empire and the rapid and
easy means of communication to all parts of it which now exist,
render its remarkable and varied products and its social and
political condition a source of yearly increasing interest and
importance to us.
"For the attainment of the purposes I have indicated, I am sure
I may rely on your friendly co-operation and assistance, in your
several localities, and within the sphere of your individual
influence. Although it has been impossible from the pressure of
their duties elsewhere for some members of the Commission to be
present at this meeting, I am gratified by the assurance from
them that we may none the less rely on their practical and
earnest assistance on every occasion in furthering the work
which has been entrusted to us, and achieving the important ends
which I trust may flow from its successful accomplishment."
_May 3rd, 1886._
A meeting of the Royal Commission was again held on the 3rd of May, in
the Durbar Hall of the Indian Palace, when the Prince of Wales, as the
Executive President, addressed the audience. He gave an interesting
report on all the chief matters that had engaged the attention of the
Royal Commissioners; and referred to the co-operation received from the
Colonies and India. He stated that the guarantee fund had reached the
amount of £218,430, of which the City of London had voted £10,000. A
vote of thanks was proposed by the Duke of Cambridge, seconded by Lord
Granville, to the Prince of Wales for the able and energetic manner in
which he acted on behalf of the Commission as their President. "It is
not the first time that His Royal Highness has acted as President in
undertakings of this nature, and it is very difficult for any individual
to praise him in his presence without appearing fulsome, but it is not
fulsome to say that he has always devoted his whole energies to bringing
everything to a successful issue with which he is connected."
The Prince, in his reply, said:--
He hoped that the Exhibition would be not only entertaining to
the eye, and that it will prove of material benefit to our own
countrymen, but that it will also tend to strengthen the bond of
brotherly love between ourselves and the rest of Her Majesty's
subjects.
_April 30th, 1887._
At the final meeting of the Royal Commission, held at Marlborough House
on the 30th of April, 1887, the minutes of the previous meeting, held on
the 3rd of May, 1886, having been read, the Prince of Wales addressed
the meeting:--
"Your Royal Highness, my Lords and Gentlemen,--I have asked you
to meet me to-day, in order that I might submit for your
approval a Report which I have drawn up upon the work of the
Royal Commission for the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, a
draft of which has already been forwarded to each of you for
consideration.