Speeches and Addresses of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales: 1863-1888 Part 21

The greatest event at Bombay was the reception of the Rulers and Chiefs of Western India, a scene of truly Oriental magnificence, the description of which forms one of the most brilliant chapters in Dr.

Russell's book. All the established forms of Indian ceremony were observed. The greatest rulers were saluted with the largest number of guns, the Maharajah of Mysore, for instance, having a salute of twenty-one guns, while others were fifteen-gun chiefs or eleven-gun rajahs, as the case might be, according to the population and wealth of the territories over which they ruled. Their dresses, and jewels, and retinues, and the modes of reception, as well as their personal characteristics, are all duly recorded. The Viceroy of India, Lord Northbrook, was with the Prince of Wales at one grand Durbar, and his position in regard to the Royal Envoy from the Queen, the arrangement of which had caused some difficulty in antic.i.p.ation, was gracefully managed by the Viceroy and the Prince themselves. The Bombay Durbar pa.s.sed off admirably. It was the Prince's birthday, the 9th of November, and no such scene as on that day can he expect again to witness. The "Carpet,"

which takes an important place in Oriental durbars, the nuzzars or gifts of homage, and other points of ceremonial, as well as the number of guns in the salute, had all been arranged by official notices to the political officers attached to the native courts. But the cordial bearing of the Prince, and his kindly words when he was told that any visitors knew the English tongue, gave more satisfaction than the formal ceremonials.

A State banquet was given by the Governor in honour of the Prince's birthday. In returning thanks for his health, proposed by the Governor, the Prince made a short but telling speech. He said:--

"It has long been my earnest wish--the dream of my life--to visit India; and now that my desire has been gratified, I can only say, Sir Philip Wodehouse, how much pleased I am to have spent my thirty-fourth birthday under your roof in Bombay. I shall remember with satisfaction the hospitable reception I have had from the Governor, and all here, as long as I live, and I believe that I may regard what I have experienced in Bombay as a guarantee of the future of my progress through this great Empire, which forms so important a part of the dominions of the Queen."

These last words were a true forecast of the Royal progress throughout India. What has been said of Bombay, must serve to give an idea of what everywhere had to be recorded. But we must refrain from further details of what occurred at other Presidencies, and only add that the crowning public event of the whole tour, the chief ceremony of the mission of the Prince, the holding the Chapter of the Order of the Star of India, came off, at Calcutta, on New Year's Day, 1876, with brilliant _eclat_.

This only may be said, that no more successful emba.s.sy than that undertaken by the Prince ever went forth from England. It may be added that the great ends accomplished by it cost to the British Exchequer less than 60,000; and this, although no expense was spared in carrying out the mission with due display and munificence. Nor ought it to be omitted that the Prince was most generous, as he is at home, in his gifts to useful and charitable inst.i.tutions, visited by him in the course of his journey. But we must leave the fascinating story of the Indian visit, to resume the record of the humbler, but not less honourable duties, undertaken by the Prince after his return to England.

LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ASYLUM.

_May 7th, 1877._

The "Licensed Victuallers," as might be expected from so numerous, wealthy, and ancient a Corporation, possess several charitable inst.i.tutions. They have a "Permanent Fund," founded as far back as 1794, and incorporated in 1836, which grants weekly allowances to about two hundred and sixty persons, at an annual outlay of 4770; grants 300 yearly for the maintenance of twelve children in the Society's School; and dispenses temporary relief amounting to 500. The School just named, founded in 1803, situated in Kennington Lane, Lambeth, wholly maintains and educates 200 children of deceased or distressed members of the Incorporated Society of Licensed Victuallers. Its income from all sources averages 6000. Besides these charitable operations, there is the Licensed Victuallers' Asylum, in the Old Kent Road, founded in 1827, and incorporated in 1836, for the reception and maintenance of decayed aged licensed victuallers, their wives or widows, and for granting weekly allowances of money to fifty candidates, while waiting for the more substantial benefits of the Society. The Asylum comprises 170 distinct houses, with a common library, a chapel and resident chaplain.

The property covers six acres of freehold land, and the annual expense is about 8500.

In support of this useful and well-managed Asylum, the Prince of Wales presided, at a special jubilee festival held on May the 7th, 1877. The Duke of Suss.e.x was its first patron in 1827, and he was succeeded by the Prince Consort, on whose death the Prince of Wales a.s.sumed the office. A large number of influential persons accepted the invitation to be present, including Earl Granville, several members of the House of Peers, many members of the House of Commons, and three Bishops, in all about 300 supporters of the inst.i.tution.

After grace by the Bishop of Winchester, in whose diocese the Asylum is 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 n.o.ble Lord said he considered it a fortunate circ.u.mstance 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 quant.i.ty, 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 a.s.sembled 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 G.o.dfrey, played "G.o.d Bless the Prince of Wales," after which the Prince rose and said:--

"My Lords and Gentlemen,--I am excessively grateful to the n.o.ble 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 n.o.ble 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 pet.i.tions 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 a.s.semblage 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 a.s.sembly, 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 inst.i.tution. 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 Suss.e.x, 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 circ.u.mstances, in succession to my father. I had great satisfaction also in a.s.sisting 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 inst.i.tution 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 a.s.sistance, &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 inst.i.tution. 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 Inst.i.tution 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. Ba.s.s, 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 Chancellors.h.i.+p 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 Chancellors.h.i.+p 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 a.s.surance 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 a.s.surance 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 a.s.surances 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 n.o.ble 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 ill.u.s.trious 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 Devons.h.i.+re, 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 a.s.sure you what pleasure it affords me to be present on this occasion for the purpose of unveiling the statue of my ill.u.s.trious 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 a.s.sembly, 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 pa.s.sed 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 _levee_, which was very numerously attended. After the _levee_ 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 causa_ 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."