Speeches and Addresses of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales: 1863-1888 Part 39

Notwithstanding the numerous calls that are made on the time of His Royal Highness, to which he a.s.siduously responds, we learn through the Press of his occasionally visiting the studios of some of our leading artists, thus honouring and encouraging Art in the most gratifying manner. We have also to thank the Prince for the active a.s.sistance he gave us in promoting the success of the Landseer Exhibition. It was owing to his personal influence that we are enabled to thank his Majesty the King of the Belgians for two beautiful pictures sent from the royal collection at Brussels, and also his Serene Highness the Duke of Coburg, who sent from Coburg one work of great interest, and besides several other valuable pictures, one of Van Amburgh and the Lions, the property of his Grace the Duke of Wellington, a picture that possesses this special interest, that the subject was suggested and the picture commissioned by the Duke's ill.u.s.trious father. I am glad to be able to announce that the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Duke and d.u.c.h.ess of Edinburgh and the other members of the Royal Family, honoured the Exhibition with their presence on Thursday. I hope the Prince will forgive me for the liberty I take, if I venture to mention that we members of the Academy always witness with pleasure the honest and zealous way in which both the Prince and Princess go over the Exhibition, beginning catalogue with pencil in hand, at No. 1, and working steadily through all the galleries. It cannot but be gratifying, even to the humblest artist who is so fortunate as to obtain a place on these walls, to know that he has good reason to hope that his labours will not escape the observation of the Prince and Princess of Wales."

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who was received with much cheering, said:--

"Mr. President, your Royal Highness, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--I beg to thank you for the very kind manner in which you, Sir Francis, have proposed my health with that of the Princess of Wales and the other members of the Royal Family, and for the cordial way in which you, my lords and gentlemen, have been pleased to receive it. I can a.s.sure you, Sir Francis, and the members of the Royal Academy, that it affords me the greatest pleasure and satisfaction to have been able to accept your kind invitation. It is now two years since I had the opportunity of partaking of your hospitality, and you may be sure that whenever I am able to come to the Royal Academy it will always give me the greatest pleasure. Sir Francis Grant has been kind enough to allude to me with reference to the Exhibition at the Royal Academy of pictures by his late distinguished and never-to-be-surpa.s.sed colleague, Sir Edwin Landseer. I will only say that any efforts of mine--the efforts were but small, but such as they were, any efforts I could make--were most cheerfully devoted to give the country the opportunity of seeing those magnificent works, some of which, having for many years been in the possession of their proprietors, had not been placed before the eyes of the public. It gave me very great pleasure to help in any way such an exhibition. Thanks to the efforts of the President and the members of the Royal Academy, that exhibition was a great success, and afforded the utmost interest and pleasure to all who saw it. I feel a.s.sured that you must all deeply deplore the loss of that great man. Last year he was still living, though, alas! his health was such that it was impossible for him to come among his colleagues as he used to do. At any rate, he lived to render his name ill.u.s.trious, and we can never hope to see his fame excelled. Sir Francis, I hope you will allow me to congratulate you on this most excellent Exhibition. When we see these walls surrounded with pictures--when we look at the catalogue and see the names of yourself, of Messrs. Millais, Leighton, Prinsep, Watts, Ward, Frith, Graves, Calderon, Sant, Alma-Tadema, and many others I might mention, it is unnecessary to say that we have here a collection of pictures of the greatest artists which this country can produce. I am glad to take this opportunity of saying that I hope those gentlemen who have come to the Royal Academy on this occasion have not forgotten to look at one picture in the next room, which I think well deserves attention.

It is numbered 142 in the catalogue, and is ent.i.tled 'Calling the Roll after an Engagement in the Crimea.' This picture, painted by a young lady who, I am given to understand, is not yet twenty-three, is deserving of the highest admiration, and I am sure she has before her a great future as an artist. In the next room, the Lecture Room, is a statue of 'A Horse and his Master,' by Boehm, which I am confident all who take an interest in sculpture will agree with me is one of the finest pieces of sculpture of modern times. The name of the artist is so well known that it is superfluous for me to make any remarks upon it.

I only hope that at no very distant day he will have the privilege of writing R.A. after his name. My lords and gentlemen, I beg to thank you for the very kind way in which this toast has been proposed and accepted by this distinguished company."

The marked way in which the Prince called attention to the now celebrated picture of "The Roll Call" was a generous tribute to rising merit. The young artist thus signalised has more than fulfilled the antic.i.p.ations formed of her. The name of Elizabeth Thompson soon became distinguished in Art, and she continues to excel in depicting military scenes, now that her name, Lady Butler, is a.s.sociated with that of a most gallant and distinguished officer, Sir William Butler, K.C.B. The praise bestowed on "The Roll Call" by the Duke of Cambridge was equally hearty, and was a high compliment as coming from the head of the British Army.

_May, 1875._

The President, Sir Francis Grant, in proposing "The Health of the Queen," referred to Her Majesty's constant and cordial encouragement of Art. "In carrying out our Winter Exhibition of the Ancient Masters, Her Majesty has always given us her cordial support; and I hope I may be allowed to remind you that last year, when we held an exhibition exclusively of the works of the late Sir Edwin Landseer, the Queen was so kind as to contribute no fewer than sixty works by that eminent artist. For that and other gracious acts the Academy desire to record their grateful acknowledgments."

On giving the toast of "The Prince and Princess of Wales and the other members of the Royal Family," Sir Francis Grant said:--"I beg to a.s.sure His Royal Highness that the members of the Royal Academy are very sensible of the honour he confers on us by his presence on this as on many former occasions. They especially value the compliment as an additional proof of the interest His Royal Highness has at all times manifested in the promotion and encouragement of Art. I am glad to say the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Duke and d.u.c.h.ess of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family, honoured the Exhibition with their presence on Thursday, and after their usual careful examination of the works of Art were pleased to express their approbation. We cannot but be impressed by the cordial and zealous manner in which both the Princess and the Prince fulfil the many onerous duties which devolve on their exalted position. We can scarcely take up a newspaper without reading of their Royal Highnesses performing some public duty or lending their presence for the support of some charitable inst.i.tution, combining as they do this honourable desire to do good with the most gracious manner--a graciousness which, I venture to say, does not proceed from mere courtly education, but from the genuine impulses of good and n.o.ble natures."

The toast was drunk with all the honours, and His Royal Highness, who was received with much cheering, said:--

"My Lords and Gentlemen,--For the exceedingly kind manner in which my health and that of the Princess of Wales have been proposed by you, Sir Francis, and received by the company here present allow me to return my most sincere thanks. The President of the Royal Academy and the Royal Academicians may be a.s.sured that it affords us the greatest pleasure on all occasions to come to the Royal Academy, to attend their annual Exhibition. I am sure, Sir Francis, that you and your brother Academicians have no cause to complain of the Exhibition this year. I am certain that all who have any knowledge of Art will agree with me that this is a very fine Exhibition, in no way inferior to any of its predecessors. For myself, I will only say that it affords me the greatest gratification to be present on an occasion when one meets with the most distinguished men--men of the highest position and talent, surrounded by all that is most beautiful in Art. I beg to return my best acknowledgments for the kind manner in which you have received the health of the Princess of Wales, of myself, and of the other members of the Royal Family, and I sincerely hope, that on many future occasions I may have the happiness to be present at the annual gatherings of the Royal Academy."

In responding for the Army, the Duke of Cambridge referred with high praise to the picture of "The Last Muster," and also to that of the young lady who has again distinguished herself by a military picture, "The Square of the 28th Regiment at the Battle of Quatre Bras," and also the picture by a foreign artist in another room delineating an historic "Charge at Waterloo."

In speaking of the Navy, the President said that Mr. Bra.s.sey had presented to the nation the fine picture of the _Devastation_. "I believe," said Sir Francis, "this is the first representation of an ironclad that has found a place on these walls--a picture of the _Devastation_--of which the genius of the talented artist has made quite a picturesque object by concealing more than half the vessel in smoke, and adorning what remains with a variety of flags."

_1879._

After having missed the anniversary festival at Burlington House for four years, mainly on account of pressing work, partly in connection with Art, the Prince of Wales honoured the President and Council by his presence on the 3rd of May, 1879. There was the customary number of Royal and distinguished guests, but another President now filled the Chair, and other changes were witnessed among the Academicians.

Sir Frederick Leighton, in proposing "The Health of the Queen," said that, "as members of the Royal Academy, we acclaim in this toast the head and immediate patron of this inst.i.tution--a patron whose patronage has been for forty years not formal merely, but whose interest in its well-being has constantly shown and still shows itself in acts of gracious and enlightened generosity and high examples of support, a generosity and support the fruits of which were but a few weeks ago again magnificently evident on our walls. Deep grat.i.tude, therefore, mingles with loyalty in the toast which I have now the honour to propose--'The Health of Her Majesty the Queen.'"

The President said of the Prince of Wales, that "his absence for a time had not been caused by any diminution of the interest which he has ever evinced in this Academy and in the arts which are its care, but, on the two last occasions at least, by the performance of self-imposed and onerous duties in which the furtherance of English Art had no small share. Those who had the honour to co-operate with His Royal Highness in the work to which I allude--and not a few are seated at this table--know by experience with what steadfast zeal and devotion and with what inexhaustible kindness in his dealings with all he carried it out; but no one, perhaps, so well as myself knows how desirous the Prince of Wales has been throughout that English Art should receive at the International Exhibition that recognition and honour which in his view it deserved, and which in the event was measured out to it by the opinion of Europe." The Princess of Wales, as all knew, co-operated with never-failing grace with the Prince in fulfilling the duties of their high station. As to the other members of the Royal Family, "all had grown up in the love of arts, and several of them practise one or other of those arts with enthusiasm and with marked success. I give 'The Prince and Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family.'"

The Prince, in responding, said:--

"Sir Frederick Leighton, your Royal Highnesses, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--I am very grateful for the excessively kind manner in which this toast has been proposed and received by this large and distinguished company. As the President, Sir Frederick Leighton, has said, it is four years since I last had the advantage of being present at your annual celebration. It was a matter of great regret to me that so long a time should elapse, but it has given me great pleasure to come here to-night and take part in your proceedings. During those four years events have occurred in the history of the Royal Academy which have awakened deep regret. The members of the Royal Academy--I may say all who sit at these tables--feel that they lost a friend in the death of Sir Francis Grant, who so long presided with so much geniality and kindness at these anniversaries. But of the Academy, as of Royalty, it may be said, '_Le Roi est mort! Vive le Roi!_' The President is dead; another President is elected.

Sir Frederick Leighton is an old friend of mine--a friend of upwards of twenty years' standing. I congratulate him most cordially and sincerely on the high office he now holds. I may also congratulate the Royal Academy on having such a man to preside over their meetings.

"I have to return my thanks, and those of my colleagues, to Sir F. Leighton for the able a.s.sistance he has rendered during the recent International Exhibition in Paris. Your President was unanimously elected chairman of the Section of Fine Arts, and he presided over a jury of at least forty members, and I think we have every reason to congratulate ourselves on the results.

"Let me now congratulate you, Sir Frederick, and the Royal Academy generally, on the magnificent Exhibition which we see before us this evening. I have not yet had sufficient time to enable me to speak to its merits, but I hope on some future occasion to have the opportunity of going over it more carefully. I thank you again for the kind way in which my health and that of the Princess of Wales have been proposed and for the very warm reception you have given me."

The Duke of Cambridge, in responding for the Army, referred to wars now being carried on in different parts of the world. He also spoke with praise of two pictures in this year's Exhibition by Miss Thompson. Mr.

W. H. Smith spoke for the Navy. Lord Beaconsfield responded for Her Majesty's Ministers, Mr. Froude for Literature, the Lord Chief Justice for the Guests, and the Lord Mayor for the Corporation of London. The Lord Chief Justice (Sir Alexander c.o.c.kburn) gave an eloquent description of the chief works of Sir Frederick Leighton, beginning with the "Procession of Cimabue," nearly a quarter of a century ago, from which men felt that "a new genius had arisen who was to add to the l.u.s.tre and renown of British Art." Sir Frederick Leighton, in his concluding speech, paid a generous tribute to the memory of Sir Francis Grant, and also of Mr. E. M. Ward, in whom the Academy had lost "one of the few artists who made the history of our country a constant subject for study."

_1880._

At the annual banquet in 1880, the President, Sir Frederick Leighton, paid to the Prince of Wales a handsome compliment when he said: "Sir, of the graces by which your Royal Highness has won and firmly retains the affectionate attachment of Englishmen, none has operated more strongly than the width of your sympathies; for there is no honourable sphere in which Englishmen move, no path of life in which they tread, wherein your Royal Highness has not, at some time, by graceful word or deed, evinced an enlightened interest." Coming from Sir Frederick Leighton, this was not the mere language of flattery.

In replying, the Prince, after expressing his sincerest thanks, said:--

"Year by year the members of my family and myself receive invitations to take part in the proceedings at this anniversary banquet. You can therefore well understand that I find some difficulty in replying to the toast. At the same time I can a.s.sure the President and the members of the Academy that, though year by year we visit these exhibitions and take part at these banquets, the interest we take in them does not in any way diminish. I may be allowed to congratulate him and his colleagues on the very great success of this Exhibition. I had the opportunity two or three days ago of going through these rooms, and, though I do not profess to be in any way an art critic, I am quite sure they have no reason to fear any criticism upon the works of art which adorn these walls.

"I have been charged by my brothers, who generally take part in this day's proceedings, to express their great regret that they have not been able to be present. My brother, the Duke of Edinburgh, has been for the last five or six weeks absent on duty in Ireland, where he is employed on an important and, I trust, useful mission, not only as Admiral Superintendent of the Naval Reserve, but in doing what he can to relieve the distress which exists in Ireland. He has lately had the opportunity of taking the supplies for distribution on the West Coast from that gallant s.h.i.+p the _Const.i.tution_, sent over by our American cousins, so n.o.bly and generously, to afford relief to their distressed brethren in Ireland. In a letter I received from him two days ago he says the distress still exists, and both food and clothing are much wanted; in many instances the corn is not yet sown. I will not touch more upon this topic, and I should not have mentioned it had I not been particularly requested to do so."

_1881._

At the banquet of 1881, the most notable incident was the special toast in honour of Sir Frederick Roberts. The President, Sir Frederick Leighton, said that "it was unusual at that table to single out a guest, however distinguished, when the profession to which he belongs has already been made the subject of a toast. But the brilliant achievements of Sir Frederick Roberts, especially the now famous march from Cabul to Candahar, had stirred all hearts." Sir Frederick, while grateful for the hearty welcome, spoke of the services of Sir Donald Stewart, and said that officers and men were all animated by one spirit--to do their duty, and to uphold the honour of their Queen and country.

Other events, that had occurred since their last a.s.sembly, were touched upon by the Prince of Wales, in responding to the toast with which his name is usually a.s.sociated at these banquets. He said:--

"It is always a great gratification to myself and any other members of our family who may be present to come to this annual gathering of the Royal Academy, and we greatly regret when any cause arises to prevent us being present. It is a matter of great interest not only to be surrounded by all that is finest in modern art, but also to meet so distinguished an a.s.sembly, although we who come year by year find that gaps are made which we must all deeply regret. One of the most recent of these has been occasioned by the death of the great statesman just taken from us, who but two years ago made in this room one of his most eloquent speeches, which must be in the memory of all who were then present, many of whom are here to-night. I will not allude to the late Earl of Beaconsfield further than to say how gratifying it is to see that fine portrait of him in the next room, executed by one of our first artists, Mr. Millais. I might also allude to the removal from among us of the late Lord Chief Justice of England, opposite to whom I had often the pleasure of sitting at this table. The Academy, I am sure, also deplores the loss of Mr. Elmore, and Mr. Knight, who was many years Secretary, and we must all sympathise with the Academy for the loss they have thus sustained.

"It is not for me on this occasion to offer any criticism on the pictures which adorn these walls. I have only had the opportunity of taking a very cursory glance at them, and even if I were able I should not indulge in any critical remarks. But I will say this--neither the President nor the members of the Academy have any reason to deprecate fair and just criticism.

One of the greatest pictures in the Exhibition is the portrait of the President, painted by himself. In this he has only followed the example of some of the great masters, who painted their own portraits. As there are so many more speeches to be made--some of the greatest possible interest--I will not weary you with more words. I will only again thank you, in my own name, in the name of the Princess, and of my brothers who are present, for your very kind reception."

The Duke of Cambridge said the Artists' Corps was one of the smartest and most efficient in the Volunteer Army, and he was glad of the opportunity of paying this tribute to them.

_1885._

At the banquet of 1885, the Prince of Wales was accompanied for the first time by Prince Albert Victor. In the speech in reply to the usual toast from the Chair, the Prince referred to his being accompanied by his son in a very different place from the Academy of Art.

"You, sir" (addressing the President), "have kindly alluded to our late visit to Ireland. I can only a.s.sure you that, if that visit was a labour at all, it was a labour of love. We had for a long time past looked forward to a fitting opportunity for once more visiting Ireland, and we were glad to avail ourselves of the opportunity recently afforded us. I was sure that on going there we should meet with a kind and hearty reception, and such was the case with very few exceptions. We received as kind and loyal a reception as it could be the good fortune of any one to meet with. You, sir, have touched upon a subject of interest to us. My son and I had the opportunity of visiting, although the time allowed us was too short to do all that we could have wished to do, those districts of the town of Dublin in which the houses, although they might have picturesqueness, were certainly not calculated to promote the happiness and welfare of their inhabitants. This reminds me that I have had the honour of serving for upwards of a year on the Commission which has for its object the improvement of the dwellings of the poorer cla.s.ses of this country. I will not antic.i.p.ate our first report, which will be shortly issued. I will only say before sitting down that not only has it been to me a sincere pleasure and satisfaction to have aided so important and valuable a work, but I have had the advantage of working with some of the most distinguished of my countrymen, some of whom are here to-night."

The Duke of Cambridge made touching reference to the death of General Gordon. "I feel that the remarks of the President call for a sympathetic sentiment on my part and that of the Army. The allusion to General Gordon is one that touches the heart of every English soldier, from myself down to the youngest soldier of us all. I can only deplore the fact that he is no longer among us, and that his brilliant career is now over."

_1888._

At the banquet of 1888, the President, Sir Frederick Leighton, after the toast of "The Queen," in proposing "The Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family," referred to this year being the "Silver Wedding," and also alluded to the anxiety then darkening the home of "the Princess Royal of England," the Empress of Germany.

The Prince, in reply, said:--

"Mr. President, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--This toast has been proposed in far too flattering terms, but the words which have fallen from Sir Frederick Leighton have not failed to touch me deeply, as they also will touch the Princess. I thank you, therefore, Mr. President, for the kind manner in which you have given the toast, and you, gentlemen, for the way in which you have received it. My coming here this evening marks, as it were, a double anniversary. This is not only the year of my silver wedding, which your President has kindly referred to, but it is now just a quarter of a century ago since I first had the pleasure and gratification of accepting the kind hospitality of this great Academy. There have, no doubt, been many changes during that interval in this body. Many ill.u.s.trious and distinguished members of the Academy have pa.s.sed away; but, while we cannot but regret them, we know that there has been no lack of others to fill their places. When one thinks of the old buildings in which we used to a.s.semble, which are now devoted to the purposes of the National Gallery, and when one sees this new edifice, which has existed now for nineteen years, and the beautiful objects that adorn its walls, one can form some idea of the great progress that has been made in art in this country.

It is a remarkable fact that, although many new galleries are constantly springing up, there appears to be no difficulty in adorning their walls and filling them with pictures and sculpture. In 1869, 3000 works of art were offered for acceptance by this Academy; but this year, I am told, no less than 9300 were sent in. Unfortunately, of that number upwards of 7000 had to be returned, because you have only room for 2000 odd. The responsibility which rests upon the President, and especially upon that most hard-working and perhaps I may say also best-abused body, the hanging committee, is very great, and their labours increase as years go on. They, of course, cannot give satisfaction to everybody; but those distinguished artists who must be disappointed at not seeing their works upon these walls may perhaps find some consolation in observing how very high is the general standard of excellence attained by their more fortunate brethren whose works have been accepted.

"Before sitting down I wish to acknowledge on behalf of my sister and her husband the kind sympathy which you, sir, have expressed to-night in such feeling words. I wish it were possible for me to give on this occasion greater hopes of the life of one so near and dear to me, of one of such value, not only to his own country, but, I maintain, to the world at large.

The recent news which we have received has been rather more favourable, and G.o.d grant that such news may continue. At any rate, as long as there is life there is hope. I thank you once more, Mr. President, for the cordial terms in which you have proposed my health and the kind way in which you have alluded to the members of my family."

The Duke of Cambridge, who has the pleasurable duty every year of responding to the toast of the Army, must naturally feel increasing difficulty in varying the subject of his discourses. He was, however, never more happy in his remarks than at the banquet of 1888. "Every year that I come here," said the Duke, "I feel more at home among you, and for this reason, because I believe that there is great sympathy between artists and military men. It has been said that the services seem to some extent out of place in a company composed of artists, because artists are concerned with art and science and peaceful pursuits; but I believe, on the other hand, that artists derive a great advantage from observing our profession, because it supplies them with many subjects which they love to portray. And the military sentiment among artists is by no means to be considered as effaced. When I see what a splendid corps of Volunteers the artists supply, I think I may claim them as one of the elements of strength which we should use should any emergency arise. G.o.d forbid that it should ever arise; but, if it should, may the services be in a condition to prevent danger from approaching this country." These last words form the burden of most of the wise and patriotic speeches which the Duke of Cambridge delivers at the Academy and elsewhere.

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