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

This took place on Saturday, the 11th of April. On the same day the Royal visitors inspected the Artane Industrial School, with its workshops and farms, and its probationary institution for the very young, a truly beneficent work carried on by the Christian Brothers. The Artane institution is one of the best of its class. The Government contribute 5s. a week for each boy trained there, the rest of the cost being provided by charitable donations, and the profits of the workshops.

Having described the visit to the Royal University, that to Trinity College must not be omitted. The reception was one of most enthusiastic loyalty. In the hall a vast assembly awaited the entrance of their Royal Highnesses, consisting of the members of the Senate, Fellows, Professors, and invited visitors. An address was read by the Vice-Chancellor, in which reference was made to the former visit of the Prince, when his name was enrolled among those of adopted sons of the alma mater. The Prince made appropriate reply for himself and for the Princess, and at the close of his speech asked the Provost, Dr. Jellett, to grant the undergraduates a term. "I cannot," added the Prince, "ask for the degree examination, but perhaps you will grant the college examination." To the request so graciously made, the Provost said that the Board of Trinity College acceded. The cheers from the undergraduates as the Royal visitors passed into the hall had been enthusiastic, and were if possible more fervent as they left the College.

The last function performed by the Prince before leaving Dublin was presenting new colours to the Cornwall Regiment, then in garrison at Dublin. The ceremony took place in the Castle Gardens. The corps mustered 800 strong, under Colonel Stabb, the commanding officer. The Prince wore his Field Marshal's uniform, and his son that of the Norfolk Artillery Volunteers. The usual routine on such occasions was followed, after which the Prince addressed the regiment which had formed up close around the group of officers among whom he stood.

"Colonel Stabb, Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, – I consider it a high honour to be permitted to present new colours to such a distinguished regiment as that under your command – one which ever since it was raised in 1704 has had as brilliant a record of services in the field as any regiment in Her Majesty's service. You first served with the great Duke of Marlborough in Flanders, and then in America. Dettingen is the first name inscribed on your colours. In the great Peninsular War you especially distinguished yourselves, and suffered heavy losses at Corunna and Salamanca. At Quatre Bras and Waterloo you lost more than any other corps engaged, and the gallant Sir Thomas Picton was killed at the head of your regiment. Your next service was in India, where you took part in the Punjab campaign. Later, in 1857, you gallantly distinguished yourselves in the suppression of the Indian Mutiny, and gallantly held the Residency of Lucknow during its defence from June till November. You were on that occasion commanded by Brigadier-General Inglis, who for those services was created a Major-General and a Knight Commander of the Bath, while you received the honour of being made Light Infantry. You, Colonel Stabb, are, I believe, the only officer of the regiment present who served during the Mutiny. When some years ago I visited the remains of the Residency of Lucknow, my attention was especially called to the services of this regiment. On your return the Queen and my father inspected the regiment and personally thanked the officers, non-commissioned officers and men for their gallant conduct at Lucknow, and I feel doubly proud as their son to have the honour of presenting these new colours to you to-day. The latest records on your colours are Egypt and Tel-el-Kebir. A second battalion, at this moment serving in the Soudan, has recently been added to you, which, with the Royal Cornwall Rangers Militia, of which I am the honorary Colonel, and the two Volunteer battalions, make up the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. From the title I bear I am simply proud to be thus connected with this fine regiment. In confiding these colours to your care I feel that the honour of your Sovereign and your country will ever be before you as on former occasions, and that in the future, as in the past, the roll of honourable distinction of your colours will ever increase."

Colonel Stabb, in the name of all the officers and men of the regiment, thanked His Royal Highness for the great honour he had done them in presenting the colours, and said he could not do better than express a fervent hope, which he did with a great deal of confidence, that the regiment would as faithfully defend the new colours as they did their colours at Waterloo and Lucknow. He was sure the honour would be appreciated by the battalions of the regiment, and he tendered to His Royal Highness their grateful thanks.

On the afternoon of the 13th the Prince and Princess started from the Kingsbridge Station for Cork. At Mallow there were signs that the visit to the South might not be without unpleasant incidents. A loyal address was presented at the station, but Mr. O'Brien and other Home Rule leaders had brought a number of Nationalists with bands, to disturb the unanimity of welcome. The rioters had to be ejected by the Constabulary. At Cork there were similar attempts at hostile demonstration, but it was shown only by the lowest rabble, and at the instigation of the political agitators. The patriots of the present time are of immeasurably lower type than Daniel O'Connell, even when he was most zealous for Repeal of the Union. He was always loyal as well as patriotic, and however bitter in words, he was always a gentleman in his actions. Whatever may be the views as to politics, the men who could incite their followers to insult the Prince and Princess of Wales, whose hearts are full of sympathy and love for Ireland, are unworthy the name of Irishmen. At Cork, several of the Home Rule members urged the people to resent the visit of the Royal party as a degradation to their city. At Dundalk on the same day, Mr. Redmond, M.P., addressing a meeting of the National League, "expressed his joy at the difficulty of England with the Soudan and Afghanistan. He hoped that the Russian bear would soon stick his claw into the British lion. He was sorry that this Prince of Wales was not there to see what the real feeling of the Irish people was, instead of scampering about the country attended by military and police and bloody Earl Spencer."

In spite of a few jarring notes of this kind, the reception of the Prince and Princess in Ireland was worthy of the warm and hospitable character of the Irish Nation. Another proof was given that the disaffection is only temporary and partial, and due to the malignant influence of those who delude the ignorant with false representations. No one understands this better than the Prince of Wales, than whom the people of Ireland have no truer friend.

THE DARWIN MEMORIAL

June 9th, 1885

As one of the Trustees of the British Museum, the Prince of Wales was requested to represent them on the occasion of the unveiling of the statue of Charles Darwin, in the entrance-hall of the Museum of Natural History, now at South Kensington. The ceremony of unveiling was performed by Professor Huxley, whose address, after brief reference to the high claims of the author of 'The Origin of Species,' and other works of enduring fame, gave a statement as to the history of the memorial statue. Then addressing the Prince as representing the Trustees, he was requested to accept the statue from the Darwin Memorial Committee.

The Prince, in reply, said: —

"I consider it to be a high privilege to have been deputed by the unanimous wish of my colleagues, the Trustees of the British Museum, to accept, in their names, the gift which you have offered us on behalf of the Committee of the Darwin Memorial. The Committee and subscribers may rest assured that we have most willingly assigned this honourable place to the statue of the great Englishman who has exerted so vast an influence upon the progress of those branches of natural knowledge, the advancement of which is the object of the vast collection gathered here. It has given me much pleasure to learn that the memorial has received so much support in foreign countries, and it may be regarded as cosmopolitan rather than merely national; while the fact that persons of every condition of life have contributed to it affords remarkable evidence of the popular interest in the discussion of scientific problems. A memorial to which all nations and all classes of society have contributed cannot be more fitly lodged than in our Museum, which though national is open to all the world, and the resources of which are at the disposal of every student of Nature, whatever his condition or his country, who enters our doors."

THE BIRKBECK INSTITUTION

July 4th, 1885

This institution was founded in 1825, by Dr. Birkbeck, a zealous educationist of that time, for promoting learning, chiefly among the middle and working classes, by opening evening classes, and establishing lectures and other means of instruction. The old building having become insufficient in its accommodation, a new edifice was erected near Chancery Lane, of which the foundation stone was laid, in 1883, by the late Duke of Albany. To open this new building the Prince and Princess of Wales came, on the 4th of July, 1885.

A loyal address having been presented by Mr. Birkbeck, M.P., one of the trustees, the Prince thus replied: —

"I thank you for the loyal address which you have presented to me, and would express the heartfelt satisfaction which I experience in visiting an institution with which my lamented brother's name will ever be associated. You have referred to his touching words when laying the foundation stone of this building, and I am reminded that on that memorable occasion he stated that he had lent his aid to an enterprise on the accomplishment of which he would be able to look back with feelings of satisfaction and pride! It was not permitted to him to see this noble structure in its finished state, but I rejoice to know that prior to the great calamity which befell us he had received an intimation that the building was approaching completion.

"I observe with pleasure the names of the distinguished contributors to the building fund, and I rejoice that the Queen has shown her interest in an institution which met with the warm support of my revered father. Sixty years ago the Duke of Sussex performed the inaugural ceremony of your old building; and it speaks much for the vitality of your institution that after so lengthened a period a member of my family should be again invited to declare a building open so extensive as this one, the erection of which has been absolutely demanded by the expansion of your work. An institution in which provision is made for 6000 students, and to which both sexes are invited, must exert a very beneficial influence on the young men and women of the Metropolis, for whose mental advancement it has been erected. Many of the students in the old building have worthily distinguished themselves, and it behoves those who partake of the greater advantages of the new institution to emulate the noble examples which have been set by their predecessors.

"The movement initiated by Dr. George Birkbeck was a very remarkable one, and the foundation of the old institution was an event of historic importance. We are informed that this movement has spread not only throughout the Kingdom, but that its ramifications have extended to different parts of the world, and the presence to-day of representatives of our Colonies is to me one of the most interesting features of the proceedings. The success of Dr. Birkbeck's work is to be traced in the fact that, in the words of Professor Tyndall, 'it responded at the proper time to a national need, and to a need of human nature.'

"This institution has anticipated some of the beneficent movements of the age, and by its technical instruction, and the admission of both sexes to its advantages, has exerted a very powerful influence for good. With a vitality so potent we may look forward to the time when even this extensive building will be insufficient for your needs. It is a subject for congratulation that the institutions which by the establishment of the Birkbeck Institution have been called into existence are being so wisely adapted to the requirements of the age, and are exerting by their development such a beneficent influence among the people at large. I desire to thank you most heartily for the kind welcome you have given us here this afternoon, and I earnestly hope that this great institution will continue to flourish, and that we may hear from time to time of its increasing prosperity.

"This building, which will be regarded as a memorial of my dear brother's devotion to the great cause of education, I have now the gratification to declare open, and, in his words, 'to dedicate it to those noble uses which it is intended to serve.'"

The thanks of the audience to the Prince were proposed by the Lord Mayor, and seconded by Sir Charles Tupper, High Commissioner for Canada.

RAILWAY GUARDS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY

July 5th, 1884

At the ninth triennial festival of the Railway Guards' Universal Friendly Society, held at Willis's Rooms, July 5th, 1884, the Prince of Wales presided. A large number of directors and leading men connected with the railway companies were among the company. In giving or responding to the usual loyal toasts, His Royal Highness, in a very grateful and gracious way, took the opportunity of expressing his warm sense of the uniform attention shown to the Queen, and also to himself and the Princess of Wales, during their very frequent journeys, by the directors and all the officials and servants of the various railway companies. Everything was done for their safety and comfort, and he wished thus publicly to acknowledge his appreciation of what was done.

In giving the toast of the evening, "Prosperity to the Railway Guards' Universal Friendly Society," the Prince said: —

"We are to-day celebrating the ninth triennial festival of this Society, in aid of the 'Permanent Sick and Injured, and Widows and Orphans' Fund,' and I think all will agree with me that there is no charity which better deserves the attention and support of the public than this one. That it has already received such support is apparent to us from the length of time it has existed, but like all other great institutions of the kind in our country, the money which is required is, also, greatly in excess of that which is at their disposal to meet the actual necessities which arise.

"No public servants, I think, more deserve our sincere sympathy and support than the guards of our railway trains. It is obvious to all of us who have to travel constantly on railways how much our safety depends on their industry, their vigilance, their sobriety, and their discipline; and it is very gratifying to know that we may confidently rely on finding these qualities in them. Knowing what they have to go through, their exposure to all weathers and to risks of all kinds; remembering how much they have to be away from their homes and their families, it seems to me that we have hardly the right to expect to obtain from them their valuable services unless we in some measure mitigate their sufferings in sickness and from accident, and unless in case of death we do something for the maintenance of their widows and orphans. The Society was founded in June, 1849, and is one of the oldest societies in existence designed for the benefit of railway employés, and may be said to represent every line in the United Kingdom. It consists of forty-eight districts at the present time, situated at the principal railway stations throughout the country, from London to Inverness. In addition to the usual advantages offered by friendly societies – the ordinary sick and death benefits – this society possesses two special features adapted to the requirements of railway guards, who are exposed to very great risks from accidents. These objects are: 1st, a liberal provision for life for all those members who may become permanently disabled, either from injuries or constitutional causes; 2nd, annuities for the widows and orphans of deceased members. Other institutions, if they attempt to provide these exceptional benefits, only do so to a limited extent, and the members to whom they are granted are elected as vacancies occur; but the policy of this society has always been to provide these great blessings for all who are so unfortunate as to require them; and, notwithstanding that statistics show that guards run greater risks than other classes of railway servants, the contributions of the members themselves have been so largely supplemented by the generous support accorded by the public generally, that the society up to the present time has been able to carry out this fundamental principle."

The greater portion of the speech of His Royal Highness consisted of statistics of a most interesting kind, both as to the vast extent of railway travelling, the number of trains, of passengers, of railway employés, at that time numbering 357,650. All these statistics, as obtained from the returns of the Board of Trade, and also the number of persons killed or injured, especially those employed on the lines, were presented with admirable clearness to the audience, and were heard with great interest; but the statistics are not the same now, and are therefore not here given. The Prince concluded with an earnest appeal for help to the institution for which he pleaded. The appeal was liberally responded to, the subscriptions amounting to £3383, including a hundred guineas from the Royal Chairman, which has been his generous custom at the close of most of the charitable meetings for objects which have had the advantage of his support and advocacy.

It ought to be added that the Prince had already presided at a festival of the "Railway Benevolent Association," where he spoke with equal warmth and sympathy for all classes of railway servants. There are now other institutions with similar objects, partly provident and partly benevolent, and it is an excellent kind of charity. The directors of companies do their part, and, where there is any just cause, can be made to do more, under the Employers' Liability Act. For unavoidable accidents the men themselves contribute their money, on the principle of mutual insurance, but there is need also for more of the benevolent gifts of those who travel by rail.

CONVALESCENT HOME AT SWANLEY

July 13th, 1885

On the 8th of July, 1872, the Prince of Wales, as President of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, formally opened a new Convalescent Home, in connection with that Hospital. This was an institution much needed at the time, and its advantages had long been urged on the Governors by Mr. Foster White, the Treasurer. At several existing Homes, such as at Walton-on-Thames, and Bognor, patients from St. Bartholomew's had been received, but it was desirable to have an establishment of its own, and conducted by its own officers. The carrying out of this scheme would require large expenditure, and a suitable building could not be provided for a considerable time. A temporary home was obtained at Highgate, through the generous munificence of Sir Sydney Waterlow, one of the Governors of the Hospital. He presented as a free gift the lease, for several years, of Lauderdale House, a mansion with many historical associations, somewhat old, but with every convenience for use as a temporary home for convalescent patients, and so it continued for thirteen years. On the 13th of July, 1885, the Prince, accompanied by the Princess of Wales, and the Princesses Louise, Victoria, and Maude, visited Swanley, in Kent, to open the permanent Home, erected through the generosity of Mr. Charles T. Kettlewell, one of the Governors of the Hospital. It is a spacious building, with accommodation for forty-five male and twenty-five female patients, standing in the middle of beautiful grounds, comprising an area of fifteen acres.

Their Royal Highnesses having taken their places on the daïs at the end 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."