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Transcriber's Note:

In the original, the speeches of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales are set in a
larger type face. In this e-text the larger type sections are represented
by indentation. Corrections are listed at the end of the book.

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                SPEECHES AND ADDRESSES

                         OF

              H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES:

                     1863-1888.


            [Illustration: Albert Edward P.]




                SPEECHES AND ADDRESSES

                         OF

              H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES:

                     1863-1888.


                     EDITED BY

          JAMES MACAULAY, A.M., M.D. EDIN.,

    AUTHOR OF "VICTORIA R.I., HER LIFE AND REIGN."


                 _WITH A PORTRAIT._


                      LONDON:
           JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
                       1889.


                      LONDON:
    PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
         STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.


                  To the Memory of

                 HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS

         T H E  P R I N C E  C O N S O R T,

       THE "NOBLE FATHER OF OUR KINGS TO BE,"

              ALBERT THE WISE AND GOOD.




PREFACE.


The year 1888, that of the Silver Wedding of the Prince and Princess of
Wales, is also the 25th anniversary of the year when the Prince first
began to appear in public life. It is, therefore, a fit time to present
some record of events in which His Royal Highness has taken part, and of
services rendered by him to the nation, during the past quarter of a
century. The best and the least formal way of doing this seemed to be
the reproduction of his Speeches and Addresses, along with some account
of the occasions when they were delivered.

Some of these speeches, in more recent years, are known to all, and
their importance is universally recognised; such as those relating to
the various International Exhibitions, the foundation of the Royal
College of Music, and the establishment of the Imperial Institute. But
throughout the whole of the twenty-five years, there has been a
succession of speeches, on all manner of occasions, of many of which
there is no adequate record or remembrance. It is only due to the Prince
to recall the various services thus rendered by him, especially during
those earlier years when the loss of the Prince Consort was most deeply
felt, and when the Queen, whose Jubilee has been so splendidly
celebrated, was living in retirement. A new generation has come on the
stage since those days, and there are comparatively few who remember the
number and variety of occasions upon which Royalty was worthily
represented by the Prince of Wales, and the important and arduous duties
voluntarily and cheerfully undertaken by him.

Before carrying out this design, it was advisable to ascertain if there
might be any objection on the part of the Prince of Wales. There might,
for instance, be a purpose of official publication of these speeches. On
the matter being referred to the Prince, he not only made no objection,
but, in most kind and gracious terms, gave his sanction to the work, and
hoped it might be "useful to the various objects which he had publicly
advocated and supported."

The number and diversity of occasions on which the Prince has made these
public appearances will surprise those who have not personal
recollection of them. The speeches themselves will surprise no one. The
Prince has had education and culture such as few of any station obtain;
directed at first by such a father as the Prince Consort, and by tutors
who carried out the design of both his parents. Accomplished in Art, and
interested in Science, in Antiquities, and most branches of learning;
with some University training at Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh, and
with his mind enlarged by foreign travel, we might expect the fruits of
such training to appear in his public addresses. Add to this the
kindliness which comes from a good natural disposition, the sympathetic
influence of a genial manner, and the grace which is given by a training
from childhood in the highest station, and we can understand how the
speeches even of the earliest years were heard with pleasure and
approval. Some of the speeches are very brief, but are always to the
point, and present the gist of the subject in hand. It was Earl
Granville who once said, in proposing his health, that, "if the speeches
of His Royal Highness were usually short, they were always, to use a
homely expression, as full of meat as an egg." Even where there has been
no formal speech, we are interested in knowing what the Prince has done
as well as what he has said; and therefore some important occasions are
included when no speech was made.

It is the variety of subjects that will strike most readers. Let it be
noted, moreover, that the speeches now reproduced are only those
addressed to meetings where reporters for the press were present. There
have been innumerable meetings besides,--meetings of Commissions, of
Boards, of Councils, of Committees, at none of which has the Prince ever
been an inactive or silent member, but rather the guiding and moving
spirit. If the voluntary offices of His Royal Highness were printed at
length, they would far outnumber those mere honorary titles with which
the College of Arms concerns itself; and are such as imply thought and
work, in many useful and beneficent ways.

Long may His Royal Highness have the health and the will for such
offices and duties. If his future career is equal to the hopes and
promise of his early life, and the performances of the last twenty-five
years, he will leave a name illustrious and memorable in the history of
the British Empire.

       *       *       *       *       *

[***symbol] _The frontispiece portrait, under which the Prince of
Wales has been pleased to put his autograph, is etched by W. Strang,
from a recent photograph by Van der Weyde._




TABLE OF CONTENTS.


                                                              PAGE
  THE EARLY YEARS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES                         1

  AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY BANQUET OF 1863                          11
  FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON                                 12
  BRITISH ORPHAN ASYLUM                                         14
  AT MERCERS' HALL                                              16
  THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND DINNER                                17
  IRISH INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1865                        21
  INTERNATIONAL REFORMATORY EXHIBITION, HELD IN THE
      AGRICULTURAL HALL, ISLINGTON                              24
  THE SAILORS' HOME, LONDON DOCKS                               25
  ROYAL DRAMATIC COLLEGE                                        26
  FISHMONGERS' HALL DINNER                                      27
  SPEECH DAY AT WELLINGTON COLLEGE                              29
  INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS                                31
  THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY                         33
  FRIEND OF THE CLERGY CORPORATION                              36
  WAREHOUSEMEN AND CLERKS' SCHOOL                               38
  MERCHANT SEAMEN'S ORPHAN ASYLUM                               39
  ROYAL VISIT TO NORWICH IN 1866                                41
  ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION                          42
  SOCIETY OF ANCIENT BRITONS                                    44
  LONDON INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE                                  47
  THE VICEROY OF EGYPT, ISMAIL PASHA, AT THE MANSION HOUSE      49
  FESTIVAL OF ST. PATRICK                                       50
  DUBLIN AND CARNARVON                                          55
  SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF FOREIGNERS IN DISTRESS                  59
  ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S HOSPITAL                                    62
  LAYING FOUNDATION-STONE OF NEW BUILDINGS, GLASGOW UNIVERSITY  66
  FOREIGN TOUR, 1868-1869                                       67
  THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY                                69
  EARLSWOOD ASYLUM                                              71
  THE ALEXANDRA DOCK AT LYNN                                    73
  VISIT TO MANCHESTER                                           74
  THE PEABODY MEMORIAL, UNVEILING OF THE STATUE IN THE CITY OF
      LONDON                                                    78
  THE SCOTTISH HOSPITAL                                         81
  ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS                            85
  INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITION                          87
  ROYAL GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND                                 89
  ST. GEORGE'S HOSPITAL                                         93
  DULWICH COLLEGE                                               96
  SCHOOLS FOR THE CHILDREN OF SEAMEN                            98
  NEW GRAMMAR SCHOOL AT READING                                100
  ALBERT GOLD MEDAL TO M. DE LESSEPS                           103
  OPENING OF THE THAMES EMBANKMENT                             105
  WORKMEN'S INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION                           106
  THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL                                        107
  THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1871                         110
  ARTISTS' ORPHAN FUND                                         111
  ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS                          114
  EARLSWOOD ASYLUM FESTIVAL                                    116
  HOMES FOR LITTLE BOYS                                        118
  THE ROYAL CALEDONIAN ASYLUM                                  120
  DUBLIN AGRICULTURAL SHOW                                     122
  THE ILLNESS OF DECEMBER, 1871                                128
  NORFOLK AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY                                 132
  AT GREAT YARMOUTH                                            135
  THE SCHOOL DRILL REVIEW                                      138
  WEYMOUTH AND THE PORTLAND BREAKWATER                         139
  VISIT TO DERBY                                               140
  RAILWAY BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION                               142
  UNVEILING THE ALBERT STATUE ON HOLBORN VIADUCT               145
  THE BRITISH ORPHAN ASYLUM FESTIVAL                           146
  BANQUET TO SIR GARNET WOLSELEY                               148
  ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT COLLEGE                             150
  AT THE MIDDLE AND THE INNER TEMPLE                           152
  NEW GUILDHALL AND LAW COURTS, PLYMOUTH                       154
  VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM IN 1874                                  156
  THE ROYAL CAMBRIDGE ASYLUM                                   159
  AT MERCHANT TAYLORS' SCHOOL                                  163
  THE GERMAN HOSPITAL                                          165
  INSTALLATION AS GRAND MASTER OF ENGLISH FREEMASONS           169
  ROYAL AGRICULTURAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION                    175
  THE INDIAN EMBASSY, 1875-76                                  180
  LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ASYLUM                                 185
  UNVEILING ALBERT STATUE AT CAMBRIDGE                         190
  INFANT ORPHAN ASYLUM, WANSTEAD                               193
  THE TRAINING SHIP 'BRITANNIA'                                195
  CABDRIVERS' BENEVOLENT ASS