Speeches and Addresses of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales: 1863-1888 Part 33

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 inc.u.mbents 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 s.p.a.cious 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 ent.i.tled 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 inst.i.tutions 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 inst.i.tution, on which he thought the Corporation might justly pride itself, the City of London School for the cla.s.sical 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 grat.i.tude 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 n.o.ble 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 circ.u.mstances 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 a.s.surance 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 partic.i.p.ate 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 a.s.sistance, 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 a.s.surance from them that we may none the less rely on their practical and earnest a.s.sistance 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.

"The contents of this Report are so exhaustive, and the information afforded so full and complete, that it seems scarcely necessary that I should detain you with many explanatory remarks.

"You will remember that the last occasion on which I had the pleasure of meeting you was on the eve of the opening of the Exhibition by Her Majesty the Queen. You are all aware of the success of that opening, and you, I am sure, appreciated the keen interest which the Queen took in the Exhibition, both by performing that imposing ceremony, and by the frequent visits which Her Majesty afterwards paid to the various Sections.

"The great importance attached to the objects of this Exhibition was evidenced by the striking manner in which it was visited by the public. You will have seen by the Report that it was attended by no fewer than 5,550,745 persons. Of this number, a large proportion were admitted under schemes in which I took a deep personal interest, by means of which admission was granted to provincial and metropolitan artisans, with their wives and families, at greatly reduced rates.

"It may safely be a.s.serted that a vast amount of public good has arisen from the holding of this Exhibition. No one can have failed to notice the earnest attention paid by all cla.s.ses of the visitors to the contents of the Exhibition; and the instruction which was derived from an examination of the varied objects displayed therein cannot but tend to a better knowledge of the outlying portions of the Empire, among the inhabitants of the mother country.

"At a previous Meeting I referred to the appointment of the Finance Committee, to its enlargement, and to the manner in which its labours were being conducted, and I would now specially draw your attention to the Report they have presented to me. The accounts now before you, which have been circulated for your information, have been subject to a continuous and careful audit. They have been made up at the earliest possible day consistent with the proper realization of the a.s.sets belonging to the Royal Commission, and with the settlement of the many and varied claims presented after the close of the Exhibition, and which the Finance Committee had necessarily to adjust. You will see that the fullest information in ample detail is given under appropriate heads of the entire receipts and expenditure of the Royal Commission up to the 23rd April, and I am sure that you will share my satisfaction at the gratifying result of a substantial surplus of 35,235 7_s._ 8_d._ remaining in the hands of the Royal Commission.

"I am anxious that the appropriation of this surplus, and the objects to which it should be devoted, should be in harmony with the wishes of the entire body of the Royal Commission. I desire, therefore, to draw your attention to a paragraph in the Report of the Finance Committee, to the effect that in view of the fact that this Exhibition, and those which preceded it, have to a certain extent been considered as one series, consideration might be given to the requirements of any former Exhibition, the financial results of which have been less satisfactory than those of the present undertaking. In this recommendation I entirely concur, and a Resolution in that sense will be submitted for your approval.

"I would also suggest to you the advisability of retaining for the present a certain sum for the purpose of meeting any unforeseen contingencies; which sum should for the next few years remain vested in the names of trustees, but should ultimately be applied to the same purpose as that to which the residue is devoted.

"As regards the balance of the surplus, I would commend to your consideration the propriety of transferring it to the funds of the Imperial Inst.i.tute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies, and India (in the promotion of which the Queen and I both take so warm an interest), the more especially as we may regard the Inst.i.tute, to a certain extent, as the outcome of the Exhibition which was closed in November last.

"Before moving resolutions to this effect, I would wish to express to you my deep grat.i.tude for the support which you have at all times given to me in the duties which I, as your Executive President, have had so much pleasure in performing; and I am sure you will join with me at this our last Meeting in expressing most heartily our appreciation of the co-operation which the Royal Commission received from the Colonies and India, and of the exertions of the gentlemen representing these Governments, which tended in so marked a degree to the success of the past Exhibition.

"The enthusiastic manner in which the proposal for holding this Exhibition was received in all portions of Her Majesty's Empire, the energy displayed in realising the views of the Royal Commission, and the continued support rendered to us by the Colonial and Indian Governments and their representatives in London, resulted in the achievement of a work of which all those who partic.i.p.ated in it may be justly proud, and which formed a fitting prelude to an undertaking intended to commemorate the Jubilee of Her Majesty's reign, by permanently gathering together in one building the varied productions of the whole of the British Empire, in the interchange of which its past prosperity is so much due, and by which its future development may be promoted.

"In closing these observations, I would desire to convey to the gentlemen composing the Finance Committee, my warm personal acknowledgments for their unremitting attention, and the great services they have rendered, at so much sacrifice to their time and convenience. I equally desire to acknowledge the admirable and efficient arrangements made throughout by the Executive Secretary, and to return my thanks to the whole staff employed on the Exhibition. Their zeal and readiness at all times to promote its success demand special recognition at our hands. In all this, I feel a.s.sured I give expression to the sentiments of every member of the Royal Commission."

In the speeches of those who moved and seconded the resolutions submitted to the meeting, reference was repeatedly made to the permanent Imperial Inst.i.tute, of which the Indo-Colonial Exhibition seemed the precursor. The Prince, in acknowledging the vote of thanks at the conclusion of the meeting, said:--"I most truly hope that the words which fell from Lord Derby and Lord Kimberley with respect to the Imperial Inst.i.tute may come true. If I may use the allegory, now that we have, as it were, burnt the late Exhibition to-day, I hope the Imperial Inst.i.tute may be a Phnix arising out of its ashes. I trust that it may be a lasting memorial, not only of that but of the Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen."

The Exhibition was opened by Her Majesty on the 4th of May, and those who were present will not readily forget the impressive nature of the proceedings on that memorable day. The Official Report of the Royal Commission (printed and published, as all the Exhibition Reports have been, by W. Clowes & Sons) is a most valuable manual on all matters relating to the Exhibition--the most imposing and interesting of any since that of 1851. It was also the most successful as to finance, there being a surplus of no less than 35,285 7_s._ 8_d._ Of this 25,000 was voted to the Imperial Inst.i.tute fund, and the remainder applied to liquidate the debt remaining from the Inventions Exhibition, and the formation of a reserve fund connected with other Exhibitions.

THE IMPERIAL INSt.i.tUTE.

_January 12th, 1887._

The Imperial Inst.i.tute, while it will be the grandest and most enduring memorial of the Queen's Jubilee, will also be a.s.sociated in history with the name of the Prince of Wales. It was by him that the idea was first entertained, and the proposal first made; and to his zealous and persevering efforts the successful carrying out of the project is due.

There had been various circ.u.mstances preparing this way for the great undertaking, but it was the success of the Indo-Colonial Exhibition, held in 1886, that led to the proposal of a permanent Imperial Inst.i.tute. It would be a visible emblem of the unity of the Empire, and a place for ill.u.s.trating its vast resources; a museum for exhibiting its manifold products and industries; a centre of information and communication for all the countries throughout the world under the British sovereignty; and be helpful to the increase and the distribution of the wealth of the nation. It would co-operate and not conflict with older inst.i.tutions of tried utility, such as Colonial museums and exchanges, emigration societies, technical colleges, and other organizations for the welfare of the people. The scheme was worthy of being adopted as a national memorial of the Jubilee of the Queen's reign, and was fittingly inaugurated by the heir apparent to the throne.