an Unions at South Kensington, and distributed
prizes. The Prince was accompanied by the Princess of Wales and his
sons. A little later, on August 11th, the Breakwater at Portland was
inaugurated, the Royal yacht being accompanied from Osborne by a
splendid fleet of fifteen ironclads. At the conclusion of the ceremony
the Prince visited Weymouth, which was gaily decorated, and where he
accepted a public banquet.

THE PRINCE MAKES A VISIT TO DERBY

The next important English function of His Royal Highness was a state
visit to Derby on December 17th. The announcement that the Prince and
Princess were coming to Chatsworth to stay with the Duke of Devonshire
and would also visit Derby created much interest and on the appointed
day brought great crowds from Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield,
Nottingham and Chesterfield to swell the population of the city. After
driving through the decorated streets and cheering crowds various loyal
addresses were received and prizes presented at the City Grammar School.
On the evening of March 27th, 1873, the Prince presided at the annual
dinner of the Railways' Benevolent Institution. In a somewhat lengthy
little speech he explained its purposes and asked for aid in their
attainment. The result was a subscription of five thousand guineas to
which he himself contributed two hundred guineas.

A duty which was congenial in one sense and sad in another was the
unveiling of a statue of the late Prince Consort at the entrance of the
Holborn Viaduct in London on January 9th, 1874. A luncheon followed in
the Guild Hall attended by some eight hundred guests and at which the
Prince made a short speech. A few weeks later the Prince and Princess of
Wales were at St. Petersburg to attend the marriage of the Duke of
Edinburgh with the Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna of Russia on January
23rd. The marriage ceremony was performed in much state with the
successive rites of the Greek and English Churches--Dean Stanley
presiding over the latter. Four future Sovereigns were present on the
occasion, the Prince of Wales, the Crown Prince of Prussia, the
Czarewitch of Russia and the Crown Prince of Denmark. During this visit
the Prince and Princess were treated with great distinction by the Czar
and a grand military review was held in honour of His Royal Highness.
The anniversary festival of the British Orphan Asylum was attended on
March 25th, in London, and a speech was made by His Royal Highness
explanat