in establishing scholarships and extending its usefulness
and dilated upon the importance of the objects aimed at. "I trust that
the College will become the recognized centre and head of the musical
world in this country. Music is, in the best sense, the most popular of
all arts. If that government be the best which provides for the
happiness of the greatest number, that art must be the best which at the
least expense pleases the greatest number." The project proved most
successful and the Royal College of Music became one of the recognized
institutions of the Empire.

VISIT TO IRELAND IN 1885

The Royal visit to Ireland in 1885 was an important incident in the
public life of the Prince of Wales. It was seventeen years since he and
the Princess had visited that much-troubled country and many untoward
events had occurred since then. The proposal for another visit was not
popular with a section of the Irish press and politicians, but when it
was evident that the generous instincts of the Irish people were going
to make the occasion a demonstration of kindly feeling, if not of
loyalty after the English fashion, they changed their attitude and
recommended a "dignified neutrality." Even this advice was very largely,
however, lost sight of in the eventual result. On April 9th the Royal
couple, accompanied by Prince Albert Victor, arrived at Kingstown amid
the usual decorations and crowds and accepted an address of welcome. In
Dublin the address was presented by the City Reception Committee instead
of by the Lord Mayor and Corporation. An important clause in this
document to which the Prince made no reference in his cautious reply was
as follows: "We venture to assure you that it would be a great
gratification to Her Majesty's loyal subjects in Ireland if a permanent
Royal residence should be established in our country." A visit was paid
at the conclusion of these proceedings to the Royal Dublin Society and
the Agricultural Show.

Later in the day the Prince, attended only by his eldest son and without
notice of his intention, visited some of the poorest parts of the city
and saw for himself the condition of the people. It soon became known,
however, that he was amongst them and hearty cheers were given him
wherever the people caught a glimpse of their visitor. On the following
day thirty different addresses were received from various public bodies
and in replying to them the Prince said: "In varied capacities and by
wide