our Majesty will
continue to the Corporation that measure of support which has
been always graciously given to us."

The Queen, who had listened to the address with the utmost interest and
attention, said, in a voice clearly heard in every part of the vast
building: "In handing you this answer, I wish to express my great
admiration of this beautiful Hall, and my earnest wishes for its
complete success."

The written answer to the address was not read, but it is here given to
complete the record of the day's ceremony:--

"I thank you for the loyal address which, as President of the
Provisional Committee of the Hall of Arts and Sciences, you have
presented to me. In opening this spacious and noble Hall, it
gives me pleasure to acknowledge the generous spirit which has
been manifested in the completion, by voluntary effort, of a
work promising so much public usefulness. I cordially concur in
the hope you have expressed, that this Hall, forming as it does
part of a plan in which I must ever take a deep and personal
interest, may largely and permanently contribute to the
promotion among my people of the love of art, as well as to the
success of the annual exhibitions, which will bring successively
into instructive competition the choicest products of the
industries of all nations. These objects could not fail to
commend themselves at all times and all places to my sympathy
and interest, fraught as they are with recollections of him to
whose memory this Hall is dedicated, and whose dearest aim was
to inspire my people with a love of all that is good and noble,
and, by closer knowledge and juster appreciation of each other,
to cultivate a spirit of goodwill and concord among the
inhabitants of all regions. I gladly give the assurance of my
support to the corporation to which the Hall is about to be
entrusted, and I earnestly hope that their efforts to promote
the objects for which it has been constructed may be rewarded by
a career of abiding success."

The Bishop of London, representing the Archbishop of Canterbury, offered
a dedication prayer.

The Prince of Wales, after a minute's conference with Her Majesty, then
said, "THE QUEEN DECLARES THIS HALL TO BE NOW OPENED."

The announcement was followed by immense cheering and the sound of
trumpets; and while the choir sang the National Anthem, the Park guns
boomed fo