Tories, or Whigs, or Liberals, or Radicals,
which were couched in such a tone at once of courteous homage, manly
independence, and gentlemanly feeling, which were so perfectly becoming
and so much the right thing in every way as those of Mr. Chamberlain."

To the address of the Corporation, read in the Town Hall, by the
Recorder, the Prince made the following reply:--

"Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,--In the name of the Princess of Wales
and in my own, I thank you for your address and for the kind
terms in which you refer to our visit to your town. It has long
been our wish to come to Birmingham, a city so celebrated not
only in England, but throughout the world, as one of the chief
centres of our manufacturing energy. It will be, I am persuaded,
a source of satisfaction to the Queen to hear that the loyal
inhabitants of this borough still retain so lively a
recollection of the visits which with my lamented father she
paid to Birmingham. Since that time the progress which has been
made in the varied industries of this town has been most
remarkable, and I trust that the condition of its working
population, on whose exertions its prosperity so much depends,
has improved in a still greater degree. In conclusion,
gentlemen, I have only to express our earnest wish that
Birmingham may long continue to enjoy that pre-eminence which it
has so justly earned."

At the luncheon subsequently given, the Mayor proposed the health of the
Queen, as "having established claims to the admiration of Her people by
the loyal fulfilment of the responsible duties of her high station, and
at the same time the nobility of her domestic life has endeared her to
the nation. The care and solicitude she has manifested in the happiness
of her subjects causes her name to be honoured at all times, and among
all classes and ranks of society."

In proposing the health of the Royal guest, the Mayor said, "This town
has been long distinguished, not without cause, for the independence of
its citizens and the freedom and outspokenness in which all opinions are
discussed, and this fact gives value to the welcome which has been
offered, and stamps the sincerity of the wishes which are everywhere
expressed for the continued health of their Royal Highnesses."

The replies of the Prince were confined to a few brief but appropriate
sentences, and after proposing the health of the Mayor, the Royal pa