Chamberlain, and Gentlemen,--It is, I assure
you, a source of sincere gratification to me to attend here for
the purpose of being invested with a privilege which for the
reasons you have stated you are unable to confer upon me, and
which descends to me by inheritance. It is a patrimony that I am
proud to claim--this freedom of the greatest city of the
commercial world, which holds its charter from such an ancient
date. My pride is increased when I call to memory the long list
of illustrious men who have been enrolled among the citizens of
London, more especially when I connect with that list the
beloved father to whom you have adverted in such warm terms of
eulogy and respect, and through whom I am here to claim my
freedom of the City of London. My Lord Mayor and Gentlemen, the
Princess and myself heartily thank you for the past--for your
loyalty and expressions of attachment towards the Queen, for the
manifestations of this evening towards ourselves, and for all
your prayers for our future happiness."

When the ceremony was ended, the Prince and the Royal visitors withdrew
from the Hall, but soon returned to join in the festivities, which began
with a ball. "The Lord Mayor led off in a spirited quadrille with Her
Royal Highness the Princess, and the Prince with the Lady Mayoress." So
runs the record, with details of the dances, and the names of the
dancers in the area kept clear, in front of the dais, for the special
guests. Attempts were occasionally made to keep up dancing in the body
of the Hall, but the crowd was so great that, till after supper, and the
retirement of the Royal party, the fete was more of a grand assembly
than a ball. Under whatever name, it was a magnificent entertainment,
and aged citizens tell us that Guildhall had never witnessed a scene so
splendid and joyous.

BRITISH ORPHAN ASYLUM.

_June 24th, 1863._

One of the earliest appearances of the Prince and Princess of Wales in
support of a charitable institution was when they opened the new
buildings erected at Slough for the British Orphan Asylum, on the 24th
of June, 1863. The scholars belonging to the Asylum had so largely
increased in number that the Board of Directors resolved in 1862 to move
the whole establishment from Clapham Rise, its former locality, to more
spacious premises at Slough. They bought the freehold of the well-known
and large Royal Hotel, which had