been closed since the old coaches had
been driven off the road by the railway. The situation was admirable,
and the grounds spacious, and by adding an additional story the building
was readily adapted to its new purpose.

The fine weather and the presence of the Prince and Princess attracted a
large assemblage. On the arrival of their Royal Highnesses the pupils
sang the old Hundredth Psalm, the National Anthem having been previously
played by military bands as the procession moved towards a dais, beneath
a marquee on the lawn. An Address was read, concluding with the
expression of a hope that the Prince and Princess would allow their
names to be enrolled as Vice-Patron and Vice-Patroness of the Asylum, of
which the Queen is Patron. The Prince made the following reply:--

"It has given the Princess and myself great pleasure to be present at
the opening of your most excellent Asylum, and to have been invited to
take part in so good a work. The benevolent purposes of this
widely-extended institution speak for themselves. It is one in which the
Queen and my lamented father, the promoter of every scheme for the
relief of the miserable, evinced a warm interest, and the details which
you have given of its formation and progress furnish another appeal for
aid from those whose highest enjoyment it is to give a home and
education to the fatherless and destitute. It is a privilege, I assure
you, that the Princess and myself value greatly to have our names
associated with the British orphan Asylum."

The Prince then formally declared the building to be for ever dedicated
to the purposes of the British orphan Asylum, and also announced the
munificent gift of L12,000 from Mr. Edward Mackenzie to the building
fund. The Bishop of Bath and Wells offered prayer; a choral was sung,
and many purses were presented in the offertory. Trees were also planted
in commemoration of the day.

Eleven years later, the Prince presided at the anniversary festival of
the Asylum. He then said that he felt a special interest in the
institution, which he had visited along with the Princess of Wales so
many years before. In his speech at that festival he spoke more fully of
the objects and merits of the Asylum, as will be seen in the report
under the date of the festival in May 1874.

AT MERCERS' HALL.

_July 8th, 1863._

After the visit to Guildhall, the common hall of all the City Guilds or
Companies, the civic event of most importance