here in England would prevent my
accomplishing what would have been a long, though a most
interesting voyage. I regret that such has been the case, and
that I was not able to accept the kind invitation I received to
visit the Exhibitions at Sydney and at Melbourne. I am glad,
however, to know that they have proved a great success, as has
been testified to me only this evening by the noble Duke
(Manchester) by my side, who has so lately returned. Though, my
lords and gentlemen, I have, as I have said before, not had the
opportunity of seeing these great Australasian Colonies, which
every day and every year are making such immense development,
still, at the International Exhibitions of London, Paris, and
Vienna, I had not only an opportunity of seeing their various
products there exhibited, but I had the pleasure of making the
personal acquaintance of many colonists--a fact which has been a
matter of great importance and great benefit to myself.

"It is now thirty years since the first International Exhibition
took place in London, and then for the first time colonial
exhibits were shown to the world. Since that time, from the
Exhibitions which have followed our first great gathering in
1851, the improvements that have been made are manifest. That in
itself is a clear proof of the way in which the colonies have
been exerting themselves to make their vast territories of the
great importance that they are at the present moment. But
though, my Lord Mayor, I have not been to Australasia, as you
have mentioned, I have sent my two sons on a visit there; and it
has been a matter of great gratification, not only to myself and
to the Princess, but to the Queen, to hear of the kindly
reception they have met with everywhere. They are but young, but
I feel confident that their visit to the Antipodes will do them
an incalculable amount of good. On their way out they visited a
colony in which, unfortunately, the condition of affairs was not
quite as satisfactory as we could wish, and as a consequence
they did not extend their visits in that part of South Africa
quite so far inland as might otherwise have been the case. I
must thank you once more, my Lord Mayor, for the kind way in
which you have proposed this toast.

"I thank you, in the name of the Princess and the other members
of