was when, on the 8th of
July, 1863, the Prince went to the City to take up his freedom in the
Mercers' Company, and to enroll his name on their records.

It was a fitting thing thus early to show his attachment to ancient
Guilds and Corporate Constitutions. The Mercers' Company is the first in
rank, and the most ancient of all the great City Guilds, and its roll of
members is one of the most illustrious. Its existence as a Metropolitan
Guild can be traced as far back as the year 1172, and the Company
received its incorporation in 1392 from Richard II., who conferred upon
it the honour of becoming one of its brethren. Besides the Royal names
of King Henry VIII. and Queen Elizabeth, the Company can boast those of
Sir Richard Whittington, William Caxton the Printer, Sir Thomas Gresham,
and Dean Colet, the founder of St. Paul's School. The address to the
Prince was read by the Master Warden, the Rev. Markland Barnard, who had
the distinction of representing the fourteenth generation of his family,
who had been freemen or wardens of the Company ever since the third year
of Henry IV.

To this address the Prince listened with marked attention, and then
replied, in a clear and pleasing tone, which those who heard it said he
inherited from his Royal mother:--

"Master and Court of Assistants,--I am glad to avail myself of
the last opportunity which my stay in London affords me of
attending here this day to receive the freedom of your ancient
and honourable company. The oldest of the city companies, the
Mercers', is hardly exceeded by any in the amount of its
charities, or in its capabilities of doing good. How these
powers have been exercised, the list of the foundations of the
company and of the distinguished persons whom you have
enumerated as benefactors and freemen tells us. Among the
latter, the great Sovereign, who was herself a sister of the
company, stands conspicuous; and commerce and science appear
equally to have lent their representatives to ennoble the
Mercers' Company. To be associated with such names in the
freedom and history of your company is an honour and privilege I
am proud to have conferred upon me. I thank you sincerely for
the terms in which you have mentioned the names of my beloved
mother and the Princess, and for the happiness you desire for us
both."

The Prince then subscribed the Oath of the Company, with its quaint old
ph