ional Fisheries Exhibition on
behalf of the Queen, although I feel assured that it is a matter
of sincere regret to all present that Her Majesty finds herself
unable to undertake a duty which it would have afforded her much
gratification to have performed. In view of the rapid increase
of the population in all civilized countries, and especially in
these sea-girt kingdoms, a profound interest attaches to every
industry which affects the supply of food; and, in this respect,
the harvest of the sea is hardly less important than that of the
land. I share your hope that the Exhibition now about to open
may afford the means of enabling practical fishermen to
acquaint themselves with the latest improvements which have been
made in their craft in all parts of the world; so that without
needless destruction, or avoidable waste of any kind, mankind
may derive the fullest possible advantage from the bounty of the
waters. I am glad to hear that your attention has been directed
to the condition of the fishing population. It is a subject in
which my brother, the Duke of Edinburgh, was led to take a
particular interest during his tenure of office as Admiral
Superintendent of the Naval Reserve; and, as he is compelled to
be absent during the sittings of the Congress to which you
allude, I shall have the pleasure of reading a paper on this
topic which he has prepared at its first meeting. Lifeboats and
life-saving apparatus undoubtedly fall strictly within the
province of a fishery exhibition; but I may congratulate you on
the circumstance that, without overstepping your proper limits,
you have been able to confer a benefit, not only on all
fishermen and all sailors by profession, but also on all who
travel by sea; and in these days of rapid and extensive
locomotion this means a large proportion of civilized mankind.
On behalf of the Queen, I add my thanks to those which you
tender to the Governments of foreign nations and of our colonies
for their generous co-operation. And to their representatives
whose untiring exertions you so justly acknowledge, I offer not
only thanks, but an English welcome."

The Archbishop of Canterbury having offered a prayer, the Prince
declared the Exhibition open.

CLOSING OF FISHERIES EXHIBITION.

_October 31st, 1883._

If there ever had been any doubt as to