d did all in their power to
prepare for the Prince and Princess of Wales a reception different from
that which had been given on their former visits. When they found that
the mass of the people looked forward with joyful anticipation to the
coming of the Prince and Princess among them, they recommended, on the
part of what they called the national party, to maintain a "dignified
neutrality," and to abstain from joining in the loyal demonstration with
which it was evident the Royal visitors would be welcomed. The design
proved a failure. From the moment of landing at Kingstown to the day of
their departure, not in Dublin only, but in the progress through the
south of Ireland, the feeling of disaffection and disloyalty was
overborne by the spontaneous and hearty enthusiasm of the people.

The first manifestation of loyal feeling was displayed at Kingstown,
when an address was presented by the Commissioners of the township. The
reply of the Prince shows how the spirit of the address was
appreciated:--

"Mr. Chairman and Town Commissioners of Kingstown,--It has given
me great pleasure to receive the address with which you have
greeted me on my first landing in Ireland after some absence
from your shores, and I am grateful to you for the welcome which
you have accorded to the Princess of Wales and myself. I value,
I can assure you, very highly the expression of loyalty and
attachment to the Crown which your address contains, and I will
not fail to communicate to the Queen the sentiments of loyalty
and of devotion which you express towards Her Majesty. Most
certainly do I hope that this may not be the last visit which we
shall pay to a country where we have always been welcomed by
kindness, and where the hospitality which we have invariably
received on all former occasions has left so many pleasant
recollections impressed on our minds."

On arriving at Dublin the first address was presented by the City
Reception Committee, the citizens having, with the hearty co-operation
of all classes, undertaken to pay the common courtesies of welcome,
which rightly should have been done, and on former occasions were done,
by the Lord Mayor and Corporation. An address was at the same time
presented by the Chamber of Commerce. To both addresses the Prince thus
replied:--

"Mr. Martin, Mr. Guinness, and Gentlemen,--On behalf of the
Princess of Wales and myself, I thank you