whose behalf you have
come here to-day. You have referred to the Princess of Wales,
who has accompanied me on this occasion, and for her I thank you
for your welcome to a country, of the past visits to which we
have pleasant recollections, and where we hope in future, as we
have in the past, to spend happy days."

The several deputations listened with great interest to the reply, and
at the close gave expression to their pleasure in cordial acclamations.

The next event set down in the programme of the day was one to which
great national importance is attached--namely, that of laying the
foundation stone of the new Museum of Science and Art in connection with
South Kensington. Elaborate preparations had been made for it, and the
grounds at each side of Leinster House, which is to be the central
building, were adorned with gay flags and fitted up with stands, from
which the entry of the Royal party and the ceremonial itself could be
seen. A guard of honour, contributed by the Cornwall Regiment, with
their band, was stationed on Leinster Lawn, opening upon Merrion Square,
through which the Royal party entered. On the route from the Castle to
Leinster House, the streets were everywhere densely crowded, and the
houses decorated. An open passage for the procession was kept by the
police without any difficulty, the populace behaving with exemplary
decorum. The Prince and Princess acknowledged most graciously the
enthusiastic greetings of the crowds, which were largely composed of the
working classes. The first stone having been duly laid, and a statement
having been made by Professor Ball of the objects of the new "Museum of
Science and Art, and of the National Library of Ireland," the Prince
replied:--

"Mr. Ball, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--I thank you heartily on
behalf of the Princess of Wales and myself for the very cordial
welcome which you leave given us to-day. It is peculiarly
satisfactory to me to have been able to take part in the
interesting ceremony of laying the foundation stone upon which
the superstructure of the new museum will, I hope, before long
be built. It gratified me to learn of the action which the
Science and Art Department had taken in reference to this museum
and to observe the support which that action received both from
the Royal Dublin Society and from the Royal Irish Academy. It is
by a united movement such as this that difficult