y
measure calculated for the happiness and welfare of the Irish
people. The example of my lamented and beloved parent will, I
trust, ever be present to my mind as a stimulus in the
encouragement of every work tending to advance international
prosperity, and to develope the powers and resources of our own
country. The cultivation of the fine arts, in itself so powerful
an auxiliary in the civilization and refinement of the human
race, has been an important object in these Exhibitions, and
seems already to have produced most satisfactory results.
Believe me very sensible of your kind wishes on behalf of the
Princess of Wales. Her regret at being unable to accompany me
equals my own, and you may rely upon her anxiety to come among
you, assured of the welcome she will receive."

Then from the grand organ and choir rose the ever impressive music of
the Hundredth Psalm, the most Catholic of all strains of praise and
thanksgiving. At its close there was another address, giving an account
of the origin and history of the Exhibition. A copy of the Catalogue,
and the key of the building, having been presented to the Prince, the
organ and orchestra pealed forth Handel's Coronation Anthem. Then came
another address, presented by the Lord Mayor and the Corporation of
Dublin, in their civic robes. This was read and handed to His Royal
Highness, who thus replied:--

"My Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the City of
Dublin,--I return you my hearty thanks for the kind welcome you
have given me, and for your loyal expressions towards Her
Majesty the Queen. I regret that circumstances should prevent
the extension of my visit to a longer period. It would have been
very gratifying to the Princess had she been able to accompany
me, and I request that you be assured that we look forward to
another occasion when she will have the opportunity of
appreciating the hearty welcome which my own experience leads me
to anticipate for her. You justly ascribe to me a peculiar
interest in this day's ceremony. As the son of that revered and
lamented parent to whose wisdom, energy, and influence you truly
state exhibitions such as these owe their origin, I may well
feel proud in being able to assist in the inauguration of the
one we are about to open. May your prayers be granted that it
will be the means of producing the usual result