rtist of high repute in both senses
of the word, "I am able to assure you from my own personal observation,
and I feel sure his Grace the Duke of Rutland will bear me out, that His
Royal Highness in his recent visit to Leicestershire, in two very severe
runs across the Vale of Belvoir, proved himself a first-rate artist in
that particular department of art. Since His Royal Highness has proved
himself in one sense an artist, may I, if His Royal Highness will
forgive my boldness, claim his sympathy for his brother artists of the
brush? Allow me to add, the brush is an important element in both
departments of art. I beg to say on the occasion alluded to His Royal
Highness was most deservedly presented with the brush. I have the honour
to propose 'The health of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess
of Wales and the other members of the Royal Family."

The Prince, in responding, said:--

"Sir Francis Grant, your Royal Highnesses, my Lords, and
Gentlemen,--I thank you most sincerely for the very kind manner
in which you have proposed my health, that of the Princess of
Wales, and the other members of the Royal Family, and for the
cordial manner in which it has been received. I need hardly
assure you that it is a source of sincere gratification for me
to be present a second time at the annual dinner of the Royal
Academy, more especially as I am enabled to have the opportunity
of supporting you, Sir Francis, on the first occasion that you
take the chair as President of the Royal Academy. Although we
are assembled on a festive occasion, I cannot omit referring to
the memory of one whose loss we must all deeply deplore. I
allude to your late President, Sir Charles Eastlake. You Royal
Academicians all knew him so well, and how justly popular he was
for his many distinguished qualities, that it would be
superfluous for me to pass any eulogy on his name. But I cannot
forbear offering my small tribute to his merits, having always
considered him as an old friend, and having known him, indeed,
since my childhood. I now take the opportunity of thanking you,
Sir Francis, for the very kind manner in which you have adverted
to me in connection with art. I need not assure you that I shall
always be most ready to do my little best in assisting to
promote the welfare of art and science, and thus following the
bright example of the Queen a