l sure that the artists of this country take it as
a great compliment that these pictures should be sent here for
exhibition. With respect to the present Exhibition, it must
strike all of us on looking around these walls that some
pictures are wanting--pictures from an artist whose health, I
fear, is failing, although I am sure we all hope most heartily
he may yet be spared to us; still we do miss the pictures of Sir
Edwin Landseer. Gratifying as it must be for distinguished
artists to see their pictures exhibited, and to hear the remarks
made on them by critics and others, there are two beautiful
drawings in this Exhibition of which, alas! the artists will
never hear the praise that may be bestowed upon them, and I feel
sure that it will not be considered out of place if on this
occasion I offer my condolence to the Royal Academicians for the
absence of one of their number, and the cause of it in the
terrible bereavement he has sustained (alluding to the death of
the son of Mr. Goodall, R.A.). My lords and gentlemen, I thank
you for listening to these few remarks, and as many speeches
have to be made I will not trespass further upon your attention
than by again thanking you for the very kind manner in which my
health and that of the Princess have been received by this
distinguished assembly."

_1874._

The chief interest of the evening was in the speech of Sir Garnet
Wolseley, the "hero of Coomassie." His health was proposed by the Prince
of Wales, who said he would have preferred that the toast should have
been given by some one better qualified, but that he felt it a pleasure
and honour to fulfil the duty laid on him by the President.

The Duke of Cambridge, in responding for the Army and Navy, had in very
happy terms also referred to the services of Sir Garnet Wolseley, who in
his speech gave well-merited praise to the Commander-in-Chief, for his
efforts to raise the standard of military education.

Returning to earlier proceedings of the evening, the President of the
Academy, Sir Francis Grant, in proposing "The Health of the Prince and
the Princess of Wales and the other members of the Royal Family,"
said:--"It is a subject of infinite satisfaction to the members of the
Royal Academy to observe the unmistakable and earnest love of art which
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales manifests on all occasions.
Notwithstanding th