e numerous calls that are made on the time of His
Royal Highness, to which he assiduously responds, we learn through the
Press of his occasionally visiting the studios of some of our leading
artists, thus honouring and encouraging Art in the most gratifying
manner. We have also to thank the Prince for the active assistance he
gave us in promoting the success of the Landseer Exhibition. It was
owing to his personal influence that we are enabled to thank his
Majesty the King of the Belgians for two beautiful pictures sent from
the royal collection at Brussels, and also his Serene Highness the Duke
of Coburg, who sent from Coburg one work of great interest, and besides
several other valuable pictures, one of Van Amburgh and the Lions, the
property of his Grace the Duke of Wellington, a picture that possesses
this special interest, that the subject was suggested and the picture
commissioned by the Duke's illustrious father. I am glad to be able to
announce that the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Duke
and Duchess of Edinburgh and the other members of the Royal Family,
honoured the Exhibition with their presence on Thursday. I hope the
Prince will forgive me for the liberty I take, if I venture to mention
that we members of the Academy always witness with pleasure the honest
and zealous way in which both the Prince and Princess go over the
Exhibition, beginning catalogue with pencil in hand, at No. 1, and
working steadily through all the galleries. It cannot but be gratifying,
even to the humblest artist who is so fortunate as to obtain a place on
these walls, to know that he has good reason to hope that his labours
will not escape the observation of the Prince and Princess of Wales."

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who was received with much
cheering, said:--

"Mr. President, your Royal Highness, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--I
beg to thank you for the very kind manner in which you, Sir
Francis, have proposed my health with that of the Princess of
Wales and the other members of the Royal Family, and for the
cordial way in which you, my lords and gentlemen, have been
pleased to receive it. I can assure you, Sir Francis, and the
members of the Royal Academy, that it affords me the greatest
pleasure and satisfaction to have been able to accept your kind
invitation. It is now two years since I had the opportunity of
partaking of your hospitality, and you may be sure