ks of Art were pleased to express their
approbation. We cannot but be impressed by the cordial and zealous
manner in which both the Princess and the Prince fulfil the many onerous
duties which devolve on their exalted position. We can scarcely take up
a newspaper without reading of their Royal Highnesses performing some
public duty or lending their presence for the support of some charitable
institution, combining as they do this honourable desire to do good with
the most gracious manner--a graciousness which, I venture to say, does
not proceed from mere courtly education, but from the genuine impulses
of good and noble natures."

The toast was drunk with all the honours, and His Royal Highness, who
was received with much cheering, said:--

"My Lords and Gentlemen,--For the exceedingly kind manner in
which my health and that of the Princess of Wales have been
proposed by you, Sir Francis, and received by the company here
present allow me to return my most sincere thanks. The President
of the Royal Academy and the Royal Academicians may be assured
that it affords us the greatest pleasure on all occasions to
come to the Royal Academy, to attend their annual Exhibition. I
am sure, Sir Francis, that you and your brother Academicians
have no cause to complain of the Exhibition this year. I am
certain that all who have any knowledge of Art will agree with
me that this is a very fine Exhibition, in no way inferior to
any of its predecessors. For myself, I will only say that it
affords me the greatest gratification to be present on an
occasion when one meets with the most distinguished men--men of
the highest position and talent, surrounded by all that is most
beautiful in Art. I beg to return my best acknowledgments for
the kind manner in which you have received the health of the
Princess of Wales, of myself, and of the other members of the
Royal Family, and I sincerely hope, that on many future
occasions I may have the happiness to be present at the annual
gatherings of the Royal Academy."

In responding for the Army, the Duke of Cambridge referred with high
praise to the picture of "The Last Muster," and also to that of the
young lady who has again distinguished herself by a military picture,
"The Square of the 28th Regiment at the Battle of Quatre Bras," and also
the picture by a foreign artist in another room delineating an historic
"Ch