ting him on the first
occasion of his taking the chair as Master of this Company.
Perhaps you will allow me on this occasion merely to mention
that, after the death of that distinguished and lamented
statesman whose loss we must always deplore, the office of
Master was most kindly offered to me by the Brethren of this
Company. I begged to decline--at least, I begged to offer the
suggestion that the office should be offered to my brother, who
was far more fit to undertake its duties. Among the
distinguished personages who are present on this occasion it is,
you will allow me to say, very gratifying to have the honour of
the presence of his Majesty the King of the Belgians. After the
very kind manner in which he has spoken of his attachment to
this country, which I know is a real attachment, and not merely
a form of words, because I have often heard the same sentiment
expressed by him in private--after such expressions from his
Majesty I think I may say that we as Englishmen feel a strong
attachment to his country--a country distinguished in its own
position among the nations of the Continent, and a country for
which his ever lamented father did so much. I beg to thank you
for the honour you have done me in drinking my own health in
connection with the health of her Royal Highness the Princess of
Wales and the other members of the Royal Family."

_July 20th, 1868._

At the banquet of 1868, on the 20th of July, the Prince was formally
installed as one of the "Younger Brethren" of the Trinity House, the
oaths having been administered by the Duke of Edinburgh, as Master. In
proposing the usual loyal toasts, the Master said it gave him much
satisfaction to be supported by his brother, who, however, on this
occasion was present as a member of the Corporation. The Prince, on
speaking to the toast, said:--

"Your Royal Highnesses, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--I return my
best thanks to my illustrious relative for the kind way in
which he has proposed this toast, and for coupling with it the
health of the Princess of Wales and that of the other members of
the Royal Family. I am very grateful for the reception which has
been accorded him in this room, and I have great pleasure in
being here this evening. This is not the first time I have been
present at the hospitable board of the Trinity House. It is the