The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-11-17 00:00:00

TEE PRINCE OF WALES AT BANgFt.
14n( ViT•

On Tuesday afternoon the Ponce of . ales strived
at, Duff Hottse, Banff, on a short visit to the Earl of
Fife, and the occasion was marked by a series of
demonstrations which unmistakably displayed the
loyalty of the inhabitants of the district. For nearly a
week preparations had been in progress for the
decoration of the little capital, and it wore an
appearance of gaiety which'it probably iaever before
preeented. Thee tuagniOcek floral 'arches occupied
conspicuous sites along the route from the rail way
etation to the entrance to Banff House, and stands
were erected at points from which good views of the
proce.sion could be had. The enthusiasm of the
private citizens resulted in most effeetive decoration.
Flags, devices, mottoes, &c., were exhibited from
almost all the leueses to be passed by the Prince,
while the public buildings were extensively ornamented
with bunting, evergreens, &c. On the lamp posts in
the principal streets were handsome shields bearing
various devices. The shipping in the harbour also
displayed their flags. Altogether the scene was sin-
gularly picturesque. There was a great influx of
visitors into Banff from the surrounding towns and
villages, and around the Harbour Station, where his
Royal Highness arrived, a crowd of several thousand
persons congregated.
The Prince left the Great Northern Station, King's-
cross London, on Monday evening, a drawing-room
and sleeping car being attached to the ordinary train
for their accommodation. At Perth the party met
with a right loyal reception. As they walked from
the saloon to the Royal rooms at the station for break.
fast they were loudly cheered. The Prince and his
friends took their departure from Perth by the ordi.
nary Highland railway train at nine o'clock amid the
cheers of a considerable assemblage of spectators. The
saloon was afterwards shunted on to the Great North
of Scotland system, and ran special thence, vitt Craleel-
lachie, Keith, and Grange, to Banff Harbour Station.
The journey was completed about the time specified,
three o'clock. The station was chastely decorated
with evergreens and flake, and a covered way wee
erected from the door to the railway gate for his
Royal Highness to pass along. The whole way from
the platform to the carriage outside was laid with
crimson cloth. The Prince was received by the Earl
of Fife, the magistrates of the town and others having
places on the platform. An address was presented
from the Corporation of Banff by Provost Williamson,
The Prince, having accepted the address, proceeded to
the carriage in waiting for him, and drove slowly
through the town to Duff House. The loyalty of the
people was manifested in many ways. The cheering
was continuous, and guns were fired, bells were rung,
and bands played, and the Prince seemed touched and
gratified by the efforts put forth to render his visit
.to
the North memorable.

After the Prince had reached Duff House, a proces-
sion, including the magistrates, town council, police
commissioners, justices of the peace, clergy, the mem-
bers of the medical and legal professions, rifle and
artillery volunteers, Masonic lodges, fishermen, tenant
farmers, carters, farm servants, labourers, school
children and tradesmen of every kind, was formed at
the railway station. Inside the grounds Provost
Martin presented an address to the Prince similar in
terms to that from the Corporation of Banff. A
banquet was held in the afternoon, and in the evening
Banff and Macduff were brilliantly illuminatedl
bonfires being lit on the eminences in the neighbour
hood.