The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-15 00:00:00

[recommencej

A GIFT TO THE PRINCE OF WALES
FROM THE FRENCH.

The spectacle of the Heir Apparent to the Throne
of England accepting a gift from the Republic of
France is a sight worthy' of the spirit of the age. His
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, whilst passing
through Paris on his return home, was waited upon
on Sunday last by the Representatives of the Depart-
ment of the Fine Arts, and presented with the models
of a complete table service' of, china, which is being
specially manufactured at the famous Sevres establish-
ment, by the order of --the French Government.
This table service is to be formally presented
to his Royal Highness is a souvenir of his
Presidency of thsi 'British Commission at the late Exhi-
bition. The Prince has never, been chary of his pre-
sence where it could assist the welfare of the people of
these islands, but 'We doubt if he ever rendered a more
practical service to the nation than by the generous
and timely aid he rendered to the "World's Fair."
When the idea was first launched, the prestige of
France was not exactly in 'the astendant in Enrolee. It
remained, however, for England, through the Prince
of Wales, to share in the honour of making the Exhi-
bition the most spccessful on reoord. Although Re-
publican France has no weakness for either native or
foreign nobility, it `may be safely asserted that his
Royal Highness is as great a favourite with our Gallic
neighbours as he is at home. The determined manner
in which he has done his presidential work, the un-
failing sympathy which he displayed towards manu-
facturers, and the hearty co-operation which he gave
to the efforts of the French Government have not been
forgotten. The English Prince has earned the good-
will and gratitude ot a nation which Englishmen of all
political creeds now acknowledge to be the natural
friend and only true ally of this county. Anyone,
therefore, who is instrumental in drawing tighter the
bonds of friendship which unite the two nations merits
their joint esteem. Since the reverses which befel
France in 1870. 71, wel have been gradually
attracted to each other, and have at length
learned that the success of one implies something to
the benefit of the other, and that the misfortune of one
is a calamity to the other. This mutual growth of
opinion has been cemented and solidified to an 'incal-
culable extent by the Prince of Wales, who may be
said to have forged the link that now knits together
two Governments and two peoples. There is a decided
appropriateness in the choice of the gift. To Sevres,
England owes much of the progress she has made
in the potter's art. At the present day our
Staffordshire manufacturers are greatly indebted
for the design of their wares either to French
artists or their pupils. To be associated with
the triumph of international industry is of
itself an honour of the noblest and highest
degree; but to simultaneously render services which
partake of the characteristics of diplomacy entitle the
Prince of Wales to some exceptional record of grati•
tude. The intrinsic value of the gift of Sevres china
may be estimated at a not very high pecuniary figure,
but we venture to believe that there will be few heir.
looms in the possession of his Royal Highness that
will afford him more happiness or recall a nob:er work
than that which was instrumental in winning a
trophy symbolical of the friendship and the industrial
resources of the countries of the Royal recipient and
the Republican donor.—Daily Chronicle.

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