The Express.
London, England, 1868-02-29 00:00:00

SECOND EDITION.

OPENINO OP A DRINKING FOUNTAIN
IN HYDE-PARK BY THE DUKE OF
CAMBRIDGE.-(THIS DAY.)

This morning a ceremony of considerable in-
terest in relation to our India* empire, sad in connexion
with a movement which has now attained great U 0013211 in
this country, took place in Hyde-park. On the north side
of the park, close to Stanhope-place-gate, and a little
west of the Marbisarch, a handsome drinking fountain,
probably the most imposing structure of the kind yet
erected, was opened in the presence of the Duke of Cam-
bridge, and formally transferred to his royal highness se
the representative of the Queen. This fountain was
erected for the use of the public by the Metropolitan
Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association,
at the entire mat of the Hon. Maharajah Mums Vijeram
Gujaputty Raj Munca Sooltan Itahadoor of Vixitmagram,
a prince who has long been renowned in his own land for
seta of benevolence and public utility. Amongst these
acts may be enumerated the endowment of dispensaries at
Vizampatam and Betimes, the maintenance of a dispen-
sary and hospital at Visianagram, the establishment of
wheals in every chief town on his estates, the foundation
of a scholarship for the best English scholar in the
Government College at Benares, and the expenditure of
upwards of 26,0001. on roadsand irrigation. With respect to
one of these roads, which was constructed to open out the
cotton-growing district of Nagpore, the Secretary of State
for India, in a despatch dated Aug. 14, 1862, says :—" The
importance, both political and commercial, of such a line
of road has long been recognised, and the home govern-
ment fully share in the appreciation of the liberality and
public aphis evinced by the Rajah on this and on former
occasions." Lord Harris, when governor of Madras,
was able to estimate the value of the insistence received
from the lilaharsjah luring the troubled times of 1857-58,
and, ass token of friendship and approbation, presented
him with a valuable ring bearing the motto " Ever Loyal,"
which motto the M.sharajah immediately adopted, and
which has been inscribed on this fountain. Not satisfied
with these many efforts to ameliorate and improve the con-
dition of the people of his own country, the Maharajah, at
the commencement of 1866, turned his eyes towards Eng-
land, with a wish that he could there also in some way show
his hearty appreciation of the benefits which it had conferred
upon India, and through Mr. Shakespeare, Commissioner of
the Benares Division, and agent of the Oovernor-General,
be communicated with the committee of the Metropolitan
Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association, and
offered to defray the entire cost of a handsome drinking
fountain for the use of the public in the metropolis. A
de-,;;n was prepared by Mr. Robert Keirle, the architect
of the asiseiation, which having been forwarded to India
and obtained the approval of the Maharajah, was then
submitted to and approved by her Majesty, who graciously
eliminated her interest in the princely liberality of her
distint subject, by granting this site for its erection under
the royal sign manual, and in accordance with the terms
of her royal warrant.

AN regards the general character and architectural
feature.. of the fountain it may be stated that it is about
feet s.pnre at the base and 47 feet high—an elevation
•Lich renders it ► conspicuous object in the locality, while
its . !isnoe has evoked general admiration. The style is
early gothic, freely treated, and the form is quadrangular.
7.11. ornaments are generally symbolical. There are four
bowls and four jets. On two sides of the fountain are
the portrait and arms of the Maharajah, and on the
two other sides the portrait and arm■ of her Mejeaty.
The top b. surmounted by a conventional crown. The
tn..ttri.tl used is box ground atone, the columns being blue
].Tenant. and the bowls polished granite. The entire cost
is :0,0011.2001.

The inauguration of such an interesting addition to the
metmpolitan fountains naturally attracted a cond.
number of persons either as actors or spec-
tators. His Royal Highness the Doke of Cam-
.irived shortly before 12, as did also his Grace
tio. Alcl.l.ishop of Canterbury. There were also present
I or ' formerly °overlain. of Madras ; Sir Stafford
Northente, Secretary of State for India ; hird John
tIIIICIII, M.P. ; the Right Hon. W. Cowper, M.P. ; Mr. S.
gurney. M.P., chairman of the society; the Hon. A.
M.l'. ; Sir C. Trirrelyan, Mr. Joseph Somas,
The presence of several Hind*e gentlemen increased
21 at, rt-,t of the scene.

Tile chhishop of CANTERBURY, standing on the steps
of the fountain, opened the proceedings by reading two or
-bort prayers, concluding with the Lord's Prayer.
S. 11;i RNET, M.P., as chairman of the society,
1... ally limoled over the property in the fountain to the
Dar. of Cambridge.
tin Holat. HIGHNESS, in accepting the transfer on
1:s e.df of her Majesty, spoke as follows : I must say
V •• I think our hearty thanks are due, both to the
to whom the metropolis is indebted for this
a.e fountain, and to those who have carried out his
v As regards the object itself, I may observe that
: •. our of those social advantages which have been
! • LL desirable and necessary in recent years ; and the
I .. at large, particularly in the large towns of the
!dry and in the metropolis, must be much gratified at
. • row and trouble bestowed on the erection of this
. It is certainly one of the handsomest fountains
e have seen, and the erection of it must tend
ly to the social benefit of our poorer fellow.country-
, If there be one vice more terrible than another in
t • • .0,1 it is that of drunkenness. I do not say that
•ti of fountains will put a stop to that vice, but
I ,Inly think that the tendency of such structures is
,t.gate the evil, and anything which does
Lit t be a great public benefit. There is

; erhaps that has produced greater disaster to our
and the lessening of such an evil by presenting
•,. Ode spectacles as that before no is a cause fur
! nyoicing. (Cheers.)

. WARMS Baia he was deputed by the Midiarajah to
Lis royal highness fur the honour which be had
, !,h•ilty opening that fountain. He could aSsUrs his
highness from personal knowledge that there was
not :i note deserving prince than the IlLahajarah to be
I in India. lie had done his utmost for the improve-
‘,f his tenantry and dependents, and when
Faeland was sorely tried in relation to India
1.. .lowed himself most loyal to British rule. The
oh-scene:on of his royal highness in opening that foun-
t uvula, he might add, produce an excellent effect
_ _

• • the natives of India.
\h. KIN:CURD, M.P, u Vice-President of the society
erected the fountain, said he wished to thank his
.y al highness for his presence, and foe the encourage-
., nt which he had gives by his words to the object in
blew.

Ma royal highness then walked up to the fountain and
taking a draught of the water declared the opening cow-

Thia terminated the oeremony, which occupied about 20
t mute..

Cu tt•EL ROYAL, SA voY. —The preachers for
at are as follows.—March 1. The Very Rev. the Dean
4 lily. March 8. Rec. G. F. Maclean. Head Master of
College Grammar School and Preacher in the
1. mph . March 15. Rev. Dr. Monsell, Vicar of Egham.
Rev. Stopford Brooke, Chaplain in Ordinary to
:I,4!tacen. March 29. Rev. Henry Trails, Head Master
of 6,1 mdolphin Grammar School, Hammersmith. April
Itt %. Dr. Homey, Head Master of Merchant Taylors'
mol, and Preacher to the How. Society of Gray's-inn.
_ _

•far: EAST= MONDAY Ravi EW. —Yesterday
Nanelagh, Truro, sal Bury, with Colonel I)u I'Lit
• and Colonel Ward, accompanied by Serjeant
' M.P., and Mr. Scott, of the South-Western
v, visited the proposed review ground at Portadown-
d Southsea-common, Portsmouth. A favourable
was expressed both as to the elegibility of the site
railway facilities. Their lordships and party after.
"used with the Mayor, being met by Admiral Pasley,
...s Woodhaui, R.A., Haddon, R.E., and local coui-

- ••
1%, ENT-sQU•RE HOSPITAL AND DISPENSARY
. W••NEN AND CHILDRE3L—This charity, which since
' le, admitted and relieved over 10,000 poor women and
0.101-• n, is lin want of funds. Besides its speci.d
as a hospital, this institution deserves the warm
,eit of all who are interested in the amelioration of
Y .I,,iition of the poor of Westminster. Contributions
Ise forwarded to the secretary, treasurer, Major
' . ~t. Royal Military stores, Pimlico, or to Dr. Ds
-er °SIM, physician to the hospital, 9, Lupus-
St. George's-square, Pimlico, S.W.
N I. 'NAL LIPS AusintAuca.— At Use annual
of the Notional Life Assurance Society, held at
i r °Woes, 2, King William-street, on Wednesday last,
the . uution in members' premiums for the year eons-
u.e:,,,;:z at lody-day, 181.0..., was declared to be at the rate
'a. Mier mot.