The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-06 00:00:00

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LONDON, MONDAY, .211 ARCH 6, 1865.

The visit of his Royal Highness the Prince of
WALES to the Lambeth Industrial Exhibition is an
omen of favourable augury. It is gratifying to find
the young Prince inheriting the tastes and sym-
pathies of his father, and giving evidence that he
too considers the elevation and refinement of the
working classes a matter of social and national im-
portance. Prince ALBERT'S name is indissolubly
associated with industrial and artistic exhibitions.
It was to him that we owed that happy design of a
grand international assembly, where modern skill,
science, and industry should prove to the wondering
beholder that they too had their marvels of beauty
and ingenuity more solid, if less delicate, than
the triumphs of ancient art. It was a

happy suggestion to lend to the somewhat
material industry of this iron age, the elevation and
distinction of such an exhibition. It raised the
manufacturer and the man of business in his own
estimation, and made him feel that his work was
something higher and better than mere money-
getting, trade, and barter. Art and science were
too much neglected among us until within the last
few years, and England owes much of her present
position in them to the influence of Prince ALBERT.
He perceived the want of the people, and he was
anxious as far as possible to extend the benefit to all
classes—a task which is being now carried on in
various ways by the Society of Arts, and
other agencies. The institution of Industrial
Exhibitions for the working classes was
an excellent thought, and its success was
fully established by the first experiment. The visit
of the Heir Apparent to Lambeth gave the exhi-
bitors a gratifying proof of the interest which the
highest in the land take not only in their physical
wellbeing but in their mental development. Ancient
civilisation might, perhaps, have given us a display
as gorgeous as those of Hyde Park or of Kensing-
ton ; very certainly it could not have given us the
Exhibitions of Islington or Lambeth. The conduct
of, the crowds who thronged to see the young
Prince, who watched his careful progress through
the Exhibition with eager delight, was in every way
admirable. They refrained from any discourtesy or
crowding, the exhibitors were ready to stand forward
and explain to the Prince any of their productions.
The PRINCE'S intelligent curiosity was the best
compliment to the exhibitors, who felt that he was
taking a more than superficial interest in the
achievements so creditable to them. A laughable
accident delayed the arrival of the PRINCE till a
late hour, when he made his appearance in a bor-
rowed carriage. However, when he came all was
well, and the patience of the assembly was rewarded
by his approval of the results of their labours.
The PRINCE paid the Exhibition the highest possible
an ingehiougy-contrived
compliment by purchasing
perambulator for the service of no less a personage
than the little ALBERT VICTOR—a -- •
purchase which
we may naturally suppose gave unbounded satisfac-
tion to the loyal exhibitors of Lambeth.

The meeting of the National Rifle Association on
Saturday was interesting in its way, and brings be-
fore us a subject that is of importance to the com-
munity. The Duke of CAMBRIDGE occupied the
chair, and, as usual on such occasions, acquitted
himself admirably of the duties of his position. His
Royal Highness remarked that the affairs of the
National Rifle Association appeared to be in a

flourishing condition, to judge from the report of
its " past proceedings" and " future prospects.',
This is a very satisfactory announcement, because
it so often occurs that in these affairs a great deal is
promised at the outset, but as time goes on a de-
cadence is observed, until at last there is a decided
failure. It is curious and also very interesting to
notice that there are volunteers and those who in-
terest themselves in rifle-shooting in Hong-Kong,
for a sum of five hundred guineas has been sub-
scribed by British residents in China for a " China
Cup." This proves a genuine appreciation of the
question which it is gratifying to witness, and which
must be of great encouragement to those who
it particularly concerns in this country. As for
numbers the association is rapidly increasing, as will
be seen by the statement ; that it now counts as
many as two thousand eight hundred and eighty-
seven members. During the last year alone it has
augmented to the number of two hundred and
eighteen. This is a proof of the increased respect
and attention it has received, and doubtless the in-
crease will be as much, or even more, this year than
the preceding one. As for auxiliary support, we
may rejoice to notice that nothing is found to regret
in that particular, but, on the contrary, much to
encourage the well-wishers of the institution. Con-
nected with the National Rifle Association there are
now the associations of thirty-seven counties and of
fourteen colonies. So extended a combination is a
double source of strength, since it shows the wide-
spread influence of the feeling which has given rise
to this and similar affairs of theakind, and preserved
them in strength and utility till they reach a
prosperous condition, and give promise of attaining
future excellence, and effecting still more valuable
services for the community among which they
flourish. There is no lack either of prizes, for there
are various promises made, and many have signified
their intention of keeping up their prizes. It is to
be hoped that this custom will be extensively fol-
lowed, since a great number of rewards must be an
incentive to urge on and stimulate those who
naturally wish for some trophy tof their arduous
attempt. The Duke of CAMBRIDGE was able to
give the assurance that the shooting had been well
kept up by " matches," not only in this country, but
also in India, in China, and in Canada. His Royal

Highness very truly observed that this would be of
great service to our c-)lonies, and must contribute
greatly to their means of defence. In all respects,
then, there seems no reason to doubt that the wish
of the Royal Chairman will be fulfilled, and that
National Rifle Association will continue its sphere
of usefulness and progress in a course of prosperity.

Allusion having been made in the QUEEN'S Speech
o the much-wished for and long-desired reform of

having one large building for the concentration of
all our Law Courts, as well as in the Houses of Par-
liament, to a system for the confiscation of our
laws, it may not be amiss to review the present state

of the present mode of conducting business in our

Courts of Law at 'Westminster.

It must be admitted by all thinking and sensible
men that things are not necessarily good nor bad
simply because they are old. This is one of the
many things upon which the only rule is that there
is no rule at all. We published a series of articles
last spring, in which we pointed out how misera-