The Sun.
London, England, 1869-04-17 00:00:00

PRINCE ARTHUR IN TIPPERARY.

The visit of Prince Arthur to Tipperary—a county
which has hitherto been unpenetrated by the most adven-
turous royalty—has, according to all accounts, filled the
peasantry with genuine pleasure. He has made a
triumphal progress, and the reception accorded to him
will probably lead his Royal Highness to entertain a very
different impression of the character of the people from
that presented in the records of crime. The Prince has,
no doubt, seen the bright side of the picture, but it is
gratifying, and may be new to many, to find that it has
so bright a side. From the account of the journey which
is supplied it appears that his Royal Highness has had
a triumphal progress through the south. At various
stations along the railway line crowds assembled to
witness the arrival of the young Prince' and greet
him with a cheer. At Dundrum, where he was to
alight, the station was handsomely decorate,' and
the road spanned by an archwith tbeword "Welcome" in-
scribed upon it. A detachment of the Tipperary Militia
and their band were in attendance at the platform, where
a crowd had collected, and when the train arrived at
five o'clock with his Royal Highness the National
Anthem was played and the people greeted him with en-
thusiasm. The Count de Jarnac was in waiting to receive
the illustrious visitor, and the Prince having entered an
open carriage drawn by four horses, preceded by outriders
and followed by a brilliant escort, drove, amid the accla-
mations of the peasantry, to the prosperous and pic-
turesque village of Dundrum, situate on the estate of
Lord Hawarden. The villagers were in a state of joyous
excitement at the unprecedented honour bestowed upon the
secluded little spot, and decked it profusely with emblems
of rejoicing. Arches were constructed in the street in
honour of the event, and a platform was put up in the
centre of the village to enable the Prince to receive a
loyal address. On the arches were inscribed the words,
" Welcome to Dundrum" and " Welcome, Prince
Patrick," a name more acceptable to Tipperary, and
suggesting a happy link between nationality and loyality.
When the procession arrived at the platform the Prince,
having been informed of the desires of the people, cheer-
fully complied with their wishes, and took the place
prepared for him to receive the address. It
was presented by Lord Hawarden's agent, Mr. Bayly,
and was in the following terms :—" May it please
your Royal Highness,—We, the inhabitants of
Dundrum, county Tipperary, and its vicinity, beg
leave respectfully to welcome your Royal Highness, and
express the pleasure and gratification we feel at this, the
first visit of any of your Royal Family to this county, and
we trust the loyal and hearty welcome you will receive
among us will make such a favourable impression on your
mind as may induce you to honour us with many future
visits. We hope your Royal Highness will convey to your
august mother, our gracious sovereign, our expressions of
devoted attachment to her throne and person, and our
earnest hope that she may before long visit our shores and
gladden the hearts of her faithful Irish subjects by her
presence among them." The Prince delivered the following
reply :—" I sincerely thank you for the very hearty welcome
you have given me, and I heartily join in the wish you
have expressed that my visit to this country may be often
repeated. I will take the first opportunity of reporting to
the Queen, my dear mother, your expressions of devoted
attachment to her throne en.l person." His Royal High-
ness and the Count then resumed their journey to Thomas-
town Castle. The route lay through a country full of
scenic beauty and historic interest. About half way from
Dundrum to the Castle they passed the Eck of Cashel,
around which cluster so many incidents in the story of
Ireland. All along the route the inhabitants had
their windows bedecked with evergreens, and dis-
played some token of respectful joy. At Thomastown
Castle, which stands on an elevation in the middle
of a fair demesne, preparations had been made on
a befitting scale to give the Prince a hospitable re-
ception. From all sides the people had flocked in to
see his Royal Highness, and when the carriages ar-
rived they cheer with genuine warmth. In front of the
building were two flags with the word " Welcome"
marked on each, and devices wrought in evergreens,
which had a pretty effect. The Prince and his host came
out on the terraces to view the scenery around, which was
then beautifully illuminated in coloured lights by the rays
of the setting sun. Among the entertainments provided
for the Prince was a private dramatic performance. The
piece selected was an original comedy by the Count,
under the suggestive name of "Aunt Hercules." The
chief characters were represented by Mr. F. Trench, Cap-
tain Cole, Miss Warburton, and Miss Henrietta War-
burton. A prologue was written for the occasion by the
former lady, and effectively recited.

IA new " Church Reform Society" has been
established under the presidency of Load Ebury, and it
has been arranged that the first public meeting shall be
held on the 13th of May. The following are the prin-
cipal objects it seeks to attain :-1. The amendment of
the Book of Common Prayer, under proper authority, by
omissions and alterations, especially in the Rubrics and
occasional services. 2. The reform of the Ecclesiastical
Courts. 3. The reform of abuses connected with patron-
age. 4. The modification of the Acts of Uniformity, and
the complete revision of the Book of Canons, together
with the correction of such evils as hinder the exteigiou
I,he usefulnet of the Church of ENV-

Rif WI

•••• •••