The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-20 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, APRIL 20, 1868.

Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm with which
the Prince and Princess of WALES have been re-
ceived in Ireland, and this is doubly satisfactory,
since it shows that the old spirit of loyalty has only
been dormant, and not extinct, as some philosophi-
cal reformers would have had us believe it was. On
Saturday the grandest part of the programme was
celebrated, and his Royal Highness was made a
Knight of the Order of St. Patrick. The grand
ceremonial which accompanied the Installation
took place in the Cathedal of the patron Saint. No
care was neglected, and no pains were spared to
render the occasion a most successful affair, and
so it was in every sense of the word,
and we have no doubt that the day will long be
remembered and looked back upon with feelings
of pride and satisfaction. The crowds lined the
streets to witness the procession, and even the roofs
of the houses were filled with eager spectators. The
scene in the interior of the Cathedral was most im-
posing, and long before the stated hour arrived
eager spectators were on the qui vive, and vied with
those outside in impatience and excitement. The
Prince and Princess were loudly and repeatedly
cheered along the whole route ; and it must be
borne in mind as a significant part of the.
affair that the procession had to pass through some
of the most dreary parts of the city, and the fact
that the Prince went in an open carriage through
some of the poorest quarters, and was well re-
ceived, is not to be lightly appreciated. In some
respects it was like the transformation scenes of the
stage, or the magi touches recorded in fairy land,
for the squalid streets nud dingy thoroughfare.
were filled with brilliant groups, and the high and
mighty passed along in splendour, pomp, and
pageantry. This was fortunate, as it happened,
for the Prince's visit was tendered thereby all the
more complete in consequence of his travels through
the city not being confined to the best and most
favoured spots. No doubt had this royal visit
taken place at an earlier period much the same re-
ception would have been given to the illustrious
guests, but at any rate we may say better late than
never, and no one who witnessed any part of the
ceremonial of Saturday could fail to recognise its
complete and perfect success. The scene within
the cathedral was imposing in the extreme, and
perhaps the brilliancy of the effect could not possi-
bly have been enhanced by any combination or con-
trivance. The presence of the Princess lent addi-
tional charm, and her Royal Highness witnessed the
proceedings with the greatest interest throughout.
The good order that reigned during the proceedings
was a noticeable feature in the affair, and the more
to be commended, because it was impossible for
every one to see in consequence of the pillars coming
in the way, and the shape of the building was also
not convenient for the display of the investiture.
In the evening the chief streets were brilliantly
illuminated contrary to the advice tendered by the
authorities, who, fearing a disturbance, had re-
display not to take place. However,
quested the
nothing occurred to justify these fears being enter-
tained, and the demonstration, which was a most
spirited one, was rendered doubly satisfactory by the
order which was apparent throughout the evening.
His Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant entertained the
Knight, the Royal visitors, and a select company in
St. Patrick's Hall, and the entertainment was
given upon a scale of splendour and magnificence
befitting the occasion and the party assembled. In
proposing the toast of the evening, his Excellency
made some interesting remarks, which gave general
satisfaction to those to whom they were addressed.
It was, as he emphatically said, a toast the most in-
teresting and important that had been proposed in that
hall in their generation, that of the health of their
illustrious guest and Chief Knight the Prince of
WALES. There was no occasion to offer his Royal
Highness a welcome on the part of Ireland, for the
Irish people themselves had already given that
" fully and unreservedly." The shouts of accla-
mation that for four successive days " have rung
in our ears, the thunders of applause and congra-
tulation that have greeted the illustrious heir to these
kingdomsin the streets to-day,show the kindlynature
of the Irish people, and the attachment that may
be awakened in their cordial and generous hearts."
In returning thanks, the Prince of WALES spoke in
a most earnest and impressive manner, and laid
great stress on the peculiar circumstances under
which he appeared before them, as a IKnight of
the illustrious Order of St. Patrick. He regretted
that the QUEEN was not able to be present, but he
felt proud, he said, to wear the star and ribbon of
the Order. This Order was instituted by the great
grandfather of his Royal Highness, as a sign of
his goodwill to the country, and the Prince
• declared that he hoped his receiving its
decoration on the roll of the country
might " be the means of his showing, in the name of
his Sovereign and mother, her goodwill towards it.
In the name of the Princess and himself the Prince
tendered his thanks for the reception they had met
with in Ireland, adding that some might have ex-
pected it to be otherwise after the sad year through
which they had just passed. " I for myself," said
he, " felt confident that we would meet with that
reception, and we have not been disappointed ;" the
whole Irish people were included in the thanks thus