The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-27
THE PRINCE IN RICHMOND.
A Lady Gives Some Of Her Recol-
lecIions of His Visit.

An interesting account Of the VISIT f4
Richmond Of the Prince of Wales and
his suite has been given 10 The Times by
one of its lady friends, whose account Is
both interesting and accurate
Governor John Letchcr was the Chlei
Executive of Virginia, at the time of the
Princes visit, and it was determined that
The Prince, on his arrival in The city. should
be driven 10 the Executive Mansion in
the Capitol Square and there received by
The Governor 3-=d Mrs. Lctcher before
proceeding 10 the hotel. The lady who
gives these "reminiscences Of his visit WAS
invited by Governor and Mrs Letcher to
assist them in receiving the Prince, and
was as far as the writer knows, the only
lady thus honorcd- There were then only
two trains daily from the North-one ar
irving in the morning and the other some
time after darll-and the Prince and his
party were expected on the latter train.
THE LIGHT POOR.
As ii was before the days of electrici-
ty. Richmond was not at that time as
well lighted at night as at present. the
Pickering gas lamp being the only light
Ing The city had. 1t was, therefore, plan
ned that the royal party should be driven
down Grace Street TO the Governors
Mansion in order 10 make as favorable
an impression as possible on the visitor.
Two carriages. drawn by milk-wllite
sseeds. and equal in 1naeniicence to any
thing that Cinderella ever took the air
in. We're awaiting the royal party at the
station to convey them TO the Executive
Mansion Down in the Capitol Square all
Tas suppressed excitement. A large
crowd OF people had assembled and
waited in nervous expectancy to catch a
glimpse of the Prince as he drove past,
sraciously smiling and bowling TO the
cheering throng. Even the squirrels
caught the contagious excitement and
forebore TO siuInber, peering down from
the branches of the trees On the crowd
below. Al the Executive Mansion all was
ready TO receive the future King Of Eng
land one can picture to himself a ser
Want on the outlook ready To announce
the approach of the royal party; in The
parlor the ladies waiting TO graciously
receive the Prince, and Ills EXcellency,
the Governor, neTyously repeating to him
self the words which We're later to fall
eXtcmporaneousiy from his lips as he
welcomed the Prince OF Wales TO the
hospitable shores of Virginia.
Bat alas. what a cruel disappointment
there Was in store, a ilalf-aour passed and
no Prince People began 10 fdset and re-
call with sadness the flaSty supper Just
over. One hour and still he comes not,
and now it is beginning TO Toe Whispered
about IN low tones something about i
wreck and a train delayed.
Two hours--the suspense is too great
The truth must out; where is the Primer
And then The truth burst upon them all
OF a sudden The Prince Vas at tne 12N-
change Hotel, and had been there an hour
and a half, Then The surprised and morti-
fed assembly melted away like snow
under the warm spring sun.
The fact WAS That on arriving at the
station Broad Street the royal party
had taken the carriages prepared for
them and the drivers had been ordered
by the Duke of Newcastle 10 drive 10
the hotel by back streets"
AT ST IsAULS
The next morning Sunday the Prince,
"a handsome .ea-dless Youth of elgh-
feen, accompanied BY his suite. tttend-
ed ST. Paul's cf1urcG. a,;G heard the Rev.
DR. Minigeroie. After Church the party
visited The Capitol Square, inspected the
Washington monument and made a for
NAL call for a3out i've r,Inuces on the
Governor. That afternoon the Prince visit
ed Hollywood. and the l:eSt morning de-
parted for Washington
did you ever see the late Queen Vic
toria." was asked the !ass wao gave this
account of the Princes visit.
Yes" she said. Il MAS IN London oaee
when Her Majesty ATTENDED 4 rhilo-
rnoaie concert ut IiseaoE2r Stare Rooms.
given by her orie-, al which t;ere Hs,rc
ten crowned heads OF Earope wi.o were
In London at the time. For i've naiirs l
sat within six seet Of the 1,ue,es, and OBJ
served her closely.
A NOTABLE ASSEMBLY.
..ss,c was accompanied by the FRINGE
Consort, her mother, The Duchess 81 Kent:
Adelaide. Queen oowsser: she Luke of
WnllipEton GsThe sro2 Eusls"5, the King.