Year: 1860

FROM the London Times, March 20


One Of the most inveterate traditions of our
fathers was the immobility of Royalty. That
the King should remain habitually within a
certain radius of his capital. and never 20 be-
yond it, except for the purpose Of making a
solemn and formal visit to some loyal province
was with the latter sovereigns of the House Of
Hanover almost an article Of faith. The first
two Georges were, of course constantly run
ming over to Germany; but when the Prince


who, born and educated in the country "glo.
ried in the name of Briton," came to the
throne, the Tycoon of Japan was almost as i'm
movable, This may have been partly the re-
suit of natural sluggishness of mind, but it
was, perhsps, more an imitation of FreLch and
Spanish Royalty, which had then reached the
extreme Of absurd punctiliousness. Whatever
the cause, George lII.>was content to oscillate
all his life between London and Windsor, and
an excursion to Weymouth was the most for
nldable journey which he ever attempted.
His son and successor never visited Scotland
or Ireland until he had ascended the throne
at the age of nearly 90 years. King William,
though he had seen the world in his youth,
was almost rs stationary after he had ceased
TO be a midsbipman. 1t cannot be doubted
that much Of the narrowness of these Sover-
eigns, and the despotic tendencies of the first
two, arose from their having seen so little of
the world, and even of the country they were
to govern. In the age before railways, the
greatest Lords were content to pass much of
their time In residences almost suburban, be-
ing deferred by the enormous expense from
transferring their households frequently to
northumberland or Derbyshire and back


The Sovereign encouraged this dislike of loco
motion by his example, and in spite of grand
tours in his youth, the English Milford could
not be said to be really travelled man.


Now, however, Englishman 60 everywhere,
IN Europe and in the East, and Royalty is
about to lead them to a field which. if NOT nm
is lass ~ l..
Prince of Wales is likely to make Ameri-
can travel popular by his intended visit to
Canada. For the first time since the dis
covery Of America, an heir apparent to the
British Crown is to cross the Atlantic, and
in his character as the future ruler of this
Empire, receive the respects of one of its
most fourishing provinces. Other Princes
have visited the Western World in military or
naval capacities. The father of her present
Majesty held high command there. But the
unity of the Empire and the status of British
North America as great allied province and
not a mere dependent plantation will for
the first time be recognized when Albert,
Prince of Wales, sets foot on its shores The
GOvernOr-General in opening the Canadian
Parliament, announced the approaching visit
and the satisfaction of all classes has since
been loudly expressed The people of the
North American Colonies are prepared TO re-
ceiye the Prince of Wales with eyery demon
stratiOn of regard. Not only as tribute to
his station the future head of the greatest
Commonwealth in the world but as the repre-
sentative of u rule which has conferred i'm
menSe benefits on the provinces the Canadian
people will give him welcome For twenty
years the progress of the North American Col
Onies has been such to surpass even the
rapid growth of the neighboring States Her
present M0iesty's accession to the throne
found the Canadians deeply discOntented, and,
as it is now admitted, not without cause In
surrection followed, blood was shed, and our
evil-wishers all over the world raised their ra-
ven croak, as usual, on the inevitable dsmem-
berment of the British Empire. But the folly
of seventy years before was not to be repeated;
justice was preferred as a remedy to the en-
ployment of Hessians, and the policy of con-
ciliation produced not only quiet, but loyalty
Since those menacing days the prosperity of
the Provinces has been almost uninterrupted
The reign of Victoria has seen what may be
called a nation grow out of the banks of the
St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario. The popula-
tion of the Provinces has more than doubled
and their wealth has increased in far greater
proportion. Wise negotiations have broken
down the commercial barrier between them
and the United States, and allowed the crea-
tion of a most thriving trade. British capital,
instead of seeking investment among decayed
Spaniards or faithless Orientals, has been able
to develop the resources of a people which is
one with our own. The country is now tra-
versed by railways; the most astonishing engi-
neering work of the age has been constructed
within its territory by the genius of Stephen
son; steamers OF great speed and capacity are
built for the direct service of the Colonies,
and everything promises that the prosperity
which is to come will be as permanent as great
Nor have the Canadians failed to appreciate
their political advantages Under the protec-
tion of the United Kingdom they have become
nation without any of the burdens or perils
of nationality. Like men standing on the shore
while ships are battling with the waves they
are able to look on the struggles which con-
vulse the Eeighboring Union. That Canada is
anxious for admission into the sisterhood of
American Republics is an assertion the most
reckless orator would hardly now make The
people of the provinces are Independent enough
In their way, and would no doubt fercely re-
sent any assumption of undue power by Eng
land. But as long as the mother country rules
with kindness and moderation, the Canadians
are not likely to mix themselves up with the
feuds Of Slavery, or throw in their lot with a
people who confess that their own future des-
tiny is dark and troubled.


1t would. however, be a matter of regret If
the Prince Of Wales, satisfied with the homage
of the Canadians, should neglect to visit the
Republic which now plays so great a part in
the world. We do not, of course, anticipate in
any case that the Prince would return to Eng
land without having set foot on United States
territory; but there are different ways of visit
ing country; and as none repays attentive
observation more than the American Republic,
so none is likely to be so i'll understood by
mere flying tourist. America is not country
Of museums and palaces, to be done in SO
many days with a Murray's Handbook. Its
interest consists in its people, in the phases of
civilization through which they are passing. in
the political and commercial activity which
they display, in their energy and restlessness,
their greatness and their weaknesses. Though
we cannot expect that youth in his nine
teenth year should be able to appreciate the
American Commonwealth, yet we feel sure that
ajourney through the United States and some
association with the people would not be lost
labor. OF kind and courteous reception the
son Of Queen Victoria may be very sure. The
interest of Americans in the descendants of the
former ruler of their country is second only to
that of Englishmen themselves, and whatever
may have been formerly the case, the feeling
is now one of good will and sympathy. The
Prince Of Wales might find both instruction
and recreation in visit to the Atlantic cities,
whether it be New York, in all its ambitious
and span-new splendor, or its more quiet rivals


There is much to be learnt from few weeks
Of such travel-more than a Royal parsonage