Year: 1875

clause which contained this provision was soon
peaed and both George l. and his slipped TO
Hanover often they could obtain decent pretence
for a visit George I'LL, the other hand, English
man born and bred, never quilted his domnions,
nor indeed wandered very far from tho capital Per-
haps had His Majesty paid visit to certain American
colonies then belonging to Great Britain he might have
thought twice before advising Minister to tax them, and
possibly the history of the world might have been con-
sideraby modified in consequence, But Farmer George
preferred stay home and his subjects rcvered him
the more earnestly for seeking TO enlarge his mind
Engshmen of that day having pretty nearly all the an
trpathies which Macauay ascribes to the country squire
of the seventeenth century hating Scochmen and Irish
men, Dutchmen, Italians and Frenchmen with pretty
equal hatred AT length, on the accession of George
w., first Ireland and then Scotland were honored, as
the court newsman would say, with visits from the
sovereign. 1t was memorable occasion for both coun
tries Ireland had not her King since the gloomy
day when William Ill entered Dublin in triumph after
the battle of the Boyne and the regning monarch had
not trusted himself among his Scotch subjects since
Charles IL crowned at sconc, with the covenant in
his hand and daily reminded by Presbyterian ministers
of his fathers sins and his


THE EFFEor ROYAL VISITS


is invariably described the courty language of the
press as electrical" and it is not generally till few
months later that the sober chronicer of facts dscov
ers the electricity in question very spent its
forcethat is to say the effect Of royal visits except
under very peculiar circumstances must be considered
as nal age which is before all things sceptcal and
democratic Scotland and Ireland both heartily well
coined the chief of the State who gentleman of
fine presence and gracious manners; but the agitation
for Parliamentary reform and for Catholic emancipation
was not stayed by the visit for one hour.


The same may be said of Queen vctora's progresses
though would be TO underrate or to overrate
their influence on public feeling In her loyalty to
the sovereign was blended with chvarous homage to
the woman and, no doubt, the of the monarchy
always gained by her presence however slightly the
general course of politics could be influenced by it. 1t
NAV be doubted however If the effect produced would
have been equally satisfactory had every visit OF
gracious sovereign TO her subjects been accompanied by
a demand for travelling expenses On this


DELICATE SUBJECT


it is not easy to find constitutional precedents which
apply to event which is in fact wholly unprecedented
viz the visit of the heir apparent of the Empire to
the Indian domnions of the British Crown From the
Oldest times the monarch was invariably the guest Of
those among whom he sojourned and was sure to be
entertained with bettng spendor by his hosts, though
gentlemen who had the honor Of receiving the Stuarts
at their country might have occasionally felt shy
Of making too great display of plate, bearing in





Maria read to Sir Walter Strickland The
civil troubles had commenced and King Charles
Consort, having been royalty Toasted by tho
worthy baronet at banquet where the table groaned
beneath the weight of silver dishes, Her Majesty, with
many apologies explained that she did not feel justified
in leaving so much good plate to fall, it possibly
might into the enemys hands, and therefore felt COM
PEELED to carry 1t of.


Wealthy municipalities would seek the favors Of the
King as often he deigned pay them CALL by sub
stantia present ofmoney and Charles H. not above
receiving a couple of hundred guineas from the Mayor
and Aldermen Of Norwich These gratuities to royalty
ceased after the reign Of Queen Anne, and were sue
ceeded by gifts of more refined nature, among which
may be cited the box Of "candied eringo root" which
worthy tradesman of Harwich offered the Princess
Charlotte Of Mecklenbug Srelits afterward Queen OF
George Ill., and which that lady graciousy pleased
to accept


From the time of George l. Parliament unqueston-
ably intended that the Sovereign should maintain the
state and dignity Of the Crown from the civil list which
was more than amply sufficient for the purpose Such
large sums however spent in bribing members OF
the House Of Commons and in manipulating constitu-
ences that constant applications were made for addi-
tional funds and members mindful it may be, OF the
favors they had received, always proved wonderfully
liberal with the public money. Nevertheless, the cry
Of rerenchment raised by the whig party at the close OF
the great gradually produced its results till it was
taken up by the tories themselves during moment OF
temporary alienation from the throne consequent on the
action Of Queen Victoria in regard to the bedchamber
question. Prince Albert could only obtain an annuity
of $3.50 900 year instead Of the S2JooO0 Ministers de-
manded and since that date grants members Of the
royal family have been more closely scrutinized,
though in anything but a parslmonious spirit Mr..
Hprhp str in in 10 ma heard
by the House when opposing the vote Of annuity to
the Princess Louise and Sir Charles Dixie incurred no
little oboquy by his demand for inquiry into the
pendture of the civil list though he but treadlng
in the footsteps of Burke who scarcely be accused
| OF any pettiness Of ideas.


| If there is perpetual pickering with respect to
THE COST ROYALTY


the fault is hardly that of statesmen who in the dis
charge Of their duty severely taxed population are
compelled to insist rigid economy. Royalty Of late
has fallen into foolish habit of borrowing pennies,
asking for instance $40 for the cost Of conveying
Prince Christian to Dover and s21S "or breakfast To
Prince William Of Hesse" Majesty, however gorgeous
its externals is not impressive when holding out its
cooked hat for the wherewthal to purchase dinner,
and the Field Of the Cloth Of Gold might not have been
deemed so striking spectacle by the public Of the day
if every yard Of gold cloth had been measured and the
cost introduced into estimate.


True political political wisdom, said a great French
writer is a something which has never been put into
words much less may be added into public accounts
II better TO begue people into supporting the neces
sites Of the throne If It's tenant remain object
of vencraton, than openly to demand railway fares and
pocket money for presents which the vulgar tC
| laugh.


The Prince Of Wales would have done better to have
paid the expenses Of his Indian trip out Of his own re
sources; or If the pressure too great his mag
nincent income, grant from the secret service fund
which amounts in some years to as much $40 600
would have been more prudent than appeal to the
nation, which is by no means so unanimous OF
the subject as the vote Of the Legislature
might lead an American to suppose. Ant
when the deficiency bill is brought in next year Tho
country may be even less pleased The very moderate
sum of $4,000 was voted by the British Parliament
when the Prince visited Canada, TO which the Do
,d1od 600. this the free gift Of