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waltz, in which Mrs. Pollard was the partner of the Prince. Dancing was kept up with great animation until about † past 12, when the Duke's piper played the company into supper which was served in St. Andrew's Hall. Those who were fortunate enough to secure the company of ladies for the banquet sat down at the well-furnished tables, while a relay of expectant guests lined the room awaiting their turn with evident determination to do their duty as places were left vacant. At the high table the Chairman, the Honorable W. Keswick, was supported by His Royal Highness on the right and His Excellency the Governor on the left, Lady MacDonnell and other persons of distinction being seated on either side. A novel sight for Hongkong was presented in the person of a powdered footman standing behind the Duke's chair, attired in the Royal livery. The manner in which he anticipated every want and identified himself with his Royal Master must have been very edifying to the numerous Chinese "boys" present.
After supper the Chairman rose and proposed "The Queen," a toast which it is scarcely necessary to say was received with the greatest enthusiasm.
He then gave the "Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family;" and said: "I am quite sure that all present will receive this toast with the most cordial feelings and good wishes. Englishmen are proud of the Royal Family, and justly so; proud especially of the Prince and Princess of Wales, whose noble qualities are universally admired, and whose generous sympathies have endeared them to the hearts of all people. On the present occasion, this toast is peculiarly significant, for Hongkong now enjoys, for the first time, the honour and the privilege of coupling with it the illustrious name of our Sailor Prince, to whom this community is most happy to offer hospitality, and whose presence here is a source of great gratification to us all. I call upon you, gentlemen, to drink this toast with all the honours." Loud and prolonged cheering immediately ensued, and the rising of the Duke to respond was the signal for renewed and increased applause. His Royal Highness said: "Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you most heartily for the kind manner in which you have received this toast; and I wish to express to the Chairman my sincere acknowledgments for the kind words, in which he has alluded to my brother and sister-in-law. I thank you also for the hearty reception given to the toast as coupled with my name; and for the welcome you have given me in Hongkong, a welcome as cordial and enthusiastic as any I have ever received in any portion of the Queen's dominions. On an occasion like the present, the fewer words spoken the better, and a lengthened speech might perhaps rather detract than otherwise from the feelings which I wish to express, viz.: my sense of the great kindness with which I have been received. Before resuming my seat, I will ask you to join me in drinking another toast; 'The future prosperity of Hongkong.' It is unnecessary to say much on such a subject, for when one enters a palace like this it is evident that prosperity is already guaranteed."
This toast was greeted with much cheering, the Duke himself leading off with the good old English, "hip, hip, hurrah." The Honorable H. B. Gibb, as soon as he could obtain a hearing, said: "I have much pleasure in responding, on behalf of the Community of Hongkong, to the first toast which has ever been given in this Colony, I believe, by a Royal Prince. Our gratification was very great when we first heard that the Galatea was to visit Hongkong, having for her Captain a son of that noble Lady whom we call Queen: We were reminded of home, our home, Great Britain, to which we so often look with affection, and which is ruled over by a Sovereign beloved and respected
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