(56)
Governor, in February, One thousand Eight hundred and Sixty-seven, none who were then present could have anticipated that its completion and formal opening would be inaugurated under the gracious auspices of the first British Prince who has ever visited the distant East.
This happy termination of their labours will more than compensate the Committee for the many difficulties, delays, and disappointments with which they have had to contend in bringing the arduous undertaking to a successful conclusion.
Your Royal Highness has been graciously pleased to accede to our request, and formally to open an Institution which we sincerely hope will prove a permanent benefit to the residents of Hongkong.
We can already boast of a Library, recently formed, and which, though not very extensive, contains several very valuable works upon the East, and that portion of it especially with which we have most to do: the Museum we trust will soon be filled with choice and curious specimens of the natural and artificial productions of the vast Empire on the borders of which we are situated; while provision has been made in the Theatre and the Ball-room for the amusement of the Residents and our numerous Visitors.
The building itself may fairly be said to constitute one of the greatest ornaments of the City of Victoria, and will long redound to the honour of the Architects by whom it was designed and completed.
Your Royal Highness has but just arrived from a visit to Australia, where you have seen what British energy and perseverance have achieved in its vast and flourishing Colonies, and still more recently you must have been struck by the contrast presented by the peculiar habits and manners of the Japanese and Chinese. Your reception everywhere has been gratifying; and though the Colony of Hongkong is more remote from England than almost any other of her possessions, and is in extent perhaps the least, its residents yield to none in fervent loyalty to the Crown, and warm attachment to the Royal Family. We all feel grateful for the visit you have paid to Hongkong, and in particular the City Hall Committee again tender their warm thanks to you for honouring this ceremonial with your presence. We shall long look back with pleasure to this auspicious day, and earnestly pray that Your Royal Highness may be blessed with health, long life, and prosperity.
(Signed),
W. KESWICK, for the City Hall Committee.
(57)
Reply of His Royal Highness.
GENTLEMEN, It is with mingled feelings of gratification at the duty which I have been called upon to undertake, and admiration of the magnificent structure which is before me, that I have complied with your invitation to inaugurate this building.
It is my most earnest prayer that this beautiful hall may realize all the expectations of its promoters, and continue throughout the great future of this Colony a source of permanent and ever increasing prosperity.
I shall never cease to rejoice that I have been enabled to visit this distant portion of the British Empire, and to become acquainted with a people of whom I shall carry back with me the most pleasing recollections.
I thank you for your kind wishes on my behalf, and for the expressions of your loyalty to the Crown and warm attachment to the Royal Family.
To the City Hall Committee.
(Signed),
ALFRED.
The Address from the Clergy of Hongkong.
To His Royal Highness ALFRED ERNEST ALBERT, Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.T., &c., &c., &c.
May it Please Your Royal Highness:
We, the undersigned, the Archdeacon, Clergy, and Ministers of Religion, British subjects of Hongkong, beg to approach your Royal Highness for the purpose of giving expression to those feelings of loyalty and attachment which we entertain towards the Throne, Person, and Family of our Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria.
It is, at the same time, a source of much pleasure to us to have this opportunity of tendering to Your Royal Highness a most cordial Welcome on the occasion of the visit of Your Royal Highness to this distant Dependency of the British Crown.
The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of the Diocese who is now in England, also wishes us to express to Your Royal Highness his great
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( 56 )
Governor, in February, One thousand Eight hundred and Sixty-seven, none who were then present could have anticipated that its completion and formal opening would be inaugurated under the gracious auspices of the first British Prince who has ever visited the distant East.
This happy termination of their labours will more than compensate the Committee for the many difficulties, delays, and disappointments with which they have had to contend in bringing the arduous under- taking to a successful conclusion.
Your Royal Highness has been graciously pleased to accede to our request, and formally to open an Institution which we sincerely hope will prove a permanent benefit to the residents of Hongkong.
We can already boast of a Library, recently formed, and which, though not very extensive, contains several very valuable works upon the East, and that portion of it especially with which we have most to do: the Museum we trust will soon be filled with choice and curious specimens of the natural and artificial productions of the vast Empire on the borders of which we are situated; while provision has been made in the Theatre and the Ball-room for the amusement of the Residents and our numerous Visitors.
The building itself may fairly be said to constitute one of the greatest ornaments of the City of Victoria, and will long redound to the honour of the Architects by whom it was designed and completed.
Your Royal Highness has but just arrived from a visit to Australia, where you have seen what British energy and perseverance have achieved in its vast and flourishing Colonies, and still more recently you must have been struck by the contrast presented by the peculiar habits and manners of the Japanese and Chinese. Your reception everywhere has been gratifying; and though the Colony of Hongkong is more remote from England than almost any other of her possessions, and is in extent perhaps the least, its residents yield to none in fervent loyalty to the Crown, and warm attachment to the Royal Family. We all feel grateful for the visit you have paid to Hongkong, and in parti- cular the City Hall Committee again tender their warm thanks to you for honouring this ceremonial with your presence. We shall long look back with pleasure to this auspicious day, and earnestly pray that Your Royal Highness may be blessed with health, long life, and prosperity.
(Signed),
W. KESWICK, for the City Hall Committee.
( 57 )
Reply of His Royal Highness.
GENTLEMEN,It it with mingled feelings of gratification at the duty which I have been called upon to undertake, and admiration of the magnificent structure which is before me, that I have complied with your invitation to inaugurate this building.
It is my most earnest prayer that this beautiful hall may realize all the expectations of its promoters, and continue throughout the great future of this Colony a source of permanent and ever increasing pros- perity.
I shall never cease to rejoice that I have been enabled to visit this distant portion of the British Empire, and to become acquainted with a people of whom I shall carry back with me the most pleasing recul- lections.
I thank you for your kind wishes on my behalf, and for the expressions of your loyalty to the Crown and warm attachment to the Royal Family.
To the City Hall Committee.
(G)
(Signed),
ALFRED.
The Address from the Clergy of Hongkong.
To His Royal Highness ALFRED ERNEST ALBERT, Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.T., &c., &c., &c.
May it Please Your Royal Highness:
We, the undersigned, the Archdeacon, Clergy, and Ministers of Religion, British subjects of Hongkong, beg to approach your Royal Highness for the purpose of giving expression to those feelings of loyalty and attachment which we entertain towards the Throne, Person, and Family of our Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria.
It is, at the same time, a source of much pleasure to us to have this opportunity of tendering to Your Royal Highness a most cordial Welcome on the occasion of the visit of Your Royal Highness to this distant Dependency of the British Crown.
The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of the Diocese who is now in England, also wishes us to express to Your Royal Highness his great
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