VISIT OF THE PRINCE OF WALES TO THE NORTH AMERICAN PROVINCES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 4, Issue 164, 10 November 1860, Page 3

VISIT OF THE PRINCE OF WALES TO THE NORTH AMERICAN PROVINCES.

. Eakxy in August we heard of the Prince, of Wales at St. John's, Newfoundland. The correspondence which has since reached us from America is full of accounts of the " sensation" which the approach of his highness was creating throughout the whole country. The 'pitch which the general excitement has reached may be pretty well conjectured from such passages as the following.:—" Yoi^ can't take up a paper," writes a co-respondent of the ffimcs from Halifax, " without finding it full of acrostics on the prince's name, anecdotes of' his childhood, or predictions of a ! future glory which shall equal that of his royal' mother, whose

name, be it said, is never mentioned, either here or in the United States, but in such terms of reverence and admiration as an Englishman feels proud and glad to hear. Even in advertisements the prince's name or title is mysteriously associated with the Halifax national dish of pork and beans, or used as a puff for mild cider. You can't sit down to dinner but his portrait looms dimly beneath the gravy in the centre of the plate ; it is prince's hats, prince's, boots, prince's coats, prince's umbrellas; the whole land nods,. in fact, with prince's coronets and feathers." The Prince of Wales left the Government House, St. John's, on the morning of the 26th of July, and after a ride round the town, embarked with his suite on board the Hero. The day was beautiful, and the town had a gala appearance. The fleet sailed in the forenoon for Halifax, calling on the way at St. Peter's. The ball on the previous night was a brilliant affair. More than 3000 persons were present. The Prince of Wales danced nearly all the evening, and left at a quarter to 3 o'clock amid deafening cheers, the band playing " God save the Queen." The New York Herald of August 1, contains a letter from Halifax, under the following singular headings : — "The Novelty in Halifax!" *' The Prince of Wales on Horseback in a Drenching Rain." " Reviews the Troops and Volunteers, and Mkes being Lionised." " Visits the Rustic Play-ground, and is delighted with the Greased Pole, the Indian Races, catching Pigs, and the Fun generally." " The Ball Last Night," &c, &c, &c. The letter is as follows: — Halifax, July 31, 1860. The Prince rode out in plain costume yesterday afternoon, and received a drenching before he returned, but he sat his horse as coolly in the rain aB at starting. At half-past seven he dined at G-overnment, House with Lord Mulgrave, and a party of forty-six ladies and gentlemen. This morning the Prince left the Government House in the uniform in which he landed, and, in company with all the members of the suite, rode to the common to review the troops in the garrison and the volunteers. He was received on ali sides with enthusiastic cheers from the immense concourse of people collected round the field. The troops consisted of the 62nd and 63rd regts., a company of engineers, and five volunteer companies of infantry and one of artillery. When these had formed into line he rode past with his staff, and reviewed them admirably, receiving the most hearty cheers from the multitude the whole way, which he acknowledged by repeatedly lifting his cocked hat and bowing. He then returned to where the royal standard hung from a staff, and the troops filed past with beautiful precision. He subsequently rode between the lines, appearing to enjoy the whole amazingly. He was continually "smiling and chatting with the officers near him, and he evidently liked being lionised. At twenty minutes to 2 he left the field amid a salute from the volunteer artillery, -which was the only firing that took place. He next inspected the citadel, and returned to the G-overnment House to luncheon, after which he returned to the common to -witness the rustic sports. The Indians in their sports all wore their national costume, and attracted much attention. The tribe of Micmacs performed a war dance before him. Seven thousand people vrere assembled around him at this time. He laughed heartily at the ludicrous games and scenes, and appeared very much interested at the foot racing. He dined at half-past seven, with fifty guests, at the Government House. The whole town and the fleet in the harbour were brilliantly illuminated. The weather last evening was very wet. and the illuminations in consequence were not general. The ball in the Province building is the great event to-night, and 3000 guests are expected to be present. The ball and supper are magnificent, and the lighting very brilliant. Yesterday and to day have been kept as general holidays, and no newspapers have been printed since Saturday. The Prince arrived at I the ball, accompanied by all the members of his suite and Lord Mulgrave, at a few minutes before ten ; he appeared in his uniform, and looked remarknbly well and good humoured. He gave a reception to all present in. the ball-room, and they passed him in single file. He danced afterwards with Miss Young, niece of the Premier, and the daughter of Mr. Pilsbury, the United States consul. He is a capital waltzer, and ajvery entertaining partner. The ball is a great success, and Albert Edward is in his glory. He evidently likes being lionised, and is fond of gaiety and excitement. It is amusing to observe the eyes of the ladies in the room and gallery watching his every movement and gesture, and casting envious glances at hia fortunate partners. I heard more than one/ whisper, " What a beautiful I dancer," as he glided in the waltz. He 'reats his partner frequently, and fills up; the interval with cheerful conversation and remarks upon the company. His finest feature is his nose, which is becoming prominent, and nearly a- . Roman. The weather is beautifully fine, and all Halifax is one grand carnival. , # The Times of August 24, in a leading article, says: — The progress of- the Prince of Wales .through the

colonies is responded to with a heartier and'b^jjb tier welcome at every colonial capital. The interest and excitement, indeed, gain an impetus and a swing which carrieß people quite away ; they cannot express, themselves adequately, and when everything jtas been done that can be done, by voice 01 symbol, by salutes and flags, by crowded streets, windows crammed with faces, and "yards fringed with sailors," by triumphal arches and festooned streets, by processions, addresses, reviews; by welcomes from governors, welcomes from legislatures, welcomes from corporations ; by banquets, balls, illuminations, fireworks — when heraldry has exhausted all its waiving honors, the gardens all their colors, and leaf and flower, wreath and banner, lamp and evergreen, have converted the colonial capital into a fairy city, there is still an unexpressed longing in the colonial heart, which would fain do something to embody itself in outward shape if it could. Halifax did not know itself on the 30th July. It was completely buried in gWen leaves and flowers, and metamorphosed into i gigantic banquet. Every street, house, and wincbw looked at its neighbours from under an overshadowing bower, which allowed openings, however, for waiving handkerchiefs and outstretched heads. Never since old Sebastian Cabot landed on its shore has Nova' Scotia had such a holiday. It was a gala day ; indeed, it is more than a gala day ; it is an event in its history, a day which concentrates an age and creates a mass of solid associations which will long survive the passing impression, and support the old > hereditary connection of the colony with the British Crown. Erom the moment that the " two steamers were Been like dots on the entrance of Halifax Bay," on the morning of the 30th, to the farewell on the Ist, the whole of Halifax waß in a state.of perfect arid unmixed jubilee, triumphing in its temporary possession of the heir apparent to the English throne. Nothing was done, even the mails were not despatched, and the very newspapers, whose business time is every other person's holiday, stopped work. The prince, upon his very fir.st stand upon the beach of Halifax — and a stand it was, for it was that motionless stand of due duration which is required for a photographic likeness— fixed all the hearts of Halifax by the perfection with which he bore tjhis rather awkward ordeal, which constituted the first Btep of his introduction to the assembled and gazing colony, and inaugurated while it immortalised on the magic paper the first tread of a Prince of Wales upon Nova Scotian soil. And his royal highness, it need not be said, well sustained this first impression, and won more and more popularity every hour of his stay. His manners, " which blended a native dignity with the most winning-courtesy and frankness," charmed everybody, and, whether it was the graceful ease with which he saluted the lines on either side of the streets and bowed amid the praneings of his spirited horse, or whether it was his observation at a review, or his ready flow of conversation at a ball, his whole address won unmixed admiration. He seems to have given pleasure to everybody. The English public at home read these descriptions of. his royal highness' progress through his future colonial dominions with the greatest, satisfaction ; and the colonists will congratulate themselves on their connection with a royai family, the heir of which combines the grace and loftiness of a prince with all the public sympathies of one of the people. By advices which reached Liverpool on 23rd August, we learn that the prince landed from the Hero at Chariottetown, Prince Edward's Island, on 10th August. He was accompanied to | the island by the ship Nile, and the Ariadne, Cossack, Valorous, and Flying Fish, as well as by the French commodore's ship Pomene. The day was stormy and wet, but he was nevertheless received by a great multitude of people, many of whom were from distant parts, and had to camp out for lack of accommodation. The arrangements for the reception were good. The prince landed under eight royal salutes from the ships and betttry. He was received on Queen's Wharf by the officers of the Government, members of the public bodies, the clergy and bar, and deputations of prominent citizens. He was conveyed in the governor's carriage, and accompanied by a procession along the streets, which were lined by the volunteer's battalion. Numerous lasteful arches were erected, and the enthusiasm was very warm. The reception was considered a complete success. Lord Mulgrave accompanied the prince from Nova Scotia, as also did a guard of honor of regular troops. The Court Journal says that a patent has lately passed the Great Seal, conferring the powers of a viceroy on the Prince of Wales during his visit to her Majesty's North American dominions. His Royal Highness will thus have the same right of conferring the honor of knighthood that is possed by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, which is simply guying the " accolate. ? ' Honors of a higher rank, and which are hereditary, require a patent, and therefore the Crown will act in those cases through the Secretary of State, as usual. At any rate, no material alteration . has been made in issuing the prince's patent, as to the mode hitherto pursued in granting such honors.

WikpjrafoiT Markets. — Wooi. — All the better *£jJ3*ob have met with steady competition, and "IKve sold well. Inferior sorts, particularly the half -washed, ill-bred New Zealand, which sold at relatively low prices, being in excess of the re' quirements of the tiade. Whaiebone is in less [ request, and prices are not so well supported. Southern is, however, held for £380. 9 cwt. ex Catherine Pemberton, mark JS in diamond, sold at £209. Ons.— Sperm is better in demand; £101 has been paid for Colonial, and £100 for American. 47 casks ex Catherine Pemberton, S is diamond, sold at £92 to £94; 96 casks ez Strathallan, T in diamond, £96 to £97. Southern is lower : small parcels of good double compass hare been sold at £34. 29 casks ex Catherine Pemberton sold at £29 10s. to £31 10s. House or Commons.— Jinx 27. — Lord A. Churchill said he had been informed that certain transports had been sent to New Zealand, which were to bring back troops, and bo reduce the number of effective soldiers in the colony. He asked whether-it was the intention of the Government to do this in the face of the disturbances in that colony, and in spite of a requisition from the Governor for move troops- Mr. C. Fortescue said that the rumour to which the noble lord referred . was a false alarm. There was no intention that the ships should bring back troops, unless, in the opinion of the Governor, the disturbances were at an end. The Thames City, which sailed from London in July, has on board for Auckland, the following stock, game, &c. : — Two cart stallions, two thorough bred. mares, in foal, two short-horn bulls j eleven rama and ewes, west Country Downs and Leicester ; four deer, one of which a fine tame buck, was presented to the shipper by Lord .Evelyn for the purpose of sending to New Zealand, nine hares, one brace ailver pheasants, one brace grouse, three braeH common or English pheasants, fifteen brace partridges, twelve brace quails, and a large quantity of other birds, comprising larks, Btariinas, &c. The announcement in the Commons that the 65th liegiuient is not to be withdrawn while disturbances last, is satisfactory ; but the delay in the departure of the 14tlxregt. is much to be regretted. The transport Daphne, which sailed a week before the mail ieft, could only have on board a small portion of the troops intended for New Zealand. The Robert Lowe, and Boauerges, were chartered by Government to convey the 14th regt., from Cork to New Zealand, and were to sail about the end of August. The former has an auxiliary steam power of 80 horses. Prior to their sailing the battalion was to be augmented to 1200 bay T onets and further strengthened by an addition of 200 bayonets in augmentation of the 65th, The Daphne, taken up by the War Department, left Woolwich on August 22, with detachments of the lioyal Artillery and other corps for New Zealand, A rumour was very prevalent in London Military Circles, at the date of the departui'e of the August mail, that Major-Q-eneral JJobert Henry Wynyard, C.8., was about to be appointed Governor of New Zealand. . ... The Taweia had also been engaged by the Lords of the Admiralty to proceed to Auckland, to sail on the 25th August, with military stores.