MR GLADSTONE AND PRINCE EDWARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3264, 13 March 1885, Page 3

MR GLADSTONE AND PRINCE EDWARD.

The following correspondence has passed between Mr Gladstone and Prince Edward :— Hawarden Castle, January 7th. Sir, — As the oldest among the confidential servants of Her Majesty, I cannot allow the anniversary to pass without notice which will to-morrow bring your Royal Highness to full age, and thus mark an important epoch m your life. The hopeß and intentions of those whose lives lie, like mine, m the past are of little moment, but they have seen much, and what they have seen suggests much for the future. There lies before your Royal Highness m prospect the occupation, I trust at a distant date, of a throne which, to me at least, appears the most illustrious m the world, from its history and associations, from its legal basis, from the weight of the cares it brings, from the loyal love of the people, and from the unparalleled opportunities it gives, m so many ways, and m so many regions, of doing good to the almost countless numbers whom the Almighty has placed beneath the sceptre of England. I fervently desire and pray, and there cannot be a more animating prayer, that your Royal Highness may ever grow m the principles of conduct, and may be adorned with all the qualities, which correspond, with this great and ■ noble vocation. ■' ' "••>.■■.-. And, Sir, if sovereignty has been relieved by our modern institutions of some of its burdens, it still, I believe, remains true that there has been no period of the world's history at which successors to. the Monarchy could more efficaciously contribute to the stability of a great historic system dependent even more upon love than strength, by devotion to their duties, and by a bright example to the country. This result we have happily been permitted to see, and other generations will, I trust, witness it anew. Heartily desiring that m the life of your Royal Highness every private and personal may be joined with every public blessing, I have the honor to remain, Sir, Your Royal Highness's most dutiful and faithful servant, W. E. Gladstone. His Royal Highness the Prince Albert Victor, &c. Sandringham, Norfolk, Friday, Jan. 9th, 1885.— Dear Mr Gladstone,— l wish I were better able to answer your very kind letter, conveying as it does not only the best of good wishes, but carrying with them reflections on the past and advice for the future, for which I wish to thank you. I assure you the letter shall have that attention which words from yourself must deserve. It admirably describes much which demands my most earnest 1 thought on this perhaps the moat'im portant birthday of my life. Believe me ' I am very grateful for your remembrance 1 of me this day, and that among the 1 many offerings which have reached me, I prize nothing more than the letter you 1 have so kindly written, for which pray ' accept my most sincere thanks. I am ' glad to believe that your health is re- " Btored, and I trust your many friends • will have no cause for renewed anxiety r on your behalf. With my most kind re- : membrances to Mrs Gladstone, believe > me yours very sincerely. > (Signed) Albert Victoe.