The Prince of Wales.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 8, 6 November 1880, Page 63

The Prince of Wales.

The most high, most puissant, and most illustrious, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, .Duke of Saxony, Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay, Earl of Chester, Carrick, and Dublin, Baron of Renfrew and Lord of the Isles, Great ■Steward of Scotland, K.G., K.P., K.T., G.C.8., •Q. C.5.1., &c, &c, whose thirty-ninth birthday it happens to be on Tuesday next, is in all probability the most popular man in the Queen's 'aominions. Some may say, " Oh, it is very easy for the heir apparent to the Crown to be popular ;" but lam not so sure of that. To find ;» Prince of Wales as beloved as the present one, we should have to go back to Prince Hal of immortal memory. There are very few men who work harder in that state of life which it has pleased Providence to .call them, than the Prince of Wales. The position of heir apparent is no pleasing sinecure now-a-day9. To a conscientious man, it entails many onerous and difficult duties which recur so often as to become wearying in the extreme. 'The public at home read in the morning papers that the Prince attended certain meetings, or laid such-and-such a foundation stone, and ■dined with so-and-so yesterday, but it does not hear how the rest of his time was occupied. Let us then run through a " slack ' day of the London season with H.R.H.

The Prince is an early riser : — No matter •what time he goes to bed he is always up and ready for work at nine o'clock. The amount of business to be done necessitates this. After he has read the journals of the day, the private secretaries are summoned, the letters read, and instructions (taken down in shorthand) given. When this is over, it is generally time to start •off for the scene of action of the event of the •day — meeting, foundation stone, races, or what-

two a.m., he was sitting with several friends puffing a quiet weed and talking in the smoking room of the Guards Club. Most of the men present were very tired and anxious to get away, but as it is not etiquette to move before the Prince they were obliged to sit on till he gave the necessary sign, which, unfortunately, there was no appearance of his doing. He seemed very chatty, and had just lit a giant Partagas. The tired, men wearily watched the long cigar melting slowly away, fully expecting that their liberty would come when it was smoked. It lasted an immense time, but the biggest weed must have an end, and towards three a.m. the Prince threAV that end away. All were preparing to rise, when to their unutterable horror' and disgust H.R.H. instead of making a move drew out his case and calmly produced another enormous cigar. On this the feelings of a youthful Lord became too much for him. Oblivious of etiquette, he jumped up, exclaiming, "Hang it, I can keep awake no longer." Two or three others also arose. H.R H. took in the situation at once, and instead of being angry, as every one expected, laughed good humouredly, and said "Yes, it was quite time to be oft."

Like all the Royal family, the Prince of Wales has a splendid memory and never forgets a face. .An acquaintance of mine H ,an artist, was introduced to the Prince at a soiree of the Arts Club. About four words passed. H was absent in Rome three years, but on his return he dined at the Academy dinner at Burlington House, and was about to be introduced again to the Prince (who was present), not, of course, supposing he would be remembered. "I think I recollect seeing you before" said H.R.H. The Prince is extremely fond of racing, arcl makes a point of being present at the best fixtures, .a few years ago he was