ROYAL VISIT TO GLASGOW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 184, 14 December 1868, Page 3

ROYAL VISIT TO GLASGOW.

{From the Glebe, Oct. 9.) The Prince and Princess of Wales, on their visit to Glasgow yesterday, met with an enthusiastic reception. Their Royal Highnesses left Edinburgh for Glasgow by a special train. The Prince and Princess were accompanied by Prince John of Denmark, LieutenantGeneral Knollys, and the Hon. Mrs Coke, and they ware received on alighting at the platform by the Lord Provost and Mrs Lumsden, Lady Belhaven, Lady Emily Hamilton, the Lord Justice General (who is also rector of the University), the Lord Advocate, Principal Barclay (of the Glasgow University), the Rev Dr. Norman M'Leod, &c. The Prince of Wales wore a general's uniform and the ribbon of the Order of St. Andrew. The Princess of Wales was attired in a lavender silk dress, and .wore a pink and white bonnet. The Koyal party were conducted to their carriage, and amid the cheers of many thousands of spectators, took their places in a procession which had been arranged for the occasion, and at once drove to the City Hall, where the public reception of their Royal Highnesses was to take place. The route of the Royal procession on leaving [the station lay along the west and southern sides of George square, down Frederick street, through Ingram street, along North Albion street, and into College street, where their Royal Highnesses were afforded an opportunity of seeing the old University buildings, thence down High street, through Stirling street and South Albion streetto the City Hall. The Btreets along the entire route were densely thronged with spectators, every point of vantage being eagerly taken possession of by the multitude not only from the densely populated districts of the great Scottish city, but from all the neighbouring towns, and even from Edinburgh aad some of the most distant parts of Scotland. The decorations of the houses and public buildings were profuse. On reaching the City-hall their Royal Highnesses were conducted to the platform, and their appearance in the building; w.as the signal for loud and prolonged cheering. .The National Anthem was performed on the' great organ. The town clerk read the certificate conferring the freedom of the city on his Royal Highness, and the document having been placed in a gold casket, was handed to the Prince by the Lord Provost. An address of welcome was presented by the corporation, to which the Prince, in reply, said : — ' It is a peculiar satisfaction to have become a freeman of so ancient a corporation, and of a city whose loyalty to the Queen and the Royal family has on this and previous occasions been so conspicuously displayed. The Princess is truly sensible of your kind expressions. Nothing can be more valuable to her than the possessson of the hearts and affections of the people of the country which Bhe has adopted as her own." (Loud cheers.) An address was presented from the University to the Prince of Wales. The Prince, in replying, said : — It affords me the highest satisfaction to become a member and graduate of your University, and at the same time to visit a city the close connexion of which with you has been so beneficial to both, as well as to the interests of learning and knowledge. The presence of so many of all classes of the citizens of Glasgow around me, and their liberal subscription for tbe prosecution of the work, the value they attach to its completion, and the sense of the advantages they and the people of {Scotland derive from our institutions, the interest wliich my lamented father took in the advancement of every branch of science and education, would stimulate me to follow his example, and promote by every means in my power the success of your University and the objects fdr which it has been founded. We may confidently expeot that the eminent men educated here in times past are only the precursors of a long train equally to be distinguished by every scientific acquirement. The Princess of Wales rejoices in the opportunity afforded her of taking part in this day's ceremony, and cordially thanks you for your kind wishes." (Cheers.) The Royal party then left the hall, and the procession being re-formed, the Prince and Princess proceeded to the site of the new University building on Gilmour hill. Here the crowd was enormous, and the enthusiasm with wliich the Koyal couple were welcomed was marked. On reaching the building the Royal party was conducted to the reception rooms, where the honorary degree of L.L.D. was conferred on the Prince of Wales and Prince John of Denmark. Their Royal Highnesses were then conducted to the platform, where the stone was in readiness to be laid. His Royal Highness then performed the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone, and the Princess also graciously accepted the innitation made to her to lay a companion stone as a memorial of her visit. The proceedings then terminated, and the Royal party shortly afterwards returned to Glasgow, where they partook of luncheon with the lord provost.