It is the variety of subjects that will strike most readers. Let it be noted, moreover, that the speeches now reproduced are only those addressed to meetings where reporters for the press were present. There have been innumerable meetings besides,--meetings of Commissions, of Boards, of Councils, of Committees, at none of which has the Prince ever been an inactive or silent member, but rather the guiding and moving spirit. If the voluntary offices of His Royal Highness were printed at length, they would far outnumber those mere honorary titles with which the College of Arms concerns itself; and are such as imply thought and work, in many useful and beneficent ways. Long may His Royal Highness have the health and the will for such offices and duties. If his future career is equal to the hopes and promise of his early life, and the performances of the last twenty-five years, he will leave a name illustrious and memorable in the history of the British Empire. * * * * * [***symbol] _The frontispiece portrait, under which the Prince of Wales has been pleased to put his autograph, is etched by W. Strang, from a recent photograph by Van der Weyde._ TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE THE EARLY YEARS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES 1 AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY BANQUET OF 1863 11 FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON 12 BRITISH ORPHAN ASYLUM 14 AT MERCERS' HALL 16 THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND DINNER 17 IRISH INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1865 21 INTERNATIONAL REFORMATORY EXHIBITION, HELD IN THE AGRICULTURAL HALL, ISLINGTON 24 THE SAILORS' HOME, LONDON DOCKS 25 ROYAL DRAMATIC COLLEGE 26 FISHMONGERS' HALL DINNER 27 SPEECH DAY AT WELLINGTON COLLEGE 29 INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS 31 THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY 33 FRIEND OF THE CLERGY CORPORATION 36 WAREHOUSEMEN AND CLERKS' SCHOOL 38 MERCHANT SEAMEN'S ORPHAN ASYLUM 39 ROYAL VISIT TO NORWICH IN 1866 41 ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION 42 SOCIETY OF ANCIENT BRITONS 44 LONDON INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE 47 THE VICEROY OF EGYPT, ISMAIL PASHA, AT THE MANSION HOUSE 49 FESTIVAL OF ST. PATRICK 50 DUBLIN AND CARNARVON 55