Lord G. Hamilton, M.P., proposed the toast of "The Stewards," Mr. E. N. Buxton, M.P., in acknowledging the toast, said they had no desire to claim from His Royal Highness in any sense any appearance of taking sides on a question by his presence there that night. The kind words he had spoken only showed his approval of the great principle that every trade should provide for its poor and disabled members.
The Secretary of the Institution read a list of subscriptions, headed with an additional donation of 100 guineas from His Royal Highness, which was followed by large subscriptions from Messrs. Bass, Allsopp, Huggins, Mr. C. Sykes, M.P., and other gentlemen. The whole list amounted to £5000.
In recent years the subject of intemperance has attracted more attention, and the crime and poverty resulting from drink has led to a general consent of opinion that some greater regulation of the trade is necessary.
The election of His Royal Highness Prince Albert to the Chancellorship of the University of Cambridge, was one of the honours of which he was most justly proud. He was only twenty-eight years of age, and had not yet been eight years in England. But during these years he had won the respect and admiration of all that was highest and best in the nation. When the Chancellorship of Cambridge became vacant by the death of the Duke of Northumberland, on the 12th of February, 1847, application was made to the Prince, on the next day, by Dr. Whewell, the Master of Trinity, to allow himself to be put in nomination for the office. The request was separately made by the Marquis of Lansdowne on the same day. A letter from the Bishop of London (Blomfield) conveyed the assurance that the Prince's acceptance of the office would be regarded by many of the leading members of the University, with whom he had conferred, as "honourable and advantageous to the University." The Prince replied, through Mr. Anson, to whom the bishop's letter was addressed, that he would be gratified by such a distinction, if it was the unanimous desire of the University.
Unfortunately there was another candidate proposed, and an election took place, the Prince obtaining a large majority. Of 24 Professors who voted, 16 gave their votes for the Prince; of 30 Senior Wranglers, 19 were on his side; while of the resident members 3 to 1 voted for him. Notwithstanding this strong expression of opinion, the Prince felt inclined to refuse the office, but was induced to accept it, on the reasons of the opposition being explained to him, and on the assurance that the contest would be forgotten after a few months, and that he might then count on the confidence and goodwill of the whole Academical body.