the school presented to the Senior Master Builder
(Mr. Parnell) a purse of gold, saying: "It is the pleasure of the Prince
that those who have hewed the stones, and those who have laid them, and
all who have assisted, should 'rejoice in the light.'"

Prayers by the Bishop of Oxford, and the Hallelujah Chorus, performed by
the band and choir, closed the ceremonial, which was very quaint and
impressive.

At the luncheon afterwards given in the Town Hall, the Prince, after
acknowledging the usual loyal toasts, that of the Prince and Princess of
Wales having been proposed by the Mayor, said:--

"My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen,--It gives me great pleasure to
have an opportunity of expressing to all those present the
gratification it has given both to the Princess and myself to be
here this day. I am glad also to have the opportunity of
congratulating the Mayor and Corporation and the inhabitants of
Reading on the great success of all the proceedings of the day.
In passing through the town we could not fail to admire the
tasteful way in which all the houses and streets were decorated;
nor was it possible that the arrangements for laying the
foundation stone of the new schools, and the magnificent
ceremony attending it, could have gone off better. I trust we
shall all take a deep interest in the school which is to be,
succeeding as it does to one which has already existed for a
great number of years, having been founded by my ancestor Henry
VII., and receiving a Royal charter from Queen Elizabeth. I
trust that the wishes expressed by the Mayor concerning the
school may be realized, and that the children not only of the
inhabitants of Reading but of the whole county of Berkshire will
have an opportunity of receiving a thoroughly good education in
it. I will not occupy your time any longer, but before sitting
down it affords me great pleasure to propose a toast which I
feel sure you will all receive with enthusiasm. It is 'The
Health of the Mayor of Reading.' I am glad to have the
opportunity of thanking him, as the representative of this
ancient and loyal borough, for the kind and hearty reception it
has given to us on this occasion."

After the departure of the Prince, the Mayor announced that His Royal
Highness had generously handed him a cheque for a hundred guineas
towards the building fund. At night the town was i