e and loyalty of the
people. His Excellency hoped that the improved relations established by
recent legislation between landlord and tenant would have beneficial
effects.

His Excellency then proposed "The Health of the Prince of Wales," who
responded, and after several other toasts the party separated.

The Royal visitors, accompanied by the Countess Spencer and the Princess
Louise, afterwards proceeded to the Lady Mayoress's ball at the Mansion
House. The city was brilliantly illuminated at night.

* * * * *

The enthusiastic reception of the Royal Princes, and the success of this
visit to Ireland gave much public satisfaction at the time, and is
regarded with interest now, in the light of subsequent events. There had
been some misgivings, lest the Prince might meet with an uncourteous or
at least a cold and uncordial reception. But this had never been the way
of Irishmen, even under what might seem unpropitious conditions. The
most loyal and enthusiastic greeting ever given to a Sovereign, was that
which welcomed the Queen in 1849, just after the treason of Mr. Smith
O'Brien, and at the close of a long period of agitation. Still more
remarkable was the welcome given to George IV. in 1821. There were
neither personal nor political reasons for expecting much enthusiasm on
that occasion. It was well known that the new king, like his father
before him, and the brother who then stood next to the throne, were
determined opponents of Catholic Emancipation. But no sooner had this
king set foot on Irish soil, and left the name of Kingstown to the place
where he landed, than every political grievance, penal laws and
Protestant ascendency, were all for the time forgotten. The truth is
that whatever agitation may be at the surface, the masses of the Irish
nation, like the deep waters of the ocean, are not so disturbed as to
move them to disaffection or disloyalty. There was no Irishman more
loyal than Daniel O'Connell, and many of the Home Rulers of our own day
are not less loyal to the British Crown. There is no fear of the Queen
or any of her children being received by the mass of the Irish people
without demonstrations of joy. Rather the complaint is that Ireland has
so much less of the Royal sunshine than Scotland enjoys, and it might be
well if the sister island became the permanent residence of a member of
the reigning House.

Such thoughts have no bearing on party politics, but are natu