and to aim at developing those particular forms of mental activity which are most in harmony with the genius and instincts of Wales, and which will best enable its inhabitants to assist in furthering the interests of the civilized world. Its aims must be high, its vigilance keen, its care incessant. The field of work on which it is entering is one of promise, and should it be true to its mission we may confidently anticipate that success and fame will attend its efforts. (Loud cheers.)

The Town Clerk of Aberystwyth next read the address from the Corporation, which was presented by the Mayor, and this was followed by addresses from the magistrates of the county, from the County Council, and the Freemasons of the Western Division of South Wales.

century, works were produced in which scholars preserved a standard of literary taste very noteworthy in those early days. Schools of systematic learning in Wales existed only in its Monasteries, and from St. David's came forth Asser to aid Alfred the Great in his work amongst his West Saxon subjects. Throughout the Middle Ages we find the profession of letters held in universal respect in Wales, its exponents protected by privileges and treated everywhere as honoured guests, and the objects of popular regard; while Welsh scholars absent from home constituted a conspicuous element in the cosmopolitan crowds who flocked to Medieval Oxford. The troubles of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries fatally obstructed the development of permanent educational institutions west of Offa's Dyke, but The most interesting ceremony of the day fol when England under the Tudors opened its Col-lowed, the presentation by the Vice-Chancellor of leges to the scholastic ambition of Wales, Welsh the recipients of the honorary degrees. The students were again found thronging to the Eng- first recipient was the Princess of Wales lish Universities, and adding distinguished names who was presented with the usual formula in to the rolls of the learned professions. Nor is it Latin, for the Degree of Doctor of Music. The without significance that Shakespeare, with his ceremony was perforned with appropriate dig intuitive perception of character, representing at nity by the Prince, but he appeared to share with this epoch three highly finished portraits of Welsh- the Princess a certain sense of the humour of the men, depicted them all, the Soldier, the Divine, situation, and smiled pleasantly as he held her and the Feudal Chieftain, as men of thought and hand and recited in Latin the historic formula. learning. The present educational movement As she donned her graceful college cap such a has made still more apparent how universally cheer was raised as could not have been surpassed prevalent in Wales is the love of learning. It in loyalty, spontaneity, or vigour. The Vicehas been above all a popular movement. It has Chancellor next went to Mr Gladstone, led him not been merely the effort of the few to diffuse to a position in front of the dais, and in presenting an abstract desire for education which had not him he said:-Altissime Princeps, Domine Canpreviously existed; it has mainly represented the cellarie, præsento tibi viros quosdam insignissi practical endeavour of the many to secure for mos, eruditissimos, celeberrimos, ad gradum their children advantages, the value of which they Doctoris, auctore Senatu Universitatis Cure could appreciate, although in many cases they had decreto honoris causâ admittendos. Primum been deprived of the boon themselves. The three duco ad te, cui gradus Doctoris in Legibus Colleges comprised in the general designation of decretus est, virum eruditissimum, per orben "The University of Wales," have all been terrarum illustrissimum-cheers) totius hujus founded within the last five and twenty years, gentis studiorum amantissimum,-cheers)-pu and are witnesses to the earnestness and capacity Universitatis ab incunabilis patronum potentass for self-denial of the people in furthering educa-mum Gulielmum Ewart Gladstone. (Loud cheers ) tional work. The pioneer College of Aberystwyth—(cheers)—which we are to visit to-day, as well as its younger sisters at Cardiff and Bangor (cheers) have been established, it is well known, both by the contributions of the poor and the donations of the rich; and the State has rightly extended its aid to undertakings commenced in so honourable a spirit of self-help, and carried out with such admitted ability and success. With equal justice, the special aspects of education in Wales, and the special feelings with which her people regard its development, have been recognised by the incorporation of a National University. I am persuaded that our University will not be national in name only. Owing to the peculiar characteristics which I have mentioned, the future welfare and credit of Wales are in an exceptional degree bound up in the conduct of its educational institutions, and a great responsibility rests on the University by which the efficiency of similar establishments will in some measure be influenced. It will be our duty to bring still more closely home to the Welsh people the objects of higher education, on which their minds are already set, to offer additional incentives to the continuous pursuit of knowledge,

The Vice-Chancellor then led Mr Gladstone up to
the Prince, who took his hand. The scene was
one which appealed in a special degree to the
audience, and the applause was so great and so
continuous that the Prince by a motion of his cap
had to use his influence to stop it, and, continung
his hold of Mr Gladstone's hand, he read the
formula of admission. The close of the scene, as
Mr Gladstone bowed himself back to his seat, was
marked by another outburst of extraordinary
enthusias.n, and the cheering was again and agai
renewed. Lord Herschell and Lord Spencer were
in turn presented, and the first admission of hea
orary graduates was completed. Mrs Mary
Davies then sang the solo, "Hen Wlad fv
Nhadau," and the choir led the chorus, the Prince
setting the example of standing while it was being
sung. The National Anthem, sung in Welsh,
closed the proceedings.

The royal and other visitors then left the mar
quee, and drove through Queen's-road, North
Parade, Great Darkgate-street, Pier-street, New
street, and Laura Place, where a guard of honour
of blue jackets was posted, to the College.

THE LUNCHEON.

At the College the guests were received by Lord

1

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENDA

TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

PRINCIPAL REICHEL,

PRINCIPAL VIRIAMU JONES,

OF THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOUTH WALES, CARDIFF.

OF THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NORTH WALES. (Photo by Juo. Wickens, Upper Bangor, Wales.)

DR. ISAMBARD OWEN,

SENIOR DEPUTY CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY (Photo by Thos. Fall, 9 Baker St., London, W.)

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX

ILD FOUNDATIONS