The Royal Academy dinner took place this day week, under
the new President, Sir Francis Grant, who seems to have discharged The Royal Academy dinner took place this day week, under the new President, Sir Francis Grant, who seems to have discharged
his duties with great ease and SOM3 humour. He complimented the Prince. of Wales, who was amongst the guests, on being—at leaetj to eau across coun tesy—a very accomplished "artist," and claimed Mm as one of the- brothers of 'the bruah." The Prince appeased plaased, but, consideriag that he muse very late, was in rather an unseemly hurry to gat away. The Archbishop of Canter- bury, warned that "he must be brief," was of course fluttered; but Lord Derby seem el t3 m my of the guests to prolong purposely his remarks on the National Portrait Gallery in silent protest against the Prince's haste. Before the President had exhausted the list of toasts of which he had spoken as essential, and, as it has been said, while Mr. Disraeli was meditating something good in reply to an expected toast, the Prince rase, was followed necaserrily by Sir Francis Grant, and the assembly cut -short. We fear the Prince of Wales is getting impatient of the social duties which his position imposes. But at least in assemblies like this, where he is, though the first in rank, very far from the first in public in- terest, he should forbear till the great men have said what the public wishes to hear.
Previous page
