At the opening of the new Swansea Dock, on Tuesday,
the Prince of Wales referred very gracefully to Mr. Goldwin Smith's charge against the Royal Family, that they have not done what was in their power to promote great and useful works in this country, and expressed his hope that the brilliant reception accorded him in Swansea showed that this was not the impression of the Welsh people. We do not think that, as regards Great Britain, the charge has been true ; but in Ireland, certainly, where the personal influence of a popular Royal Family might have been much more potent than in any other part of the kingdom, the attempt to make the Royal Family popular has never been made. Nor can we agree with the 'Times, that because there would have been some difficulty and some anxiety attaching to the attempt, that attempt ought not to have been made. The appearance of neglect towards any outlying part of the United Kingdom would be unfortunate, but when that appearance touches so impressionable a people as the Irish, it is more than unfortunate,—a serious misfortune.
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