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The Honourable Philip M. Vankoughnet,

COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS FOR CANADA;

In acknowledgment of his sterling and brilliant abilities as a Statesman,
and as

THE MOVER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

THE ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN INVITING

Her Majesty

TO VISIT CANADA,

This Work is humbly and respectfully INSCRIBED by his obliged, obedient,
and humble servant,

THE COMPILER.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

OF

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

Albert Edward, Heir Apparent to the British throne, was born at Buckingham Palace on the 9th of November, 1841. He is consequently nineteen years of age.

The titles of the Prince of Wales are Duke of Saxony, Prince of Saxe Coburg Gotha, Duke of Cornwall and Rothsay, Earl of Chester, Carrick, and Dublin, Baron Renfrew, and Lord of the Isles. These titles he derives partly by inheritance and partly from creation, from the circumstance of King Edward I. having, in politic concession to the Welsh chieftains, created his heir "Prince of Wales," a few days after his birth, which took place in Caernarvon Castle. This was the unhappy Edward II., who was so barbarously murdered by Mortimer in Berkeley Castle. A few days afterwards he was created Earl of Chester, which title has been retained up to the present time. The Scottish titles of the Prince are derived from Robert III., in whose reign they were vested in the Heir Apparent of the Crown of Scotland. His Irish titles were conferred on the present Prince of Wales by Queen Victoria, on the 10th of September, 1849, in commemoration of her visit to Ireland. In the House of Lords he is known as the Duke of Cornwall.

Dod, the great authority on all these questions, thus defines the rank and position of the Prince of Wales :-"The Prince of Wales has ever been regarded as the first subject in the realm, the nearest to the throne,

the most dignified of the Peers of Parliament, and, though not exercising any political power beyond his vote as a legislator, yet regarded by all men as the most eminent person in the State next after the Sovereign."

The Princes of Wales, previous to the present subject of our memoir, have for more than a century been all placed in false positions. Since the accession of the Georges, they have invariably been in opposition to their father. The evil conduct of George IV. had sadly tarnished the high distinction: let us hope the present bearer of that high title will redeem it.

The education of Albert Edward has been conducted under the immediate supervision of the Queen. In the languages, classics, natural philosophy, mathematics, jurisprudence, and other branches, His Royal Highness has had the most eminent professors of the day; and it is stated that after his tour in America he will return to his studies at Oxford.

On the 9th of November, 1858, the Prince of Wales, having, on that day, completed his seventeenth year, was appointed colonel in the army. The Gazette of the following Friday contained the subjoined announce

ment:

"The Queen taking into her royal consideration that His Royal Highness Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and, by virtue of the statutes of the said order, constituent member thereof, has not as yet assumed the stall assigned to the Prince of Wales in the Royal Chapel of St. George, at Windsor, and having, as sovereign of the said order, the inherent right of dispensing with all statutes, ordinances, and regulations in regard to installation, Her Majesty has been pleased, by letters patent under her Royal Sign Manual and the Great Seal of the Order, bearing date this day, to give and grant to His Royal Highness Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, full power and authority to wear and use the Star, and also to wear and use the Collar and all other Ornaments belonging to the said Most Noble Order, and to sit in the stall assigned to the Prince of Wales in our Royal Chapel of St. George, at Windsor, and to exercise all rights and privileges belonging to a Knight Companion of the said Most Noble Order, in as full and ample manner as if His Royal Highness had been formally installed; any decree, rule, or usage, to the contrary notwithstanding."