The progamme of Saturday's engagements for Prince Albert Victor comprised five separate items, the performance of which kept the Prince employed until the evening. These items were - first of all the presentation of an address by the mayor and corporation, then a luncheon at the Townhall, followed by the opening of some new recreation-grounds, the laying of the foundation-stone of an hospital extension, and the opening of a lads' club. The recreation-grounds, which are a little over 29 acres in extent, are situated at Birch-fields, on the southern side of the city. The hospital extension comprises the building of a new wing to an institution which has already done excellent work in Ancoats; whilst the lads' club, opened in another quarter of the same district, will prove a great boon to factory lads and others. The club has been established by the Manchester Working Lads' Association. The club buildings were formerly a divisional police-station, and they now comprise an excellent gymnasium, reading-room and library, game-room, and class-rooms.
The address from the corporation was presented in the council-chamber, where the Bishop of Manchester, Lord Egerton of Tatton, Sir James Fergusson, M.P., Mr. J. W. Maclure, M.P., Mr. Jacob Bright, M.P., and Mr. C. E. Schwann, M.P., were among those present.
Prince Albert Victor, in expressing his thanks for the address, said - It is a source of great pleasure to me that my visit to this town to-day is for the purpose of furthering the interests of institutions which aim at the moral and material improvement of the people, and which cannot fail to be a blessing to the inhabitants of the city, and I esteem it a high privilege to have an opportunity of showing that deep sympathy I feel for works of this nature. I again thank you for the kind sentiments that you have expressed regarding my parents and myself, and I shall not fail to convey to her Majesty the loyal terms in which you have alluded to her.
After this came the luncheon, to which, in addition to those already mentioned, most of the leading men of the city and neighborhood had been invited to meet the Royal guest.
The health of the Queen having been drunk, the Mayor gave that of the "Prince of Wales and the other members of the Royal Family."
Prince Albert Victor, in responding, said he knew it was a great gratification to his parents to visit Manchester last year, as it was to him that day.
At the conclusion of the luncheon the procession was formed in the Albert-square, where all the available space was occupied by spectators. A considerable military force was in attendance, and formed a guard of honour. The route of the procession was thronged, and a most enthusiastic welcome was accorded to the Prince. A vast concourse of spectators had assembled at the grounds. The proceedings there were, however, exceedingly brief. A gold key was handed to the Prince, who unlocked the gate with it, and declared the grounds open. The party then proceeded to Ancoats Hospital, where his Royal Highness laid the foundation-stone of what will be known as the Albert Victor wing.
Prince Albert Victor said it afforded him great satisfaction to know that his visit to Manchester had in part for its end the object of the fulfilment of that duty, and he fully realized the great advantages which would result from the enlargement of the institution for alleviating pain and suffering.
Sir James Fergusson also spoke, and the party then moved on to the Lads' Club.
Here the Prince unveiled the memorial tablet, and said - I assure you that I am very sensible of the importance of an institution of this nature in providing a means of physical, intellectual, and moral improvement for the young men of this city. I am convinced that these clubs cannot fail to confer lasting benefits to those lads who have the advantage of coming under their influence, and I trust that their value will be fully recognized and taken advantage of by those for whom they are intended. It gives me great pleasure to be able to announce to the lads here present to-day that I received a telegram from her Majesty this morning wishing all possible success to this institution. (Loud applause.)
The Prince subsequently left Manchester for Knutsford, where he will remain as the guest of Lord Egerton of Tatton until Wednesday morning, devoting to-day and to-morrow to shooting.
At the resumed inquiry this afternoon, by Mr. Trontbeck, into the circumstances attending the discovery of human remains at Cannon-row, Westminster, Inspector Marshell will have little additional information to tender beyond the particulars of the finding of the leg and foot on Wednesday last. Dr. Bond will supplement his former evidence with a minnte description of the newly-discovered left limb, which undoubtedly belongs to the trunk. It measures 14 inches round the calf and 8 inches round the ankle, the foot being 9 inches long. In addition to the head the missing parts of the body include the left arm, the pelvis, the left thigh, and the whole of the right leg. The doctors still incline, it is said, to the opinion that the unfortunate woman was the victim of an unlawful operation. The date of her disappearance would be about August the 20th.
