THE LATE PRINCE IMPERIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5747, 30 August 1879, Page 3

THE LATE PRINCE IMPERIAL.

The following report of the proceedings in the House of Lords on the 23rd July will be read with interest : The Duke of CAMBRIDGE addressed their Lordships as follows :—My Lords, I am very anxious to make a short statement with reference to the sad aud painful circumstances connected with the death of the Prince Imperial, that wo have all been deploring for the last few days, and on which there is only one feeling of sympathy for the illustrious mother who has lost so much in her son, and of deep respect for the gallantry of that young man who unfortunately has come to this untimely end. There is a very great doubt as to the circumstances in which the Prince Imperial went to South Africa, and I think it is much to be deplored that that doubt should remain for a moment longer than necessary. Indeed, it seems to me that I should be neglecting my duty if I did not read to your Lordships the two private letters which the unfortunate Prince took out with him as letters of introduction to Sir Bartle Frere and Lord Chelmsford. They are private letters, and are the letters under which the Prince attached himself to the army in Zululand : “February 25, 1879.

“ My dear Chelmsford, —This letter will be presented to you by the Prince Imperial, who is going out on his own account to see as much as he can of the coming campaign in Zululand. He is extremely anxious to go out, and wanted to be employed in our army ; but the Government did not consider that this could be sanctioned, but have sanctioned my writing to you and to Sir Bartle Frere to say that if you can show him kindness and render him assistance to see as much as he can with the columns in the field I hope you will do so. He is a fine young fellow, full of spirit aud pluck, aud having many old cadet friends in the artillery, he will doubtless find no difficulty in getting on, and if you can help him in any other way pray do so. My only anxiety on his account would be that he is too plucky and go-ahead. I remain, my dear Chelmsford, yours most sincerely, —GEOßGE.” That is the letter to Lord Chelmsford, and I should also like to read to your Lordships that which was addressed to Sir Bartle Frere in order that there may be no mistake : “ February 25, 1879.

u My Dear Sir Bartle Prere, —I am anxious to make you acquainted with the Prince Imperial, who ig about to proceed to Natal by tomorrow’s packet to see as much as he can of the coming campaign in Zululand in the capacity of a spectator. He was anxious to serve in our array, having been a cadet at Woolwich; but the Government did not think that could be sanctioned. But no objection is made to his going out on his own account, and I am permitted to introduce him to you and to L*rd Chelmsford in the hope and with my pergonal

request that you w : ll give him every help in your power to enable him to s-c wh it he can. I have written to Ght-l’nsf.ird to the same effect. lie Is a charming young mr, full of spirit and energy, speaking Engli-h admirably, and the more you see of him the more you will like him. He has many young friends io the artillery, and so I doubt not with your and Cho!rn a ford's kind assistance he will get on well enough. —I remain, my dear Sir Bartle, yours most sincerely,— George.” My lords, having read these letters, all I can say is that I think, so far as the authorities at Home ore concerned, everybody must feel that nothing has been done by them to place the unfortunate Prince in the position which unhappily resulted in his death. We all deeply regret his loss, and I am sure there is not a man, woman, or child in the country, from her Majesty downwards, who does not sensibly deplore what has occurred ; but, certainly so far as the authorities here are concernod, I fee! that we had nothing to do with bringing about such a catastrophe as that which we now all so greatly lament. The Earl of BbaCONSFIELU : I am sure your Lordships have listened with great interest to the letters which have just been by the illustrious duke, which he has thought it desirrahle to place before your Lordships’ House, and which refer to a most deplorable calamity. Your Lordships must share with the illustrious duke the regret which was experienced by the nation when heard of the death of a young Prince who was anxious to serve with her Majesty’s colors in a distant land, and whose life has been, in toy opinion, so cruelly and so needlessly sacrificed. Prince Napoleon, my lords, lived long in this country. He was known to your lordships and to the country generally, and I feel confident that had opportunity been afforded he would have shown the hereditary courage of the gallant nation of which he was a member. (Hear, hear.) He received his military training at our institution at Woolwich, and he left behind him there the memory of bravery, of probity, of ability, of many virtues, and of many endearing qualities. It is impossible at a moment like this that the thoughts of men should not he directed, as those of the illustrious duke have been, to one who was most deeply interested in the life of this young man who has been so prematurely cut off. I feel that on an occasion like the present any attempt at consolation must he fruitless, but the day may come when the sympathy of a free and great people may be appreciated by a desolate parent. Earl Granville : I may be permitted to say one word on this very sad case. I think your lordships will be glad that the' illustrious duke did what he has done on the present occasion. It must be a source of melancholy satisfaction to him to have proved the interest which he felt in the young Prince, whose death we so greatly lament, and to have had the opportunity of paying a high tribute of praise to his personal character and qualities. I thoroughly agree with the noble earl the Prime Minister, at all events until we have some farther explanation of the matter, in what he said as to a person of the young Prince’s position and his youth having been placed in the circumstances which unhappily have proved fatal to him. (Hear, hear.) I will only add that I entirely concur in the expression of opinion that, absolutely apart from any political feeling, the sympathy of this country is extended in the strongest manner to the illustrious mother of the young Prince iu her great affliction.