A Ohat about the Society's Past, 29 



Its Patroness — Queen Victoria. 



Queen Victoria became Patroness iu the first year of the Society and 

 as her connection was so important we must place her name after that 

 of the founder. From the autograph volumes exhibited it will be seen 

 that Her Majesty did not forget the Society when making donations, or 

 object to the use of the word " Royal." 



The petition for the Queen to become Patron was first mentioned at a 

 meeting of the General Committee (Directors) on the 1st of May, 1844, 

 and a letter from the Government Secretary in reply was dated July 

 15th; Lord Stanley said that Her Majesty's Patronage was contingent 

 on the affirmation of the principle that no political questions shall be dis- 

 cussed at their meetings. 



When this was read it was resolved that it be now distinctly affirmed 

 that the Society never intended to sanction or permit the discussion of 

 political questions at any of their meetings. 



The Society having got the Queen as patroness asked to be allowed 

 to use the word "Royal." The copy of the letter from Lord Stanley 

 was received through the Government Secretary on the 3rd of March, 

 1845 :— 



" Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to allow the Agricultural 

 and Commercial Society of British Guiana to assume the title of ' Royal ' 

 in addition to its other designations." 



Queen Victoria presented four portraits which were fortunately saved 

 from the fire and which are shown in the Reading Room. They were pre- 

 pared at the time of the marriage of the Princess Royal to Frederick of 

 Prussia. I remember well the picture papers of that time and also when 

 a year or so later children sang a ditty with something about jumping for 

 joy — " For Victoria's lovely daughter's got a pretty Prussian boy." This 

 " pretty Prussian boy " was the present Kaiser. I also show the Prince 

 Consort books with the Queen's autograph. 



Since the death of Queen Victoria, King Edward, aud now King 

 George have been Patrons. 



I noticed that there was a Royal Agricultural Society in Jamaica 

 when our Society was started but as far as I know ours is now the only 

 " Royal " Society in this part of the world. 



Its Vice-Patrons, &c. 



Starting with Governor Light we have had every Governor on his 

 arrival in the colony ; no one has ever refused his consent. Some have 

 made considerable donations of money and books, among whom I may 

 mention more particularly Governors Light and Hiucks. 



