The Hummincr Bird. 35 



in black, as usual. Opposite her, were Princess Christian and 

 Princess Henrv de Battenberg. Another body of Life Guards 

 followed the Imperial carriage. Their Royal Highnesses, 

 Prince of Wales, Duke of York, Duke and Duchess of Edin- 

 burgh, Princess May, and Duke of Con naught who had gone 

 in advance, received Her Majesty on her arrival at the 

 Institute. 



Her Majesty took her seat at the north end of the HalL 

 On each side were placed chairs for the Royal Family, the 

 Indian Princes, and the high Dignitaries. 



Opposite were the guests, among which could be seen 

 manv well-known celebrities, civil and military. After the 

 usual ceremonies, the Imperial Institute was declared open 

 by Her Majesty. 



The Imperial Institute, a magnificent building, nobly 

 carried out by the architect, Mr. Colcutt, has been built with 

 the contributions made to that effect by private individuals, 

 in honour of the Oueen's Jubilee. 



The foundation stone of this great building was laid five 

 years ago, by Her Majesty on the occasion of her Jubilee. Its 

 object is to bring the Colonies into closer touch with the 

 mother country, by friendly and commercial intercourse, by 

 the exhibition of the raw materials and manufactured products 

 of England and its Colonies, by the advancement in every 

 possible way of trades, handicrafts, etc. The Institute will 

 form a kind of international club for colonists and others 

 visiting England, where information may be easily gained and 

 good fellowship promoted. In fact, it will be the Colonies' 

 Palace of Commerce, Art, and Industrv, a fit homage rendered 

 by the nation to Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria. 



On the evening of the 17th, a grand reception was held 

 by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales. The guests 

 numbered over 15,000, including all the Fellows, the guests 

 invited on the day of opening, the members of the London 

 County Council, the London School Board, the London Cor- 

 poration, the mayors, provosts, and town clerks throughout 

 the country, and about 1,000 officers of the Army and Navy. 

 An immense buffet had been placed in the north gallery, at 

 which guests were supplied with all kinds of wine, fruits, and 

 other refreshments. As far as possible, the articles supplied 

 at the buffet were obtained either from England or from the 

 Colonies. It was a grand success. 



