CITY OF LONDON COLLEGE IN MOORFIELDS.
July 8th, 1883.
The City of London College, which has spacious premises in White Street, Moorfields, is intended for giving educational advantages to young men, chiefly by means of evening classes for those engaged in business or work during the day. It was originally established, in 1848, at Crosby Hall, moving from there to Sussex Hall, Leadenhall Street, and finally settled in the new building in Moorfields, the cost of which was £16,000. To inaugurate this new College, the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Princess, went to the City. After being shown over the building their Royal Highnesses were conducted by the Lord Mayor to the great hall, which is capable of holding about 1000 persons, and which was densely filled.
The Reverend Prebendary Whittington, Principal of the College, read an address thanking the Prince for his presence, and stating the objects of the College. He mentioned that in 1858 the Prince Consort paid a visit to Crosby Hall, and testified his approval of the work done for the intellectual, social, and moral improvement of the young men of London, by consenting to become the first patron, an office which had since his death been filled by the Queen. Her Majesty had testified her continued approval by a generous donation to the new building fund.
The Prince of Wales, in reply, said:—
"Ladies and Gentlemen,—It is with sincere pleasure that I thank you on behalf of the Princess of Wales, as well as on my own, for the loyal address of welcome which has just been presented to us, and for being given this opportunity of expressing to you our approval of your efforts for the improvement of the intellectual, social, moral, and spiritual condition of the young men of this vast metropolis. Such occasions are always fraught with the deepest interest to me, recalling as they do the memory of my beloved father, the Prince Consort, who devoted his time, his experience, and his great abilities to the promotion of undertakings such as the one you now have in hand, to which he lent his countenance by becoming its first patron, and which the Queen still encourages by her patronage. We sincerely trust our presence here to-day may encourage others to take an interest in this great undertaking, and we rejoice to be able to declare your new building open."
A prayer for the continued success of the institution was then offered up by Bishop Claughton, and the Old Hundredth Psalm was sung.
The Secretary then read a list of subscriptions, including fifty guineas from the Prince of Wales. The Lord Mayor said that the Prince always showed his interest in education, and he had lately been present at the opening of the City of London School. This College gave more advanced and practical teaching than was given at that School.
Mr. Clarke, Q.C., M.P., said he had been a student of the College twenty-six or twenty-seven years ago, and the education he there received had been most valuable to him. Mr. Prebendary Mackenzie having supported the resolution of a vote of thanks to their Royal Highnesses, the Prince returned his warm thanks and added:—
"So much has been said with regard to this College that I should only be taking up your time if I were to allude to it further than to say that I feel convinced—and it is our earnest hope—that this College, which has been so successful hitherto, will continue to prosper in the new building. Most cordially do we wish it all success. A greater proof cannot be given of the excellent character of the education which the students here receive than that given by the seconder of the resolution, Mr. Clarke, who has not only attained a high position in the profession he has adopted, but who has also become a member of Parliament. I thank you again for your kind reception of us to-day, and for the pleasure it has given us to inaugurate this very handsome building."