THE GUARDS' INDUSTRIAL HOME AT CHELSEA BARRACKS.
February 25th, 1884.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Princess Louise, Marchioness of Lorne, and the Princesses Louise, Victoria, and Maude of Wales, visited Chelsea Barracks on Monday, the 25th of February, 1884, for the distribution of prizes to the girls at the Guards' Industrial Home. It is very honourable to the officers of the Guards, that they provide as far as they can for the welfare of the wives and families of the soldiers, as well as of the men of their regiments. The boys educated in the regimental schools were easily provided for, but for the training of the girls for useful occupations it had been advisable to establish this Industrial Home in the neighbourhood of the barracks. This was explained by General Higginson, commanding the brigade of Guards in the Home district, and a report of the state of the institution during the past year was read by Colonel Cockran, the honorary secretary.
The Prince of Wales then distributed the prizes to the girls, in his usual kindly manner. General Higginson, in the name of the brigade, thanked their Royal Highnesses for the proof they had given of their favour and good will. The Prince replied—
"General Higginson, Ladies, and Gentlemen,—The Princess begs me to return her warmest thanks for the very kind words in which you have expressed your thanks to her on behalf of the brigade for taking part in the ceremony which we have just witnessed. I know I am only expressing her views when I state that it has given her sincere pleasure to be here, and that she shares with me an interest in everything which concerns the brigade of Guards. After what has fallen from you, General Higginson, and after the reading of the report, there is little left for me to say beyond congratulating those who founded this institution and those who so ably maintain it, upon the highly satisfactory way in which it is managed and upon the creditable manner in which, as we know, every detail connected with its working is conducted. We sincerely hope that those young ladies who have to-day received prizes will go forth to pursue their avocations in life with credit both to themselves and to the instruction they have received in this institution. We trust that having reached its 21st anniversary—the coming of age of the Guards' Industrial Home—the institution will ever continue to flourish. For my own part, I may say, General Higginson, that I think all the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Household Brigade are aware of the deep feeling which I entertain towards them, and that I have not forgotten my association with them three-and-twenty years ago. That feeling of kindliness towards them, and of interest in all that concerns them, will continue to the day of my death."
After the ceremony was over, there was an amateur theatrical performance, to the great amusement not only of the young folk, but of the crowd of spectators who filled the hall.