Page:King Edward VII, his life & reign; the record of a noble career 1.djvu/238

192 Alfred. The place of meeting was Rheinhartsbrunn, in Thüringer Wald (the Thuringian Forest), a range or system of hills 70 miles in length, and from 8 to 25 miles broad. The hills are of rounded top, rarely reaching 3000 ft., with precipitous slopes and winding gorges in the north-west, and having charming valleys and glens, and fine forests of pines and firs throughout the range. On November 9 the Prince of Wales came of full age. The day was spent with his sister and brother-in-law, the Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia, on the Bay of Naples. At 8 a.m. all the British men-of-war in the Bay "dressed ship"; the Osborne had on each mast a crown of evergreens. No salutes were fired, as the Prince was incognito, and in deference to his mother's wish. At noon the royal party visited the London and the Doris, and, the yards were "manned". In the evening a dinner was given by the Prince on the Osborne to twenty -four guests, including the captains of the men-of-war, General La Marmora, and the British and Prussian consuls. General Knollys proposed the Prince's health, and alluded to the great loss sustained, and the bright example left by the Prince Consort. The Princess of Prussia was much affected, and, standing next to the Prince, here turned and kissed him. A rocket announced that the toast had been duly honoured, and then the London, Doris, and Magicienne were blazing with blue lights which ran along the yards, and peered out of the portholes, while rockets shot skywards from each vessel, and the crews cheered as they drank the health of the Prince. On the same day, at Edinburgh, a fine bust of the Prince, executed by Mr. John Steele, of the Royal Scottish Academy, was presented to the High School, in memory of his connection with that institution in 1859. The Rector, Dr. Schmitz, returned thanks, remarking on the affectionate disposition and keen sense of justice shown by his former pupil. He spoke also of the Prince's intel- lectual powers as above the average, and stated that his judg- ment on historical matters and keen perception of right and wrong had often caused surprise. In regard to the fine arts and all matters of taste, the Prince had shown rare excellence.