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 reply to the Address of Welcome of the Calcutta Municipality His Majesty graciously said:

"I thank you warmly on behalf of the Queen-Empress and myself for the assurances of loyalty and devotion on the part of the Corporation and citizens of the City of Calcutta, to which your Address gives expression. We are deeply touched by your kindly reference to my beloved father's stay in your city and by your affectionate allusion to our own visit here six years ago. We can never forget the cordial welcome given us on that occasion, while the sympathetic interest in our Indian Empire which the first sight of this great city inspired has in no way abated.

"It is a source of great pleasure to us to revisit Calcutta and to see for ourselves evidence of your progress and prosperity.

"The changes in the administration of India, resulting from the announcement made by me at the great Durbar at Delhi, will affect to a certain extent Calcutta. But your city must always remain the premier city of India. Its population, its importance as a commercial centre and great emporium of trade, its splendid historic traditions, all combine to invest Calcutta with an unique character which should preserve to it a pre-eminent position.

"At the same time, the status of the Province of which Calcutta is the capital has been enhanced by the creation of a Presidency of Bengal, and I feel confident that under the wise administration of a Governor-in-Council the new Presidency will enjoy increased prosperity with the blessing of tranquillity and order.

"I know that you cherish ambitions that India will one day become a great manufacturing as well as an agricultural country. I have watched with keen interest the progress of your business enterprise, and the success which has attended your commercial energy will affect more and more the youth of this country to regard commerce as a distinguished and honourable profession.