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Chapter XXXII.
Visit to The Queen and Honours at Cambridge.

Sir George Grey was received with great cordiality and kindness both by the Queen and Prince Albert. The Prince informed him of Her Majesty's approval of the measures taken by him, and the policy of confederation which he had pursued, expressing without hesitation her opinion that the plans proposed were beneficent, worthy of a great ruler, honourable to herself, and advantageous to her people.

It was at this time that Sir George proposed the visit of Prince Alfred to South Africa. The tour of the Prince of Wales through America suggested the possibility as well as the propriety of a Royal visit to the other colonies. There were at the Cape public functions which the young Prince could perform. The breakwater was to be commenced, the public library to be opened. The colonists would be pleased beyond measure. All persons would share in the welcome—Boers of the Transvaal, Free Staters of the Orange River, Kafirs, Basutos. Colonists, Dutch, English, and colonial-born, whatever their feelings toward each other might be, would join in the heartiest welcome to Victoria's son, and so reveal page 252their common appreciation of the grout qualities of the Queen and their personal regard for her.

Prince Alfred listened with delight to stories of South African life and adventure. He was eager to embrace Sir George's offer. Without much demur, after consideration the Queen and Prince Albert consented, the matter being finally settled at Buckingham Palace. When Sir George bad returned and made all necessary arrangements, the young Prince was to sail for Cape Town.

Before his departure to resume the duties of his Governorship. Sir George had opportunities of seeing and conversing with the Prince Consort. In Albert the Good he found an earnest sympathy both with the colonies and colonists, and he was beyond measure pleased to be told by the Prince that, in his opinion, if a nation ceased to take a real interest in every part of its dominions, and to do all the good it could on the outskirts of its power, it would be like a tree which had ceased to grow—the time of decay would have commenced. He perfectly agreed with Sir George's views as to opening up new country. He said that he and the Queen had read all that Sir George had written on the subject, and that it was greatly to the Queen's regret that she had been led to consent to his recall, and that she had done much to get that decision reversed.

It was during this visit to England that the University of Cambridge, following the example set by Oxford five years before, conferred its highest honours upon Sir George Grey.

The customs at Cambridge differed, as Sir George found, from those at Oxford. In place of going up alone and unattended to receive the honours of the University, as he remembered doing when the students, after cheering Prince Buonaparte, sang in his honour "The King of the Cannibal Islands," he found that it was the rule that the candidate or recipient attended at the Senate House at Cambridge accompanied by many friends. Naturally, Sir George had but few friends or even acquaintances at the University. This circumstance opened the way for a kind and considerate act on the part of Mr. Gladstone. Three gentlemen besides Sir George Grey were this day to receive the honorary degree—Bishop Wilberforce: Mr. Walpole, who had left the Ministry on a question of political principle, for which he had sacrificed place and power; and page 253Mr. Gladstone. The latter, judging that Grey must know but few people, called for him at the Vice-Chancellor's, and the two walked up side by side, accompanied by a great number of Mr. Gladstone's friends and admirers.

Immediately before the ceremonies began, Sir George learned that an address, by way of thanks for the dignity conferred, was expected of every individual whom the University delighted to honour. He became uneasy. Accustomed as he was to issue commands and to hold conferences upon political matters with Ministers and others, he yet felt decidedly ill at ease at the prospect before him. When writing, his thoughts flowed readily enough, and the logic and sequence of his numerous despatches show him to have always been a master of English and a clear logician. But he was unaccustomed to what is designated "public speaking" To be called upon at a moment's notice to address the alumni of a great school of learning, to submit himself to a comparison with three well-known orators, one of whom was already looked upon by many as the greatest master of the English tongue then living, before one of the most critical audiences which England could furnish, was well calculated to render a sensitive mind anxious and uneasy. He was at a complete loss what to say or on what subject to dilate, and so it happened that Sir George Grey, who had faced so many dangers and controlled so many difficult circumstances, found himse lf for once absolutely unnerved.

Mr. Gladstone was the first called upon to return thanks. The rising statesman had not spoken for five minutes before a sense of complete ease and comfort spread itself over Sir George Grey's mind. Unconsciously Mr. Gladstone was giving a theme to Sir George, and thus adding to the obligation already bestowed by his kindness. The future Prime Minister spoke upon the inadvisability of expending so much strength and money in foreign missions, and urged that their efforts should be concentrated on the great centres of population in Great Britain, where millions of English people were growing up in practical heathenism.

When his turn came to speak, Sir George proceeded to criticise and comment upon the position which he thought had been too strongly taken up by Mr. Gladstone. To centralise and restrict missionary efforts would be to stunt the Christian growth of the page 254Church. In commerce, in science, in philanthropy, expansion ensured health and strength. He cited the personal history and position of Mr. Gladstone himself in illustration. His wide acquaintance with foreign matters, his converse with politics and people in many lands, his contemplation of distant affairs in no sense impaired his energy or usefulness in England. On the contrary, the knowledge thus gained, the sympathy thus expanded, and the experience thus enlarged, had, as it were, educated and fitted him more completely to fill the important positions to which the voice of public opinion evidently called him. He concluded a long and vigorous address amid general applause.

Next morning some of the leading newspapers, in reporting the proceedings, expressed astonishment that at such a time and place a speech of over an hour in length was listened to, not only with patience, but with pleasure.