THE VISIT OF QUEEN VICTORIA.

On May 21st, 1897, Her Majesty Queen Victoria came to Sheffield, for the opening
of the new Town Hall, the first visit of a reigning Sovereign to the city and
producing scenes of intense enthusiasm and signal evidences of loyalty.

The Corporation address to Her Majesty is appended as a historical document;
ornate and florid, but, containing many fine sentiments. It ran as follows:-

We humbly thank your Majesty for having been pleased to open our new Town Hall
which, begun in the year 1891, during the Mayoralty of the late Ald. Clegg, has
been completed during that of our present Mayor, the Duke of Norfolk.  We
greatly rejoice that this dedication as a home of our Municipal Government will
for ever link your Majesty's name with the history of this city, and, through
far off years, will strengthen the bond with which a grateful and ever growing
loyalty shall bind the subjects to the throne. But we had a second and a unique
cause for our gladness to-day. It is our proud privilege to herald the outbursts
of thanksgivings with which the world-wide British Empire hails the unparalleled
length of your Majesty's reign.  More than a thousand years have rolled away
since England became a Kingdom, but during all those centuries, no Sovereign has
worn the crown so long as your Majesty, or has seen such moral and material
blessings conferred upon the country. How wondrous has been the history of those
sixty happy years ! Abroad, vast regions have been added to your dominions,
whole races and peoples have been added to your sway, your subjects have
explored every continent, and your flag floats over every sea.  At home, the
happiness and welfare of your people have been broadened and deepened; liberty,
civil and religious, has been assured; free education has been given to the
poor; science, art and commerce, have flourished beyond all precedent.

In this growth and progress, our Borough, now, by your Majesty's favour, a city,
has won a high place.  She has built for your Navy the grim armour of steel
which guards your Empire upon the sea.  She has manufactured in countless
numbers the weapons of war and the implements of peace.  The toilers who have
fashioned them are crowded round your Majesty to-day, but not in curiosity or
vain pride. Their shout is the inspiration of affection for your august person,
as well as loyalty for your Throne. For while we glory in the undimmed lustre of
your reign, we remember how heavy has been the cross of sorrow laid upon you,
and how that sorrow has been graciously reflected in a deep and tender sympathy
with the griefs of your people. We devoutly thank Almighty God for His priceless
gift to this Kingdom of such a Queen, wife and mother, and for His abounding
mercy in sparing her to us so long. We pray that your reign may be prolonged for
yet many years to come, hallowed by a Monarch's chiefest glory, her people's
love. May the Divine blessing be yours," Thou settest a crown of pure gold on
her head.  She asked Life of Thee, Thou gavest her even the length of days for
ever and ever." -----------------------------------------------

On the day following the visit of the Queen, the Duke of Norfolk received the
following letter:--

Balmoral Castle, 22nd May, 1897. My dear Duke, The Queen commands me to thank
you, and through you, all those concerned in making the excellent arrangements
at Sheffield yesterday. Her Majesty was much touched by the loyal enthusiasm
that was exhibited, and by the very cordial welcome that was received. The Queen
greatly admired the decorations of the city and the remarkable order that was
observed by the dense crowds collected in the streets. Her Majesty was
interested in watching the process of one of Sheffield's most important
industries in the manufacture of a portion of that "grim armour" which has long
since replaced the wooden walls of vessels that the Queen recalls in the early
days of her reign. Her Majesty will not forget the striking effect produced by
the mass of happy children, the sight of whom, and the sound of their admirable
singing, formed so delightful an incident in a visit of which the Queen will
always entertain pleasant recollections, and the success of which her Majesty
feels was so largely due to your own kind forethought. Believe me, my dear Duke,
Yours very truly, FLEETWOOD A. EDWARDS.

His Grace the Duke of Norfolk.