H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh and suite in mining costume after descending The Band of Hope Gold Mine, Ballarat, Australia. Decr. 10th 1867.

Beschreibung

[Title from printed caption on mount]. Albumen print photograph, carte de visite format, 102 x 62 mm (mount), recto of mount with gilt-lettered caption and gilt border around the print; no photographer's imprint; verso(as in other examples) with 3 decorative cartouches in gilt for mounting small portraits; the print has mottling in the negative, as well as a couple of surface scratches and a light mark to the right of the Duke's head. Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh's visit of 1867-68 was the first to the Australian colonies by a member of the royal family, a momentous event which created enormous public interest. In March 1868 he would survive an assassination attempt at Clontarf, Sydney, when he was shot in the back by an Irish nationalist, Henry James O'Farrell. The following report of the royal visit to The Band of Hope mine was published in the Melbourne newspaper The Australasian on 14 December, 1867: 'It was not to be expected that the Dukewould visit Ballarat without going to see someof its more celebrated claims, and accordinglya visit to tho Band of Hope formed one of theprincipal features in the programme of theReception Committee. His Royal Highnessleft Craig's Hotel at a little after 2 on his wayto the claim, driving himself a drag and four inhand. Seated in tho same vehicle were LordNewry, the Hon. Eliot Yorke, and Mr. Verdon.Proceeding along, the Sebastopol Boad, theRoyal party passed through two large triumphalarches, and arrived at the Band of Hope claim attwenty minutes past 2. A large crowd of peoplehad congregated on tbe claim, and thePrince was received with demonstrationsof the utmost enthusiasm. At the gate, he wasmet by Mr. A. J. Forbes, the manager of thecompany, and was conducted through a largebody of the miners employed in the claim, wholined the path up. On entering the brace, thedirectors of the company received His RoyalHighness, and, under the guidance of themanager, he proceeded to inspect the puddling-machines, the operations of the buddles, andother parts of the surface works. The partythen entered a small room prepared for the occasion, and enrobed themselves in garments impervious to damp. Advancing to the mouth ofthe principal, or No. 2 Shaft, the Duke tookhis place along with Mr. Forbes in the cage, andthe signal having been given, the Duke droppedslowly down the shaft amid the loud cheers ofthe spectators. At the next turn, Lord Newryand Mr. Yorke descended, then followed Mr.Manners Sutton, Mr. Verdon, Lieut. Rothwell,and one or two others. The mine was fullylighted up, and a crown and occasional stars, lit up along the course of the mine, increased the general effect. The Dukewent along the whole oxtent of the drives -nearly two miles in length - sometimes walking and sometimes seated on a truck. Heused the pick freely, and knocked off severalvery fine specimens of gold. To use the expression of the miners, he " fossicked" aboutin true digger style, and was evidently delighted with tho novelty, of the scene and thesituation. The frequent messages for brandysent up from below also proved that the Royalparty were taking care to prevent injuriousconsequences from the damp. It was twentyminutes to 3 when the Duke descended themine, and he did not appear on tho surfaceagain till twenty-five minutes past 4. He wasreceived with loud cheers; and when he saw inbroad daylight his garments coated with mud,and dripping with wet, he seemed to be agreeably surprised with his workmanlike appearance. In a few minutes the whole party wereabove ground, and proceeded to witness thewashing out of some buckets of washdirt. TheDuke entered with manifest zest into theoperations. Along with Lord Newry, Mr.Yorke, and others, he puddled about the dirt,and picked up several fine lumps of gold.To see a Royal Duke working, with hissleeves up, in a trough of washdirt - evenalthough gold dirt-was a novel sight, and thecrowd of people whioh filled the brace watchedthe operations of the Royal party with greatinterest.

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Titel

H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh and suite in mining costume after descending The Band of Hope Gold Mine, Ballarat, Australia. Decr. 10th 1867.

Einband

Hardcover