sentences, and flounders about in the most extraordinary manner,
presenting a lamentable spectacle of mystified humanity, until he arrives
at the words, 'constitutional sovereign of these realms,' at which
elderly gentlemen exclaim 'Bravo!' and hammer the table tremendously with
their knife-handles. 'Under any circumstances, it would give him the
greatest pride, it would give him the greatest pleasure--he might almost
say, it would afford him satisfaction [cheers] to propose that toast.
What must be his feelings, then, when he has the gratification of
announcing, that he has received her Majesty's commands to apply to the
Treasurer of her Majesty's Household, for her Majesty's annual donation
of 25_l._ in aid of the funds of this charity!' This announcement (which
has been regularly made by every chairman, since the first foundation of
the charity, forty-two years ago) calls forth the most vociferous
applause; the toast is drunk with a great deal of cheering and knocking;
and 'God save the Queen' is sung by the 'professional gentlemen;' the
unprofessional gentlemen joining in the chorus, and giving the national
anthem an effect which the newspapers, with great justice, describe as
'perfectly electrical.'

The other 'loyal and patriotic' toasts having been drunk with all due
enthusiasm, a comic song having been well sung by the gentleman with the
small neckerchief, and a sentimental one by the second of the party, we
come to the most important toast of the evening--'Prosperity to the
charity.' Here again we are compelled to adopt newspaper phraseology,
and to express our regret at being 'precluded from giving even the
substance of the noble lord's observations.' Suffice it to say, that the
speech, which is somewhat of the longest, is rapturously received; and
the toast having been drunk, the stewards (looking more important than
ever) leave the room, and presently return, heading a procession of
indigent orphans, boys and girls, who walk round the room, curtseying,
and bowing, and treading on each other's heels, and looking very much as
if they would like a glass of wine apiece, to the high gratification of
the company generally, and especially of the lady patronesses in the
gallery. _Exeunt_ children, and re-enter stewards, each with a blue
plate in his hand. The band plays a lively air; the majority of the
company put their hands in their pockets and look rather serious; and the
noise of sovereigns, rattling on cr