s, and the rest of the Royal Family," said
that the presence of the Royal President that day was not only a tribute
to humanity, most graceful in the heir of a hundred kings, but it was
also a tribute to the highest of human science, a tribute as much to the
noble profession of medicine, to those who ministered to the relief of
human sufferings, as to the sufferers themselves.

The Royal President said:--

"My Lords and Gentlemen,--I thank you for the toast that has
just been given by the right rev. prelate, and has been so
kindly received. In responding to the very kind words in which
my health has been proposed, I can assure you it has given me
more than ordinary pleasure to be President of this hospital and
to take the chair, for the first time, at its anniversary
festival. My only regret has been and is, that the many duties
devolving upon me do not allow me to come here oftener than I
have done; but you may be sure I take the greatest interest in
the hospital, and the more the Treasurer tells me of what is
going on in the hospital the better I shall be pleased. Whenever
I have availed myself of an opportunity of visiting the hospital
I have found it in a condition which left nothing to be desired.
The Princess of Wales has also taken as great an interest in it
as I have done, and as soon as she could move about after her
return from abroad she accompanied me on a visit to this
hospital. In the name of the Princess of Wales and the other
members of the Royal Family I return thanks for the manner in
which this toast has been drunk."

In proposing the next toast, "The Army, Navy, Militia, and Volunteers,"
the Royal President said:--

"I always think that this is a puzzling toast for a chairman to
give, although at the same time it is an easy one, because so
many have given it, and will continue to give it, that there is,
unfortunately, little scope for originality and variety in
proposing it. On such an occasion as this, however, and in a
hospital, too, it is a most appropriate toast, because medical
departments are essential in our army and navy, and medical
science is specially invoked by their active services. Alas that
it should be so! But, fortunately, in our last campaign, in
Abyssinia, there was less call than ever for medical science on
our own side, as only one person was wounded in act