ry detail of plan and of administration
has been brought before his attention, and has received the sanction of
his judgment and experience. It is no exaggeration to say that to his
presidency was mainly due the success of the British Department of the
great Paris Exhibition of 1878. This was testified in the address
presented to the Prince by Earl Granville, signed by a thousand
Englishmen who had witnessed the events of that memorable season in the
Place de Trocadero.

ARTISTS' ORPHAN FUND.

_May 7th, 1871._

For the relief of distressed artists, their widows and orphans,
provision is made, as far as funds allow, by the Artists' Benevolent
Institution, which was established in 1814. In course of time it was
found that the amount available for the support and education of the
orphans of artists was very insufficient, and a separate fund was
established in 1866, under the auspices of the Council of the Artists'
Benevolent Institution. From time to time donations were received, and
in 1871 it was resolved to make a more public appeal. The Prince of
Wales cheerfully agreed to preside at a dinner in aid of the fund, which
took place on the 7th of May, 1871, in the Freemasons' Hall.

The Prince was supported by a large number of artists, and of patrons
and lovers of art. The usual loyal toasts were given, and the presence
of members of the well-known "artist corps" led the Prince to make
special reference to the Volunteers.

In giving "The Army, Navy, Militia, and Volunteers," His Royal Highness
said:--

"This is a toast which is never left out at all great public
dinners. By some it has been called a formal toast, but in my
opinion it should never be so styled. It is a toast which we
ought to drink warmly and heartily. Of that which we owe to our
army and navy I shall not speak to you at length, for this is
not a fitting occasion; but I may say that we are bound to those
services by a deep debt of gratitude, and let us hope that we
shall always have reason to be as proud of them as we are at the
present moment. We must, at the same time, never forget that
there is something wanting. Our army is small; smaller than
those of other countries; it ought, therefore to be better in
comparison. As to the navy, though a great many changes have
been made in our ships, though they have been converted from
wooden walls into iron batteries, I think we may confident