ation at large regarded the Royal Family, not only on account of the
admirable way in which they performed the important duties connected
with their high position, but also because of their readiness on all
occasions to promote and aid the various charitable institutions of the
country, and to extend their sympathy to all who were in distress, not
simply in this great metropolis, but in all parts of the kingdom."

The Prince of Wales, in reply, said:--

"I am sure I have every reason to be grateful to the Lord Mayor
for the very kind manner in which he has proposed my health and
that of the Princess of Wales and the other members of the Royal
Family, and to the company here assembled for the very kind
manner in which they have received the toast. Nothing is more
disagreeable, I think, than to have at an early stage of the
evening to rise to return thanks for one's own health; but, at
the same time, I should be very ungrateful to you if I were not
to thank you for the cordial manner in which you acceded to the
request of the Lord Mayor. I can assure him--and I believe I can
speak also for the rest of the Royal Family--that it is always
our earnest endeavour to do our duty, and to assist in all good
and charitable objects, which in this country are so numerous
and so necessary. It will be my duty to address you again, so I
will now only thank you once more for the kind manner in which
you have received this toast."

The Prince of Wales, after a brief interval, again rose and said:--

"The toast I have now to offer to you is also one of those which
are always given, and which are always heartily received at
gatherings like the present. It is that of 'The Army and the
Navy.' I find some difficulty on this occasion in proposing that
toast, because when I look around me and see the
Commander-in-Chief, the greater portion of the Head Quarters'
Staff, and so many distinguished generals and officers, I feel
it would be very presumptuous on my part were I to dilate on the
subject. I think Englishmen have every reason to be proud of
possessing such an Army and Navy as ours. Of course we don't
pretend that they are perfection, but I am sure that every
endeavour is used year after year to make our land and sea
forces as efficient as possible for our defence and for the
maintenance of peace both in this country