presiding
that evening. Benevolence and hospitality had always been the
characteristics of the English people, but how could it be otherwise
when the Royal Family invariably set them, on every possible occasion,
the noblest and best example? In the name of his fellow-countrymen he
tendered to His Royal Highness their most hearty thanks for the
gracious part he was taking at that gathering.

The Prince of Wales next gave "The Army, Navy, and Reserve
Forces," saying, in doing so, that every Englishman was proud of
the land and sea forces of his country, and he always hoped they
were in a highly efficient state. At the same time the Prince
sincerely trusted that the occasion might never arise in which
the Army and Navy might be called forth to battle with those
countries so many of whose representatives were present that
evening.

General Sir William Knollys made a brief reply. The Prince of Wales then
gave as the toast of the evening: "Prosperity to the German Hospital."
He said:--

"I can only regret that a toast of so much importance as this is
has not fallen into better hands than mine, but, whatever my
shortcomings, I am sure you will take the will for the deed.
This toast has been given for a great many successive years, and
the few remarks that I have to make to you will not be new to
the great portion of the vast assembly who are gathered here
this evening. At the same time, as I am your chairman, I think
it my duty to make a few observations in connexion with the
German Hospital.

"As most of you are doubtless aware, it has 103 beds generally
full, and last year the total in-and out-patients amounted to
about 18,000. Of these there were 1300 in-patients, of whom 240
were English. Besides the hospital there is a sanitarium, to
which 42 persons were admitted. The rooms there are
unfortunately limited in number, but the occupants are rather of
a well-to-do class, such as professors, governesses, clerks, and
others, who, in return for the services rendered to them, give a
small sum of money towards defraying the necessary costs. Last
year the expenses of the hospital were very heavy, amounting to
L6500, exclusive of L600 for improvements. This, I hear, is
likely to be increased considerably in the next accounts, owing
to the continuous rise of prices. Fortunately, I am able to
announce to