han on these fortunately frequent occasions, when
their Royal Highnesses patronize and encourage well-organized charitable
institutions, among which this was perhaps one of the best he knew."

The Prince of Wales said, in reply:--

"Ladies and Gentlemen,--On the part of the Princess and myself,
we beg to return our warmest thanks to the noble duke for the
kind way in which he has proposed this toast, and to you, ladies
and gentlemen, for the cordial manner in which you have received
it. It has afforded both the Princess and myself the greatest
possible pleasure and the greatest possible gratification to
come here to-day and to inaugurate the fifty-first anniversary
of this excellent and commendable institution. What we have seen
ourselves, and what the most part of the company have witnessed
on their own part, I think will do more than anything I can say
to show you what an excellent institution this is, and how
worthy it is of support in every way. The manner in which the
children sang, the discipline under which they are evidently
kept, the clean and healthy appearance of all of them, is a
matter of sincere congratulation to all those who take interest
in this institution or have the trouble of its management. I may
say that there is one little girl who perfectly astonished us by
the elocution which she possessed--well worthy of many a
distinguished member of Parliament.

"It was highly interesting to the Princess, as well as to
myself, to have been here to-day, the fortieth anniversary of
the Queen's Coronation. The first stone of the building in which
we are now was laid by my lamented father a few months before I
was born; and I hold in my hand the mallet which was used by him
on that occasion, and which has been sent to me by Sir Charles
Reed, the chairman of the London School Board, whose father, Dr.
Andrew Reed, was, I understand, one of the promoters of this
institution, and always took the warmest interest in its
welfare. This day seventeen years ago the Prince Consort visited
this institution, and this day exactly twelve years ago was the
last time the Princess and I were here.

"I am sure there is but little more for me to say in commending
so admirable an institution to you, which has now existed for
half a century, which maintains 600 children during the course
of