tion, Mr.
Clarke, who has not only attained a high position in the
profession he has adopted, but who has also become a member of
Parliament. I thank you again for your kind reception of us
to-day, and for the pleasure it has given us to inaugurate this
very handsome building."

HOUSING OF THE POOR AND THE WORKING CLASSES.

_February 22nd, 1884._

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is not infrequent in his
attendance in the House of Lords, but he has very rarely addressed the
House. It is natural that he should avoid even the appearance of being
mixed up with political controversies, or touching points that might
bear a party construction. But on questions of a social or patriotic
bearing to which he is known to have given personal attention, the voice
of the Prince would be always heard with pleasure, and his opinions
carry due weight. It was so in the matter of the Housing of the Poor,
which was brought before the House on the 22nd of February, 1884.

The Marquis of Salisbury moved an Address to Her Majesty for the
appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the housing of the
working classes. Lord Carington seconded the motion, after which the
Prince of Wales rose, amidst cheers from both sides of the House. He
said:--

"My Lords,--The speeches which have fallen from the lips of the
noble Marquis who introduced this subject, and from the noble
Lord who has just sat down, cannot fail to have been heard with
the deepest interest by your Lordships. I feel also convinced
that your Lordships, in common with all classes of Her Majesty's
subjects, will be gratified to learn that the noble Marquis has
asked for a searching inquiry to be made into that great and
momentous question with regard to the housing, and the
amelioration of the dwellings, of the poor and the working,
classes, and that Her Majesty's Government have already
appointed a Commission for that purpose.

"My Lords, it is not my intention to trouble your Lordships with
many remarks, though I take the keenest and liveliest interest
in this great question. Still, I confess I have not gone
sufficiently into the matter for me to venture on giving an
opinion, especially after what has fallen from the noble Marquis
and the noble Lord. At the same time, I can assure you, my
Lords, that I am deeply flattered at having been appointed a
member of th