in France, since 1857, an Institution similar to ours, and
founded by M. Thenard, has been in existence for the benefit of
scientific men only, and that a few days ago M. Champfleury, a
distinguished writer, proposed to form a Literary Society
adopting some of our principles. It is to be hoped that some day
these two societies may form sister Literary Funds; and if
administered on our model, I think we may augur for the new
institution a large measure of success. We shall at all times be
most happy to enter into communication with it, and show it the
result of our long experience and of the unwearied zeal and
exertion of the Officers of this Corporation.

"I will not detain you much longer, gentlemen, but I cannot sit
down without bringing back to your recollection the deep
interest which my dear and lamented father took in everything
connected with literature and science, and particularly in the
labours of this Society. Nobody has forgotten that the second
time he spoke in public in this country, was as chairman of the
Literary Fund dinner. And we all, I am convinced, deeply regret
that the speeches made on that occasion were not reported at
full length, as every word falling from those lips could not
fail to command universal admiration. Gentlemen, let us drink
'Prosperity to the Royal Literary Fund.'"

The list of subscriptions and donations having been read, including a
donation of L110 from the Prince of Wales, Earl Stanhope, as President
of the Institution, responded. Speeches being delivered by Earl Russell,
Mr. Anthony Trollope, Lord Houghton, and H. E. M. Van de Weyer, Earl
Stanhope proposed the health of the Chairman, which was received with
much enthusiasm, and the Prince thus replied:--

"Your Royal Highness, my Lords and Gentlemen, I thank you most
sincerely for the kind and cordial manner in which you have
drunk my health, and I feel proud to have occupied the chair for
the first time, on so interesting and important an occasion. I
must now take the opportunity to congratulate this Corporation
on the great advantage which it enjoys, in the services of the
distinguished nobleman who now fills the high office of your
President, and who has contributed so much to historical
literature. I can give him no higher praise, than by saying that
he is a worthy successor of a nobleman who was