beginning his reply. He said:--

"Your Grace, my Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen,--The kind way in
which this toast has been proposed by the Duke of Richmond and
Gordon and received by you all cannot but give the greatest
possible pleasure both to the Princess and myself. We derive the
most genuine satisfaction at seeing so many of the inhabitants
of Norfolk here in our country home, for I can assure you that
we take the deepest interest in all that concerns the welfare of
this county. This has been a week of great agricultural interest
for the county of Norfolk, and we have among us many men eminent
as breeders and farmers from other parts of the kingdom, and to
them also I extend a cordial welcome. As we have a busy
afternoon before us, I will not detain you long, but before
sitting down I should like to say a few words with respect to
the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, which has urgent
need of support, as, owing to the recent depression in
agriculture, the demands upon it have been so heavy that it is
unable to do as much as it could a few years ago. In conclusion,
let me bid you heartily welcome to Sandringham, and ask you to
bid well at the sale."

This genial speech was received with applause, and its closing words
with cheerful laughter. The Duke of Manchester next proposed the health
of Mr. John Thornton, the auctioneer, who may be regarded as the
Tattersall of the Shorthorn world, and who, in responding, said that he
was more anxious to hear others than others would be to hear him. The
company then broke up, the Prince and Princess of Wales leading the way
to the sale-ring, which had been pitched close to the homestead, with
three covered stands for the Royal party, the auctioneer and his chief
customers, and for the county people, who mustered in great force.

The auctioneer gave much interesting information as to the establishment
of the herd of Shorthorns and the flock of Southdowns at Sandringham.
Since the herd of Shorthorns was formed the Prince of Wales has been in
the habit of exhibiting at the Royal and other shows held within easy
reach of home, and the animals selected for exhibition, but not forced
into extreme condition, as is so often done, have been very successful,
for they have taken sixteen first prizes, twelve seconds, four thirds,
and four special prizes, while it is interesting to note that at the
Roya