thriving is, I think, pretty evident, from the appearance they
presented as they passed through the room just now. A special
feature in the conduct of the schools is that no doctrinal
teaching is permitted. They are entirely national and
non-sectarian schools. At the same time the children are
strongly advised to attend the instructions given by the
ministers of the religion in which their parents wish them to be
brought up, and they are afforded an opportunity of doing so
every week. If it is thought desirable, the children are
apprenticed on leaving school. This system has been found to
work remarkably well. Inducements are held out for proficiency
and good conduct by rewards given after examination. A
comparatively new feature in the management of the institution
is this--that at times when the parents are enduring hardships
and perhaps privations owing to the want of work--when they may
not have a sufficiency of daily bread for the maintenance of
their families, as, for instance, during severe winter weather,
when many poor people find it difficult to obtain employment--a
daily meal is given to children who are in want of it. This has
been found to afford much assistance to the parents as well as
the children, and may therefore be regarded as a satisfactory
addition to the arrangements of the managers. I am informed that
of late years the institution has lost many valuable patrons and
supporters, but I should hope that any void in this way may
speedily be filled up. My Lords and Gentlemen,--though this may
be called an annual festival in aid of a charity, and in this
respect it is exceedingly useful, it has also another advantage.
It has long been regarded as an occasion when Irishmen living in
London may meet together without sectarian feelings or political
allusions. Such meetings are beneficial, and they must be all
the more so when their main object is the furtherance of a most
excellent institution like the Benevolent Society of St.
Patrick, prosperity to which I now ask you to drink."

The illustrious President next gave "The Lord-Lieutenant of
Ireland," and in doing so said, "he was sure every one would
agree with him in thinking that Lord Abercorn had filled his
high office with credit to himself and benefit to the country.
His Excellency had had a very arduo