ion."

Other customary toasts having been given, the Royal President again
rose, and said:--

"The toast I have now the honour to propose you will receive
with enthusiasm: it is, 'Prosperity to St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, and Health and Ease to the Patients.' It gives me the
greatest pleasure to propose this toast. This hospital, the
largest and most ancient of the metropolitan hospitals, was
founded in 1123 by Rahere, and was then attached to the Priory;
and on the suppression of the monasteries, in 1544, it had a
charter granted to it by Henry VIII., whose portrait occupies
the wall on my right. At that time the hospital had only 100
beds, one physician, and three surgeons; it has now 650 beds, 12
physicians, and 12 surgeons, besides an array of lecturers,
dispensers, and other officers. We may regard this as a grand
day, and those who have gone through the wards of the hospital
will have found everything in good order; but I once took the
officers by surprise, and I came here in the winter, practically
without giving notice. I can assure you I found everything on
that occasion in the same condition as to-day--nurses and
attendants in their places, and surgeons and physicians
punctiliously discharging their duties.

"I may here advert to the terrible event which occurred in the
winter--the Clerkenwell explosion. That showed how well
organized the hospital is, and how admirable its arrangements
are adapted to such an emergency. Almost immediately after the
explosion as many as 40 patients were safely housed in the
hospital, while many had their wounds dressed and were sent
away. I came here, and found that the sufferers were receiving
every possible attention. Much is, no doubt, due to the
unremitting care and supervision of the Treasurer; and if one of
the surgeons--Mr. Holden--were not present, I would express my
appreciation of his valuable services in terms which, I am sure,
many in this room would be ready to endorse. Every one is
satisfied of the thorough efficiency of the hospital; but there
is still wanting a convalescent hospital. True, there is the
Samaritan Fund, out of which you aid patients when they are
dismissed; but still, when they are nearly well, you wish to
send them into the country to recruit their health, so that they
may return to their homes th