ght
occur, and, therefore, we ought always to be prepared."

Later in the evening, His Royal Highness, in proposing the toast
of the evening: "Prosperity to the Earlswood Idiot Asylum,"
said, "he felt convinced there was no charity which had a
greater demand on the public sympathy and support than it,
appealing as it did on behalf of the idiot classes, afflicted by
the will of Providence, and unable for the most part to help
themselves. The institution was happily in a highly flourishing
condition, to the great praise of those who had all along
interested themselves in its prosperity. In 1853 his lamented
father, who was always ready to assist the afflicted and needy,
laid the foundation-stone of the present institution; in 1866
the Princess of Wales and himself interested themselves in a
bazaar for raising funds for the erection of a new wing to the
building, and in 1869 Her Royal Highness and himself inaugurated
that new wing.

"It was a matter of satisfaction to his family and himself that
they had connected themselves with an institution which aimed at
so much practical good, and which was now in so flourishing a
state. It was in 1847 that the late Dr. Reed brought the state
of the idiot portion of the community under public notice; and
from that time to this much had been done to ameliorate the
condition of that most unfortunate class of our fellow
creatures. Although the cases were comparatively rare in which
cures had been made, still cures had been effected, and
practical experience had shown that the mental state of those
unfortunate beings was susceptible of manifest improvement by
the exercise of care and attention well directed by intelligent
and experienced persons. Many of them were taught music, and
others some trade or handicraft, and in that way their hands and
minds were occupied. There were cases in which patients so
engaged had improved so much as to be able to return to their
families, and afterwards to follow a trade which they had learnt
in the institution. The Institution had been very highly praised
by the Lunacy Commissioners, and he might remind the company
that it was supported by voluntary contributions. This year, he
believed, the contributions had exceeded those of any previous
one, but an infirmary had become necessary, although no