hildren have been educated
and maintained at a cost of not far from L40,000. At present
there are 302 pensioners and 41 children on the books of the
charity, and these numbers will, I understand, be augmented
during the present month by the election of 51 pensioners. The
total cost of the year will be nearly L8500, and I am sorry to
say the donations and annual sums received amount to little over
L6800. Therefore, you see that although this institution is in a
highly prosperous state, at the same time the funds are not as
great as we could wish. It is for that reason that we assemble
here--to augment those funds.

"When I look around and see so large a number of gentlemen, who
have come great distances to support me on this occasion, I feel
I shall not ask them in vain to extend their support to so
excellent an institution. You were kind enough just now to drink
in a cordial manner my health, but I think if I had put myself
before you as a surgeon whose health you were going to drink you
might not have received me so cordially. On this occasion I hope
you will look upon me as a surgeon. The few words I have to say
to you are my lancet, with which I have to bleed you--and you
will all feel much the better for it.

"Many may think, 'Why should we give money to those who possibly
by their own fault may have got into distress?' But that is not
the object mentioned. All will agree that the cleverest
agriculturists who thoroughly understand their business may,
through bad seasons, failures of crops, and a variety of other
causes which you know, gentlemen, far better than I do, have
found themselves suddenly in the most abject want. It is a great
pity that the farmers' clubs and agricultural societies do not
do so much as they ought in support of so excellent an
institution.

"I see by your applause it is only too true, and I must call
upon you this evening to show that you have supported this
charity in the most material manner. I thank you once more for
the kind and attentive manner in which you have listened to the
few words which I have uttered. I only regret that it has not
fallen to the lot of another than myself to bring the subject
before you, and I am sure that you will take the will for the
deed. 'Prosperity to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent
Institution!'"