The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-03-11 00:00:00

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE ON THE

ARMY.

The Duke of Cambridge spoke to the following
effect in returning thanks for The Army," at the
dinner given by the Grocers' Company on Tuesday
night, at their hall in the Poultry, to celebrate the
opening of the new wing of the London Hospital by
her Majesty :
Master, Wardens, my Lords, and Gentlemen,—l rise with
pleasure to respond to the toast which has been just given
. from the chair, on behalf of the Army; and in doing so I feel
that some apology froro me is due to this society, as I am
'told that it is intended that I should address you on a second
'occasion to-night. But the fact is, gentlemen, that, is all my
desire to make as few speeches as possible, I feel it impossible
for me to allow a toast of of this sort to be responded for by any
person, however distinguished those may be who sit around
lone, unless I answer it myself. Gentlemen, some time ago,
I understand, I alarmed some people very much by some
observations I made on the Army. lam very anxious it
shourd be clearly understood that there was no intention
on my part to give any alarm. Warning is one thing, alarm
another. lam not alarmed, nor have I any desire to alarm
my fellow countrymen, who are very kind in listening to
any remarks I make. But I think that warning ought to
be given, and especially in prosperous times. It is
especially in great prosperity that it is necessary to
warn one's friends to take care what they are about, be-
cause in prosperity we are apt to get into a lethargic state
in which we think that anything in the shape of danger and
risk is never likely to come again. I hope that this may
be the case, and it is with a view to bringing this about
that I have warned you not to be toe sanguine; for it is
dangerous to be too sanguine. If you wish to be peaceful,
do not be too sanguine, but be prepared. If you wish to
be pugnacious, be sure you do better to be unprepared,
(Laughter.) The Master said we were not a pugnacious
people. I admit that, in one sense, we have no desire for
war, and that we prefer peace. But I apprehend we are
an extremely pugnacious people when our own interests
or our own countrymen in any part of the world are
assailed. Then we are a very free people. Individuals and
the Press are allowed to say what they like, and that is
very gratifying and proper, but when we say disagreeable
things of our neighbours we must not be surprised if our
neighbours do not take them with the moderation and
equanimity which we might wish. While our principle
Is the greatest possible love of peace, we are a remark-
ably pugnacious people in certain events, and when
we want to hit we should be remarkably dissatisfied if
those who had the charge of affairs did not hit very hard.
We must have the means of doing so, and though I desire
not to give offence to any country, or to hint that I am
In a pugnacious vein, I venture to say that if my remarks
have led to what is now being done in the great council
of the nation, where my right hon. friend has brought
forward proposals which have been very well received
there and by the nation at large, I do not regret in the least
that my observations were made. Of course we are open
to criticism. We have received a large amount, and no
doubt we shall receive a great deal more before every-
thing is completed. But I must say that Parliament has
received the proposals that have been made with so fair,
so candid, and so generous a spirit, that I trust that every-
thing that has been done so far will tend,to improve the con-
dition of our service. It is very easy to suppose that we
could go on as we did before. My own impression is that,
as the means required in civil life are so much increased, we
require the same means in public life, and the Army is
not exempt from the conditions of civil occupations. To
say that the pay of the soldier is to go on as it was 60
years ago is, in my opinion, simply ridiculous. Common
sense tells you so; and I am sure I do not think it requires
any observations of mine to bring you to that conclusion.
lam told we shall not lack men next year. My answer
is that next year, in the ordinary course of things,
we shall want six or seven thousand more men than this,
because our short-service system comes into operation.
Therefore you had better he prepared. It is much better to
be always on the safe side than to run great risks that may
bring about great disasters. I thank you for the honour
You have done the Army on this occasion, as on every other,
and I am proud to have responded for that great service,
which I trust will ever progress as for years past under the
auspices ishiBh I 'am permitted now to extend towards it;
and I trust that in carrying on. my duties I shall retain the
good feeling and affection, not only of the Army, but also of
the country at large. (Loud cheers.)
Her Majesty, in the first toast (proposed by Mr.
Goodbart, the Master Of the Company), was honoured
as "Queen of Great Britain, Ireland, nod India."
At the close of the proceedings the Duke of Cambridge
said he rejoiced to be the medium of informing them
that her Majesty- had resolved to bestow upon the
London Hospital, a donation of £525, and he thought
that might be accepted as an earnest not only of the
pleasure and satisfaction which she felt that day, but
of; the real interest which she, in common with
themselves, took in great works of charity and
generosity, and charity such as that of the London
hospitals.
On Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Buckmaster delivered a
lecture in Eccleston-square Church, Phalle°, on " Food and
Cooking," with a few practical illustrations The attendance,
which was large, consisted chiefly of young women belonging
to the association connected with the church. The Rev J.
Hiles Hlichens presided.
The red-crested pochard (faligula rufina) is known to
British'natnralists as an " extremely rare " visitor to Great
Beitain. In Upper India, however, it is very abundant, and
Mr. E. C. Buck, of the Indian Civil Service, has made several
attempts to render it better known in England by sendleg
consignments of living birds to the Zoological Society of
Lon,on. Hitherto very little success has attended Mr.
Buck's efforts, only a single male bird having been received
alive in 1874. But a few days since the steamship Sirius
landed a fine series of 18 examples of this beautiful duck
which had been shipped by Mr. Buck for the Society. These
may wow Ise seen in the new north garden, in the pond near
the tortoise-house, and are well worthy of inspection.—
Another "rare British bird" now represented in the Society's
collection is the dotterel (tharadrius nwrinellus), lately pre-
sented by Dr. C. R Bree, the well-known ornithologist. This
bird was captured near Colchester, having flown against the
telegraph wires. It is plaeed along with the avoilets is the
fish-house, and appears likely So thrive,