The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-03-21 00:00:00

peerance they presented as they paused the ugh 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. (Cheers.) At the
same time the children are strongly advised to attend
the instructions given them 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 appren-
ticed on leaving school. This system has been found to
work remarkably well. Inducements are held out for pro-
fleiency and good *induct by rewards given after examina-
tion. 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 famines, as, for
Instance, during revere winter weather, when many poor
people had It difficult to obtain employment—a daily meal
Is given to children who are in want of it. This has been
tumid 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. "Cheers)
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 tilled up. (hear,
hear) My lords and gentlemen, though this may be called an
annual festival in all of a shanty, 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. (Cheers.; Such meetings are beneficial,
and they must be all the more no 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. 'Great cheering)
Ile illustrious President next gave the "Lord-Lieutenant
of Ireland,' and in doing so said be was sure everyone would
agree with him in thinking that Lord Abureoni had filled his
high office with credit to himself and benefit to the country
~Cheers

The Earl of Mayo, In returning thanks for the Lord-
Lieutenant, expressed his opinion that the Prince of Wales
on his forthcoming visit to Ireland would experience such a
reception as would induce his Royal Highness to go there
gain.
The Earl of Kimberley, ha proposing the health of the illus-
trious President, said he thought the friends of Ireland
ought to feel much obliged to his Itoyal Highness for Ids
presence there that evening. ',Cheers.) Ile was convinced
that good would result from it. (Hear, hear.) Having on
one occasion, while if the office of Lord•Lieutmiant, had
the honour to receive the Prume of Wales at Dublin, lie
could state from his own knowledge that his Royal Highness
took the deepest interest hi all that concerned the welfare of
Ireland, and showed the greatest anxiety to make himself
acquainted with her affairs. The Prince had madc himself
acquainted with her affairs, and was In a position to give an
Intelligent and a Just opinion on the matter. This was of
great importance for Ireland. (Cheers. Ile ttutight he
might venture to say that the Prince of Wales felt au affec-
tn., for Ireland. 'Renewed cheers 1
The toast an-
usual

Ths tos.st was drunk with all tho honours, and with un-

euthuoiasm.

In reply, the Prince of Wales said : I am exceedingly grati-
fied by the very kind terms in which my noble friend has
proposed my health, and the more than cordial manner in
which you, my lords and gentlemen, have received it. I hope
I need ilot assure you that it has been a source of great plea-
sure to me to take the chair at a I honer in aid of a society
which does.° much for the benefit of so many children of
the poorer Irish in London. ,Cheers.) My noble friend has
alluded to my approaching visit to Ireland. I shall only say
that I am glad to visit a portion of the United Kingdom In
which! have experienced such extensive kindness from all
parties. I agree with the noble Lord the Chief Seoretary
for Ireland. If this visit should tend to give pleasure to
the people of Ireland I hope there may be a longer visit
hereafter. :Loud and long-continued cheering.; Duiing
the course of the last two years there has been much tha
has been disagreeable to loyal Irishmen ; but Lam convinced
that the people of Ireland generally are thoroughly true and
loyal, and that the disaffection which has existed will only
be of short duration. ,Ilear, hear.) II has not been en-
grafted on the minds of any porll.n of the Irish people by
the Irish people themselves. Renewed cries of Hear,
hear." But as we are assembled here for a purely charitable
object this is not the place for political allusions. I shall,
therefore, conclude by once more thanking you for the kind
way in which you have drunk my health, and for the manner
in which you have supported me this evening.
In responding for the " Vice-Presidents," the Marquis of
Clatiricarile expressed his belief that the visit of the Prince
of Wales would be attended with good results.

After the toast of "The Ladies," to which Viscount
Hamilton responded, the company separated.