The Express.
London, England, 1868-07-25 00:00:00

SOLDIERS' .D.AUGHTERS HOME.

Lord Napier of Magdala yesterday afternoon
furnished another proof of the sincere interest he takes
in the welfare of the British soldier, by presiding in the
theatre of the United Service Institution,litehall-yard,
at the thirteenth anniversary meeting of the friends and
supporters of the Soldiers' Daughters Home, Hampstead.
The attendance was very numerous; and amongst the
ladies and gentlemen present were Lady Napier, General
Scott, Sir Geo. Lawrence, Sir William Codrington, Sir J.
F. Smith, Sir P. O'Brien, M.P., the Hon. A. Kmnaird,
M.P., Colonel Hogg, Y.P., the Chaplain-Oesieral of the
Forces, Major-Gen Lawrence, Lieut.-Gen. E. W. Walker,
C. 8., Capt. Burgess, Capt. Crawley, Capt. H. L. Powys-
Keck, Judge Payne, and Major.Oeneral J. T. Boileau.
The children of the home, attired in scarlet petticoats and
mow white tippets, were arranged on the back seats of
the body of the theatre, and when the noble lord entered
they "See the Conquering Hero Comes," and after-
wards, " The Soldiers Daughters' Song,", a piece specially
composed for these occasions. The noble and gallant
chairman then expressed the very groat pleasure he ex-
perienced in having to preside; first, because it
afforded him the opportunity of evincing esteem
and respect for his friend and former comrade. Major-
General Boileau, the manager of the institution; and
secondly, of showing again the warm interest he took in
soldiers and their daughters. One of the most agreeable
duties of a commander lay outside the line of discipline, and
connected him immediately with the families and children
of his soldiers. It was through this medium that he won
their hearts. The stern hand of discipline was set on one
side for the moment, and he went etraight to the soldier's
home, where by acts of kindness he soothed his cares, im-
proved his condition, and rendered him more satisfied with
his lot and amenable to his duty. In India, owing perhaps
to the nature of the climate, the same solicitude could not
be made so manifest; but it was exceedingly gratify-
ing to find the comfort of soldiers' daughters so well
cared for at home. Ile regretted that he had not
had an opportunity of visiting the home at Hamp-
stead, though the appearance of the children before
him, . their nice, neat, and healthy Condition,
was sufficient proof, if any were needed, of the
admirable manner in which it was conducted. Although
it had only been established thirteen years, he was in-
formed that it had received 88,8301. 175., of which 34,035!.
had been expended in mainteminee. 21,2201. las. in the
retch Ato
pf the budding, and 33,000/. invested in good secu-
rities. resent there were only a little over 100 inmates,
although the home was calculated to accommodate 220,
and therefore for the want of funds the institution was as
yet only half developed. Like successful working of the
belie was shown by the fact that 150 girls bad quitted it
for domestic earnest in which their conduct had been most
esemplary. It was economically managed, but within
the last few years the enhanced price of pro-
sallow; bad seriously increased the cost, and the
average outlay was now 191. 16s. nd. per head per
animal. Sir George Lawrence read the report of the
committee of management, showing that 29 girls quitted
and 31 were admitted into the asylum during the past
year. In February last the number of inmate's was 161.
NO death had occurred, and the health of the entire eetab-
liahnrent at the present time is quite satisfactory. Inelnd-
Lie balance of 6731., the income proper for the year
nuked to 4,6831., and the ordinary expenditure to
nB/. After the adoion of the report, which was
qved,by the Cheplainenend, and weeded by General
.W. Walker, Lord Napier was elected a vice-president,
and Si accepting the office his lordship referred to .the
soldiers' hrphanagee foanded in India by his friend Sir
Jo n Lawrence. From a very small beginning they had
to splendid proportions. There were two inetitn-
ti in this country to Which he felt much indebted
as a Mend of the soldier. They were the Soldiers'
Doughtily Home, and the carp( of comiohnonshes, sad
both would ever receive whatever assistance he could give
them. Pecuniary rewards were afterwards distributed
amongst former inmates, and a resolution come tosanction-
• g the immediate adndreion of four soldiers' orphans, as
• -offering toe the swoon of our arms in abrisinie.
/it the conclusion of time proceedings, and at the espe-
cial request of his lordship, who appeared to derive
'ouch Oaunre from their vocal efforts, the children again
meg several pieces, including "The Merry Month of
May," "God Bless the Prince of Wales," and the
National Anthem, and when he retired with his lady they
sent forth a ringing chest, whisk was heartily repented by
a wer.- ireesed crowd that had collected outside.