The Sun.
London, England, 1869-06-29 00:00:00

THE EA.RLSWOOD IDIOT ASYLUM.

In 1853 the Prince Consort laid the foundation stone,
not far from Reigate, of a new institution—an asylum fol
idiots. Since then the Earlswood Asylum has become
known in every household ; it has prospered and done
much good work. It now contains 478 patients, and has
become too small for the national requirements. On
Monday the Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone of
additional buildings. His Royal Highness, who was ac-
companied by the Princess, was of course received with
all honours by the Corporation of Reigate. To
the address of the Town Council he replied :
" I thank you for the kind terms you have used
towards me in your address, and for your professions of
loyal attachment to the Queen and Royal Family. The
vicinity of the Earlswood Idiot Asylum to your borough
has created in you an interest corresponding with my own
in its future welfare and prosperity. The objects of this
common anxiety are entitled to all our efforts to amelio-
rate their condition, and to render, under God's blessing,
lighter the affliction with which it has pleased Him to
visit them." The road from the Reigate Bail‘, sy Station
to the asylum was lined with people, who enthusiastically
cheered the royal party as it passed. The National
Anthem was played when the Prince reached the
asylum by the band of the Grenadier Guards. The
first proceeding of the day was a procession—one on foot,
to proceed to the spot where the foundation stone was to
be laid. It passed from the vestibule, through the dining-
hall and by the rear of the building, on to a spacious tent
in which a brilliant company, numbering about 700 or
800, had assembled. A body of police marched in front,
then followed the band of the Grenadier Guards playing
Handel's March in " Scipio ;" next, the architect
with drawings ; after him the board of management,
two and two ; then the treasurer and the secretary,
with records and scrolls ; and, next, the stewards,
patrons, and presidents of the charity. The Archbishop
of Canterbury, in his episcopal robes, and his Grace's
chaplain followed ; and then came their Royal High-
nesses, attended by their suites. When the Prince and
Princess took their places on the dais prepared for them,
the scene was splendid and imposing. The ladies and
gentlemen who had awaited their coming had all risen
to receive them, and were cheering and waving hats and
handkerchiefs. Standing in front of two chairs of state,
and at either side of the foundation stone, were the Royal
pair bowing their acknowledgments.
The stone, one of very great weight, was suspended in
the centre of the dais from a large gilt hook and a series
of pulleys. It was supplied from the granite quarries of
Messrs. Freeman and Sons, Penryn, Cornwall. On the
face of it was an inscription in golden letters recording the
event of the day. When the cheering which bad greeted
the arrival of their Royal Highnesses had in some degree
subsided, Mr. Abbiss read an address, to which
the Prince of Wales made the following reply :---
"My Lords and Gentlemen,— I thank you for the kind ex
pressions contained in your address. I cannot but rejoice
that my presence should be considered an encouragement
and conducive to the prosperity of an institution that lays
claim to our warmest support. Apart from all other con-
siderations, the fact of my lamented father having taken
so active a part in the early formation of the society
would, in itself, be sufficient to enlist my sympathy and
interest in its welfare. The necessity for affording more
extended accommodation, in consequence of the increased
number of applicants, is the best proof of the success
which has followed your first efforts. We must all
appreciate the comprehensive principle which regulates,
without regard to social or religious distinction, the
admission of all classes of our fellow-creatures suffering
under an affliction which reduces them to one
common level. Finally, I have to assure you, gentlemen,
Low sincerely I feel your expressions of devotion and
attachment towards the Queen, the Princess of Wales,
and the Royal Family. lam persuaded they, equally
with myself, will watch with increasing interest the
success of an institution this day enlarged under such hope-
ful circumstances."

There was then handed to his Royal Highness a silver
trowel, and Mr. C. Reed, M.P., handed him the mallet
which was used by the Prince Consort when laying the
first stone of the Infant Orphan Asylum at Wansteltd, and
which his Royal Highness subsequently gave to
Dr. Andrew. Reed, the hon. member's father. A good
supply of mortar having been brought to the Prince of
Wales in a mahogany hod, his Royal Highness spread a
sufficient quantity to make a setting for the stone. Then,
amid cheering, the stone was slowly lowered, and the
Prince tapped it with the mallet, tested it by rule and
plumb, and amid a flourish of trumpets, followed by
the National Anthem, pronounced it to be well
and truly fixed. The Archbishop of Canterbury
then offered an appropriate prayer, which was
followed by a hymn, of which there was an instru-
mental performance by the band of the Grenadier Guards
while the words were sung by the entire company.
The Prince and the Princess then took theirseats, and, to
the March of King Christian IX., of Denmark, there was
an interesting and, for the charity, a most gratifying pro-
cession. It was one of ladies, who, to the number of 380,
in single file, ascended the dais on the side at which the
Prince was seated, passed to the foundation stone, upon
which each deposited a scarlet leather purse containing
five guineas, and then descended on the side at which the
Princess was seated. Every lady made an obeisance
to the Prince on ascending, and one to the Princess on
descending, which was acknowledged by their Royal
Highnesses with a dignified affability that charmed
the spectators. A less extended procession of
gentlemen followed. Each of them also deposited a
purse containing five guineas. In all 400 purses were laid
on the stone ; but it was not until this portion of the
ceremony had come to an end the company were informed
that immediately he had fixed the stone the Prince handed
the treasurer a check for 100 guineas as a contribution to
the funds of the charity. As the Prince and the Princess
were leaving the marquee three cheers were given for the
Queen and three for their Royal Highnesses. After a
dejeuner, at which the royal visitors honoured the
goiernors of the institution with their company, the
Prince and the Princess planted a tree each on the lawn
in front of the building, and then took their departure.

Monday being the 31st anniversary of the corona-
tion of her Majesty the Queen, the ordinary tokens of re-
joicing were manifested throughout the metropolis.

MIRAGE ON THE NORTH-EAST COAST.—A beauti-
ful and perfect mirage was visible from Hartlepool, on
Saturday afternoon. The whole of the horizon of the sea
was reflected in the sky, with several ships and screw
steamers far out at sea going southwards, plainly visible,
inverted on the surface. The town of Redcar, with some
minor villages visible on the Cleveland coast, also pre-
sented a most singular and beautiful appearance in the
air while the mirage lasted. Towards six o'clock the
phenomenon gradually faded away, being replaced by
heavy masses of dark clouds, which for a time presaged a
thunderstorm.

AMERICAN BETTING.—A curious bet was made
between two gentlemen of this city noted for the ampli-
tude of their beards. One is an eminent Q.C., and the
other, if not exactly a legal functionary, exercises control
over an institution of justice near the foot of St. Mary
current. The bet was that the loser of the toss should at
once denude himself of his magnificent beard and mous-
tache. It was made in an idle moment, and promptly
accepted. The Q.C. won the toss in two straight heats,
and the gaoler, uttering a cry of anguish, took a gin sling
and nailed to the nearest barber's saloon. —Montreal Star.

A 'USEFUL CHIGNON.— As a lady and gentleman
on horseback were crossing Wearmouth Bridge, towards
Monkwearmouth, the other evening, the lady's horse
stumbled, and threw the fair equestrienne right underneath
the horse upon which her companion was riding, and but
for the sagacity displayed by the animal in leaping over
her, she might have been very seriously injured. She
escaped, however, comparatively speaking, unhurt, her
chignon having saved her head from violent contact with
the ground ; and remounting her horse, the lady proceeded.
ONE HUNDRED MILES ON A BICYCLE.—In these
days of velocipede wonders the following excursion may
be considered the greatest feat yet accomplished. On
Thursday morning last Mr. G. P. Noble, of Thirlby
House, Woodford-bridge, mounted on one of Charles P.
Button's improved bicycles, and, accompanied by Mr.
11. E. Kaye, also of Woodford, started from the lattel
place at half-past three o'clock for Colchester (a distance
of about 49 miles), where they arrived about two o'clock,
and in order to make up the 100 miles, they rode in and
around the.town about half an hour. After having suffi-
ciently rested, the velocipedists started on the return
journey, and reached home about one in the morning,
having been absent just twenty-two hours. Seven hours
were occupied in taking meals and rest, so that fifteen
hours were actually spent in the saddle, giving an average
of about seven miles an hour for the whole journey.

FATAL ACCIDENT IN SCOTLAND.—A night Or two
since a melancholy accident occurred at Avonbead, by
which two men lost their lives, and one was seriously
injured. The men were engaged sinking a pit at Avon•
head, and had been firing a shot. They came up to tht
top of the shaft till the shot went off, after which they
took their places on the kettle to be lowered again. II
appears that the engine-keeper, named John Anderson.
had neglected to put the key in that put the machinery
in winding gear, and the kettle, with the three men in it.
went at once down to the bottom of the pit. Two of tht
men who had been standing on the kettle when the acci
dent occurred were instantaneously killed, and the third,
who had been lying along the bottom of the kettle, was
seriously injured. Anderson, the engineman, has beer
taken into custody pending an investigation into the Mal
of the accident.

HER MAJESTY.

BUCKINGIIA3I PALACE, June 28.

Her Majesty, with Princess Louise, Prince Leo-
pold, and Princess Beatrice, again visited the camp
in Windsor Great Park yesterday afternoon.
The Queen, accompanied by their Royal High-
nesses Princess Louise, Princess Beatrice, ani
Prince Leopold, arrived here at half-past eleven
this morning from Windsor Castle.