Speeches and Addresses of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales: 1863-1888Edward VII, King of Great Britain
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Speeches and Addresses of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales: 1863-1888
Edward VII, King of Great Britain
Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1837-1901
The Duke of Cambridge, who was loudly cheered, said: "I personally am
much gratified by the kind reception which has been given to my name in
conjunction with this toast. His Royal Highness, with a modesty which is
delightful in one in his position, has expressed diffidence in proposing
it; but there is no ground for such diffidence on his part, for there is
no officer in the Army that I know of who takes a more lively interest
in the efficiency of the service, even in its every detail, or who,
whenever the opportunity offers, shows a greater aptitude than does His
Royal Highness. He has proved a most worthy spokesman for the Army on
this and on many other occasions, and I am sure officers of the Army are
always flattered and gratified when His Royal Highness has the
opportunity of speaking of them as he has done this evening. I feel
particular interest in being present here, and I beg to express to His
Royal Highness, who has many and constant duties to attend to, my thanks
and those of my mother, who is, unfortunately, in a very suffering
state, for having, on the mere expression of a wish on her part, at once
consented to preside on this occasion. I beg also to thank you for the
compliment which you have paid me and my family by your attendance, for
I cannot forget that this institution was originally founded in memory
of my father, who had many opportunities of showing the deep interest he
took in the charitable institutions of the country. On that account many
of his friends were anxious that some testimonial should be established
to his memory, and instead of a statue I am happy to think, as I am sure
he would have been glad to know, that it took the form of the useful and
necessary institution we have met here to assist. But for its aid the
recipients of its benefits would have to drag out a miserable existence
either in the workhouse or under even still worse circumstances. We must
all feel gratified that these old women are, thanks to the benevolence
of yourselves and the public, enabled to pass their last days in the
comparative comfort that they find in the Asylum at Kingston. As head of
the Army, I may say that a higher compliment could not possibly have
been paid to it than to establish an institution such as this, and I am
gratified to think that the support it has received leads us to the hope
that it is now established on a solid and valuable foundation. I beg
again to thank you, in the name of the Army, and to say that the service
feels the deepest interest in the prosperity of the Asylum."
The Prince of Wales next rose and said;--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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