"Your Grace, my Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen,--The kind way in which this toast has been proposed by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon and received by you all cannot but give the greatest possible pleasure both to the Princess and myself. We derive the most genuine satisfaction at seeing so many of the inhabitants of Norfolk here in our country home, for I can assure you that we take the deepest interest in all that concerns the welfare of this county. This has been a week of great agricultural interest for the county of Norfolk, and we have among us many men eminent as breeders and farmers from other parts of the kingdom, and to them also I extend a cordial welcome. As we have a busy afternoon before us, I will not detain you long, but before sitting down I should like to say a few words with respect to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, which has urgent need of support, as, owing to the recent depression in agriculture, the demands upon it have been so heavy that it is unable to do as much as it could a few years ago. In conclusion, let me bid you heartily welcome to Sandringham, and ask you to bid well at the sale." This genial speech was received with applause, and its closing words with cheerful laughter. The Duke of Manchester next proposed the health of Mr. John Thornton, the auctioneer, who may be regarded as the Tattersall of the Shorthorn world, and who, in responding, said that he was more anxious to hear others than others would be to hear him. The company then broke up, the Prince and Princess of Wales leading the way to the sale-ring, which had been pitched close to the homestead, with three covered stands for the Royal party, the auctioneer and his chief customers, and for the county people, who mustered in great force. The auctioneer gave much interesting information as to the establishment of the herd of Shorthorns and the flock of Southdowns at Sandringham. Since the herd of Shorthorns was formed the Prince of Wales has been in the habit of exhibiting at the Royal and other shows held within easy reach of home, and the animals selected for exhibition, but not forced into extreme condition, as is so often done, have been very successful, for they have taken sixteen first prizes, twelve seconds, four thirds, and four special prizes, while it is interesting to note that at the Royal Agricultural Show at York three years ago the Prince obtained what is generally regarded as the highest honour of the showyard--viz., the prize for a family group consisting of mother and several daughters.