THE GERMAN HOSPITAL.
April 16th, 1875.
The German Hospital, at Dalston, is one of the most useful and well-managed charities in the Metropolis. It is for the reception of natives of Germany, and others speaking the German language; also for English in case of accident. There are now 125 beds for in-patients, with a sanatarium for the benefit of those who can pay a moderate sum weekly for their maintenance during illness. There is also a Convalescent Home, with about twenty beds. During the past year there were 1663 in-patients, 23,210 out-patients, and 1163 dental cases. The Hamburg Church is connected with the Hospital by a corridor. The yearly receipts average now about £10,000, and there is funded property amounting to £55,000.
The Prince of Wales presided at the thirtieth anniversary festival, at Willis's Rooms, on the 16th of April, 1875. About three hundred were present, including some Ambassadors and Consuls of Continental States, and other distinguished foreigners.
The Prince, in proposing the health of "The Queen," said that Her Majesty took the greatest interest in the welfare of the Hospital, of which she was a protector, and a donor to its funds.
Count Beust, the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador, gave the toast of "The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Royal Family." He said that he spoke the sentiments of the representatives of all German-speaking countries, when he said that the "Royal Chairman had always shown for the German Hospital a feeling German heart and an open English hand. When he brought under the notice of his Sovereign, the Emperor of Austria, that the Prince was to preside at the festival, he was immediately instructed by His Majesty to announce the donation from him of £100 to the funds. Let us, one and all, drink to our illustrious Chairman, whom the people of England know not only as a gracious and popular Prince, but also as a high-minded, generous gentleman, who takes a deep and active interest in all that contributes to the greatness and the welfare of the country, and to the relief of the sufferers among the less fortunate of the community, in the fulfilment of which noble task he is well supported by his gracious Princess."
The Prince, in reply, said:—
"I can hardly find words adequate enough to express my deep thanks to his Excellency the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador for the exceedingly kind and flattering manner in which he has proposed this toast, and to you all for the hearty way in which it was received. I can assure you that it affords me the greatest pleasure and gratification to be your chairman on the present occasion. The members of my family have now for some years taken a deep interest in this charity, and I take the same interest. This is not at all to be wondered at, considering that we have German blood running in our veins. We have the greatest sympathy with the foreigners who live in our country, and we gladly join in an attempt like this to alleviate their sufferings in every possible way. The President of the German Hospital, the Duke of Cambridge, as did his father before him, takes a warm interest in this institution, and I sincerely hope that our family will always remain connected with so excellent and admirable a charity. I thank you once more for the hearty reception you have accorded to the toast."
The Prince, again rising, proposed in cordial terms: "The Foreign Sovereigns and Princes, Protectors and Patrons of the Institution, and their Representatives who had honoured them with their presence." He stated that "the Emperor of Germany gave an annual donation of £200 to the charity, and that the Emperors of Russia and Austria, and the Kings of Würtemberg, Bavaria, Saxony, and the Netherlands, had also evinced a practical interest in the institution."
Count Münster, the German Ambassador, whose name was coupled with the toast, said he agreed with his friend and colleague, Count Beust, that it was one of the most pleasant duties of diplomatists to be present on occasions of that kind, and he felt it, indeed, a great honour to return thanks for the kind and gracious manner in which His Royal Highness had proposed the health of the foreign Sovereigns and their representatives. He was quite sure that the interest which their Majesties had taken in that fine, benevolent institution would be much strengthened when they became aware that the first gentleman in England—the heir to the British Throne—had shown his practical sympathy with it by presiding that evening. Benevolence and hospitality had always been the characteristics of the English people, but how could it be otherwise when the Royal Family invariably set them, on every possible occasion, the noblest and best example? In the name of his fellow-countrymen he tendered to His Royal Highness their most hearty thanks for the gracious part he was taking at that gathering.
The Prince of Wales next gave "The Army, Navy, and Reserve Forces," saying, in doing so, that every Englishman was proud of the land and sea forces of his country, and he always hoped they were in a highly efficient state. At the same time the Prince sincerely trusted that the occasion might never arise in which the Army and Navy might be called forth to battle with those countries so many of whose representatives were present that evening.
General Sir William Knollys made a brief reply. The Prince of Wales then gave as the toast of the evening: "Prosperity to the German Hospital." He said:—
"I can only regret that a toast of so much importance as this is has not fallen into better hands than mine, but, whatever my shortcomings, I am sure you will take the will for the deed. This toast has been given for a great many successive years, and the few remarks that I have to make to you will not be new to the great portion of the vast assembly who are gathered here this evening. At the same time, as I am your chairman, I think it my duty to make a few observations in connexion with the German Hospital.
"As most of you are doubtless aware, it has 103 beds generally full, and last year the total in-and out-patients amounted to about 18,000. Of these there were 1300 in-patients, of whom 240 were English. Besides the hospital there is a sanitarium, to which 42 persons were admitted. The rooms there are unfortunately limited in number, but the occupants are rather of a well-to-do class, such as professors, governesses, clerks, and others, who, in return for the services rendered to them, give a small sum of money towards defraying the necessary costs. Last year the expenses of the hospital were very heavy, amounting to £6500, exclusive of £600 for improvements. This, I hear, is likely to be increased considerably in the next accounts, owing to the continuous rise of prices. Fortunately, I am able to announce to you that the receipts nearly covered the expenditure. The fixed income, however, can only be put down at £1200 or £1300 a year, and the authorities of the hospital, to carry it on successfully and to keep it out of debt, have to collect annually between £4000 and £5000.
"I think every Englishman and every foreigner will agree as to the necessity for a hospital founded as this is. We who are Englishmen must all feel what a terrible position we should be in if we found ourselves weary and sick in a country where it was impossible to make ourselves understood. When, therefore, we are told that in this London of ours all who speak German are instantly admitted to this institution, we can readily imagine the enormous benefits which foreigners and Germans especially derive from it. There are, I am told, as many as 50,000 Germans living in London, many of whom have to work in unhealthy trades, such as sugar-baking. They are mostly confined indoors all day long, and, but for this hospital, they would not know where to go to find comfort and succour.
"A great merit, in my mind, of this institution is that it is a free one. It is not at all necessary to obtain a letter of recommendation before admission. Sick people have only to present themselves there and speak German to insure that the doors will be immediately thrown open to them, and that they will be tended and cared for in the most admirable manner. The nurses there are all trained in Elizabethan-stift at Darmstadt, and they do their work admirably under the care of the excellent chaplain (Dr. Walbaum), who has taken so deep an interest in the welfare of the hospital. They are thus found most important to the working of the hospital.
"As so many Englishmen derive benefit from the institution, I am sure I can appeal to my fellow-countrymen to do all in their power, and I ask the company generally to see if they cannot collect a sum larger than on any previous occasion. At the last annual dinner, at which the Duke of Cambridge presided, a sum of £500 in excess of any former collection was obtained, and I hope to-night we may even exceed the sum subscribed then. I may tell you that a distinguished guest among us to-night, Baron von Diergadt, of Bonn, sent us a few years ago the magnificent donation of £10,000. I do not ask you, gentlemen, to give quite so large a sum as the Baron, but I am sure that all that is in your power to give you will. I desire to tender our thanks to the Emperor of Austria for his munificent donation, announced by his Ambassador this evening, and I will now ask you all most cordially to assist me in supporting this excellent charity. I give you as the toast of the evening: 'Prosperity to the German Hospital.'"
The Secretary (Mr. Feldmann) afterwards announced the receipt of donations (including £105 from the Prince of Wales, £200 from the Emperor of Germany, and £100 from the Emperor of Austria) to the amount of over £5000, being £1200 in excess of any previous collection. Other toasts, including "The health of Baron von Diergadt, of Bonn," followed. During dinner, Mr. Marriott's band played a selection of operatic music, and afterward, at intervals, a choir, under the direction of Sir Julius Benedict and Herr Ganz (all of whom gave their services gratuitously), sang some German songs by Schubert, Schumann, Seidl, and other composers.