"In the name of the Princess and in my own, I beg to tender to you, Lord Ripon, our warmest thanks and acknowledgments for the very kind terms in which you have proposed this toast, and to you, ladies and gentlemen, for the way in which you have received it. I am anxious to tender to the mayor, as the representative of the citizens of this large and important town, our thanks also for the magnificent and cordial reception we have met with to-day, one which we are not likely to forget. This is certainly not the first visit I have paid to Leeds, as I did so some seventeen years ago, but the pleasure on this occasion is enhanced in my eyes as the Princess has been able to accompany me. The mayor also alluded to the fact that the visit of the Queen and of my lamented father had not been forgotten, and we were glad to visit that very Town Hall which they opened some twenty-six or twenty-seven years ago. I consider that the object of our visit here is connected in some respects with the visit of the Queen and my lamented father, as he alluded at that time to the great importance of scientific and technical education, and of a great town like this if possible taking up the matter. In opening to-day that important and useful building, the Yorkshire College, I feel I may in some way have followed in his footsteps, by having been the means of promoting what is of the greatest importance to our country, and what is also of the greatest importance to the success of our great commercial enterprises—viz., technical and scientific education.

"The building which we have visited to-day will always be in our recollection one of great interest, and we feel sure that it is likely to flourish and be of the greatest importance, and to set an example to all the other great towns of the kingdom. The rooms we visited, and all the arrangements for learning in a scientific and technical manner not only the industries themselves, but their scientific principles, cannot but be productive of the greatest good not only now, but in years to come. The College has received many great and munificent donations, which will be read out later on, but I may mention the names of Sir Andrew Fairbairn, the Duke of Devonshire, and Lord Ripon, your President, as having contributed largely to the funds of the institution. I must say also that those who are interested in the College owe a deep debt of gratitude to the Clothworkers' Company of the City of London, for the magnificent donations which they have given are a proof of the importance of this institution. They have also shown their interest in it, and their belief that it is certain to be successful."

His Royal Highness then referred to the importance attached to music in Yorkshire, and to the great interest he had taken in the Royal College of Music. He remarked that he thought the promotion of that art would materially benefit all classes in this country. Towards that College he knew nearly £1000 was collected in Leeds, but that unfortunately was insufficient to endow a scholarship, but if the president and directors of the Yorkshire College could see their way at some future time to add music to the list of subjects taught he felt sure they would not in years to come regret it, and that it would be of great benefit to the people of Leeds.

Before proceeding with the toast he had the privilege to propose, "Prosperity to the Yorkshire College," with which he could not help feeling that he must associate the health of Lord Ripon. He felt that they would wish him to say a word with regard to its former president, one who was distinguished and lovable in every sense of the word, and who was carried off by the hand of the assassin in the midst of health and life. That was indeed matter for thought and reflection, and he felt sure that every Yorkshireman deeply regretted the death of Lord Frederick Cavendish. In his successor, however, they had found one who had occupied some of the most important offices which could be held under the Crown, and who, having himself been President of the Council on Education, was well fitted to hold the high office which he now did. He therefore called on them to drink with him, "Prosperity to the Yorkshire College," with which he had the greatest pleasure in coupling the name of their president, Lord Ripon.

The Chairman, in acknowledging the warmth with which the toast was honoured, alluded with pride to the position the College had in ten years won. He hoped they would place the crown upon their work by coming into union with the Victoria University at Manchester.

THE GORDON BOYS' HOME.

January 12th, 1886.

After the sad tidings of the death of General Gordon at Khartoum had been confirmed, there was a universal desire to connect his name with some national memorial. Tributes of honour were paid to him by the leaders of both parties in Parliament, and a grant was voted for a public monument, in the form of a statue, which is now seen in Trafalgar Square. But a desire was felt for some other memorial, and after much consideration the most suitable was thought to be an institution for training boys of the class in whose welfare he took deep personal interest. This was the origin of the Gordon Boys' Home, first located at Fort Wallington, Fareham, and now having its permanent site at West End, Chobham.

From the time of the first suggestion of a memorial the Prince of Wales took the most active interest in the matter. He attended the early meetings of the committee formed to carry out the proposal, and moved the first resolution for a memorial at the Mansion House on May 30th, 1885. At that time the idea was to found a hospital at Port Said, but this scheme was not carried out. There seemed to be difficulty in agreeing about some fitter memorial, but the committee finally resolved on the establishment of the Boys' Home, and the War Office granted the use of Fort Wallington to commence the undertaking, for which the funds had to be provided by public subscription. In support of this fund the Prince of Wales summoned a meeting at Marlborough House on the 12th of January, 1886. At this meeting he said that "having had the honour of presiding at the meeting of the Gordon Memorial Committee in the summer of 1885, he thought it desirable, at the beginning of another year, to summon a meeting to hear what progress had been made." He told of the appointment of Major-General Tyndall, C.B., as commandant, and of his commencing the work with a few boys at Fort Wallington, the number gradually rising to fifty. The Prince called on Lord Napier of Magdala to say a few words in addition to the formal report which was read.

Lord Napier of Magdala, as Chairman of the Executive Committee, then presented the report of the progress made in the establishment of the Gordon Memorial Home. He said that on visiting the institution a few days ago he found the boys on parade in a neat and appropriate uniform. They looked clean, smart, and steady. The dormitories were like soldiers' barrack-rooms, in perfect order. The lavatories gave every facility for cleanliness. In the kitchen the boys all took a turn in cooking. In the workshops the pupil teachers were undergoing instruction in carpentry work. The school was well arranged and the teaching effective. In short, the progress of the institution was remarkable, considering the short time it had been established, and this was due to the organization of General Higginson and the administration of General Tyndall and his staff. Nor had the necessity for amusement been left unprovided for. The work was done in the spirit of the great soldier and Christian whom the institution commemorated, and the results were most gratifying.

The Prince of Wales said:—

"I feel sure it must be gratifying to all of us to hear the statements made by Lord Napier of Magdala of the satisfactory manner in which the Gordon Boys' Home is progressing. I may also say that all of us are indebted to the great energy which Generals Higginson and Tyndall have displayed."