Lord Rosebery made a short but suggestive speech at the
opening of a cottage hospital at Carshalton on Wednesday afternoon. After a happy allusion to the appropriate choice of the date in view of the Queen's constant sympathy with the afflicted, Lord Rosebery was moved by the neighbourly character of the meeting to comment on the break up of the old aristocratic seclusion and separation of the classes, thanks to the influence of the railway, pastimes, sports, and such meetings as that he now addressed. Reflecting on the real advantages of wealth, Lord Rosebery pointed out that even millionaires could not eat more than one dinner a day, and that even they had only one body to dress or decorate. They had, however, one great superiority over the poor. When those they loved were sick, or weak, or aged, they could com- mand the best medical advice, change the climate for their benefit, and even prolong their lives. This inequality they should try their best to reduce, and by the opening of such a hospital something at least was done to bridge over the gulf. In the course of the speech Lord Rosebery humorously suggested, a propos of the good effect of meetings, that the people of Carshalton might take a new departure, and allow Conservatives to address Liberal meetings and Liberals to address Conservative gatherings. The former plan, we may add, is precisely that, according to some stern and uncompro- mising Radicals, which is carried into effect nowadays when- ever Lord Rosebery addresses a political audience.
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