that they are "a day behind the fair," for the worthy and honourable Chairman is claimed, and that claim is allowed, for the Volunteers. He is a distinguished officer of the Corps. So let them be content that, though they cannot have him for the regular service, they have got him for a Volunteer.

Response.-"THE VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY AND VOLUNTEER

RIFLEMEN."

MR. CHAIRMAN,-I return thanks for the Volunteer Artillery, and can bear testimony to the admirable manner in which the different corps of this county have acquitted themselves this day. They consisted of scattered corps which had never been brought together before, but their performances illustrated the principle which I have constantly enunciated, namely, that when company driil has been attended to, there is no fear but that when brought together in battalions and brigades they can work well. In Great Britain there are now 347 batteries of Volunteer Artillery, such as those we have seen this day, representing a total force of 22,500 artillerymen; in addition to which we have 148,000 Volunteer riflemen. The latter body comprise 211 battalions-that is to say, consolidated battalions in the large towns, under the command of field officers with their Staff, and what are called administrative battalions, consisting of corps raised in other and smaller towns, also under the command of field officers with their Staff. Only companies of these scattered corps, forming two battalions, in the county of and they went through all the manoeuvres required of infantry on a field day with great credit to themselves. The main stay of the movement is the love of the people for firearms, which is being gradually developed by the National Association, under the auspices of Lord Elcho; and altogether the Volunteer force throughout the country is in a very progressive state of efficiency. A general order has recently been issued, in accordance with the wishes of the Government, for the training of the different corps, each of which, I am glad to say, will now have permanent drill instructors, in addition to the adjutant. The weak point of our Volunteer system is said to be the officers. No doubt those gentlemen require time to attain proficiency, but I believe they will not undertake their important duties unless they really intend to qualify themselves for their proper fulfilment. In conclusion, I thank you on behalf of the Volunteers.

day I inspected

GENTLEMEN,-On behalf of "The Volunteers," who now have become an established fact, and increasing gradually as they have done to something like 170,000 men, they are not going to decrease rapidly; and whenever they are wanted, I am sure the agricultural men of the county of will stand side by side with their

and do their best

smarter and more soldier-like brethren of in the defence of their country. Gentlemen, I am a man of few words, but I have to thank you on behalf of the Volunteers.

THE CHURCH.

THE BISHOP AND CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE.

"THE CHURCH, AND THE BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE."

GENTLEMEN,-Under circumstances of great diffidence I rise to propose the next toast. I had hoped it would have fallen into hands abler than mine to do justice to such a cause. This is neither the

time nor place to treat on matters of religion, and I will not trench on such tender ground; but we can in all times and in all places show our love and veneration for that Church before whose font we were christened in earliest childhood, at whose altar we have knelt, and within whose pale we hope to die. For that sacred edifice, linked as it is with all that is dear to home and childhood, every man must feel a holy love; what, then, for her sons who, in perfect abnegation of self, go forth to teach and lead us to happiness? Shall not the clergy of our much-loved Church receive at our hands the thanks they so well deserve? Join me, then, heartily in this toast,-"The Church, and the Bishop of the Diocese."

"THE CHURCH AND QUEEN."

"Here's a health to Old England, the Queen, and the Church; May all plotting contrivers be left in the lurch;

May England's brave monarch fight for our just cause,
Establish true peace, our religion, and laws.'

GENTLEMEN,-You have now to withdraw your minds from the thoughts inspired by some previous toasts and speeches. I have not to speak to you of martial deeds by sea or land, or of the triumphs of civil statesmanship, but to propose a toast which relates to a body of men who by their simple piety and pure doctrine, I believe in my conscience, have done as much, or even more than any other class or profession in this kingdom for its general welfare. I will now conclude by proposing His Grace the Archbishop of and the Bishop and Clergy of this Diocese."

"THE BISHOP AND CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE, AND THE MINISTERS OF ALL RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS."

GENTLEMEN,-The toast which I have the honour of submitting to your notice is one that I am convinced will receive the same amount of enthusiasm as have the toasts which have preceded it. I have always considered, and I shall prove to-night, that the toast which I have the honour to propose forms one of the fundamental parts of pure — --ism, for it is that of Church and State. We have heard from our Chairman that the Queen is the Defender of the Faith, and of principles which she must promulgate; I conceive that those principles are being promulgated by the Bishop and Clergy of our Diocese, and, as the toast expresses it, "the Ministers of all Religious Denominations." The toast is a very collective one. The Bishop has for years held office; his charitable disposition, his virtuous life, have won for him feelings of the deepest affection. Of our Vicar I can only say, that I am sure that it is only the pressure of years which prevents him from being here to-night; we ever find him just and foremost in all matters of charity. As to Ministers of all denominations, stands prominently forward amongst the towns of England, for you can hear in -gentlemen of all opinions, from the extreme High Church even to that commodity so Low which almost attaches itself to the I am sure the name of Mr. which I shall couple with the toast, will be well received. He displays a vast amount of energy in the discharge of his duties in his own district. I will not dilate further, as there are so many speeches and toasts to follow, but content myself by proposing the toast of "The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese, and the Ministers of all Religious Denominations.'

"THE BISHOP AND CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE."

GENTLEMEN,—I rise to propose a toast which I am sure will be received with cordiality, "The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese." I have the pleasure of the acquaintance of our Bishop, Dr. ; he is a most learned and most excellent man, and he is surrounded by a body of clergy who, I have every reason to believe, enjoy the confidence, the love, affection, and respect of their flocks throughout his diocese. I will not limit the term clergy to those of the Church of England, but I wish to extend it and use it in its ancient sense, so as to include all those learned and good men in all those communions which may be represented in this district. Amidst all our warring controversies there is one point of harmony which may be said to reconcile all jarring chords, and it is this: however varied in opinion, whatever the special direction of their thoughts may be, they all of them-all these various communions-agree in one object, that is, the right understanding of what God has revealed to us, and the wish that all men may be like brothers in their belief. Gentlemen, I beg, in giving this toast, to express the pleasure I feel, and all must

share, in seeing my neighbour and friend, Mr.

He has, as

we all know, hereditary claims to our regard and affection. We have known his predecessor, for many years, and have valued him; and I am old enough to remember Dr. who was so much loved and respected for so many years. I beg to give you, "The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese."

Response.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,-In the name of the Bishop and Clergy of this Diocese, beg to thank you for the compliment that you have paid to us in drinking our health. It is, indeed, very pleasant, amongst our graver duties, to find ourselves partaking in such happy festivities as those of this day. We are called upon to weep with those that weep, but it is no less our privilege to rejoice with those that do rejoice; and I am sure no one enters more gladly into the social happiness of the laity than do the clergy. Indeed we, the clergy of this place and diocese, would be ungrateful indeed if we did not enter warmly into anything, my Lord, which affected the happiness of yourself or your family; for not only has the Church had liberal supporters in the Lords of but we personally have always had kind and warm friends in Lord the Earl of I am sure I am only saying that which each of the clergy would say, when I tell you that we sincerely congratulate you on the happy event which we this day commemorate.

and

GENTLEMEN, --In returning thanks for the compliment paid to "The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese," I beg to observe that this is the only public dinner which I attend in the course of the year; and I hope may be long able to take part in this annual festival. It must afford the highest gratification to the clergymen of the Established Church to find the toast you have just proposed so favourably received in a mixed company, such as I now have the honour of addressing. And it is a good proof that they perform their duty efficiently and satisfactorily, and that they perform it at the same time without offence to the members of other denominations.

"Fond fools

Promise themselves a name from building churches."

"Some to church repair,

Not for the doctrine, but the music there."

The union of the Church and State is not to make the Church political, but the State religious.

THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.

Toast.-By the Chairman.-"THE HOUSE OF LORDS."

GENTLEMEN,-In proposing "The House of Lords," I may be allowed to observe, that at no period during its existence has it held a more satisfactory position than it does at this moment, and I trust that it will long continue to exercise a beneficial influence on the country. I look upon the House of Lords as necessary to the wellbeing and welfare of the country as that every locomotive should have its safety-valve for the security of the traveller. occasion I feel a special interest in proposing the toast, for On the present the pleasure of the presence of one of the most distinguished you have members of that high assembly, and not only a member of that assembly, but one who has held office under Her Majesty. There is no office in the country for which he is not fitted, and I hope to see the day when the will again be advanced to some posi

tion fitted to his capacity.

May all men of base principles be abandoned by their principles.

GENTLEMEN,-I have now the honour to propose to the health of the House of Lords. I am sure that I am expressthat you drink ing the sentiments and opinions of my fellow-countrymen when I say that the House of Lords is an institution which they deeply cherish; because we believe that within the House it contains the elements of the freedom and the liberties of the people. pleasing to know that our old aristocracy recruit their ranks, and It is that frequently from those of commercial industry, from that of learning, and from men who have distinguished themselves in the various walks of life. You have an illustration of that in the person of the noble lord whose name I have the honour to associate with the present toast. I mean the Right Honourable the Lord His countrymen entertain for him the profoundest respect. They look upon him as the representative of that noble principle, the trueborn nature's aristocracy. We welcome him here to-night, and we trust that his lordship will long be spared to adorn the House of which he is so distinguished a member. Gentlemen, in conclusion, I give you "The Health of the House of Lords," coupling with it the name of Lord

The House in the middle of the Thames, and every honest
member a cork jacket.