mmerce, the Corporation of
Trinity House is called upon to protect our sailors and our
ships. The first electric light put up in this country was that
at Dungeness, and the great Wolf Rock, which has long been the
terror of our sailors, will before long cease to be so. This
will show you that the Trinity House authorities are anxious to
do their duty and to maintain their great name, which I am sure
is honoured here and in other countries. Before I resume my seat
I give you 'The Health of Sir Frederick Arrow, the Deputy
Master,' and I am sure you will drink it with enthusiasm,
knowing as you do how justly he merits your applause. He has
done his duty in every way to maintain the interests of the
Corporation, and I think the honour was eminently due which his
Sovereign conferred in making him Sir Frederick Arrow. I call
upon you to drink 'Prosperity to the ancient Corporation of
Trinity House,' coupling with the toast the name of Sir
Frederick Arrow."

Sir Frederick Arrow, having briefly responded, gave the toast of "Her
Majesty's Ministers," saying that, although politics are unknown at the
Trinity House, it was their duty to mark their respect for the
Government of the day. Mr. Gladstone responded. The toast of "The
Maritime and Commercial Interests of the Country," was coupled with the
name of Mr. Bright, as President of the Board of Trade. Mr. Bright made
an eloquent reply, discoursing on the benefits to this nation, and to
all nations, of the works of the Trinity House Corporation. He said that
he believed that "at this time the merchant ships of England are equal,
or nearly equal--I have heard it said they surpass--in number and
tonnage the seagoing merchant ships of all other countries in the world.
This is an extraordinary thing, if it be true. But, whether it be
exactly true or not, there can be no doubt with regard to foreign
commerce--with regard to ships on the ocean--this country has a position
at this moment which I believe it never held before, and one I think we
may fairly be proud of. I delight, therefore, to dilate on the grandeur
of our merchant navy, and I agree with Mr. Cardwell in hoping that the
time is coming when the resources of this country may not be expended to
an extravagant extent in maintaining our military establishments."

In dilating on the magnitude of British commerce and the number of
British merchant ships, it probabl