real duties were, in fact, performed by a gentleman who now sits
on my right (the Deputy Master), and I have to thank him and
all the Brethren for the assistance they rendered during the
interregnum. My brother is now on half-pay, but the time may
come when he will again have an important command. In that event
I shall be glad again to be of any service during his absence,
and the Trinity House may always count upon my placing myself at
their disposal."

The usual toasts were given, and responded to. His Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales gave Her Majesty's Ministers, saying:--

"To whatever party they belonged, so long as they performed
their duty to the Crown and upheld the dignity and honour of the
country, they were entitled to the compliment he now asked the
company to pay to them, and he had great pleasure in coupling
the toast with the name of his noble and learned friend the Lord
Chancellor."

The Lord Chancellor responded, saying that there was not among the
methods of preserving peace any greater or more effective means than
that of maintaining in its full force and activity the great Navy of
England, which must be looked upon by every Government with unmixed
admiration; and he trusted, whatever differences might exist on other
subjects, Her Majesty's Government would show that they had one common
object, the maintenance of the maritime reputation, honour, and dignity
of the country.

Mr. Milner Gibson, by command of the Master, proposed a toast always
given at the Trinity House anniversaries: "The maritime and commercial
interests of the country, and the President of the Board of Trade."
Having himself long held the office of President of the Board of Trade,
Mr. Milner Gibson bore testimony to the efficient administration by the
Trinity House of the funds placed at their disposal. As the funds came
from a tax on the shipping and trade of the country, it is a right and
constitutional thing that the expenditure should be controlled by the
Minister of Commerce, responsible to Parliament. He could say that the
lights on the coast of the United Kingdom were equal, if not superior,
to the lights which existed in any other country in the world. Under the
control of the Board of Trade we had made great improvement in the
system of lighting our coasts, coupled with a reduced charge upon the
trade of the country.

It might have been added that it was when th