Me. Watre next rose to propose The Army, Navy, and Volunteers." Ido not Inow, he said, whether it is English or Trish—(a voice: Irish)—well, call it Irish modesty, that makes me feel how totali incapable I am of doing justice to this important toast. However, you must now accept mo with all faults, and I will trast to the popularity of the toast to carry me through with it. I did once aspire to become an after-dinner speaker, and being in the neighbourhood of Blarney Castle I went there, and, at the risk of breaking my neck, kissed the Blarney stone.
ar, and laughter.) But, unfortunately, on the next occasion on which I was called upon to speak, I found that I had not improved at all, and consequently I lost faith to some extent in the efficacy of the prescription. The Navy and Army are the two great bodies, apart from England's greatness and England's glory.
egislatare, that have over sup Our soldiers and sailors have fought and bled and endured hardship in every quarter of the globe; and whether it be in naval or military tactics, our dear old flag has always come to the front, and please God will dose, again and again. And not the least among the military and naval heroes have been many of our own count In recent times, let us take Admiral Sir Robert McClure, whose Arctic exploits are probably known toyouall. We, as Irishmen, may I think be pardoned in ling proud that it was a fellow countryman of ours who actually discovered the North-west passage.
Irishman who had just shipped on board a Admiral MeClintock's expedition in search man-of-war was sent to heave the lead, but of Sir John Franklin will also be familiar not knowing anything about it contented to you; and we can claim Admiral Yelverton himself by imitating as well as he could—(hear, hear)—whois at present one of the the droning voice of his predecessor; and Lords of the Admiralty. We Irish residents when asked by the captain why he did not have only to remember the distinguished call the propersoundings replied, "Sure, Sir, naval visitors who have honoured us at our I remember the tune, but I've forgotten annual celebrations, and to look round the the words," (Laughter.) That is the case table this evening, to'see the stuff that our with me at the present moment. I have Navy is composed of. The distinguished all the.wish and will to thank you for Irish military officers are too numerous to the enthusiastic manner in which the last mention at length. I have simply selected toast was received and the honor you afew. Brian Born, for ittstanco, that cole-have done me in coupling my name with it, brated King from whom I expect a great but when it comes to the words I fail; and many of you who are present this evening Tean only hope you will excuse my shorlaredesconded—(cheers and laughter)—wasa comings, as 1 have never aspired to the great general, though he was unfortunately honor of being an after-dinner speaker, vanquished at the battle of Clontarf. But, (Cheers.) I need hardly mention to the to return to modern times, let us remember present company the number of distin-Lord Gough, who was one of the bravest guished sea captains Ireland has produced, soldiers that ever drew sword. The Earl to say nothing of the many eminent doc: of Lucan commanded at the Balaclava tors "Trinity College has given to the charge which, although a mistake, is one service. The sister service can boast of of the brilliant feats in the annals of the Conqueror of the Peninsula and his history; and last, but not least, we can doughty deeds; but the annals of the lay claim to Sir Garnet Wolscley—(great Navy show the names of as many sons of cheering)—the rising General of the day.
Erin who have done in their way as much, It is, f think, also, worthy of remark if not more, for their Queen and country, that,' Marshal' Macmahon, as brave a than the Great Duke himself, I have nob soldier as ever breathed, a man of Irish yet seen the Naval Volunteer force of descent, isar the head of one of the greatest Shanghai, but have no doubt that if one European nations. (Hear, hear.)—There were wanted it would come to the front, is also Marshal O'Donnell, who made such jand that Irishmen would head the roll. a celebrated name for himself in Spaii When I first came here, one branch of the Both our Army and Navy have ever vied Volunteer force struck' me as particularly with each other as to which branch would Trish; for I, not knowing Chinese, thought render the most service to their country that the Mickieloongs was a specially Irish and go where we will, from the banks of name, (Cheers and laughter); and though the Shannon to the banks of the Hwan: I was wrong in the pronunciation, I still—(cheors and laughter)—we find the sailor believe several of the most prominent_and and soldier ever ready to do his duty. efficient members of the corps are Trish-Napoleon paid the highest compliment to men. Turning again to the Navy, I need our Infantry that it was possible to pay, only mention the name of one distinguish-when he said they were the finest troops ed officer under whom I have had the in the world, but thanked God there were honor to serve, and who has held many 80 few of them; and indeed you can scarcely important commands; notably in taking wonder at his praise when you come to to sea the first ironclad fleet that was sent think of the 18th, 86th, 87th, 88th, and 97th regiments. ('The Connaught Rangers,"
Admiral Yelverton uphold the honor out of English waters. Subsoquently, too, and cheers.) I have but little to say the flag against the Spanish ironclad fleet, the subject of the Volunteers. Their perfect and was ready, I believe, to proceed to ox-organization at home leads me to believe tremes although with inferior force, rather that they are one of the best reserve than allow it to be tarnished. And not-forces in the world, and in case of war I venture to say that the Army withstanding some adverse popular fooling and the caustic columns of the Daily would be largely recruited from the Telegraph, he now holds the highest posi-Volunteer ranks. In Shanghai the tion' a Naval man can aspire to, that of Volunteers are at present a small body, but first Sea Lord of the Admiralty. T would think they would give a good account of like to go on until you are tired—as I dare themselves if called upon. The 4th of say you are now—(No no!)—but not hav-April, 1854, will long be remembered ing the brain of a Beaconsfield, or the in Shanghai—(cheers)—as being the first memory to enumerate the distinguished time that our Volunteers were on active officers whom Erin has sent forth to uphold service. Perhaps some of you here this the honor of the country, I can only bog graning may have served at the batt of to conclude by thanking you again for the "Muddy Flat." The Chinese troops were very hearty manner in which you have re-encamped outside the racecourse, just by ceived the toast of the services. Applause.) the New Cemetery road, and proved so great Song-—" Gra Machreo ma cralakhin"—Mr, Harding, a nuisance that it was found n to dislodge them. The Blue Jackets and Marines, Qiiler the pale naval officer, Mr. Kxxasurrit rose to propose the "Arts and Artists of Ireland."—He said—Were it captain O'Callaghan (the name suggests not for the eloquence of those speakers who his country), and the Volunteers under have gone before, I should have felt unequal Sir T. Wade, who was then Vice-Consal to the task which has devolved upon mo. at this port, attacked and _completel 'Their example, however, has so far inspired routed them' after a brisk fight, but me that I venture to proceed. Mr. Starkey, regret to say with the loss of 6 killed more power all the same to his elbow, and 10 wounded. sacomsider it very whether engaged in the cricket field in Groteck that "our Shasehal cavatey tifying to our feelings as Irishmen throwing in " ball from long leg, or in the counting hou-: driving a quill—never was entirely officered by Irishmen. (Cheers and wider from tle goal than when he entrusted laughter.) The Captain of No. 1 Company me with this toast. Indeed, in calling upon. is also an Irishman; and the commander of the battalion is a distinguished Iris of Ireland, [feel that Ihave beeninsomemeame to propose the toastofthe Arts and Artists though L regret to say that sk ore: annual sure placed on the horns ofa dilemma. Ifon dinner he is always distinguish being the one side I said weare art-less, Ishould call absent. (Sensation.) Gentlemen, I have down the indignation of all the intellectual uch, pleasure in [proposing this toast—members of the community, and if on the "TheNavy, Army, and Volunteers," coupled other I were to say we are art-ful, I feel with the name of Sir William Wiseman. that a cry of indignation would be raised Commander Sir Wrutta Wisema, R.N., against the imputation. (Cheers and laugh-said his position reminded him ofa tale ter.) Remembering the old proverb, in which he might perhaps be audacious in re-medio tutissimus ibis, and avai on Thich he would noverthsless venture, An before an Irish audience, but on the one hand the of art on the other the Gharybais of artlosmness, I shall
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.