s residence in
Bristol, a palace, and it was supposed that a palace must mean something
royal. The real fact was, the name was derived not from a king's palace
but from that of a shepherd--a most suitable thing for a bishop. Henry
VIII., besides creating his residence a palace, created Bristol a city
in the same document. The name palace gave a certain amount of trouble,
because there were palaces in some cities where other things than
bishops were sold. There was a palace where a certain innocuous drink
was sold, and letters sometimes went there. There was also a most
delightful place of entertainment called the People's Palace in Bristol,
and letters sometimes went there. When grave clergymen from a distance
came to stay at his house they were occasionally driven up to the doors
of the People's Palace, and the cabmen expected that they were going to
purchase tickets for the entertainment. A letter came to Bristol
addressed "March 25th, Bristol." The Postmaster was puzzled at first.
Then it occurred to him that the assizes were on, and Justice Day was
the judge, and that his wife was Lady Day. He should like to tell them
one thing more from history. Admirable as the Post Office was now, a
little more than 1,200 years ago, a letter was sent to his predecessor,
St. Aldhelm, from Ireland. The only address given was from an anonymous
Scot. The letter said, "You have a book which it is only the business of
a fortnight to read; I beg you to send it to me." That was all. He did
not name the book. The Post Office in those days was so marvellous a
thing that, as far as they knew, Aldhelm just took the book, put it in
the post, addressed to an anonymous Scot, and he supposed it found its
way to him in Ireland. He did not think they could beat that to-day. Few
people knew how much the country was saved in taxation by people who had
a large correspondence. Their letters were the most agreeable and easy
way of paying their taxes. When they came to see the Budget analysed it
was surprising what a large amount of taxation was paid in this innocent
way. He could not see how it was done. It seemed that the work for which
a penny was charged must cost at least a penny. He could only understand
it on the principle of the old Irish lady who lost on every single apple
she sold, but, by the blessing of God, sold so many that she got a good
living out of it.

He was not surprised, the Rev. A.N. Blatchford said, that the toast
should be so he