first
empowered to build lighthouses and erect beacons by an Act passed in the
reign of Queen Elizabeth. This has gradually come to be the chief duty
of the Corporation, and a very important one it is to a nation with such
vast commerce. The Scottish coasts are under a separate Board, but all
others are under the charge of the Trinity House. The Mastership of the
Company has in recent times been an honourable post, held by Princes and
Statesmen. Lord Liverpool was Master in 1816, and was followed by the
Marquis Camden, the Duke of Clarence, afterwards William IV., the Duke
of Wellington, the Prince Consort, and Lord Palmerston, since whose
death the office has been held by the Duke of Edinburgh. The post was
offered to the Prince of Wales, but was declined by him, in behalf of
his sailor brother, "with graceful delicacy and characteristic
manliness," as Sir Frederick Arrow, the Deputy-Master said, in proposing
his health at the first banquet where he was a guest.

This first festival meeting after the election of the Duke of Edinburgh
as Master took place on the 2nd of July, 1866. Among the guests were the
King of the Belgians, the Prince of Wales, the Premier and several
members of the Cabinet, the Lord Chief Justice, the Lord Mayor, and
other distinguished persons. The guests were received by the Elder
Brethren in the Court Room of the Corporation, a stately apartment,
adorned with portraits of Royal personages and of former Masters.

His Royal Highness the Master proposed the health of "Her Majesty the
Queen," and then that of the "King of the Belgians," who in his reply
warmly thanked a Corporation which rendered important services to all
maritime and commercial nations. In giving the toast of "The Prince of
Wales, the Princess of Wales, and the other members of the Royal
Family," the Master said: "It has never before been my pleasing duty to
propose the health of my brother in his presence, and I should feel very
shy if I were to make any remarks farther than that, as Master of your
Corporation, and as his brother, I beg you to give him a most hearty
welcome."

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales said:--

"May it please your Majesty, your Royal Highness, my Lords, and
Gentlemen,--Under any circumstances it would have been a source
of gratification to me to be present on such an occasion as
this, but more especially when I have been invited by my own
brother and have the pleasure of suppor