t I should on this occasion ask
you to look for a moment at the vast extension of our docks all
over this country--at the great improvements in the electric
telegraph, and also in our steamships, and, in fact, in the
general steam navigation on our waters. Let us look at what has
been done at home--and when I say at home, I mean in this
Metropolis. No one can walk over Westminster-bridge without
being struck by those magnificent quays which are being built on
either side of the river, and are commonly called the Thames
Embankment. These constitute the most important works of the
day. I must also refer to the Metropolitan Underground Railway,
which is owing to the continued exertions of your distinguished
President, and which, although not entirely completed, has been
in use for nearly three years, and has, I believe, to a
considerable extent diminished the traffic in our streets. Let
us look also at our colonies, and see the many important works
which our engineers have contrived there. I would allude more
especially to one--the celebrated bridge built over the St.
Lawrence, called the Victoria-bridge, which is close to
Montreal, and which was constructed by one of your most renowned
engineers, Mr. Stephenson. I had the honour of inaugurating that
bridge in the name of Her Majesty the Queen. I have to be
thankful to you all in many ways; but I have to be particularly
thankful to Mr. Stephenson for having built such a bridge,
because, perhaps, I should never have had an opportunity of
visiting our North American colonies and a portion of the United
States if I had not received an invitation to inaugurate that
great work. Let me thank you once more, Mr. President, for the
honour done me, and for the kind way in which the name of the
Princess of Wales has been received. And let me assure you that
it affords me the deepest gratification to have the honour of
being present this evening as one of your members."

The Chairman then gave the toast of "the Army, Navy, and Volunteers,"
coupling with it the names of Prince Alfred, Sir John Burgoyne, and
Colonel Erskine. The speech of Prince Alfred, in reply, is worth
recalling, as one of the earliest occasions on which he represented the
profession in which he now holds so high a position:--

"Mr. President, your Royal Highness, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--I n