e Prince Consort was Master
that more constitutional relations between the Trinity House and the
Government came into operation, the funds being supplied by the Board of
Trade, and administered by the Corporation, who then had what they
called "new Sailing Orders" for their guidance.

_June 27th, 1874._

The banquet at the Corporation Hall on June 27, 1874, was presided over
by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in the absence of the Master,
the Duke of Edinburgh. The Deputy Master Sir Frederick Arrow, after the
usual loyal and patriotic toasts, gave "The Health of the Prince of
Wales," who responded in brief and appropriate terms, and afterwards
proposed the toast of "Prosperity to the Corporation of the Trinity
House." He said:--

"Your Royal Highnesses, my Lords, and Gentlemen,--I have now the
honour of proposing to you a toast which I only wish had been
placed in better hands than mine. Although I have the honour of
being connected with this ancient Guild, I do not feel that I
possess that nautical knowledge which a person ought to have who
proposes a toast like 'Prosperity to the Corporation of Trinity
House'; but I am sure it is a toast which will meet with your
approval this evening. I will begin by stating that the few
remarks with which I shall preface the toast are not of my own
knowledge, the facts having been supplied to me by the kindness
of the Deputy Master, and if I get out of my depth or among the
quicksands I must trust you will excuse me. I speak with
sincerity when I say that since we met here last year the duties
of the Trinity House have been carried on as successfully as on
any previous occasion, and that the whole of its proceedings
have been of a highly satisfactory character. There have been
several new lighthouses built--one, I believe, has been
completed to-day, and is to be opened on the 1st of July. It is
on Hartland Point, and, with reference to our commercial
interests, is considered to be of great importance. It will do
much to facilitate our trade with the Welsh coal ports. The
Goodwin Sands is a name which fills every sailor with alarm;
and, although everything has been done to prevent the fearful
wrecks with which the name is associated, we have only to read
the daily newspapers to be aware of the fearful disasters that
often occur at sea outside those terrible sands. The