XCVIII ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



to day, and to know that my name has been honoured by being placed on 

 that tablet. We rejoice to-day in the knowledge that our forefathei-s 

 really found out this continent, and that we are living to-day a happy, 

 contented people, under the rule of the most beneficent sovereign that 

 ever adorned a throne, and one to whom during the whole week we have 

 been endeavouring to show forth our love, our fealty, our devotion. 

 (Loud cheers and applause). 



"W. Howell Davies, ex-Mayor of Bristol, having occupied that 

 position last year, was called upon as the first speaker representing the 

 ancient City of Bristol from which the Cabots set forth 400 years ago. 

 He began by saying that he had received a cable stating that the foun- 

 dation stone of Bristol's Cabot monument had been laid by the Marquis 

 of DuflPerin amid great enthusiasm, in the presence of 50,000 people. 

 Mr. Davies said he thought the world did not sufficiently recognize the 

 merit of Cabot's great work, his discovery being the greatest event of the 

 Christian era. Cabot belongs to the English speaking people. Statues 

 had been erected to men who had done incomparably less than this great 

 navigator. He threw out a suggestion that monuments in memory of 

 John Cabot might be erected in the form of lighthouses along our coast. 

 It was gratifying that Halifax people were taking part in these commem- 

 orative ceremonies as were the people of Bristol. Mr. Davies contrasted 

 the Bristol of Cabot's time with the Bristol of to-day, with its population 

 of 350,000 people. (Applause.) 



W. E. Barker, J.P., ex-Mayor of Bristol, was the next speaker. Mr. 

 Barker said : 



We who have come as a deputation from the historic city of Bristol 

 have felt during our brief sta}' in your interesting city of Halifax that 

 there has been a three-fold significance in the gatherings of the week. 

 First, in receiving the courteous invitation of the Eoyal Society to send 

 representatives on this occasion, the corporation of Bristol recognized a 

 kindly desire on the part of the authorities of Halifax to recognize the 

 community of interest, feeling and allegiance which exist between these 

 widely separated parts of our great empire ; it is in that spirit that they 

 cheerfully responded, and it is in that spirit that we have come amongst 

 you and have taken part in your proceedings. I have found it difficult 

 to realize that I am so far from home, because everywhere I have met 

 with those who speak my own English tongue and acknowledge my own 

 state obligations. In this sense we have simpl}^ come to pay a visit, and 

 a very pleasant one it is, to our kindred beyond the sea. 



It is also evident that taking Halifax as representing Nova Scotia, 

 there is a link connecting the two cities on account of all that stands 

 related to the great discovery made by John Cabot four hundred years 

 ago this day. We are proud to be known and recognized as citizens of 

 the Bristol which then sent forth the expedition which had such far- 



