CLXXVI ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



At this point I leave to others all the debatable questions connected 

 with Cabot's great achievement. I would not for one moment disparage, 

 even by the implication of silence, the splendid courage and skill shown 

 by the man who carried through successfully the enterprise around which 

 so many threatening dangers gathered. I may not even dwell upon the 

 mighty results which have flowed from what was certainly one of the 

 most notable events in the world's history ; nor will I refer to the vexed 

 question of the landfall of the expedition. This seems to be an occasion on 

 which local patriotism ma}' be indulged in without the least suspicion of 

 a desire to dwarf any other aspect of this great event. I and my 

 colleague who have come to Canada to represent our dear old city on this 

 stirring occasion, feel a natural pride in the fact that it was from the 

 heart of Bristol that Cabot and his companions went forth upon this quest, 

 " not knowing whither they went," and that having reached their goal, to 

 Bristol they returned with the news of the land which you now possess, 

 and where you enjoy all that freedom, enlightenment, and enterprise can 

 bestow. 



On both sides of the ocean there has sprung up of late a desire to do 

 honour to the great event of the fifteenth century, and to the central 

 figure connected with it. What more suitable opportunity could be found 

 than the anniversary of the event now returning for the four hundredth 

 time ? I am glad to feel that what we are doing in Bristol and Canada re- 

 spectively forms not two celebrations, but one, in which we have joined 

 hands and have come closer together than ever we could have been 

 brought by mere political and commercial relationship. The tie between 

 us is now recognized as a matter of j^ersonal relationship, of reciprocal 

 feeling, of more intimate knowledge ; and the memorial which the Bristol 

 people are now erecting on the most commanding spot within their city 

 will speak to future generations not only of the enterprise of an ancient 

 but still vigorous community, the achievement of a great man, and the 

 discovery of a vast continent ; it will speak also, in conjunction with j^our 

 own proceedings, of a sympathetic interchange of feeling and utterance 

 between the people of Halifax and the people of Bristol ; between loyal 

 and warm-hearted Canada and the Mother Country ; it will speak of a 

 union of hearts that will last, let us hope and pray, not for four hundred 

 yeai'S only, but for many hundred years to come. 



