1890J A SPEECH OF PEOMISE. 191 



liear) — and Ik^ felt sure tlicy would all join witli liini in wisliin^- liini 

 many happy returns of tlio day, aiul every liapi^iness tlie world coidd afford. 

 (Renewed cheers.) He had no doubt that, as each successive 29th of March 

 came round, he would look liack with feelings of pleasure to this day, and the 

 fact of having- his liealth drunk by upwards of 300 good sportsmen. (Ai)plause.) 

 If family tradition c(mld be relied upon, they might certainly look forward 

 with confidence to seeing Mr. Venu^y not only a good sportsman, l)ut — 

 although they hoped the day would be far distant when he slioidd he called 

 upon to succeed his father — a good landlord, and a good and business-like 

 country gentleman. He felt sure that his (Mr. Yenu^y's) greatest pride. 

 <lelight, and honour, would be t(j emulate the good deeds which his noble 

 ancestors had practised before liim. Although, as he said, he lioped the day 

 miglit be very far distant, they could look forward with every confidence to 

 <me day see him in the distinguished position which Lord Wilhjughby now 

 occupied, as master of the Warwickshire hounds, a pack which, as had been 

 pointed out, had. through the great judgment and management of his lordship 

 and his family, been raised to a state of }ierfection such as he did not think 

 any other pack in England could excel. (Applause.) He called upon them 

 to drink to the health of the Hon. Greville Verney, with " three times three," 

 wishing him every happiness and prosperity. (Cheers.) 



The toast was cordially received. 



The Hon. Greville Vernky respomled in a maiden speech which gave 

 good promise of future ability as a public speaker, and created a very 

 favourable impression. He said : My lords aiul gentlemen, — I am very much 

 obliged to you indeed for the very kiiul way in which you have drunk my 

 health, and to Mr. Fairbrother for the very flattering manner in which he has 

 proposed it. I think there is nobody by whom I would rather have my liealth 

 proposed than by Mr. Fairbrother. (Applause.) Not only is he one of cnir 

 most staunch preservers of foxes, and a capital rider to hounds, but he is a 

 very old friend, for I have known him as long as I have known anybody, and 

 a great deal longer than I have knoAvn most of those whom I have the pleasure 

 of numl)ering in the circle of my acquaintance. I assure you that I feel very 

 much flattered in having had my health proposed by him, and equally flattered 

 in having the toast so heartily responded to by the oOO good sportsmen whom 

 I see around me to-night. Mr. Fairlnother has been good enough to allude to 

 the curious circumstance, aiul has been kind enough to say that it was a 

 fortunate occurrence, that this dinner should accidentally have been appointed 

 to take place on a date in which I am rather specially interested. (Laughter. ) 

 Well, gentlemen, it is rather a curious coincidence, but when I heard from 

 Mr. Knott of the duty that it was likely to entail upon me, you will pardon 

 me for saying that I did not look upon it at all in the liglit of a fortunate 

 occurrence — (laughter)— because I was given to understand that I should lie 

 called upon to make my maiden effort in the direction of after dinner oratory. 

 and I was naturally afraid that it would not turn out to be a very good one. 

 (Applause.) There have been so many quotations given this evening, that I 

 feel tempted to make another, and to remmd you that Shakespeare tells us 

 that there are three classes of great men — there are some, he says, wlio are born 

 great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. 

 I think, gentlemen, the same observation might be ap]ilied to public speaking. 

 Some men are born orators, some achieve the art of oratory, and on some the 

 necessity of making an oration is thrust. (Laughter.) I beg to say that I 



