112 WITH MR. CHAMBERLAIN IN THE 



power to promote it, and enlarge the relations and 

 goodwill which ought always to exist between sons 

 of England throughout the world and the old folks 

 at home. (Prolonged cheering.) '* 



Reading this in cold type one gathers but little idea 

 of the grandeur and force of the delivery. It was a 

 magnificent piece of oratory in the speaker's happiest 

 vein. The effect was electrical and I shall never forget 

 the scene that followed. The audience were simply 

 carried away in frenzied enthusiasm, and some were 

 even moved to tears, notably dear old Sir David, 

 who sat at the head of the table next to me. They 

 stood on the tables, waved dinner napkins, and 

 shouted themselves hoarse. It seemed as if the 

 storm of applause would never subside. However, 

 order was eventually restored, and more speeches 

 followed, including a short one by Mr. Chamberlain 

 proposing the health of the Chairman. The pro- 

 ceedings terminated with the whole company join- 

 ing in the National Anthem, which it was quite 

 inspiring to hear so many thousand miles from 

 home, sung by such an enthusiastic gathering of 

 loyal British subjects. It was, in truth, a memorable 

 and never-to-be-forgotten occasion for those who had 

 the good fortune to be present. The Chief's speech 

 acted as a sort of cold douche upon the advocates of 



