128 



[Proc. B.N.F.C, 



The motion having been seconded by Mr. George O'Brien, it 

 was put to the meeting and carried by acclamation. 



The Chairman then conveyed the thanks to 



Mr. Gray, who, in replying, said — Mr. Chairman and fellow- 

 members, the resolution has taken me quite by surprise. The more 

 than flattering terms in which my friend, Mr. Wright, has referred 

 to the services I rendered our Club, and the approval with which 

 they were received by this meeting, is most embarrassing, and for 

 the moment renders it impossible for me to return anything like a 

 suitable reply. I must say, however, that it is parficularly gratify- 

 ing to me now, in retiring from my official position, to find that my 

 services have been so highly appreciated by you. I can assure you 

 I do not retire without some little regret, and my feelings are akin 

 to those excited in my mind in my boyish days when I lost a 

 cherished pet. Perhaps I may flatter myself that something like 

 the same feelings may be entertained by you, but yours must be 

 like the feelings of those who have lost a certain quadruped, on 

 whom you lavished kindness, and from whom you received a small 

 amount of hard work, sundry fits of stubborness, and an occasional 

 tendency to kick. You must not, however, forget that if I worked 

 in harness I went in tandem, and while I have done the ornamental 

 prancing, my wheeler had to do the hard part of the work. Mr. 

 Hugh Robinson, my co-secretary, really deserves a large share of 

 the credit your kindness assigns to me, and now that he goes to the 

 front, and that your new wheeler is in action, quiet, and goes well 

 in harness, the pair of steeds will, I am sure, carry the Club's 

 chariot over the road of its future career with safety and with credit, 

 and add still further to the Club's success ; and I need only say 

 whatever they do to this end shall have my warmest sympathy and 

 my heartiest support. 



The Chairman then, on behalf of the Club, presented to each of 

 the authors of the " Guide to Belfast and Adjacent Counties," a 

 specially bound copy of that work, as a recognition of the services 

 rendered by him in its preparation. Each copy contained an illumi- 

 nated inscription, stating the special portion of the work under- 



