1887-1888.] 59 



their friends were present on this occasion. Tea was served in 

 the lower rooms from 7-30 o'clock till 8-30 by the lady members, 

 after which the president, Hugh Robinson, Esq., M.R.I.A., 

 took the chair, and made a brief statement. He said it became 

 his duty to offer them all, on behalf of the committee, a hearty 

 welcome. They were assembled under special circumstances, 

 to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the formation 

 of the Club. It was to him a source of very great pleasure to 

 look back upon a quarter of a century's unbroken official con- 

 nection with the Club, and to see present so many of its 

 original members, and of those who in its earlier years were 

 associated in establishing the Club upon a permanent basis. He 

 was sure many could look back with similar feelings, and upon 

 fast friendships formed and maintained by its agency. It would 

 be out of place for him to occupy much time on that occasion, 

 but he might express the hope that in the years which were to 

 come the same friendly feelings and spirit of co-operation 

 which had existed in the past, might continue ; and while 

 they might without egotism congratulate themselves upon the 

 work the Club had already accomplished, they might hope, 

 with increased knowledge and efficiency gained, to show a still 

 better record in the future. 



After several new members had been elected, the guests 

 turned their attention to the various objects of interest 

 lent for exhibition. The subject of " Old Belfast " had 

 been selected for special illustration, and a number of 

 drawings, engravings, and maps were lent by various mem- 

 bers. Amongst these were a set of water-colour drawings 

 by the late Andrew Nicholl, R.H.A. ; some lent by the nephew 

 of the artist, Mr. W. Nicholl, and some by Alderman L. M. 

 Ewart, J. P. Mr. Ewart also lent engravings of the old Long 

 Bridge, and ot the Paper Mill Bridge, and an oil painting of 

 the old paper mill and bridge ; also an oil painting of the 

 launch of the first steamer built in Belfast. A fine water-colour 

 of the launch of the Circassian, by Stannus, showing another 

 stage in the history of Belfast industry was lent by Mr. Hall. 

 Amongst other mementoes of Old Belfast was the date stone 



