1903-1904.] 143 



of Science in this portion of your Majesty's Kingdom during 

 the forty years that have elapsed. 



We sincerely hope that your Majesty may be long spared 

 in health and strength, to reign over a happy, united and 

 prosperous people. 



Signed on behalf of the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club, 



W. J. Fennell, President. 

 Robert Patterson, 



. Hon. Secretaries. 

 Nevin H. Foster, 



27th July, 1903. 



HIS MAJESTY'S REPLY. 



Gentlemen, 



I accept your loyal and dutiful greetings with unfeigned 

 pleasure. Our warm welcome to Belfast on our last visit is 

 still a vivid memory with myself and the Queen. I am glad 

 to think that the lapse of time, so far from diminishing, has 

 deepened your friendly feelings towards us. 



Your reference to my beloved mother, and to her gracious 

 influence upon public life at home and abroad, awakens sad 

 but stimulating memories. My >highest ambition is to follow 

 in her footsteps, and, like her, to make the good of my people, 

 the prosperity of the realm, and the maintenance of peace 

 amongst the nations, my constant aim. 



I am pleased to hear of the steady progress in the manu- 

 facturing and commercial enterprise of this great centre of 

 industry, and of the increasing prosperity of the important 

 district of which it is the capital. The staple trade of Ulster 

 has long since given to Belfast and its neighbourhood a world- 

 wide reputation; but great industries of more recent growth 

 have attracted and now maintain a teeming population. 

 They have enhanced the fame alike of your far-seeing captains 

 of industry and of your intelligent artizans. It is of good 

 omen for the future that your chief hope for the maintenance 

 and extension of your trade and commerce should be based 

 upon the provision of improved facilities which will give a 



