UNITED STATES AND CANADA 101 



never have I heard him more eloquent, more im- 

 passioned, or more dramatic than on this occasion. 

 I really think it was the speech of his life. Yet he 

 had only spent half an hour, before dressing for 

 dinner, in thinking it out. 



" The Chairman proposed the toast of the ' Com- 

 mercial Interests of the Empire.' He said the 

 Board had been prospering well for some time past, 

 and it was thought well to have an annual dinner to 

 bring the members together so that the compactness 

 of the Board might be furthered, and members of 

 the different sections and interests which the Board 

 embraces should be more closely cemented than the 

 present facilities for intercourse allowed. The sub- 

 ject was a very large one ; commerce had made small 

 Britain the heart of the system of the commerce of 

 the world. She was the centre of the money trans- 

 actions of the world. Wherever there were vessels 

 trading, in all parts of the world there would be 

 seen the British flag. Canada also was rapidly 

 extending her trade, and was attracting the attention 

 of other countries to her resources. The Board of 

 Trade was very much pleased to have with them for 

 the evening their distinguished guest Mr. Chamber- 

 lain — (cheers) — a gentleman who was well versed 

 with the trade and commerce of the world. 

 (Cheers.) 



