586 
TESTIMONIAL TO WILLIAM ROBINSON, ESQ. 
recognition of the services which the exercise of your talents 
has bestowed upon us, but as a slight token of the affection- 
ate regard entertained for you by all who have the privilege 
of your acquaintance. (Cheers.) I think it is hardly possible 
to find a man who has lived so long and made so many friends, 
without finding an enemy, as yourself. (Hear, hear.) May 
you live for a great many years yet to enjoy the reputation 
which is so richly your due — (great cheering), — and may it 
be long before you relinquish that profession which you so 
much honour.” (Cheers.) The Chairman then called upon 
the company to drink in a bumper the health of (< their much 
respected and esteemed guest, Mr. Robinson. 5 ’ (The toast 
was drunk with tf three times three 55 and “ one cheer more .’ 5 
Mr . Robinson , on rising, was greeted with renewed ap- 
plause. After silence had been restored, the worthy guest, 
who was greatly overcome by the kind and flattering recep- 
tion he had experienced, spoke nearly as follows : — He 
begged to thank the worthy Chairman for the very flatter- 
ing terms he had used towards him in presenting him with 
that handsome testimonial. It was impossible for him to 
find words in which adequately to thank them for the kind- 
ness which had prompted them to unite in doing honour to 
an humble individual like himself, by the presentation of 
such a splendid gift. (Cheers.) He had now for a period 
of nearly fifty years lived amongst them, and it was indeed 
truly gratifying to him to find that he had in some measure 
obtained their respect and regard ; and he assured them that 
he accepted the testimonial which had just been presented to 
him in the same friendly spirit in which, he was happy to 
believe, it had been offered. (Cheers.) He need not assure 
them that he should hand it down with pride to his posterity, 
and he trusted that they would have the same regard for it as 
he had. He should retain to the last day of his life a grateful 
remembrance of their kindness that day. (Cheers.) It was only 
on hearing it mentioned by the Chairman that he became 
acquainted with the fact that this mark of their kindness 
originated with his agricultural friends. That circumstance 
rendered the gift still more grateful to him, for if there was 
any class to whom he felt indebted more than another, it was 
to his agricultural connection — (cheers,) — and he was glad to 
find that his humble services were appreciated by them, in- 
asmuch as it showed, his judgment being based on scientific 
principles, that they honoured science, and were ready to put 
it into practice in connexion with their own pursuits. 
(Hear). He was glad to see amongst his friends present, 
men who acknowledged their deficiency as regarded the ap- 
