Untitled Article

accompaniments , the whole company upstanding , and finishing off ? with a hearty cheer . * Col . Wildman then rose to reply , amidst enthusiastic cheering . He said—My lord , and Brethren . Often as I have had the honour of addressing the Brethren of this Province , I most assuredly never rose to do so under the influence of feelings in any respect to be compared to those which now , at this moment , warm

my heart towards them ; and I must necessarily beg the indulgence of this company if , from the strong emotion which these sentiments inspire , I should find myself unequal to give expression to my feelings in as full and impressive language as I could wish . To do so , would indeed require far greater gifts of natural eloquence than I can by any means lay claim to . Brethren , when an individual has devoted , for a long series of years , his exertions to carry out one favourite pursuit , and at the end of his career has obtained for his reward the approbation

and regard of those who have supported him , and whose good opinion he most values and esteems , he may well deem himself a most fortunate and happy man ( applause ) . And now , Brethren , when I look upon that elegant and splendid work of art which you have here placed before me , and when I recur to that beautiful and , to me , most interesting address by which it is accompanied , I cannot but feel that my debt of gratitude to you is of a threefold character ; and , however clearly I may perceive that your kindness and partiality have

exaggerated any merits of mine , at the same time I feel proud , doubly , trebly proud , of such a testimonial as you have awarded me , and of your so proclaiming your approbation and esteem ( loud cheers ) . Brethren , you have kindly thought fit , in presenting this testimonial and address , to advert to my humble services during the late war . Alas ! those were long , long forgotten , but the memory of them has again been vividly refreshed and brought back to my recollection by the glorious achievements of our gallant army in the East . I cannot but look back

upon those stirring times and those noble achievements , when the noble chief who now leads them learned the art of war , in many a battle field , by the side of the great Wellington , and has certainly proved himself , both as a man and a warrior , a most apt pupil of the Great Captain of his age . Brethren , it has been well said , " The warrior is no patriot , save when , obedient to his country ' s call , he draws

the sword of justice . " Never did justice more loudly call , and never was her call more nobly answered than it has been by our gallant countrymen and their ancient rivals , now their glorious allies , banded together to defend the rights of nations , of Europe , and the world—banded together to resist the foul encroachments and inordinate ambition of a base and unprincipled despot ( loud cheers ) . We may fairly exclaim in allusion to the pending struggle ,

" Oh war , when Bight thine arm employs And Freedom ' s spirit guides the lab ' ring storm , * 'Tis then thy vengeance takes a hallowed form , And , like Heaven ' s lightning , sacredly destroys . " But , Brethren , I must strive to set aside these old recollections to which I have been led back , and remember that I am now the quiet country gentleman . There are duties , and important ones , attached to that position , which I must endeavour

to discharge with all the ability of which I am capable , being encouraged by the support and approbation of all my most valued friends and neighbours . And now , Brethren , I really feel somewhat pained to have occasion to talk so much of myself ( hear ) . I think it was the Prince de Ligne who said , " Je n ' aime pas parler de moi ; et le mot Je m ' est odieux quand je m ' en sers . " [ 1 love not to speak of myself ; and the word I is odious to me whenever I must use it . ] These are my sentiments also ; and if you , Brethren , are tired of this egotistical harangue ,

it is your own kindness , partiality , and liberality , which have placed me under the necessity of inflicting it upon you . I hope , therefore , I may now be permitted to say , that I come to that character in which I more especially appear before you on this occasion , that of Prov . G . M . of Nottinghamshire , appointed to this high office , I believe , some thirty-five years ago ; selected first by the illustrious prince who then presided over the Craft , the very name of the Duke of Sussex was a sure passport to the confidence and affection of the Masonic body ; for if ever the