AAA Coming of Age Dinner

FHE SPEECHES . The LOYAL TOASTS having been duly observed, THE EARL OF JERSEY, in proposing the Toast of " His MAJESTY'S FORCES," said: "My Lords and Gentlemen, the Toast which I have the honour to propose is one which is certain of being welrleceived in every assembly inour Empire (hear, hear). We look upon the Forces of His Majesty as being composed othf ose who endeavour undercircum­ stances ofgreat difficulty to do their duty; we regard them also, as the men who are the guardians of a great inheritance of glorious deeds in the past , and of menwho are at the present time adding to that heritage of great deeds (cheers). But to-night it is not so much that you would expect a speech with regard to the Forces of His Majesty ; but ifI were gifted with the facile penof my friend Mr. THORNTON,or the fervid eloquence of Mr. GUY PYM—two distinguished rivals of the past , whomI see sitting not very close together—not as near as they used to run together—I could occupy a great deal of time in describing the deeds ot valour and the reasons why we ought to be gratefutol the Forces of His Majesty; but I do not intend to occupy your time with that . Still , I may mention this, that I suppose in the early days, orwhat were early days in my lifeth, at probably athletics were more practised by the Army than they were by the Navy, as they in their circumscribed arena did not have so much opportunity; they were also probably more practised by the Army than they were by any other body of men. I can well recollect that when I was quite ayoungster, we used to look upon matches of one hundred yards or so, competedfor by officers of the Army,as being verygreat events. Since then, athletics in theServices have been verymuch studied and improved, and I suppose it would not be incorrect to say that at thperesent time, athletics, thanks to some of those who are present here to-night , like Col . Fox and Capt . MAY, athletics form part of the education of the British Army (hear, hear). It is quite right it shouldbe so. A few nights