The toast was received with much enthusiasm. Other toasts followed. ✠ II. BEFORE THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The second annual dinner of the London Chamber of Commerce, which was incorporated in 1881, was held on the evening of January 29, 1883, in the Cannon-street Hotel, the Right Hon. H. C. E. Childers, M. P., Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the chair. The company, which numbered about 180, included representatives not only of the great commercial communities of London and all the most important of our colonies, but of the English-speaking race in every part of the world. On the chairman’s left sat the Hon. J. RUSSELL LOWELL, D. C. L., United States Minister. In proposing “The Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom and of the Whole World,” he said: MR. CHAIRMAN, MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,--I was a few moments ago discussing with my excellent friend upon the left what a diplomatist might be permitted to say, and I think the result of the discussion was that he was left to his choice between saying nothing that had any meaning or saying something that had several--(_laughter_); and as one of those diplomatists to whom the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs alluded a short time ago I should rather choose the latter course, because it gives one afterwards a selection when the time for explanation comes round. (_Laughter._) I shall not detain you long, for I know that there are speakers both on the right and on the left of me who are impatient to burst the bud; and I know that I have not been selected for the pleasant duty that has been assigned to me for any merits of my own. (_Cries of dissent._) You will allow me to choose my own reason, gentlemen. I repeat, I have not been chosen so much for my own merits as for the opportunity afforded you of giving expression to your kindness and good feeling towards the country I represent--(_cheers_)--a country which exemplifies what the colonies of England may come to if they are not wisely treated. (_Laughter and cheers._) Speaking for myself and for one or two of my compatriots whom I see here present, I should certainly say that that was no unpleasant destiny in itself. But I do not, nor do my countrymen, desire that those great commonwealths which are now joined to England by so many filial ties should ever be separated from her.