compels and impels me to go on in the path of investigation.' It is knowledge, mere knowledge of the facts and laws of nature, that the scientific mind seeks to gain. Nevertheless, I think it is a great comfort to scientific men to be sure that even those discoveries which for years, and even for centuries, remain apparently entirely useless may at any time and at any moment become serviceable in the highest degree to the human family.... And I believe the success of this enterprise would have been delayed for many years--perhaps for whole generations of men--had it not been for the single exertions, for the confidence and zeal, for the foresight and faith, amounting, as I think, to genius, of our distinguished guest, Mr. Cyrus Field. None of us in our day, I rejoice to think, are disposed to undervalue the influence which the spirit of commercial enterprise is having upon the progress and civilization of mankind. In nothing perhaps is there so strange a contrast between the spirit and the wisdom of modern times and the spirit and wisdom of ancient philosophy. It is surely a most wonderful fact that in the most brilliant civilizations of the ancient world the wise men of those times--and they were men so wise that many of us to this day are influenced by their thoughts--many of those men held that commercial enterprise was the bane of nations. Now I must say this, that of all commercial enterprises which have ever been undertaken, this one on the part of Mr. Cyrus Field represents the noblest and purest motives by which commercial enterprise can ever be inspired. I believe it was the very greatness of the project--the great results which were certain to issue--I believe it was this, and this alone, which supported him with that confidence and decision which through many difficulties and many disappointments has carried him at last to the triumphant conclusion of this great project. And, gentlemen, I rejoice to say that whilst as a commercial enterprise it has come from the other side of the Atlantic, it has been well seconded and supported by the capitalists not only of America but of England. And surely this is another link of friendly intercourse between the people of the two countries. Now let me also say this--and this is a point which I have ascertained from other sources--I believe so great was the confidence of Mr. Field in the triumph of this great undertaking that he risked every farthing of his own private fortune in promoting its success. On these grounds, ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to drink his health. But on one other ground also I ask you to drink it, and that is this, that he is personally one of the most genial and kindly-hearted of men. At a time when his country