Dr. WAITE responding, said, Mr. President, Mr. Vice-President, and gentlemen, it is to me both a pleasure and a pride to be permitted to respond to the toast of the “British Dental Association.” I am not much of a believer in post-prandial oratory. The period of replenishment for the physical energies, should be a period of repose for the energies intellectual, or perhaps better still, a time of refreshment, by agreeable and amusing conversation. That Englishmen should be fond of dining together, is natural and characteristic; that they should be almost equally prone to after dinner speechifying is somewhat surprising. It is well, however, when the usages imposed by custom can be observed, without making a too serious demand upon our drowsy powers, and fortunately we have a condition of things existing at the present time which, when fairly estimated, is calculated to awaken agreeable reflections, and inspire us with salutary hopes. Within the short space of five years, events have occurred with astonishing rapidity, that have substantially and permanently altered the position of the Dental profession, not alone in its relation to the general public, but also in its internal organisation, and the mutual relation of individuals to the whole body. These events may be classified in three distinct items, and in each we shall find elements of progress largely preponderating. First of all, most of you will recall the feeling which prevailed when the idea of obtaining an Act of Parliament was invoked at the Manchester meeting of 1875—it was not regarded exactly as an utopian idea, but certainly we felt it to be something almost too good to hope for. Well, in less than three years from that time the Dentists Act was passed, and now, after two years experience and consideration, we are able to discover what it is we have obtained, though it is all too soon as yet, to realise (except very partially) the practical benefits the Act is destined to confer. This much, however, we know. We have a legal status. We have legal rights and privileges. We are admitted to the fellowship of the honourable and learned professions. These three points are assured, and we should see to it, that we interpose no barrier of professional character or conduct between ourselves and the privileges our Act bestows. We know, moreover, that there are secured for those who will come after us, more substantial benefits of education, of practice, of public appreciation, such as none of us have been permitted to enjoy. This is the characteristic feature of the Dentists Act. Its noblest provisions are for posterity. No change, nor circumstance, can deprive any who have assisted in passing this Act, of the pure satisfaction of knowing that they have helped to hand on the profession of Dental Surgery in a far better condition than that in which they received it. Many have contributed in various ways, whose share in the work will be forgotten, but the work remains.