From time immemorial it has been the custom to celebrate every special occasion with a more or less gorgeous feast, at which, especially from the eighteenth to the twentieth century, men drank to intoxication, and not only those who had over-indulged but the majority of those who were sober, were not considered sociable or properly educated if they could not narrate coarse, trivial and lewd stories, and turn every innocent expression to obscenity during the whole course of the evening; but in these times, when everything is chemically made and repasts partaken of under hygienic conditions both as regards morals and intellect, the food is wholesome and sustaining, and the conversation, instead of leaving a sear on the minds of those obliged to sit and listen to it, is good and elevating, and leaves no objectionable taste and feeling. Thus, when Dennis, Gilbert and Ross followed the usual custom and celebrated the discovery by a banquet, at which all the subjects of the harmless joke in the shed were present, the gathering was a great success and those who sat down rose again afterwards with thoughts and lips as pure as before dining, and the event recalled nothing but pleasant and wholesome memories later. In all the years of the world’s history human nature has on the whole gradually improved, but there are certain traits which are embedded in the hearts of men and do not reflect happily on an otherwise enlightened age. One of these quickly asserted itself. Directly it became known that the lost secrets of the _Regina_ had at last been found, many people belittled them, and though they knew how important was the discovery they held up the matter to the most unseemly ridicule. Even when faced with the question of the proof in the validity of history, they averred positively that gravity could not be overcome; that nothing could travel through limitless space and be under perfect human control, and because these cavillers had no part or share in the discovery, they sneeringly declared there was neither discovery nor honour in the resuscitation of the ship, and they had many followers, for people are like sheep and must be led; such as these cast slights and doubts on the honours and attainments of others as being beneath their notice till perchance similar honours come within their own reach, to be grasped with delight and paraded before all men as being exclusive, difficult of attainment, and having the hall-mark of high honour.