Part 12 (2/2)
Under the heading of political toasts are a number free from party sentiment, advocating more the glory of our country than the praise of a particular party. We can quite understand how favourably a toast like the following would be received:--
”The British Lion, may he never rise in anger and sit down in fear.”
The next is brief:--
”Death or Liberty.”
A popular toast is as follows:--
”Here's to England, the ruler and queen of the waves, May she ever be found to give freedom to slaves.
May she always extend to the weak and oppressed, Those blessings with which her own have been blessed.
Lastly, let us quote one that in our day might be taken to heart by those in office:--
”May Ministers while they are servants of the Crown never forget that they are representatives of the people.”
Next in order come sentimental toasts. Examples of these may almost be culled at random to represent the whole, for there is a great sameness about them:--
”May our great men be good and our good men great.”
”May goodness prevail where beauty fails.”
”May we never be lost to hope.”
”Our friends, our country, our laws, home, love, and liberty.”
Two pages are devoted to flash toasts, but as far as we are able to judge are without interest.
The work closes with a varied and interesting collection of toasts under the heading of ”Miscellaneous,” and contains excellent examples of the wit and wisdom of bygone times. The celebrated Roxburghe Club of book-lovers was founded in 1812, and has given to the world many valuable volumes. The social side of the society was well sustained, and the following are the ten bibliomania toasts which were honoured at the festive gatherings:--
1. ”The immortal memory of Christopher Valdarfer, printer of the Boccaccio of 1471.”
2. ”The memory of William Caxton, founder of the British Press.”
3. ”To the memory of Wynkyn de Worde, Pynson, and Notary, successors of Caxton.”
4. ”The memory of John, Duke of Roxburghe.”
5. ”The memory of Lady Juliana Barnes and the St. Albans' Press.”
6. ”The memory of Gutenberg, Fust, and Schoeffer, fathers of the art of printing.”
7. ”The Aldine family of Venice.”
8. ”The Giunti family of Florence.”
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