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LORD BEACONSFIELD
It is something delightful, though at first sight inconsistent, that the Republic of Letters should, as it were, be presided over to-day by a monarch; but if there be a charming inconsistency in such a circumstance, let us meet it with one as amiably flagrant and give to our sovereign chairman to-night a right royal welcome. It is with these feelings, gentlemen, that I now propose to you, "The Health of His Majesty the King." [Long continued applause.]
