“Scotland, the birthplace of valour—the country of worth.”
“Scottish heroes; and may their fame live for ever.”
A popular toast of the past was:—
“The independence of Greece and the memory of Byron.”
The dislike to France by our fathers is plainly indicated in several sentiments:—
“May French principles never corrupt English manners.”
It would appear from many of the toasts that the nation was weary of war and wanted peace and liberty. The plea for liberty occurs in many of the sentiments; it is the closing wish of the following:—
“May peace o’er Britain spread her wing,
And commerce fill her ports with gold;
May arts and science comfort bring,
And liberty her sons enfold.”
The naval and military toasts, as befits a nation that has gained glory in battles on sea and land, are on the whole good. A few examples only must suffice. How out of date our first appears in this age of ironclads:—
“Old England’s wooden walls.”