but they were, in a manner, the mouthpiece of the nation, and their language was “Thanks to you, sir, for your noble conduct in doing honour to your country.” After a few more remarks, Mr. Hatchard sat down amidst considerable applause.
Capt. McClure Welcomed Home
The Rev. J. Wallis also acknowledged the toast, and remarked that the reason for clergyman not attending meetings of that sort was the fact that they had not before had a Capt McClure to welcome back, and he thought another eleven years would pass before the Chairman or themselves would have to welcome such a man. The clergy were generally teachers, but in this instance they came as learners; for, they were to learn from the example of their guest the lessons of patient suffering, perseverance and self-denial. [Applause] The Chairman then rose to propose the toast of the evening. When they remembered the value and long sought discovery which Capt. McClure had made, they would not be surprised that he had been so well received in the town. Hastings could never be too proud of the honour which she received from the discovery of her townsman. He had heard the Captain say that so great were his privations that he was once obliged to pass 3½ years without tasting vegetable food. Remembering this, they might almost wonder at the resolve which the Captain intended to put into execution when he first landed in Ireland - namely, to pluck the first flower he saw, to taste the first fruit, and to kiss the first pretty girl [Laughter]. He felt it a great honour to have the discoverer of the north-west passage by his side.. He was sorry that that gentleman was then suffering from an affection of the throat, but he would ask them to fill a bumper and drink to the health of Captain McClure. The toast having been received with the greatest enthusiasm, the captain rose to return thanks, but was not able to speak much above a whisper; and the company were thus deprived of what could have been an interesting speech. He was understood to say that he intended to have given them a sketch of his adventures, but was compelled to be as brief as possible. Excepting the last few years that he had been at sea, he had resided in Hastings for five and twenty years; and whenever he had been brought into contact with other inhabitants they had always treated him with the utmost attention. He then began to refer to his arctic experiences, but could barely articulate loud enough to be heard, and then Dr. MacCabe interposed, saying that however pleasant it would be to listen to Capt. McClure, that gentleman was doing himself a serious injury in attempting to speak. He hoped he would instead at some time put his thoughts on paper, that they might have the pleasure of perusing them.
