The toast of the British Army and Navy, always appropriate at a banquet where Britons were assembled, was particularly appropriate on the present occasion, gathered together as they were to do honour to valour.

(Cheers.) It was needless for him to state that--all knew it--British soldiers, well equipped, properly provided in every way, and properly led, would go anywhere, and face any mortal thing; and so, it appeared, would West Australians, true sons of Great Britain.

The other day, at the presentation of the address given to Mr.Forrest by the citizens of Perth, he (the Commandant), alluding to the young explorer's gallant and truly heroic services in the field of exploration, had said that, were he a soldier, the distinguished feat he had accomplished would have entitled him to be decorated with the soldier's most honourable mark of distinction--the Victoria Cross.

(Cheers.) Now he had no desire to accord Mr.Forrest the least particle of credit beyond what he honestly believed he was entitled to, but he meant to say this--that Mr.Forrest had displayed all the noblest characteristics of a British soldier under circumstances by no means as favourable for arousing a spirit of intrepidity, and for stimulating bravery, as was in operation on a battle-field, amidst the all-powerful excitement of an engagement with the enemy, urged on to deeds of valour by the examples of comrades.

Who or what had Mr.Forrest and his little band of followers to cheer them on; to urge them forward on their perilous and dreary enterprise?
What surrounding circumstances encouraged them to face unknown dangers?
He should think that many a wearisome day and night in crossing the arid, trackless desert-path he was traversing, he would, on laying down his head to rest, say, "Would for bedtime in Perth, and all well!" Nothing daunted, however, by perils, privations, and difficulties, he carried his enterprise successfully through; and although there were no Victoria Crosses for distinguished services of that nature, there, nevertheless, was an order of merit for rewarding exploits such as Mr.Forrest had performed, and he most heartily and sincerely trusted that the decoration of honour conferred upon the gallant Warburton would be likewise conferred on Mr.Forrest.