One hundred years ago
The Bishop of Peterborough, in presiding last Saturday at the annual dinner of the Artists' General Benevolent Institution, made himself very amusing. In proposing the toast of 'The Army and Reserve Forces,' he remarked that since he was as a man of peace, and, by his Irish birth, averse from all contention, he was sure to be sharply criticised for proposing such a toast; but that averse as he was from fighting, he could not but be grateful to those who did his fighting for him, and besides, he was sure that nothing was so likely to promote peace as adequate security against attack. If the police disappeared, private attempts, and probably bungling attempts, at the use of arms would be soon multiplied, and bishops and clergy, 'not being skilful soldiers, would be sure to hurt themselves or somebody else.'
Spectator, 24 May 1879
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