branch of them in which I was an adept, and in these refined days I almost blush to refer to it. I was said to handle the gloves very nicely."
The year 1872 was full of activity for Mr. Thoms. We find him busy investigating 'Another Historic Doubt' the death-warrant of Charles I. The numbers for July contain his notes on the subject; these were afterwards reprinted, and rapidly passed through two editions. They were dedicated to one dear to him as a brother "To the memory of that model of a Christian gentleman and accomplished scholar, my forty years' friend, John Bruce."
Banquet to Thoms. Then came his farewell to ' N. & Q.,' and only four weeks after his 'Parting Note' a banquet was given in his honour. On the 1st of November such an assemblage as is rarely witnessed met at Willis's Rooms. The chairman was Earl Stanhope; Lord Lyttelton occupied the vice-chair; and the company included, among other equally well-known names, the Earl of Verulam, Sir Frederick Pollock, Sir Charles W. Dilke, Sir Edward Smirke, Prof. Owen, Mr. Joseph Durham, R.A., Mr. Shirley Brooks, Mr. John Murray, and my father.
Earl Stanhope presides. A report of the proceedings is printed on the 9th of November, Earl Stanhope in the course of his speech said that
"it was as Editor of Notes and Queries from its foundation that they were now met to do him [Mr. Thoms] honour. The distinguishing merit of that periodical was that it did not pursue its inquiries into any one branch of knowledge, but invited co-operation from labourers in different fields of knowledge in the elucidation of difficulties."
Among other speakers were Mr. Benjamin Moran, United States Charge d'Affaires, who bore testimony to the appreciation in America of Mr. Thoms's labours; Prof. Owen, who thanked Mr. Thoms in the name of men of science whose researches he had assisted in the pages of 'N. & Q.'; and Sir Frederick Pollock. Mr. Thoms in the course of his reply said that "during all the time he had conducted Notes and Queries he never had so difficult a query proposed as that which occurred to him to-night, 'What have I done to deserve this great honour?'" Among the many letters from friends who wrote to congratulate him upon the success of the evening there was none more valued than that he received from his successor in the conduct of 'N. & Q.' Dr. Doran wrote:—
"Very sincerely do I congratulate you on the way in which you got through your trying position on Friday night. All around me felt for you while you were speaking, and admired how manfully your courage carried you over your emotion. A better speech could not have been made on such an occasion, and more hearty sympathy for the speaker could not have been shown, not merely by the loud applause, but by the quiet friendly and affectionate comments and phrases interchanged among neighbour-guests while you were doing battle with your feelings, and yet preserving your self-possession and your characteristic humour. It was a night to be remembered."
