New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-18
Mr.. BAYARD DISTRIBt IhS FhI|fH.
COMMENCEMENT AT THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL IN
HR1srOI. WHERE An ANCESTOR OF Ihf'
AMBASSADOR WAS ONCE MAYOR

COMMENCEMENT AT THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL IN
rR1sro1. WHERE Az ANCESTOR OF TIE
AMBASSADOR WAS ONCE MAYOR
pr;stol England. Dec y Thomas F. Rayard. the
American Ambassador. arrived here to-day III r"
snonse to an invitation TO distribute the prz's ana
deliver an address TO the students az Inc ahhua'
commencement Of the Technical School Of the So
cie,v Of MERCHANT Venturers Mr. Eayard's great
grandfather on the maternal side belonged 10
dIst,ngu,shed family Of Bristol merchants ana WAS
a member OF the Guild OF Merchant Nen'nr'rs.
This great-grandfa thcr was born I'm Bristol In lo'
and subsequently settling IN Philadelphia was
Mayor Of that city. az his father before MN h"'
been Mayor OF Bristol.
Mr. Bayard took luncheon with the Counch o.
the Bristol Chamber Of Commerce in the Board
room, OF the Council. Replying TO toast 10 inc
health Of the guest OF the occasion. MT bhyarn
said that there much In the hearts of Amer'-
cans to-day 10 make them look upon England ~
their old home. The ties OF blood. he said. were
thicker than water Continuing. he expressed hope
that when he returned 10 America no cloud would
obs,ruct the vision Of any just-mnded man MI
Bayard then proceeded 10 make his usual extreme
Anglophile speech ending by declaring his belief
that the peace existing between the two English
speaking nations would never he broken
At the Technical School Mr.. Bayard was received
with hearty applause. He made a speech In when
he praised the great educational work that was
being done by the Society OF Merchant Nenlur"rs
and the United States were educated the css cause
would UinerfDc"
them Mr.. Bayard briefly referred TO The fac OF h-
being "A descendant of one OF the old-time Bristol
merchants. and then proceeded TO distribrt" m.
prizes that had been awarded to tho ful
students. speaking few words 10 each prize win
The Amhs ssador was warmly appauded when he
had finished his part in the exercises.
The Society OF Merchant Nenturers Is one or the
surviving mediaeval guilds. During ihc Middle
Ages il had practical control OF the maritime enter
prscs OF then highly active and progressive city
OF Bristol II was while the society In the fu'-
ness Of its power that the Cabot expeditions OF ls'
and ies made resulting In the discovery Of the
North American Continent and the pre-empiion OF
the continent: for the English speaking race. Tne
society acquired at the time Of its active work great
landed estates in Ireland and In GloucesterShire,
and these 1: has retained to the present day. us
revenues being enhanced by the Increase In inc
maintained an unbroken organization through the
centuries since It's founda ton. and has proved IT,
self not only able administrator or It's estates
but also a discreet almoner OF its revenues.
since the society ceased TO be- practical agent In
the maritime commerce OF the world II has devoted
ifs surplus revenues 10 bcneficent objects one or
ia creations being the Technical Colleg" the scene
of Yesterdays commencement. This institution WAS
founded constructed and endowed by the society.
and is doing valuable ana much-dppfeclateu "oik
among the youth of Bristol ,
The society forms unbroken link between the
Cabots and the present day and purposes. in con
per,on with the people of Bristol. TO celebrate" III
an adenuate manner year the four hundredth
anniversary OF the sailing OF the Cabot expedition.