It would be senseless presumption in me to speak in this place of the interest of any branch of history studied for its own sake; nor have I interpreted the invitation which I have received through your Secretary as implying any wish that I should do so. I have rather understood the term ‘national’ as expressing a wish that I should speak of the lessons of national importance which are to be sought for in the history of our navy, ‘the wall and fence of the kingdom.’