The Press. — London, England, 1857-11-14 00:00:00

and of commercial intercourse in the Portuguese colonies, on both the west and east coasts of Africa, which the memorialists think necessary in order to develop the resources of these colonies as well as of the native districts. Lord Clarendon listened most attentively to the statements made to him, and gave the deputation satisfactory assurances as to the in tentions of the Government. Dr. Livingstone, he said, would proceed to Lisbon with the strcngest recom mendations, both to the King and Government of Portugal, and would receive the hearty support of our Minister at that Court in his efforts to secure freedom of navigation of the Zambese, and the utmost facilities for commercial intercourse with the interior of Africa. Lord Clarendon entered fully into the views of the deputation as laid down in the memorial, and seemed to he particularly impressed with the necessity of encouraging the growth of cotton by all practicable means. The deputation also brought under his lordship's notice the subject of the recent renewal of the internal slave trade on the west coast of Africa in consequence of the proceedings of the French, and Lord Clarendon told them that the attention of the Government was strongly directed to the matter, and that they were in communication with the French Government in respect to it. He also begged the deputation to assure the Leeds and Bradford Chambers of Com merce that he was at all times glad to receive from such bodies information as to their views upon subjects connected with the commercial interests of the country. Another deputation, from the British Association, consisting of the President, the Rev. Dr. Lloyd, the Rev. Dr. Robinson of Armagh, Sir Roderick Murchison, Mr. M'Gregor Laird, and Colonel Sabine, accompanied by Dr. Livingstone, have also had an interview with Lord Clarendon to represent to him the importance of the Government sending a vessel to survey the entrance to the Zam bese, and to ascend the river as far as practicable for navigation. Many similar representations, it is said, have been made to the Government, and though the answer to the last-named deputation has not trans pired, the probability is that an object recommended by the interests of iscience and of commerce, as well as on higher grounds, will eventually be accom plished. CAPTAD3 EDWARD BURSTAL, R.N.,has been selected by the conservators of the river Thames as Secretary. Mn. ROUPELL addressed his constituents at the Horns Tavern on Wednesday. He reviewed the proceedings of the last session, and advocated the adoption of summary proceedings towards the muti neers, and the abolition of the East India Company. THE report of the "rumoured resignation" of Mr. W. Hackblock, the member for Reigate, is untrue. Such a step bcs not been contemplated by Mr. liackblock. He has been seriously ill, but is now very much better, and confidently expects to take his seat at the ensuing session in better health than in the last. MR. FITZROY, M.P., who distinguished himself a year or two ago in connection with the regulation of cab fares, has, it is said, the object in view to introduce a measure to secure an equalisation and systemisation of omnibus fares, but there are other portions of the proposed bill which will have for their object an improvement of the vehicles them selves, with a view to increased accommodation for the public. SIR ALEXANDER RAMSAY, M.P., was entertained last week by his constituents at a splendid ban quet. The banquet was held in a large room of a new mill, belonging to Mr. Henry Haigh. From eight hundred to nine hundred people were present. Mr. A. H. Royds, J.P., and chairman of Sir Alexander's late committee, presided. Dr. Moles worth, in responding to the toasts of his health, and that of the local clergy, said that the Church knew no distinction as to political parties—between a Tory or a Whig, a Chartist or a Radical. She took them all in her embrace, and wished all to be guided by her noble, charitable, and Christian principles. Sir Alexander Ramsay's health having been enthusiasti cally drunk, that gentleman addressed the meeting. After alluding to the petition to Parliament which had been presented against his return, be proceeded to review his proceedings in the House of Commons. In regard to India lie said he hoped that in future, whatever the form of government might be, the conntly would be civilised and its resources de veloped : To the wrongdoers he asked for justice—stern, rigid, and unbending justice—to those taken in rebellion who had dared to lift their hands against the helpless women and children. They must be placed in that position where they could lift their hands no more. To the men of Lancashire the government of India was of vast mo• went. Ile had been deeply interested in the question how cotton could be got solely from America, and India olfcred a field for raising it. Put the Government, which was the owner of the land, must offer facilities to the ryot and the zemindar, by making roads for transit. in conclusion, Ile advocated u thorough reform in the Indian administration. ATHE PRESS, NOVEMBER 14,1857. TIIE REV. FREDERICK TEMPLE, Master of Arts of Balliol College, and one of her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools, has been elected Head Master of Rugby School. Mr. Temple is a double first-class man. Ho was formerly Principal of Kneller H tll, and has more recently been before the public as the author of the new scheme of middle-class examinations lately adopted at Oxford. ftletrollolita it. LORD MAYOR'S DAY. THE annual ceremony of swearing in the L'rd Mayor took place on Monday last in the Court of Exchequer. The learned barons present were the Lord Chief Baron, Mr. Baron Bramwell, Mr. Baron Watson, and Mr. Baron Channell. The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, preceded and accompanied by the usual procession, left the Mansion-house by one p.m., and, continuing the entire route by land, reached Westminster shortly before two o'clock, and entered the court, preceded by the various civic functionaries and accompanied by the late Lord Mayor (Alderman Finnis), Mr. Sheriff Lawrence, Mr. Sheriff Allen, the Recorder, and several aldermen, dc. The RECORDER, addressing the learned barons, said he had the honour to present to their lordships the Right Hon. Sir Robert Walter Carden, M.P. for the city of Gloucester, who had been elected by the citizens of London to fill the high office of chief magistrate for the ensuing year. The Lord Chief Baron congratulated the Lard Mayor upon being raised to the highest honour which it was in the power of his fellow citizens to confer, and the usual formalities having been gone through and the invitation to the banquet given, the Lord Mayor returned with the same ceremony to the City. THE BANQUET. The Guildhall, in which the grand banquet took place, was decorated for the occasion with even more than ordinary magnificence. The predominant character of the decorations was certainly warlike. In the centre of each compartment between the clustered columns were large trophies, composed of armour, swords, guns, and pistols, with eir blazoned shields of various countries, bound together with laurel, and the columns themselves were flanked by muskets and halberds. On the embattled screens surrounding tha hall were bayonets and pistols so disposed as to give the appearance of a chevaux-de frise, and relieved by flags and Union Jacks. The eastern window had in its centre a large trophy com posed of flags and armour, beneath which, in letters of gold, were the words " God save the Queen," and above it the Prince of Wales's feathers in spun glass. The western window had for its deco ation the beau tiful glass star furnished by Copeland, and from every disposable point waved " the flags of all nations." Jets of gas followed the lines of the arches from one end of the hall to the other, and cast a brilliant light upon the gay throng of guests beneath. Her Majesty's Ministers and the more distin• guished guests began to arrive about half-past six o'clock. Lord Clarendon, Lord Panmure, and Lord and Lady Palmerston entered shortly before seven o'clock. The diplomatic corps was represented by the Swedish Charge d'Affaires and the Ministers of Hayti and the Hanse Towns. The following was the general bill of fare : 250 tureens of real turtle (containing 5 pints each), 200 bottles of sherbet, 6 dishes of fish, 30 entrées, 4 boiled turkeys and oysters, 60 roast pullets, 80 dishes of fowls, 46 ditto of capons, 50 French pies, 60 pigeon pies, 60 hams (ornamented), 50 tongues, 2 quarters of house lamb, 2 barons of beef, 3 rounds of beef, 2 stewed rumps of beef, 15 sirloins of beef, 6 dishes of asparagus, 60 ditto of mashed and other potatoes, 50 ditto of lobsters and prawns, 150 jellies, 50 blancmanges, 40 dishes of tarts (creamed), 40 ditto of almond pastry, 30 dishes of orange and other tourtes, 20 Chantilly baskets, 60 dishes of mince pies, and 80 salads. TIIE REMOVE 4-80 roast turkeys, 8 leverets, 100 pheasants, 50 dishes of partridges, 15 ditto of wild fowl, and 2 pea fowls. DESSERT.—!OO pine apples ( from 21b. to 31b. each), 200 dishes of hothouse grapes, 250 ice creams, 50 dishes of apples, 100 ditto of pears, 60 ornamented Savoy cakes, 75 plates of walnuts, 80 ditto of dried fruits and preserves, 50 ditto of preserved ginger, CO ditto of rout cakes and chips, and 36 ditto of brandy cherries. After the removal of the cloth, the LORD MAYOR pledged his guests in a loving cup, and bade them all a hearty welcome. The usual loyal toasts having been disposed of, The Lout) MAYOR proposed /° The Army and Navy," coupling with this toast the names of Lord Pan mare and Capt. Mylne, one of the Lords of the Admiralty. Lord PANMURE returned thanks on the part of the army, and in doing so remarked that the recruiting for that service was hourly increasing, and that it 1105 was a matter of the greatest satisfaction to those intrusted with the government of the country to see the military ardour which had been evoked by the late disasters in India . Captain MYLNE, RN., one of the Lords of the Admiralty, returned thanks on behalf of the navy. The healths of the late Lord Mayor and the Lard Chancellor followed, when the Lout) MAYOR rose to propose the health of Lord Palmerston : I feel the more satisfaction, too (said Sir R. Carden), because he is accompanied on this occasion by Lily Palmerston, and because I believe the citizens feel addi• tinnal pride when the guests they invite are accompanied by their " better halves." Sir It Carden concluded by proposing, amidst con siderable laughter, "The Health of Lord Palmerston, Lady Palmerston, and the rest of hec Majesty's Ministers." Lord PALMERSTON thanked the Lord Mayor for tho compliment, and, observing that he had been in hopes of anpouncing important news front India, passed on to eulogise the superb conduct in India of the British army : There never was an instance in the history of the world of such splendid examples of bravery, of intrepidity, of resource, and self-reliance accomplishing such results as those which we have lately witnessed. The Government at home, on the other hand, may justly pride themselves on not having been unequal to the magnitude of the occa- sion. We took the earliest opportunity of despatching to India a great army—an army which had not yet arrived when those great victories were accomplished, but which, when it shall arrive, will render that which remains to be done comparatively easy of accomplishment, and will, I cannot entertain the slightest doubt, re establish the power and authority of England upon an unshakeable basis throughout the whole of our Indian empire. My noble friend Lord Panmure has alluded to the spirit which has been displayed in this country, and I am proud to say that although we have despatched from these shores the largest army that I believe ever at one time left them, we have now under arms in the United Kingdom as many fighting men as we had before the news of the mutiny reached us ; and therefore, if any foreign nation ever dreamed in its visions that the exertions which we had been compelled to make in India had lessened our strength at home, and that the time had arrived when a different bearing might be exhibited towards us from that which was safe in the moment of our strength, the manner in which the spirit of the country has burst forth, the manner in which our ranks have been filled, the manner in which our whole force has been replenished, will teach the world that it would not be a safe game to play to attempt to take advantage of that which was erroneously imagined to he the moment of our weakness. It has been the fashion among the people of the Continent to say that the English nation is not a military nation. In one sense indeed—in their sense—that assertion may be sail to be tree. An Englishman is not so fond as the per ple of some other countries are of uniforms, of steel scabbanls, and of iron heels ; but no nation can excel the English, either as officers or soldiers, in a knowledge of the duties of the military profession. and in the zeal and ability with which those duties are performed; and wherever desperate deeds are to be accomplished—wherever superior numbers are to be boldly encountered and triumphantly overcome—wher ever privations are to be encountered—wherever that which a soldier has to confront is individually or co:- lectively to be faced, there, I will venture to say, there is no nation on the face of the globe which can surpass—l might, without too much national vanity, say, I believe, that there is no nation which can equal—the people of the British islands. The noble lord did justice also to the conduct of our countrywomen, and, vindicating the proceedings of Lord Canning, said that he would have to punish the guilty, not only "in a spirit of vengeance," but in a spirit of security, in order that the example of punished crime may deter from a repetition of the offence, and in order to insure the safety of our countrymen and countrywomen in India for the future. In conclusion, Lord Palmerston said : I am convinced that if Lord Canning receives—as I am sure he will—that confidence on the part of her Majesty's Government and of the people of this country without which it is impossible for a man in his high position to discharge the duties which have devolved upon him, it will be fonnd, when this dreadful tragedy is over, that he has properly discharged his duty, and that his conduct has not only been governed by a sense of stern and un flinching justice, but also by that discriminating gene rosity which is the peculiar characteristic of the British people The other toasts were—" Lord Granville and the Lords," responded to by his lordship, who referred to and excused his " prolixity " on a previous occa sion by a promise to be brief on this ; "Her Ma jesty's Judges," acknowledged by Lord Campbell ; " The House of Commons," for which Sir F. The siger was called upon to return thanks; "The Sheriffs of London and Middlesex ;" "The Lady Mayoress," proposed by Earl Granville; " The Solicitor-General and the Bar of England ;" "Sir James Duke and the City Members ;" " The Alder men and the Recorder." The ladies had retired from the dinner•ttble some time before the last toast was given, and occupied themselves in inspecting the sculpture and very tasteful decorations of the various rooms leading froth the Guikkhall.