The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-10-26 00:00:00


BANQUET TO MR. STANLEY.

A banquet was given in London, on Monday even-
ing, by some members of the Council and Fellows of
the Royal Geographical S iciety, and by members of
the Geographical Club, at Willis's BOOMS to Mr. H.
H. Stanley, the discoverer of Dr. Livingstooe.
The choir was taken by Major-General Sir Henry
Rawlinson, K C. 8., who had on his right the
principal guest of the evening. The company,
which numbered upwards of a hundred, included,
besides the chairman, the following members of
the Csamcil of the Royal Geographical Society—Sir
H. Bartle Frere, G.C.S K.C.8., Admiral Sir
George Back, Rear-Admiral Richards, GB., Vice-
Admiral Collinson, 0.13.' Vice-Admiral Ornmanney,
C. B.' Captain Sherrard Osborne, R ' .N. C. 13., Lord
Arthur Russell, the Hon. George 13rodrick, Sir
Rutherford Alcock, K.C.8., Mr. Murray, Mr.
Reginald Cocks, Mr. Clements, R. Markham, C. B.
(an old Abyssinian campaigner) (secretary), Mr. H. W.
Bates (assistant secretary); the following Fellows
of the Royal Geographical Society The Lord
Mayor' Major-General Sir Vincent Eyre, K.C.5.1.,
(.11.,, Sir Henry Anderson, K.C.5.1., Sir James
Anderson, Colonel Nassau Lees, Captain Felix
Jones, Captain Richard F. Burton, Caytain Mayne,
R.N., C. 8.. Captain de Kantsow, R.N., Mr. James
Bateman, Rev. George P. Badger, Mr. Charles
White, Mr. Hugh Thurburri, Mr. Charles Greg, Mr.
James Wylde, Mr. Winwood Ree, Mr. E. Delmar
Morgan, and several others ; the following old Abys-
sinian campaigners—Major Roan Smith, Captain
Tryon, R.N., C ' .B. Lieutenant-Colonel Briggs,
Lieutenant-Colonel Bonner, Major St. John, 11.
Lieutenant Dawes, R.LN.' Mr. W. T. Blaniford, Dr.
Knapp, and Captain Gillilan ; and in additinn to Mr.
Stanley the following guests—Mr. Moran (United
States Secretary of Legation), Mr. E. Marston (of the
firm of Sampson Low), Mr. Hugh M'Oulloch (late
United States Seoretary to the Treasury), Sir Frederick
Elliot, KC., M.G., Mr. Peek, M.P., and about thirty-
five others.

The Chairman, In proposing the first toast Said that the
health of Iler Most Gracious Majesty the Queen was always
received with especial enthusiasm by geographers, because
they regarded Her liejesty as the patron of their Society.
Moreover, they knew that the Queen tusk the warmest in-
terest in the event they had met to celebrate that evening
If they might judge from the gracious expressions contained
ill a letter which bed been made public, they might feel
msured that Her Majesty reearded the discovery and relief
of Livitigstone as one of the brightest pages in the history
of her reign, and that she fully sympathized with her sub-
jects in their admiration of Mr. Stauley's enc.:cadet enter-
prise. (Cheers.)
The Chairman next proposed "The Health of Her Ma-
jesty's rumt august ally, tee President of the United States."
(Cheers ) He was proud to see On his left the representative
of the great Government of America, tied else to lind so dis-
tinguished ass American statesman as Sir. McCulloch among
them that evening. After the petty warfare of political life
it was a cheering sight to see Einglishmen and Americans
clustered mune one festive board, intent on a common object
—the acknowledgment of personal merit. (Hear, hear.) The
two notions had common language, common literature. com-
mon love of order and attachment to free institutions, and it
wise really deplorable that political differences slsostid ever
arise between them. Let them hope that those differences were
now buried for ever in the grave of the Geneva Arbitration,
(Cheers) At any rate, the ileitis of literature awl science,
though they might be in honouralsle• rivalry, had neither
palonsy nor enmity. In geography, especially English-
men had always gone hand in band with Americans. A
refereece to that Society's list et medalists would show
that they had constantly bestowed their rewards on Ante.
rigors citizens. Gennel was one on their honorary mem.
tiers; the name of Kane was as will known to England as
in America ; and they were now watching the progress of
Halt le the Arctic regions as keenly as any one in America.
Turning, to literature, they found an Englishman, Mr.
Froude, now enjoying an ovation r.t the hande of American
citizona similar to that which Mr. Stlnley was about to re-
ceive here. (Cheers.) Ile trusted that those c mete sies
would in future be the rule of cur international relatio.,
and he congratulated Mr. Moran, tine represeetative of
the American Goes rnment, en the achievements of Mr.
Stanley, who hal relieved the English mind front a heavy
weight of anxiety and in !succouring Livingstone had
eovered his own name with imperishable renown. (Cheers.
Mr Moran responded. Ile was sure the President of the
United Staies wiuld feel flattered by the high compliment
joet paid him. The President took a deep intereet in the
achievement of his countrynnan Mr. Stanley. De. Living.
stone had won for himself a worldwide reputation, and Mr.
Stanley one hardly second to It. Mr. Stanley had dared to
go, single-handed, into the unknown wilds of Central Africa
to relieve a distressed English traveller and hail returned to
flail his achievement warmly appreciated its this country.
Ile was glad to find the Geographical Society giving him all
the honour due to his coinage and energy. What had fallen
from the chairman as to the relations between the two
countries was the feeling shared by all intelligent men on
both sides of the Atlantic. The difficulties connected with
the A labanta hail passed away, and an example of good feel-
ing between the two nations had beets set whieh he hoped the
rest of the world would be prepared to fellow, and by which
wars might in future be avoidel. (Cheers)
The Chairman then rose to propose the toast of the
evening. lie expressed his own regret and that of the
Geographical Society that thsy could not have meet at an
earlier period to do honour to the guest of the evening.
clot psi cite dat was an axiom which they all knew and
approved; and he spoke the mere truth when he said
that they should have been delighted to have received Mr.
Stanley with open arms on the day of his arrival
among them hail that been possible. (Hear, hear.) He
was bound to say that proposals to that effect were
suggested to him at the time by many of the most in-
flueutiel associates but all who had lived in London—and
Mr. Stanley himself also—must know- that a public dinner
in the month of Angnst was all but ant impoesibility. We
might boast at our freedom and were jestly proud of it, but
in many respects mowers slaves—the slaves of the inexorable
laws of habit and fashion ; and one of the meat inexorable of
those laws was that as soon as the London seasons was over,
they were forcea to migrate to the country, only to re-
appear in their old haunts as autumn was drawing to a
close. It they had attempted a public dinner in August
there moult have been but a beggarly account of empty
benches. Though they hail a goodly assemblage that even-
: ing, he was sure that, had Mr. Stanley been able to remain
soother month in town, the present attendance would have
been dou'aled or trebled. He trusted, however, that they
might make up in cordiality for their lack of numbers.
After recapitulating the invaluable services which Mr.
Stanley had rendered to Dr. Livingstone, the Chairmen said,
that 'it was in acknowledgment of that special service that
they were met itigeltee that day to do honour to Mr. Stanley.
The life and fame of leviegstone were the property of the
nation, and Mr. Stanley, therefore, had been looked upon
as a public benefactor tor preserving to us these national
treasures. Ile had been honoured, by order of the Queen,
with a handsome present, and ass warm a letter of
thanks as were ever tenderei from the Crown of England
to a private gentleman, and he had also received from the
same exalted quarter personal acknowledgments which
very few had ever the good fortune to receive or to deserve.
(Cheers.) The guilds of London and the cities of Scotland
were proud to inscribe Mr. Stanley's name upon their rolls.
The Royal Geographical Society had also that day decreed to
Mr. Stanley the Victoria Medal of 1872. Loud cheers ) Nit
only as president of the Society, but as almost the aenior
medallifte on the list, he declared his pride in that decision,
believing as he slid that in their long roll of distinguished
medallists no one hail contributed more to the advancement
of geographical science than Mr. Stanley by succouring
Livingstone and by bringing home the invaluable geo-
graphical records which Livingstone had collected.'' (Cheers)
Mr. Stanley, In rising to respond, was received with
enthusiastic cheers. Ile said that the welcome now accorded
him was tisle Snell as Livingstone himself would have sighed
for. Livingstone had told hint that the Royal Geographical
Society were his friends that he loved them that he was
himself one of their number; that they were those who had
sustaised ami backed him ; and that they would also back
him (Mr. Stanley; when he Rot to England. Why did
Dr. Livingstone kindle in his bosom hopes of a kind re-
ception from that society, unless it was that the Doctor
knew what he Mil done better than snip other man
tie need not recspitulate the circumstances under which
he tint met the great African traveller at Ujiji,
or relate over again the conversation he had with him
uuder the verandah. Some cynics might say " What a
tied that old man is to remain sat there l" But if they
aliowe I the better feelings of humus neture to prevail they
nail better unelerstane sail appreci :le his self.devotiou.
It Was hot a desire for the glory to be (mined on gory battle-
-2.-ins Hest actuated Livingstone, but a sense of ditty. He
stuck wish John Bail-like ter aelty to the tack of ce-
ntering the watershed of the Nile set hint by Isis lamented
friend, Sir it. Iterehteon. He had himself suggested cart.
one plans of action to the Doctor, who, however, thought
that the best course for him to pursue after being relieved
and supplied afresh was to we upon an exploring trip which
would occupy eighteen months, or, allowing for possible con-
tingeaeles, two years. lie askee the Doctor whether, whets
he had satisfied himself as to the sources of the Nile, he
woe' I return home and satisfy other people. The Deter
replied that that was exactly what he meant to do sal
%leas Ise had satisfied everybody he wonld of course satisfy the
Royal Geographical Society. (A laugh.) A very rensarkable
letter had been written a few days ago by Captain Button—
himself a distingniahed African traveller —urging the Royal
Geoeranhical Society to send an expedition up the Congo to
rens me pr. Livilag4Ono from etarvatme. With all respect for
the excellent motives whiz t slictateil Captain Burton's pro-
posal, he said that Dr Livingstone was its no danger of stare-
'ng. and that such an expedli tor was unnecessary. And here
he most acknowledge the assistance he hed derived in his
seareh for Livtogstone from the previous labours of Captain
Burton and Ceptain lapels°. Assuming that Livingstone was
lost in Central Alliea, and that a young re ae who was chosen
. to germ me: find him succeeded in .:Iscovering and relieving
him, and also brought ease home the treasurea which the Blus-
h-lens ariveller had collected, after many years of toil and
, autt.rinw it might have been expected that the society for
, ahem objects the explorer bad worked would have received
' that young man with a certain degree of favour. But be
I was told, when he arrived at Zanzibar, that the Royal Gee.
, graphical Society would eondemn him for doing what they
hail wished to do. And, when ho came to Loudon, every-
body seemed to be enveloped In a cloud which would not let
them eee broad daylight. Now however, th y had
bled together to have a general' shake handZ(Bear
salem-
the Royal, Geographic , heal society deigned to confer on 11
5 a gold media, ha might toll them that that was jut what 116

had been dreaming about. It was all Dr. Llvingetcue's fault,
for the Doctor told hint that he should have it ; and if they
had not accorded him that reception and that honour, they
would have disappointed Livingstone. (" Hear, liar,' and a
laugh.) That was a time for everything to be forgiven and
forgotten, lie was informed that Dr. Kirk had received a
very friendly letter from Dr. Livingstone. lie wax delighted to
hear it. As long,, Livingstone thought he was injured by
Dr. Kirk, be would think so also ; and If Livingstone would
think Dr. Kirk was his friend, he would think so too. (A
laugh.) Again, if the Royal Geographical Society entertained
the opinion that Livingstone was still their asaoriate, he
would entertain that opinion likewise. If Dr. Kirk took only
one step towards re-establishing that friendly intimacy which
eharacterlaed th,ir intercourse on the banks of the Zambesi,
he engaged that Dr. Livingstone would cordially respond to
such an advanoe. In conclusion he could only thank them
all from the bottom of his heart, in the first place, for the
banquet they had given him, recondly for the niodal they had
heaKided on him, and lastly for the kiniinesa with which they
had listened to hie imperfect remarks. (Loral cheers )

"The Health of Dr. Livingstone' was proposed dy
Sir Bartle Frers. and acknowledge.' by Mr. Stanley,
on behalf of his absent frienl; and "The Health of
Mr. Gordon Bennett" was proposed by Captain
Sherrard Osborne, R.N., and acknowledged by Dr.
Hostner,

" The Health of the Chairman" having been pro-
posed by the Lord Mayor, and duly acknowledged,
the proceedings, which lasttd till a very late hour, then
terminated.