The Press.
London, England, 1853-08-13 00:00:00

THE FISH DINNER.

NOTHING is more remarkable in this age of progress than the
rapidity with which improvements are made in the most recent inven-
tions. The miracles of ether were almost instantaneously cut out by
chloroform ; and the last improvements in the electric telegraph, by
which answers are received before messages aro sent, will always
remain a proud evidence of the inventive genius of the 19th century.
One of the most remarkable instances of this new power was afforded
in the acceptance by the Emperor of RUSSIA of the propositions of
Vienna before they had reached St. Petersburg. We are enabled this
morning to furnish our readers with a similar example of expeditious
information on a subject of domestic interest; viz., the Fish Dinner
with which her Majesty's Ministers celebrate the close of the session,
at the Trafalgar Hotel, Greenwich, this afternoon.
As this festivity is a species of saturnalia, much depends upon the
happy levity of the Chairman, who is, in fact, the soul of the enter
tainmont. The choice unanimously fell on the Right Hon. EDWARD
&am, who completely fulfilled all the expectations of his friends.
He was a source of unceasing amusement. He was never heard to
snore except between the courses ; and, generally speaking, his talking
iw las sleep was highly diverting.

In this reign of frolic the usual order of the toasts was reversed,
and the Chairman began by giving " La Premiere and the Ladies."
Lord ABERDEEN acknowledged the toast, and said that he had been
called an old woman, but old women were made of very durable mate
rials, as he trusted his Government was.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL spoke to the toast of " The Channel Fleet," of
which he said he was, as formerly, quite prepared to take the command.
" Success to the Coalition" was responded to, in a speech of grave
humour, by Sir JAMES GRAHAM, who, having professed in his time
every shade of political opinion, deemed himself a judge of the sub-
ject. He said the Government had been formed on the " enormous-
sacrillee " principle, and that many of its members had sold them-
selves, as is usual under those circumstances, at half-price. (Loud
cheering from Lord LANSDOWNE, Lord JOHN RUSSELL, Lord PALMERSTON,
Lord GRANVILLE, Lord CANNING, Mr. HERBERT, and others.)

Mr. GLADSTONE spoke very playfully on the state of the Exchequer
Bills, and talked of probably ending his career by being called to the
Upper House, and founding a new order of nobility, as Loan DISCOUNT
GLADSTONE ; but Mr. BERNAL OSBORNE interrupting him with some
improper jokes about conversions, the Right Hon. Gentleman
looked as if he were afraid of losing his temper, and somewhat abruptly
terminated.

The toast of " The Whips" was very much applauded. Mr. HArrEn
gave a sketch of some " loose conversations " ho had held during the
session with some loose fish—who, however, were all caught—which
was very funny. He boasted of having some bait which was more
attractive even than whitebait. He spoke handsomely of his sub-
ordinates, which was earnestly and vociferously cheered by Mr. G.
BERKELEY. Lord MULGRAVE, on the contrary, was suffused with
blushes.

Sir WILL MOLESWORTU was requested to speak to the toast of
" Radical Reform." Unfortunately the Right Hon. Baronet took the
matter gravely, and was dividing the suljcet into various sections,
before his audience found out he W 4114 not, joking. There were then
loud cries of "Divider and "Bar f' but the Right lion. Gentleman, being
used to these accompaniments, went on quite undisturbed.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE delivered an eulogium on the House of
Lords, which he pronounced to be an assembly of gentlemen, where
you were never counted out when you were speaking—as he invariably
was when in the House of Commons. At the end of his speech he
qualified his declaration that the Lords were gentlemen. and said that
he confined the description to the Government side of the House.
Captain BERNAL OSBORNE was called upon to return thanks for the
House of Lords, and as the Gallant Officer had prepared himself for
the occasion, by reading sevend of FOOTE's farces, and the whole of
Joe Miller, a great efibrt was expected but whether it were
the heat of the weather, the lateness of the hour, an indigestion of
water souchy, or a surfeit of champagne, or, as was more generally
believed, the jealousy of Mr. Lows, who continually interrupted him,
the Gallant Captain broke down. and seemed much discomfited.
Seeing this, and remembering Captain BERNAL'S faithful services, some
few years ago, in getting up the Hungary debate at the end of the
session, which gave Lord PALMERSTON an opportunity of calling Lord
ABERDEEN. amid the plaudits of Lord Jens RUSSELL, "u piece ef anti-
quated imbecility," the Noble Viscount came to the rescue with a happy
diversion, and, giving the toast, of their " Next merry meeting," intro-
duced into his speech several happy recitations from the "
.dew Wliy
Guide," which made everybody laugh amazingly.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL then gave " The Conserratire Club ;" and
the party broke up.