The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-11-20 00:00:00

PTIE STOTIII3IIIDGE 013SERVEIt.

RETURN OF SIR FREDERICK
ROBERTS.

General Sir Frederick Roberts arrived at Dover on
Tuesday afternoon by the mail boat La France, and
was received with great enthusiasm. The day was
very wet and stormy, clouds of spray dashing over the
Admiralty Pier; but a large number of people had
assembled, who cheered most heartily as Sir F.
Roberts stepped on shore. It was evident that Sir
Frederick his had a very rough passage, and 'gallant
soldier as he Nuts, he had to pay the usual penalty,
but as he stepped on shore he showed all the elasti-
city which has been characteristic of him. With him
were officers, some of whose names have been house-
hold words in England lately. These Were General
Hill, General Macpherson, General Baker, Gelleral
Hough, Colonel Chapman, Major Woodthorpe,
Major Pretyman, Major Kennedy, Captain Holdich,
and Lieutenant Childers.

At the "Lord Warden" Hotel carriages were in
waiting, and as the party drove off ringing cheers
were given, and these were renewed at various points
along the line of route to the Maison Dieu Hall.
Here the Mayor and Corporation were assembled for
the purpose of presenting Sir Frederick Roberts with
an address. Outside a large crowd had gathered, and
again the cheers were renewed as the band of the 2nd
East Kent Rifle Volunteers played "See the conquer-
ing hero comes." Inside the hall the scene was a brilliant
one. The Maison Dieu, a faithfully-restored monastic
building, rich in painted windows depicting stirring
scenes in English history, and the walls hung with
ancient arms and armour, was filled by nearly 1,000
persons. On a crimson-covered dais seats were provided
for the Mayor and members of the Corporation, the
magistrates, and the staff attached to General Newdi-
gate's command, and from this crimson cloth was laid
down to the entrance to the hall, rows of seats being
placed on each side. The arrival of Sir F. Roberts was
announced by a blast from the ancient horn—a custom
extending far back into the past. The last similar oc-
casion on which the horn was used was the announce-
ment of the arrival of Lord Napier of Magdala, but
it has been often used on other and more serious
occasions—the announcement of a declaration of was
or a summons to the inhabitants to assemble to repel
the French. The Mayor Mr. Richard Dickeson, the
Town Clerk, Mr. Wollaston Knocker, and the mem-
bers of the Corporation, in their robes, met their dis-
tinguished guest at the entrance to the hall, and then
rang out as hearty a cheer as ever was given by Eng-
lishmen. The enthusiasm was intense, even ladies
climbing to their chairs in their anxiety to obtain a
good view of the hero of the hour. -Arrived at the
dais, the Mayor had Sir Frederick and Lady Roberts
on his right, with the small knot of travel-stained and
bronzed veterans who had served with the general in
Afghanistan and had accompanied him home. On
his left was General Newdigate who had done good
service in Zululand, with a brilliant staff, Mrs. New-
digate, and a few ladies.
After the cheering had subsided, the Mayor pre-
sented the address which was couched in congratu-
latory an.' eulogistic terms.
Sir Frederick, in acknowledging the address, ex-
pressed his appreciation of the cordial welcome he had
received, and concluded his reply by saying
The report of the reception which the good people of
Dover have been kind enough to give me to-day will be
read with the greatest interest throughout India, but with
peculiar satisfaction by those who have been recently under
my command, one and all of whom will feel that a share of
. the great honour which you have done me to-day is theirs.
(Loud cheers.) I am glad to have such an early opportunity of
letting you know how much gratified we in Afghanistan were
by the deep personal interest which all in England, from the
highest in the realm downwards, took in the welfare of our
troops during the late campaign. (Cheers.) The kindly w ords of
sympathy enabled us to make light of our hardships and encou-
raged us to do our duty in the manner which I am proud to
learn from the very generous words which your Worship
has used have gained the approval of the country for our
services in Afghanistan. (Loud cheers.) But, Sir, whatever
I may be as a soldier, I am bound to admit that I am a
shocking bad sailor (laughter), and the tossing I have had
for the last three hours has quite taken out of me any
speechifying power I might possess. I will now ask you to
accept, on behalf of myself and of those who have shared
the fortunes of war with me, my most sincere thanks for the
very great honour you have done me. (Loud awe s.)
Cheers were then giv en for Sir F. Roberts and the
Indian officers who accompanied him, for Lady
Roberts, for the gallant men who had fought in
Afghanistan, and for the Queen, after which the
Mayor invited Sir Frederick Roberts to partake of
the vim d'honneur in the Council Chamber. Sir
Frederick left Dover in the evening by special train
on the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway.