The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-24 00:00:00

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RIFLE CORPS DINNER AT THE TALBOT
HOTEL.

The Rifle Volunteers of this town were enter-
tained to dinner by Captain Walker and the
officers of the company, at the Talbot Hotel.
The men assembled at the Corn Exchange
shortly after seven o'clock, in the ante-room of
which Captain Walker presented George Hill,
one of the members of the band who had had
his pocket picked at the Gild Fellows Picnic at
the Heath Park, nearly two years ago, with a
wateh and chain. The articles had been sub-
scribed for by members of the corps and a few
friends. Great credit is due to Sergeant Round
and Private B. Raybould for their share in the
matter, as they were mainly instrumental in get•
ting the subscriptions.
Tho Captain then put the men through a
variety of evolutions which were performed ins
very creditable manner. About eight o'clock
the corps, accompanied by the band, the latter
playing a lively quick step, marched to the Tal•
hot Hotel, in the Assembly Room of which they
afterwards sat down to a substantial epast,
served up in excellent style by the worthy host.
The chair was occupied by Captain Walker, and
the vice-chair by Sergeant Evers. The chair.
man was supported on his right by Major Swill]
and Ensign Williams, aud on his left by Adju-
tant Wolrige and Mr. A. Freer. About 12034
down. 'rhe band having opened with " Rule
Britannia," continued to play in an admirable
a selection of patriotic and other air'
at intervals timing the remainder of the eve: •
mug.AVir the clo!li had be,n removed,
Captain Walk.,r a i:l it was usual en these
occasions ti drink a few toasts, sill the first was
Adie one they nr,st delighted to honour ; it was
the " Health of the Quei n." Unfortunately,
for some tunic past, Ifer Majesty bud been suf-
fering how a severe iiluess, but he was happy
to say that she wee now better, and he was sure
there was no one there who would not be glad
to hear that all occasion for her recent anxiety
had passed—(greut cheering).
After. short interval,..

The Chairman said the next toast he had to
propose was the Prince of Wales, and the rest
of the Royal Family." The Prince of Wales,
as they all knew, had just passed through a very
heavy trial. For some time before this had oc-
curred, it had become the habit amongst a eel.
Lain class in the country to decry monarchy. It
had been but a short time since that a person
advocating views antagonistic to the dynasty
now reigning over them had held meetings in
Stourbridge. Now, about this time he (the
speaker) happened to be in Lopdon, and although
be knew how powerful was the feeling of loyalty
in thearts of the great majority of the nation,
still he must confess that he was astonished at
the deep and profound feeling of sympathy and
loyalty so universally manifested by the people
of London. He was certain that the feeling
that was expressed in London, was shared in to
an equal degree by all present. Certain well
meaning men were very anxious to prevent rich
persons as those he had referred to from having
their little say. Now he was for letting there
have it by all means, as it did no barn ; bnt on
the contrary only served to show how tow there
really were who syinpaillised with their ws..
He was perfectly sure that the people of this
country were loyal to the backbone, and that
whatever would happen they would all be true to
the Royal Faniily—(the toast was drunk with
tremendous enthusiasm).
Captain Walker next gave the " Army, Navy,
and Reserved Forces." He said that lie need
net say anything in favour of the army or the
navy. They had been tried upon many occa-
.

610118 and never found wauting, and he wits sore
that if they were called upon to-morrow they
would do their duty as became their noble pro.
fession4. With reference to the reserved forces
they had not its yet been called upon to perform
the same active duties as the two former, but he
was confident that if the time should come when
their services would be required, there was not II
man there who would not do his hest in defence
of his country; and he had no doubt they would
be found to be a valuable auxiliary to the other
. . .