The Express.
London, England, 1855-02-15 00:00:00

GENERAL SIR DE LACY EVANS.

Yesterday, pursuant to a resolution of the vestry
of Maryiebone, the leading glemben of that body attended
by appointment at the residence of General Sir De Lacy
Buse, in Bryanstonoquare, for the purpose of presenting
a esapatulatery addrese to the gallant general en hie safe
return to Zealand.

Among those present we noticed the following :—Mr. J.
A. Nioholay, Mr. Whitmore, Mr. Harlow*, Mr. Gilbert,
Dr. Boyer, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Field, Mr. Roden, Mr.
Anderson, Mr. Abbe, Mr. Bridgman, Mr. lidiagtm, Mr
Hickman, Mr. Underwood, Act., Minded by Mr. W. B.
Greenwell, the vestry Week.
J. A. Moamar, Bog haviag formally introduced the
various gentlemen, prefaced the reading of the address with
a few remarks eulogistic of the recent distinguished services
cad admirable bravery of the gallsat penal who, be said,
they all trusted, would yet receive the reward to which his
services to his country long age entitled him. (Rear, hear.)
The address having been read by Mr. Gresswall,

General Sir Da Lacy Evuos said he could assure the
junkmen assembled that he felt mere hosoured than he
had suilkient power or oratory to express at the reception
of so kind an expression of the feelings sad opinions of
the representatives of what might truly be called • great
city, although WWl:ally described by another nun, con-
taining • popalation of 160,000 inhabitants. He ►elievd
that the present honer wee conferred apes him rather in
referanto the position he held as • soldier than sea mem•
her of the legislature or an orator. Not having any pre.
tension Os be the latter, he hoped. however inadequately
he night be able to give Internee to his sentiments,
they would not believe he was the leas sincere in thanking
them in ths heaps: they had done him. They had very
properly alluded to the events of the war and the present
campaign. He could ware them it was not only a most
important, but at the same time the most arduous, it had
been his (the gallant general's) lot to be engaged in
throughout his military career. He looked upon the pre-
sent contest as one of a more momentous character even
than the peat war in which England was engaged after
the French revolution. There never was so serious a con-
flict between the nations of Europe as at present. He had
himself for many years anticipated the event, and now they
had arrived at the crisis. There could be no doubt upon
one point—namely, the earnest and suited desire of the
people of Western Europe to see this great and important
contest curled oat properly and energetically. (Hear,
hear.) He (Sir De Laoy Evans) did not desire to touch
upon political questions, bat at the same time be must say
he had lamented to see • man as Prime Minister, who,
although he bore a most unexceptionable shunter in other
respects, wee wholly and entirely unqualified to perform
the duties of that °Zoe so as to ensure • proper and suer-
ptio conduct of the war. (Hear, hear.) It was, there-
fore, with no small amount of gratification that he found
a neap of government had taken place. He was not one
of those who thought that any very great advantage would
be obtained by the removal of the war minister. He
thought amongst his class there wee to be found very few
batter men than the Duke of Newcastle, who had, to
his (the patent general's) opinion, been somewhat vie-
Ulnae& They had, however, now at the head of the
government one whose energy was well known, and one to
whom he thought it would be the duty of the parliament
sad the public to give their nut cordial rapport. (Hear,
hear.) In the course of the remarks which had been made,
the services which the British army had received from their
gallant allies the Preae► had been referred to. He looked
upon it as a most fortunate eirounstance, the alliance which
had taken place between the governments and the people of
Frans and this sentry. It wee true that some time back
the extraordinary pinions of affairs and parties in France
did not tally with the constitutional and liberal feelings of
the English people; but as to the ended sad general
Amster of the sovereign of that state, in eonnezioa with

tto alliance with England and the donduct of the
present war, the most upright, noble, and judicious
course had been pursued towards this country. (Hear.)
With regard to the Fnneh army, he must say that he never
witnessed anything in his life which exhibited so great an
amount of generous feeling, cordial kindness, and, he
might add, brotherly affection, as was exhibited on the
part of the French army towards their British allies, from
the °Man of the highest rank down to the private soldiers
of every class and grade. It was quite extraordinary to
And so much kindness of feeling from those with whom
we had been for so many years in deadly Conflict. (Hear,
hear.) Our brave army had certainly incurred some very
losses, and some, perhaps, which might have been
avoided ; but it was to be hoped that, with the return of
more genial weather, and the addition of necessary com-
forts to the soldiers of this country—it was to be hoped that
our army would be rescued from many of the sufferings
they had endured. With the reinforcements the French
army were receiving, and those which the small military
resources of this country could send out, he hoped and be-
lieved that our army would be on a bet.er footing, and
that the anxieties of the public would speedily be relieved
as to their safety and success. He (Sir De Lacy Evans)
did hope—and he had no doubt, from the feelings which had
been so strongly indicated, that the people of England and
France would me that no unsatisfactory peace was patched
up, which might in a few years again lead to a still more
severe contest. He again said that nothing could exceed
the gallant and loyal conduct of the French army, and he
looked upon it as a most fortunate circumstance that in this
great contest England was united with France. They had
referred to his (dir De Lacy Evans's) attempts to introduce
reforms in the militia system. He bad done nth the House
of Commons under lees favourable circumstances than he
might have now to contend with, and he should certainly
repeat the attempt. (Hen.) After referring to the ire-
policy of making seniority the test of promotion, the gallant
general said the deputation had alluded to the reward he
ought to receive for his services. He had had but little
either from the present or preceding governments, and he
was pleased to receive such a deputation as the present, as
he felt augured they bad a wonderful effect upon the feelings
of the army. The only reward he requ•red for himself was
the highest reward a man could receive—the approbation of
his fellow-citisens. (Hear.)
The deputation then retired.