The Express.
London, England, 1848-11-10 00:00:00

TILE BANQUET AT 9tuLDHALL

ACOMRII;O7Iid for iat7reZioi sod 1,000
The arrangements were directed by the Lord
rytoLee committee, and were unexceptionable, except to
far se the positkin reigned to the reporter, who were so
placed that it was all but impossible for them to hear a word
of what was peeing at the principal table ; but as this was
an inconvenience &mid in by at least Avetixths of the
whole company, it was no doubt onavolidsb:i; The hall
was opened to the invited at half-put three o'clock, and
many of those who had not joined in the procession to
Westminster made their appeusece at that early hour.
But it was the return of the procession that brought the
mush, and from the arrival of the first carriage of the cor-
tege lentil the hour of dinner, the announcement of guests
and the musical mantes which greeted the more important
of them were incessant. The dinner, as usual, comprised
all the delicacies of the season, although cold ; the turtle
and game, the only exceptions, were, as unal, in profusion.
At 7 o'clock the Lord Mayor and the principal guests,
whose entrance wen samonseed by a flourish of trumpets,
proceeded round the hall to their sesta. His lordship woo
supported on the right by the late Lord Mayor, the Marquis
of Lansdowne, Earl Grey, Viscount Palmerton, Lord
Campbell, Sir G. Grey, Sheriff Finns and lady, the Chan-
cellor of tote Exchequer. the Duke and Denham of Northum-
berland, the Earl est Cardigan, Viscount Exmouth, Viscount
Hardinp, Lord Ward, the Eight Hon. Fox Muds, M. 0.
de Bisamict, the French Minister, end two Attadies, Baron
Austrian, Sir Edward Cust, Admiral and Lady Emily Dan-
dle% Lord John Hay, and Messrs. Parker, Ta&sill, C. Lewis,
and Hawes, M.P. • on the left, by the present and late lady
Mayoress, Lord Denman, Barons Parke and Alderson, Au-
tism Pension, Coltman, and Coleridge, the Attorney and
&Eater General, Sheriff Goodhart and lady, Serjeante Tat-
bud, Cisselse, Thompenn, Jones, and Wallinger, Sr D.
Dandies, Lord D. Stuart, Sir T. Fremantle, Mr. J. Wood,
Mr. D'Eyocourt, Baron Rothschild, Mown. Masterman,
Locke, Forster, C. Assay,: Sr hi. Choleneley, Heath-
este_, M.P's.
T. cloth having been removed and gram daunted,
The LORD MAYOR, in proposing the tint toast aid—" My
lads, ladies, sad gentlemen, I have to congratulate myself
that the first ant of my official carter is, to have the honour
of inviting this distinguished company to pay a mule of
?upset to our most gracious sovereign. The name of oar
bakeved Queen boa always been received in this hall with
feelings of respect sad enthusisinn, end were it not for the
mighty changes that ham occurred elsewhere, I might be in-
duced to Wane apes the loyalty which has always dis-
tinguished the chime of London. Those events, however,
may emse me from doing more than to express
my conviction that whatever changes may occur in
6Tricn ennui's, we shall always be satisfied with the
free institutions under wtich we live, and shall continue to
exhibit a loyal attachment to her Majesty, and a cheerful
obedience to the laws. With these observations I hope you
will join me in drinking the health of Queen Victoria, and
may she enjoy a long and happy reign." The toast was
drunk with loyal enthusiasm.
"God save the Queen" having been eung by the pro.
hesional vocalists,
The Loan MAYOR gave " The Health of her Majesty the
Queen Dowager, whose amiable conduct, benevolence, and
charity has gained for her the respect and love of the people ,
of thi country." The toast was drunk with three times
three.
The Loan Moron next proposed the health of his Royal
Highness Prince Albert, Albert Prince of Wales, and the
other breaches of the Royal Family. He said : "I am mire
it is not serenely for me to my anything to induce yea to
drink the health of Prime Albert, who, since he came to
this country, has identified himself with all British intend,
and British pursuits, and who has always evinced the utmost
anxiety to promote the arm and sciences, and to do all in hie
power to further the general welfare of the land of hi
adoption. In proposing the health of the other branches of
the royal fami y, I cannot forget that this is the anniversary
of the birth of the Prince of Wales, the heir to the throne
of these realms. and I hope that his Royal Niihau',
when he comes to govern this great country, will sniff
all happiness." (Hear, hear.)
The toast was drunk with the usual Itmonn.

The LORD MATOI then tale to propose a tarn, which Ito
said we. always ameetabh to the cinema of Leaelkes—. TM
Army sad Navy of Zegland," sad to was prnuaded that I.
dam so it was amearrary for him to dotak Them with any
obese/Mims I. reference to the MR sod tilliossidist
plats of those important brasier of the palls swam He
mead sestest himself thirties* wall eloservin that Is so
=the Qems's dominions ware rota oshissrasstt of the
way or am mere hilly mmielaulthas is the City
ef Waft. They wino lesesea -teary with the
of
a noble sad 'Quit lard who had roma* messedleattY
India —the scone of insperMat =Limy seniess, sad be m-
pseud to maple the sew et that salead plYa
lea, of when services the sonstry Mght will be peered,
with the toast he was alma to give ; sad he war eve they
woad sane e ith bin la doing hewer te a salaam whose
satirietil had added lute* to the mushy to which he be
loomed and to the metropolis of which (the Lord Mayor)
was proud to lay he woe a freeman. (Hear.) With re-
spect to the other Wendt of the serviee, he was net disposed
to make any obsemetices which might appear pentane' to
himself, at the same time he mast say that it had been his
hewer and happiness to. serve in the may part of his life in
them ; and it woe with the greatest pinnatethat he re-
ssieNad that he had served miler a nobleman whom pre-
emie that dal gam great delight no all (the Duke of Nor-
thumberland . Ile was alsoasstatially gratified at having
the heuser seeing there the gallant captain under whom
laserved 39 years ago, who was now an admiral in the
NAM navy. It gave him also great pleasant to see present
the ass a a gallant officer under whom he had served in •
oosidostiol positicn—tke late Loed Be Beth; and with
ragged to that officer it was only necessary for Naito my that
be might well serve sa a model for all fame admirals of
Basts•A. Having made these °Wreaths', which were
somewhat personal to himself, he would g to address him-
self to the moth important question of the Hudak navy. He
Wined he might say with confidence that never in the his-
ser, of this country had that navy b-en in a better or more
dicient state. He had the happiness of seeing at that board
Admiral Dundee, the senior lord of the Admiralty, and every-
elle who was at all acquainted with his ability would know
that the efficiency of the navy would be his first consideration,
while is Mike. He was aware that it was the anxious de-
sire attic government to carry into effect every possible re-
trenehment in all the public department., but he knew of
nothing that hi mere emeetial to the welfare of the country,
er that the people would more readily consent to be taxed
6r, than the maintenance of that service, which we. neces-
sary to uphold the honour and independence of this souatry,
the British navy. Coupled with the toast he would give the
senses of Lord Hairlines and Admiral Dundee. The toast
was &oak with the usual honours.
Vi count HILILDINCia Mee with great pleasure te acknOW-
bodge the test of " The British Army: For the honour
eoaferred upon himself he felt proud as a freeman of that
gent c operation, in having the privilege of returning
thanks in the name cf that army, The merchants and
citizens of London on all occasions had evinced a desire
generously to appreciate the services of the army, and on
the part of that branch of the service, he must say, that
they were always most anxious to merit and obtain the
pod opinion of their fallow•citixena, sad to show by their
wooeraad discipline that they were as obedient to the civil
mabseities and the laws of the land in time of peace,
se es, were devoted to the military service in time of weir.
Lord Mayor had done biro the honour to refer to his
ourriose In India. He must say that he owed everything in
Me services to the bravery of the army, who had there well
medotained the reputation they had acquired is the Penin-
sula order hie noble friend the Duke of Wellington. He
was hosed to state, also, that the eosidact of the seisms
t the whole of the military transactions in India
:Dirt equally meritorious with that of the Bri-
dal troops, and deserved the same thanks. (Cheers.)
Me bad recently received letters, detailing with admiration
and &light the oervices of the sepoys at the siege of Moulins;
the daring manner in which, under the command of that
heroic young officer tilaj,r Edwards*, who bout especially dis-
tinguished himself in these achiev-meata,theyhadmaintained
them positits against heavy odds and seder very difficult cir-
cosmetances, entitled them to the admiration and thanks of
this country. (Cheels.) And though it was true that in
consequence of the desertion of the Sikh troops it had b -
moss necessary for the major-general in command to sus-
=rasiona, he believed that the steps taken by Major,
Whisk had received the concurrence of all military
snikorities, and were, in his opinion, most judicious, and
each as any brave and prudent officer would have adopted.
With regard to the ultimate capture of Mooltan, be thought
it could not admit of a doubt, for we bad a larger army now
assembled, and accompanied by more field pieces.
than that with which Lord Gough conquered the
Ochs at Sobraon. It was a great encoaragernent to
military officers engaged in difficult miltary operations to
know that their setvtoeS were appreciated by their country-
men at home. He would not longer detain them but to
thank them for the manner in which they had acknowledged
the claims of the service to wtich be had the honour to be-
long, and foe having coupled his health with it. (Cheers.)
Admiral HONDA., in acknowledging the toast on the part
of the navy, mid it would always give him great pleasure to
know that the services of that department were appreciated
by the chinned Louden.
The next toast—. Pr.rperity to the trade and commerce
of the City of London, was drunk with the usual cheering.
The LOlll3 MATOII rose with great pleasure to proeme the
health of the distinguished gentleman who had preceded him
in the office of Lord Mayor, and who had discharged the
office in a time of no ord nary diffimilty in a manner which
would entitle him te the gratitude, not of the City of London
only, but of the country at lenge. The conduct of the City
of London on the memorable occasion to which be referred,
under the guidance of the late Lord Mayor, war an example
to the whole country. He was quite sure, considering the
manner in which the arduous duties of the office had been
performed during the lest year, that Alderman Homer
would carry with him not only the approbation of his own
wascience, but the good wishes and respect of the whole

community.
Alderman HOOPER expressed the great satisfaction he felt
that his conduct had met with the approbation of his fellow-
citizens. It was due to all dusts of the inhabitants of the
city of London to my that on the occasion referred to they
had come forward to assist him with the utmost readiness
to preserve the peace. (Cheer.)
The LORD Maxon then real to propose the health of her ;
Majesty's Ministers. Though he regretted the absence of ,
Lord John Russell, whose illness prevented his attendance, ,
it gave him great pleasure to see so many of the other mem-
ber,
of the government do honour to the City of London. ;
When they considered the difficulty ministers had in carry-
ing on the government of the country in times like
those we had recently passed through, all must spore- ,
date the talent and ability they had displayed. They ,
had shown themselves throughout determised to up-
hold the law' while at the same time they were disposed
to do all in their power to promote the happiness of the
people. The toast was drunk with the usual honours.
The Marquis of LA:OIDoWNE said—My Lord Mayor and
ladies and gentlemen, I beg leave, on behalf of myself and
of my eolleagues who axe here present, to return you our
hearty thanks for the honour you have just done us.
Bat I cannot do so without at the same time
expressing my great regret that my noble friend
at the head of the Treasury, and who is also one of your
representatives in parliament, is unable, through indipeei
ti to attend hen to-day. It fa a nuttier of peculiar regret
to me, because there never was a moment at which all per-
sons, either invested with authority or without it, would he
more Cairene to render their respects to the City of London,
and partake of its hospitality, than at the el mot this eventful
Leao:,d7:: year which I must say has placed the City of
in an advantageous point of view as compared
with any city in the world. Beaune whatever the events of
this year, whatever sympathy we may feel, or whatever satis-
nation we may derive from the triumph of the sword, where
the sword has been drawn in the cause of honour or in the
advancement of the interests of society, it must nevertheless
be • matter of great satisfaction that we shall remember to
oar dying day, that in this eventful year the peace et this
great city has been maintained by the civil cower only ; and
that by the civil power here has been won the may victory
that has been achieved. (Cheers.) This is a refection we
must always carry with us, sad which will always be • source
of satisfaction which neither the government nor the people
can forget. How much in the preservation of the pesos
and tranquillity of the country we have been inch bted to
the authority of this city, more particularly how much we
an indebted to the gentleman who now site no my
left hand, and who was recently invested with the
power which he employed uniformly, steadily, and
successfully for the preservation of that prosperity which
leaves the City of London, and at the same time 1 the
country, in • happier, prouder, and safer condition
than it ever has been in before. I beg to thank you, and
to give you kw the next toast, " The health of the Lord
Mayor and prosperity to the City of London." (Cheers.)
The Loan Mayon returned thanks, and expressed hie
determination to discharge his duties so u to meet the ap-
probation nine fallowntizens, especially in regard to the
preservation of the peas and tranquillity of the City, by fol.
lowieg in the footsteps of his immediate predecessor.
The LORD MAYOR then rose to invite the meeting to join
him in a mark of respect to the foreign ministers who had
honoured them wilt their presence. He deeply regretted
the absence of his Excellency the American minister, • man
who had always been most anxious to use his influenee in
promoting • good and cordial undentan ding between this
country and his own. They were, however, honoured
with the company they M de Beaumont, the
minister of France, who was equally influenced by
friendly feelings towards this country—(Much cheering)—
end it gave him great pleasure to find that the name of that
distinguished man was received with respect and admiration,
for he nu most anxious to assure him, on the part of the
citizens of London, that while they desired to express no
opinion as to the form of government which his or any other
country might adopt, they were anxious to cultivate the
most friendly feelings with all. If ever there was • time
when it was necessary that a good understanding
should be maintained between this country and
France it was now; and he was quite sure that
the noble lord at the head of the foreign denart-
meat was of that opinion. He thought the late visit of the
national guards of France had been of great advantage. as it
had Anima the people of both countries that a mutual desire
existed of friendly relations. The toast he had to give war
the health of the foreign ministers, accompaaying it with
that of the minister of Franco. (Cheers.)
M. Dr Bastmoter, the French minister, acknowledged
the toast as follows;—My lord, as the very unforeseen duty
of answering this toast devolves upon me, u being the seni-'r
el the diplomatic body, I hope I shall be allowed to take
fret this opportunity of offering to you, and to all here pre-
' emit, the best toanks of my country for the cordial hospite-
thy which has been of late so kindly bestowed upon a crest
many of me countrymen on their visit to this large metro.
, polls. (Cheer) The land of England, my lord, is a lead
, of lib. rty. ( Loud churl.. st.) Englaad is a land of liberty and
of hospitality to all foreigners, but it is the land of frig ndship
for Frenchmen. (Hear, h. at.) England has open. di her