The Express.
London, England, 1847-11-05 00:00:00

DINNER TO TILE EARL OF DALHOUSIE.

Yesterday the Court of Directors of the Hon. East
India Company gave a grand farewell entertainment to the
Right Hon. the Earl of Dalhousie, on the eve of his depart-
ure to avmme the functions of Governor-General of India.
The dinner took place at the London Tavern. Covert were
laid for 150. .

Mr. H. St. G. Tucker, the chairman of the Hon. East
India Company, presided, having on his right the Earl of
Dalhousie, the Earl of Auckland, Lord J. Russell, the Rev.
Lord T. Hay, Lord Glenelg, the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, Mr. Wiaram, the Vice-Chancellor of England, the
ford Chief Baran, the Right Hon. S. Lushington, Sir J.
llobhouse, Sir W. Somerville, Sir T. M'Mahoe, the Attor-
aey-General, and Mr. Lech; and on the left, the Lord
Mayor, the Deputy-Chairman of the East India Company,
the Marquis of Douro, Viscount Jocelyn, Lord Langdale,
Lord Campbell. the Right Hon. F. Maude, Lord Chief
Janice Wilde, Vice-Chancellor Wistram, the Right Hon. I'.
B. Macaulay, and the Right. Hon. T. M. Gibson.
The cloth having been removed,
The CIiATIOIAN rose and proposed the first tout, —" Our
Sovereign Lady the Queen, all honour and long life to tier
Gracious Majesty." (Three times three.)
The health of " Her Majesty the Queen Dowager" fol-
lowed, amidst loud cheers.
The health of " His Royal Highness Prince Albert, and
the rest of the Royal Family," was next toasted with all the
honours.
The CHAI:tMAII then rose and said, they had met on that
occasion—that auspicious suasion, he would call it—to pay
a just compliment to the noble lord on his right, the Earl of
Dalhousie, who had recently been appointed to the high
fled important station of governor-general of India. (Cheers.)
A more important, a more sacred trust, could not de-
volve on any individual. The noble earl had every reason
to be gratified, not only with the appointment itself, but
with the distinguished manner in which it had been con-
ferred upon him. (Cheers.) It originated in a spontaneous
movement of the public authorities, wholly uninfluenced by
party considerations. (Cheers.) The noble lord was not
connected with the existing administration, but anxious as
he believed them to be, to find the fittest man for so high a
trust, they concurred most cordially in the appointment of
his noble friend by the Court of Directors. (Cheers.) He
felt 'confident the noble lord would do justice to the im-
portant trust which, from regard to his competency alone
and high administrative qualities, had been confided to him.
(Loud cheers.) He begged to give the " Health of the
Right Hon. the Earl of Dalhousie, the new Governor-
General of led a."
The toast was drunk with all the honours.
The Earl of Datuouste said,—l beg you, gentlemen, to
accept my warmest and most grateful thanks for the honour
you have done me in drinking my health, and for the warm
reception you have given to the too kind and too flattering
sentiments which fell from the chairman in proposing to you
my health. He only justly estimated my feelings when
he said that I must naturally feel proudly gratified at
the honour which has been conferred upon me. It is
needless for me to say to you, gentlemen, what were the
feelings of pride and gratification I experienced in finding
myself selected by the East India Company, unsolicited and
anlooked for, to till one of the highest offices in the state
to which any public man can spire, be that public man who
he may—(cheers)—or, what were my feelings of prido and
gratification when I saw their selection ratified and con-
firmed by the sovereign I had served, with the consent and
by the advice of her majesty's ministers—from whom, not
having bad the honour of acting with them in the conduct
of public affairs I bad no right whatever to expect any ad-
vantage or mark of their confidence and respect. (Cheers.)
The future, gentl-men, in the sphere within which I am going
to act, must prove how sincere is my gratitude. (Cheers.) I
can only express my earnest hope that it may, is some degree,
justify the confidence which the East India Company and her
majesty's ministers have now reposed in me. Bri tient,
gentlemen, as this appointment is, noble as are undoubtedly
the opportunities of usefulness it affords, I have accepted at
not from any private ambition, not from any personal
inclinations towards the charge it imposes on me; I have an-
opted it solely because I believed that it was my duty u •
public man, whatever might be my own inclinations, what-
ever my own objects, at the time and under the circum-
stances in w hich the proposal was made to me. (Cheery.)
Looking, indeed, as my hon. friend the chairman has alluded,
to the long list of statesmen, the many time-honoured names
of those who have preceded me, I might well entertain very
strong doubts as to my own capacity tor the adminiatzati n
of affairs so weighty, so vast, and so various. Men of far
greater abilities, and of far larger experience, might well re-
gard that charge with anxiety ; yet, conscious of the motives
with which I have undertaken it, I have not shrunk from
accepting it. (Loud cheers.) I rely, gentlemen, with
confidence upon the cordial support of your hon. court,
which has initiated this appointment. (Cheers.) I rely
frankly and sincerely upon the cordial support of her Ma-
jesty's ministers so long as I shall faithfully execute the
orders which are imposed on me, so long as I shall appear
to them to be executing the trust committed to me wish
fidelity and with advantage to the country. (Cheers.) I know
well how surely I may count upon the zealous, the able,
the ungrudging assistance and co-operation of every mem-
ber of thou noble services which you have under your com-
mand—(cheers)—and I feel that, relying upon them, with
God's good help, I may be enabled to administer the
affairs you have committed to me, I trustaucceufully, I know,
gentlemen, that I shall at least administer them honestly
and justly. (Loud cheers.) The chairman has truly ob-
served that this is not the occasion to enter in any degree,
however slight, into a discussion of the affairs of India, or
the measures which future times may produce. I have al-
ready had today the opportunity of addressing to you some
few observations on these topics, and it is neither necessary,
nor would it be proper, to repeat them here. I will ventute,
however, to congratulate you on what I may fairly feel to
be an encouraging state of affairs in the country to which I
go. (Cheers.) I am very certain that I am only ex-
Mainz the sentiments of every gentleman in this asembly,
when I not only congratulate on on the peace which
has resulted from the distinguished success of the adminis-
tration of the noble and gallant lord who now presides
over the destines of India, and the other distinguished men
who acted along with him, but in expressing an vaunt and
hearty hope that that peace may be enduring and profound.
(Loud cheers.) If it should be otherwise I bust the govern-
ment of India will never be found unprepared to strike,
and to strike from them, and to strike hard, whenever the
real interest or the true honour of the nation shall re-
gain it. (Loud cheers.) But for myself I shall regard
it as a fortunate and enviable lot indeed if, free from
all fear of formidable foreign aggression, free, too,
from internal turmoil among ourselves, my chief duties
during the period I may serve you shall consist in suggest. ,

tag for your consideration and carrying into effect those
great measures of internal improvement which you are so
desirous of promoting. (Loud cheery.) Referring to those
improvements of internal communication, I speak not
merely of the introduction of those great modes of commu-
nication which recent times have produced, and which,
however advantageous they may be, I must needs take the
liberty even here of saying cannot be proceeded in with
too much deliberation and caution—(cheers);—but I speak
also of other modes of communication which are yet to be
supplied in that country. Our attention must be given to
these subjects, for the encouragement of those great branches
of produce under Indian planters, the development of those
sources of prosperity and wealth which will promote the
immediate comfort of the people, and tend to their perma-
nent social and moral improvement. If this should be the
happy result, I cannot hope to see ita total accomplishment,
but I trust you will do me the justice to believe that I shall
not sow the seed less readily or less hopefully because ano-
ther nosy hereafter reap the fruit, nor labour less assiduously
to raise the column because another had the credit of
laying the foundation, while I cannot anticipate the
honour of placing on it the statue. (Loud cheery) When the
period of my service shall expire, I can Imagine for myself
no greater or richer reward than that a review of the course
of my administration shall show that the measures which
have been produced and the policy which has been pursued
afford fresh reasons for entertaining the confident feeling
that your power in the East is established and secured, not
merely by the irresistible force of your arms, but by the
purity, the beneficence, and the justice of your rule. (Loud
and continued cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN next gave "The Navy," which was ac. I
knowledged by Lord Auckland.
The toast of "The Army," was responded to by Sir J.
M'Donald.
The CHAIRMAN then rose and said—We are now honoured
by the pretence of the head of her Majesty's Government.
(Loud cheers.) The East India Company know no politics.
(Cheers.) They know no party but their country (cheers) ;
they are patriots, and they would cordially co-operate
with any administration which might in the end lead to
the public good. (Chem..) The present government
have had great difficulties to contend with. The country
has been suffering under the effects of a natural visi-
tation of Providence ' • hut I trust the gloom it occasioned
has been dispelled. Although there may be, so there will
be under every government, little difficulties and embarrass-
ments, such as we have at present, the patriot should never
despond. (Cheert.) Unyielding energy and perseverance
will get through all these difficulties. Sure lam the noble
lord near me won't be found to tremble on the battlements.
(Loud cheers.) lam satisfied he will carry us through all
our difficulties. (Loud cheerio) I give you the " Health of
Lord John Russell end heialajesty's Government. Suc-
cess to all their measures which have for their aim the
honour and welfare of the country." (The toast was drunk
amidst much cheering )
Lord J. RIISSELL, who was most cordially received, said:
Mr. Chairman, my lords, and gentlemen, I rise to return
thanks for the honour which you have just done her Ma-
jesty's ministers in drinking their health. I ri joice to be
able to attend here to congratulate you on whet the hots.
chairman has very properly called an auspicious occasion,
when Lerd Dalhousie is about to undertake the government
of the affairs of India. I have always felt that upon a sub-
ject of this kind it behoved the minister of this country to lay
aside all party and personal considerations, and have regard
solely and entirely to that which is for the good of the empire.
(Cheers.) It was with that view that, with my right hon.
friend, the president of the board of control, I heartily con-
curred in appointments subordinate to that now under canal-
deration, but of great importance in themselves to the govern-
ments of Madras and Bombay. (Cheers.) I thought these
appointments were most fit to be mode, and I cordially as • '
sented to them, to show the sense which the government of
the country entertained of talents displayed in India in the
service of the East India Company. (Cheers.) I knew
well that when talents such as those were displayed
to the utmost extent in the service of the country, it must be
a mortifying example if those talents do not reap the re-
ward, and are not placed on the eminence to which they
are justly entitled. (Loud cheers.) Ia the name spirit,
when the question was, who should succeed Lord Hardier
in the government of India ? it appeared to me that the
distinguished goalities which had been manifested by Lord
Dalhousie, the ability he had shown on the great fields of
public discussion, the talents he bad displayed in the ad-
ministration of a great department of state—(cheers)—the
eatisfaction which he lad generally given in that deportment,
the popularity which I must say attended his ,exertions and
service., pointed him out as one who was likely to maintain
and to elevate the government of India. (Loud cheers.) Acting
on this conviction with my right hon. friend the president
of the B 'arcs of Control and the rest of my colleagues, we
intimated to the directors of the East India Company that
if their choice should fall upon Lord Dalhousie, we should
not lose a moment in advising her Majesty to concur in his
appointment. (Loud cheers.) I trust, gentlemen, that the
success of that appointment will be equal to what I may
venture to say is the purity of the motives which actuated it.
(Cheers.) I am certain that the noble lord will devote
all his energies to the improvement of the condition of
the people, as to the maintenance of the empire; and that
he will show, as his immediate predecessor Lord Harding.
has shown, that resolution in administering justice, forbear-
ance towards all neighbours and foreign powers, attention to
the arta of peace, and sedulous care for the improvement of
the internal condition of India, are compatible with the ut-
most spirit, the utmost courage in repelling any aggression
that may be made—meeting and conquering those who
choose to constitute themselves the foes of the British
empire in India. (Loud cheers.) I trust, therefore, that
when Lord I)alhouaieshall return to Eneland, his countrymen
will be able to congratuiete him upon having confirmed that
political character which he has already acquired; that they
may wish him joy of the fame which he has established, and
that that fame will ee connected and identified with the hap-
piness of the people of India, the object of all your go-
vernment. (Loud cheers.) You have done us the honour,
Mr. Chairman, of referring to the difficulties and clouds
which may for a time overshadow the prosperity of the em-
pire whose interests are intrusted to our hands. I reel, as
we must feel, that there are thaws seasons of adversity,
recurring almost at stated perieds, when the fond hope,
which had been indulged of a continuous sunshine of pros-
perity are for a time denoted and darkened ; but, with your
chairman, I trust to the energy, to the in lustry, to the per-
severance of the British people finally to deliver us from such
difficulties and such adversities. (Cheers.) I believe myself
that there is nothing in the present condition of the people
of this country which need induce even the most timid of
statesmen to despond. (Loud cheers.) To despond is not a
sentiment natural to my breast—(loud cheers) ,—and what-
ever judgment may be passed (of which I do not now
wish to speak) with reference to any measures or any course
the government of the day may pursue, I believe the dia-
lracter of the people of this country, their indomitable energy,
will carry them through this period of gloom, and that we
shall resume the former station that we held among the
nations of the earth. (Loud and continued cheering.)
" The Health of Sir J. Hobhouse, President of the Board
of Control," was next given. The right hon. baronet in
briefly acknowleding the compliment, warmly eulogized the
character and abilities of Lord Dalhousie, and stated that he
had that day seen letters from Lord Hardinge which declared
that the appointment of his noble friend was hailed in India
with universal acclamation.
"The Health of Lord Hardinge," "Mr. Macaulay," "the
Judges," " the Lord Mayor," " the Civil Service and the
Military Service of India," and several other toasts were
then drunk, after which the compeny partook of tea and
coffee in the drawing-room, and broke up shortly after
11 o'clock.

VAUXHALL-BRIDGE COMPANY. The half-yearly
general meeting of proprietors in this undertaking was held
yesterday at the George and Vulture Tavern, Corohill, Mr.
Barron an the chair. The statement of accounts from the
25,h of April last to the 24th of October showed the receipts
for tolls to amount to 7,0011. ; pier dues, to 316/. ; rent, to
481. 10s. 10d. • and the grass receipts, including a balance
from last settlement of 2,185/. Os. 10d., to 9,7961. 18s. 11d.
The expenses of repairing the bridge, &e., were set down at
9051. 9s. 7r1., the cash in the hands of the company's bankers
at 2,8161. 165., leaving as dividend for the proprietors, after
deducting all incidental expenses and disbursements, a gross
sum of 5,2441. 18s. After some discussion the report and
financial statement were received, and the meeting sepa-
rated.
MIDDLESEX HOSPIYAL.—The quarterly general
meeting of the governors of this hospital was held yesterday,
in the hoard-room of the institution. The minutes of the
weekly board having been read, and proposed for confirma-
tion, Mr. Brewster moved an amendment " That they be not
confirmed," as they contained the suspension of Mr. Leeson,
ono of the surgeons of the hospital, upon charges made but
not yet substantiated against him by the other medical
officers. He was neither the friend nor the partisan of Mr.
Leeson, and merely adopted this course because he felt that it
was incumbent on those medical officers either to say more or',
besilent altogether.—Mr. Frcwer haying seconded the amend.
ment, Mr. Bailey, a member of the weekly board, entered
into a detailed defense of their sonduct, in suspending Mr. Lee-
son. The committee appointed on the subject had, he said, con-
sidered is. expedient for the interests of the hospital, seeing
that the other medical officers had refused to consult with that
gentleman, to call upon him to resign. This Mr. Leeson re- I
fused to do. The question came before the weekly board,
who also found reason for calling upon him to resign • but
he again declined. They then asked him if he proposed an
investigation, and he said he did not, because he thought he
would not have a fair trial. The weekly board, however,
had not suspended Mr. Leeson indefinitely, for they had
not the power to do so, but only until the next quarterly or
speci meeting.—Mr. Smith and other members of the
weekly board having declared that there was no other course
open to them consistently with the interests of the hospital,
Mr. Leeson observed that on the 6th of August lie formally
demanded from the board a full investigation, the reply to
which simply stated that his communication had been laid
before the board, and since then he had heard nothing on
the subject.—Mr. Rowden, one of the medical officer+, pro-
duced a bundle of letters, which it was understood contained
the charges against Mr. Leeson, and which he said he was
prepared to hand to a proper tribunal, provided he was
guaranteed against legal proceedings.—After a discussion of
some hours' length Mr. Brewster intimated that he would
withdraw Lis amendment, and substitute a motion confirm-
ing the minutes of the weekly board, but without prejudice
to the case of Mr. Leeson, which should stand fur the consi-
deration of a special board. This course was eventually
adopted in a resolution confirming the minutes, and recom-
mending that a special meeting be convened for the 13th of
December, to take that gentleman's case into consideration,
he being in the meantime suspended, and it being under-
stood that evidence of the charges against him should be
taken by a committee of ten, five of whom should be ap-
pointed by each side, and that no ulterior legal proceedings
would be resorted to by him.
SALE OF HUGHES'i MAMMOTH ESTABLTSHMENT.

—The Most important part of the collection was sold by