The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-10 00:00:00

BANQUET AT THE MANSION-HOUSE.
--e--
The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress gave a I
grand banquet in the Egyptian-hall, at the Mansion-house,
last evening. Covers were laid for about 300 guests. A
number of the London Rifle Brigade, as guard of honour,
lined the approach to the reoeption.room. The Doke of
Cambridge was amongst the guests, and upon his arrival
he was saluted by the guard of honour, while the band
played the National Anthem.
The Duke of CAMBRIDGE, in rising to respond to the
toast of the army (given by the Lord Mayor), was received
with general choosing. His royal highness, after thanking
the company for the warmth with which they had received
him, and expressing the pride he felt at ranking himself
with London citizens said we had of late heard a great
deal of the feelings of the army, and it had been suggested
in various quarters that those feelings were not always as
loyal and devoted as they ought to be. He was glad to
have the ooppppoerrttunity of stating that any one who had en-
tertainedthe alightestdoubtauponthepoint had been
andamiouslymietaken. (Hear.) He acknowledgedwittiTlYep
sorrow and regret that there had been individual eases of
misconduct, but they were so limited that but for so much
having been made of them, they would have been hardly
worthy of observation. While regretting the occurrence
of these cases, he firmly believed that nine-tenths of them
were mere cases of indiscretion on the part of men who, at
the call of duty, would not have been found wanting.
This was not perha an inappropriate occasion to state
frankly that , attempts had bees made upon the
feelin of the army, and also upon a large porb of the
country. lie had served that ocrunts7, had beenm treated
with good will and cordiality in it, and had the
greatest affeetion tor the people, ate dim
was one subject he deplored more than another, it
was to see the unfortunate and miserable efforts which had
been put forth to make what might and ought to be a
happy people disloyal He believed that the people of
Ireland were in reality most loyal ; he had seen manifested
over and over again their feelings of loyalty to the
sovereign and affection to this country, but he was sorry to
say efforts had been made to induce them to forget their
allegiance to their sovereign, and their friends and re-
latives in this country, and to snake them think it
would be • happier destiny to be separated
from us. Of all fallacies in the world there
could be none greater than that, and though there
warequestions that required consideration and amendment,
in order to bring that country into the same happy state
as ourselves—(hear, hear}-those questions, though im-
portant, did not justify what had been done. He trusted
the measures taken would put a stop to these proceedings,
and there was none to whom it would be of greater advan-
tage than to the people of Ireland themselves, who had
unfortunately been led astray for the moment, and but for
a moment. In the hour of danger and need ftglasid and
Ireland united would stand forward, am they had done
before to brave the common foe, and support and encou-
rage anything that was liberal, national, and really and
truly •lsenetit to their country. (Cheers.) His royal high-
ness concluded by making some complimentary remarks on
the volunteers ; praising the appearance of the metropoli-
tan corps at Brighton, but warning the country not to
look upon them as • force superseding the regular army.
Admix l DACREB responded for the Navy, and Lieut.-
Colonel Wattne for the Volunteers.
TheLoaDaLiena said he was about to propose the health
of • distinguished American who had honoured them with
his presence—he referred to Mr. Adams, the American mi-
nister. (Cheers.) That gentleman had for some time re-
sided amongst us, and by his urbanity and courtesy had
won our esteem and respect. lie (the Lord Mayor) had
hoped for and expected the presence of another esteemed
citizen of the United States—the revered and honoured
Mr. Peabody. (Cheers.) But that modesty that always
accompanied real merit rather deterred him from meeting
what might be termed his fellow-citizens in that ancient
hall. The name of George Peabody would always live in
the affectionate remembrance of the people of England. It
would ever be honoured and respected. His was • life that
could never be forgotten, for it was sublime in its sim-
plicity, energy, honour, and affections. All Englishmen
were touched with the graceful and elegant letter which
the Queen wrote to him, expressing, as she did, the senti-
ments and feelings of the people at large. (Cheers.) Mr.
Peabody assured him that that letter was dearer to him
than all the titles of nobility and that he should treasure
it to the latest hour of his life, and that he should leave it
as a proud and priceless inheritance to his noble country.
(Loud cheers.) Passing to the great American republic,
he (the Lord Mayor) need scarcely say, in the
presence of its distinguished representative, with what
emotion the people of this country watched the struggles
of the past, and with what joy and gladness they hailed
the glorious return to peace and happiness. (Hear, hear.)
Not this country alone, but the whole civilised world de-
plored the lamented death of that able and distinguished
statesman, Mr. Lincoln—(hear, hear)—but he believed
I Providence watched over the government of America, for
in Abraham Lincoln's place there had been railed up a
man whose moral worth, courage, forbearance, and honesty
must prove the means of restoring to his country the
'blessings of pence, prosperity, and happiness. (Cheers.) No
man could have read the history of the past without feeling
deep regard for the President of the United States, and
seeing in him the man who of all others was suited to the
I moment, was blessed with power of mind, a spirit of con-
ciliation, a love of justice, admiration for truth and above
I all with that great combination of mercy, charity, and the
truest philanthropy which a statesman could manifest—
' namely, an earnest desire to do that which would tend to
give security to a state and happiness to a people, (Cheers.)
Let us hope that the happiness and prosperity of the
United States would continue uninterrupted, and that the
friendly feeling and cordiality that had ever mimed be-
tween the united States anti this country might also continue
without interruption to the improvement of our commerce,
to the strengthening of our friendship, to bless us with
peace and prosperity, and to shed a lustre of hope through-
out the civilised world. (Loud cheers.)
The toast was enthusiastically drunk, and the hand in
the orchestra accompanied the applause with " Yankee
Doodle."
Mr. limns, who was loudly cheered, said—lt has been
somewhere said by an author in regard to a person in my
situation that it is his duty to keep his eyes and cars open,
but his mouth shut. (Laughter.) 1 should desire to do
so if it were liossible under the very kind, eloquent, and
feeling manifestation of good will, as well to myself as to
my country, which has been made by the Lord Mayor.
desire to thank you and him most earnestly for the
complimentary manner in which he has alluded to
myself, hut still more for the manner in which
he has done what seems to me but simple justice to my
country, and to the person who now presides over it. I
have also to thank you for the tribute which the Lord
Mayor has paid to an individual who, though an American
by birth, may, I think, now be claimed as common
property in England. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Peaboly is a
gentleman who has the whole of the republican spirit of
his own country, and yet he feels honoured by. the flatter-
ing notice lie has received from the Sovereign of this.
He is a man of remarkable character, being, I would almost
say, a species by himself, for he has a large ambition, hut
it is an ambition which, in my historical acquaintance with
men of the past, I have never known to be entertained by
anybody but him. The COIIIIIIOII custom with regard to
persons who have passed their lives in accumulating pro-
perty, is to hold on to it to the end, and when it is no
longer of any service to theni they are very willing tog ive
it to whomsoever they choose to point out. But Mr. eabody, who has passed his life iu accumulating money, is
a man of the utmost simplicity of chat:ester himself, having
no sort of feeling or affection for all the ordinary toys
I which please and tickle most men who arrive at wealth. lint I
having accumulated this large fortune, it is now the sole I
business and main end of his life to see that it is properly I
I distributed. (Cheers.) And in this distribution his am-
bition is peculiar. He distributes a large sum here in Lon- ,
don, where he has lived, and done much to accumulate his
wealth; and he reserves himself to distribute an equally large
sum on the other side of the Atlantic, where he was born
and spent his early life. (Loud cheers.) And thus he proposes
to himself that fame which comes from the tribute of gra-
titude of millions of the human race equally on both sides
of the Atlantic to the latest end of time. (Cheers.) Let'
me now say, as an American, it has given me the utmost ,
possible pleasure to see the magnificent tribute which has
been paid to him by her Majesty—a tribute which it was
t
wasoefoltng
him tot° receherivteo aspa3a.
States. (Cheers). I will now close without going into the ,
roelutillbe partliee:ncoitfizheel7l 807 übj e
C n cts_ai
0",
question you, my lord, have touched upon as t" the condi- I
tion of the United States. I will merely hope that the
country I represent will speedily reassume that position of a
pe.,.eful and prosperous nation which it has been in for
many years, and that it will be ready to meet on its part
in a spirit of perfect reciprocity every kind and generous
manifestation on the part of the people of this country.
The Loin) MATOR proposed " the Houso of Commons." •
The Right lion. G. J. G.o-cny.v, in the course of his
response, said—The Lord Mayor has done himself injustice
when he said he thought I should make a better speech on
behalf of the House of Commons than he could make him-
self, for it is proverbially difficult to speak of
this that with
which one is oneself connected, and I have got -
tional difficulty—that lam surrounded by many other
members of the House of Commons, and I con
behafesslf . that
It
I am somewhat nervous at speaking on their
is always a responsible thing to speak for others,
and, especially at this moment, I feel that it is a some-
what delicate thing to say much with regard to the House
of Commons. The Easter recess is over. How we have
been engaged during that Easter recess--the various par-
ties of the House of Commons—we will not pause to in-
re;(A laugh.) It may be that weapons have been
sharpened during that time, and that people hnve been
preparing guns with which to arm sundry batteries. For-
tunately it is for many that those batteries are not masked.
(A laugh.) In thanking you for drinking the health
of the House of Commons, I may say I know there

is but one feeling, both in this hall and all
aver England, and that is, that whatever may
happen to the House of Commons, it shall not'
lose that high character which it has maintains&
through so many centuries. (Hear, hear.) Opinions are
divided in the House of Commons as to the beat course to
be pursued. (A laggh.) There are some who think that
the House of Commons might be improved by a reform
bill ; there are others who think that its character might
be deteriorated ; and I my let that side win which is really
right. (Laughter.) The fate of ministries would be as nothing
compared to tire character of the House of Commons. Some
people have one opinion, some another, and I say again
may that opinion prevail which will in the end n-
eat in. the House of Commons maintaining that high
character which it has hitherto enjoyed. (Cheers.)
AU that those who are in the House of Commons have to
do is each conscientiously to back up his own individual
I opinions ; whatever his opinions may be he is entitled to
Ihold them. Let every man stand to MI opinion, and let
us all wish that the result of that straggle which we me
1 awaiting may be that the Howe of Commons will emerge
from it without suffering injury, and that it will continue
to deserve all those good wishes and all that sympatlat
which have been bestowed upon the House of Glosamons
for so long n period of time. (Cheers.) It only remains
for ma to thank you on behalf of the Howse of demons,
and I trust that every one here who is a member of that
house will not think it necessary to disavow any one of
I the sentiments to whisk I have given utterance. (Cheers.)
Other toasts followed, including the health of the Lift
Mayoress, which was proposed by Viscount Amberley
the Duke of Cambridge proposing the Lord Mayor's hatHh.

NOTTINGHAM ELECTION COMMITTER.
After our report left yesterday,
William Dring, cross-examined by Mr. Mundell, said—
I have not been before the Nottingham magistrates
for assault. I was before the Nottinghamshire magis-
trates on a charge of stealing straw. I went
voluntarily. There was a policeman went along
with me. The magistrates said the evidence was so
contradictory that I was discharged. I was contractor for
the local board of health, and was fined because my men
made a indrawn on the road, and if you (Mr. Mundell)
had been in that business you might have been fined toe.
(Laughter.) I have seen Mr. Richards several times about
the election. I gave my deposition to Mr. l'arsons three
or four days before I went to Mr. Richards. I had a eon-
venation with my father-in-law (Mr. Harrison) about the
501. When Plant "lit" upon me it was near the postern gate,
and I got the money about five o'clock. I told this to Peer
the same day. I always appeared to be on Clifton's able.
Silvester told me to do so. I saw Silvester pay money to
John Ilomford and Rose for the " lambs;" John Sil-
vester once reed me in the county court for a debt, and I
paid him. I sometimes met Silvester at the central com-
mittee-room, and sometimes at St. Anne's committee-room.
I saw Hr. Modey and Mr. Paget at the central committee-
room leveret times. •I believe I saw them there on the
24th of June. I saw them in that committee-room on the
Friday night when Paget and Morley addressed the electors.
I was employed by Paget and Morley up to the polling-
day. I believe Plant was near me when I received the 501.
The door was very near shut, and Plant was just outside.
Mr. Richards whispered to me. The mop's tails were
's
bought at Lake's a and John Silvester was there when
they were bought. old my horses and carts the same
night that I received the money. I gut nothing from the
other ride, because they had nothing to give. (Laughter.)
The committee did not cancel niy contract. I was very
likely a hundred times in the central committee. I gave
John Silvester,in writing, an account of the sums expended
by me. That was the day after the polling. I gave him
an account at various times. He never entrusted me with
much at once. On the nomination day John Silvester gave
me some money at the door of the Horse and Groom to
give the men some drink, or else, he said, they could not
shout enow. (laughter.) He might have given me 10/. then.
He kept giving me money regularly all the day. He gave
me some money on the hustings when the speaking was
going on. I wontdown and gave it amongst the mob—giving
three or four of them a sovereign to divide amongst them.
He gave me money both on the hustings and in the Ex-
change-room. Some of the mob got 123. Cal., and some of
them
Re-examined—l never wee committed or remanded on
the charge of stealing. Tbo county court business occurred
six years ego, and the summons was fur only 265. I never
saw Mr. Parsons after I received the 50/. until this morn-
ing. I have communicated with him by letter. I saw
Silveater pay Bomford 160/. My father-ill-law and my
brothers are in the employ of Mr. Morley. lam not a
voter.
Thomas Frederick James, examined by Mr. Rodwell—l
am a clerk in the employ of Mr. Mundella. I come hero
on a Speaker's warrant against my will. I viae. secretary
at St. Mary's ward at the last election. Mr. lacer; ap-
pointed me. Mr. Riste was chairman. The committee
consisted of Mr. Millet and several other gentlemen. My
duty was to send out circulars and to receive the canvass-
ing books when they were brought in. I have brought
several of these books. I have nut shown them to any one
before. There were ten books altogether. They were
taken to Mr. Hymen's warehouse. I produce seven of the
books. On the backs of some of the book arc the names
of W. Hoperoft, R. Aililicutt, and A. Barker. Mr. Hop-
crof t was a member of the committee, and the hook with
his name on the back is in Mr. 11011CTIA01 own hand-

writing.
Mr. Mundell submitted that his learned friend had no
right to use the hooks as evidence. They belonged to his
(Mr. Mundell's) clients, and accident hail placed them in
the irregular custody of the witness.
Mr. Rudwell contended that be had a light to put in the
books and use them.
The Chairman intimated that they might be put in.
Examination continual---I have seen Mr. Hoperoft
write, but don't know his handwritin-c'. I cannot say Whe-
ther any of the entries in the bookpreiluceil are in his
handwriting. There are sonic memorandums in it in my
handwriting. I made some entries with reference to
voters with whom I had communication. I recol-
lect Jellies Robinson being put on the list of canvassers
by the chairman and vice-cliairman. lie was employed
about the commencement of the election. My memoran-
dum shows that Robinson was put down on the 23rd of
June. He wars paid 4s. a day at first. He went out with
Ow or
rs canvasse. There were metimes six seven w a
book, in or er to find them e somployment. Rol inaonith was
paid fis. a day after the first week, and subsequently
My belief is that he applied to he placed on the list of
canvassers, as I put his none down. The number of paid
canvassers in :St. Mary's ward was between fill and tiO.
The number of voters in that ward is about 4741. All the
persons that I put down
hl
them eanvassers
once a
were
voters, except five or six. pa myself
week. The number of canvassers increased weekly. I paid
them in the committee-room. The money v..as supplied
by Mr. Heath, a member of the cen:;-al committee. He
brought it in small bags, generally in gold. I sent the
canvassers out every morning. Mr. Huperoft wars as, un-
paid canvasser. The committee consisted of about sixty.
About twenty of them canvassed oce,,sionally. Mr. Heath
gave me no special instructions except that we were to
have about sixty canvassers in the eect:on week. I know
Mr. Richards, and have had some commun)eation with him
since I received the Speaker's warrant. Besides the pay-
ment made to the canvassers in money they ap-
plied for refreshment. The matter was referred to
the committee, who onlered refreshments. I paid for
it. I made one payment at the Ohl Angel
The name of Francis Archer is on my list of paid caneabsere.
The names of James Robinson, James Riley, James Ash,
Thomas Tuplin, and Richard Senior were also on the list.
They are all voters. They went out along with other can-
vassers. Individually they did nothing to assist one in the
election. 1 might have given them some circulars to take
out. These circulars were notices to the committee to
convene meetings. I know Mr. Titus Reccroft. I saw him
once at the Exchange committee-room. He was chairman
of that committee. I have seen Mr. Paget awl Mr. Morley
at my committee-room.
Mr. Rodwell applied to the committee under a sessional
order of the house, to put a question to the witness, which
the committee had already ruled he was net entitled to
put. He had been instructed that an attempt had been
made by Mr. Richards to tamper with the wAness.
Mr. Mundell opposed the application.
Refore the committee were able to give a decision, an an-
nouncement was made
uentlthat the Sptarned.ker was at prayers,
and the committee conseqy adjou

SUSPICIOUS OCCURRENCE. A painful sensa-
tion was occasioned in the town of Reading yostenlay, by
the circulation of handbills, sting that Mr. William
Hobbs (of the final of Holibs and 4011iu,, solicitors) had
been missing from his home since Thursday Lot. and teat
it was feared 11011110 11l hail befallen him. Sir. Hobbs (who
is now 52 years of age, and about 7, feet 0 incite,' in height)
conducted a large practice in Reading, and for many years
discharged the duties of Registrar to the County Court,
which office is now filled by his partner, Mr. Collins. Ho
had attained to a position of opulence, and was highly
esteemed by a very numerous circle. For several years he
hasbeen a ilirectorof the Devon Drainage Companyatel hist
year issued an address to the electors of Hor.aton. He is
agent to Lord Eversley and other large landed proprietors,
whose confidence he always and deservedly euioyed. His
sudden disappearance cannot be accounted for, and his
family has offered a reward for such information as will
lead to his discovery. The county and town police ire
actively engaged in prosecuting inquiries, and the River
Thames is being carefully dragged, it being reported that
Mr. Hobbs was last seen near Caversham, past which vil-
lage the stream flows.
METROPOLITAN FEES Hosyrrtt, DEvoNaittitz-
Kr ARS, CITY.—The aggregate number of patients relieved
during the week ending April 7, win—medical. $95 ;
surgical, 550 ; total, 1,445, of which 705 were new cases.