The National Register.
London, England, 1822-01-27 00:00:00

.1a

.1.

.1..

-1-CO-RFOIS FOX DINNER.

On Thursday last the %V hilts of Norfolk celebrated by
a public dinner the anniversary of Mr. Fox's birth day,
at the Assembly-rooins, in Norwich. Above TOO sat
down to an elegant dinner at half-past five o'clock. Lord
Albemarle presided. On Isis Lordship's rialit sat his
Royal Hisliness the l)tske of Sussex; on fiis left Wa
Grace the Doke of Norfolk. There were also present
Lord Bury; T.W. Coke Esq. M.P. Wits. Smith, Esq.
M.P. ; Reverends ArCht:C3C,Oll Bathurst, and R. Odell ;
Aides men Bolingbroke, Finch, and Leman ; Shea
Graves; Major Hussey ; J.W. Tontitown, --Gunnison,
and J. Bloom, Esqrs. &c. &c.
The company so far exceeded the number for which
accouintodation was provided in the Assembly-rooms,
that a tble was laid the music-gallery, at which a
numbera of gentlemen sat, who were miable to obtain
seats elsewhere.
As soon as the cloth was removed, and Noe isais
Demise, sting by several gentlemen amateurs,
The CHAIRMAN rose and sail, that he had the honour
of presenting himself before them on that day as Presi-
dent at their table. In reading the newspapess contain-
accou of uteetiogs of this description, he was in
the habitnts of finding a set Of cut and dry phrases and sent
dissents, delivered by gentlemen who filled such an office
as that in which he now appeared. A Chairatian usually
commenced by expressing his regret at the situation iii
which he was placed, his inadvqoacy to fill it, and the
bitterness of his regret that the chair was not filled by
the many fitter persons whom he saw around hint. Now
he was not impudent enough to twist phrases of that
kind with such an air of muck modesty. (Langhter and
applause) Not that lie was unaware of the rank and
SIM:MINI Of those around him, and his own comparative
insignificancy—not because he 113 W near him high obi and
and respected friend (M but
r. Cake), who ought wa)s to
fill the highest place so that county (applause);
because he was so impressed with the on podance of the
anniversary they had assembled to commemorate, that
the warmth of Isis ft-eines got the better of his judgment,
and his pride felt a gratification whica was irrhaiesl table al in
accepting the distinguished (Aiello which he bp-
voluted. •L'itis feeling obtained such a tlo nnn i tttttt over him,
that he almost forgot every thing which he twain to re-
inianber : still, however, there was one thing which he
could never liaget, namely, the kindness which they had
always shown hint in the county, and which upon many
occasions he had abundantly expellent:sal front those
whom he had the honour to address. Their considerate
assistance was never withheld from 1 • , and he trusted
it would not fail to aid hint now. (Hear.) lo presenting
himself for the fourth time as their ctiairinati to contuse-
morate the anniversary of M r. Fox, he was aware that he
possessed both advantages and dis utruotages. Amongst
the loniser, was his eilliSClWlSilesS that they wont 1 con-
done to overlook his u ttttt trout inadvenciscies. lie intil
not now to impresa on them how touch more it depended
upon themselves than their Cliairutats, that this meeting
shonld pass over convivially; he knew they Cattle like ni.n
determined to be pleased with the indulsence of liberal,
sound and constitutional feelings. (Hear, hear.) Among
the disadvantages with which he had to contend, was the
tedious uniformity of having, for the 4th tielse co ume, to go d
over
the :Mlle old beaten track ; but what l l
do? The stability of the subject left Min no other course
than to go over die path he had already so often trod
with them. Many year, ago, iiiere was a reverend or
right reverend prelate who favoused the public by the
publication of a volume of his poems: the public, it
seemed, did not think a great deal about dietn—not so
the prelate (a laugh), lot lie was so pleased with his first
poetical essay, that he determined upon treating. them
with a second volume, which lie called "An imitation
of himself." (A laugh.) He was afraid that as Chair-
Man he should fall into the prelate's error, and be again
exposed Herre necessity of travelling a vapid beaten
track. epeated, how could lie do otherwise? On
a former occasion he had congratulated them on the pre-
sence of au illustrious mei Aber of the House of Bruns-
wick, and he had to perform the same gratifying duty
now. (Loud cheers.) If he had then expreased the
pride they felt, that that illustrious citizen of Norwich
was ever mindful of the great principles which placed
ced
his family on the throne of thew realms, what elhe now to say, but to repeat the same juts tribute to that
illustrious personage, woo still remained so provokingly
steadfast to his principles. (Laughter and applause.)—
Near bun also sat the hereditary Earl ISlarshal of Eng-
land, who set the high example of Ins station at the head
of the nobility, to uphold the true principles ofthe CON-
stitution, and who ever felt it as his highest houour to be
foremost in supporting the rights and privileges of the
people. (Applause.) What could he say of their dis-
tinguished representative, Mr. Coke, but that which he
had beets twig saying of hum wherever his mane appear-
ed? Ile had nu new line of politics--the old ones were
too good to be changed. (Applause.) 11, seeing before
hint so great an assembly of the rank and wealth of the
c. witty, be could add nothing new to their gratification,
he could at least assist in ,welling the triumph of their
pt inelides fur great as were their pretious MeetillKS (and
the
he spike mo
comn a
y), t any) tic
ic lieVer Istiowled
SaW suchge of the greaie
Otter p
SS art
the
uf
p
present S, OSO and interesting ati asselalae ol
of rank and the tatligittened yeomanry us
ogf tile
county. (Applause.) Ile saw them all (unl lIOW hit
had Illmtethosis to say new, for it was out of the beaten
mr.mck) 11101 ill as heretolOo• ; but unfortunately
fewer lllpnt pockct. !Heat, bear.) I kuew tiny felt the
change, 1.. r what huite.a wan ot the I:OMM,', did ant?—
(.hear,
'tzar.) Dia. was d mupic Oii which lie could tout
dilate lot lie felt siodusig but auger and an
1,10 a-
. ,1 put the of L:lelt LAJIIIIIIch. lie W.IS 111.
cure to oltservc t ticticacy oil such all OtS:a111011, or 10
SU ,01,feaa the wish Meth,' Oh ',tiger IN MCI' arose in ilk OD
tur
OUI
Wlltil he spoke of (Aliiiliatlive.) WasLl 1.
these eaIAMILICS, widen oppressed them all, that
their
thanks were due to the. pilot who weathered the storm
the pilot who gathered the sturtat" Wad a irleild%
eaduig of the Isita.u.sgs hear), and the was 'toil:.

.a.~. _.

'j„n.~wr~l7

A

•

0

THE NATTNAL REGISTER
-------..

It was to the accursed measures of that pilot, as he was
called, that the country owed its present calamities. 1
atey
were told, indeed, that they ought not to grumhle
th. because the war had terminated with glory—it @t
aclii:ved triumphs for the nadon, and preserved the
liberti of Europe. Was that the true icture of the
ICSOII ?es
NO. Where hol the rights of tiePpeople, or the
condition of the world, been bettered by the measures of
the Ministers ? Had they contributed to makea the Br
the
ie
Usti respected abroad, or had they ur
prosperity, or pitted the altecuotis, of the people at
home? Had they secured the confideuce of an enemy,
or established the lampiness of a friend, in any (planer of
the globe? No—the historian would look in vain for the
accomplishment of such achievements; he would vainly
seek any of these advantages, hot in their place he would
find the establishment of a " Holy Alliance," (hear,)
the huerties of nations simpressed by the sword, and a
Ferdinand replaced upon his throne. • This was the sys-
tem which had cost the beat blood and treasure of the
country; it was fur this that they owed their thanks not
only to the pilot that ' gathered" the storm, but to the
crew who succeeded him at the helm of the vessel.—
(Hear, hear.)—Very different were the principles of that
great man whose anniversary they were now celebratinir,
this was not the time to point out in detail the contrast
between Fox and Mr. P:tt ; but as he had hoed the
twiner in his life time, and revered the principles which
lie had left as the Lest record of his fame, he might be
permitted to dwell shortly upon their character. It WAS
saitl that the present Aliiiisters, though inferior in talents
to Mr. Pitt, were yet the successors of his principles. It
was true that they had succeeded to the pilot who ga-
thered the storm, and were determined to stick to the last
plank of the ship which they hail nearly reduced to a
Wondering condition; but inferior as were their talents
to efiect any good fur their country, they were Capable oh
doing it infinite mischief. (Hear.) They hail assisted
in gathering the storm, but the people wuttl.l, he hoped,
still weather it, by a firm and legal exercise of their rntights
and privileges. He saw around him
men who would assist in the relief of the people, and
who would that night pledge themselves to do their
duty to their country. In calling their attention more
immediately to the @stain object of their meeting—
namely, the cotuntemoration of the principles of Mr.
Fox, it was lOOlCCcstiary for hint to dwell
the onßritish
their
accordance with the great principles of
Constitution. (Hear.) The public and private worth
of that great nuan had endeared his memory to
Kutylish-
MIN amid his fame MUM ever rest upon the contrast
which his °pillions presented to those of the melt stho
had brought the country to its present situatiou: his pre-
dictions now fulfilled, had utthappily been slighted when
they might have averted the evil. The benevolence of
his amiable and expausive mind, and that sagacity which
he displeyed in the knowledge of I att affairs, never
cowed into the constitution of the ministers who wielded
the tlestionet, of the country. Were such sentiments con-
genial with theirs, that blot and stain which now dis-
graced the annals of Eualishineti—the Manchester mas-
sacre—would never have fallen upon them. Mr.
Fox been heard, they, woold nut have to lament the
passing of the accursed Six Acts, uor would they have to
deplore the introduction of the abominable aystein
of
spies and informers, who created and aggravated the
evils against which it was said they were embodied to
act. (Hear.) If such a mind as Mr. Fox's had ruled the
councils of Great Britain for the past year, that outrage
upon decency, that gross violation of public morals,
against an unhappy a. d illustrious female, would never
have happened, nor would the military murder which
had occurred, when the last outraae was of to her
manes, havedisaraced the annals ul their history. (hear.)
Had the authors of these manifold and bitter calami les
possessed the atatestuati-like vigour of Mr. Fox,guitled by
his sagacity, they would have known that Englishmeti
were more esily led than driven, that kindness and af-
fection werea always snore powerful engines l'or a peal
Government to command their feelings, than the iruu
rod of power, and the constraint of coercion. (Hear.)
" Far better far,
64 By wiuning ways to coupler willing minds,
" And let persuasion take the place of force."
But it was tine to rofit by the great example of Mr.
Fox. In the poetical language of Mr. Taylor—
" We come to his tomb; but not to weep,
" ' Pis freedom's holyday we keep
" This should the 'meted altar be,
"')torrid which we vow to liberty."
(Applause.) The Chairman concluded by proposing
"The ',Memory of Chalks Janies.Fox," which was drank
in respectful silence.
The next toast Was--. The King and Constitutioti."
The CHAIRMAN tcould not delay the company a
moment, in anticipating their gratification at the health
which he was about to propose. They all knew the
illustrious personage near Wm, whose public and private
character had rendered him au deservedly dear. The
former was known to the whole c tttttttttttttt by the in-
tegrity of his political life ; and of the value of the latter
he could give them the warmest assurance, if they would
take his opinion, from his private experience of the fact
No titan possessed warmer feelings, or a kinder heart;
no matt entertained inure benevolence for his country.—
This ;was not the language of flattery, but of truth.
—" The health of the Duke of Sussex."
His ltoyal Highness the Duke of SUSSEX rose, and
was for some time interrupted by the lotus cheering of
the company,. He said that he should follow the exam-
ple of their noble COJIMIaII, and express his feelioes
without wasting time ill :stitching idle compliments. He
always conceived that acts spoke better that verbal as-
suraticee, and by his act, he alone st i,urd to be jueged.
He assured them that the gratification and kinthieas ire
had always experienced amongst them would [weer be
forgotten, and he knew that their mutual feelinas brought
them together with 'delight to promote their public sen-
timents. He knew how difficult it was to dilate upon
political subjects at a convivial inettitig. TWO years had
di pied since he had to pleasure of useetitigHWlll before
at lOC cvlandawa mil this anniversary. Theu, as maw,

hand and heart had gone with them ; and their late int
ceedings had convinced what, indeed, he could
have hall no don ht before—that the hest sentiments per-
vaded the yt.ontatiry of that resin etable county. Their
conduct had et cued in his mind a variety of reflections,
and kindled in his heart the warmest satisfaction. It
had shown him the honest and innate desire which they
felt as Englishmen to do what was right—to protect
theroselt and to uphold their Constitution. •He had
sometimes heard, and in courts of justice, that truth was
a itnel. lie had not, hotvever, heard that truth was
high treason; on the contra ty, he believed truth often to
be the best preventive against treason. (Hear, hear.)—
In glancing at the public life of Mr. Fox it was imp*.
bible to ovoid taking a retrospective view of the wars that
had taken place in oppinition to that great statesman's
sentiments...—The Royal Duke here took a luminous re-
view of the origin, progrtss, couclusion, and effect of Ilia
Tate ruinous wars, and ended by saying, that lie was per-
fectly convinced, and he spoke it without pledging him-
self to specific details, or shutting out particular qualifi-
cations, that a rational reform in Parliament could alone
save the country. He was only repeatini there what he
had before said in the House of Lords, when the bead of
a party, which at the time was shackling his friends with
their support, declared that those s ho called for reform
were J 3eOllllS. lie (the Doke of Sussex) denied the
'wide Lord's assertion, and challenged him to meet the
friends of reform,. and ate then which were the teal and
best friends of order and the coast itutiou. (l Lear, hear.)
His Royal nighties* expressed his cordial t oncurrence
in the opinions of the yeomanry of the county of Nor-
folk, and his ttianks to that *occults for the kindness
which they had shown him.
The Chairman then proposed—" The respectability
of the Ciown, the dittabllit7 of the Constitution, autt
the prosperity ttl the Pcaple,' and it was tollowed by—
"The cause for which Hampden fell in the field, and
Sidney died un the scaffold.' Drank with three times
three.
The CHAIRMAN said, he should now take the oppor-
tunity of adverting fur a moment to their late county
meeting. 'there were some gentlemets present front
other parts of the country: and to them he would ex-
press his hope, that they thought the late county meeting
had put things upon the right footing. The distress of
the country was great and general, and the direct and
indirect taxation was almost overwhelming.—(Hear.)--
A reduction in the latter, he feared, was unattainable
without a reform in the represcutatiou of the people itt
the Commons House of Parliament. (Applause.) His
worthy friend (Mr. Coke) and himself, had taken this
view of the subject, and deter ttt itt ed to avow it at the
late county meeting. He then complimented Mr. Ald.
Tnurtell upon the frank and manly manner in which),
like an honest and intelligent mail, he had conie forward
at the late meeting to avow his change of sentiment.—
'rite moment the worthy Alderman saw reason to alter
his opinion, he did not hesitate to avow the change his
example would, doubtless be followed by thousands of
others throughout the coital ry follow hint they would,
follow Link they must, and the sooner they did, the
more credit they would obtain. The noble Chairman
concluded by proposing " the health of the High
Sheriff, for his prompt manner in calling the county
meeting together on a late occasion, to exercise a great
constitutional right." The High Shrrili 's health was
drunk with great applause.
The Chairman then proposed "The cause of civil and
teligious liberty all over the world."
The next toast was the health of "our respected and
beloved Bishop," (loud applause) a man whose person,
the Chairman said, he could never approach without
reverence, or whose name he could never hear men-
tioned without feeling the strongest and warmest elllo.
tions of friendship and respect. He knew that the sea-
siments he tittered produced a responsive echo in every
breast which felt them, and he took a wrung view of
the great object of the meeting, if allusion to the merits
of such a man were deented either irregular or *welt-
aant.—(llear, hear.) Such a character was ponlic pro-
perty, anti could only be named to be vetierated.—(Great
applause.)
rite Bishop's health was drank with great enthusiasm.
The Res • Aichdeactin BATHURST, HI rising to
ac-
knowledge the copliment Just pia(' to his revered
other said that the grateful emotions which he felt,
deprivedi him of the power of giving utterance to the
setitiments which he felt on the occasion. Ile hoped
they would give hint credit for feeling a gratitude which
he could nut express, and attribute to inability, rather
than disinclination, his deficiencies at such a nonnetit--
(Applause.)
" The health of the Duke of Norfolk, and may the
ancient hereditary Nobility of this country ever consider
it their highest honour to support dm rights of the peo-
.

_
pie."
The Duke of NORFOLK. in rising to return thanks, as-
sured the meeting that he felt drepsy sensible off u time
honour
they had conterieti upon him, and Medi gratel for tile
tramper w twi the had dratik his health ; nail Inc moic
tat, wheu he Mt, that c 1111 l plimeut associated, as it was bee,
with the groin mu
tt ddlusitin of the great principles of Mr. limit
the only principles to the adoption of *his Is
the country could now look, if not for indemnity fur the
past, at fur security for the future. (Applauve.) thy
, them atom could the country yet Ise saved.
When the Chairman proposed " A speedy Repeal of
all
laws which teas to tiny degree to abridge the sacrEd rights
of Couscience,:aid our thanks to wove of the Clergya
who
ho signed from this diocess the first petitiou to rarliaareut
in favour of religious tolerat•
and called up
The Rev. Archtteacou Bathurst rote,
The it.,. Mr. COLLielt, who said, :is hue of the Clergy
of that diocese wow had sigurd the poll in favour
of the Catiitilte, thaws be owed them his warmest at-
kuoaledguieuts for the complitneht they had just paid
those who had at petitioned. lie had never signed a paircr
with greater pleasure in his life, that, he had that petition;
end lie trusted that they would never he without a clergy la
that diocese to support a measuie so essential to Cathilet
emancipation in the present iliac of things, or tine Jul
awl tweel.likry Uptill every principle ut it 110 and reason.'
• Dia Royal ilighittss the Duke ut Susses then ittse, sad

Veforiefiirgt_.o. -
: