The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-28 00:00:00

and volunteers the name of Earl de Grey and Ripon
(Cheers.)

The Duke 'of SOMERSET, in returning thanks,
said—My Lord Mayor, my lords, ladies, and gen.
tlemen, I rise to thank you on behalf of her Man
jesty's navy for the tribute of respect which you
have paid the officers and men who compose it, and
dispersed as that navy is through every part of the
world in the performance of serious duties, they
naturally look homewards for the recognition of
their services, and for the approbation of their coun-
trymen. You have spoken, my Lord Mayor, of the
state of transition in which the navy is, and un-
doubtedly, at the present time, we are in a state of
transition both as regards our ships and our arma-
ments ; but, as far as the Admiralty is concerned,
we are:in this peculiar position. You must all per•
ceive that when guns are fired at ships one result
must happen, either the gun must get the best of it
or the ship must have the best of it. That is the
position of affairs. But the public is so eager for
both sides, that when the ship fails they say that
the ship is :not strong enough, and, on the other
hand when the gun fails they say that the gun
was not strong enough. One or the other
must, in every case, fail, so on every oc-
casion there is an opportunity of blaming
the Admiralty. (A laugh.) Either gun or ship
is to blame, but whichever fails you are sure to
see in the paper next morning that the Admiralty
are to blame, for that neither the ship nor the gun
has been made strong enough. (Cheers, and a laugh.)
Well, my Lord Mayor, here there are many naval
officers who can speak far better than I am able to
do of the position of the navy ; but there is one point
on which I think I can speak better than any naval
officer present, and that is as to the popularity of
the navy in this country, because I am constantly
receiving letters from amiable mothers and anxious
fathers bidding me to put their sons into the navy.
They tell me, many of them, that from their very
infancy the child has had a taste for the navy. (A
laugh.) Sometimes they say that when he goes to
school and reads "Robinson Crusoe," or, even more
absurd still, when he is set to learn the Greek gram-
mar, he at once discovers his taste for the navy.
(Laughter.) We have lately seen lrom the
report of the Commissioners on Education
how important is considered the study of
Greek—that we ought to see that our sons, by all
means, are taught Greek grammar written in Latin
—they learning bat little Latin and no Greek.
(Laughter.) No wonder that in these circumstances
the pupil soon learns that such is not in his turn of
mind, and wants to come into the navy. (Cheers.)
Depend on it that we shall always have in our navy
the nicest, spirited young fellows that ever were,
and that they will form a powerful navy hereafter,
if you but stick to the system of education which I
believe is so popular in the country. I beg, my
Lord Mayor, again to thank you on behalf of the
Navy. (Cheers.)
Earl DE GREY and RIPON—I beg to thank you
on behalf of the Army and Volunteers for the
honour von have done them in drinking this toast.
Although I feel that I am in many respects ill-fitted
to return thanks for the army, especially in the
presence of many officers of that service, and, above
all, of my gallant friend Sir Richard Airey,
it is the duty of all connected with the army
on ail occasions to obey orders, and although I am
not entitled to speak as a member of that noble
profession, connected as I am with the administra-
tion of the army I may perhaps be able to speak
freely of the zeal which animates every member of
that service, and their entire devotion to the service
of their Queen and country. When we allude to the
services of the army on occasions like this we are
apt to have only in our minds those services they
have rendered on so many memorable occasions in
the great wars of this country which have helped
to make the history of England so glorious; but I
think we ought not to forget those services which
they are rendering every day when, as your lordship
truly says, they are scattered over every quarter
of the globe. The armies of other countries serve
within the limits of their own country in time of
peace, and among their own people ; it is on rare
occasions that they are called upon to go forth
into foreign lands ; but by far the largest part
of our army, on the contrary, spend the greatest
part of their time in the colonies and
distant possessions of the country. It has been the
object of successive Governments to have at home
one-third of the British infantry, so that exchanges
may be made on the principle of spending 10 years
abroad and five at home, but we have not been able
to accomplish that. AV e do find, however, that on
all occasions the officers and men are ready to give
the Ben ice all that may be demanded of them cheer.
fully and zealously. (Cheers.) With respect to the
volunteers I entirely concur in the remarks you
have made. The force has not been made in rivalry
to the army. It has been raised to supplement and
aid the small force we are able to maintain at home.
I am happy to say it has attained a very high de-
gree of efficiency, considering the conditions under
which it serves,and if ever the contingency arrives,
which I hope it may not, when its services will be
required, that force will not be unworthy to take
its place by the side of the time honoured army of
England. (Loud cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR—At these meetings we are de.
lighted to welcome any diplomatic representative
of the different countries of Europe. On the pre-
sent occasion I have the gratification of seeing
among us the Swedish and Norwegian Minister. I
beg to propose his health, and to assure him that we
feel it to be the interest of this country to be on the
beat terms with all countries, and I may say espe-
cially with those in the north of Europe. (Cheers.)
His Excellency the Swedish and Norwegian
Minister acknowledged the compliment.
The LORD MAYOR said—l have now the pleasure of pro-
posing to you "The health of her Majesty's Ministers."
(Loud cheers.) It is one of the pleasures connected with
the mayoralty that it affords the chief magistrate of the
city of London an opportunity of inviting the Ministers of
State, who usually honour him with their company at a
banquet at the Egyptian Hall, when the most eminent of
the citizens of London meet to do them honour. (Hear.) It
is not often we have the opportunity of seeing them at the
end of the parliamentary campaign, when their work is
nearly completed, and they are ready to take that rest and
recreation which is so necessary for them. (Cheers.) I am
quite sure wo are all delighted to see them here to-day in
such excellent health, after the labours of the session. This
hall is not the place for me to enter into the details of their
policy or the acts of their Government ; but I am quite sure
no body of men were ever in a prouder position than that
which they occupy—chosen by the favour of the Crown and
supported by the votes of the people, and using, as they
have always done, their best abilities and exertions for pro-
moting to the utmost the enterprise and prosperity of the
country. I congratulate them that at the close of the session
this country has the prospect of an abundant harvest, the
country is at peace, and there is every prospect of prosperity
continuing until at least next session of Parliament. It is
not necessary that we should at present look further. The
country always feels great pleasure in seeing the Ministers
of State exerting themselves to extend the enterprise and
commercial prosperity of the country; and when it comes
within their power to reduce taxation, I think her Majesty's
Ministers may fairly come before this assembly and before
the country and say they have done the utmost they could—
I am sure the country will feel they have done all they could
—for the benefit not of one, but of every class and interest in
the community. I have great pleasure in proposing the health
of her Majesty's Ministers on this occasion, and it is parti-
cularly gratifying to see the excellent health of the veteran
chief Lord Palmerston. (Cheers.) I was about to call him
the hero of a hundred fights, but he has fought a thousand
fights—he has been fighting all his life ; but with this
happy result, that he has made friends of foes, and now he
finds no foes anywhere. (Cheers.) I am sure I express not
only the feelings of, this assembly, but even of those who
are not supporters of the Government, when I say that we
all feel delight and pleasure in seeing the excellent health
and spirits of the noble Premier, and I beg to propose
"The Health of Her Majesty's Ministers," coupling with
the toast the name of Viscount Palmerston.
The toast was drunk with much enthusiasm.
Viscount PALMERSTON, who was received with loud
cheers, said—My lord mayor, ladies, and gentlemen, for
myself and my colleagues I beg to return you our most cor-
dial thanks—to you, my lord Mayor, for the very kind
manner in which FOR have proposed the toast of our health,
and to this assembled conIPDY for the manner in which
they have been pleased to receive it. (Cheers.) We are con-
scious that if we have experienced upon this occasion an
expression of goodwill and approval it must be from the con-
viction which, I trust, is impressed on the minds of all who
hear me that to the best of our ability we have done our
duty, (Cheers.) No set of men can do more—no set of men
ought to do less. (Cheers.) You have been pleased, my
lord mayor, to remark that, in spite of the fatigues of a
rather long session, we are here at your festive board not
much the worse for the labours we have gone through.
(Cheers and a laugh.) But this, at least, I will s9y, that

you have exhibited a kind foresight and regard for wearied
statesmen, and you have waited until the end of a session
when we might have expected to be exhausted in strength,
to be wearied in our minds, to be enfeebled in our con-
stitutions, and have summoned us to a feast which would
repair the labours we had undergone, which should fit us to
rush into the country to enjoy the pleasures and partake in
the active exertions which a country life may entail.
(Cheers and a laugh.) I can assure you, my lord mayor,
that her Majesty's Ministers are always delighted to assem-
ble at the festive board of the chief magistrate of the City
of London, not simply from social, but also from most im-
portant political considerations. (Cheers.) For in a country
like this, the strength of which depends upon the union of
all classes, it is a great advantage that opportunities should
be given by which those who are charged with the conduct
of affairs should have the means of making acquaintances
and contracting friendships with those who are actively
engaged in the commercial pursuits upon which the strength
and wealth and the prosperity of the country so much de-
pend. It is satisfactory, no doubt, to all to know, as your
lordship has observed, that the prosperity of this country is
great, so that the Government and Parliament may congra-
tulate themselves in having contributed to that most fortu-
nate result. (Cheers.) It was said of a French statesman of
a former period that, having consulted the leading mercan-
tile men of hie country how he could beet help them, he
was told, " let us alone," Well, we have not left the mer-
cantile classes alone, but, instead of meddling officiously
and injudiciously with laws to promote their welfare by
direct interference with their concerns, we on the contrary
have not left them alone because we have been employed se-
dulously and successfully in striking off those shackles and
fetters with which the less wise policy of former periods had
encumbered and hampered them. (Cheers.) My Lord
Mayor, you have drank "The Army and Navy," but peace
has its victories as well as war. (Cheers.) There are other
countries which, in these times and in former periods, have
sent forth their legions armed for the purpose of aggression
to overthrow institutions, to =qui; natione,to subdue rival
communities, and to inflict misery and desolation wherever
their footsteps trod. We have achieved triumphs, we have
made aggressions ; but we make them of a different kind.
The capital and the skill of Englishmen are spread over the
whole surface of the globe ; wherever skill and capital can
contribute to the happiness of nations, there you will find
Englishmen conquering not men, but the difficulties of na-
ture, overthrowing not human institutions, but those ob-
stacles nature has opposed to the intercourse of men, contri-
buting to the wealth, happiness, and prosperity of the nations
by whom they are employed, and in whose territories their
operations are carried on. (Cheers,) Well, my Lord Mayor,
that is a proud and satisfactory reflection for Englishmen
to make, and I may be permitted to say that the commercial
community of England is mainly the cause of those tri-
umphs. It is by the successful industry and commerce of
the merchants of England that that wealth is accumulated
and that influence created by which those triumphs over
the difficulties of nature for the benefit and happiness of
mankind have been achieved and are now in progress among
the rations. (Cheers) I beg on behalf of myself and col-
leagues again to thank you most sincerely for the manner in
which you have drank our healthe. (Loud Cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR—I have now to offer for your accept-
ance the toast of the House of Lords. That is one of the
institutions of this country. (Cheers.) The House of Lords
is recruited from the various professions, and is always re-
ceiving into it fresh blood. I believe the country feels that
that helve is a necessity; the country feels that to bo an
institution of which they may be justly proud, and there is
nothing equal to it in any other nation. I couple with the
toast the health of Earl Russell. (Cheers.) We have looked
on the noble earl for many years as being connected with
another house, in which he long maintained a distinguished
part, which earned for him the gratitude of the country.
(Cheers.) I am sure the country was delighted at his
elevation to the Upper House, to which he has contributed
no mean share of talent and experience. The name of Earl
Russell, I am sure, will always be remembered with esteem
and respect in this country, and it gives me very great
pleasure, in proposing the toast of the House of Lords, to
couple it with his name. (Loud cheers.)
Earl Russo —My Lord Mayor, my Lords, Ladies, and
Gentlemen,—l deem it no slight distinction to have my
name associated with the House of Lords, by the chief
magistrate of the city of London, with which I have long
had the honour of being connected. I quite concur in
what your Lordship has said, that the House of Lords
being constantly recruited from all that is most distin-
guished in law, in letters, and in arts, is different from the
aristocracies of other countries and is linked more intimately
with the people. Beyond this, it must also be said that the
habits and tastes of the House of Lords differ greatly from
those of the aristocracies in other countries. If other aris-
tocracies have set themselves against the people, and have
perished in consequence of that opposition, it has been
because confined to the capitals of those countries, and look-
ing to nothing beyond the improvement of those capitals,
they have had no sympathy with the general feelings and
pursuits of the people. (Cheers.) But in this country, on
the other hand, wherever you go you find the aristocracy
enjoying.the same sports, adrainisteriog the same rules of
justice, rejoicing in the same joys, and sympathizing with
the same afflictions with the other classes of the community.
(Cheers.) My Lord Mayor, it may appear to some as if
your lordship had paid me compliment which was hardly
appropriate, when I remember that the House of Lords
have not shown that degree of confidence which I thought
I had some right to expect in the management of the foreign
affairs of the country. (Cheers and a laugh.) lam happy,
however, to think that this alarm of the House of Lords,
which, ;n fact, was confined to those Lords who were in dis-
taut parts of the country—(a laugh)—has been very much
exaggerated. (Hear, hear.) lam happy to think that you
my Lord Mayor, agree with me that never did this country
stand in a prouder position, never was its influence greater
with all foreign countries than at the present moment.
[The Morning Post says :—" This gratifying announce-
ment failed to elicit any demonstrations of applause. In
some parts of the hall there were heard expressions of `Oh,
oh,' and the noble earl closed his address without a single
cheer from the company."]
[The Morning Herald says the noble earl resumed his
seat with scarcely a solitary cheer from any part of the
assembly, which in truth had listened and gazes with a
puzzled look, as if not exactly comprehending the
full force and meaning of the noble earl's utterances, and
now gave vent to their surprise as light seemed to break in
upon their minds by a buzz of conversation.]
The Loin MAYOR—I have now to propose for your ac•
ceptanee "The Health of the House of Commons." That
house, I may say, represents not only the views and feel-
ings of almost every class of the community, but even their
prejudices. There is no grievance which may not there find
its utterance. In fact, it is the safety-valve of the Consti-
tution; it enables those who feel themselves aggrieved to
make their complaints known. The House of Commons ex-
ercise not only great influence in this country, but on the
affairs of ethercountries. Nodebateon foreign politics can take
place which is not looked to with intense interest, not only
here, but in other countries, and it thus exercises a most
salutary influence on civilisation and the world. We may,
I think, congratulate the members of the House of Com-
mons here present on the manner in which the house has
maintained the honour and the interests of the country, and
we know fuli well if the House of Commons is net in har-
mony with the feelings of the country, the pressure from
without so well understood in former times is able again to
make itself felt. The House of Commons is an institution
of which this country may be proud. Other countries have
attempted in vain to copy it or to establish anything like it
where the same freedom of speech and of discussion may be
had. It gives me groat pleasure oa the'present occasion to
see assembled round this table so many able and influential
members of that house, and I am happy to couple with the
toast the name of a gentleman who has long occupied an
eminent position in that house, and who had long been con-
nected with the management of state affairs in this country
—I mean Sir G. Grey. (Loud cheers.)
Sir O. GREY—My Lord Mayor, I beg for myself, and on
behalf of the other members of the House of Commons pre-
sent on this occasion, to return you our sincere thanks for
the toast you have just drunk, and with which you have
done me the honour to connect my name. I believe, how-
ever, on the present occasion I shall best consult the wishes
of those I have the honour to address if I use a phrase per-
fectly familiar to those of us who for some time past have
been sitting up until 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning, and say
that at this late period of the session and at this late hour I
will detain you only for a moment or two. (Laughter.) I
believe, my Lord Mayor, that you truly express the public
opinion of the country when you say that the House of
Commons fairly represents that opinion, and I will say thus
further, that, notwithstanding all our political differences
and party conflicts, I believe the House of Commons as a
body fully recognises under all circumstances the para-
mount obligation of postponing every other consideration to
the maintenance of the honour and interests of the country,
which owes its greatness, intelligence, and prosperity
mainly to the free institutions which it is our privilege to
possess, and to the constitutional Government under which
it is out happiness to live. (Cheers.)
Viscount PALMERSTON, in rising to propose the next
toast, was loudly cheered. He said—Gentlemen and ladies,
I beg with your permission to propose a toast which I am
sure you will receive with the greatest possible pleasure, I
mean " The Health of the Lord Mayor." (Cheers.) The
municipal institutions of this happy country are among the
most valuable parts of our organisation, and they create and
carry into execution that principle of local self-government
which is the life and action of every nation. (Cheers.) But
of ail our municipal bodies that of the city of London may
without contradiction be said to be the most distinguished
and the most ancient. It is a great honour to any man to be
selected by his fellow-countrymen to hold any office of
power and influence over them such as that of Lord
Mayor. Those who wear the civic crown in municipal
institutions in the quality of mayor must be men who
have entitled themselves to the respect, goodwill, and
confidence of their fellow-citizens. (Cheers.) I am sure
the Lord Mayor has well earned the dignity conferred
toeuponTubyehueh Colonelr
fxmee,
tatno daws that
drinkinghi
llays toahns , youhealth. wi l
all
(Cheers be pleased )
to do him the
h
The LORD MAYORreturned thanks in an effective speech,
aacnkdnporwelpeodsged The City Magistracy," which was responded
D The Sheriffs," which Sheriff Cave
acknowledged.
"Theuke Hefesaeltmheorsfetth,eauLdaddyru bulkayworitehss'm'
wucahs
proposed by the
applause, after which the company separated.