The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-05 00:00:00

THE STIN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 5, 1864.

expenses, while they employ a competent surveyor
for each county to see that the business is thoroughly
and satisfactorily done. Some such change is very
advisable, and the public will no doubt readily sub•
scribe to it, as they unquestionably coincide in the
opinion succinctly expressed by the committee that
" Tolls are unequal in pressure, costly in collection,
inconvenient to the public, and injurious as causing
a serious impediment to intercourse and traffic."

The Royal Banquet at the Trinity House was
invested with feelings of interest more remarkable
than those which ordinarily appertain to similar
festivities when graced by the presence of royal and
distinguished persons. It wes the first visit of the
PELNCE to Trinity House, and he must have felt
some emotion in the thought that his late lamented
father presided over that institution for some years,
This is not by any means the first time that the
Prince of WALES has taken his father's place in
doing honour to societies, associations, and other
objects of attraction in arts, literature, and science.
Oa this occasion his Royal Highness went as a
guest, but of course every one present accepted his
visit as another of those gracious demonstrations
which he has so frequently given, and which have
associated his name in the memory of the public
with all that is genial and cordial in feeling and
sympathy. The days are past when princes are
shut up in castles and palaces, unable to mix with
the world. They are now permitted, by the more
enlightened opinions of the day, to mingle
occasionally with the amusements, and to study
the undertakings which contribute so largely to
influence the minds of their generation. It was a
peculiar feature in the banquet at the Trinity
House that nearly all the speakers were connected
with the Government. There were guests who
entertained various shades of political opinion, but
the duties of oratory devolved on those whom we
may suppose have enough talking in the ordinary
pursuance of their avocations, if not sometimes a
great deal too much. All was very admirably
arranged, and the greatest satisfaction appears to
have been felt by the es3embly. His Royal High-
ness's observations were brief, but distinguished for
appropriateness and the expression of a kindly
Interest. He observed that it was always a pleasure
'o the Royal family to contribute to the encourage-
ment of societies which did service to the country,

and of these none were more conspicuous than the

friniry, for the Corporation deserved their gratitude
on account of their exertions on behalf of our sol-
diers and sailors. Lord PALMERSTON al w Ays appears
to advantage on occasions like this; he possesses a

nappy gift of speaking to the purpose and making
;.he most of whatever subject comes in his way.
His remarks on the institution that brought them
together were animated and interesting. He
pointed out the advantages that had been con-
ferred on the country by the corporation of which
no was Mt...ster. He had heard it said " that the
dangers of a voyage from the East Indies were
nothing in comparison with those which environed
the chops of the Channel. The lights established
oy the corporation of the Trinity•house enabled
voyagers to avoid those perils, and the institution

Was therefore entitled to the graiitade of the pub-
tic." Certainly it is always desirable to adduce
some useful services as the effect of the labours of
Any society or institution, and it must be admitted
that, in this respect, Lord PALMERSTON was suc-
cessful in his attempt to do honour to his friends.

roe noble viscount had another opportunity of
descanting upon the merits of an associd-
don of which he was the chief, for it
devolved upon him to propose the health
of her MAJESTY'S Ministers. Of course this cir-
cumstance occasioned general merriment, and was

the paramount joke of the evening, sifortaing one
of those lively incidents that do more to create har•
mony and promote the success of an undertaking
ihan the most elaborate preparations and strenuous
'ndeavours for that object. The noble lord was at
great pains to show that this toast might be divested
of all political feelings, for he said they were to
drink to the physical health orly of the Ministers,
which concerned the welfare of the community ; for
if they remained in office and did not remain in
nealth the " public service would be imperfectly
managed." These remarks occasion:d the greatest
delight to all the company, and without exaggera-
tion it may be said that this entertainment was one
of the most brilliant and successful that have taken
place this season, and the Prince of WALES could
have no better opportunity of witnessing the ab-
sence from political feeling which so eminently dm-
tinguishes the social gatherings of the present day.