The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-02 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 2, 1863.

On a superbly burnished silver plateau, immediately in
front of the Lcrd Mayor, stood a beautiful statuette in silver
of the late Duke of Wellington. The buffet behind the chair
and principal tables displayed a gorgeous variety of gold
and silver plate. Hanging baskets of choice plants and vases
filled with flowers gave freshness and pleasing variegation
to the coup d'ceil. The company numbered 250.
Dinner was announced at a quarter past 7, when the Lord
Mayor conducted the Countess of Derby to her seat on the
right of th • chair. The Earlot Derby ledthe Lady Mayoress
to her seat en the Lord Mayor's left. The noble earl t.ok
his seat on tile left of the Lady Mayoress. On the noble
earl's left sat Lord Chelmsford, Mr. Disraeli, and Mrs. Dis-
raeli. On the Lord Mayor's right sat the Duke of Buck-
ingham, the Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury, Mar •
nude of Bath, &c.
Among the other distinguished guests were the Marquis
arid Marchioness of Waterford, Marquis of Exeter, Marquis
and Marchioness of Normanby, Earl of Dalkeith, Earl of
Shrewsbury and Talbot, Earl and Countess of Hardwicke,
Earl and Countess of Malmeabury, Earl of Donoughmore,
Earl of Lucan, Earl of Wilton, Earl of Sheffield, Earl and
Countess of Stradbroke, Lord and Lady John Manners,
M.P., Viscount and Viscountess Ingeatre, M.P.. Viscount
and Viscountess Galway,Viscount and Viscountess Hewer-
den, Viscount and Viscountess Ilolmesdale, M.P., Viscount
and Viscountess Hardinge, Lord Stanley, M.P., Lord and
Lady Edward Thynne, M.P., Lord and Lady Claud Hamil-
ton, M.P., Lord and Lady Robert Cecil, M.P., Lord and
Lady Colville, Lord and Lady Bagot, Lord Dynevor, Lord
Redesdale, Lord and Lady Colchester, Lord Forester, Lord
Ravensworth, Lord Skelmersdale, Lord and Lady Raglan,
Right Hon. General and Mrs. Forester, M.P., Right
lion. H. Corry, M.P., Hon Colonel and Mrs Douglas
Pennant, M.P., Hon F. Lygon, M.P., Hon Charles
and Mrs Trefusis, MX., Hon Colonel Thesiger, Right
Hon. Sir Thomas Fremantle and lady, Right Hon Spencer
'Walpole, M.P., and Mrs Walpole, Right Hon J. Henley,
M.P., and Mrs Henley, Right Hon Sir J. Trollope, M.P.,
and Lady Trollope, Right Hon Sir E. Bulwer Lytton,
M.P., Right Hon R. Mowbray, M.P., and Mrs Mowbray,
Right Hon C. B. Adderley, M.P., and Mrs Adderley,
Right Hon Lieutenant-General Peel, M.P., Right Hon
Sir William Hylton Jolliffe, M P., Sir G. Bowyer, M.P.,
Sir M. Shaw Stewart, M.P., Sir J. Heron-Maxwell and
lady, Sir Watkin W. Wynn, M.P,, and lady, Sir William
Heathcote, M.P., Sir James Fergusson, M.P., and lady,
Sir Matthew Ridley, M.P., Sir Lawrence Palk, M.P., and
lady, Sir John Dalrymple Hay, M.P., Sir Henry Stracey,
M.P., and Miss Stracey, Sir Minto Farquhar, M.P., and
lady, Sir E. Kerrison, M.P., and lady, Sir James Elphin-
stone, M.P.. Sir F. Heygate, M.P„ and lady, Sir Fitzroy
Kelly, M.P., and lady, Sir Hrgh Cairns, M.P,, and lady,
Hon Major Knox, M.P., and. lady, Colonel Barttelot, M.P.)
Mr Thomas Baring, M.P., Mr Bovill, M.P., and lady, Mr
&later-Booth, M.P., and lady, Mr W. Beach, M.P., and
lady, Mr G. S. Iteecroft, M.P., and lady, Mr George
Cubitt, M.P.) and lady, Mr Baillie Cochrane, M.P.,
and lady, Mr T. Collins, junior, MX., Mr Stephen
Cave, and lady, Colonel Dunne, M.P., Colonel
Edwards, M.P., and lady, Mr W. Seymour Fitzgerald,
M.P., and lady, Mr John George, M.P., Colonel
Gilpin, M.P., Mr Gathorne Hardy, M.P., and lady, Mr
T.B. Horafall, M,P., Mr. W. Heygate, M.P., Mr J. Pope
Hennessy, M.P., Mr. J. Hubbard, M.P., Mr Justice
M.P., and lady, Capt. Jervis, M.P., Mr R. W.
Kennard, M.P., and lady, Mr S. Kekewich, M.P., and
lady, Mr G. Lyall, M.P., Mr D. Mure, M.P., Mr R. Ma-
lins, M.P., and lady, Mr H. Paull, M.P., and lady, Mr W.
Stirling, M.P., Mr S. G. Smith, M.P., Mr H. K. Seymer,
M.P., Mr J. B. Stanhope, M.P., Mr J. Somes, M.P., Col.
Tonlett Somerset, C. 8,, 3.1.1)„ Colonel Taylor, M.P., Mr
J. Tollemache, M.P., and lady, Mr H. 'Whitmore, M.P.,
and lady, Admiral Tinling, Rev J. Young, Alderman and
Mrs Humphrey, Sir John Musgrove, Alderman Sidney,
M.P., and lady, Alderman Finnis and lady, Sir R. W. Car-
den and lady, Alderman Finnis and lady, the Recorder and
Mrs Russell Gurney, Alderman Phillips and lady, Alderman
Allen and lady, Alderman Dakin and lady, Alderman
Waterlow and lady, Alderman and Sheriff Lawrence and
lady, Sheriff Jones and lady, Mr Deputy Rathbone, Under-
Sheriff Mackrell, Mr and Mrs Rose, senior, Mr and Mrs
James Anderson Rose, &c.
The more distinguished guests wore official costume,
others were in court dress or uniform. The presence of
many ladies, dazzling with diamonds, imparted brilliancy
to the entertainment, which, with all its adjuncts, was cha-
racterized by a rare combination of splendour and elegance.
The dinner was supplied by Messrs. Staples of the Albion
Tavern. Mr. Adams's instrumental band was in attendance
and played favourite airs during the entertainment. The
musical arrangements were under the direction of Mr. L.C.
Hatton. Mr. Harker was toastmaster.
Grace was said before dinner by the Rev. Canon Lupton,
the Lord Mayor's chaplain. After dinner, " For these, and
all Thy mercies given," was chanted by Mr: J. L. Hatton)
assisted by Mrs. Harriette Lee, and Mr. Montem Smith.
The cloth having been removed, the LORD MAYOR rose
and said—l beg to propose the first toast—it is that of our
beloved Sovereign, the Queen. We are beginning to realise
the blessings we enjoy in living under our glorious consti-
tution, and that constitution has received its greatest de-
velopment by having at its head a Monarch who is the
pride of this country and an example to the world. (Loud
cheers, followed by "God save the Queen."
The next toast was "The Health of his Royal Highness
the Prince of Wales, her Royal Highness the Princess of
Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family."
The LORD MAYOR said—The circumstances under which
the Prince of Wales has commenced his public career are
such that the nation feels gratified that while his Royal
Highness has had all the advantages which modern science
can place at his disposal for the cultivation of his mind, he
has had the great advantage of forming an alliance which
has given to him a bride beautiful in person and engaging
in disposition, and, I believe, the nation is delighted to con-
sider theirs a happy marriage. The other members of the
Royal family have also made auspicious alliances, and I am
sure I shall have your sanction in drinking to their long life
and happiness.
The toast was drunk with all the honours.
The LORD MAYOR, in proposir toast,
d u‘
nThe The
Navy, Army, and 'Vehinteer..,;,' observedthe ntelexatt it was
Lord Derby's Governme:at that, the Navy being in a state
of transition, the W
greatly indebted 'errior was built, and the country was
o the noble lord's Administration foe the
great improveements which had been made in that im-
portant aree of our defence. The other service had made
equally satisfaciory progress, while the Volunteer force was
one of which the country might well be proud. (Cheers.)
The EARL of Mem:mime. rettumed thanks for the Navy'
The Earl of LUCAN spoke for the Army.
Lord COLVILLE, in returning thanks for the Volunteers,
observed that, although the novelty of the movement had
worn off, the force retained all its efficiency, and he had no
doubt it would be a permanent institution of the country.
It must be a great satisfaction to the present company to
reflect that the Volunteer movement had originated under
the administratioel of the Earl of Derby, and it owed much
to the carefu; attention which had been given to it by the
gallant General (Peel) now present, who was then at the
head of the War Department. (Cheers.)
Duet, "The Minute Gun at Sea," by Mrs. W. Lee and
Mr. Montem Smith.
The LORD MAYOR—I have now to propose the toast of
the evening. (Cheers.) lam honoured to-night by the pre.
Bence of my Lord Derby and by this great assembly, who
come here to welcome him as the head of the great Conser-
vative party. (Cheers.) In responding to the toast which
was last proposed Lord Colville justly reminded us that it
was while Lord Derby was in office that the greatest possi-
ble assistance was given in organising the Naval Reserve,
and during the same period the Volunteer force became a
reality, and was happily inaugurated. (Cheers.) We have
since seen a disposition among some politicians to tamper
with our glorious constitution, and to put forward as their
panacea for all our ills the abolition of a standing army and
the national debt, and the adoption of universal suffrage
and vote by ballot. Fortunately we had a Conservative
party, which, though deprived of office, was still strong
enough to resist such tendencies, till we have now had a
practical illustration of the working of these extreme prin-
ciples in another country. (Cheers.) lam sure we ought
to feel deeply grateful for the fact that these principles have
been brought to a practical test anywhere but in this fa-
voured land—(cheers)—and I am sure I shall have your
sanction and approval when I express our grateful sense of
the signal services the Conservative party conferred in
stemming the downward progress of affairs to which I
have adverted. (Cheers.) It would seem out of place for
me, and I believe it would be distasteful to Lord Derby,
were I pronounce any personal eulogy upon that diatinc-
guished statesman. I will only say I have great satisfac-
tionsta .
in seeing him here to-night, surrounded by an assem-
blage of eminent men from
mfrhoimboth branches of the Legislature
as their chief, and to co-operate
who are proud to
with him for the maintenance of ougrloirynstiotuf tioonusr acnodunptrryo-.
meting the common g
d "aThe Health of the Earl of
(Cheers.) I beg to propose
_derby,"•
The toast was drunk with all the e
cehi
vo
endo uwrist
great enthu-
The Earl of DERBY, who was r
aiaam, spoke as follows :--4' My •
say it
Lord Mayor, my lords,
ladies, and gentlemen, it would be difficulto
e-1
would be impossible—for me adequately
and flattering
plren:asythe deep
'mile which I entertain of the very high
meaner inwhich you, my Lord Mayor, have
my health.
in which the distinguishedassembly has received
'proposed, and
For the too nattering terms in which you, my Lord Mayor,
have been pleased tospeak of any services I might
able to render during the very limited power
of nhiyaset.e(bl:ll.l.
nilitlAtiO/1--for the more than kindness with which you, eny

lords, and gentlemen, have welcomed the toast proposed by
the Lord Mayor I beg to return you my warmest thanks.
I am well aware, under ordinary circumstances, such is the
metropolitan hospitality of the Mansion house, rit, t we must
not draw any political inferences from the t, ts that are
given in such a company as this. Every one ‘; t o holds high
office—nay, every man who in the "mien. ertlessions per-
forms his duty in his own particular sphere to his Queen
and country, whatever his political feelings 'or opinions, is
always receives with a cordial welcome when participating
in the magnificent hospitality of the city of London.
(Cheers.) You yourself, my Lord Mayor, in the course of
the present year, have received with the most distinguished
hospitality the members of her Majesty's Government
of which, I am happy to say, your lordship is
not a supporter. (Cheers and a laugh.) Nay, I
believe if that chair were filled by the most
rabid Dissenter, due respect would be paid to
the bishops and clergy of the Established Church ; and if it
should happen that a Quaker Lord Mayor should get into
the chair I have no doubt he would duly honour the Navy,
Army, and Volunteers. (Cheers and a laugh.) But on the
present occasion the manner in which you have introduced
this toast—the terms in which you have brought forward
the name of one who holds no responsible official position,
who performs no duties except those which are self 'imposed,
and who has no official claim to your notice, the company
by which I see myself surrounded giving me an opportu-
nity, now rarely afforded, of meeting many members of the
House of Commons with whom in former times I acted so
long in cordial concert. Such an assembly, and the toast
you have proposed, not only as Lord Mayor, but as member
for the borough of Southampton—(cheers)—in whose per-
son the Conservative party achieved one of their most dis-
tinguished of the many illustrious triumphs they have ac-
complished—(cheers)—all these things combined justify
me, I think, in attaching to that toast some political
significance--(cheers)—and I thank you cordially for as-
sociating my name with the great and noble Conser-
vative party with which it is my happiness to be as •
sociated. (Loud cheers.) I can assure you lam far
more grateful for this association with that noble party
than I could be for any compliment whatever, however
high and unmerited, which might be paid to me per-
sonally for any services I might be supposed to have at any
time performed. (Cheers.) For I venture to say there is
no language which can adequately express, or, at all events,
there is no language which could exaggerate the merits of
the conduct—the forbearing, the firm, the patient, the self-
denying, the patriotic conduct which has been pursued for
the last four years by that great party. (Cheers.) I beg to
be forgiven for recalling to the recollection of this company
the position in which that party has been placed for the last
four years. It is that length of time since that party—nu-
merically far superior to any of the sections into which what
is called the Liberal party is divided—numerically far supe-
rior to any of these, and not very far, though somewhat,
inferior to all of these sections put together—that party
found itself ejected from office by what I may, without of-
fence, call a pretext, which pretext, as soon as it had served
its purpose, was at once abandoned. (Cheers.) And what
was the course of the Conservative party on that occasion?
Did they give way to the indulgence of idle vexation, to re-
venge, to retaliation? Did they immediately occupy them-
selves in forming combinations and coalitions to overthrow
the Goverament which had succeeded in their stead ? They
did nothing of the kind. Far from entering into such com-
binations and coalitions, the course they have been pursu-
ing for the last four years has been that of adhering stead-
fastly to their own fixed principles ; but, at the same time,
not only not opposing, but even supporting, against their
own more violent supporters, that very Government by
whom they were ousted from office. It is with parties very
much as it is with troops—it is not the active campaign, it
is not the heat of the engagementwhich triesthe real mettle
of the troops; but it is the long protracted inaction; it is
the lying exposed to fire with the enemy in your front, and
not being permitted to make an attack ; it is the waiting for
the moment when victory may be achieved, when it would
be lost by being too early anticipated ;—it is this which
tries the temper, the forbearance, the real courage of the
soldier. (Cheers.) That is the trial of the temper, the
forbearance, the real courage; the true patriotism, of a
political party. (Cheers.) Suoh, gentlemen, has been the
course which for the last four years has been pursued
by the Conservative party in this country. Feeling them-
selves able at any moment, could they but stoop to such
combinations as they have been charged with, to overthrow
the Government, they have yet studiously abstained from
any risk of throwing the country into disorder or confusion,
and have been satisfied by maintaining their own principles,
and often supporting the Government against their own
more advanced political allies. (Hear, hear.) I must say
that it is most vexatious and annoying to a great party to
see during the long period of four years every political office,
every office in Church and State, and all the little minor
patronage of the country appropriated entirely to those who
are their political opponents, and themselves deprived of
any portion of the influence derived from the possession of
that patronage. Except the great Conservative party, there
is no party which under such a state of things could have
passed that long period of inaction without materially
dwindling in their numerical for-ce and spirit as a party.
(Cheers.) But, so far from this being the case, I am proud
to say we reckon in the House of Commons at this moment
a greater number of Conservative members than I could
claim the assistance of when I was First Minister of the
Crown, (Cheers.) My right hon. friend, Mr. Disraeli, a few
days ago at a dinner at which it was not my good fortune
to be present, delivered a speech which received the univer-
sal approval of all who heard it, and in which he clearly
marked out the broad lines of distinction which exist be-
tween the Conservative, at all events, the advanced Liberal
party in the country. He pointed out clearly that our views
and opinions are diametrically diverse. Then, it may be
asked, if that be the case, and if those extreme Liberals
whose principles are diametrically opposed to ours, are the
supporters of the present Government, how can we justify
to ourselves as a Conservative party for a single moment
tolerating or maintaining in office such a Government ?
The answer is this—that from the period the so-called Libe-
ral Government succeeded to office, for the most part the
advanced Liberals have been very well satisfied to leave
their favourite projects in abeyance, and, with the excep-
tion of those renewed assaults on the Church of England—
which I am happy to say, owing to the vigour, firmness, and
determination of the Conservatives, have been constantly re-
pelled, as I trust they will continue to be repelled—the sup-
porters of her Majesty's Government have had the some-
what unpleasant surprise of seeing some of their more favou-
rite projects either faintly supported or quietly wet-blan-
ketted,or ever almost hooted out of the House of Commons.
I will not go so far as to say that I consider the noble
viscount at the head of the Government a very distin-
guished, or very renowned stateman ; but I give him very
great credit for his great social qualification and his personal
popularity. No man can oe more agreeable, To his other
qualifications for attaching himself to individual supporters
he adds the elasticity of his youthful spirits—an elasticity
which almost keeps pace with the elasticity of his political
principles. (Cheers, and a laugh.) I give him credit also
for that charm, which some call a modest assurance, which
in this country goes by the name of pluck"—(cheers)—
and which, whether it he right or wrong, is a quality which
invariably attaches to itself a large portion of the British
public. (Cheers.) Lord Palmerston, to do him justice, is
never afraid of supporting his own opinion, and the more
his friends get into difficulties the more vigorous he is in
standing by them. Well, under these circumstances, so
long as the advanced Liberals were satisfied to remain in
ofice, and to see their favourite principles discarded, and all
their pet projects laughed out of the House of Commons,
we, as good Conservatives, were, under existing eircura•
stances, satisfied for the present with that arrangement.
(Cheers.)
I do not say that is an arrangement which is
satisfactory, because power
and it is always unsatisfactory when ow
different hands. (Hear, hear.) Aweaekr
and offi
Government -
ce
are; ins
thegreatest possible misfortune for a coun-
try-_(cheers) —andit is therefore unfortunate that at the
present moment the Governmentkeep its own course and to take its own
from being able to
of the country is so far
time that it is constantly
but even on the support of its
those Political adversaries, thus political p adversaries, while
wielding the real power of
the country,
and directing its affairs, have yet not such anu-
merical absolute majority as to enable them in their turn to
form a strong Government, and to
nd hold as well as to take
possession of the reins of power.(Cheers.)
unfortunate state of things ; but if you ask me or any m
em
ber of the Conservative
party whether they would rather be
I say this is an-
connected with a strong 0 or a weak Government,
I must say for myself, linhave
saying, the slightest hesitation n
saying, for the benefit of the Conservative party, for the
benefit of the country,
for the benefit of the conduct of
affairs let us be not in a weak and feeble Government, rely-
ing on the forbearance of our opponents, but let us be in a
strong Opposition, able to control the action of Ministers—
to be held forth as a bugbear to the advanced Liberals by
the heads of that party, and able effectually to prevent their
a
combination from operating dangerously to the country.
how long
(Cheers.) I may be asked, however,
is this state
of things
state
t o
of
things continue?
shouldNaw, ,
I continue,dmit
Butit hownot advisable
i t s
to continue is a question which I cannot answer,
and the
long
such a
answer to which rests with the constituencies
ofl hecoun-
try. (Cheers.) We are now approaching the close of cer-
tainly not a very active or useful session of Parliament,
which the Government have been defeated over and in
over
again, but in which they have endeavoured to secure them-
selves from defeat by the very singular process of bringing
forward no measures whatever. (A laugh.) I dont believe
there is any period of our history on which we can look back
which has been so barren of legislation, which has been ap-
parently so useless, or nearly wasted, as the present session.
But we are now entering upon a month, though the last of
that session, which is eminently full of political importance.
This is the month when a deceased statesman used to say
we should "Register, register, register." (Cheers.) If
you desire to give the Conservative party that amount of
strength and that numerical preponderance which will en-
able it not only to obtain, but to retain office, and to carry
on the Government on its own principles, without depend-
ing on any extrinsic support, this is the month during which
the Conservatives of the country, one and all, must put forth
their strength, in order to place in the hands of those who
represent them in Parliament sufficient means by which to
accomplish the obj€cts we have in view— (cheers)—and I
may be forgiven, my Lord Mayor if, in this city of London,
.1 venture te say that here, in the metropolis, might be made

a most valuable beginning, and a very great incitement to
minor constituencies. (Cheers.) I wish to say nothing
disrespectful to any hon. gentleman who represents this
great city of London, but considering they are all Free-
traders—all the adversaries of monopoly—l must say I
never heard of a more monstrous monopoly than that by
which the Liberal party keeps to itself the whole four seats
of this great city, (Cheers.) lam satisfied that they do not
legitimately represent the wealth, intelligence, and import-
ance of this great constituency ; but I do believe that a little
energy actively applied to the registration of this great me-
tropolis would relieve it from that misrepresentation to
which, with all respect to your present hon. members, it has
been so long subjected. (Cheers.) I commend this subject,
my Lord Mayor, to your attention, and to the serious con-
sideration of all who desire to see the triumph of those prin-
ciples to which we are attached. (Cheers.) The country
may depend upon it that there can be no greater misfortune
than that the Conservative party should attain office with
such a measuring-cast majority, if in any majority at all,
which would place them day by day at the risk of any com-
bination or coalition which might be formed against them
by the various elements which, if they cannot work well to •
gether, are sure to agree well enough to oppose them.
(Cheers,) I have encroached too long on your time, my
Lord Mayor, but I did feel it to be my duty to offer my grate-
ful acknowledgments to that great Conservative party with
which you have been kind enough to associate my name for
the calm, steady, forbearing course they have observed—a
course from which any other party would have shrunk dis •
couraged, but in which, if they steadily proceed, they will,
I am confident, at no distant period reap for themselves
and for the country that valuable reward which, if
slowly obtained will be more surely reta.ned, but which if
prematurely grasped might the more readily fall from our
hands. (Cheers.) I beg again, my Lord Mayor, to thank
you for kindly associating my name with the great Con-
servative party, and for the hospitality you have shown us
this evening. (Loud cheers.)

Ths next toast was "The House of Lords," which was
responded to by the Duke of Buckingham.
The LORD MAYOR then gave the" House of Commons,"
coupled with the name of the Right Hon. B. Disraeli. His
lordship highly eulogised the services of the Conservative
leader of the House of Commons, and especially alluded to
the energetic and successful assistance rendered on a late
occasion, when the privileges of the corporation were me-
naced by the Government.
The toast was drunk with the utmost enthusiasm.
Mr. DISRAELI, who was received with great cheering,
said—My Lord Mayor, on the part of the House of Com-
mons I have the honour to return youour acknowledgments
for the flattering distinction which you have paid us by
drinking our health. I believe I may say on the part of the
House of Commons that its present health is pretty good.
(A. laugh.) It is not as full of vigour naturally as it was
some years ago, when in this hall I was called upon by the
chief magistrate of the City once before to return thanks for
it. Then it was full of youth, of hope, and of promises. Its
youth is exhausted, its hopes have been defeated, and its
promises have not been fulfilled, (Cheers, and a laugh.)
This I acknowledge ; but it has obtained that which indivi-
duals under the same circumstances in life often acquire in

the sunset of their days—it has acquired, I trust, the cha-
racter of respectability. (Cheers.) At present, considering its
course during the present ses,i n, the moderate exertions
which it has made, and the early hours it has kept, I hope
it may arrive at a green old age—(a laugh) ; and for my own
part I do not think that the report of its speedy dissolution,
which is about, will be realised. I hope it may reach its na-

tural term. I have seen already in the course of its progress
some signs of that repentance which they say accompanies
the last hour of existence. (Cheers and a laugh.) With re-
gard, my Lord Mayor, to that house which may be our
successor, all I can say is that I believe there is no want of
political feeling and spirit at the present moment. We have
heard lately in high places that there has been a great want
of candidates to fulfil more important duties than those
which fall even to members of the House of Commons ; but,
so far as I am informed, there is no want of candidates in
the world in which we live, and all I trust is that when the
hour arrives they will take their orders from my noble
friend, and will be returned, after due examination, at the
head of the poll. (Cheers.) You, my Lord Mayor, have
reminded us of the great difficulty which the city has re-
cently experienced, and you were so flattering as to say
that you were assisted in escaping from the danger with
which you were threatened by the efforts of the Conservia-
live party in the House of Commons. I can only aver
for myself that no assistance I could offer could be given
with more sincerity than that I proffered to your lordship
on that occasion. (Cheers.) I have always myself
been of opinion that the cause of self-government, to
which your lordship has referred, is intimately con-
nected with the maintenance of the privileges of the city
of London, (Cheers.) I will even connect the cause of
self-government with meetings like the present, and as-
semblies that are occupied with those delightful employ-
ments which we have fulfilled. (A laugh.) I think there is
a connection between self-government and those magnifi-
cent banquets that are given to us by the chief of this ancient
corporation- There is no doubt that self-confidence is
necessary as a foundation for self-government, and every
man will agree that after dinner his self-confidence is al-
ways increased. (A laugh.) And there is always another
result of these corporation festivities which are identified
with the city of London. I think they excite that kindly
feeling toyour neighbour which is really necessary for the
the purposes of self-government (cheers), for it leads to that
forbearance which is one of the elements by which the prac-
tical character of the English people has been obtained.
(Cheers.) In these circumstances I can assure you that I,
for one, felt I was only doing my duty in supporting the
privileges of this ancient corporation, and I trust that,
v‘ hatever may be the vicissitudes of political life—whether
my noble friend may occupy that post for which he is so
eminently fitted, or remain as he is still, the guardian of the
rights of the people, in a less responsible office, I still feel
we shall always du our duty to the country in maintaining
the rights of ancient corporat ions, which, among many other
uses, have contributed, I think, to the formation of, the
English character. (Loud and continued cheering.)
Lord DERBY, in proposing " the health of the Lord
Mayor," said not only as chief magistrate of that the great-
est city in the world, but in other capacities, he was well
known and appreciated. To many present who sat with
him in the House of Commons he was known as a gentle-
man who, though not giving to talking over much, was
ready at all times to speak, and with authority, on subjects
with which he was most acquainted. Not only had his
speeches when he had spoken there, but his votes,
always been in support of the best interests of the
country, and in his person the Conservative party had
won a distinguished election victory. (Hear, hear.) The
admirable manner in which his lordship had discharged his
official duties had secured for him the respect and esteem of
his fellow-citizens, and he had likewise well maintained the
ancient renown of the corporation of the city of London for
magnificent hospitality.
The toast was received with acclamation, and the LORD
MAvort briefly responded to the compliment.
Lord STANLEY then gave " the magistrates of the City
of London," coupling with the toast the name of Alderman
Finis, the senior alderman present.
"The Sheriffs of London and Middlesex" followed,
Alderman and Sheriff LAWRENCE answering.
" The health of the Lady Mayoress" was proposed in
graceful terms by Lord CHELMSFORD, who asked—slightly
varying the quotation—
" What was a table, richly spread,
Without a woman at the head ?" (Cheers.)
The company separated shortly after 11 o'clock.

Penal Servitude and Transportation.

The Royal Commissioners appointed to inquire
into the operation of the Penal Servitude Acts for
England and Ireland, in lien of transportation, have
completed and signed their report. It contains but
55 pages, but the evidence and various prison re-
turns make up two thick volumes.
The Commissioners, after explaining the nature
and operation of the Act 1853, Victoria, and the
Act 1857, for amending the Act 1853, " proceed to
give a short outline of the mode in which sentences
of penal servitude have been carried into effect
under the Act 1857 in England and Ireland."

It is, and it has for some time been, the rule
and practice in England, with very few exceptions,
to keep adult male prisoners in separate and cellu-
lar confinement for a period of nine months in the
prisons of either Pentonville, Millbank, or Wake-
field, and then to transport them to the great public
works' prisons of Chatham, Portsmouth, or Port-
land, from which they are discharged after the com-
pletion of their several terms of imprisonment. The
rule in Ireland is to detain the convict but eight
months in separate confinement. The term may be
extended to nine months, or even more, in case of
bad prison conduct. It is the opinion of the Com-
missioners that the period of separate confinement
should be extended.
Irish convicts are subjected to the discipline of a
third or " intermediate prison," if we may style the
practice which prevails at Lusk farm prison disci-
pline at all. These Irish intermediate prisons,
where the convicts state they are "comfortable,'
and where they get " the news of the day," are
altogether, and wisely, ignored by the Royal Com-
mission. It appears from a return (No. 1) fur-
nished by Captain Whitty, the present director of
Irish convict prisons, that those Irish convicts who
have been released from the intermediate prisons of
Smithfield and Lush, on orders of licence, from 1857
to 1862, have given 18 3 per cent. of relapses ; while
those prisoners who have been discharged from the
ordinary working prisons of Spike Island and
l'hilipstown, and who have not received what is
styled " the advantage of an intermediate prison,"
have given, for the same period, but 7 per cent., or,
to be quite correct, 7.1 per cent. of relapses. This
great difference in the percentage of relapses into
new crimes is conclusive as it regards the bad re-
sults of Irish intermediate prisons.
The return for 1862 gives a very high percentage
of relapses, and contrasts unfavourably with English
returns. There were released during the year, en
licence, from Smithfield and Lush 142 convicts. Of
these 95 went abroad, leaving 47 in Ireland; these
47 gave 10 relapses or 21.27 per cent. There were
released in England, on licence, during the same
year (1862) 1,825 prisoners. Of these 125 went
abroad, leaving 1,700 at home, who gave 110 re-
lapses, or 6.5 per cent.
The Irish practice of taking the percentage of
relapses on those who have gone abroad as if they
had remained at home has led to mistakes and
mystification as it regards the great success of the
Irish convict system. Page 11 of the Commissioners'
Report has a table giving the number of sentences
of death, transportation, and penal servitude in
England, Ireland, and Scotland for the last 21 years.
From this table it appears that, while the decrease
of convict crime in Ireland has about kept pace
with the decrease in the population, the decrease in
England and Scotland has been nearly one-third,
notwithstanding the increase in the populations.
The sentences of death, transportation, and penal
servitude in Ireland in 1843, when the population
was over eight millions, were 619. In 1862, when
the population had sunk to little more than five
millions, the sentences were 585.
The new Board of Irish Convict directors assumed
office at an exceptional period as it regards the di-
munition of convict crime. Irish convict prisons,
which had been filled to overflowing, as the result
of the famine, were rapidly discharging themselves.
That this unusual decrease was in nowise owing to
the new system is evident from the fact that it was
in active operation before the new directors came
into office, and that it prevailed to the same extent
in Irish county gaols, where the new Irish convict
system was unknown.
The Commissioners are not of opinion that the
want of efficiency in the present system of punish-
ment in English convict prisons arises from any
error of principle ; they consider it mainly attribu-
tab,e to the shortness of the punishment, but they
are of a decided opinion that the length of the sen-
tence should not be unalterably fixed, but that it
should be of a sufficient length to admit of relaxa-
tion or remission as the reward of industry and good
conduct. At tempts ," they say, "to provide a
substitute for the hope of obtaining an earlier re-
lease by granting various other advantages to the
prisoners have not proved so powerful as the pros-
pect of obtaining an abridgment of their punish-
ment." They " think it would be right to allow
convicts to earn a considerable remission of punish-

ment."
There is a variety of evidence on the subject of
prison
Some of the parties examined thought
diet.
it excessive, others did not think it too good " non.
sidering the labour exacted from the prisoners ;"
the Commissioners are not therefore prepared to re-
commend positively that the rations of the prisoners
should be diminished.
T
Commissioners write under the impression
that
more perfect state of classification exists in
Irish convict prisons than is really the case. The
rish h
fact is that classification does not commence in Ire-
land till the convict reaches the public works pri-
son, and that it ceases when he leaves for the inter-
mediate prison. In England the classification com-
mences in the first, or cellular stage, and continues
to the end of the convict's imprisonment or dis-
charge ; so that this powerful motive and mark of
good conduct is always in operation in English
prisons.
In speaking of English prisons the Report says,
" The practice of giving each convict half a-day's
schooling in the week, in the hours that would be
otherwise devoted to labour, is objectionable. There
inoo l
nugb
after
fc t works'er
working
should reason
notwh why the convictstheir
seh
hours, as is the case in Ireland." What is the
sisonnso
case in Ireland ? That one portion of the convicts in
the great public works' prison of Spike Island get
two half days'schooling in the week during working
hours, and the rest three half days. In both Eng-
lish and Irish convict prisons instruction is conveyed
in the form of lectures after working hours.
There is but one feature of the Irish system—if it
can be called a part of the system—which the Com-
missioners recommend as worthy of adoption in
England, and that is the supervision and disposal of
the convicts after liberation. "The want of any
proper means for the supervision of convicts re-
leased on ticket-of-leave, and of any adequate
arrangements for placing them, when their punish-
ment is over, in a situation in which they will not
be likely to return to a criminal life" they consider
a great desideratum. The Discharged Prisoners
Aid Society is useful and important, but a depart-
ment in connexion with the prison would be more

effective.
The Report recommends that English prisoners
should be encouraged, on discharge, to emigrate
to a greater extent than they have hitherto done.
A great deal has been done in this line in con-
nexion with Irish convict prisons, and it is to this
practice we must attribute the low percentage of
relapses which has been taken on the whole number
discharged, instead of on those who remained in the
country. But all this is now beginning to be un-
derstood.
The latter and principal part of the report treats
of transportation and the necessity End advantage
of sending a portion of the convicts—those with
long sentences—to Western Australia, respecting
which the Commissioners received some valuable
evidence. "We have already stated our opinion
that all convicts sentenced for any term of years,
who labour under no disqualification, ought ulti-
mately to be sent to Weatern Australia, and we
shall show hereafter that the colony may, by judi-
cious arrangements, be enabled to receive as many
as there is likely to be any occasion to send from
this country."

Full benefit of reduced duty obtained by pur-
chasing Horniman's pure Tea; very choice at 3s. 4d. and
4s. "High Standard" at 4s. 44. (formerly 4s. 84.), is the
strongest and most delicious imported. Agents in every
town supply it in packets,

Mr. Glaisher's Eleventh Balloon Ascent.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sir,—Allos,v me to furnish you with some ac-
count of our ascent on the 26th ult.
The place of ascent on this occasion was Wolver-
ton. The members of the committee of the British
Association present were Lord Wrottesley, Colonel
Sykes, and Dr. Lee.
The morning was fine, with very light airs anti, a
cicar blue sky, giving every promise of an easy
ascent ; but towards noon clouds gathered, some of a
dark, threatening character, and the wind increased
in strength. At 1 o'clock the sky was overcast
with high clouds, and the wind was strong.

The balloon lurched a great deal, and it was with
difficulty that Mr. Negretti placed the instruments
in position in the car, and even then there was fre-
quent danger of their breaking, owing to the swaying
of the balloon and the car striking the ground, to pre-
vent which the anited exertions of fifty men were
scarcely sufficient. Unfortunately there was not
gas enough in the balloon to contend with these cir-
cumstances, although there was plenty if the day
had continued calm, and consequently we had at

the last moment to part with five bags of sand to
insure cleiring adjacent buildings. The loss of
weight caused us to rise quickly, and its want was
severely felt.

We left the earth at lb. 3m. p.m. ; at lh. 7m. we
were at the height of 2,000 ft. ; at lb. 15w. we
passed above B,oooft. ; a height of 10,000 ft. was
reached at lh. 17m. ; in nine minutes afterwards
we were 15,000 ft. from the earth, and rose gradu-
ally to about four miles and a quarter at lh. 55m.
On descending at 2h. Bm. we were 20,000 ft. from
the earth; at 2h. 13m. above 15,000 ft.; at 2h. 17w.,
10,000 ft. ; at 2h. 22m., 5,C00ft.; and on the ground
at 2h. 28m.
Before starting, the temperature of the air was
66 degs.; it decreased rapidly on leaving the earth ;
was 54 dugs. at 3,000 ft. high ; 49 degs. at 4,000 ft.;
41 degs. at one mile; 30 degs. at two miles; and,
up to this time, every succeeding reading was less
than the preceding, but here the decrease was
checked, and while passing from two to three miles
the temperature at first increased to 32 degs., then
decreased to 29 degs A second increase followed,
and at the height of three miles and a quarter the
temperature was 35 degs. A rapid decrease then
set in, and at three miles and a half the tempera-
ture was 22 degs. From this time till the height of
four miles was reached the temperature varied fre-
quently between 22 degs. and 18 degs., and at the
height of four miles and a quarter the lowest tem-
perature took place-viz., 17 degs. On descending
the temperature increased to 26 degs. at the height
of 23,000 ft., and then to 32 degs. at the height of
four miles. It then decreased 9 degs. in one
minute, to 23 degs. It continued at this value for
some time ; then increased slowly to 29 degs., at
19,000 ft., and continued almost constant for a space
of 2,000 ft.; then increased to 32 degs. at 15,000 ft. ;
and was 32 degs. or 33 degs., almost without varia-
tion, during the snow storm, which we experienced
from 13,500 ft. to 10,000 ft. high, when an increase
set in. At 5,000 ft. the temperature was 41 degs.,
and 66 degs on the ground.
We reached some clouds at lh. 9m. ; at lh. 16m.
we saw a very taint sun, and expected, as usual, its
brilliancy would increase, and that we should soon
break into clear sky. At this time we heard the
sighing of the wind, or rather moaning, as preced-
ing a storm; and this continued for some time, and
is the first instance that either Mr. Coxwell or my-
self has heard such a sound at the height of two
miles. It was not owing to any movement of the
cordage above, but seemed to be below, as from con-
flicting currents beneath. At lh. 17w. some rain
fell ; at lh. 17-Im. we could just see a river ; a few
seconds after we entered a cloud. At lh. 19m. we
could just see the earth and the sun, but both very
faintly. At lh. 20w. we were again enveloped in
dry fog ; at lh. 29m. there were faint gleams of
light for a short time, and then all was closed up
again. At lh. 35m. the fog was wetting; at lh.
3.7 w. we entered a dry fog; at lh. 40m. the sun was
Just visible, but for the most part cut off by the bal-
loon. At lh. 41m. we were again in fog, which
continued more or less prevalent till lb. 53m., when
we passed above four miles.
At the highest point reached, above 41-, miles, the
sky was very much covered with cirrus clouds ; the
sky as seen between them was of a very faint blue ;
as seen from below through a moist atmosphere we
were above clouds, but there were no fine views or
forms, all was confused and dirty-looking, no bright
shining surface, or anything picturesque, and the
view was exceedingly limited, owing to the thick
murky atmosphere.
At 2h. 3m. on descending we lost even the faint
sun and re-entered fog, and experienced a decline
of temperature of 9 deg. in little more than a
minute. At 2h. 6w. there were faint gleams of
light, fog was both above and below, but not near
us. At 21i. 7m. large drops of water fell from the
balloon, covering my note-book; the next minute
we were enveloped in fog, which became very thin
at 2h. 14w. At 2h. 14 -Ln. rain fell pattering on the
balloon ; this was shortly succeeded by snow, and
for a space of nearly 4,000 ft. we passed through a
snow storm ; there were many sptculw and cross
spicuim, with snow crystals small in size, but dis-
tinct; there were few, if any flakes, as we descended
the snow seemed to rise above us.
At 2h. 17w. we passed below the regions of snow,
and shortly afterwards we saw a canal and then
another, each being straight for miles apparently.
The state of the lower atmosphere was most remark-
able, Mr. Cox well had never seen it so murky before,
when far from a town-it was of a brownish, yel-
lowish tinge, and remarkably dull. No distance on
land could be seen.
When at the height of one mile, we had no more
sand, and simply became a falling body, checked
somewhat by the balloon ; we threw away leaden
weights, &c., to help to check the rapidity of the de-
scent. The ground wind was strong, and the descent
was somewhat rough ; we rebounded from the earth
three or four times, and finally the grapnel caught
in a watercourse.
The management of the balloon on this occasion,
with its increasing weight, while rising and falling,
with too small an amount of gas, and consequently
of sand, called the different powers of Mr. Coxwell
into play, and his management at the descent-I
was almost about to write " jockeying"-was equal
to the occasion, and doubtless saved many of my
instruments, which in less able hands would inevi-
tably have been broken.
I took up Herschel's actinometer, and once only,
at four miles high, the sun shone on it, during which
time the reading increased nine divisions only in
one minute, whlle on the ground Dr. Lee and my-
self, at 11 o'clock in the morning, had determined
the increase of 33 divisions in one minute. This
instrnment I hope to be able to use at great heights
on future occasions.
A new mercurial barometer, designed by Messrs.
Negretti and Zambra, and intended specially for
Alpine travellers, and for observations at high ele-
vations alone, was taken up. It is a foot less in
length than the ordinary barometer, and does not
begin to act till a considerable height is reached ;
it was read by Mr. Coxwell simultaneously with
my reading of the standard barometer, at many
elevations up to four miles, and the readings were
always coincident. It was broken in the descent.
The unexpected circumstances which preceded
our leaving the earth had called upon Mr. Coxwell
for great personal exertions to prepare for the
ascent, and on starting he was in a state of perspi-
ration, and had been so wholly engrossed that when
the balloon left he had no extra clothing. The de-
cline of 30 min. of temperature in a quarter of an
hour caused him to feel a most painful degree of
cold, and on attempting to lower the grapnel I had
to attend to his instructions with respect to the
valve, and finally to assist him in lowering the
grapnel. At lh. 20w. his hands were a blackish
blue. At the height of three miles a train was heard,
and at a height exceeding four miles another train
was heard. Those heights are the greatest at
which we ever heard sounds, and indicate the gene-
rally moist state of the atmosphere. Before quite
reaching the highest point I examined portions of
the blue sky with a small spectroscope, which
I could readily use anywhere, and the spec-
trum was seen just as from the earth under
the same circumstances. I could not use the