The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-18 00:00:00

)oN, THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 18, 1863.

Jullien's band, the Orpheus Glee Union, and the band of
the University corps discoursed sweet music in different
parts of the gardens, to crowds which were as mobile as
those at an American mass meeting.
Long before 6 o'clock the broad walk is filling, and all are
hastening down to the boats. The river presented a most
beautiful sight. The various college barges moved along
the bank, their tops covered with gaily dressed ladies. The
University barge, resplendent in all the glory of new paint
and adorned with flags and flowers, was an object of general
attraction. On the opposite side of the river large stands are
erected, and filled with hundred of those ladies whose beauty
has contributed so much to the attraction of these Comme-
moration festivities. The Prince and Princess arrived at the
barge in a boat constructed for the occasion, and which cer-
tainly looked worthy of the honour. Mr. Hoare, the famous
University "stroke," occupied that position in the Royal
boat. After rowing past the barges, the Royal boat returned
to the University barge, when the Prince and Princess dis-
embarked. The roof of this was covered with the distill.
guished company which we have been accompanying all
day, among whom Sir S. Northcote, in his new robe, was
especially conspicuous, Two picked crews then pulled a
short race past the Royal barge, very few of the spectators
caring which won, though all must have admired the skil and
strength with which they rowed. The Princess has now
not only heard the scholarship of the University, but she
has also seen Oxford men at play. And a grand sight it
was. One might moralize for hours upon the noble aspect
of the men themselves, were there time for this. As the
boats passed the royal barge their oars were tossed in most
cases very successfully. The coloured costumes of each
college crew largely contributed to the beauty of the scene
at this moment. Nor ought we to forget how it was en-

livened by the band of the University corps. The following
is the order in which the boats passed the royal barge :
TORPID BOATS.
1 Exeter
2 Brasenose
• 3 Christ Church
4 University
5 Balliol
6 Corpus
7 Queen's
8 Magdalen
9 Trinity
10 Wadham
11 Pembroke
12 Jesus
13 University (2d)
14 Worcester
15 St. John's

RACING BOATS.
1 Trinity
2 Brasenose
3 Balliol
4 University
5 Magdalen
6 Exeter
7 Christ Church
8 Pembroke
9 Merton
10 Corpus
11 Wadham
12 Queen's
13 St. Edmund's Ilall
14 Lincoln
15 Jesus
16 Oriel
17 Worcester

18 Magdalen Hall

The crews of "Corpus" and "Jesus,' " torpids," not
only tossed oars, but rose to their feet as they passed the
Royal barge; and the crew of Balliol, "torpid," deter-
mined to attract the attention of Royalty, deliberately
upset their boats opposite the barge, and then, to their
waists in water, renewed their cheering. Again the
'loyal visitors took to their boat, the band played God save
the Queen, and this, the prettiest certainly of the Comme-
moration sights, was over. We have now, with dutiful
loyalty, to follow the Prince and Princess to the Exeter
banquet and the Christ Church ball, an account of which
we will give to-morrow.

Civic Banquet to her Majesty's Ministers.

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress entertained
her Majesty's Ministers at a banquet last evening,
in the Egyptian Hall, Mansion House. On the left
of the Lord Mayor sat the Lady Mayoress and Vis-
count Palmerston, and on his right, Viscountess
Palmerston and the Turkish Ambassador, M.
Musurus.

Grace from the " Laudi Spirituali" having been
sung, and the "loving cup" handed round,
The LORD MAYOR said—The first toast I have
the honour to submit to this company is the health
of our beloved Sovereign. Gentlemen, in this we
are proud at having at the head of our glorious con-
stution a lady who has so conducted herself in every
position of life as to be an ornament to the country
and an example to the world.
The toast was drunk with every gentiment of loyal
affection, and was followed by the National Anthem.
The LORD MAYOR, in proposing the " Health of
their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the
Princess of Wales, and other members of the Royal
Family," said it was a circumstance of congratula-
tion to the country that the marriage of the Prince
of Wales had been surrounded with so many auspi-
cious circumstances, and that the Princess of Wales
should be so beautiful a lady was a matter on which
they should all congratulate themselves.
The toast was drunk with all the honours.

The LORD MAYOR next proposed the "Navy and
Army," and coupled with these two services " The
Volunteers." The navy of this country had, within
the memory of the youngest present, to undergo

two or three transitions in its construction from
sailing ships to steam-ships, from steam-
ships to large frigates, and from large frigates
to iron-clad ships, and it muss be a satisfac-
tion to the country to see that the last ship which
had been tried had proved a perfect success; and
they might hope that, by the transition of their
navy, the position they had hitherto occupied in the
sea would be maintained in efficiency as far as ships
were concerned, and, as for the sailors, he might
say that, whatever the ships might be, whether of
wood or iron, they world always be found worthy
to man them. The British army had obtained re-
nown second to none in the world, and the country
had at all times acknowledged with pleasure its
distinguished services. (Hear.) It was also a sub-
ject of congratulation that in a commercial country
like this, where time was money, there should have
grown up from the ranks of the people a patriotic

force for its defence. He believed that as an auxi-
liary force the volunteers would be found of the
utmost value. (Cheers.)

The toast was drunk with enthusiasm.

The Duke of SOMERSET—My Lord Mayor, ladies
and gentlemen, I rise to thank you for the tribute
of respect which, according to ancient custom and
usage in every English society, you have paid to
the British navy. I need not assure you that her

Majesty's Government have at heart the welfare of
that navy, and an earnest desire to promote its effi-
ciency. I need not, lam sure, say more upon that
subject, because every Englishman has that feeling,
and there is no party feeling involved in the ques-
tion. It is true that of late years there has been
great changes in our system of naval construction
and I believe most of this company will be wel
aware that there has been considerable expense
consequent upon these changes. I may assure you,
however, that upon the whole these changes have
been satisfactory. As to one vessel, named the
Royal Oak—a curious name, seeing that there was
not a bit of British oak in it—that was a
very beautiful vessel, although we have been told
that it was a very ugly object on the water, and
that others we have built are very ugly also. I may
privately tell those who intend to pay a visit to our
coasts that we are building and about to launch
some that are still more ugly. The shipbuilding of
the British navy is pot of the ornamental character,
but I believe the forms of our vessels will be admired
when they are wanted. I can assure you that, after
the
mindsSo Sovereign, r
oe
ui gr n
c, theunt
countrymen.
m Britishe n
.navy(Hear.)
Earl stands next in the
Earl DE GREY and RIPON, in returning thanks
for the army, said obedience was the first duty of
every one connected with the army, and therefore
he rose, at the call of the Lord Mayor, to return
thanks for that gallant service. They had been told
that great changes had taken place in the navy.
Similar changes were taking place in the materiel
of war ; but there was one thing which remained
unchanged, and that was the spirit of the English
soldier. (Cheers.) Of late years, greater attention
had been paid to all that was connected with the
soldier's welfare, his education, and the improve-
ment of his condition. But all those steps were at-
tended with good, because they had not changed the
fundamental character of the British army, but only
improved the condition of the British soldier. And
he believed that, great and distinguished as had been
the services of the British army in times past, their
was an equal readiness in the present day to respond
to the call of duty. He would not poach upon his
noble friend's manor, but as the volunteer force had
been mentioned, he might be permitted to say that
this great auxiliary force which had risen up within
the last few years, was not a rival of the regularforces
but supplemental to them, and prepared to.,follow

their footsteps. And he trusted that now it was

libont to enter upon a new sort of existence,
„...

it might be enabled to discharge still more effi-
ciently the great duties it had undertaken, and there
could be no better example of the force than that
which was to be found in the City—he meant the

City corps, in which his lordship was a distinguished
officer.

Lord BURY briefly responded for the volunteers.
The next toast proposed was that of " The
Foreign Ministers," for which his Excellency M.

Musunus rEpli ad.
The LORD MATOR said—The next toast is the
toast of the evening, because it is the privilege of
the chief magistrate to entertain in this hall " Her
Majesty's Ministers." I have great satisfaction and
honour iniibeing surrounded by this body, by my
Lord Palmerston, the head of her Majesty's Go-
vernment—(cheers)—and the other Ministers who
form part of his Cabinet ; and in proposing this toast
I cannot help alluding to the vast experience of the
noble bold at the head of the Goverrment, and to the
very honourable and high position he has through a
long series of years maintained in the world.
(Cheers.) And I believe you will support me in
saying that to be her Majesty's Ministers, and to
conduct efficiently the important trusts and engage-
ments which devolves upon them, requires an
amount of sagacity, of consideration, of honest in-
tention, which, if successfully carried out, entitle
them to be ranked in history. I therefore give you
the "Health of her Majesty's Ministers," and with
that toast Viscount Palmerston. (Cheers.)
The toast was drunk with acclamation.

Viscount PALMERSTON—My Lord Mayor, Lady
mayoress, My Lords and Gentlemen—l beg for my-
self and for my colleagues to return to you our best
thanks for the honour yon have done us in thus
proposing, and so kindly receiving the toast
which you, my Lord Mayor, have given. I can
assure you that at all times it affirds to
those who are charged with the responsible
conduct of public affairs the most sincere
pleasure and gratification to be allowed
to assist at those hospitable meetings which take
place in the City of London. It is needless to say
that in the first place it is most gratifying person-
ally to us to experience that cordial reception which
those holding our position are sure to receive from

the distinguished body who form the centre of the
metropolis of this great country; but there are
higher considerations also, which mingle themselves
with our feelings in such matters, for these meet-
ing are typical of the constitution of the country to
which we have the happiness to belong. In this coun
try all classes, all interests, all occupations, all pro-

fessions, are so intimately interwoven with each
other that you cannot draw a line of separation be-
tween them, you cannot divide the one from the
other, without imperil'ing the body aggregate; and
at these meetings we feel that there is on the one
hand a body representing the administrative execu-
tive of the country, and on the other a body who
represent the great commercial development and
commercial interests of the country. In coming here
we do homage to commerce ; and commerce, in in-
viting us, pays a compliment to the executive.
(Cheers.) In addressing you as the representatives
of this great commercial capital of the world—for I
may, without disparagement to any other, say that
in extent of trade and wealth, and all that consti-
tutes commercial eminence, London may fairly claim
to be the head of all other cities—in addressing you
in that capacity I may congratulate you upon the
honourable and prosperous condition in which the
commercial interests of this country now stand. In
human affairs there are difficulties which appear
greater at a distance than when they are boldly
faced and we approach nearer to meet them. For
many years it was supposed that if any event, poli-
tical or fiscal, should deprive this country of the
great staple of its industry—cotton—ruin and
desolation would be the inevitable consequence.
That difficulty has come—that calamity has fallen
upon us—but we have survived it ; and although I
do not mean to deny that there are parts of the coun-
try—many of them districts of commercial industry
—in which distress exists, yet, taking the nation at
large, we are happy to find that our general in-
dustry
and commerce have sustained scarcely any
diminution, and that, in spite of that calamity the
country has been in so prosperous and healthy a con-
dition as to enable the Government to propose a
great reduction of taxation. (Hear, hear.) Well,
gentlemen, prosperity—national prosperity and
commercial prosperity—depends greatly upon con-
tinued peace ; and although there may be questions
pending which are of a grave character, yet I trust
we may flatter ourselves that those questions are sus-
ceptible of a friendly, a satisfactory, and a peaceable
solution by friendly negotiations, instead of an
appeal to arms. (Cheers.) This country may boast
of her relations with all the other nations of Europe,
and I will say of America too, in spite of a little out-
pouring of sentiment not quite friendly. (Laughter.)
I am proud to say that our relations with the Go-
vernments of the world are friendly ; and as re-
gards the two Powers upon whose friendship or
difference depends the question of peace or disturb-
ance in Europe—l mean, England and France—l
am happy to state that upon all the great questions
of peace or war, whether in the far West or in the
distant East, there exists between the Governments
of the two countries the most honourable and

friendly concert. (Cheers.) The great interests o:

these two countries must be identical, and the Go-
vernments of both are sufficiently enlightened
to know that their interests lie in the
same direction. If any pledge were required
of the friendly disposition which animates
the Emperor of the French, I might point
to my hon. and distinguished friend on my
left, Baron de Gros—(cheers)—a friend of the Em-
peror—a man who has had much intercourse with
British diplomatists in many parts of the world,
and whose intercourse has always been of the most
courteous character, honourable to his country, and
friendly to its allies. (Cheers.) I hold, my lords
and gentlemen, that the presence of Baron de Gros,
representing the Emperor of the French in London,
is a pledge of the sincerity of the alliance between
the two countries. (Cheers.) Well, I trust there
are no clouds in the horizon which may not vanish
and melt away into thin air. I trust that whatever
questions may be pending—and I do not disguise
from you that there are questions of great impor-
tance pending—yet I trust that negotiations, con-
ducted on the principles of justice and of right, may
lead those questions to an honourable solution. I
hope sincerely that nothing may occur to retard
that progress of civilisation in the arts and in intel-
ligence, in which I trust the nations of Europe are
destined uninterruptedly to follow. (Cheers.) My
lords, and ladies, and gentlemen, I beg to return
you my most sincere thanks for the honour you have
this evening done me. (Loud cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR next proposed " The House of
Lords," coupled with the Duke of Argyll.
The Duke of ARGYLL returned thanks, and said
that the House of Lords was in one sense a repre-
sentative body ; and in looking back to distant
periods, they could discover, here and there, men
who might be regarded as standard-bearers—
heralds of new ideas—harbingers of new reforms.
They might also find that the protests left in the
records of the house had borne fruit in later times;
and he might, in illustration of the fact, point to
the illustrious nobleman near him (Lord Russell),
who, after spending a long life in the service of his
country, took his seat in the Housefof Peers, where
they were proud to sit with him. Cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR next proposed " The House of
Commons," and coupled with the toast the name of
Mr. Milner Gibson.
Mr. GIBSON briefly acknowledged the toast.
Viscount PALMERSTON proposed, in appropriate
terms, the health of the Lord Mayor, and called upon
the company to drink the toast upstanding.
The LORD MAYOR returned thanks, and proposed
in succession " The City Magistrates and Sir James