The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-10 00:00:00

LORD MAYOR'S DAY

The Banquet.

The ,ors Mayor and the Sheriffs inaugurated
their ti arm of office with the usual banquet in the
anciel at, Guildhall. Invitations had been issued to
abou 800 guests, including the Ministers of State,
the Judges, members of both Houses of Parliament,
ar ,d the corps diploinatique. The hall was magni-
ficently decorated, most of the fittings and orna-
ments which had contributed to the splendour of
the late civic ball in honour of the Prince and
Princess of Wales being used to give eclat to the
present festivity. The entrance vestibule was
much enlarged, and appropriately arranged as a
guard chamber, the walls being hung with flags,
banners, and antique armour, alternating with the
baraldic bearings of the 12 city guilds. Large mir-
rors, placed at either end, enhanced the effect of a
.fine perspective. Passing from the vestibule,
through the Gothic porch, itself also profusely de-
corated, the visitor found himself in the great hall,
where, of course, the grandeur of the scene culmi-
L'ated. The arms of an endless line of Lord Mayors
w ere emblazoned on the traceried walls, now, as at
the State ball, resplendent with gold and colouring.
The ccalumns were richly diapered, and the tracery
panels; were filled in with the Royal and illustrious
personages who have at different times been enter-
tained by the Corporation ; the whole beingsof
sur-
mounted by the national ensigns and the bialnncr er
the city companies. From the lofty ceiling
egdilt
de-
pended elegant gaseliers, attached to hand
wire baskets, filled with choice flowers-oweirs. The noble
stained glass windows were brilliantly illuminated,
n and those
and displayed the arms of the S ere
°v
of the City in tasteful designs.
was further adorned with eThe east window
Prince of Wales's
h
plume, in spun glass, forming the centre of a trophy
i
surrounded by banners, n complement to the birth-
day of his Royal Highness.
b es were embellished with
paintings, sculpture,
The corridors and lob;
erotic plants, and ferns, the
whsele forming a gay and pleasing promenade fur
The Aldermen's court-room was
adthe3ernareldieguests.
r with
a beautiful panoramic•view of Cha-
mouni by moonlight, the foreground of which was
artistically arranged with roclawork, ferns, and a
miniature waterfall.
The guests began to arrive shortly after 5 o'clock,
but it was a quarter past 7 before the whele had
assembled. When Lord and Lady Palmerston
entered the Hall they were greeted with a burst of
enthusiastic cheering.
Among the guests were Viscount and Viscountess
Palmerston, the Duke of Somerset, the Marquis of
Salisbury, the Earl Granville, the Earl of Hard-
wicke, Earl and Countess de Grey and Ripon,
Viscount Torrington, Lord and Lady Save and Sele,
the Right Hon. Edward and Mrs Cardwell, the
Hon. IL B. W. Brand, the Persian Minister, the
Columbian Minister, General Sir George and Lady
Pollock, Sir C. Wentworth Dike, Mr Justice Erle,
Chief Baron Pollock, Barons Martin and Pigott,
Justices Williams, Willes, and Keating ; Mr Ser-
geant Payne, Mr Sergeant Tozer, Mr Sergeant
Woolrych, Mr Sergeant Parry, Mr Sergeant Spinks,
the Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, Sir
Charles Young, Sir Richard Mayne, Sir John and
Lady Bowring, Sir Harry Parkes, the Hon. E.
Ashley, Mr T. G. Baring, M.P., Mr S. Beale, M.P.,
Mr R. W. Crawford, M.l'., Mr J. T. Norris, M.P.,
Mr Wm. Tite, M.P., Mr H. Holland, Deputy
Governor of the Bank of England, Mr A. Robarts,
Mr 11. C. Roberts, Professor Donaldson and Mrs
Donaldson, Mr J. Hawkshaw, Captain Dent, Mr
J. Lubbock and Mrs Lubbock, Mr John Dillon and
Mrs Dillon, Mr Money Wigram, Mr C. 'Cailpin,
Mr Alderman Wilson, Sir James Duke, Mr Alder-
man Sidney, Mr Alderman Finnis, Mr Alderman
Salomons, Sir Robert Walter Carden, Mr Alder-
man Carter, Mr Alderman Allen, Mr Alderman
Hale, Mr Alderman Gabriel, Mr Alderman James
Clays; Lawrence, Mr Alderman Abaiss, Mr Alder-
man Dakin, Mr Alderman Bexley, Mr Alderman
Waaerlow, Mr Alderman Gibbons, Mr Alderman
Lush.

The dinner, provided by Messrs. Staples, of the
Albion, was of the usual sumptuous character.
The loving cup having been circulated,
The LORD MAYOR rose to give the first toast. He
laid—ln that hall " The Health of the Sovereign" of
this country was always received with that enthu-
siasm and loyalty which it deserved. He proposed
it to them to enable them to show not merely their
attachment to the head of a constitutional monarchy,
but also the respect and affection which the people
universally felt towards her most gracious Majesty.
(Hear, hear.) He begged, therefore, to give " The
Health of the Queen." (Cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR said that the country had
lately shown what a deep interest it took in the
career of the Prince of Wales by the delight—he
might say the sympathy—evinced by all classes of
the community at the auspicious marriage con-
tracted by his Royal Highness. He had much
pleasure in off: ring to their acceptance " The
Health of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the
other Members of the Royal Family." (Cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR said he agreed with those who
held that the best preservative of peace was to be
prepared for war, and he was happy to think
that oar navy was never in a greater state of
efficiency than at that moment. Whether our
ships should be made of iron or of any other
material, whether they should be propelled by
steam or by electricity—(a laugh)—our main reli-
ance mast always he placed ou the hearts and hands
which
in
also, e
banned them. (Hear, hear.) Our army,
henuntir
°f the
was as able as ever to uphold the
velututtba) country in any quarter of the globe.
eive pe,ters, a force organised for no aggres-
againsi.l4,hbut simply to defend our own shores
gratitude 01
the
etile descent, likewise deserved the
pleasure in aakinountry. He had, therefore, much
Army, and the
,spoithena to drink " The Navy, the
The Duke of soxlat"ra." (Cheers.)
my , lords, ladies,
anzaltsET said,—My Lord Mayor,
you on behalf of he, mrhtlemen, I rise to thank
you that, stationed in peaty navy. I can assure
_quarter of the globe,
and performing as they the
most arduous and
difficult duties, oftentimes thevmost unhealthy cli-
mates, the officers and
held by a sense of duty to thetial. service are up-
earnest desire to win the approvai:rreign and an
men. It may, indeed, be said, an tht_h,eir country-
has stated, that although. we eke tl4
Mayor
to cnstrue-
ipe—eithough change
and
tion of our sh
again the construct. shall
change again and
we maintain the sun—. our
armaments—yet while same -
fications for our officers and the spirit in 0_"
seamen, we have little to fear. (Hear.) I Wish
on
this occasion, as the Channel squadron has lately
visited many of the ports and harbours of this t
in dly Neel_
coun-
try, and been received with the mos
exkpress on the
come in every quarter, publicly to
part of the Admiralty our thanks to those corpora-
tions and towns which have extended their hospi-
tality and kind feeling towards that squadron. That
hospitality and kind feeling will promote a good
understanding between all classes, and I am
sure
will be as beneficial to the navy as they were
honourable to those communities who displayed
them. (Cheers.)
Earl De GREY AND RIPON, in responding on be-
half of the Army and the Volunteers, said,--.1 beg
to return you on behalf of the army my sincere
thanks for the manner in which you have received
tLhoe.t_oast proposed in such flattering terms by his
ship. I know well that it is a source of gra-
tifiction and
pride to the British army, scat-
tered,
as
learn
over every quarter of the habitable
globe, thahrn from time to time that this toast is
hailed ivetit
lishmen. eta cordiality in every assembly of Eng-
mony that in the
most
to be able to bear my testi-
liliost recent operations in which
that army has,ae l
engaged, under that skilful and
able commander, Gen
emenrial Cameron, in New 12aland,
where it has been yedthto restore the authority
of the Queen and protect livcs and property of
English colonists, it hasofShown the same spirit of
of devotion, and
courege, discipline that has been
manires!ed by it on the more important butecarcelv
more arduous tie'(C)
ds of European warfare,
apteta the
More than three-fifths of our array
in eof leers.
are employed on foreign service. Indeed,
present
moment, more than two out of every three
regiments are en:ployed out of this country, and in
iy!el feud utilieelthy climate.). With

many ca

regard to the Volunteers, that noble force which has
sprung up within the last few years has added
essentially to the military strength of the country.
It is not designed to take the place of a single regu-
lar soldier, but simply to defend our sh )Y es against
any possible invader ; and I may mention on this
occasion that no part of that auxiliary force sur-
passes in efficiency the corps raised in the city of
London. (Cheers.)

. .
"Prosperity to the City of London and its Trade''
having been cordially drunk,
The LORD MAYOR then proposed the health of his
predecessor, Mr. Alderman Rose, who, he said, had
nobly performed his duty during his eventful year
of office. When they recollected with what eclat,
and loyalty and affection the city of London had
received the Princess of Wales on her arrival in
this country, they would, he was sure, fully recog-
nise the ability, the dignity, and the tact with
which the late Lord Mayor had presided over the
festivities connected with that auspicious event.
When the part which that city had borne in rela-
tion to the Royal marriage came to be read of in
future ages, it would b 3 better appreciated than it
was at the present moment. The late Lord Mayor
sgd iesd-
had also maintained the privileges and
immunities
oftr
at
thee
like city
the
lamented unimpaired, and Mr. followingCubitt, achief
he
had succeeded
magis-
trate
in investing his mayoralty with a character which
of
would stand high in the annals
(Cheers,)
the corporation.

Mr. Alderman ROSE, in acknowledging the com-
pliment paid him, rejoiced that it had beea his
good fortune to fill the civic chair in a year when
that corporation set an example to the rest of the
country by its display of affectionate loyalty to the
person of our beloved Sovereign and her family,
thereby also evincing its attachment to the glorious
constitution under which we had the happiness to
live, It also had been his lot to be the recipient of
nearly half a million sterling from all parts of the
world towards the relief of the distress in Lanca-
shire; and, moreover, almost his last official act
was to hand over to the fund for raising a memo-
rial to the late Prince Consort the sum of £54,000.
He trusted that the principle of local self-govern-
ment had not suffered in his hands, and that
altogether his year of office had not been an un-
successful one. (Hear, hear.)
The LORD MAYOR said it afforded him great
satisfaction to welcome to that festive board the
Ministers of foreign countries. The citizens of Lon-
don, in common with their fellow-countrymen
generally, were most anxious to maintain friendly
relations with every nation in the world. He had
much pleasure in asking them to drink " The
Health of the Corps Diplonzatique," coupling with
the toast the name of the Persian Minister.

His Excellency MAJIMOUD KHAN briefly re-
turned thanks in Persian.

The LORD MAYOR had now to offer to their accep-
ance " The Health of her Majesty's Ministers.'
(Cheers.) This country might congratulate itself
on the present position of its affairs. While other
States were unhappily ravaged by war England en-
joyed the blessings of peace and prosperity. Our
policy was a policy of strict neutrality and non
intervention, and there, fortunately, did not appear
the least chance of our drifting into hostilities. At
all events, we desired to cultivate amicable relations
with all the world. That, however, did not prevent
our displaying our sympathy with foreign nations
who were struggling for their independence, and it
was a proud thing for England that it had at the
head of its affairs a veteran statesman who had the
confidence not of one party only, but of the country
in general. (Cheers.) He believed that since the
time of the late Lord Grey there had not been a
Prime Minister who was so popular or who had had
such a hold upon the masses of the people as Lord
Palmerston. (Hoar.) He hoped that the noble lord
would be long spared to guide the councils of his
Sovereign, for his name was looked upon as the
symbol of :iberty in every part of Europe, and des-
rots everywhere feared him. (Cheers.) He now
gave them " The Health of Lord Palmerston and
her Majesty's Ministers."

The toast was drunk amid vehement cheers.

Lard PALMERSTON, in rising to respond, was
greeted with loud and prolonged cheering. When
silence was restored he said,—My Lord Mayor,
Ladies, and Gentlemen,—For myself and my col-
leagues I beg to return you,their most sincere thinke
for the kind manner in which the last toast has been
proposed and received. I can assure you that those
who are charged with the conduct of the affairs of
this country must always feel the highest gratifica-
tion at being permitted to be present at the splendid
hospitalities of this great city. And not only do we
receive personal gratification, but we feel that on these
occasions that which takes place cements that union
between the different classes of the community
which is so important to the interests of the whole.
It is well that those who are engaged in carrying
on those commercial transactions upon which the
wealth, the strength, and the happiness of this great
country depend should mix from time to time with
the responsible advisers of the Crown in con-
ducting the political affairs of the nation. Ido not
mean to say that when we meet at your festive
board matters of national importance are discussed
—we are too much engaged in enjoying the festive
hospitality which surrounds us for that—(a laugh)
—but acquaintances are formed on these occasions
which ripen afterwards into friendships; and it is
well known that the transactions of business are
made much more easy when those who meet to carry
them on know and like each other. (Hear, hear.)
Therefore I say, these gatherings are of great politi-
cal importance by bringing together those who are
charged with the commerce of the country and those
who are responsible for its political government.
There have been occasions when it was the lot of
those who had to explain the state of affairs to con-
gratulate yeti on the tranquil condition of the
civilised world. lam afraid I cannot do that in
the present instance ; for, although I trust there is
nothing in our horizon which can grow into a cloud
of war, yet we see on all sides—in the far West and
in the distant East—struggles going on of the most
lamentable character, and scenes enacted which
make us shudder for humanity, and excite our deep
compassion for the countries in which they are oc-
curring. (Hear, hear.) In the far West we see
a nation!of the same race, the same language as our-
selves split into two, slaughtering each other by
hundreds of thousand% and carrying on a contest
the result of which it is impossible to foresee,
and the end of which now, after more than two
years' duration, he would be a bold man
indeed who ventured to predict. (Hear, hear.)
Lamenting that state of things, the Government of
this country have felt it their duty not to yield
either to the entreaties or the objurgations of the
eevaerptairutythoatr
..the other. (Cheers.) Blandishments
734 the one side and threats on the other have equally
ves7:tless to affect our course. (Renewed cheers.)
have felt it our duty to abstain from taking any
it by .
ad been in our power to put an end to
thouaht
it
bad been
conflict. If, indeed, we had
been friendlywin intervention, no efforts would have
(Cheers.) 4t to accomplish so holy an object.
have been vain we felt that our interference would
that lam sure td we deemed it our duty—and in
lvaut
followed the wishes of the
country—to maintain
strict and impartial neu-
trality (Loud cheers,) In
the East also scenes of
a lamentable character are taking place. We there
see on the one side a barbarous
out,
and
dstena of deliberate
extermination carried
re venting itself in act on the other side
revenfs 8 of reurd
/gear ) We ende er and assassi-
nation. t- -
.• avourea t
inions of civilised X o enlist the
feelings and op xi,
_ one in a joint
remonstrance against that which we thought was
remonstrances have f
unjust. Those ailed. we
e, • and we can only hope that,
have done our data
-id uct of affairs in the
those who have the no, .nD aissi an
empire may at length cease to pursue that course
which has drawn upon them the condemnation of
-ely be restored upon terms
Europe, and that peace ne
I- at un fortunate country.
of equity and justice in t i
(Hear, hear.) IN ell, though . abroad things look
are sustained,
ill, and much misery and calamity
•
this country forms a happy exception to that which
'
seems to be the prevailing condition of nations.
We have been blessed by Providence with an
abundant harvest ; we have been preserved by the
conduct of the Government and the sense of the
country hem the misfortunes of war; our popu-
, lation are contented and loyal, and . they feel