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

ITIE SUN, I.ONOoN, Tait IRSDAY EVENING, JUNE 18, 1863

OXFORD COMMEMORATION.

OXFORD, Wednesday Night.
The Christchurch banquet was a very grand affair. The
hall, which is second only to Westminster in point of size,
and hardly second in beauty, was lighted with a "string
course" of jets of gas extending round the walls just above
the portraits with which the fine hall is so well furnished.
The Dean presided at the high table, the Prince and Princess
on his right and left, a long line of notables supporting
them on either side. The Chancellor sat next to the Princ,ss.
The Archbishops of York and Armagh, the Dukes of Buc-
clench and Marlborough, the Bishops of London, Oxford,
Winchester, Lincoln, and Chichester, were present. The
body of the hail was filled with Christchurch men and mas
ters, who loudly cheered the toasts as they were given by
the Dean. These were—" The Queen," " The Prince and
Princess," "The Chancellor," "The Members for the Uni-
versity," and " Christchurch." The only response to them
was made by the members of the Orpheus Glee Union.
The ball given by the University Apollo Lodge was, of
course, crowded. The Corn Exchange, which was the ball
room, has but recently been erected. It is a handsome
room, and with the approaches to it, as also the passages
leading to the Town-hall, which was used as a supper room,
was very prettily decorated. The Prince and Princess ar-
rived about 11 o'clock, and were received by Lord Newry
and the members of the ball committee. They were accom-
panied by the Earl and Countess of Derby, the Duke and
Duchess of Marlborough, Lord Mount Edgcumbe, Mrs.
Gladstone, and a long train of ladies and gentlemen.
After a momentary pause upon the dais, during which
a " horseshoe" space was cleared in front of it by means
of a silken rope and the wands of the stewards, the Ro3 al
guests descended the steps and opened the ball, the
Prince with the Duchess of Manchester, and the Princess
with Colonel" Bliiiijief; the Provincial Grand Master.
There was not sufficient space for dancing to become
very general, and the rope was several times made use
of, the Prince and Princess taking part in five or six dances.
The music, which was "provided" by M. Jullien, was ad-
mirable, and less ought not to be said for the supper, which
was laid in the Town Hall, a high table being provided for
the Royal guests.

The "labours" of today, if such a term may be applied
to these very numerous festivities, commenced with the
"Commemoration" in the Sheldonian Theatre. After 10
o'clock the theatre began to fill, and the undergraduates to
take noisy possession of their gallery. The ladies' gallery
filled less quickly, " pink bonnets" and " white bonnets"
receiving uproarious welcome as they arrived. It would
seem to-day that the idea of the Laureate is realised, and
that a "Princess" is presiding over a university peopled
with "fair girl graduates." The lower gallery is not so
noisy as the upper, but, lustrous with lovely faces and
bright eyes, with all and every shade of colour in dress, it is
far more attractive. According to custom, the undergra-
duates held their court of summary jurisdiction, awarding
cheers, groans, and hisses to almost everyone and every-
thing. Dr. Pusey received the greatest condemnation,and
Mr. %Vest was again marked by the displeasure of those
who had been subject to his proctorial authority. Professor
Kingsley's name was the signal for rounds of applause,
which probably will console him for the loss of the barren
honour of a D.C.L. degree. " Cambridge" and " the
Cambridge" had their cheers. The proctors were popu-
lar, and the mention of Dr. Stanley's name raised
loud applause. A very warm welcome was given to the
name of Professor Jowett. " Stonewall" Jackson received
posthumous honours by unanimous consent; and whenever
a lull occurred, the "ladies" were again taken up. Mrs.
Gladstone, who was very favourably received, was among
the early arrivals in the "semicircle." But it is impos-
sible to report all the cries of the gallery, or to find words
expressive of the noise which issued from it.
So the time passed until the Chancellor's procession en-
tered the theatre. Lord Derby—again gorgeous in his
robes—was accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor (Dr.
Lightfoot), and followed by the Archbishops of York and
Armagh, the Bishops of London, Oxford, Winchester,
Lincoln, and Chichester, and by Doctors too numerous to
.mention. The newly made D.C.L.'s of yesterday were
conspicuous, but without their Royal Master and Mistress.
In a few minutes the Chancellor left his seat and, with the
Vice-Chancellor, proceeded to the entrance, quickly return-
ing, followed by the Prince and Princess, whose appearance
was greeted with cheering of the loudest and longest-con-
tinued character, while the National Anthem resounded
from the organ. But even the skilful hand of Sir Frederick
Ouseley could not hide the fact that this instrument is very
unworthy of its position. A hearty round of cheers for the
Queen, followed by another for the Princess, which was
acknowledged with the sweetest of sullies, Lord Derby rose
and proposed the following list of names for the degree of

The Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G., Lord President
of the Council.

His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., Secretary of
State for the Colonies.

His Excellency M. Torben de Bille, Minister Plenipo-
tentiary from the King of Denmark.

The Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.A., Balliel,
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, M.P. for the City of
Oxford.

The Right Hon. James Whiteside, Q.C., M.P. for the
University of Dublin,

Sir Stafford Henry Northcote, Bart., M.A., Balliol, MP,
For Stamford.

Sir Hugh M'Calmont Cairns, Q.C., M.P. for Belfast.
William Robert Seymour Vesey Fitzgerald, Esq., M.A.,
Oriel, M.P. for Horsham.

He was now and then interrupted with cries of " Where's
Kingsley ?" to which it is needless to add that no reply
was given. Dr. Twiss, who then introduced the new
Doctors, was "inaudible in the gallery," a circumstance
which provoked the undergraduates to cries of " Speak
up." But there was plenty to look at for those who
could not hear the learned professor. The Princess and
the ladies around her were a sight sufficient. The Uni-
versity ought to be gratified by the pretty attention with
which tha Princess watched these abstruse proceedings.
Lord Granville's name was well received, and the Duke of
Newcastle was loudly cheered. A hearty welcome was given
to the Danish Minister, the cause of which will be readily
divined. Mr. Whiteside, who wore his red rob over a court
dress, was subjected to a fire of laughter from the gallery,
directed at "the thing on his back"—an impertinent allu-
sion to his "queue." Sir H. Cairns, the future Lord Chan-
cellor, as he was called from the gallery, was much cheered.
The conclusion of this ceremony was celebrated with cries of
"Kingsley," which continued until the Chancellor lifted
his golden-tasseled cap to the Public Orator, and he com-
menced the Crewian Oration. But neither the eloquence of
Mr. Mitchell nor the elegance of his composition could gain
for him a fair hearing. He had to struggle through what
seemed to many a dumb show, which he did with the most
imperturbable perseverance, amid derisive shouts, applied
impartially to his •ration and his person. It must be said
that some of the remarks made by the undergraduates would
have been better suited to the road to Epsom than to the
Sheldonian Theatre. But possibly the undergraduates don't
think that their " founders and benefactors" have done
much for them, or that they are not much indebted to their
departed worthies. However this may be, it is certain that
the conclusion was best received. Perhaps the Public Ora-
tor found sufficient consolation in the attention which his
speech received from the "sweet trustful eyes" of the Prin-
cess, to borrow an expression from the congratulatory ode of
yesterday. Mr. Papillon's Latin verse was tolerated rather
than listened to. It was well delivered and well cheered.
The English essay was probably very good, but its subject,
"Renaissance," was not in the highest degree interesting.
This, however, was of less importance, inasmuch as Mr.
Symonds could not be heard except by those near to his
rostrum. Mr. Nettleship's essay was also subject to this re-
mark. Mr. Thomas's English poem (the Newdegate) was far
superior to the average of prize poems. The subject,
" Coal Mines," afforded an opportunity for pathetic allusion
to the Hartley accident. He was several times interrupted
by cheering. The poem was recited with considerable force
and spirit, and well deserved the cheers which were without
dissent accorded to Mr. Thomas.

The proceedings now became rather wearisome, or rather
they would have become so, had not the Arnold and Gals-
ford Prize competition been cut very short. These being
concluded, Lord Derby rose and dissolved the convocation.
The organ struck up the Danish National Anthem, which
was the signal for rounds of cheers for the Princess and
everything Danish, including the King of Greece and M.
de Bille. The procession then left the theatre in the same
order as at the entry.

For this day at least, All Souls relaxes its exclusiveness,
and opens hospitable doors to many who have not the qua-
lifications usually demanded for admission to the good
t hing thislclose e
n h college.avi
ag
theT h eua royalri
ee
staa balne
his
ss
rliagihd in
andth e
library, of
e v th
the Prince on his left hand, Lord and Lady Derby sitting
next to them, the Archbishop coming next. Through the
open doorway a sight of the royal party can be obtained by
the main body of the guests of All Souls, who, to the num-
ber of some 400 or MO, refresh themselves alternately with
the collation, and with glances in the direction of the library.
All that flags can do to decorate that magnificent room and
the very spacious marquee in the triangle is done with the
most excellent taste and skill. Fortunately for All Souls,
the sun shines gaily, and the band of the University corps
makes pleasant music, with a good rattling accompaniment
played on the college knives and forks.
And now all Oxford—that is, the gaily dressed crowd of
lords and ladies, bishops and doctors, masters and bachelors,
and their friends, betake themselves to the fete at 'Worcester
Gardens. Surely no one who has read this report will be
surprised to learn that this musical fete was not honoured
by the presence of the Prince and Princess. The fete was,
however, a great success, thanks to the weather. The gar-
den itself is something like perfection ; and the company, the
music, and the refreshments, hardly fall short of this.

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. Nortbcoie, 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 priXed,the royal barge
RACING BOATS. TORPID BOATS.
1 Trinity 1 Exeter
2 Brasenose 2 Brasenose
3 Balliol 3 Christ Church
4 University 4 University
5 Magdalen 5 Balliol
6 Exeter 6 Corpus
7 Christ Church 7 Queen's
8 Pembroke 8 Magdalen
9 Merton 9 Trinity
10 Corpus 10 Wadham
11 Wadham 11 Pembroke
12 Queen's 12 Jesus

13 St. Edmund's Hall
14 Lincoln

13 University (2d)
14 Worcester

15 Jesus
16 Oriel

15 St, J(,hn's

17 Worcester

13 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
Royal 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.
Musurns.

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 sentiment 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 tbemse;ves.
The toast was drunk with all the honours.

The LORD MAYOR neat 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 constriction from
sailing ships to steam-ships, from steam-
ships to large frigates, and from largo frigates
to iron-clad ships, and it must 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 woßld 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
also. I may
that others we have built are very ugly
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 not 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 Sovereign, the British navy stands next in the
minds of our countrymen. (Hear.)

Earl DE GREY and RIPON, in returning thanks
for the army, said obedience was the first duty of
every
rose,o atne connected
call
of with
theLo ther army, and therefore
he dMayor, 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. lie 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 fow years, was not a rival of the regularforces
bat supplemental to them, and prepared to follow

their footsteps. And he trusted that now it was
about 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 di6tinguished
officer.

Lord BURY briefly responded for the volunteers.
The next toast proposed was that of "The
Foreign Ministers," for which his Excellency M.
MUSURUS replied.
The LORD MAYOR said--The next toast is the
toast of the evening, because it is the privilege of
the cLief magistrate to entertain in this hall " Her
Majesty's Ministers." I have great satisfaction and
honour in:being 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, reluires an
amount of sagacity, of consideration, of honest in-
tention, which, if successfully carried out, entitle
there for n tririlfigf 16-7.7—Ttli-ere fore 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 you 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 affords 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
these 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 imperilling 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 coantry 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.
tinned 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 ofa 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 of
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 !eft 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 House of 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 companyto drink the toast upstanding,
The LORD MAYOR returned thanks, and proposed
in succession " The City Magistrates and Sir James