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

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 ccuntry.
It is not designed to take the place of a sir gle regu-
lar soldier, but simply to defend our sh 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
thia 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
had also maintained the privileges and immunities
of the city unimpaired, and following a chief magis-
trate like the lamented Mr. Cubitt, he had succeeded
in investing his mayoralty with a character which
would stand high in the annals of the corporation.
(Cheers.) .1

Mr. Alderman ROSE, in acknowledging the com-
pliment paid him, rejoiced that it had been 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 fond 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 Diplomatique," coupling with
the toast the name of the Persian Minister.

His Excellency MAHMOUD 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. (Hear.) 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 liberty in every part of Europe, and des-
pots 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.

Lord PALMERSTON, in rising to respond, was
greeteli 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 thanks
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
receivepersonal 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 yen 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 nationof the same race, the same language as our
selves split into two, slaughtering each other by
hundreds of thousands, and carrying on a contest
the result of which it is impossible to foresee,
and the end of which now, after more than two
Tears' duration, he would ba a bold man
li.nleed who ventured to predict. (Hear, hear.)
Larne
this ting that state of things, the Government of
Lcllintry have felt it their duty not to yield
either to d
one
party
the entreaties or the objurgations of the
the other. (Cheers.) Blandishments
ou the one been fru',t.itde and threats on the other have equally
We ss t
affect our course. (Renewed cheers.)
°t
ur
par have felt tin that de duty to abstain from taking any
thought it Ol
baaPbOrabl2 confl;ct. If, indeed, we had
it by friendly inteern in our power to put an end to
been wanting to7e'llinn, no efforts would have
(Cheers.) But we felt that
so holy an object.
have been vain, and we Ildat our interference would
,emed it our duty—and in
that I am sure we but
I°ll"ved
the wishes of the
country—to maintain a Strict
neu-
trality. (Loud cheers.) In _, and impartial
Inc East also of
a lamentable character are taping scenes
g Dlace
a bail) . We there I
see on the one side barbarous System
0„
carried oat, and on
the t deliberate
extermination
'itself in acts of murder other side
revenge venting,'
nation.(Hear.) we endeavoured. 4
to enlist .L
•opinions of civilised Europe in e
feelings and
which we a joint
remonstrance against that thought was
unjust. 'Those
remonstrances have failed. -we
re
have done our duty; and we can only hope that
those who have the conduct of affairs in the Russian
empire may at length cease to pursue that course
which has drawn upon theta the condemnation of
Europe, and that peace may be r 'cstored upon terms
y.
of equity and justice in that unfortunate Co
things look
(Hear, hear.) A% ell, though abroad
ed)
ill, and much misery and calamity are sustain
this country forms a happy exception to that w
seems to be the prevailing condition of nations.
We have been blessed by Providence with
abundant harvest
preserved ; we have been
by the
conduct of the Government and the sense of the
country from the misfortunes u-
of war ; our Pol)
lation are
contented and loyal, and they feel