The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-10 00:00:00

THE LORD MAYOR'S DAY.

THE- BANQUET.

The banquet, for which invitations had been issued in
the joint names of the Lord Mayor and Mr. Alderman
and Sheriff Wire, took place in the Guildhall. The de-
corations were of the usual character, consisting chiefly
of banners and numerous devices, in which—somewhat
strangely in a civic hall—ancient armour and weapons
ai formed the most prominent features ; but the coup d'ceil,
where the gas stars and the lines of gas jets which mark
the tracery of the walls shone out in all their brilliancy,
was most striking and imposing.
On the right of the Lord Mayor were the late Lord
Mayor, the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Aberdeen, the
Earl of Clarendon, Lord J. Russell, M.P., Lord Can-
ning, Mr. Sheriff and Mrs. Wire, Lord Palmerston, Sir
C. Wood, Sir J. Graham, the American Minister, the
32 Danish Charge d'Affaires, and the Minister of Paraguay.
On the Lord Mayor's left were the Lady Mayoress, the
late Lady Mayoress, the Marquis and Marchioness of
Salisbury, Lord and Lady Mandeville, and Sir IV.
Molesworth.
Among the company we observed Lord Hatherton,
Mr. Cardwell, M.P., Sir J. Patteson, Mr. M. T. Baines,
M.P., Sir J. Pakington, M.P., Mr. S. Walpole, M.P.,
Mr. G. C. Lewis, M.P., Sir C. G. Young, Sir J. Dod-
son, the Recorder
and Mrs. S. Wortley, the Lord
Mayor's Chaplain, the late Lord Mayor's Chaplain, Mr.
E. Ball, M.P,, Mr. Schollfield, M.P., Sir R. W. Car-
den, Mr. J. ilson, M.P., Mr. Chaplin, M.P., Lord
D. Stuart, M.P., Mr. Masterman, M.P., and many of
the aldermen, members of . the Common Council, and
officers of the corporation.
The Earl of Aberdeen and Lord John Russell were
loudly cheered as they passed through the hall on their
arrival, previously to their presentation to the Lord
Mayor and Mr. Sheriff Wire, in the reception-room.
At the conclusion of the banquet Mr. D. R. Harker,
the toastmaster, proclaimed as usual, a " Welcome"
to the guests, and the "loving cup" went round. Grace
was then sung by a very efficient corps of vocalists,
comprising Miss Ransford, Miss Eyles, Miss Bassano, Mr. Ransford, Mr. W. E. Ransford, Mr. Francis, &c.
The LORD MAYOR gave, in succession. the healths of
"The Queen," and of " Prince Albert, the Prince of
Wales, and the remaining branches of the Royal Family,"
which were enthusiastically received.
The next toast was, " The Navy and the Army," in
proposing which the LORD MAYOR expressed his hope
that this country might continue to enjoy the blessings
of peace ; but observed it was fortunate for them that,
although they could not number among their warriors a
Nelson or a Wellington, they might have the advantage
of the services of men, in both branches of the service,
who were trained in the school of those immortal heroes,
if the neeessity for their aid should arise. (Cheers.)
Sir J. GRAHAM, in returning thanks for the navy, said
—he could only give that distinguished company the
assurance—trite, but true—that, whether in war or in
peace, the British navy would be found ready to do its
duty. (Cheers.) If war should be imminent, and an
enemy should be found to insult the British flag, the
British navy would be ready to maintain the honour of
that flag. In concert with the allies of this country, it
would be the duty of the navy to promote the observ-
ance of treaties, which were the best securities of peace.
(Cheers.) Another thing the British navy was at all
times ready to do—namely to protect the commerce and
trade of this country, which were the life and strength of
the British nation. He felt highly flattered in being the
representative of the British navy, to whom the approba-
tion of such a meeting would afford great encourage.
ment. (Cheers.)
Lieutenant-General Sir J. WILSON briefly acknow-
ledged the toast on behalf of the army.
The LORD MAYOR next gave " Prosperity to the City
of London and the trade thereof," observing that the
present prosperity of the city was unprecedented, and
that he hoped it might long continue to boast of the
most extensive trade in the world.
The toast having been duly honoured,
The LORD MAYOR proposed, in highly complimentary
terms, the health of his predecessor in the civic chair.
Mr. Alderman CHALLIS having returned thanks.
The LORD MAYOR next proposed the health of the
foreign Ministers—(cheers)—coupling with the toast the
name of the American Minister.
Mr. BUCHANAN, in responding to the toast, said he
performed the duty, although it had unexpectedly de-
volved upon him, with hearty and cheerful goodwill. If
his diplomatic associates had all been present they could
not have failed to be gratified at the manner in which
the toast had been received, and, in their names as well
as for himself, he begged to return thanks for the distin-
guished honour conferred upon them. He confessed
that he had been very much struck with the gorgeous
spectacle lie had witnessed that evening. He had read,
in his own land, descriptions of these splendid pageants
of the middle ages, but the reality was fully equal to the
description. This spectacle had made a deep and lasting
impression upon his imagination in this utilitarian age.
His country was progressive, yet he knew how to admire
such a magnificent spectacle of ancient times. This was
truly the age of utilitarianism. What a desecration of
chivalry and romance it was to place a steamboat on the
Lake of Killarney ! (A laugh.) He might mention, as
a commentary on the age in which they lived, that, at
the very moment to-day when he finished reading a de-
scription of this pageant, he received a letter from his
own country making the most minute inquiries as to the
mode in which a very distinguished statesman in this
country proposed to consume the smoke of London.
("Hear, hear," and a laugh.) This was an idea which
had not yet presented itself to the minds of his country-
men. He (Mr. Buchanan) did not profess himself to be
a diplomatist. Very far from it. But in this age diplo-
lomacy had rendered important service to the world.
The first and highest duty of a diplomatist was to exer-
cise all his faculties, consistently with his instructions,
to preserve peace, and to promote friendly relations
among the nations of the earth. This task, though less
glorious, was far more usefnl to mankind than that of
the:warrior ; and he ventured to hope that it might be
successfully performed by the distinguished diploma.
tists who were at present intrusted with negotia-
tions on which the peace of the world might depend.
(Loud cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR (after proposing " The health of
of the Lord Chancellor," who briefly returned thanks),
said they were on that occasion honoured with the pre-
sence of many of her Majesty's Ministers—(cheers)—
and among them the head of a Government which, it
was well known, had exerted itself to the utmost to pre-
serve the peace of the world. (Loud cheers.) The
most unwearied endeavours had been made by the Cabi-
net to maintain the peace of Europe and of the world at
large, and he had much pleasure in proposing `4 The
health of the Earl of Aberdeen and her Majesty's
Ministers." (The toast was received with loud
cheering.)
The Earl of ABERDEEN rose to respond to the toast

The noble earl said—My Lord Mayor, I have to return
you my sincere thanks for.the very flattering manner in
which you have proposed, and in which this company
have received, the health of my colleagues and myself.

Perhaps it is not too much to hope that, with regard to
persons in our situation, a favourable construction, at
least, may be placed upon our motives and intentions in
the discharge of our duty. (Cheers.) It is true that
we are the servants of the Crown ; and happily, in these
days, such service is not incompatible with the most sin-
cere desire to promote the welfare, the happiness, and
the prosperity of the people. (Cheers.) Notwithstanding
the prosperous condition of this country in all its great
interests, and the wonderful advances that are made in
every department of art, science, and industry, I am
quite aware that much yet remains to be done, the suc-
cess of which may be promoted by her Majesty's Minis-
ters. Much improvement, much reform, in the condi-
tion of the people, whether- social, moral, or political, is
demanded. I know, my Lord Mayor, that much is
expected from us .by the country, and I hope we shall
be found ready and willing to answer to the call. In a
country such as this, and in an age of civilisation like that
in which we live, these are the real triumphs—these are
the glories—to which any Government ought to aspire.
(Cheers.) .1 trust that nothing will happen to impede or
to check the progress of those improvements and of that
reform which I so ardently desire to see effected. (Hear.)
They can only be successfully carried out by the continu-
ance of that tranquillity which we have so long enjoyed
—and in the absence of all disturbing causes, whether
foreign or domestic. (Renewed cheers.) My Lord
Mayor, some time ago, when I last had the honour of
being the guest of your predecessor in office, I made a
. declaration, perhaps in the hearing of some now present
that the policy of her Majesty's Government was a policy
of peace. (Hear, and cheers.) I desire, on this occa-
sion, to repeat that declaration. (Renewed cheering.)
I will go further, and I will say that no other principle
of policy will ever be announced by me. (Cheers.)
But, as emphatic as these words may be, they are not to
be understood as signifying the impossibility of war.
On the contrary, we know full well that this cannot be
the case ; but they signify that so far as I am concerned,
war will never be undertaken by me without reluctance,
and never but when demanded—plainly
t demanded—by
a due sense of that honour and the interestso
_b ofe
he
this
country. (Hear, and cheers.) This IbelievedutyofEnglis
mha. (Cheers.)Ministers.
I am certain it is the duty
of a Christian
'
The noble EARL immediately rose again,andp
acknowledgedrose
d
"The Health of the Lord Mayor,
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gave "The
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Clarendon
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the House
The Earl of CLARENDON begged o nthanks
the honour conferred upon him
n coupling his name
might,
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with
wn
that occasion, to proclaim the
which he was connected, or to
defend them against the
hatotwacekvserwhbiecha
allowed
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express made upon s
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conscientiouslie
opinion that the House of Lords rendered
r i
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eaal.tputbhliics
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country, were performed, but also in its legislative
(Cheers.) The speakers, there might not
.
functions, not alo
a nse
be so numerous or their speeches so long, or the debates
so often adjourned as was necessarily the case in the
other house of ParliaTent ; but he could say that in the
House of Lords the public business was performed moth
the care, and with an earnest desire to promote
the religious welfare and the temporal prosperity of every
class in the country. (Cheers.) The days of aristocratic
privileges were now happily gone by, never to return,
and he believed the House of Lords maintained its high
position from the deference which it exhibited to public
opinion, and from its willingness to receive impulses
from without upon all questions affecting the general as
compared with whathe might call the class interests of the
country. (Hear, hear.) Thus, on a recent occasion,
when a great social, political, and commercial question
was under consideration, they had seen the House of
Lords laying aside what some might call its prejudices,
and others its interests, and voluntarily deferring to the
unmistakeable wish of the people. (Cheers.) Of this
he was oure, that there was no body of men more anxious