The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-19 00:00:00

THE BALL AT THE GOVERNOR-
GENERAL'S.
On Friday evening last his Excellency Lord
Elgin gave his farewell assembly, at Spencer
Wood, to upwards of 600 persons, including
every member of both Houses of the Legislature.
The fine band of the 16th Regiment attended in
the ball-room, and performed the usual variety of
quadrilles, waltzes, polkas, &c. Shortly after 12
o'clock his Excellency, accompanied by Lady Head,
entered the supper-room. After due honour had been
done to a most recherché entertainment. His Ex'
cellency, in compliance with a general desire, came
forward, and addressed the ladies and gentlemen
as follows :
" I do not intend to depart from the rule which I have
prescribed for myself, of not giving toasts after supper
at balls in this house ; but I trust that in the position in
which lam placed this evening, it will not Ire deemed
altogether inexcusable in me if I try at least to say a
few words to you, for I do not know that I shall succeed
in the attempt, before I drink off the bumper I have
filled here, and which I intend to drink to the last drop.
I wish that I could address you in such strains as I have
sometimes employed on similar occasions—strains suited
to a festive meeting, but I confess that I have a weight
at my heart, and that it is not in me to be merry.
" For the last time I stand before you in the official
character which I have borne for nearly eight years. For
the last time I am surrounded by a circle of friends, with
whom I have spent some of the pleasantest days of ITT
ine. For the last time I welcome you as my guests
to this charming residence, which I have been in the
habit of calling my home. I did not, I will franklY
confess it, know what it would cost me to break this
connection, as the period of my departure approached,
and I began to feel that the great interests which have
so Ion: engrossed my attention and thoughts, were pas-
sing out of my hands. I had a hint of what my feelings
really were upon this point ; but my anticipations in
this respect were far different from their realisation.
cannot bring myself to believe that the future has in
store for me any interest which will fill the place of those
am now abandoning.
" But although I must henceforward be to you as a
stranger—(no, no)—although my official connexion with
yon and your interests will have become in a few deers
matter of history, yet I trust that through some 001
channel or another the tidings of your prosperity on"
progress may occasionally reach me, that I may hear
from time to time of the steady growth and develop*
relent of those principles of liberty and order, of manly
independence in combination with respect for au-
thority and law, of national life in harmony with
attachment to British connection which it has been
my earnest endeavour, to the extent of my humble
means of influence, to implant and to establish. I trust,
too, that I shall hear that this house continues to be
what I have ever sought to render it, a neutral territory,
on which persons of opposite opinione, political and
re-
ligious, may meet together in harmony and forget their,
differences for a season. And I have good hope that
this will lee the case for several reasons, and, among
others, for one which I can barely allude to, for it might
be an impertinence in me to dwell upon it. But I think
without any breach of delicacy or decorum, I may ven:
tore to say that, many years ago, when I was much
3 oueger than I am now, and when we stood towards
each other in a relation somewhat different from that
which has recently subsisted between us, I learned
to look up to Sir Edmund Head with respect,
as a gentleman of the highest character, the greatest
ability, and the most varied accomplishments and at-
tainments—and now, ladies and gentlemen, I have onli
to add the sad word, Farewell.' I drink this bumper
to the health of you all, collectively and individually.
evil
trust that I may hope to leave behind me some who
took bade with feelings of kindly recollection to the
period of our intercourse, sonic with whom I have been,
on terms of intimate official connexion, whose worth and
talents I have had the best means of appreciating, and
who could bear witness, at least if they please to do sn'
to the spirit, intention, and motives with which I have
administered your affails, some with whom I have been
bound by the ties of personal regard—and, if reciprc•
city be essential to amity, then most assuredly I can
leave behind rne no enemies. lam aware that there
must be periions, in so large a society as this, who think
that they have grievances to complain of, that due con-
sideration hes not been in all cases shown to them. La
them believe me when I assure them that so far as I am
individually concerned, that no such error of omission or
of commission has been intentional on my part. rare•
well, and God'bless you." •
During the delivery of this address his Excellency was
frequently interrupted by loud applause, and at its eon:
elusion the cheers were renewed again and again, and
lasted for several minutes. As soon as silence was re'
stored Sir Edmund Head came forward and said—
Lord Elgin stated that he intended to allow no
toasts to be proposed. I shall begin by an act of insu-
bordination, and ask you to fill a bumper to the health of
Lord Elgin. The Governor-General has alluded to his
approaching departure. I feel that I, as his successor,
come before the public of Canada under the greatest piss-
, sible disadvantages, for I follow one who has done more
to ameliorate the social and political condition of the pro'
vince than any public man can ever hope to do again.
Indeed LordElgin has soltreated the varied questions he has
had to deal with as to leave any man who follows hied.
but very little to accomplish. I propose the health of
Lord Elgin with all the honours.
His Excellency, in reply, said a thousand thanks
to you for that cheer. Sir Edmund Head has conferred
a fresh obligation on me in provoking this outburst of
your sympathy. Sir Edmund Head has referred, in
terms almost too friendly to the place which I hold in
your esteem, but let me remind him that though tbe!no
are sunny hours I have had my times of darkness
Canada. He has said that I have had opportunities which
may not, occur for him. Let me toll him that he, tol!
will have his opportunities. Ido not say that he !li
have no difficulties to encounter—a career altogether free
'of difficulty would not be one worthy of his abilities and
character. But let me hope for him, that when the clouds
arc darkest and densest, he may be able, as I haveb ever
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At a later period of the evening Mr. Turc?tte, :fiery Yo_
in an elegant address, took leave of his Excell
sacsautnt behind,
behalf of the French Canadian portion of the poP"la
tion. n
Tee Quebec and Richmond Railroad %Into
ptime e
Pfrethis road is a
had very large traffic. The opening
nit and it is
tvoerbyegbroepactdbog thetto h pt. roprietors as pro-
edha to
g
the public last Monday, and up to they,
fitable as it is to the public conven ien
itev

THE OFFICERS FGR TUE EAST. We have alreadY
alluded to the appointment of three additional genehral
officers for the Eastern army. Lord Rokeby, late of t 3
Guards, is an old Waterloo officer, a member of the
noble house of Montagu, who, like a glorious sciun-of
the nobility, has volunteered to go out. Major• Staff.Gencral
Barnard was fur many years Colonel on the
Major• General Markham, late of the 132 d Foot,
was Aide.de•Camp to the Queen. lie served in Canada,
and in India during the Punjaub campaign,
for which
be received a medal and two clasps.