The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-01 00:00:00

THE FES rwAL.

Last evening the usual festivalin behalf of the in-
stitution was held in the great hall of the London
Tavern, and was attended by upwards of 950
gentlemen, principally natives of Scotland, resident
in this southern metropolis, numbers of whom ap•
pcared equipped in full national costume. The
gallery of the hall was also well filled with ladies,
who evidently took a deep interest in the celebration
of this—the 184th—anniversary of the charity.
Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B , presided on the
occasion, and was supported by the following gentle-
men :—Sir James Duke, Bart., M.P., Sir Wal.er
Stirling, Bart., Abbot Lawrence, Esq. (American
Minister), the Belgian Minister, M. de Bielke (secre-
tary to the Danish Legation), The Chisholm, Sir J.
H. Maxwell, Bart., R.N., Mr. Chisholm Anstey,
M.P., Mr. Sheriff Nicoll, Mr. It. S. Scrimgeour
(hereditary stand ird-bearer of Scotland), Mr. Bain
(secretary to the Highland Society), Captain Rose,
60th Rifles, &c.
The banquet-hall, which has recently been cleansed
and redecorated, was tastefully decked out with
banners, tartans, and emblematic devices characteristic
of Scottish nationality ; and during the evening
Mackie, the Queen's bagpiper, with a train of juvenile
pipers, frequently paraded the room, and enlivened
the company with their shrill mountain music. On
the removal of the cloth the customary loyal and
patriotic toasts were drunk with Highland honours,
after which

The CHAIRMAN rose and said that they were
honoured that day with the presence of the American
Minister.—(Cheers.) He did not think he would be
offended by his (the Chairman) saying that he was '
one of our children. The citisens of America were
the descendants of this country, and when they came
over here we were always delighted to see them. We
received them as a parent received his child, and he
was sure the child would be always happy to be
welcomed. He felt quite sure that every man in
this metropolis would not only be happy and con-
tented to receive an American citizen here, but also
to receive the goods of America in exchange for the
products of this country. But we ought to be still
more friendly to America for another reason, and that
was, that the American Government are at this mo-
ment undertaking to complete a work which that
Providence who created the world seemed to have left
to the ingenuity of man—be meant, to cut a canal
through the Isthmus of Darien. He believed it was
the intention of the American Government to open an
immense canal through that Isthmus to enable the
ships of the world to communicate with the western
sea. if they accomplished so great an undertaking,
he hoped no jealousy would arise in consequence
among other powers. It ought to be a road open to
the whole world. It ought not to be occupied exclu-
sively by any great nation, but should be
guaranteed as a great highway for the commerce
of the world.—(Loud cheers) As a sailor, he knew the
difficulties and dangers, as well as the length of time,
required to effect a passage to the Pacific from this
country round Cape Horn. They understood what it
was to attempt a passage through the Northern Seas.
We had attempted that too long and too often ; and
he feared that our gallant countryman, Sir J. Frank-
lin, who entered into that enterprise, would never
appear again in his native country. lie (the Chair-
man) lamented that Sir John had ever attempted
such an absurd and ridiculous expedition, which, even
if it had succeeded, would never have proved of any
advantage to the country.—(llear ) Ile thought the
plan of the American Government to which he had
referred was a wise plan, and ought to be approved of
by the world at large. The Gallant Chairman con-
cluded by proposing" The heaith of the President of
the United States," and he hoped and trusted that