The Sun.
London, England, 1849-09-10 00:00:00

CUTLERS' FEAST AT SHEFFIELD.

SUET' lELD, SEPT. 7.—The annual grand banquet
of the Cutlers' Company ofthis borough took place
last evening at the (Jutlers'-hall on the usual scale
of magnificence. The number of the company ex-
ceeded 300.

The Master Cutler, Mr. H. Atkin, presided, and
near him were observed his Grace the Duke of New-
castle, Earl Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Arundel and
Surrey, Lord C. Clinton, Lord W. P. Clinton, Mr.
J. Parker, M.P., Mr. J. A. Roebuck, M P., the
Mayors of Sheffield and Doncaster, Sir A. J. Knight,
and many other influential gentlemen connected with
the district.

The usual loyal toasts being given and received
with much enthusiasm,
The MASTER CUTLER gave " The health of the
Duke of Newcastle," which was drunk with three
times three.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE could not express his
feelings at this kind reception of his name. Had he
the power of expression possessed by the Master Cut-
ler himself, he should tell them hew he was overcome
by this reception.—(Cheers.) He had received the
invitation with the greatest pleasure, for it really was
a satisfaction to him to come amongst them. His
knowledge of the town was greater than in former
times, and feelings—perhaps he could hardly say of
affection, but very much akin to it—prevailed in his
mind towards a town so interesting. He would make
no allusion to politics, but he might express his hope
for the prosperity of the town. He desired the welfare
of the whole world, but he had a strong feeling for
his own home, his own country, and those who inha-
bited it.—(Cheers.)
The Earl of ARUNDEL and SURREY acknowledged
" The health of the house of Howard."
Mr. W. OVEREND proposed " the Health of the No-
ble Lord of Wentworth, Earl Fitzwilliam."—(Cheers.)
Earl FITZWILLIAM rose to return thanks. After a
few remarks acknowledging the honour done him,
the Noble Earl proceeded—Now, gentlemen, for one
point, which some persons may say is touching upon
politics ; I say it is not. I beg to congratulate every
gentleman who hears me, and those in the humbler
walks of life who do not hear me, upon the peace and
tranquillity which this country now enjoys.—(Loud
cheers.) I beg to congratulate you upon enjoying
that tranquillity, and all the results of that tranquil-
lity, in the midst of the ruin of empires, the transmu-
tation of forms of government, the dissolution of
empires, in some cases, into their original elements,
and what I may call the confusion of society from
almost one end of Europe to another. I am not
going to enter into a discussion with you upon any-
thing which the most fastidious judge would call
political ; but this I say, that it would be well for all
to investigate, and then meditate calmly upon what,
by possibility, I may almost say by probability, may
be the cause of that tranquillity, which we alone,
among all the nations of Europe, have enjoyed during
the last year. Ido not tell you, because that would
be touching upon political grounds, that this tranquil-
lity was owing to the wisdom of the measures of any
particular men, but I do wish you calmly to consider
whether there are no circumstances in the structure of
society in this country which may well explain the
cause of that tranquillity. I wish the people of this
country to consider those circumstances, investigate
their mode of operation, and to satisfy themselves on
the subject. I wish them to see how the various ele-
ments of sriciety are mixed up and entwined together,
bow the industry of those who are in the pursuit of
ealth, and the property of those who have either
themselves, or who, through the industry of past
generations, acquired wealth—l wish them to observe
how all tht se classes of society are bound together in
this country—bound together and entwined as much
as the stems of the oak and ivy, in which it is almost
impossible, when seen at a distance, to distinguish the
foliage of the stem that supports and that of the
creepers that twine round that stem.—(Loud cheers.)
There another remarkable circumstance, and it
always has been so, because it is not a novelty in
this country, and that is, that while in other
countries some classes of society are debarred from
rising into another class, so again what are con-
sidered as the higher classes were debarred from
entering into those paths of industry which are, in
point of fact, the only sources of all property that can
exist.—(Loud cheers.) Property could not exist
without industry. Industry is that by which all the
property of this country has been created. I care
not in whose hands it may be; I care not whether it
is in the workshop of the manufacturer of this town,
or whether it is in landed property, which is now en-
joyed by the descendant of some manufacturer. This
I venture to point out to you, and to those out of
doors—that no property can exist but through the
medium of industry.—(Cheers.) A remarkable fact
in the history of society of this country is, that while
in others there is a broad and dark line of distinction
between the different classes of society in the country,
teose classes have always mingled more or less with
one another. The industrious, or what are called,
according to the modern phrase, the operative classes,
have always mixed with the non-operative, and the
latter have never disdained that industry which has
manifestly been the source of the wealth which they
no e. enjoy, and which they enjoy from the industry
of their forefathers. Now, gentlemen, some persons
will say that this is a political subject.— (Cries of
" No,, no r) I say it is not political in the sense in
which politics ought to be abstained from. It is the
duty of persons who are in the habit of reflecting on
these matters not to shrink from expressing the results
of their meditations when they meet large bodies of
their countrymen. The Noble Earl having again ex-
pressed his thanks for the manner in which his
name had been received, resumed his seat amid great
applause.
After the health of "the Master Cutler" had been
proposed by the Duke of Newcastle, and duly ac-
knowledged from the chair,
Mr. T. DUNN, in very appropriate and complimen-
tary terms, gave the next toast, " The healths of
John Parker and John A. Roebuck, Members fur the
borough of Sheffield."
I."
Mr. PARKER rose, and was received with great
cheering. After a tew introductory sentences, he
said—l have, in common with all of you, to regret
the loss of a colleague to whom I, and I believe you
also, as his constituents, were sincerely attached.—
(Cheers) Whatever party differences there may
have been, I believe he left with the unanimous kind
regards of all , and after the twelve years' service—
d honourable service—through which he passed, we
shall agree to wish him prosperity in the greater and
more important sphere which he has now undertaken.
—(Cheers.) While I have lost a colleague, I have,
by circumstances perfectly unexpected, fallen into his
11 ice. Your 14te Member, the Secretary of the
Admiralty, has disappeared, and has left the humble
individual before you as the present Secretary of the
Admiralty. I almost take blame to myself that when
that toast was proposed which alluded so distinctly to
that noble, that glorious service, I did not respond to it. I
am sure that the services of that portion of Her Majesty's
forces with which recent associations have placed me
in juxtaposition will not be neglected. I entirely
concur in what we have heard as to the necessity of
that service in a state of efficiency.—
(Cheers.) Tnis, gentlemen, is not political. I am
not talking politics. Ido not wish to introduce the
question how much we ought to spend. Save as
much as you can. Make economy the order of your
system. Introduce retrenchment wherever it is
practicable. Make things hitherto dear, if you can,
cheaper. But do not—do not diminish, do not take
away from the efficiency of your naval service.—
(Loud cheers.) Those ships which I saw last week
at Devonport and Portsmouth are the support, the
foundation of your commercial, and manufacturing
system.—(Cheers.) Make them as cheap as you
can. lam far from saying that may not be done:
My late Hon. Colleague most particularly addressed his
anxious and persevering thought to the economy of
this great service. Every one knows the necessity of
economy, and is bound to attend to it ; but don't—
don't diminish the efficiency of the naval service.
Keep up that service. Let it stand as it does, as it
ever has done, and as I trust it ever will while I am
connected with it ; let it stand the admiration of the
world, able to protect your commerce and maintain
your rights.—(Much cheering.)
Mr. ROEBUCK then rose, and was met with loud
and continued cheering.—l would, Mr. Master Cutler,
that the words of my friend and Hon. Colleague had
been sufficient to answer for myself on the present
occasion, after the handsome manner in which you
have received our healths. You have stated, sir, and
everybody has stated, that this is no time for politics.
I acquiesce in that statement; but I hardly know
why lam here if not for political service. I thank
you most sincerely for the acknowledgment you have
made of that service, and I read, as I hope all of you
will read, the lesson taught by the present occasion.
It is not political. There have been many political
reflections made, but we will not use the word
"politics." I must say that I have heard many things
to-night that have impressed me much—l may almost
say joyously. lam entirelyapoli.tician. With the
feelings, sir, which myposition
thatll this town has
created, why am I here ? Is not a question that
should have suggested itself, and I havewh no doubt has
suggested itself to many gentlemen sit at this
board with me ? There have been observations made
by the Noble Earl at this table, with that
which distinguished his artistic renown in the House
of Lords—(Laughter)—touching without affecting,
leading without seeming to lead, directing instan-
taneously to the point without incurring the respon-
sibility of so doing.—(Loud cheers.) Various sug-
gestions of mighty import the Noble Earl dropped,
with a sort of nice saving, that allowed him almost to
touch the rock, and yet turn round and sail away on
another tack. I admired the dexterity ; I have wit-
. nessed it before. I acknowledge the chief, I wish I
had the power to follow.—(Cheers.) But, sir, while
the Noble Lord on your lett read all these lessons to
us, I was delighted with the suggestion of the Noble
Duke on your right, Time teaches us many things,
)