The Sun.
London, England, 1849-06-25 00:00:00

GRAND BANQUET AT THE MAN-

SION

On Saturday evening the Lord Mayor and the 14,:dy
Mayoress entertained, on a scale of great magrificenee,
many members of the aristocracy and of the House of
Commons. The invitations were issued to meet Lord
and Lady Stanley, the Duke of Richmond, &c., and
covers were laid for 170.
The ladies constituted one-half of the number of the
guests, and the effect of the entertainment in the
Egyptian-hall was very 'imposing, from the brilliancy "of
-the ladies' dresses, and the varied colours of the regi-
mentals and uniforms of the distinguished guests.
The following were present : .
Lord end Lady Stanley, the Duke of Richmond and
Lady Caroline Gordon Lennox, the Duke and Duchess
of Beaufort, the Duke of Newcastle, the Duke of Cleve-
land, the Marquis and Marchioness of Worcester, the
Marquis of Granby, M.P., the Marquis and Marchioness
of Exeter; the Marquis and Marchioncas of Thomond,
the Earl and Countess Talbot, and Lady Victoria
Talbot, the Earl and Countess Bective, the Earl
and Countess of Verulam. the Earl of Cardigan, the
Earl of March, M.P., the Earl and Countess of Kin-
noul, the Earl of Malmesbury, the Earl and Countess
Eglintoun, Countess Brownlow, the Earl of Egmont,
the Earl and Countess of Devon, the Earl and Countess
of Glengell, the Earl of Cadogan, the Earl of Sheffield,
the Earl of Desert, the Viscountess Combermere, Vis-
count Mandeville, M.P., Viscount Strangford, Lord and
Lady Colchester, Lord G. Manners, M.P., Lord J. Man-
ners, Lord and Lady Feversham, Lord W. Lennox,
Lord Brooke, M.P., Lord Henry Bentinck, Lord Burgh-
ley, M.P., Lord Farnham, the lion. Gerald Talbot,
Colonel the Hon. C. Forester, M.P., the Hon. E. H.
Stanley, M.P., Captain the lion. Arthur I)uncombe,
M P., the Hon. Francis Scott, M.P., the llon. C. Cust
and Mrs. Cust, the Hon. C. E. Law, M.P., and Mrs.
Law, Sir John Trollope, Bart., M.P., Lady Trollope,
and Miss Trollope, Sir Charles Burrell, Bart., M.P., Sir
William Jolliffe, Bart., M.P. and Lady Jolliffe, Sir
John Tyrell, Bart., M.P., Rear-Admiral Sir George
Seymour, Sir Charles Knightly, Bart., M.P., Sir Ed-
mund Filmer, Bart., M.P., and Lady Filmer, Sir H.
Meux, Bart., M.P., Sir Felix Booth, Bart.,
Sir John and Lady Kirkland, Sir William
l3urnett, K.C.H., and Lady Burnett, Sir Charles
Lyell, General Sir Alexander Duff and Lady
Duff, Lady King and Miss King, Captain Richard
Grant, and Lady Grant, Miss Burdett Coutts, Mr. Dis-
raeli, M.P., and Mrs. Disraeli, Major Beresford, M.P.,
and Mrs. Beresford, Mr. Bankes, M.P., and Mrs. Bankes,
Mr. Mackenzie, M.P., and Mrs. Mackenzie, Mr. Repton,
M.P., and Lady Jane Repton, Mr. Christopher. M.P.,
and Lady Mary Christopher, Mr. Goddard, M.P., Mr.
Newdegate, M.P., Mr. James Duff, M.P., Lady Agnes
Duff, Mr. George Skene Duff, M.P. Mr. Henley,
M.P., and Mrs. Henley, Mr. Richards, M.l'., and Miss
Richards, Mr. Robinson, M.P., Mr. John Stuart, M.P.,
and Mrs. Stuart, Mr. Joseph Neeld, M.P., Captain Vyse,
M.P., Colonel Powell, M.P., and Mrs. Powell, Mr. A.
Stafford, M.P., Mr. E. Stanley, M.P., Mr. Gaskell, M.P.,
Mr. Goring, M.P., Mr. Napier, M.P., the Provost of
Dundee, the Mayor of Chichester, Alderman Sir Peter
Laurie, Mr. Alderman Farebrother, and Miss Farebro-
ther, Mr. Alderman Hooper and Mrs. Hooper, Mr. Al-
derman Gibbs, Mr. Alderman Carden and Mrs. Carden,
Mr. Alderman Thompson, M.P., and Mrs. Thompson, Mr.
Alderman Sidney, M.P., and Mrs. Sidney, the Chamber-
lain and Mrs. Brown, the Common-Sergeant, Mr. Bevan
and Mrs. Paul, Dr. Hair, Captain Neale Nott, R.N., and
Mrs. Nott, Colonel Chaplin (Coldstream Guards), Cap-
tain Bruce (Grenadier Guards), Captain Norwich Duff,
R.N., Mr. Chaplin, of Blankney, Mr. and Miss Porter,
Mr. Bentley, Mr. Duncan Dunbar, Mr. John Laurie,
Mr. Charles Baldwin, Mr. Dunphy, Mr. Harford, Mr.
R. L. Jones, Mr. Millard, Mr. Buckmaster, Mr. Mar
riott, &c. The Duke and Duchess of Montrose, the
Duke of Buckingham, the Marquis_ and Marchioness
of Downshire, Lord Combermere, Lord and Lady
Kilmaine, Lord Redesdale, Earl Manners, Mr. Herries,
M.P., Mr. Miles, M.P., Mr. T. Baring, M.P., Mr. E.
Baldwin, Mr. C. E. Michele, and the Sheriffs of Lon-
don, were unavoidably prevented from being present.
After the loving cup had passed round,
The LORD MAYOR proposed " The Health of the
Queen " in terms of affectionate loyalty towards her
Majesty, and the toast was enthusiastically responded to
by the company present..

The LORD MAYOR then proposed " The Queen
Dowager," adding that her Majesty well deserved the
respect she continued to receive prom all classes in this
country.

The next toast was " Prince Albert, Albert Prince of
Wales, and the other branches of the Royal Family."
The LORD MAYOR observed that the reason which
had induced him to refrain from offering any lengthened
observations when proposing the health of our Gracious
Sovereign, rendered it equally unnecessary for him to
do so in proposing the present toast, but having, on the
occasion at Reigate, in the presence of the Noble Duke
on his left (Richmond), witnessed his Royal Highness's
kindness and condescension, and the cordial reception he
met with from the people, he could not do better than
express his confident hope that the younger branches of
the Royal Family might emulate the example of their
illustrious parents. _

In propOsing the army and navy, the LORD MAYOR
said he always felt great pride and satisfaction in rising
to propose " The Army and Navy," and, in justice to
his fellow-citizens, be must say there was no piece in
which they were held in more grateful remembrance
than in the city of London. His Lordship regretted
exceedingly that illness prevented the attendance
of Lord Combermere, a nob!: man who deserved
every mark of respect; he had the honour end happi-
ness of seeing Lady Combermere present, and he would
propose as a substitute General Sir Alexander Duff,
whose service of 60 years well deserved notice; and his
Lordship was gratified to see so many members present
of that profession in which it had been his happiness to
pass several years of his early life. He was eep, cially
gratified to see the Noble Marquis on his left (Tho
mond), and Earl Talbot, Sir G. Seymour, Captain Sir
H. Grant, Captain Duncombe, Captain Duff, and Capt.
Nett, as his distinguished friends in the navy. He hesi-
tated not to say that the principles inculcated in him
while serving in the navy had bei•n the means of raising
him to the high position he now occupiAl.
General Sir A. DUFF returned thanks for the army,
and (turning to Lady Combermere) expressed his un•
igned regret at the absence of Lord Combermere, and
after noticing the victories in India achieved by Lord
Hardinge and Lord Gough, said that he had been long
associated with Lord Gough; and he confidently trusted
that, by the able counsels of Lord Dalhousie and Sir
Charles Napier, peace might be restored and the swords
might be turned into ploughshares. Sir Alexander Duff
also referred to the achievements of the army in Egypt,
where, united with Sir A. Cochrane, 18,000 Englishmen,
of both branches of the service, met and defeated
45,000 men of the legions of Napoleon.
The Marquis of TaumoND returned his grateful ac-
knowledgments to the ladies first, and then for his sur-
rounding friends, for the hospitality of their reception,
and he trusted that the honour conferred by the Lord
Mayor might be handed down by his successors. The
evening of their meeting hero reminded him that,
although leagues away, this arm of the service never
forgot the ladies; for next to the sailor's duty to his
country the ladies were his guiding stars, and every Sa-
turday night the sailor never forgot to toast " Sweet-
hearts and wives." The Noble Marquis sat down, after
relating an anecdote of Mr. Canning, which was well
received by the company.
After proposing as a standing toast in the city of
London, " Her Majesty's Ministers," the LORD MAYOR
gave " the Health of Lord Stanley and the House of
Peers," and in doing so he trusted they might for
ages to come continue distinguished in talent and emi-
nent in council. He was proud of the honour of their
company—a company so distinguished had never before
graced that hall. The meeting was one to partake of
the hospitalities of life without regard to politics. On
his right hand he (the Lord Mayor) saw a nobleman
who had occupied a distinguished position in the coun-
cils of his Sovereign, and he had the greatest pleasure in
seeing him and his friends there that day, especially the i
Duke of Richmond,' to whom he had long been under
many, many obligations. The Honourable conduct of
the House of Lords governed public principle, and was
the golden link that bound in harmony the constitution
of England,
Lord STANLEY, in acknowledging the toast, observed
that to any public man it was no unworthy pride to be
noticed by the Chief Magistrate of the first city of the
universe. The House of Lords might challenge compa-
rison with any assembly in the world. The aristocracy,
his Lordship observed, were not the obnoxious holders
of invidious privileges. In the present assembly he bad
the honour of seeing representatives of the men who, in
bygone days, had fallen gloriously for their country.
The Peers' assembly was invigorated by the infusion of
new blood in the introduction of illustrious men, who
received that honour as the highest reward for their
exertions. It could not be said that that House had no
sympathy with the other branch of the Legislature.
The latter was likely to be led away by the too hasty
expression of popular feeling, unjustified by the circum.
stances of the case. The members of the House of
Peers with whom he acted, considered the basis of their
political views and actions to be to give legislative en-
couragement to every branch of our domestic indus-
try. His Lorship concluded an eloquent address with
the assurance that no honour was more highly esteemed
by the House of Peers, than that the motives influencing
their conduct should be appreciated by the citizens of
this great city.
Tile LORD MAYOR then proposed " The health of Mr.
Disraeli," in terms highly complimentary to the literary
acquirements and splendid abilities which had placed
him in a high position i❑ the House of Commons.

Mr. Drsitaira returned thanks, observing that the
Noble Lord (Stanley) had drawn with great precision
the rule wlii,:h should govern their course of procedure,
and he trusted there would be ri cognised in it one of the
best securities of the rights and liberties of the people-
of England. In conclusion he observed, that whatever
might be the vicissitudes of his public and political life,
lie felt assured a public mall would at all times receive
the
of the citizens of London.,
LLEY then proposed The health of the
soyai m psa
STANLEY
Lord Mayor," in a complimentary speech of some
length.
The LORD MAYOR on rising to acknowledge the com-
pliment aserved, that he esteemed it a high honour to
have his health proposed by Lord Stan'ey, and to be
so well received by the company. Lord Stanley had
said most truly it was an honour to a public man to be
noticed by so distinguished a company, and he trusted
he might conclude that their presence that day indicated
their. approval of his conduct. He was anxious, sptak-
mg in diplomatic language, to' cultivate friendly relations
with :Al parties, and he trusted while he continued in
office he should be honoured by their friendship and the
good opinion of his fellow-citizens.
The L'2RD MAYOR then gave " The liralth of the
Duke of Richmond and the Magistracy of England."
The Duke of RICHMOND, after returning thanks, pro-
posed " The Health of the Lady Mayoress," in a manner
highly complimentary to the courtesy and kindness

evinced on all occasions by her Ladyship to those who
had the happiness of knowing her.
Soveral other toss, were given, and responded to by
the Duke of Beaufort, Mr. Alderman Thompson, and
Mr. Dunbar, and the party separated at midnight much
erati&d with the splendid hospitalities of the Mansion
House.

VISIT OF. HER MAJESTY TO
TUNBRIDGE WELLS.
Her Majesty the Queeu and his Royal -Highness
Prince Albert left town on Saturday afternoon on a visit
to their illustrious relative the Queen Dowager, who is
at present staying at the Calverley Hotel, Tunbridge
Wells.
The directors of the South-Eastern Railway having
been acquainted with the royal intention, made such
preparations as the shortness of the notice would allow,
at the Bricklayers' Arms station, and a special train,
consisting of the royal saloon carriage, two first-class
carriages, and a break van, were in readiness shortly
after two o'clock. Precisely at half-past two her Ma-
jesty and the Prince Consort arrived at the terminus,
attended by the Countess of Desert, Colonel the Hon. C.
B. Phipps, and Colonel Buuverie. On alighting, the
royal party were received by Mr. Macgregor, the chair-
man; Mr. Renshaw, the deputy-chairman; the Hon.
James Byng, Mr. Swale, and Mr. Brown, directors; and
Mr. J. W. Herbert, the secretary to the company, by
whom her Majesty and the Ptince were conducted to the
saloon carriage, which was decorated with flowers, and
supplied with maps and plans of the railway. In a very
few moments, everything being in readiness, Mr. Cud-
worth, the locomotive superintendent of the company,
took the direction of the engine, and the train having
been set in motion passed rapidly over the Bricklayers'
Arms viaduct on to the main line.
The journey to Tunbridge—a distance of 41 miles—
was very satisfactorily performed, without let or hin-
drance, in something under an hour. At the Tunbridge-
Wells junction, where the train necessarily stopped for
a few moments to exchange engines, her Majesty was
presented, through Mr. Macgregor, with a dish of very
fine grapes and a bouquet of flowers, which bad been
sent over to the directors for the Queen's acceptance by
Mr. Joyce, of Tunbridge Castle. The train then pro-
ceeded over the branch line, which passes through a
district almost unequalled for its variety and beauty of
scenery, to the Wells, where the royal party arrived pre-
cisely at a quarter before four o'clock.
At the terminus her Majesty and the Prince were re-
ceived by Earl Howe, Lord Chamberlain to the Queen
Dowager, and by Captain Somerset, one of her Majesty's
Equerries. The Queen and the Prince immediately en-
tered one of the Queen Dowager's pony phaetons, and the
suite following in a second carriage, the royal party
drove.off to the Calverly Hotel, Earl How. and Captain
Somerset attending on horseback. The vicinity of the
station, and the road thence to the Calverley Hotel, was
thronged with carriages, filled with elegantly-dressed
ladies, anxious to welcome her Majesty's arrival in the
locality where as Princess Victoria she passed so much
of her time; and the pedestrians, of whom there were
some thousands assembled, greeted the royal presence
with loud and enthusiastic cheers.
Her Majesty and the Prince, on arriving at the hotel,
were conducted to the Queen Dowager's apartments,
which consist of an entire wing, that portion of the edi-
fice having been set apart for her Majesty's exclusive ac-
commodation by Mr. Churchill, the proprietor of the
establishment.
Ater passing a short half hour with the Queen Dow-
ager, the Royal carriages were ordered for a drive. The
two Queens, accompanied by his Royal Highness Prince
Albert, then entered a pony phaeton, drawn by four
horses, and, accompanied by the Royal suite in a second
carriage, and attended by Earl Howe and Earl Somerset
on horseback, proceeded through Calverley-park into the
Wells. The royal party drove slowly through the
town, and passing over Mount Ephraim crossed Rusthall-
common to the High Rocks. These localities were all
perfectly familiar to the Queen, and her Majesty ap-
peared to be much delighted at revisiting the scenes of
her childhood. From the Rocks the Royal party drove
across the forest to the Erridge-road, and upon their re-
turn called at Mr. Rye's Tunbridge repository, where
her Majesty inspected the manufactures in the show-
room, and made several purchases for the royal children.
Their Majesties returned to the Calverley Hotel at six
o'clock.
Her Majesty and the Prince, after partaking of a de-
jeuner, took leave of the Queen Dowager, and escorted
by Earl Howe and Captain Somerset, returned to the
railway station, where the special train was in readiness
to convey them to town.
The Queen and the Prince were conducted to the
saloon carriage by Mr. Macgregor, and Mr. Cudworth
taking the direction of the engine, the train was instantly
in motion. The journey home was admirably per-
formed, and the Royal party arrived at the Bricklayers'
Arms station, a distance of 47i miles in one hour and
ten minutes.
Her Majesty and her illustrious Consort, on alighting,
thanked the directors for their courtesy and attention to
the Royal convenience.
The Queen and the Prince then entered one of the
Royal carriages and drove off to Buckingham Palace
amidst the cheers of the crowd assembled.
Mr: Finnigan, the superintendent of the South-East-
tern Railway, had the charge of the Royal train through-
out the journey.