The Sun.
London, England, 1838-07-24 00:00:00

ductive of much and universal good. They all recollected
and some bad been personally engaged in the mighty streggle
that had lately taken place between them. They would re-
collect that that mighty struggle had been gallantly and ho-
nourably fought out by his Grace the Duke of Wellington
and the illustrious commander who now sat beside them. The,
their hearts were bent on mischief—these two men by nature
kind and friendly—and he spoke from experience when he said
that kindness wa:, implanted in their nature—were opposed to
each other in hostile array. Whin war was the order of the
day that great man, who now appeared so kind and gentle in
his nature—yes, when his country called upon him, be (Col.
Napier) had seen him with the waive of his band, or the point
of his finger, send an hundred thousand armed men rushing
into the battle, irresistible and destructivQ as Heaven's
thunder, and sweeping like lightning across the bloody field.
—(Much cheering.) Then followed on their backs the dire
results of war—the weeping, and wailing, and tears of
the widows and the fatherless. Blood and tears were the
products of that harvest, but now they beheld the same men
meeting in amity, grasping each others' hands, while the joyful
acclamations of happy and contented thousands, nay millions,
greeted the veteran warrior and hailed him as a friend.—
(Immense cheering.) These were the fruits of peace, of
peace lasting and perpetual between France and England.—
( Cheers.) What was it, he would ask, that arrayed these
two men against each other? What was it that sent them,
like destroying angels, through divastated countries ? It was
the glory of arms, not personal hostility, and the glory of
arms was a noble heart-stirring sound for brave men's ears,
but it carried desolation and death in its train. War was the
hour of destruction, and death, and hatred, and every evil
passion ; but peace was the harbinger of joy and tranquility, for
then the inventive faculties of the human mind had full scope.,
and the genius of man no longer bent on mischief, soared
unfettered the realms of imagination, seeking that
knowledge which would gladden the hearts of all and
benefit the human race. Then it was that commerce spread
its sail over every clime, collecting the produce of all
parts of the globe—then tile steam-engine smoked instead of
the deadly cannon—then the wondrous fire-ship danced and
curvetted at her moorings, like an amble courser impatient of
the race across the Atlantic—then the wonders which arts and
science, combined with industry, could produce, as they had
that day witnessed in the marvellous city of Birmingham, were
spread before the world. Peace then he would say—let there
be peace between England and France, and let scorn and
contempt pursue the paltry miserable scribbler who could only
see on a late occasion—tho Coronation of their young and
beautiful Queen, the lily of England, ishose natural feminine
daftness, purity, goodness, and grace, were a thousand times more
attractive than all the splendour by which she was surrounded;
let scorn and contempt, he would say, pursue the evenomed scrib-
bler who could only see on such an occasion an opportunity to in-
sult an illustrious warrior who had honoured them with his
presence.—( Loud and continued cheering.) In the name of
the British army, he begged to thank Marshal Soult for the
honour he bad conferred on them ; in the name of the town of
Birmingham also, lie thanked him for the honour of his visit.
In that town they had ample ma'erials of happiness—they had
great industry, great skill, and, consequently, great riches would
ensue; but they had also a generous and noble spirit, which would
teach them how to use those riches. But although they had all
these things, if they wanted one other, they would have wanted
happiness. The people of Birmingham had got to solace and
to soothe them some of the most beautiful women in the world
—( Great cheering and laughter)—and therefore, as the army
and navy had been always famed for their gallantry, lie would
give them " the ladies of Birmingham, particularly those
present." The toast was drunk with great cheering.
Admiral NAPIER returned thanks on behalf of the Navy.
Every man in England would allow that the navy had always
done its duty in the most efficient manner. Oa a late oc-
casion, when he had the honour of commanding the Portuguese
navy, he found the British soldiers made of the same stuff as
in former days • and, with their assistance, by one blow he put
an end to one Of the most despotic reigns that ever existed in
any country. He hoped and trusted that the bends of amity
between the two great nations, France and England, would be
established on a permanent basis. Alter making some allu-
sion to the encroachments of Russia in the eastern part of Eu-
rope, and the necessity that existed for England and France
to keep up their naval armament, the Gallant Admiral con-
cluded by proposing " The French army and the French
navy." The toast was drank with great applause.
The Marquis DE MORNAY returned thanks in the French
language. He regretted deeply that he could not address
them in their own language, so as to give expression to the
sentiments by which he vial penetrated. He felt deeply grate-
ful for their kindness—ho was struck with admiration at all
he had seen in their country—their prosperity was manifestly
to be attributed to the industry and intelligence displayed by
the people ; and he must also take care to express his thanks
for the noble and generous hospitality that had been shown
towards himself and his friends. He hoped the peace of both
countries would be established upon a lasting and permanent
basis. It was only from a misunderstanding that these two
great nations had ever made war—they had both fought for
the noble sentiments of liberty-, and those sentiments, while
they called forth the respect of each other, would unite them
for ever. He hoped that England and France would never
again have disunion sown between them. In conclusion, he
would beg leave to propose the health of the officers of the
14th Dragoons, which was the title of the French Regiment
in which he had the honour to hold a commission.—( Cheers. )
Captain STEVENS, of the 14th Dragoons, returned thanks
in a very harahome and appropriate manner.
The CHAIRMAN said, that while they rejoiced at the im-
proved feeling which existed between France and England—
they ought not to forger how many brave men had abed their
life's blood in upholding the glory of their country. Marshal
Soult and the Duke of Wellington had met on the Peninsula,'
and the armies of both lost many of their best and their
bravest men. On that occasion England lost her gallant
son Sir John Moore. He died not, however, unhonoured
and unmourned, for even out of his own country
he found admirers. In the very camp of the enemy his re-
mains were treated with respect and honour, and the Chief of
that camp had raised a monument to his memory.--( Vehe-
ment cheering.) The name of that Chief would ever be held
in England in the highest veneration, and hailed with the
deepest gratitude. That Chief was no less than the illus-
trious guest on his right hand, Marshal Soult.—(Thunders of
applause.) They had shown that they had duly appreciated
the noble act of that noble-minded man, and he would not
trespass farther on their time, but give them " the memory
of. the French and English heroes who fell in the Peein•
sular. war."
The toast was drank in solemn silence.—Song,
the souls of the heroes."
Marshal SOVI.T said the reception he had received from
them—the liospi' ality he bed experienced—had penetrated
him with sentiments of the deep( st gratitude. He wanted
words to convey to them the sentiments of his heart, but he
hoped at a future time he might be allowed to express that
gratitude better than by words. At the moment of leaving
them he hoped trey would permit him to say that he was
sincerely anxious for the future there should be the most com-
plete reciprocity of feeling and sentiment between the two
countries.—(Cher rs. ) He would return to his country pene-
trated with all the wonderful things he had seen in their
country, and deeply impressed with its commercial and ma-
nufacturing: greatness. He would conclude by proposing the
health of the High and Low Bailiffs.
The CHAMMAN returned thanks on behalf of himself and
the Low lieilitr, and immediately afterwards the distinguished
visitors retired.
Marshal Soult and his suite will, it is understood, leave Bir-
mingham at five o'clock this morning, by the route of Kenilworth
and Warwick, and reach London at six o'clock this afternoon,
in time for the Duchess of Somerset's grand party.
The Marshal, it is understood, will leave England on the
29th inst.

" Peace to