The Sun.
London, England, 1825-07-22 00:00:00

ledge of the commercial interests of British India,—and of every
country connected with India,—from a thorough insight into
the just principles of commercial policy, and for a successful .
and honourable application of thOse principles to the promotion
of his views, no one who had quitted Bontbay during his length-
ened experience, was more distinguised in these respects than
his friend Mr. Crawford.—Mr. Warden appealed to, the test to
which these qualifications had been -subjected during the last'
seven or eight years, as a trying-and severe period of commer-'
dal exigency ;—dwelt on the great and arduous responsibility
that attached to the leading member of an old and eminent
commercial establishment, and on the distinguished merit, the
prudence and ability, with which Mr. Crawford had discharg-
ed so momentous a trust, during so eventful a crisis. Mr. W.
next adverted to the character of Mr. Crawford as a member
of this Society, and to the hospitality with which families arid
strangers were received and sheltered under his roof on their
arrival in a foreign land, and directed the attention of the
meeting to the ardour and integrity of his exertions,
whenever his friendship had been brought to the proof,
as it had on many an occasion. Distinguished then,
said Mr. Warden, as Mr. Crawford has been for so
many years in promoting and consolidating the commer-
cial interests of Western India, in the course of which he
has acquired an ascendancy arid a reputation to which his abi-
lities would etesally have elevated him, to whatever other pur-
suit in life they might have been devoted—has he not esta-
blished a claim to a remnant of that honourable mantle with
-which we are accustomed occasionally to clothe individuals
distinguished in the more ambitious pursuits of life, in pro-
moting and consolidating our political preponderance ? . Is he
not entitled to a portion of the approbation .of his country ?
In the respectability of the Meeting, Mr. Warden found the
most satisfactory and decisive reply to the question. This,
Gentlemen (Mr. W. concluded with saying) in the language of
the b.* is my case,—l submit it with every degree of confi-
dence to your judgment,—a confidence not founded on any pre-
sumptuous belief that I have successfully pressed its merits on
your conviction; but a confidence derived from a well-grounded
assurance, that your own knowledge of the prominent features
of Mr. Crawford's character will abundantly supply my omis-
sions and defects.—l propose the health of Mr: Crawford.
The enthusiastic manner in which this s,peech was received,
and the warm and flattering applause that followed the pro-
posel of the toast, proved how deeply every one participated in
the feelings and sentiments so ably expressed by the President.
The band played, " For auld laud syne."
Mr. CRAWFORD, under great agitation of feeling; rose and
addressed the Company to the following effect:—
The very flattering manner in which the toast that my friend
Mr. Warden has done me the favour to propose to you has
been received by all present, demands my best acknowledg-
ments, and 1 beg -you to be assured that however feeble may
be the language in which these acknowledgments may be con-
veyed to you, it is at least the language of sincerity, and that
I feel, as I ought to do, the honour that has been thus conferred
on me. But there are Some around me to whom lam sure it
will be admitted, that my thanks more particularly belong; I
allude to those kind friends with whom this entertainment ori-
ginated, and to whom I know not how sufficiently to express
my gratitude. That they should have thought me deserving
of so distinguished a proof of their regard, will ever be to me
a source of the most heartfelt satisfaction; and though I can not
but be aware that the partiality of friendship has greatly over-
rated any merit I may possess, and led my friends to overlook.
detects of which I myself am sensible, I am yet willing to
hope that I may, without laying myself open to the imputation
of vanity or of egotism, venture to express the gratification
it affords me, to know that my motives have not been misaken,
, and that it is believed by those who have known me best, that
• it has been my desire and my endeavour to do what I beliet„eti
to be right on all occasions, as far as toe infirmity of my jodg-
mentwould permit. It would be presumptuous in me to4up.
pose that it has not at times misled me, and sometimes, I fear, '
to the prejudice of others. Wherever this has been the case, I
hope that they will he disposed to make the same allowance for
Inc that 1 would do for them, and consider my errors, as tile
errors of the understanding, and not the wilful failings of the
heart. I shall not attempt, Gentlemen, to follow our worthy
Chairman through the wide field of eloquence in which his
powers of language have enabled him to indulge, but content
myself with saying, that I could not have had a better example
before me than himself in all that renders hospitality acceptable
to those on whom it is bestowed. I found Mr. Warden on my
arrival in. Bombay filling one of the highest and most respon-
sible offices under Government, and whitili he only vacated on
his appointment to the elevated situation he now
,golds. His
doors were thrown open to me, as to many. others, with kind-
ness that bespoke sincerity in a greater degree than I
had ever before experienced. Kindness produced e-teem,
and as --years rolled on, friendship and attachment MI;
lowed in quick succession. Mr. Warden, Gentlemen,- is,
I am proud to say, the oldest or my Indian friends ;
my introduction to Idol took place on the, very day of
my arrival at Bombay, and if any thing could have added to
my satisfaction on this occasion, it would- have been the selec-
tion of one Iso much value to fill the chair this evening. Gen-
. tlemen, I will not detain you longer; when the heart is full
words do not flow with the rapidity or facility one could desire,
and I shall, therefore, simply propose to you the lIEALTII OF
MR. WARDEN, and, the friends who have honoured me with
this unexpected but highly valued testimony of their esteem.
This address was received with plaudits loud and continued,
and Mr. Crawford sat down quite overcome by his feelings.
The Advocate-General (Mr. NottsroN) rose and spoke
nearly as follows :
lie had the honour at the delegation of the Chairman,. to
propose a toast-which he knew would be received and drank
with enthusiasm. It was the health of the most distinguished
individual at the bead of the Society of
.Bombay, and whit his
name that of the Members of the Government of Bombay. A
sense of decorum which he was sure every one present would
naturally appreciate, and a deference to the high station which
that honourable Gentleman filled, would restrain bins front at-
tempting -that which he was, indeed, quite unable to accomplish,
an .eulogium upon the eminent qualities which adorned his chit-
racier. But although that feeling of respect would exclude hint
from expatiating on such topics, he was fully assured that be-
fore the present company such panegyric was most unnecessary.
The admiration due to his greet merits, and a grateful sense of
the benefita we enjoyed under his Government, lived conti-
nually in the recollection and feelings of us all ; the fame and
popularity which attended him was not that which was courted
and run after, but that which followed and would survive him.
He would see it in the contemplation of a prosperous and con-
tented people flourishing throughout an Empire happily sub-
jected to his Government, and in the generous and cordial at-
tachment evinced towards hint on all suitable occasions by the
society of his countrytnen in this Presidency, united as they are
together under his auspices. This was an attachment which
did and ought to exist rather io oar hearts than in our mouths,
but repressed as the expression of our feelings towards the Go-
vernor of Bombay were while he remained amongst us, there
could be no doubt that they would be sufficiently represented by
the acclamations with which he would be received at his re-
turn to our native country. On the present occasion his
valued friend near him, Mr.'• Crawford, and the corn-
pony had great reason to thank hint for his kindness
in honouring the present meeting with his attendance.
It was most gratifying to. that Gentleman, and to all his nume-
rous friends assembled to do him honour, to know that the
Governor of the Presidency cordially participated in the feel-
ings which had brought us together, and was anxious to add
the valuable testimony of his respect. A public occasion like
the present was one of which we might appropriately avail our-
selves to intimate our sincere esteem and veneration for his cha-
racter and, virtues ; and he trusted that the prey-eat company
would, by their common and united voices, testify those senti-
ments towards him to which his own feehln, language was alto-
gether inadequate. He proposed the hettlth, of the :Ilopoura
able 'Mr.' Elphinstone and- the GoVernment of Bombay, with
three times three. .
The Learned Geotlemin was repeatedly interrupted in iii
address- by. loud and continued plaudita, and time toast wal
drank with the greatest enthusitt-sm. The band played The
Garb of Old Gaul.
- The Honourable the Governor rose and returned thanks to
the Meeting, and resumed his seat amidst the warmest ap-
plause.
Mr. CRAWFORD again rose. -
..The..toast that lam about to propose to you is fortunately
one that needs not the aid. of panegyric to render it acceptable
in this society, and lam sure you will join me in the senti-
ments I have expressed, • when I tell you that it • is the health
of Sir Charles Colville to which I would call your attention.—
His character as a soldier stands too highs in public estimation,
to allow of my attempting to expatiate on its merits. I shall,
. therefore, content myself with saying that it is recorded in :be
annals cf our country and of Europe, arid will, be transmitted
to posterity with that of the:greatest Miliary Leader of the
Age.

The political state of India has not affarded an opportunity,
since Sir Charles's arrival amongst us, of. calling into action,
.those military talents which he has displayed in other quarters
of the globe; but we have seen him zealously devoting himi;.s.if.
to-the important .duties.of his present. high situation with an
attention to. the interests of those, under his, command, and more
especially to the comforts of the soldier, that has ensured him
the te:pect of all who leave witnessed his -atsziety on these
points, from the moment df his landing to the prosent
As a member of our Society we owa him. much, for his easiness.
of access at all times, and particularly for ,the proof he has.
afforded us in his own'person, that it is quite possible to main-
tain the respect which is due to official situation without relio-:
,quishing. the kindtrz;,is and_ fam,iliarity, of Et}fie°i:szi ;iris ti tie
nitio,( LOVA and continued applause:)—The band playing'
British Grenadiers.
The PaEsingx T, in a short address, contra:tilted the Go.