The Sun.
London, England, 1822-09-18 00:00:00

DINNER TO THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE.

On Wednesday last this Nobleman was entertained by the
Corporation of I oughal, who employed every exertion to give
eclat and splendour to the festive scene.
At an early hour his Grace arrived in his carriage, escorted
by a numerous train of Gentlemen, and a large concourse of
the tenantry of the surrounding country. The Duke was also
met by a numerous body from the town, who had a decorated
car prepared, in which was the Waterford band, to usher his
Grace into Youghal. His Grace then went round the town,
and visited every part that invited observation.
In the evening the town was brilliantly illuminated, bonfires
blazed in several situations, and the river Blackwater shone
with the reflected fires from the county Waterford side, where
the tenantry had also assembled, And where every demonstra-
tion of joy and gratulation was manifested by the lighting of
bonfires, &c., to give lustre to the scene.
About half-past seven o'clock the company assembled to
dinner, which was prepared in the great room at the Mall-
house, and consisted of every delicacy of the season. The
wines and fruits, &c. were of the best and rarest quality.
The Mayor, James Ellis Greene, Esq., presided, and the
company consisted.of upwards of 100 persons, amongst whom
were, besides his Grace, the Earl of Clare, the Hon. Mr. Aber-
cromby, M.P.,the Hon. Mr. Keith, Colonel Corry, Colonel
Keane, Mr. ower, M.P., - Mr. Wrixon Becher, M.P., Mr.
Beaumont, &c.
After the usual routine toasts of " The King"—" The Duke
of York and the Army"—" The Duke of Clarence and the
Navy," &c.,
The MAYOR rose, and proposed the health of " Their Noble
Guest, the Duke of Devonshire," which being drank with thun-
ders or applause,
His Grace rose and returned thanks at some length. He
professed a sincere attachment to Ireland, deep sympathy for
the late sufferings of her people, and the most anxious wish on
his part, as a landlord and proprietor, to serve, her and advance
her in every way. He particularly inculcated the necessity of
union and harmony, and burying all difference in oblivion ;
and concluded by thanking and drinking the health of " The
Corporation of Youghal,' for the prosperity of which town, he
said, he felt the most lively solicitude, and which no exertion
of his should be wanted to promote.
" The health of the Earl of Clare" was next given, and this
Nobleman returned thanks, declaring his attachment to his na-
tive country, and the warm interest he felt in adopting such
measures as would tend to relieve her from the distressed situa-
tion under which she laboured, and which no person regretted
more than he did.
The healths of the other distinguished guests were respec-
tively drunk, and they severally returned thanks, some at great
length, pahicularly,
The Hon. 31r. ABER c RoMRY, who reiterated the sentiments
of his Grace in strong language, and declared his readiness to
follow up the patriotic views of the Duke in every measure that
.could promote the interest of Ireland. He observed, that the
distress of Ireland had excited throughout England and Scot-
land but one feeling of sympathy, and of increased exertions
to ameliorate her situation and to promote her national im-
provement.
Mr. WRIXON BECHER also addressed the meeting at con-
siderable length, when his health was drunk, and renewed those
sentiments of regard for the welfare of the country which this
gentleman is so well known to entertain.
The Duke did not retire until nearly one o'clock. The day
was spent with harmony and conviviality, and did equalhonour
to the hospitality of the Corporation of Youghal, and the highly
distinguished guests, on this interesting occasion.

• -
He says, that during the night a consultation took Place, and
that the public tranquillity was threatened. It is a lie.--Dur-
ing the dinner the tranquillity was threatened by cries raised
against me, under my windows. The letter of the Mayor of
Saumur, which is to be published, states the fact. M. de Car-
rere knew it, for his agents were at the door, that the rioters,
who it was supposed would frighten me, should not break it in
prematurely. Several Magistrates of Saumur, and M. Bodin,
Deputy of Maine-et-Loire, will attest these facts.
M. de Carreresays, that I promised to set out early in the
morning. This is a lie. When after having suffered the house
where I dined to be surrounded for three hours, hoping that I
should go out by a private way, he begged me to give up the
banquet of the next day, 1 declared that I would not fly like
a culprit, and I would depart only in full day. M. de Carrere
wished it to be thought that the population of Saumur forced
me to leave the town. Thence his tolerance to the rioters who
threatened my hosts:as well as me. M. de Carrere has sported
with their lives as well as with mine, to have this satisfaction.
This was reckoned on, for the Quotidienne published a nar-
rative of " my flight,'' and of the se rrires M. de Carrere had
rendered me. These services were limited to the exposing
me' as well as those who had entertained me to be assassi-
nated. The attempt began at eight o'clock, M. de Carrere
arrived at eleven, and when he says that the National Guard
resisted authority, it is a fact that some of the National
Guards not being able to obtain an authority to protect their
fellow-citizens and me, came without orders round the house to
save our lives.
M. De Carrere says, that I alleged as a reason for not setting
out, the health of my wife. This is a lie. I had declared that
I would not set out till near mid-day, and when M. de Carrere
returned to press me, lie may recollect that the conversation was
short and clear.
He concludes by a fifth lie, so much the less explicable as pub-
lic notoriety demonstrates its infamy. He wishes to have it be-
lieved that I travelled with a female other than Madame B. Con-
stant, that I made her assume that name. I cannot guess the
motive of an imposition so easy to confound, and to throw back
on its author.
However, M. de Carrere and his compeers should insult wo-
men. The excess of meanness is naturally allied to the excess
of ferocity. This genus had been lost since 1793.
I set aside the denunciations which do not personally concern
me—against the Mayor of Saumur, his relations, the national
guard, and the citizens. M. de Carrere bears down on an un-
fortunate man whose private life all the witnesses had respected.
So abject a spirit blasts itself without imposing the labour of
doing so on others.,
I repeat, I take on myself the responsibility of this letter, and
I beg you to accept the assurances, BEND
BENJAMIN CONSTANT.