The Sun.
London, England, 1823-10-01 00:00:00

SHERIFFS' DINNER.

The Sheriff's for the ensuing year, Messrs.
WHITTAKER and LAURIE, gave, according to custom, their
inauguration dinner at the Hall of the Stationers' Company
yesterday, and suitably sustained the civic hospitality by the
elegance and profusion of their feast. The company was ex-
tremely numerous, and the arrangements well adapted for their
accomModation. •
At six o'clock the LORD MaYou took the Chair. On his
right sat the Lord Mayor elect (Mr. Waithman), Lord Erskine,
Mr. Georgetamb, M.P., and several other public characters :
on his left Rat' the Right Hon. George Canning, M.P., Mr.
Huskisson, Mr. Planta (the Under-Secretary for Foreign
Affairs), and several of the Aldermen of the city of London.
The extremities of the principal table were occupied by the
new Sheriff's. Amongst the company -we observed several
foreigners of distinction ; Professor Schiegol was of the number.
As soon as the cloth was removed, Non NoMs DOMitte tar
sung in a solemn manner, by Mesita. Pyne, Broadhurst, and
Master Barnet.
The usual toasts of the King, and the rest of the Royal
Family, followed, and were received with suitable demonstra.
tions of respect.
The LORD MAYOR then proposed the health of Lord Ers-
kine, whose name was connected with the history of their
country, and whose presence he had no doubt they would ap-
preciate in a suitable manner:—(Applause.)
Lord EnsKINE, in returning thanks, briefly remarked, that
he had a proud recollection of his early connexion with the city-
of London, and should never fail to appreciate the value of the
services of his fellow-citizens upon every occasion in which their
independent efforts were called into action.
The LORD MAYOR next proceed the health of the Lord
Mayor elect (Mr. Waithman.) In doing so he congratulated
the city upon the total absence of party feeling which charac-
terized the late election. It was a welcome presage of that
sense of general propriety which established the necessity of
merging all considerations, purely personal or political, in the
predominant necessity of securing fur the citizens of London an
able and efficient chief Magistrate.—(Aoplause.)—He bad a
long knowledge of his Hon. Friend—(Mr. Waithinan)—and
he'was convinced that he would be found to discharge his duty
as became the Chief Magistrate of the City of London, He
(Mr. He gate) had had the advantage of filling it in peaceable
times, and he had the satisfaction of bequeathing the same ad-
vantage of time to his successor. lie could also assure him,
that at all times he would be ready to afford him his best advice
and assistance, should any circumstances arise to render it worth
his while to accept such aid.
' Mr. Waithman's health was drank with great applause.
Mr. WAITHMAN, in • returning thanks, said, that he ac-
knowledged with great satisfaction the honour now done him,
as well as the flattering manner In which the Court of Alder-
men
had conducted the election. lie assured them of his de-
termination
to support, as far as he could support it, the inde-
pendence and integrity of the City of London, and to do 4'
with the utmost impartiality.—(Applause.)—Aethe same time
that he should ever be found, regardless of political differences,
to sustain the impartial character of his Magisterial office, he
hoped that the good sense of his fellow-citizens would not sup-
pose that, either on their part, or upon his own, he abandoned
that right of free opinion, which was an inherent right in every
British subject, and which grew out of the essence of their
Con stitu t ion. —kk pplans e.)
The LOUD laYou then proposed the health of the Right
Hon. G. Canning, who had honoured them with his presence
at their festival—a Minister who was not only distinguished by
possessing the approbation of his colleagues in office, but also of
having acquired the cordial support of the great majority of
the people of the country at large. That Right Hon. Gentle.
Oman had just returned from a tour in the northern part of the
efloduennttryth,a itnhtehfeocuonudrse atevery which he
itdhe (the Lord
a
a 11sle cause
frsa)
twisasfaccdoonn-
at the prosperity of the manufacturing interests, and the general
growth of the population of the country. He saw no doubt an
attestation, if any were wanted, of the truth, that in peace the
commerce and manufactures of the country could flourish, and
a complete refutation of the exploded notion, that war was ne-
cessary to invigorate the resources or ingenuity of the people.—
(Applause.)lt was quite clear, from every day's experience,
that nothing was more conducive than peace to the prosperity
of the manufactures and commerce of the country. He hoPed
that the Right lion. Gentleman would find the same spirit and
prosperity In the city of London that he had in his northern
tour, and with if the prevalence of those sentiments of loyalty
maffsoecjtuiosntl,ywrirteh.eoinitthale-hnitc.ii,4they would fail to preserve that
just rank and station in the eyes of the world, which had made
andle Loud applause.)—He concluded
by proposing Mr. Cunning's health, which was drank with
three times three.

Mr. CANNING, in returning thanks, said, it was impos-
sible for him adequately to express his thanks to the com-
pany for the testimony which on :tile present occasion they
had borne to his public conduct testimony which, from
the rank and respectability of those who did him the honour
to confer it, might! be deemed as not unreasonably embody-
ing the sentiments of that great and integral portion of his
Majesty's subjects, the• citizens Of London.—(Applause.)—
He had, in the discharge of his public duty, the high grati.
fication of bearing the approbation of his Sovereign ;—to this
was added the sustaining support of the Parliament; but great
as were these testimonials of support, they were incomplete and
ineffectual, without that other acknowledgment which he was
proud to receive—the co. Operation and approbation of his fellow.
citizens at large.—(Loud applause.)—The Lord Mayor hail
truly said, that, difficult as had been the period at which he
(Mi. Canning) had been called to fIU office, lie had nevertheless
the satisfaction to find the city of London pursuing a state of
!treat and glorious prosperity. He had the very great satis.
faction to know, not Only that such prosperity prevailed, but
that It was founded upon sound and permanent principles of
commercial economy—that from the very nature of its organi-
zation and action, it was not liable to the vicissitudes
which had previously swayed it, and was better calculated
to acquire it steady and permanent value. \He also agreed
with the Lord Mayor elect (Mr. Waithrnan) in the full
admission that every man in the community, whatever
might be • his situation or office, had a full right to the
honest expression of his sentiments, in such manner as be-
came an honest and independent man.—(Loud applause.).—
The constitution of England rested on the balance of power
between the several bodies of the State. These could only be
maintained by giving a fair scope to the conflicting opinions of
the country; and they, like all public men honestly contend.
ing for the public interests, must be sensible that, however pre.
sent feelings might prompt them to extreme struggles, their
only object—whit they meant to accomplish—was the public
good, according to their respective sense of its best interests.—
!'heir real ground of disputation was not the maintenance of the
constitution—upon that they were all agreed, but the means of
supporting it, and, with it, the, dignity and independence of
the country._( Great applause.)—ln almost all other countries
but Great Britain, nations were of late times found at war upon
extreme principles. This country had abstained from participat.
ing in those inflammations, from a fear of immediately aggravat.
ing them by a useless and an unnecessary intermixture with their
passions and their wants. They had taken what he trusted would
eventually prove the wiser course—they had by their wiser policy
shewn, that however heretofore it might have been deemed that
war and commercial prosperity went hand in hand, it remained
for them to exhibit to the world the admiring spectacle of corn.
merce growing with general -peace, and by the Motenatural and
calmer operations of universal friendship and confidence.--
Applause.)—He cordially trusted that such a state of things
Would be found progressively advancing, and that the time of
the new mayoralty would, like the past, pass away in one un-
interrupted struggle to promote and perpetuate such blessings,
and to evince at its dose the same gratifying result.. Ile car.
dislly hoped that the- succeeding LoriOlayor would enjoy the
good. fortune,, and imitate the example of his predecessor, and
like him, have to conclude the penod of hie civic service as
Chief Magistrate with the sane gratifying. recital.—(Applause. )
—He could not conclude without testifying the respect he bore
to the City of London, by proposing the health 01 its present
Chief Magistrate, and prosperity to the City.--(Applause.)
The Loan MaYou expressed the high sense be entertained
of this distinguished compliment, end begged to propose the
health of another distinguished guest, who was a memter of
his Majesty's GoYernment—he meant the Right lion. Mr.
Iluskisson, the President of the Beard of Trade—an office
nearly connected with the interests of their great commercial
citY. Mr. Huskisson's health was drank with loud applause.
Mr. Hutu:lEBoNi in returning thanks for thii dißunguished
mark of civic attention, which he begged to assure them he did
With a deep sense of it value, iledared, that as President of the
Board of Trade, to which office he had been lately promoted,
he felt peculiarly such a mark of confidence and respect ; for
he received it as the compliment of thet portion of a large met..
cantile community, which might be fairly said to represent the 1
great and comprehensive interests of the commerce of rho coon-
n—t,(Aarildrikille.on)---Iyielheafneeekl that his only claim for such
of confirming to deserve it,
utrycoarnt Ipfiriogle;
arose, and must depend upon his devoting his belt efforts to
make the general trade of the country-as prosperous as eta great
resources entitled it to be made;, knowing that at every step the
City of London must derive a large share of such prosperity
.—(Applause.}
—_They
nartuealitimmatte of
state of peace. During the war, they had made great corn-
, mereial effints, and had seen them often affected by the power.
fug arrangements of a tyrent, who directed all his energiee
against the Comtnerce, the independence, and the rights of
this country ; but the spirit and enterprise of the British
merchant rose superior to all these attacks; he held hie ground,
anti was now deriving the benefit of his perseverance.--{Ap-
plause.)--During thelate calamitous war, it became necessary

for the Government to interpose a variety of commercial ope-
rations, which were only suited to the exigency of the times. Ort
the restoration of peace, they paved the way fora commercial
system better adapted for the situation of the country ; and
long, he trusted, would that career of peace enable them to
cultivate and pursue a pacific system—(applause)—such a
system as would give to trade the freest scope, and the mos:,
ample security. To promote and cultivate such measure*
would be his incessant study, because he was convinced that
upon their realization depended the commercial prosperity of
the country.—threat applause.)
The LORD Mayon then proposed the health of the new
Sh end's' .

3lr. WItITTAXER returned thanks, and expreased in plain
and manly terms his determination to pursue that line of con-
duct which was Calculated to secure for him the confidence or
his fellow-citizens.

Mr. LA uRIV, in returning thanks, also assured thc company
of his fixed determination to pursue every step which was cal
culated to support their municipal rights. He was compara-
tively new amongst them: but they would, he said, find him
zealously disposed to concur in every measure which was cal-
culated to promote their best interests.
Both Sheriffs were warmly applauded.
Several other civic toasts were given, and the company sat
until a lite hour in the festive enjoyment of civic hospitality.