The Sun.
London, England, 1824-07-27 00:00:00

S'l'A FFO RDSII I ItE.

PUBLIC DINNER and the PRESENTATION of a PIECE
of PLATE to JOHN TO[ANSON, Esq.
We subjoin a brief statement. of the proceed-
Inga at a Public Dinner, at the Swan Inn, Hanley, on Wed.
nesday last, given by the Subscribers to a Pit:ct of PLATE to
be presented to Mr. Tom !ANSON, on the occasion of the pre.
sentation of the same. The piece is a handsome Turtle Tureen,
of Massive Silver, elegantly chased ; and bearing on one side
the crest, and on the other, the following inscription :

TO JOilN TOM [AMNON, 1044.
Of Cud-Ville, in the Parish of Stoke-upon-Trent,
In the County of Stafford :
This Piece of Plate is respectfully presented
By a number of the Ley Payers of that Parish,
As a testimony of their sense of the.
Ability and firmness with which he successfully resisted and
exposed
Various illegal charges and irregular practices
In the administration of Parish Business;
And in further admiration of the spirit and independen,ca
With which he met and combated a system of
COMBINATION AND CLAMOUR,
Which sought to deter men
From expressing their honest sentiments
On Public Occasions.
June 11121.

The Tureen has remained for several days at the Swan Inn,
for the inspection of such of the Subscribers as could not make
it convenient to dine : and such other persons as chose to see it,
which have been very considerable. 'Die piece cost lOW. It
is more honourable to the gentlemen to whom it is presented,
as it originated in feelings apart front personal or party interests;
and may be considered as a tribute to the spirit with which Air.
Tomlinson met the odious attempt at Pariah denomination by a
few sectarian demagogues' through the instrumentality of their
own workmen. As a proof that the subscribers to the same re-
present property and respectability in the parish, they pay
nearly IWO/. yearly to the poor rate.

DINNER TO Wt. TOMLINSON, &C.
On Wednesday last, twenty-eight Gentlemen sat clown to
Dinner, in the Assembly /bon), at the Swan Inn, Hanley, on
the occasion of presenting is Hee,: of Plate to Mr. Tomlinson,
Hugh H. WILLIAMSON, Esq. in the Chair ; supported on his
right by the Rev. Mr. Vale, Mr. Adams, &c. ; and on the left,
by Mr. Tomlinson, Mr. Josiah Spode, jun. 11ir. Chas. Mason,
&.c. Mr. John Askey, High Constable of Hanley and Shelton,
Vice. The dinner was well served up ; and the wines were
excellent.

After the cloth was removed, the Chairman gave "the King,"
with four times four; after which were given the Duke of York
and the Army; and the Duke of Clarence and the Navy, &c.
The CHAIRMAN, after a few observations, regretting that
his duty had not fallen into abler hands, proposed the health
of John Tomlinson, Esq. restint; it with the judgment of those
persons who had known Mr. lomlinstin longest, and known
him intimately, to. appreciate the public spirit and public in-
tegrity which he merited to receive—and the pleasure of private
friendship which paid—the will deserved tribute of respect which
the Meeting was about to aim to his friend. He, in the first
plac , would propose that the health of Mr. Tomlinson be drank,
(which was received with unanimous applause, and drank amid
loud acclamations). The Chairman then proceeded to pre-
sent the piece of plate, which he did in a neat speech, wishing
Mr. Tomlinson long life, health and happiness to enjoy it.
This wish was seconded with the repeated plaudits of the cont.
pany ; the bells of Hanley Church, by private signal, com-
mencing a merry peal at the same moment of time.
Mr. Tom LtssoN rose under evident feelings of emotion,
and addressed the company in the following terms:--
Mr. Chairman, and llentlemen,-1 rise with so full a heart,
that I fear my tongue will ill perform its office, on this, to me,
most gratifying occasion. I:ut let me not be judged by my ex-
pressions ; rather believe that every thing which a grateful
heart can or ought to feel, 1 really feel at the present moment.
To be considered, rt. 9 in any way instrumental in checking ir-
regular practices in the Parish accounts, and as having been
at all conducive to any re-action of the public mind against an
overwhelming influence in our public Arms, 1.1 highly flatter-
in ; but the splendid Memorial now placed before me, forcibly
tells rue that you have greatly over-rated my humble, yet ha.
neat endeavours in those respects. Tbst conviction, however,

augments the debt which I owe to your kindness and good opi-
nion. Valuable as the gift is, in itself, permit me to say that
its value is materially enhanced by the consideration that it
originated in the place where I resided for 11 years ; and by
the circumstance, that some of my oldest sad most valued
friends, those who have known me long, and know me best,
are amongst the subscribers.
Gentlemen, as a public man, through life, 1 have nothing to
reproach myself with; and whilst this proud consciousness re.
mains with me, and is strengthened and confirmed by the ap.
probation of those whose esteem I regard, 1 shall look with
scorn upon my calumniators, and defy their malice. At an
early period I took up the opinion that man, in a state of so-
ciety, lives not for himself alone. Upon that principle I have
steadily acted • often under very deterring circumstances, but
I have fearlessly gone on, when I thought I could be useful,
though it has happened to use from party spirit, to be visited
with persecution and even obloquy, for the very acts upon
which I pride myself the most, and which now stand confessed
as public benefits. This, however, is a common case. I mar
truly say, in the language of a high legal character, " that I
have, at dines, suffered much unjust reproach, but my maxim
has been to endeavour to do my duty, whether through evil
report or ge. xl report, and to leave the consequences to God."
This is the eighth public testimonial which has been pre-
sented to me, and the possessor of such honourable records
must expect
to be a target fur the malevolent and the envious
to shoot at. But entrencheil in the integrity of my views, I
leave them to rankle in their spleen, and fear them not.
To receive the gift at the hands of so proved a friend as the
worthy Chairman, renders it still more acceptable to me. I
thank him for the kind and handsome manner in which he has
been pleased to express himself. Though fully conscious that
his praise has gone far beyond my deserving*, yet I know that
he thinks what he has said, for honesty and Mr. Hugh Wil-
liamson arc proverbial.
Oentlemen, I will only add, that no man can have the in-
terest of the Potteries more at heart than I have. Who indeed
is more identified with it than I ant in Its various relations ?
and that you may individually be blessed with long life, pro.
sperity, and happiness, is my sincere and most fervent wish.
3lr. Tomlinson sat down amid the general cheers of the
fleeting.
Tout.txsox.—l will now beg leave to propose as a
toast, with full honours,
The worthy Chairman, Mr. Hugh Ifenshall Williamson,
who not only bears the name, but Inherits all the innate
worth and integrity of character of his late and most
highly respected Uncle.
This toast was given amid universal applause, and drank
with acclamations.

_ .....
31r. N%; mt.t.astsox briefly replied.
The following toasts and sentiments were afterwards given
by the Chairman :—The Stewards of the Pottery Races—The
Members of the County—The Members of Newcastle--The
INlarttuis of StatTord (with three times three)—The Dean of
Lichfield (with the same honours)—Mr. Wedgwood—Mr.
Spode, and better health to him, (with honours.)
Jo4lAlf Sromr, jun. Esc). replied, and thanked the com-
pany for the honour done to his father.
The Chairman then gave the health of the Reverend Mr.
Vale.

Mr. VALE replied in a neat and humorous speech, in which
be made soma Just and severe observations on the attempts
that had been made in the parish to abridge the liberty of
speech, by the vulgar clamour of workmen in the cause and in.
tercets of their employers. lie remarked on the strange irre-
gularities and practices that had been introduced into the con.
ducting of parish business, and which became so complicated
and involved, that those very persona whose business it was to
conduct such business, confessmi that they did not understand
it. The exposure of this confusion was necessary as a preli-
minary step to a clearer and better system of management ; and
the parish was in a great measure indebted to Mr. Tomlinson
for the tone of improvement which had been adopted in the
parish atairs. Mr. V. concluded by drinking the healths of
the company, and thanking them fur the honour which they
had done him.

Josiah Spade, jun. Esq.
Mr. SPODE replied, and expressed the happiness he felt At
sleeting so respectable u company on the occasion.
The Cuatitstax gave the health of Mr. Sheridan, and the
Lane End Race Committee.

Al
~it
r. E 11.1.15 A Nlseplied,spil,..Y.tt VW*
examined, was asked " What he could do ?"
The person replied " Every thing." lEsop was then asked
what he could do, and he replied " Nothing." " How," was
the answer, "Do nothing ?" " No," said sop, " that gen-
tleman can do every thing—he has left use nothing to do !"
( Loud laughter and applause.)—Mr. Sheridan very humor-
ously applied this case to his present situation. The other
parts of the Potteries had done so much in the cause of the
Itace Establishment, and done it so well, that the district of
Lane End had little to do but acknowledge the merits of their
neighbours, and to second their liberality, and their views,
which he was sure his friends would cordially emulate and sup-
port.—(Loud )
The health of Mr. Askey, the high Constable.
Mr. A ag 1:Y replied.
The health of 31r. Acton, the Clerk of the Course.
Mr. ACTON replied.
Mr. Twigg, and the Burstein Race Committee.
Mr. Tveßio replied.
The following toasts followed :—Mr. Edward Keeling, the
active promoter of the present .'sleeting.—t Mr. Ks:m.l)w re-
plied.)--Chas. Mason, Esq.—Mr. hunter, and the hand o'
Cakes.—(3lr. 11 uxTEtt replied on behalf of himself anti his
country ; he paid a tribute of respect to the noble spirit of
toleration which was exercised by the established Church of
England ; and said that this was well felt anti acknowledged
by the Kirk of Scotland.)
It. E. fleatheote, Esq. the intelligent and impartial Chair-
man of our public meetings was given. Mr. finfirrife replied
on behalf of Mr. Ileatheote.

The CHAIRMAN gave tft-e-fl anley anti Shelton Coral Society
exssing his wish that his name should be added to the list
of honorary members.
Many other toasts and sentiments followed, which we have
not room to particularize.
different glees, &c. at intervals, i
-n most excellent style, with
haen dusidh,Citrinsse. .Tthltc:
The Vocalists of the Nanley
which the company were much gratified ; particularly by
11.1,1biadils Smiling Morn,"
111 r. 2fonilinson left about nine o'clock ; the company mse
and cheered him as he left the room.
The evening was spent with conviviality, and some of die
company remained till a late %our.

---------==
A seaman belonging to the Victory of this port,
sustained a serious injury on Tuesday last, while viewing the
wild beasts in Mr. Al-eines collection now exhibiting at the
Free Mart. It appears that thoughtless Jack, seeing the keepermight maks free with the noble lioness which has
just whelped
two cubs, fancied he might be allowed the same privi-
lege. The animal's Paw was Pwirlided a alma distance
out of the den, and the man put his hand underneath,
with the intent, on his part, of merely shaking
hands
but we are sorry to say he paid too dear for hi* temerity ;
1 the lioness instantly with her talons grasped his hand, dragged
' his arm through the bars, and had it in her month with
the utmost quickness. Providentially, the keeper was present,
and his authority interposing, she dropped it, but not be.
hire she had mangled his hand and am in such a manner, as
no doubt will deter not only him but others from venturing so
near, or trying such tOol-harily experiments. lied not the keeper
been very prompt in his assistance, in all probability this
thoughtless man would have either lost his arm, or been
so crippled in the use of it as would have been tantamount
to the same. We understand that, although his fingers have
been laid bare, and his arm in two or three places ahews very
plainly the rough usage it has had, on the whole he is likely to
do well.—( Piortsmuuth Paper. )
We understand the Chamber of Commerce and
Manufactures of this city has petitioned his MA-
J 'STY ill Council to recognize the indepp„,l,,,,c,
of the new States in South America and Mexica.
(Edinburgh Star.)
NOTTINGHAM, Jute' 22.—The night after the
I -
funeral of Lord Bynum, some thieves broke into
the church of Huainan 'l'orkard, and carried otf
a large quantity of black cloth, with which the
pulpit and reading desk had hero hung as a rork..
of respect to the inerraory of his Lordship.