The Sun.
London, England, 1823-06-23 00:00:00

If there ever was a time when the Magisterial
office was held in slight estimation, either from mistaken or
perverted principles, that time it tr.ust now be perceived has
completely passed away ; and happy is it for the city that it is
so. While office is held to be the reward and the prerogative
of condition, affluence, or the successful exertion of talent—
while it is eagerly sought by the most worthy of our citizens,
and conferred as an honourable distinction—and while it is up-
held with dignity and liberality, so long will' it be regarded
with deferential respect, and fulfil the object of its institution,
in being the faithful preserver and guardian of peace and order.
We may safely resort to the few last "years for the proof of this
truth. There was a time when the Magistracy of Norwich
was eo lightly considered, that office was evaded if not despised
by some of the wealthiest of our citizens. Now we may truly
say, it is courted as the highest object to which the most opu-
lent and the most able can aspire. Nor are the effects of this
change of opinion confined to the higher classes of inhabitants.
koperates over all ranks, and nothing was more apparent nor
more gratifying to us in the hospitalities and ceremonies of the
Guild Day, than to observe the cheerful spirit that was dif-
fused among the industrious orders, and the power of enjoy-
ment they seemed to possess. The population, cleanly in their
persons, neat in their apparel, and with the spring and alacrity
of a joyful temper, swanned into the streets, and tilled the
town with a gaiety that was to our apprehension quite delight-
ful. In our walks through the city we saw not only the visible
proofs of the creative powers of' industry, but the pleasures it
can and ought ever to confer, smiling around us • and these
pleasures were as decidedly identified and connected with the
respect due to the occasion.
A. portion and no small portion of this feeling, no doubt, had
its origin in the esteem the Mayor personally enjoys. It has
been our lot to know this gentleman's character thoroughly
froM the period of his boyhood, and we have peculiar satisfac-
tion in now declaring that a more honourable, manly, inde-
pendent spirit, does not inhabit the breast of an Englishman.
Ask the character of Mr. John Patteson from the highest to
the lowest, and our estimate of him will be confirmed to the
letter. Descended from a family that has for the best part of a
century been held in the most sincere respect, his own frank,
plain, and gentlemanly manners, have cemented the good opi-
nion that was the most enviable portion of his name, and he
has made this esteem his own by the sterling value of intrinsic
qualities. Were we merely delivering our own private judg-
ment, we should feel that it might be thought presumntuoua
and uncalled for, but upon such an occasion we becoffe the
organs of the general voice, and not to pay this tribute of re-
spect, would seem an admission for.which we should not easily
atone to that üblic, who expects from us the performance of a
duty as grateful to ourselves as to the whole body of the citizens.
The quarter of the city where Mr. Patteson resides bore
ample testimony to our truth. We never recollect so universal
a display of such ornaments as are customary on these occa-
lions. Triumphal arches were raised in more than one part of
Magdalen-street (which were illuminated at night with the
Mayor's initials in coloured lamps), while the view of its entire
length presented as it were a canopy of decorations, flags, and
foliage. At several of the public-houses musicians were play.
ing in rustic bowers—booths were erected—the busy hive was
abroad—there was every where the sound of mirth, and the
whole quarter was one scene of joyous festivity.
The inhabitants of Pockthorpe renewed their annual proces-
sion, and it was with increased interest we found no lack of last
year's splendour, but an extended degree of exertion to pay re-
spect to the worthy and esteemed Magistrate who possesses
such a large establishment amongst them. His liberal gift of a
fine sheep, which was roasted whole, did not detract from the
general zest. In the procession WAR a man upon a gray
charger, dressed in imitation of armour.--There were the Blue.
coats, Macebearers, and indeed' the whole Court, in regular
array. The different housei of entertainment vied with each
r, other in their external decorations, and the display of garlands,
flap, pictures, and dressed figures, contributed to the gaiety.
The Fishermen's (or Quay-side Guild) had their procession
also.--Neptune appeared in a state wig and flowing beard, with
his trident surmounted by salted 'herrings, and the Mayor was
carried by twelve men in his barge, decorated with flags, &c.
As the Court passed to the 'House of the Mayor in the morning,
aitteindg them.
catastrophe
trc these, their humbler brethren, drew up in the market and sa-
hiOsthire that
readn
ed the
eattienn4dYPr°bnbiremember the hutni-
iclose of the Mayor's clay
last year, when his Worship fell from his barge. After the
new .Mayor was sworn, the retiring Aligistrate gave him the
perience, and urged upon him
sthagate,aindsoirdeeetrietohtutltviolriadwansfirnolmiinere
accident, it would be wise to
stint his potations of Patteson's nog. But to our higher task of
relating the transactions of the Court.
Several Members of the
Corporation, attended by their of-
ficers, partook of an elegant Jejune at the hoitseof the Mayor
Elect, in Magdalen-street, after* which they proceeded to the
house of the fate Mayor, and from thence to the Guildhall,
from which a procession was as mina] formed, with the full ac-
companiment of regalia and attendance, to the Cathedral
Church of this city, where the accustomed ceremonies having
been gone through, they were received by the dignitaries of the
church, the full organ playing
a very solemn voluntary ; the
Mayor, the Mayor E lect
nine Senior Aldermen, the Learned
Recorder, the Steward, the two sheriffs, three junior Alder..
men, the Chamberlain, Town Clerk, with thirty-two Mem-
bers of the Common Council, &c. being seated in the choir, the
service for the day was performed by the Rev. Francis Ilowes,
the choir assisting; after the anthem, " the Festal Morn,"
had been sung, the sermon was preached by the Rev. W. F.
Patteson, Chaplain to the. alectefrom 2d Samuel xxiii.
ccyor E
3. Ile that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear
of God."—The Rev. Preacher commenced his discourse by
stating the fear of God to ete poper and ol foundion of
all good government--thatb h
it was this divinen pry incipleet which
actuated the author of the address from which the text was se.
lected, and led him through various subordinate situations
from feeding and tendin sheep, to be the leader of God's
people, and conducted him to the throne of Israel—and
when seated thereon, enabled him to feed them with a faith-
ful. and true heart, and to rule them prudently with all his
power, at a period in which he was the most rich, popular,
and powerful Prince in his time. After descanting on the ne.
cessity of rulers being in all things influenced by this principle,
he proceeded to amplify the good effects resulting therefrom,
both to them and their subjects, ioul to demonstrate that this
duty is more impressively recommended hy the New Testa..
meat and the principles of4the Christian religion. That its
Divine Author unanimity enforced it bath in hjs doctrine and
practice, and strongly impressed on his disciples the necessity
of rendering'` unto Cieear the things " that are Ctesar's, and
unto God the things that are God's,by working the only.,
miracle, which he ever performed on-his own account, to enable.'
him to iischarge the tribute due from himself and his disci..
plea, and to prevent the offence which might justly have been
taken at this contempt of' lawful authority, and the example`
which others might Lave urged from it. That one of the
leading precepts of our Holy religion is, that its teachers
should press the necessity of being . subject to principalities
because welt powers are ordained of God, ;
and rebellion against them is teaisaance to God himself and
fanne 'powers, consci conscience sake,a obeying
Magistrates, not for terror but.
his most positive commands—which direct tie to submit to
every ordinance of' man for his sake, whether to tee King, as
supreme, or unto Governorsare sent by Into for
the punishment of evil doers, anti the praise of them that do
as to them that
well. That so inseparably connected are our Oeil and mil_
leucite _
by ounnd peaceable life in all
iciples and practice,
gious duties, that our first intercessions to the Fat per of Mercy
are immediately directed to be made for Kings anti who are
h quiet
gointalluintleiossriatyn,d thatimn ewsteym ohayus
promoting the interest of religion
,and good government, we
may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
The sermon being concluded, the Corporation proceeded to
the school porch, where an oration. in Latin was delivered with '
much force by Mr. George Wilhatu Steward, second son of
.Mr. Alderman Steward, of this city. •
The youthful orator, after apologies for his own deficiencies,
paid many handsome and deserved eomplimente to his Rever-
propriate quotation Totum muneris
`c hoe tai est, et quad leonwditaigndelLegeanarnt eadndPicePt"t winch he concluded with the fol-
phew, ei placed, tuum est." Of thelate
worthy Chief Magistrate he expressed himself in the following
classical language, containing a merited eulogium At me
•chercule omnibus in rebus, quas gessisti, to filial noatrieurbis
cc
n-stouvelimiosuisssi,
to Toro potree ac regis eniantissimitin,• satin opines
tt oro Aristidern, dond laicullum vidimus
cc
cc tVillattctmettingiiitincenr,
tiavii
:q uibus semper noinen inclaruit." amplissinie auctoritate, illA gravitate,
From the ell-known character of the present eleyor, and
of
the house from which he ladeticendecl, he augured every thing
that could be desired or Impel for in time preservation of the
USion to the
peace and good order of this city ; and after an all