The Sun.
London, England, 1848-11-24 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL

A I.'wfrt was held yesterday for the dispatch of a great
t4e4l of pubic
The LORD MAYOR, whose entrance was welcomed
with cheers, addressed the Court. Ile had, he said, tn-
ioyed the good fortune a being a member of the Corn-
m.7n Council for many years, and he hoped ho had ac-
quired the respect and esteem of his worthy colleagues
curing that period. In taking his seat for the purpose
of presiding over the Court, he assured them that he was
perfectly conscious of the responsibility of that depart-
ment of his duties, but he knew at the same time that
he should receive at their hands such support as would
enable him to carry into full effect his intentions for the
service of the corporation and his fellow-citizens.—
(Cheers.) He was convinced that when they should see
him upholding their rights and privileges, they would
zealously and vigorously second his exertions. He was
sure that no chief magistrate could be more anxious than
he was to justify the good opinion of his fellow-citizens, to
which he owed,his elevation; but he at the same time knew
how necessary it was that he should be supported by the
judgment and authority of the body with which he was
to be in such frequent communication.—(Cheers.) He
would give the Court as many opportunities of meeting
as they should re quire, and he should be open to them
all individually wheneser it was considered that he could
render any benefit to the community. Haying stated so
much, he trusted the Court would allow him to say a few
words on a matter which had been a source of peculiar
gratification to him. It would he in the recollection of
th,. Court, that at the recent civic festival the French
Ambassador had alluded to the warm rectption which
some of his countrymen who had visited the metropolis
had met in the city of London, and expressed an earnest
desire that the visit should be returned by the mem-
bers of the corporation.—(Cheers.) Next day a more
paeticular communication to the same effect was made
to him in the hope that the corporation would con-
sent to be present at It fete which was appointed
to take place in Paris ; but as the notice was not
sufficient for men engaged as they were, he considered
himself justified in declining that invitation, at the same
time expressing how glad they all were at the cordial
feeling which existed between the people of both coun-
tries.—(Loud cheers.) With these observations he
should take his seat in the Court, repeating to the mem-
bers that as they should see him act with candour and
impartiality so he should expect from them correspond.
ing assistance and support.—(Cheers.)
Mr. NORRIS said, he was anxious to express on
behalf of the whole Court his full confidence in the
discretion, impartiality, and dignity with which his
Lordship would administer the duties of his high
office. His assurance of constant devotion to the
public service was accepted with the utmost confidence
and regard, and was consistent with the well esta-
blished character of his Lordship, whose career of use-
fulness had been the admiration of all.—(Cheers.) He
congratulated his Lordship on! the interesting fact just
communicated, and said that, combined with other mani-
lestationa of goodwill recently evinced by the French to-
wards this great country, it served to prove that the
bonds of peace were being cemented, and that the desire
of the English to cultivate the most friendly relations
was generously reciprocated in France, and that unity,
peace, and concord was the motto on both sides.—
(Great cheering.) Whilst all Europe watched with in-
tense interest the future destiny of France, it was the
grateful privilege of England to receive this interesting
testimony that a desire to maintain the most friendly
relations, and to cultivate and enjoy the advantages of
uninterrupted commercial intercourse, was every day
gaining strength on both sides the Channel.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Norris concluded by congratulating his Lordship
on the honour and compliment paid to the corporation
in the person of his Lordship, and sat down amidst
cheering.