The Sun.
London, England, 1841-09-08 00:00:00

DINNER. TO LORD "VIVIAN BY

THE OFFICERS- OF THE ROYAL ARTILLERY.
Lieutenant-General Lord Vivian, G.C.8., and
G.C.11*., on his health being drunk at a dinner given
to him by the officers of the Royal Artillery on Sa-
turday last, returned thanks in the following terms :
" Gentlemen—l feel it quite out of my power to
express as I could wish, and as I ought, my sense of
the very flattering and the very gratifying manner in
which you have received the toast my Noble Friend
Lord Bloomfield has been so kind as to propose ; the
painful circumstances under which we meet render it
peculiarly difficult. When I say painful circumstances,
fancy not that it is loss of power and of place, with the
pride and pomp that attach to them, that I lament.
Proud as I am of the distinguished office I have now had
the honour for some years to hold, I could part with it
without a pang, and retire, after nearly fifty years of
uninterrupted service, to pass the remainder Of my
days in the bosom of my family. The pain arises
from feeling that this is the last time I shall hate the
happiness of meeting, as the Master•Generai of the
Ordnance, those I see around me, with whom, in my
official capacity, I have had so much satisfaction in act-
ing, and for whom, as friends, I have had so much rea-
son to feel the highest respect and esteem. But, gen-
tlemen, it is well sometimes to call to our assistance a
little philosophy, and especialy so on an occasion of
this sort, when the feelings of the heart might other-
wise be too strong for the expression of that which it
would dictate, and overpower the tongue. I must have
recourse to the old proverb, and recollect that every-
thing is for the best in this world.' lam willing to be- ,
lieve the truth of this in my case ; I am certain of it
in yours. My career in life has been more fortunate
than I could possibly have hoped for or expected, I fear
I must add than I have deserve& I am fast falling
into the vale of years, and any energies, any powers of
body or of mind I may ever have possessed, are daily
and hourly becoming weaker and weaker. I cannot
but remember that the poet, when speaking of one of
the greatest men this or any other country ever had to
boast of, has said that—
" Tears of dotage fell from
,Marlborough's eyes.'
And can. I, humble and 'comparatively insignificant in-
dividual as I am, hope to escape the feelings of my fel-
low man ? It must, alas! gentlemen, be the lot of us
all, and it is therefore, perhaps, happy for me that I
should be called into retirement before, in old age and
infirmity, I may have failed in the proper discharge of
my duties—before I may. have forfeited the good
opinion which your reception of me on this occasion
shows me I have now the happiness to possess. In re-
spect to you, gentlemen, the change will, I have no
doubt, be an advantage. In my successor you will
have an officer with talents better qualifying him to fi 1
the high and important office aid carry on its duties
than I can hope to have shown ; with power and influ-
ence superior to any that I have possessed, and conse-
quently stronger to support such measures as he may
think calculated for your benefit. The only point in
which I will yield to no man is in a sincere and heart-
felt desire to promote your interests. Gentlemen, it is
now above six years since I have had the honour of
holding the distinguished effice of Master- General of
the Ordnance. Before I was appointed to it, in the
course of my military service, frequent opportunifes
had been afforded me of being acquainted with the
service of the Ordnance Military Corps—brave in the
field, and well disciplined at all times—l had learne I
to entertain for them the highest possible opinion.
The experience I have had during the time I have been
at their head has not disappointed my expectations.
My command has been one, I may say, of unintsrruptsd
satisfaction ; and if, gentleman, during that period it has
been in my power to render any service to the corps.
it is only to their own good conduct, their own merits,
their own claims, and not to any favour on my part,
that they are indebted for it. Gentlemen, before I
conclude I must say a few words on professsonal subjects.
England is now at peace, and I trust and hope may
long continue so ; but, as soldiers, it is our duty to be
ready for war. Throughout Europe improvements ere
taking place in the arms of every description
with which the forces of different nations are
supplied, and in the use of them. My Noble
Friend has referred to the circumstance of my
having given a better arm to the soldiers of
our own army ; in our heavy guns, also, I may add,
some improsements have been made since I have been
at the Ordnance ; but there is much yet to be done.
Watch, I pray you, the progress of such improvements
in other countries, endeavour to go ahead of them in
your own, so that should your services be required in
the field, the British Aitillery may at all times evince
that superiority for which they have hitherto been
distinguished when called on to defend their Sovereign
and their country. Another point to which I must
refer is to that institution which, originating in the
zeal for acquiring information and promotine science of
some of our junior officers, and supported by some of
the seniors, has sprung up since I have been at your
head ; I consider it of great importance, not only to the
character of the corps, but to the country generally. 1
consider that_out of it great advantage to science and
great credit to the regithent may ensue; I have there-
fore encouraged, fostered, and cherished it ; and I hope
those around me aed those who follow me will continue
so to do. The circumstance of officers of the Royal
artillery being stationed in all parts of the globe—men
who have ha.l a scientific education, and are conse-
quently able to benefit by the observations they may
have an opportunity of making—affords an advantage
that scarcely any amount of expense in the employ-
ment of civilians would enahle the country to obtain.
Again, then, I say, let the same spirit which originated
this institution continue to maintain it ; it cannot bet
contribute still more to raise the estimation and cha-
racter of the corps, and it may be of infinite use to
science and the country generally. Gentlemen, I have
done, and in concluding I can only again assure you,
that wherever I go, whatever may be my fate, my heart
will be with you ; I shall ever feel the deepest intlrest
in the prosperity, the happiness, and the success of a
corps, over which I have had so much satisfaction in
presiding, and from which 1 feel so much pain at
parting."
On quitting the room Lord VIVIAN spoke as fol-
lows :—" Gentlemea, the time has now arrived when

I must say,' Good night '—when I must bid you farewell.
This is "the last time,probably, I shall wear. the uniform
in which I now appear ; bolt in laying it dow:-. I shall
not lay down that deep interest I must ever feel in the
corps to which it belong?. Gentlemen, my heart will
ever be with you. Your character, your honour, and
your prosperity will always be dear t 3 me. You will,
I hope, allow me still the honour of continuing a mem-
ber of your MCS3, and allow me, as such, hereafter to
appear amongst you in a coloured coat. Farewell
and God bless you all."—Standard.