The Sun.
London, England, 1851-08-29 00:00:00

FRIDAY

v el
EVENING,

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

lion. Gentleman. on resuming his seat, was again
greeted with enthusiastic applause.
Mr. LOCKE, M P., in responding to the toast of his
health, said that when he came into that room he had
no idea of receiving such a mark of respect as they
had just paid him, for the very small compliment
which he had paid his friend Mr. Stephenson in
coining from London to witness the floating of the
first tube. He sincerely assured the company that
he clime to their banquet that day to do honour to
Mr. Stephenson, to whom all honour was due._
(Cheers.) In rising on that occasion he did so with
extreme reluctance, because he felt that he could say
nothing beyond expressing his cordial concurrence in
all the remarks which the Chairman had made re-
specting their distinguished guest. He could, how-
ever, from personal experience say what must have
been the character of that engineering skill which had
enabled the difficulties encountered in constructing
the Britannia-bridge to be overcome.—(Great cheer-
ing.) The genius and talent which were equal to
the completion of so great a work must indeed
he of the very highest order.—(Hear, hear.)
When he rsfl-cted that Mr. Stephenson was a
friend of his of 30 years' standing, he (Mr. Locke)
thought he might with some propriety say that be did
participate in the honour which they had now paid to
their eminent guest.—(Cheers.) It was impossible
for a man, the member of a profession to which they
both belonged, to witness such a proceeding as the
present, and not feel deeply the honour so deservedly
paid.—(Cheers.) He gladly availed himself of that
opportunity to say, honour to the man who had con-
ceived and executed such a noble work. Might they
live long to admire it, and might Mr. Stephenson live
long to receive the homage which intelligence always
pays to distinguished merit.—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. PAXTON, in acknowledging the compliment of
his health being drank, said, that so much had been
said by himself and others about the Crystal Palace,
that he felt totally inadequate to find any new sub-
ject to entertain them with. But perhaps they
would allow him on that occasion to mention a cir-
cu►i:stance which he had mentioned before, with re-
ference to the distinguished individual to whom they
had that day done honour; he was not only the author of
the Britannia-bridge, but he considered that ➢lr.
Stephenson gave him the most efficient support in the
origin of the Crystal Palace—(Hear, bear)—and it
was mainly due to that gentleman's influence that his
plan for the Exhibition building was ultimately
adopted.—(Loud cheers.) "And," continued Mr.
Paxton, " where do you suppose I gained most of
my ideas ? I received them from the same source as
our distinguished guest himself. For many years I
had the felicity to have the acquaintance of his re-
vered father—(Cheers)—and I ask any one who was
ever with that gentleman for five minutes, whether he
did not derive some advantage from meeting with
him ? There is one drawback to the proceedings of
this day, and that is, that the elder Mr. Stephenson
has not been permitted to live to see the realisation
of the scene which this assembly presents.—(Hear.)
But, gentlemen, his spirit is here; and that spirit
will survive so long as a locomotive engine shall run,
and as long as railways shall exist to advance civilisa-
tion throughout the earth."—(Rapturous applause.)
The various other toasts on the list having been
given and responded to, the company separated shortly
before 11 o'clock.

The Right Hon. Sir F. T. Baring, Bart., who left
the Admiralty yesterday morning to join the Lady
Arabella Baring and family at Spa, in Germany, is
expected to be absent about a fortnight.

ITGUST 29 1851.

NOTES FOR STRANGERS.