The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-14 00:00:00

Mayor eulogized the manner in which Sir Edmund had
organized all the details connected with the transport of
the army from Varna to the- Crimea without the loss of
a man, and in such a state that within a week after
landing it fought .the ever memorable. Battle of Alma.
His lordship also referred to the first attack on Sebas-
topol, when the admiral's ship Agamemnon took up a
position so close to Fort Constantine that she had only
two feet of water to spare under her keel. This, he
said, was a proof of courage, seamanship, and determi-
nation worthy the best times of the British navy. As
chief in command, his vigour and zeal gave the utmost
confidence to officers arid men, and raised and main-
tained that spirit by which so much injury had been in-
flicted on the enemy—by which the coasts of the Sea of
Azoff had been ravaged; and by which the Black Sea,
hitherto called a Russian lake, would henceforth be open
to commercial vessels. A commander who bad -ren-
dered such services deserved every honour that a grate-
ful country can bestow on himy and be (the Lord Mayor)
trusted that his corporate friends would show their ap-
preciation of Sir E. Lyons by enrolling him' among the
distinguished men on whom they had conferred the
proud and honourable distinction of the freedom of their
ancient city. (Cbeerii.) In conclusion, he fervently
trusted that it would please God long to preserve the
life of Admiral Lyons, that he might enjoy in peace the
laurels which he had so nobly won -in his country's
'cause. (Cheers.) .

The toast having been drunk with every mark of cor-
diality and respect,
Sir ED3IUND LIONS rose and said that the Lord
Mayor had done him the honour to propose his health in
terms of commendation far higher than he deserved. To
say that he felt highly honoured by the too flattering
manner in which the Lord Mayor had expressed himself
was only the sample truth, but he was quite unable to
express the sentiments with which he was inspired at
the cordial reception given to bile by so distinguished a
body of the citizens of London, the greatest and moat
enlightened commercial community that evor existed,
and the spirit of enterprise emanating from which was
reflected over the whole world. (Cheers.) He wished
that he had established a better claim to the favourable
opinion which the company bad extended to him. The
war had not admitted of large ships and fleets being got
into position, and finally they had been deprived of all
opportunity of winning a victory in the Black Sea by
the enemy sinking their own vessels of war. In the
Baltic, also, his gallant friend Admiral Dundas had
in vain invited the Russians to quit the shelter
of their granite forts. Nothing but opportunity
was wanting, as was proved by what vessels -of light
draught had accomplished in the Baltic. Notwithstand-
ing its sinuosities, its groups of islands, and difficultie s
of navigation, not an enemy's ship dared to come out in
that sea. (Cheers.) The Black Sea and the Sea of Azoff
had also been completely swept, and everywhere a strict
blockade had been maintained. (Cheers.) It was very
sad indeed that her Majesty's fleet had not had an op-
portunity of meeting, face to face, that •f the enemy,
for never bad it been in a greater state of efficiency. The
ships of all classes were as near perfection as could well
be imagined—very superior to what they ever were on
any former occasion. (Hear, hear.) There had lately been
brought into existence a Lilliputian class which, if the
war continued, would make itself felt, because 6npable
of striking a blow within arm's length. (Cheers.) So
much for the ships, and now for the officers. He was
afraid that some of their admirals were too old. They
were sorry for it—(laughter) —though he hoped the
country would forgive them what they could not help.
But as to their captains and younger rffrcers, they were
equal to any the service ever boasted of. (Cheers.) The
ships were also well rearmed, and in the most satisfac-
tory manner, by volunteers. It'was a proud thin, that
the Queen's forces, both by sea and land, served' her
Majesty with an enthusiastic heroism never surpassed,
yet the service was voluntary. (Cheers.) The Lord
Mayor had kindly alluded to the part taken by the
Agamemnon in the attack on the sea defences of Sebas-
topol on the 13th of October. In all general actions by
sea as well as by land it was the good fortune of some
ships or some regiments to take a more prominent pert
than others. That was peculiarly the case on the occa-
sion referred to, for only two or three ships were able
to get in close to Fort Constantine. He claimed no
more credit for himself and the Agamemnon than was
stile to every officer and every other ship engaged. The
gallant officer here referred in complimentary terms to
the presence of two captains in the fleet engaged in that
attack. Ile then proceeded to eulogise the conduct of the
Naval Brigade, which took part in the operations of the
siege from its commencement to its close, emulating the
heroic spirit of the army, and exciting its emulation in
return. He doubted, indeed, if the annals of chivalry re-
corded anything more striking than was to be found in
the conduct of Capt, Peel and his aides-de-camp, when
wounded, in carrying forward the ladders to scale the
lledan. The conduct and efficiency of the mercantile
navy during the war also reflected the highest honourjon
the country. Those beautiful transports proved to be
under the command of men of the highest ability and
zeal, and he quoted as conspicuous examples of what
service they rendered the conveyance of an entire regi-
mes& of dragoons to the Crimea by the Himalaya at one
trip, and the transport of Omer Pasha's army from Bel-
guaria to Eupatoria in the depth of winter. Having un-
bounded confidence in the mercantile navy, he accepted
the responsibility of accomplishing that movement. Nor
was be disappointed ; for in the month of December,
1855, 57,000 men, 11,000 horses, and 170 guns were
landed at Eupatoria with the lo,sr of only one horse. As
a further proof of the spirit evinced by the mercantile
navy, the gallant admiral gave a humorous description
of the appearance presented one morning by the Colombo
arriving, her yards slung with turkeys, geese, and fowls
to furnish Cristmas dinners for the army. Admiral Lyons
concluded by referring in graceful terms to the sympathy
evinced by the country in the sufferings which war inflicted
on its soldiers and sailors. Nothing, be said, exercised so
powerful and beneficial an influence upon the men in
both services as those manifestations of the deep interest
taken at home for their welfare. Having again thanked
the company and the Lord Mayor for the flattering man-
ner in which his health had been received he resumed his
seat amid loud cheers.

The LORD Meson then proposed as a toast, "The
health of S'lrC. Wood and her Majesty's Ministers."
Sir C. WOOD briefly acknowledged the toast, and
gave that of the Lord Mayor.
"The members of the t ,vo Houses of Parliament,"
and other formal toasts, were given and duly responded
to before the festivities of the evening closed.
The dinner was excellently provided and served by
Messrs. Staples, and Mr. Harker officiated as toast.
master.