The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-11 00:00:00

TILE SETN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVE:IIN6, SEPTEMBER 11 issa.

the matter that, we understand, are now undergoing a
most searching investigation.

f

JIM CROW RANGES.
(From the Melbourne Herald of Juste 25.)
The rush at Brook-hill still continues, and the yield is
first-rate. The dry diggings are also doing well, and will,
it is generally believed, turn out the main diggings in this
district.

--- ----- __
The population is estimated at 6,000, and the last escort
conveyed about 2,700 oz. of gold, a fact which speaks for
itself, and plainly shows that Jim Crow is not yet
worked out.

fused to entertain the claim as it was illegal. The soli-
cito,r, then applied for a policy,-:which was given to
At the Same time he was reminded that Mr. Aitken bad
given a receipt in full for the whole of the sum assured ;
but Mr. Aitken had served the company with notice of
action, and to show that the board intended to act
fairly in the matter, a cheque for 1,2501. had been
signed at the board yesterday—(h ear, hear)--and it was
at; the disposal of the meeting. The whole of the cir-
cumstances was surrounded with doubt, and if it could
be legally given to Mr. Aitken, he should feel greatly
pleased ; but they could not give this money until a
claim had been made ; and whether that claim could be
legally made after a receipt in full had been given, re-
mained a question to be decided. It was the duty of
Mr. Baylis, as managing director, if he received a claim
upon which he had a doubt, to have summoned a spe•
vial meeting, and not to have taken upon himself to
close this case so precipitately as he had done. He
felt sure that the board of directors had but one feeling
in the matter, and that was the good and welfare of the
society.

Mr. YAuGruN, another member of the board of di-
rectors, defonded the course that bad been pursued. He
considered it one of the most peasant sounds he ever
heard when Mr. Baylis gave in his resignation. He
was a dictator, and he had frequently regretted that
some of the board had so long submitted to be brow-
beaten by him. The fact was Mr. Baylis was continu-
ally pursuing new schemes, which never realised the ex-
pectations raised. The banking department of the Unity
had occupied so much of his attention that he thought
the life department had suffered. The expenses of
fitting up their premises was enormous. He had been
over Windsor Palace, but he thought the fittings of
their offices would bear comparison with them. There
was not a panel or partition which was not Spanish
mahogany. (CLi.s of " Question.") [A. SHARE/101.MM—
Why this real done by your own architect.] He felt
sure that the directors were animated with the best in-
tentions towards everybody connected with the institu-
tion. (Cries Of " Baylia."

Mr. BAYLIS then rose and proceeded to say that in
the statement that he had to make to them he should
be very brief. (Hear.) He had no great or little fact
to conceal. All that he wished to have clearly settled
was whether the principles of this institution should or
should not be fully carried eut. The charge of inatten-
tion to their duties he heard for the first time to-day. He
same there to-day not to enter into a defeace of his atten-
tion to business. He felt that the proper course to have
been pursued by the directors, if his attention to their duties
was so very loose, was to have called a special meeting,
and to have bad the whole thing fully discussed, and
settled in a proper manner. He believed their banking
business would be as successful as any of the share-
holders could desire. Mr. Baylis then entered
into the manner in which the business of the
different departments was conducted, and with
respect to their life po:icies be looked upon them as in-
disputable, except in cases of fraud. Now as to the
questica which was at present under their attention.
The telegraph message from Glasgow was brought to
him while he was engaged in business, and he gave the
only answer that could be given, namely, to support
a gentleman who bad conducted their business properly.
The answer he gave to the message respecting the
compromise was, " Yes, if you think it desirable."
(Cries of " Where is your great principle ?") With
respect to the compromise be had never heard
of the reason why it was commenced. His 'case
was completely put in the pamphlet be had
published. If the statements contained in . that jam.
phlet were true, then he was right. Esti it the di-
rectors could prove his statements to be *untrue,
then of course he was in the wrong. With respect to
the charge of negligence that had been brought
against him, he felt he had done what was
right, and by that it would be for them to
judge. It was unfair to pass over the great
points in a man's life to find fault with the
small ones. He should like to know where they could
Lind a man with whom they could not find fault. If
they continued their confidence in him, he should throw
his whole energies into the conduct of this business,
but if it was withdrawn from him he should deplore such
a circumstance, and a time would come when it would
be found that be was not so wrong as had been consi-
dered. By the decision the meeting should come to
with respect to his conduct, he should feel perfectly
satisfied ; he asked no favour from any one, but would
stand firmly on the ground he had taken. (Cheers.)

Dr. LLona then entered into a defence of the part he
had taken in effecting the compromise.
A SHABIBHOLDIM—Did you make a written report ?
Dr. LLOYD —Yes, but it was destroyed because it was
not considered necessary to have a written report.
A. resolution to reinstate Mr. Baylis, as managing
director, was under discussion when our report left.

TILE CRYSTAL PALACE.

,

The last grand horticultural exhibition of the present
season, held in the Crystal Palace, was opened yester-
day, and will be continued during to-day and to-mor-
row, on both of which the charge for admission will be a
shilling, as on ordinary occasions. The weather was
pleasant throughout the day, and there could not have
been fewer than 12,000 present at the fete, which is dis-
tinguished from its predecessors by some points of no-
velty and interest. As on every preceding occasion of
the kind, the exhibition has been arranged by Sir Joseph
Paxton, and carried into effect under his immediate
supervision, assisted by Mr. Eyles, chief superinten-
dent of plants in the interior of the palace. This
of itself is a guarantee of its excellence. But the
show is interesting as being the first of the kind held at
BO advanced a period of the year, not only in the Crystal
Palace, but in the metropolis or its neighbourhood, in-
cluding even Chiswick, the glories of which have been
reproduced by these kindred exhibition's at Sydenhatn
during the last two summers, combined, as they have
been, with features of attraction peculiarly their own. It
is in this respect in the nature of an experiment, and,
so far as it has gone, an eminently successful one, for
the collection, in the autumnal season, of a sufficient
number and variety of plants and flowers of the requi-
site degree of excellence is attended with considerable
difficulty, and, added to this, it was probably appre-
hended that, at a time when so large a proportion of the
aristocracy and wealthier classes are out of town, a com-
paratively small number of people would be attracted to
the exhibition. The experience of yesterday, however,
1 as placed beyond doubt the perfect success of the under-
taking, for the company assembled within the building
was scarcely, if at all, less brilliant than on any of the
preceding floral fetes, and fell little abort of them in point
of numerical force. A sum of nearly 8001. has been dis-
tributed in prizes, and there are about 190 competitors.
The collection, which is choice, varied, and ample, is
**fanged with much simplicity and taste in two rows
along the nave, and extends far towards each wing of
the building on both sides of the transept, the northern
part being assigned to the stove and greenhouse plants
and others, and the opposite portion to cut flowers and
fruit. The exhibition includes a vast number of speci-
mens of the classes of variegated plants in and out of
flower, plants remarkable for fine foliage, exotic orchids
and ferns, Cape heaths, Lycopodiums, Achimenee in
lower, fuschias, scarlet geraniums, balsams, and
all of which, notwithstanding the advanced period of the
season, are delightfully fresh and lovely, and irresistibly
charming to the eye. We miss among them, it is true,
the beautiful variety of azaleas and other kindred plants
which flower in midsummer, and are wont then to chal-
lenge our admiration, but their place is supplied by
many of those hardier tribes which do not attain their
prime till later in the year. The class of variegated plants,
and plants remarkable for fine foliage, are singularly in-
teresting, and were greatly admired yesterday by con-
noisseurs. The exhibition of fruits, on the one hand, more
generally appreciable by the uninitiated as well as the
practical horticulturist, is equally attractive. It embraces
chiefly grapes, melons, peaches, nectarines, apricots, ap-
ples and pears, cherries, strawberries, citrons, pines,
plums, and sweet oranges, most of them in great variety
and excellence. There is also a most extensive collection
of cut roses, hollyhocks, dahlias, and German asters,
which, and especially the dahlias, elicited universal ad-
miration throughout the whole of yesterday. Added to all
these wonderful results of the art of gardening, there are
likewise the permanent floral attractions of the Palace
itself, in the interior and the adjacent grounds, which, in
variety, beauty, and arrangement, were perhaps rarely
equalled, and never surpassed, presenting in the whole a
combination of natural objects calculated in a high
degree to charm the eye and elevate and perify the
heart. This combination, operating with other circum-
stances peculiar to the Palace, has lent to the horticul-
tural fetes at Sydenhatn all the interest attaching to them
from the first, and which has added a new embellishment
to the ordinary life of a great part of the population of
this metropolis.
On this occasion a new feature has been introduced
into the exhibition by Sir Joseph Paxton, with the view
of encouraging the practice of gardening ameng the rural
population, chiefly of the adjacent neighbourhood, but
without intending to limit it to that particular locality.
Prizes, 50 in number, from 10/. downwards, have, for
the first time, been offered to cottagers and amateurs f
the best specimens of the produce of the kitchen garden,
and judging from the number of exhibitors-53 of whom
are labouring men—and from the remarkably fine qua-
lity of their contributions on the first occasion on which
they have been invited to compete, the project has the
appearance of much future promise.
The following is a list of
~the principal prizes as
judges :
First by the :—
First Class—Twelve stove and greenhouse plants.:
First prize to Mr. Wen. Taylor, gardener to J. Coster,
Eeq., of Streatham.
Second Class—Six stove and greenhouse plants : First
prize to Mr. Jas. Morris, gardener to Coles Obild,
illeomley, Kent.
Third Class—Twenty variegated plants : First prize to
Messrs. Veitch and Son, nurserymen, Exeter and Chelsea.
Fourth Class—Ten plants (remarkable for their fine
foliage) : First prize to Messrs. Veitch and Son. These
two classes were considered by the judges as exquisite
specimens of their class.
Fifth Class—Six species of Exotic Orchids : First prize
to Mr. Carson, gardener to W. F. G. Farmer, Esq.,
Nonsuch-park.
In Class Ten, Cape Heaths, there were no competitors.
Seventh Class—Six Cape Heaths : First prize to Mr.
Thos. Williams, gardener to Miss Trail', of Haves,
Middlesex.

Eighth Class—Six Pitcher Plants of remarkable fine-
ness : First prize to Messrs. Veitch and Son.
Ninth Class--Twelve Exotic Ferns—exceedingly good
and very numerous : First prize to Mr. H. Smyth, gar-
dener to the Rev. J. Roper, Brighton.
Tenth Class—Hardy Ferns : First prize to Messrs.
Sims, nurserymen, Foot's Cray, Kent.
E:eventh Class—Twelve Lycapodians : First prize to
Mr. R. Parker, Paradise Nursery, Holloway.
Twelfth Class—Six Athimenes: First prize to Messrs.
Mitchell and Co., nurserymen, Brighton.
Thirteenth Class—Calosanthus. In this class there
was no competition.
Fourteenth Class—Six Fuscbias. The distinct kinds
exhibited for this priz3 were very numerous, and some of
them very beautiful. There was a remarkably fine and
perfect Othello. The first prize was given to Messrs.
Mitchell and Co.

Fifteenth Class—Six Scarlet Geraniums. We confess
to some difficulty in distinguishing between the flowers
exhibited here, which, we were told, were very good, and
the superb brilliancy of the scarlet geraniums on the
terrace of the palace. Mr. Wetherell, gardener to Dr.
M`Neill, of Holloway, had the honour to carry of this
strongly-contasted and much•covoted prize, a first-class
one.
Sixteenth Class—Scarlet geraniums, with variegated
: A fourth prize was given to Mrs. Conway, thei e
not being any special excellence to warrant a first prize.
In the Seventeenth Class, for nosegay geraniums, there
was, curiously enough, no competitor ; as was also the
case with Class Eighteen, for blooming geranium•.
Nineteenth Class—Twelve balsams.. The flowers in
this class were of a high order : First prize to Messrs.
F. and A. Smith, nurserymen, Dulwich.
Twentieth Class—Six cockscombs: First prize to Mr.
J. Bovingdon, gardener to Desirques, Esq., Lewis-
ham.
Twenty-first Class—Twenty-one verbenas in pots :
First prize to Mr. J. Shrimpton, gardener to A. Doxett,
Esq., Putney-heath.
Twenty-second Class—Six Japanese lilies : First prize
to Mr. W. Stone, Dulwich.
T wenty-tbird Class—Miscellaneous Plants. An equal
first prize was given to Mr, Passe, gardener to J.
Brocklehurst, Esq., of Macclesfield ; to Messrs. Jutkin
and Son, of Kingston ; to Mr. Farmer, Royal Nursery,
Slough ; to Mr. W. Chayter, nurseryman, Saffron Wal-
den-5 to Mr. J. Keynes, nurseryman, Salisbury ; to
Mr. Bray, nurseryman, Slough ; to Mr. Soxby, gar-
dener to J. Edwards, Esq., Dulwich-hill ; and to 11.1 r.
W. Wetherall, gardener to Dr. Macneill.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

OPENING OF THE GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY

TO OSELVWA

On the 25th ult. a large number of citizens attended by
invitation the opening of the Grand Trunk Railway to
Oshawa. At twelve o'clock, the hour fixed for the depar-
ture of the train, a crowd of respectable citizens, probably
not less than 1,500 to 2,000, had collected at the eastern
station near the Don. The train, consisting of ten car-
riages, started at the appointed hour. A band of music
accompanied the train. There was a good sprinkling of
the fair sex among the company.
The road was remarkably smooth ; and, owing to its be-
ing ballasted with gravel, entirely free from dust. The
greatest interest was manifested in the event by the inha-
-1 bitants of the different places along the line. Everywhere
the train was welcomed by the enthusiastic acclamations
of the populace.
Arrived at Whitby, the spectacle which presented itself
was animating in the extreme. Flags and streamers de-
corated the station and adjoining buildings, and even the
horses and carriages, in the greatest profusion. The im-
mense mass of people evinced the greatest enthusiasm as
the train approached. After a brief delay the train pro.
ceeded to Oshawa, where it arrived in a short time.

Here the excursionists were received with loud cheers
and every demonstration of welcome. Not least among the
latter was the dejeuncr, which was spread in a building con-
tiguous to the station. N. Gibbs, Esq., the mayor, and a
large number of those present adjourned to the building to
partake of luncheon. Previous to discussing the good
things provided, however, the Reeve read the following
address to the mayor :

" Mr. Mayor,—Permit me, in behalf of the corporation
and citizens of Oshawa, to tender you our hearty congra-
tulations at meeting you on so auspicious an occasion as
the opening of this point of the Grand Trunk Railroad of
Clan ad a.

" Upon so interesting an event as the opening of a new
line of railway it is impossible to calculate the benefits,
morally, socially, commercially, and economically, which
ensued to all parties concerned, who are thus brought into
close contact with each other. Distance is now no longer
computed by miles, but moments. Towns and villages
separated fro,u each other by hundreds of miles, it may be,
are, by the application of the steam engine to railroads,
easily reached in a few hours; and what would, by many,
of us, a few years since, have been viewed as a long and te-
dious journey, can now be accomplished with ease and com-
fort in a comparatively short space of time. To Canadians
the opening of the Grand Trunk Railroad is prized, when
looked at not only as benefiting localities, but is also
valued from a national and political point of view.
" Almost simultaneously with the opening of this great
work, the establishment successfully of aline of steamers
from Great Britain to Canada via the St. Lawrence, is not
less a subject of pride and pleasure to every lover of his
country, binding more closely, as it were, the close con-
nection already existing between the mother country and
ourselves. The consummation of this great national enter-
prise, so sincerely desired, taken into connection with the
line of steamers, will give us an importance abroad hardly
credited by men of to-day, but which will eventually lead
Canada to become one of the great nations of the earth. I
trust, Mr. Mayor, it is not anticipating too much for ourselves
and the good city of Toronto, that the day is not far distant
when we shall witness the stream of emigration pass over
this great highway to the west, instead of the more circui-
tous and dangerous route it now takes. If our anticipations
in this respect are not disappointed, and I think they will
not be, who can estimate the benefits arising from the corns
pletion of this great undertaking ?
" A more important event tending to the development
of the vast resources of our common country cannot well be
conceived. To the inhabitants of this village and the sur-
rounding country who have spent so many days plodding
between it and the metropolis of Canada, it is a boon long
coveted; and we hail the rail car in our midst as a harbin-
ger ea brighter future, as bringing into terms of intimacy
those who have frequently been too long separated, though
by the short distance of 35 miles. Speaking for the inte-
rests, commercially and materially, of all concerned, I
trust, Mr. Mayor, that the opening of the Grand Trunk
Railroad to this point will be attended by those great re-
sults that have invariably attended similar events in other
portions of the province.
" I regret, Mr. Mayor, that the short notice given us of
your intended visit among us prevented our citizens giving
you the welcome they otherwise would have done, In
their behalf I now tender you their hospitalities', in the
hopo that on the completion of this great work a celebra-
tion will take place at some point, upon which the inhabi-
tants generally throughout the province may be able to
partake."
His Worship, the Mayor, in reply, thanked the Reeve in
behalf of the corporation and the citizens of Toronto, for the
kind reception they had received ; and expressed great
pleasure at being conveyed to their municipality, for the
first time, by rail.
- - - - -

, -
The party then proceeded to the discussion of the dejeuner
with the greatest satisfaction, which having been accom-
plished, and threo cheers being given for the success of the
Grand Trunk, for the corporation of Toronto, and the
municipality of Oshawa, the party again returned to the
cars and proceeded to Whitby.
Arrived at Whitby, the excursionists alighted amidst
smiles and waving of handkerchiefs of the assembled ladies,
and the cheers of the sterner sex. The mayor, the direc-
tors of the Grand Trunk, and several other gentlemen pro-
ceeded to a platform, where the following addresses were
presented to the directors by Mr. Wallace, the mayor
"TO THE PRESIDENT A.ND DIRECTORS OF THE GRAND
TRUNK RAILROAD.

" Gentlemen,—Upon this interesting and important oc-
casion, the municipality of the town of Whitby-, not only
for themselves as a council, but also in behalf of the in-
habitants of this, and the surrounding locality in general,
feel great pleasure is giving to you and your guests a most
hearty welcome.
"Deeply interested in everythingaffecting the prosperity
and growth of the town of Whitby, we have been looking
forward with no small amount of concern to the opening
of this portion of that noble lino of railroad, a link only of
the great chain, which, when completed, will unite toga
ther the most distant portions of this noble province, bring-
ing into close contiguity places that have hitherto been
separated far by distance, opening up new channels of
communication, and furnishing fresh outlets for the results
of persevering industry.
" In a national point of view we feel proud of this under-
taking, and we are satisfied, that, as its name indicates,
when the whole lino is completed, it will indeed be worthy
of the name of ' The Grand Trunk Railroad,' running at
suitable distances in its course, from its various tributaries
vast amoutts of produce, swelling in magnitude as it ad-
vances, and like some mighty river, conferring advantages
and blessings upon all to whom it reaches. To the eon-
tractors, Me ism Jackson, Pato, Betts, Brassey, and Cu.,
who have prosecuted the work with energy in the midst of
so many disadvantages, we think the moed of praise is
justly,due ; and wo would take this opportunity of stating
that we have no sympathy with those who have apparently
taken pleasure in throwing obstacles in the way, and in
increasing the difficulties with which the contractors have
had unavoidably to contend.
" To Patric Ogilvie, Esq., the resident engineer of this
part of the line, we are happy in having this opportunity
of tendering the satisfaction, which we have expressed, in
witnessing the successful manner in which, with so much
credit to himself and the contractors, he has brought this
section to its present state of completion.
" In conclusion, gentlemen, wo hope, ere long, to have
the pleasure of congratulating lyou ,upon the entire com-
pletion of the Grand Trunk Railroad, and, though the
last, yet, in our estimation, by no means the least, we are
looking ;forward to another day, -which we confidently
hope is :not far distant, on which we trust we shall see
either you or your successors hero, to witness the opening
of one of the tributaries of the Grank Trunk, viz., the
Port Whitby, Seugog, Simcoe, and Lake Heron Railroad.
" Signed on behalf of the corporation of the town of
Whitby. JLbs WALLACE, Mayor."
Mr. J. H. Perry then read the following address :
"TO THE PRESIDENT AND ;DIRECTORS OF THE GRAN)
TRUNK NLAILWAY COMPANY.

" Gentlemen,—We, the officers and members of the Me-
chanics' Institute of the town of Whitby, ornirace the op-
portunity to welcome you, on the occasion of the first ex-
cursion passenger train over the Grand Trunk Railway
from Toronto eastward to this place.
" Our organisation having for its primary object the
advancement of science and literature, and the general
diffusion of useful knowledge, in our corporate capacity as
well as citizens, hail with lively satisfaction the consum-
mation of any great public work destined to so largely
affect for good our adopted or native country.
"The importance to the province of Canada of this
gigantic undertaking is of such magnitude, that it is im-
possible for the human mind at one grasp to fully compre-
hend it beneficially and spontaneously—affecting as it does
the manufacturing, industrial, agricultural, and commer-
cial interests of the British North American possessions.
" The local position of the town of Whitby insures to its
inhabitants a fair proportion of the general benefits and ad-
vantages to be derived from the completion and successful
operation of so great and important a work as the Grand
Trunk Railway. During the construction of the road with-
in the limits of this municipality the population of tho
town has increased 100 per cent.. and the value of our ex-
ports has risen to be the fifth in the amount in the western
province.
" We trust that the original anticipations of the English
stockholders of the Grand Trunk Railway Company may
be fully realised, and that the trade and travel will increase
with such rapid strides that a further instalment of British
capital, to foster Canadian enterprise,' will shortly be re-
quired in order to build a second track to accommodate the
large and rapidly increasing business which this railway
must necessarily control.
" It is with unfeigned pleasure we allude to the name of
P. Ogilvie, Esq., your resident engineer of this section of
the road. As a neighbour, citizen, or in his official capacity
as employe of the Grand Trunk Company, we have ever
found him kind, courteous, gentlemanly, and straightfor-
ward, rigidly maintaining the honour and credit of the con-
tractors and the company, and scrupulously exact in all his
business transactions. In our opinion not a little credit is
due to him for the satisfactory and excellent manner the
Whitby section of tl iis great national work has been pro-
secuted to such an e arly and successful termination.
" J. HAM. PERRY,
" President Whitby Mechanics' Institute.
" Whitby, Aug. 25, 1856."
Mr. E. F. WHITTTMORE returned thanks on behalf of
the directors. He regretted the absence of the president
on such an auspiciotas occasion; but that gentleman was at
preientlin Europe ati,ending to the affairs:of the company.
Ou such occasion he would dispense with any lengthy ad-
dress, merely concluding with the assurance that the sen-
timents in the adclrs;ss were echoed by the directors.

Whitby. It was laid out in a largo building adjoining the
railway.
This building was very tastefully decorated with ever-
greens, &c., and appropriate devices were hung round tno
room.! Amongst those we noticed " God save the Queen;"
" Grand Trunk Railway—Deeds not Words ;" " British
Capital and Canadian Enterprise." The dinner itself was
everything that could be desired, and was served up in a
style which reflected great credit on the caterer.
The Mayor of Whitby took the chair, the Reeve sitting
near him. The Mayor of Toronto occupied the head of
the other table.
The entertainment having been done full justice to,
The Mayor of WHITBY rose and proposed in succession
the following toasts, which were drunk with all the ho-
nours—" The Queen, Prince Albert, and the Royal Fa-
mily ;" " The Governor-General," " The Army and Navy."
The Mayor next gave " The President and Directors of
the Grand Trunk Railroad."
The toast was enthusiastically responded to.
Mr. J. BEATY, being loudly called on, arose and re-
sponded. In the absence of the president of the company,
and the presence on that festive occasion of so few of the
directors, he could not but feel embarrassed. Under the
circumstances, however, he felt it his duty to obey the call
with which he had been honoured, and return these his
most hearty thanks for their enthusiastic reception.
(Cheers.) That reception was, indeed, worthy of the great
national work, the opening up of but a small portion of
which they were met that day to celebrate. (Loud ap-
plause). This unanimity of feeling and cordiality of wel-
come was very gratifying to him, and also, he had no doubt,
to those who accompanied him. (Cheers.) Nor would it
be less gratifying to those true friends of progress who were
absent on that occasion. (Hear.) While thinking of speak-
ing on the subject of this gigantic provincial undertaking,
they should, however, bear in mind its history. (Hear.)
They should not forget to honour that man whose master
mind had originated such a grand national work. (Cheers.)
Tho people of the province, as the recipients of the benefits
which the line would most undoubtedly confer, would be
wanting in gratitude, did they fail to remember, in this
their hour of rejoicing, the man who brought the enter-
prise almost to its completion. (Hear, hoar.) Need he
say he alluded to the present Governor-General of Bar-
badoes ? (Loud cheers.) With reference to the scheme
itself, it had, like many other great undertakings, been
slightly unpopular in the beginning. But the growing
intelligence and enterprise of the province were fast re-
versing the order of things. (Cheers.) As the evidence
of its necessity became apparent, the prejudices by
which it had been at first assailed were dissipated—
(hear)—and now, he was happy to say, it received the
cordial approbation of a large majority of her Majesty's
subjects in the province. (Cheers.) In commencing this
great undertaking the directors did not, of course, expect
it could be completed without opposition. It always has
been the case, that men of great minds will have to encoun-
ter the opposition of those of less capacity. (Hear, hear.)
But as he had before stated, that opposition had been en-
countered and triumphed over. (Cheers.) Ho felt con-
vinced that time only was needed to develope the magni-
tude and importance of this enterprise. (Cheers.) With
respect to the profits of this great undertaking, no man at
all acquainted with the trade and commerce of the great
country north of us can have any doubt that they will rea-
lise the most sanguine anticipations. (Cheers.) Let him
cast his eye on the map, and he will be enabled to form a
tolerably correct idea of the amount of traffic which must
pass over this line. The commerce of the Great Western
and North-Western cities, such as Chicago, must find its
way to the seaboard along the Grand Trunk line. (Ap-
plause.) It only remains for us to provide channels of
communication—such as across the Saugeen district—in
order to avail ourselves of the benefits of this immense
traffic. (Cheers.) He regretted to have occupied their time
at such length, but his apology lay in the magnitude of his
subject. His mind was so full of the benefits resulting to
the people of this province from the opening up of this
great line, and he was so much gratified by the warmth of
their reception that day, that he had unintentionally tres-
passed on their time. (No, no, and cheers.) In conclusion,
he would merely ask if the opening up of some 32 miles of
road had caused such enthusiasm, what might they not
expect, a few months hence, when the line should be opened
to Montreal? (Applause.) What might they not expect
when, the great link, the 'Victoria Bridge, being com-
pleted, the merchants of Upper Canada would be able to
send home their orders to Groat Britain, and receive their
invoices in return, in ten or eleven days? (Cheers.) Having
paid an eloquent tribute to the company for the ability and
energy with which they prosecuted the work, the speaker
resumed his seat amidst loud applause.
The Chairman next gave " The Contractors—Messrs.
Jackson, Peto, Brassey, and Betts."
Mr. TATE responded with much feeling. He much re-
gretted the absence of so many of the contractors, who
would, he was sure, have been delighted with the cordial
approbation now bestowed on their labours. From his ex-
perience in railway matters—he might say ever since the
commencement of the London and Birmingham road—he
°paid conscientiously assure them that they had as good a
toad as any in England. He congratulated them on the
present successful opening, and hoped in six weeks hence
to see the opening of the line to Montreal. With reference
to the remarks respecting the resident engineer, Mr. Ogil-
vie, he could fully endorse them, and was also most happy
to acknowledge the very valuable aid he had derived from
the other officers along the lino. (Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN then gave the " Mayor and Corporation
of Toronto."
The MAYOR of TORONTO responded to the toast. To
show them what the citizens of Toronto thought of this
celebration, he need only mention that they had brought
down some of their best men—and he would appeal to them
if they had not brought clown some of their handsomest
women also? (Cheers and laughter.) With reference to
the feeling against the Grand Trunk, he always held that
it would sooner or later entirely disappear—(cheers) - and
that the inhabitants of the province would find it their in-
terest to unite as one man in the establishment of this great
line. (Applause.) It had been observed that the Grand
Trunk had been well abused, but he would remind them of
this fact, that those who had been best abused were gene-
rally found to be the best men. (Laughter.) On suck an
occasion as the present, the citizens of Toronto and
Whitby were proud to shake hands together—both wore
deeply interested, and both had been successful. (Cheers.)
And he would assure them that the citizens of Toronto
would also be glad to hear of the success of the other
lane from Whitby to Lake Huron. (Cheers.) With reference
to the city of Toronto he could not help telling them that
its citizens looked on it as ono of the fastest cities in North
America. (Laughter and cheers.) In conclusion, he
hoped that every success would attend the line; as such a
success would be that of the best interests of Canada—
and asked them to drink to the health of the corporation
of Whitby.
The toast was enthusiastically responded to, the Mayor of
Whitby returning thanks on behalf of the corporation, in
a very neat speech.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed "The Press," in a brief
and appropriate speech.
The toast was drank with all the honours.
Mr. HOGAN returned thanks, briefly and humorously.
The CHAIRMAN called particular attention to the next
toast ; and calling for bumpers, proposed, " Prosperity to
Canadian Agriculture, Manufactures, and Commerce."
(Immense cheering.)
Mr. BowEs, M.P., being loudly called for, rose to re-
spond to the toast. Owing to a band playing outside, and
the clattering of plates and popping of champagne corks,
the hon. gentleman was not heard as distinctly as could be
desired. However, the great sire of the room would have
precluded the possibility of his being heard by all parties
present. As it was he was surrounded by the most in-
fluential men of the occasion. His remarks were in fur-
therance of the Grand Trunk scheme. He would not take
up much time, as the engine was sounding a warning that
the time to return from their pleasant excursion was at
hand. For that reason, also, he would not go into a de-
tailed account of the benefits accruing from the present
great undertaking, or of the amount of traffic that,
when finished, would be drawn over the Grand Trunk
line —benefitting all the towns and villages along its
route and the country in general. It will add to the great-
ness of Canada every day. After adverting in au eloquent
manner, and amid frequent outbursts of applause, to the
advantage, present and future, to be derived from the com-
pletion of the Grand Trunk, the speaker next alluded to
the communication between Canada and the mother
country, in connection with the Grand Trunk line, and
the consequences that must thereby arise to benefit Canada
from one end to the other. (Cheers.) After dwelling on
the toast to which he was called to respond, and more im-
mediately the national products of Canada, Mr. Bowes
entered into details of the efforts that ho had used, when,
alone almost, he had stood forth to defend the Grand
Trunk line, for from the beginning he had seen the good
that it would do to the country. He alluded more espe-
cially to that connecting link in the line, the Victoria
Bridge, the construction of which had met with so much
apposition. (Hear.) And he (Mr. B.) would say that the
man that would now hold up his finger in opposition to the
Grand Trunk line—or any line of railway that would be
of advantage to an important city, was not the man that
was upholding the city and the country. The opposition
that the Grand Trunk enterprise had met with had only
served to stir up a spirit of enterprise ; and then he had
no hesitation in saying that every shilling sunk by the pro-
vince in the line would yet redound to its credit, and to
the credit of the men that had urged and carried this
noble enterpuise forward. In conclusion Mr. Bowes
thanked the assemblage for the honour they did him in
calling on him to respond to the toast, and for the patience
and deep interest with which they had listened to his re-
marks; and he trusted that now the line of communication
was opened they would be enabled to shake hands with
each other much oftener than they had formerly done.
Mr. Bowes resumed his seat amidst much cheering.
After some other toasts,
Three cheers were given for the Queen, the' Mayor
of Toronto, and the Mayor of Whitby ; after which the
assemblage broke up.
.The company were soon on the cars once more, and on
their way home. Owing to the great number of passengers
two engines were employed to draw the train, which com-
prised four passenger cars, a post-office car, and five plat-
form cars, all of which were crammed. Such was the
crowd that even the platforms of the cars were full of
people. The engine and tender wore also made available
for passengers. The fine band of Captain Nickinson's rifle
company occupied one of the foremost cars next the engine,
and performed several pieces at each station.