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

DINNER TO Vii.. PAXTON AT

DERBY.
DERBY, TUE=DAT.—A dinner was given to Mr.
Paxton this day, in the new Assembly Rooms, Derby,
of which nearly 300 of the most influential gentle-
Men in the county partook. His Grace the Duke of
Devonshire accepted a special invitation, and was
loudly cheered on his entrance, and during various
Parts of the interesting proceedings. Earl Granville
would also have been present, hut for the entertain-
ments given in Paris. Mr. Fox's absence was also
attributable to the same cause, but he was ably re-
presented by his indefatigable partner, Mr. Hen-
derson.

The chair was taken by Thomas Gsborne, Esq ,
who was supported by the High Sheriff of the county,
ithe Mayor of Derby (Mr. Fox), the Mayor of Ches-
tlerfield Mr. S,rutt, M.P., Mr. Cavendish, M.P.,
l'‘,°ll,e4 Ellis, M.P., Sir H. S. Wilmot, Mr. Geach,
're Mr. Evans, worth, M P., Mr.
Mundy,
Mr. He Y
- •
Dltin M P., Mr. Bass, M.P., Mr. R. Arlovright,
W. P. Thornhill, Mr. J. S'rutte Mr. il. Ark-
Wright, Mr. E. S. Pole, Mr. T. H. Barker, Mr.
Peach, Mr. George, 111-. R. G. Gighorne, Mr. T. S.
Shuttleworth, Mr. J. Sutton, Mr. Belguy, Mr.
14.' Bowdon, Mr. T. G. Redford, Mr. T. G. Cromp-
ton, Mr. W. Needham, Mr. W. Longsdon, Mr. James
barker, ace.
RTne dinner was provided by Mr. Hugging, of the
oyal Hotel. The assembly-room was tastefully de-
rated with flags, banners, festoons of flowers, and
evergreens, and an excellent band was in attendance.
The CHAIRMAN, in rising to propose the first toast,
observed that several gentlemen had been prevented
Itarn attending, owing to various impediments; and
amongst others he might mention Earl Granville, one
the Royal Commissioners ; and Mr. Fox, the con-
structor of the building. He then read letters from
I%S'ePhenson and Mr. Barry, who regretted their
albilitY to attend; and, in conclusion, proposed
.e.`Tr Majesty Queen Victoria," which was received
"Ito three times three and prolonged cheering.
The next toast, which was drunk with all the
honours, was " Prince Albert."
1) The CHAIRMAN then proposed " The Duke of
_coshire, the lord-lieutenant of the county," the
ration of whose name elicited a most enthusiastic
r't of cheering. The manner in which the toast
hod
th'4been received (the chairman observed) showed
e claim
D which his Grace had on the gratitude of all
-ersetit ; and he was not wrong in saying that it was
wing to his Grace's munificence that they had the
honour
servat of entertaining Mr Paxton, for the great con-
Cr °rY at Chatsworth was the prototype of the
Palace.—(Loud and repeated cheers.)
ea'he Duke of DEVONSHIRE, in acknowledging the
era.Pliment, said he was delighted to find so many
zialviduale assembled to do honour to this festive
Zefasi°a. When Mr. Paxton first laid his project
nil.lteOre the Commissioners, he (the Duke of Devon-
-1
j, I predicted his success, because he knew Mr.
ettall had never yet failed in anything he had un-
bitaken•—(Cheers.) The event had fully justified
th4rt!,Prediction, and it was highly gratifying to find
wopl\. Paxton lr'e services had been conducive to the
a prosperity and advantage.—(Cheers.) Mr.
tio"Il had been remarkably fortunate in his selec-
,of Such coadjutors as Messrs. Fox and Henderson.
...-s,,‘`-'heers.) Greatly as Mr. Paxton merited the
fee
of those by whom he was surrounded, he
nr,as
feel. Man of such high honour, and such delicacy of
soling, that he would have been much pained had
kid' a similar token of respect been paid to his valued
(Ch indefatigable associates in the great work.—
eaeera.) The Crystal Palace had, he was happy to
dies received a reprieve—(Laughter)—and if the
sle,
tee " of Mr. Paxton should be fully carried out, its
*s,,lacl state would be as highly appreciated as its
and it would continue to contribute to the
e°ittiar°rt and enjoyment of all classes of the commu-
Y.--(Cheers.)
STRUTT, M.P., in proposing " The Royal
elienssioners " said if they had not had the can-
o.uur to abandon' all their preconceived notions, the
-elr,teal Palace would not have been in existence,
l'
he present assembly would not have had the
orfelaure of doing honour to the genius and originality
ee„,14.. Paxton.—(Cheers.) The Royal Commission
p,;"'airled in its number many of the most eminent
rotic)" in the country—men holding office under the
seiewn, men of all political parties, men of the greatest
pntific eminence. But great and eminent as these
ern„lans were, their eminence was not enough to en-
Rreet—ceess. It had often been remarked that when
their works were entrusted to bodies of eminence,
ttiaedselleceas did not equal the expectations er,.er.
ae,s- from their exertions, because a unity of purpose
pia. sometimes wanting.—(Hear, hear.) No com-
Int esth•
Coal . Is kind, however, could attach to the Royal
°°e mission ; and he could say without flattery that
at ereat cause of its success was owing to its having
kbii, head that illustrious Prince—(Cheers)--whose
silial,t3a judgment, indefatigable industry, and con-
eart‘cry deportment had been the great means of
sliotliog the plan into effect.—(Hear.) There was
lbs"uer member of that commission who had rendered
.e.,rlost valuable assistance ; he meant Earl Granville,
ti,e‘'h.eers)—a nobleman not more distinguished by
hisilllgh qualities of his mind than by the goodness of
ko_ tart. If there was one quality for which he was
bilirte distinguished than another, it was his amia-
hi ,Y of disposition and courtesy of manners,
never interfered with the firmness with which
140 Performed his duties.—(Cheers.) He would now
ore,P°sB "The Royal Commissioners," who had per-
-11,11-`ed their duties ably and successfully, conferring
to4our not only on themselves, but on their native
te,otry,
the face of Europe, and of the whole
lfleed world.—(Loud and continued cheering )
lea:Le CHAIRMAN requested the attention of the as-
eetilLY whilst be proceeded to propose the next toast
(ktoirilliiitrkoffotrheir distinguished guest, Mr. Paxton.—
Pazt4 and prolonged cheering.) He had known Mr.
many years, and nothing but the most
today feeling had ever existed between them. But
trya,he only knew him as the originator of the
idetst" Palace. When Mr. Paxton's magnificent
Col began to assume form and substance it was ab-
lpeme.:37 necessary that some preparation should
tl/411)I'Y be made for receiving the contributions that
Ittutte,.etl invited from foreign countries. All the con-
thetr,,l,e genius of mankind was invited to show how
cegie`wJect could be effected. Great architects and
ktotieeee
r 3 been to knock their heads against ashlar
tess,4,." bricks, and to flounder amongst mortar and
Itid`::',, ‘x!then a gardener stepped amongst them and
entlemen, there's nothing like glass and iron."
toteetle,ers and laughter.) In this there might be
tneto`"og professional, for he was old enough to re-
be cal
erWhen the largest thing in existence that could
cliea a glass structure was a band-glass to cover
bed tubers.—(Laughter.) Mr. Paxton, however,
s,eovered the industry of all nations with
tion 'Neture of glass and iron, and the no-
all ~,1:40 commanded the universal admiration of
4at- ttl°klncl, except Colonel Sibthorp.—(Laughter.)
l speak more seriously, how many admirable
aes lesin e• d were involved this pl an . Many men
Riot° precedents ; but what precedent was there
pacto`le Mr. Paxton ? From the hand -glass Mr.
Cbe
11 carried on the idea to the conservatories at
ttraestw°rth, and then advanced to that magnificent„
re which had exci'ed the wonder of the world.
tteat-ar, hear.) In Mr. Paxton's case there was the
444 ac luality of originality—he had almost said the
it
V214,011-3' of genuis.--(Cheers.) Amongst the most
Teti e qualities which a man could possess was the
°Nwith which genius brings ether minds into co-
Of ki3Oba With his own; and it was no small evidence
skilful "IXton's genius that he was able to secure the
bclk aacti ~ck°Peration of such constructors as Messrs.
aps, r 4 enderson.—(Loud cheers.) It was, per-
likes fr, B"aglilar thing that the inventor of metal
ee "nr railways was the first person who gave his
I,herle%-ve_r° the Crystal Palace.—(Loud cheers.)
aglaad'a another thing to which the people of
43'?---...eirre apt to pay some regard—will a thing
fuanelear, hear, and laughter.) The Thames
at it p-ail a wonderful work, but he never heard
arks •• (Laughter.) Tnere was some great
hover pea°3;:ected with railways which probably would
ell, the But of all the structures that he had ever
Crystal pad "(3 that paid most magnificently was the
„„,,ace•—(Loud cheers.) There was another
selielleth the Crystal Palace eminently possessed,
en i°here would not have possessed had there not
of being rent virtue in the original plan—the quality
ha readie,ee.y iu time. The Crystal Palace was not
htlt paldolficent in idea and splendid in appearance,
da,(l been and was ready in time.—(Cheers.) There
,eutte too some talk about pulling it down, and a
cltbi,t, volt place in the House of Commons on the
v'ts en'' where the only sensible remark that he saw
tviaotioti
iltnatade by Mr. Wakley, in. reply. to the obser-
a of 4,e there had been no petitions for the reten-
lietsea Crystal Palace. Mr. Wakley said the
Wen a that the people did not think there existed
It towi_th 80. extraordinary a mind, or so mad, as to
was see it pulled down.—(Cheers and laughter.)
tklae,;`-'4r sentiment that would preserve the Crystal
;,:agleeidaind he defied all the power that existed in
1-axto to pull it down.—(Loud cheers.) Mr.
'very said it would stad and succeed, and they
ter, b"nd to •
believe him.—(l-fear, hear, and laugh-
ropht' •would
rou cies were made that hailstorms
Pieces. g" it, and that vibration would shake it to
rathetle ; butVari‘iinus other absurd prognostications were
kno ,r. Paxton's confidence was founded on
kid w'edge he possessed, when he said it would stand
Of aepleaceeed• (The toast was received with thunders
kr. ,use, again and again renewed.)
arid
.AYTON, when the cheering had subsided, rose
L1ea4,511,1r. Chairman,_ my Lord Duke, and Gen-
-LT ever I laboured under a difficulty in my
Gen-
life
stel)t.,°r of of my friends more than an ordinary
0,10..0f their kind indulgence, it
is on the present
($o r.) Overpowered by yottr kind re-