The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-01 00:00:00

CLOSING OF MO NT BLANC.

Mr. Albert Smith took leave of his audience on
Saturday in the following speech :
And now, ladies and gentlemen, as the monarch of
mountains is unable to leave his throne of rocks at pre-
sent from the pressure of tourists and excursionists, I
am compelled to prorogue his parliament, by deputy,
myself ; and I will, therefore, according to established
fermi, read my speech, I hope "in that clear and die-
tinct voice" the reporters usually connect with that

ceremony.
My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen,—The period having
arrived when you require some relaxation from the in-
cessant labour and fatigue you must have undergone,
during the past session, trom hearing me tell the same
long story, over and over again, I feel a few words are
due from sue to you, not only respecting the present,
but the future.

- --
I continue to receive the most friendly assurances
from foreign powers, on my passport, of " permission to
pass freely, and aid and protection in case of need," of
which I am about immediately to avail myself, as I hope,
for your future amusement. His Majesty the King
of the Belgians has by his consulate visee placed
the travelling resources of his charming country at my
disposal, in accordance with the treaty of fares laid
down in the Continental Bradshaw. His Majesty the
King of Prussia has thrown open the navigation of
the Rhine to met, subject simply to an adherence to
the tariff of prices likeween Cologne and Maytnee, as
issued by the Kolnibebe Geselleschaffe Company ; and
our gallant aliy the' King of Sardinia has granted
me permission to cross the Alps between Switzerland
and Piedmont, by any pass between the Col du Bon-
homme and the Simplon practicable for troops—of
tourists.

The gambling tables at Caden will occupy my extreme
attention ; and the still helpless and lamentable state of
Brown, everywhere on the Continent, calls for the most
earnest measures to alleviate those miseries which cloud
his tour, and turn his holiday into a prolonged excursion
of imaginary extortion, self-created irritation, disap-
pointed anticipation, and misunderstood behaviour.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Area and Gallery,—I
have directed supplies of fresh seats to be laid under you
before we next meet. Considering that the absolute
comfort of the public is the very first thing that ought
to be attended to in any resort intended for, and sup
ported by them, without the compulsion of an
extra payment—that the miserable system of ex-
torting every extractable sixpence from the audi-
euce, by the combined agencies of box-keepers, box-
-book-keeperi, bill-sellers, and saloon keepers (in whose
toil our managers appear to be so hopelessly entangled),
is a shame and a disgrace to our public places of amuse-
ment—considering
_this I shall still endeavour to im-
prove your condition and prospects ; your condition,. as
far as your individual ease is concerned ; your prospects,
as may relate to a clear, comfortable view of everything
that is going on. As heretofore, every reasonable com-
plaint or sug;estion will receive my best and readiest at.
tention ; and as heretofore, the price of admission will
include every possible auxiliary to comfort and accom-
modation that the room or the attendants can offer.
My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen,—Having had the
honour of telling you the same story in the same room
1,482 times, up to this evening, I will not venture to
refer to it, for you must know it almost as well as I
do. But you must permit me to add, that I now release
you from your flattering attention until the middle of
November, when I return from the continent. And,
until that time, wishing you every possible enjoyment
and happiness that you most desire yourselves, I bid
you, very respectfully, good bye.
Mr. Smith took his leave of the audience amidst
loud and continued applause.