The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-21 00:00:00

COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET AT THE
MANSION-HOUSE.

In the evening the Lord Mayor and the Lady
Mayoress entertained at the Mansion-house a party
of about 150 guests, who were invited to meet Sir
Leopold M'Clintock, R.N., and some of the intrepid
companions of his voyage in search of memorials
of the Franklin expedition.. The company in-
cluded Sir Leopold M'Clintock, Lord Lennox, Mr.
Whiteside, M.P., Sir It. Murchison, Col, Graham,
Colonel Baker, Captain Inglefield, R.N., Captain
Young, Captain Hobson, R.N., Captain Collinson,
Sir G. Forster, Captain S. Osborn, Dr. Walker,
Mr. Norrris, M.P., Mr. Cubitt, M.P., Captain J.
M'Clintock, R.N., Sir R. Carden, Alderman Mechi,
Alderman Lawrence, Alderman Finnic, Alderman
Abbiss, Captain Toogood, Captain Shea, Captain
Hansler, &c. Amongst the ladies present were
Miss Cracroft, the niece of Franklin, end Miss
Grinnell, whose father contributed so much to fit
out the American expedition under Dr. Kane.
The dinner took place in the Egyptian-hall, and
the band of th© Royal Marines, under the direction
of Mr. Winterbottom, enlivened the proceedings by
selections from some of our most popular composers.
A new gallop, entitled " The Prince of Wales," by
D'Albert, was also played, and much admired.
The usual loyal toasts as well as that of the
Army and Navy" having been proposed and duly
honoured, the LORD MAYOR gave "-The House of
Commons."

Mr. WHITESIDE, in responding, said it was quite
true that the House of Commons was, as had been
stated, a powerful and formidable body, but they
were only powerful and formidable so long as
they spoke the sentiments of a free people.
(Hear, hear.) He knew enough of the practice
of politics to be aware that the moment a mini-
stry ceased to express exactly what the people of
the country thought, that ministry was sure to
fall. But with the ministry the nation did not
.
fall.' On the contrary:, retained its composure,
and was satisfied to wait in order to ascertain if the
new ministry would conduct itself as it ought. A
right hon. friend of his—Sir E. Bulw:er Lytton—
had recently written a poem called ",St. Stephens,"
in which he traced back the origin of the House of
Commons; but, in his opinion, it was
in the growth
of the national mind that was practically repre-
sented that house. He recollected being present
in the French Chambers shortly before the revolu-
tion,,
and he should not easily forget the seem. of
tinnu t and rage which was there represen led be fore
him, °He asked the friend who was with him, " If
1,-!ene.3 like that often occurred," and. was Answered
4 that it' Vas nothing compared to • others which
had taken place." The president seemed to have
uo power, or was uOt respected enough to kcep they

members in check. Such a chamber as that was
sure to fall quickly. But the House of Commons was
the most orderly assembly in the world. Why ther a
man was Radical, Whig, or Conservative, e was
equally well heard, though he might not b equally-
well followed. (Hear, hear.) The House of Com-
mons was characterised by that print E le which
belonged to Englishmen in general—th of allow-
ing every man to say what he had to say on his own
behalf. (Hear, hear.) The House of Commons and
the City of London were each of them representa-
tives of national feeling from the earliest times, and
were the fast and firm friends of freedom. (Hear,
hear.) The House of Commons did not often sepa-
rate without making some progress in legislation
by passing laws which were generally in favour of
humanity, and on the side of the just rights of the
people ; and by persevering in such a course he felt
confident they would long retain respect of the
people, which was above all price. (Hear.)
The LORD MAYOR then proposed the " Health of
Sir Leopold M'Clintock," the toast in honour of
which they were assembled on that occasion. Sir
Leopold M'Clintock was one of those men who de-
served from their country every commendation
which that country could possibly confer. (Hear,
hear.) In 1857, when the Government were
rather indisposed to interfere further in the matter,
Sir L. M'Clintock cheerfully came forward to carry
out the natural desire of one of the noblest and
truest-hearted women that ever lived—Lady Frank-
lin. (Cheers.) Whilst the rest of the world seemed
disposed to regard the fate of Sir J. Franklin and
his gallant crew as certain, Lady Franklin, animated
by a woman's love and more than a woman's reso-
lution, was prepared to lay down the cost of a new
expedition, and all her doubts and anxieties were
at last set at rest by the mournful but interesting
discoveries of his gallant friend on his right and his
brave companions. (Cheers.)
Sir LEOPOLD M'CLINTOCK regretted that he could
not adequately express in words his sense of the
manner in which his name had been proposed and
received. A sailor was rather a machine for think-
ing and observing than for speaking. (Laughter.)
With regard to the Fox voyage he claimed no credit
for what he had done, because the motives that
induced him to undertake that voyage would have
induced any officer with the requisite knowledge
and experience to do the same. (Hear, hear.) To
alleviate sorrow, to terminate suspense, to satisfy a
natural instinct, to do honour to the memory of
those who had been an honour to their country and
who perished in her cause, was a sacred duty.
(Cheers.) And in bringing home the record of
their achievements and of their fate, he simply per-
formed his part, and furnished subject•matter to be
inscribed on their monument. (Cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR next proposed the health of
the companions of Sir Leopold, coupling therewith
the names of Capt. Hobson and Capt. Young, who
responded.
Sir R. MURCHISON, in replying to the toast of
his health, said he never felt so much personal
satisfaction in being present on any former occasion
of that kind as he did on this, which was so well
calculated to raise the best feelings implanted in
man's mind. (Hear, hear.) The Royal Geogra-
phical Society has two gold medals to distribute
every year. This year one of these would be given
to the officer who revealed the fate of Franklin.
(Cheers.) And the other, or rather the first, would
be given to that noble-minded woman, Lady Frank-
lin, who through twelve years of hope deferred,
alone did not despair, but persevered till she got
clear proofs of the fate of her brave husband and
the companions of his voyage. (Cheers.) It was
generally understood that the House of Commons

had resolved that due honour should be done to the

Franklin expedition—if not by rewarding Lady
Franklin, by honouring the officers of the expedi-
tion, but above all by commemorating the services
of Franklin, and erecting to him a great national
statue or monument, upon which should be in-
scribed that he was the first discoverer of the North
West Passage. (Cheers.) There could be no more
appropriate site for such a record than near the
Nelson monument in Trafalgar-square, for it ought
to be remembered that Sir J. Franklin served
under that great naval hero.
The
,health of the " Lord Mayor," " the Lady
Mayoress," " The City of London and Commerce,"
and a few other toasts followed.
Mr. Toole, who has been appointed toastmaster
to the City, acted in that capacity during the
evening.