The Sun.
London, England, 1860-12-21 00:00:00

down that great overpowering despotic influence
that was spreading itself over the world. He also
performed distinguished services in America, in the
West Indies, and in other parts of the world. His
services in the Crimea would not soon be forgotten
by a grateful country. But it was in India that
his great experience, skill, and indomitable energy
had been exhibited most illustriously. All the
high qualities of his mind culminated in that great
and happy event—the relief of Lucknow. (Loud
cheers.) It was impossible for any British heart
to read the stirring account of that memorable day
without the highest admiration and gratitude. The
Corporation of London, he rejoiced to think, had
never been backward in acknowledging the merits
of distinguished men, and he was confident no honour
could have been more deservedly conferred than the
freedom which had that day been given to their
noble and gallant guest. He had great pleasure in
proposing "The Health of Lord Clyde,"

The toast was drunk with all the honours.

Lord CLYDE, on rising to respond to the toast,
was received with great cheering. He said—My
Lord Mayor, my lords, ladies, and gentlemen, I
thank you most sincerely for the honour you have
done me. (Cheers.) On such occasions as this
you will perhaps pardon me if I venture to say a
few words concerning myself. Many here are aware
that I was suddenly called upon in this country to
proceed to India after the breaking out of the great
rebellion, and when the death of General Anson
had left the post of Commander-in-Chief unfilled.
(Cheers.) I arrived in India in August, 1857, and
found Delhi in the hands of the rebels—Agra was
surrounded; eur troops and fellow-countrymen and
countrywomen were besieged in Lucknow, and the
whole of the Upper Provinces in the possession of
the enemy. (Cheers.) India, horror-stricken at
the massacre of Cawnpore, was looking to Have-
lock, who had just begun his heroic march for the
rescue of Lucknow. (Cheers.) It was an anxious
time to arrive. Fortunately for England, the
destiny of our empire in India was confided to a
Governor-General who had a mind and a heart equal
to the emergency. (Cheers.) I knew that the army
I was called on to command contained officers and
men whom any one might be proud to lead, and I felt
the strongest reliance that the restoration of the
British sway was only a work of time. (Cheers.) It is
not for me, in this place, to praise the gall ant men
whose names have become household words at home;
but I can never forget the singleness of heart and
devotion which animated every soldier, from the
highest to the lowest. (Cheers.) Nor may I for-
get to render a tribute of hearty admiration for
the fearless behaviour shown in so many desperate
instances by the civil servants of India. (Cheers.)
The planters and other private individuals who
found themselves thrown upon their own resources,
and in the midst of savage enemies, showed a
courage and determination worthy of the highest
praise. (Cheers.) England may point with pride
to the conduct of her sons in that distant country.
(Cheers.) By the blessing of a kind Providence on
our united exertions, I was enabled to leave India
in the enjoyment of peace and tranquillity, and we
may fairly hope that a new era of prosperity and
development is in store for that great empire under
the direct sway of our august Sovereign. (Loud
cheers.)

The LORD MAYOR next proposed " The health
of her Majesty's Ministers," one of whom was pre-
sent on that occasion, and who, from the situation
he filled, would, no doubt, be anxious to bear his
testimony to the distinguished merits of Lord
Clyde. He referred to Sir Charles Wood, the Sec-
retary of State for India. (Loud cheers.)
The toast was drunk with much cordiality.
Sir C. WOOD rose with much pleasure to return
thanks on the part of his colleagues for the compli-
ment paid to them by that great assembly. He felt
it a privilege to be present on that occasion, when
they had met to do honour to distinguished men
who deserved well of their country. He entirely
agreed with what had been said relative to the
manner in which the Governor-General of India
had carried out the Royal proclamation, and vin-
dicated the equality of all classes of her Majesty's
I subjects in India. He also sympathized with all
that had been said in honour of those gallant offi-
cers who had, under the Governor-General, done
so much to accomplish the tranquillity of India.
They had amply merited the rewards they
had received in the city of London. It was a great
privilege in this free country that the honours
conferred by the Sovereign could in all cases
be followed by the approbation of the citizens of
great communities, and this privilege had been exer-
cised most worthily by the city of London on the
present occasion. With reference to what Lord
Elcho had said of the Volunteer force, her Majesty's
Ministers were prepared to give them all the sup-
port they so richly deserved—(cheers)—and in
every way to increase the efficiency of that great
domestic force, which made us safe at home what-
ever the necessity might be for sending the army
abroad. He did not remember who had used the
expression, but he entirely approved it—that of all
presents ever made to the Sovereign, the proudest
was the Volunteer army of this country. (Loud
cheers.) The example of such a force was not with-
out its value even in India. He only wished such
a force had existed there before the mutiny.
(Cheers.)

The Lord MAYOR then proposed " The House 01
Lords," coupling with it the name of Lord Strat•
ford de Redcliffe. (Cheers).
Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE returned thanks

The Duke of CAMBRIDGE gave " The Health of
the Lord Mayor,'' which his Lordship briefly
acknowledged.

The following toasts were then given :—" The
House of Commons and the Members for the City of
London," acknowledged by Mr. CRAWFORD ; " The
Governor and Deputy-Governor of the Bank of
England," " The City Companies," " The Sheriffs,"
&c.