The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-08 00:00:00

but he has looked beyond the circle, and endeavoured
to follow it out in regarding the welfare and well-
being of his nearest neighbours, in his case not alone
confined to Chester, but extending also to the metro-
polis, where a large part of his property is situated,
and to other parts of the country. Fortunately, in
his case, there has been a complete concurrence of
inclination to do these things with ample means to
carry it out—a happy coincidence, which perhaps is
not always obtainable. I know that he has been
for some time very anxious to see a park made and
laid out and given to the citizens of Chester, because

though in a provincial town no doubt the fields
are nearer than they arc in such large towns
as London, still you know the difficulty under
which the poorer classes of towns live—that their
duties in their own homes are such that they are
absolutely prevented from going any distance out
of town. (Hear, hear.) This park is situated near
the city, and, in addition, the situation is exceed-
ingly pretty; and its being, as it were, in the very
heart of the city and close to the door of the poorest
of the population, will afford to them the opportu-
nity of enjoying fresh air and sunshine, and the
flowers which will be planted in this park, with
great advantage, relief, and recreation to them-
selves. My father has given this park under con-
ditions which I think are very slight and easy in
themselves, and which have been accepted very
generally and with great cordiality by the citizens.
(Applause.) I think one great source of satisfac-
tion to my father will be that this park will be en-
joyed by all classes, rich and poor, for many gene-
rations to come. (Applause.) One little incident
occurred to-day, which may not be known to the
company present. A man named Bebington pre-
sented my father with a carriage panel with the fa-
mily arms painted upon it. It happened to be part
of the carriage which was pitched over the old bridge
in the year 1820—(laughter)—five or six and forty
years ago, belonging to Field Marshal General
Grosvenor. (Applause.) Well, my father with
extraordinary presence of mind and with great good
humour, and without vindictiveness at all, or strict
interpretation of the rights of property, did not
move to the policeman and say, " Take this man up
for having stolen property in his possession," but
handed the panel over to Mr. Allen, with a request
that he would take it to Eaton and put it in the
most prominent place there. I shall ask my father
to give me that panel and put it in my carriage.
(Applause.) One word with regard to the address
presented to my father. It expresses in very touch-
ing and kindly words the hope that the good feeling
which has subsisted for many years between our
house at Eaton and the city of Chester may long
continue. I can only say I think this gift of the
park has been a pledge on the one side that that
good feeling exists in full power. (Applause.) And
the way in which that gift has been received, on the
other hand, proves that the citizens are willing to
keep up that goodwill and friendship towards our
house which has so long subsisted. I hope myself
and the children that come after me will do their
best to keep up that good feeling which already
exists. (Applause.)
Mr. W. 11. GLADSTONE, M.P., said—l can assure
you it has been a true pleasure to me to assist at the
ceremony of to-day. If I may congratulate the
citizens of Chester, I may also congratulate Lord
Westminster upon the character of the demonstra-
tion we have seen to-day—a demonstration that
proves how intimate is the alliance that may exist
in this country between the landlord and those who
come under his influence. This fact strikes me the
more forcibly, because I have just returned from a
short tour in Ireland, and I regret to say that in
that country the relation between tenant and land-
lord is so cold that such a scene as we have witnessed
to-day would be there almost impossible. It is in
England only, and not in Ireland, that these scenes
can take place ; and I should not be using too strong
a phrase when I say that Lord Westminster is evi-
dently regarded as little less than a patron saint•.
(Applause.) If, as I think I may say without undue
presumption, everything that pleases you pleases
me, I venture on my account to offer to his lordship
a humble tribute of gratitude; and in conclusion I
can only re-echo the wish that has been so eloquently
expressed, that Lord Westminster may be spared
for many years in health and strength, and that our
intimate connections with the house of Eaton may
long continue, and that his lordship's heirs in direct
line may, in generations to come, be Earls of Chester.
I for one, of those who have assisted in the cere-
mony, will look back to the proceedings of this day
with lively pleasure, and I am very certain that
Lord 'Westminster himself will be no exceptional
case, because if he has known how to present to the
citizens of Chester a noble and friendly gift, he has
also the satisfaction of seeing that the citizens of
Chester on their part have known how to evince
their gratitude in a manner worthy the occasion.—
(Loud applause.)