The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-09 00:00:00

THE INAUGURATION BANQUET AT
THE LEEDS TOWN-HALL.

The inauguration of the Leeds Town-hall on
Tuesday last was followed by a banquet, given by
the Mayor of Leeds, Sir Peter Fairbairn, to about
300 of the principal ladies and gentlemen, who had
been previously invited to the inauguration. The
banquet took place in the large hall, which will
virtually be known by the name of " the Town-
hall." His Worship the Mayor presided over the
repast.
Mr. Harker, of London, officiated as toastmaster,
and discharged the duties of his responsible office
in a most exemjlary manner. The Bishop of Ripon
acted as chaplain, and said grace berore and after
the banquet.
In proposing the first toast after the banquet,
The MAYOR said,—My lords, ladies, and gentle-
men,—The first toast I have to propose to you is
that of her Majesty the Queen—a lady who is
endeared to us and to a great portion of the uni-
verse as the most constitutional monarch that ever
reigned in their country. If we look at her in that
character, we find that she has on all occasions
acted up to the constitution of this country, and
she well deserves that which she has so fully
earned—the love and veneration of the whole of
her subjects. But, my lords and gentlemen, when
we consider her in the character of a wife, we find
that she possesses all the attributes which are neces-
sary to endear her to the husband she has chosen
to accompany her through life ; and if we go still
further and look at her as a mother, we find that
she sets her children an example which it would
be well if all the mothers in England were to fol-
low. (" Hear, hear," and cheers.) She has done
us, the inhabitants of the West Riding of the county
of York, the honour of visiting us on this occasion,
and she therefore deserves the thanks of Yorkshire-
men. lam sure I need not appeal to Yorkshire-
men to ensure a hearty reception to this toast,
because I know you all entertain a profound sense
of her Majesty's admirable and endearing qualities.
(Cheers.) She has opened this magnificent hall,
and has expressed to me personally her high grati-
fication at the taste and consummate wisdom which
have erected so magnificent an edifice. (Loud
cheering.) Her Majesty has also stated to me
her high gratification at the very warm and
enthusiastic reception she has met with in this town
—(loud cheers)—and that we should have a place
in her recollection to the latest period of her
existence. (Renewed cheering.) Ido not ask you
to drink the health of the Queen merely as a pass-
ing toast, for I know that, as Yorkshiremcn and
Englishmen, you will do your duty. I, therefore,
call upon you, without any further observations,
to drink the " health of our beloved Queen."
(Enthusiastic cheering.)
The toast was drunk with the heartiest manifes-
tations of loyalty.
The MAYOR said the next toast he had to propose
was that of "the Prince Consort." (Applause."
After observing that his Royal Highness was a most
worthy husband of the Queen, his worship said that
the Prince Consort had taken great interest in the
proceedings connected with the inauguration of the
Town-hall, and he had also shown the general
interest which he felt' in the arts and sciences by
visiting that morning a very interesting exhibition
which was at the present time open in Leeds—the
Exhibition of local industry. (Applause.) He had
had the pleasure of going round that' exhibition
with his Royal Highness, who had shown an
amount of knowledge respecting many of the articles
exhibited which was really surprising. (Applause.)
He believed that the Prince Consort felt a deep
interest in the arts and manufactures of this country.
and that he was on all occasions ready to render
his assistance towards their advancement. (Cheers.)
When the assembly remembered the great advan-
tage which was derived from a person of so much
influence as his Royal Highness taking an in-
terest in everything contributing to the welfare
and prosperity of the country, he was sure that
they would join with him in drinking " the health
of the Prince Consort" with all the honours due to
the exalted position which he occupied. (Cheers.)
The toast having been enthusiastically drunk,
The MAYOR next gave, "the Prince of Wales
and the rest of the Royal family." (Applause.)
,_
The MAYOR then proposed" the Army and Navy. '
The country, he observed was, deeply indebted
to the two services, and for the 18 months it had
been specially indebted to the army. (Applause.)
By their exploits in India the British soldiers had
covered themselves with immortal glory. (Ap-
plause.) They had preserved to England the whole
of India, and Leeds, as a large manufacturing town,
ought to be doubly grateful to the army for the
deeds which they had performed during that
period. (Applause.) If he referred to the suffer-
ings and horrible events which had occurred during
that period in India it made the blood curdle in his
veins, but no sufferings had been more extensive
than those which had been endured by the greater
portion of the army in India. (Applause.) He
believed that a brighter day was dawning, that the
mutiny had been suppressed, and it was merely a
work of time to restore perfect peace to the empire.
Applause.) It was the duty of Englishmen, how-
ever, to show their love for the army, and that they
were determined to see it in a state of efficiency.
(Cheers.)
Sir HARRY SMITH, K.C.8., returned thanks.—
After what had been so ably expressed by the
Mayor as to the conduct of the army, there was
little left for him (Sir Harry) to say, but that the
army deeply appreciated the gratitude of their
countrymen, and that the proudest satisfaction of
the British soldier was to feel that his Queen
rewarded his services by distinction and his country
was grateful to him for his services. (Cheers.)
Such was the proud ambition of England to main-
tain her vast territory in a state of order and quiet
that 80,000 soldiers had been raised within the last
18 months by voluntary enlistment—(loud applause)
—and on the men of England being asked to come
forth and defend their country, they were ever
ready to rally round the standard of England.
(Applause.) In Leeds there had been the oppor-
tunity of witnessing that day a body of. men turned
out in honour of her Majesty to whom he might
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(Applause.)
Lieutenant-Colonel BECKETT, of the Yorkshire
Hussars, also responded to the toast.

The MAYOR next proposed " the Clergy," and
alluded in complimentary terms to the services and
character of the Bishop of Ripon, and Dr. Hook,
the Vicar of Leeds.
The Bishop of RIPON returned thanks.
Colonel BECKETT, in giving the next toast, said,
that he was sure it would be most acceptable to the
assembly, the object of it being to enable them to
do honour to that municipal 'body to whose judg-
ment, good taste, and indefatigable exertions the
erection of the Town-hall was owing. (Applause.)
In proposing the health of the Mayor and Corpora-
tion of Leeds he ventured to say that, if the benefits
arising-from popular elections and municipal go-
vernments required any proof, there would be a
illustration under the administration of the mayor
and corporation of Leeds. (Applause.)
The MAYOR responded to the toast on behalf of
himself and the corporation. He said there were
many things yet to be done, not so much _ for the
benefit of the upper classes of society as for' the