The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-04 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 4, 1858.

THE CUTLERS' FEA ST.

The ant.ual banquet given by the Master Cutler
on his inaujuration into the office of head of the

Corporation of Cutlers of Sheffield. took place on
Thursday evening in the Cutlers' hall. The gen-
tleman who this year fills the office of Master Cut-
ler (Mr. Robert Jackson, of the firm. of Spear and
Jackson, !Etna works) also holds the office of mayor
of;_the borm.fgh. The members of the corporation
met in their hall at noon, and then walked in pro-
cession to the Town-hall, where the oaths of office
having been administered to the Master CI itler,
wardens, and other officers, they proceeded to at-
tend Divine service at the parish church. • Mr.
Roebuck, M.P., accompanied the Master Cutler
throughout the proceedings of the morning.
The guests invited to the banquet began to as-
semble in the reception-room about five o'clock, and
were received by the wardens, Mr. J. Hobson and
Mr. G. Wilkinson, by whom they were introduced
to the Master Cutler. Dinner was served at six
o'clock, the Master Cutler occupying the chair.
The guests at the principal table were—Mr. J. Al
Roebuck, M.P. for Sheffield ; Mr. R. Monckton
31ilnes, M.P. for Pontefract ; Mr. Basil Woodd,
MY. -for linaresborough.; Mr. W. Wood, M.P. for
Pontefract ; Col. Bazelgette, late Governor of Nova
Scotia ; Mr. G. S. Skelton, Judge of Mixed Com-
mission Court, Sierra Leone • the Mayors of Don-
caster, Halifax, and Wakefield ; Mr. W. Overend,
Deputy-Lieutenant of the West Riding ; Mr. R.
N. Philipps, Lieutenant of the city of London ;
Col. Elmhirst and Brevet, Lieut.-Colonel Sankay,
of the 9th Regiment ' • Rev. Canon Sale, D.D.,
Vicar of Sheffield ; Mr. M. Ellison, Mr. F. W. Bag-
shawe, Rev. J. Hunter, LL.D. (the historian of
Hallamshire) ; Mr. W. F. Dixon, Rev. W. Wilkin-
son, Chaplain of the Company, &c. The guests,
numbering about 220, at the other tables included
most of the principal merchants, magistrates, mem-
bers of the Town-council, &c.
The MASTER CUTLER having given the toasts of
" The Queen "" Prince Albert and the rest of the
Royal Family," which were loyally responded to,
next proposed " The Army and Navy," urging that
the duty of the country as the best means of secur-
ing peace was to be prepared for war.
Colonel EL3IIIIRST, of the 9th Regiment, returned
thanks, Having served in India he could say that
no. men in the world but British soldiers could
have undergone the hardships and accomplished
the exploits which the British army had in India.
Much of the success of our arms there was owing
to the indefatigable exertions and the daring of
that thorough soldier Sir Colin Campbell, who
commenced his military career in the regiment in
which he (Colonel Elmhirst) had now the honour
to serve. While the troops were led by such a
man success would at all times attend them. (Loud

cheers.)
The healths of the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke of
Devonshire, the Duke of Newcastle, Earl Fitz-
william, Earl of Effingham, and Lord Wharncliffe,
noblemen connected by ties of property or near re-
sidence with Sheffield, were then separately given.
Alderman HooLE—I was not aware until a few
moments ago that I should be called upon to pro-
pose the toast which I have now to submit to you,
but I am sure when I state that my toast is the
" Health of the hon. member for Pontefract, Mr.
Monckton Milnes," you will admit that hon. mem-
ber is worthy the honour. We have all a grateful
recollection of his visits to Sheffield. He honoured
us by many visits in support of our various insti-
tutions, of our School of Art, our People's College,
and of all that is liberal. (Cheers.) I understand
that I am to couple with the name of Mr. Manes
that of the House of Commons. I know that he is
a worthy member of that house ; and I cannot pay
him a greater compliment than to say so ; but
looking at what he has done during the last ses-
sion I prefer to propose his name without that
adjunct the " House of Commons." (" No, no ; it's
the toast !") I scarcely so understood it, but that
being the case I give you Mr. M. Wines and the
House of Commons. (Cheers.)
Mr. R. M. Mii.xEs, M.P.—I am somewhat em-
barrassed to know exactly in what character I
should address you, because the hon. proposer of the
toast seems to think, I will not say so ill, but so
slightingly of the body to which I have the honour
to belong, that he preferred to -propose me per-
sonally with the very slight claims I have to
adding to my name the only claim by which I have
any right to appear before you. At the same time,
as a member of the House of Commons, I should
feel considerable difficulty in addressing you, be-
cause on these occasions politics are always espe-
cially excluded, if it were not for those ambiguous
contrivances by which somehow or other I have
seen politics, though always interdicted, still more
or less always introduced. Ido not know how I
can talk of the House of Commons without in some
degree passing the political boundary, unless I talk
of the House of Commons at sea. (" Hear, hear,"
and a laugh.) That has been the great topic of
most public speakers during August, and, consider-
ing how it has been exhausted by my excellent
friend and your hon. and worthy member, I am
almost driven from it to terra firma. We had a
pleasant trip to Cherbourg. There was only one
slight drawback, and that was the continual fear
in the mind of every member that, by some contri-
vance or other, the worthy member for Sheffield
might be carried off from us and taken to SOW/
French fortress for the remainder of his life.
(Cheers and laughter.) We all knew well what
he would do in that case. There is no power that
could manacle him, and, knowing how to appreciate
him, I am sure no effort or ransom would have been
thought too much to recover him. (Laughter.)
But at the same time the very notion was painful
to us, and when we saw him on deck readily, the
Edinburgh Review, amid salutes from thousands of
cannon, perfectly unconcerned, we thought what a
misfortune it would be to lose my excellent friend
and your worthy member. (Cheers and laughter.)
The impressions he has given us of Cherbourg were
not exactly mine, because when I was there I
was waited on by a very handsome daughter of
Normandy. (Laughter.) I received every kind-
ness and civility from the French Government and
people, and I should not think it right to criticise
s werely anything we saw. (Cheers.) Some 50 or
60 years ago Burke reproached some gentlemen of
his time who were struck with the marvels of Cher-
bourg, and compared them to the Trojans who ad-
mired the Grecian horse that was to destroy their
city. But those years have gone by, and the Trojan
horse has now been built. We saw the place the
other day, and all we can hope is that against Eng-
gland it never may be used. (Cheers.) But I wish
to record my reluctance to -say a word or to do any-
thing to familiarise to the minds of the people so
monstrous a notion as the possible invasion of Eng-
land by France. The two nations have no one in-
terest to bring them to take up arms against each
other ; and when united they are able to carry
civilisation throughout the world. (Cheers.) In
that internecine war, I know not which would be
most to be lamented, the savage triumph of the
conqueror or the terrible indignation of the con-
quered. (Cheers.) Of politics I will say nothing
beyond merely naming the matter of fact that Lord
Palmerston is recreating himself on the continent,
and that Lord Derby has sold his horses. (Laughter.)
These facts imply a great change. A Frenchman, who
happened to be in England during the late changel
of Government, said to me, " How can you endure
these things so quietly ? If such an event had oc-
curred in France in the old constitutional time we
should have seen men rushing about the streets all
on fire, and we should have heard of duels and ani-
mosities of the bitterest kind ; but you take the
change as quite an ordinary thing which does not
not at all interfere with your social affairs." From
a high point of view this may be true. I remember
to have seen a letter from a Frenchprisoner, during
the first revolutionary period, when asked for a
respite that he might not have his head cut off till
he had disclosed some wonderful discovery he had
made. The order upon it was, " Let the prisoner
be executed immediately, that he may understand
no
man is necessary to the Republic." (Laughter.)
We have not gone quite so far but we feel that the
value and
anynds ability of our institutions does not de-
pend Minister is not individualht man,
that the rise or fall of
the rise or fall of England, and
w
that while we do what we can in support of our
own friends and opinions feel that there is some-
thing beyond all these things,we
te and
name of that body
that is the Eng-
lish people. Speaking in
that represents yourselves, I max join with •
you
rejoicing o• over the Success of the
English arms
abroad. We have recently -had our own'
way in a Russian war, but I believe no man. could
take up the paper to-day and read of the destruc-
tion of that great fortress, Astrakhan, with any
feeling of exultation at the disaster. In that miser-
able war with a miserable enemy which we have
been waging in India, we have nothing to fall back
on but the courage and endurance of our country-
men. In the absence of the Duke of Newcastle,
waiting at Southampton for his poor boy coming
back disabled, we have an instance of whathas
and
happened to thousands of English families,
has spread desolation in many
English homes,
leaving nothing to sustain the sufferers but a sense
of duty and a remembrance of the glorious heroism
that has been displayed. And if we cast our eyes
on a handful of Englishmen going up unknown
Chinese rivers, and reducing to any terms we chose
an empire eittbracing one-third of the human race,
'we see one of the most wonderful events that has
occurred in our days. I thank you in the name of
the House of Commons for the support you have
given to the Government in these great under-

takings, and for the interest you show in all that
concerns the welfare and honour of our country.
On you we depend, and you depend on yourselves.
We feel that the House of Commons d- es, in the
main, represent the heart and spirit of the English
people. Nothing that they really wish and
earnestly desire can be refused to I hem by the
House of Commons. For that reaso I rest confi-
dently on efterlinstitutions; and I do not fear any
reform which, in the highest development of Eng-
land, Englishmen may require ; but the country
will still remain secure if we do our duty. (Loud
cheers.) -
_ _

Alderman DLL `N--The toast I have to propose
follows naturally upon the one you have just re-
sponded to by Mr. Mihies; it is, " The Members for
the West Riding of the County of York." (Cheers.)
The senior member, Mr. Denison, is well known
and appreciated in Yorkshire as an active, indefati-
gable, and independent man of business. My
Lord Goderich, the junior member, may not be
so well known here, but where he is known,
he is most highly and deservedly appreciated,
only requiring to be generally known to
be universally respected. Perhaps, after what
we have heard of politics, I, as a York-
shireman, may be permitted one word, which,
though bearing a political aspect, shall not trench
upon party politics. I feel the more emboldened as
the member for Pontefract has alluded to coming
events. Among the most important of the coming
events is the promised Reform Bill. As Yorkshire-
men, we feel a lively interest in the question of
Reform generally ; but it is understood that the
proposed Bill is to interest the inhabitants of the
West Riding in a peculiar manner. The toast
which I have now the honour to give may possibly
be heard no more within these walls, for in the
Reform Bill which the present Government are
preparing for us there is to be such a division as
will expunge the West Riding from a list of con-
stituencies as a Riding. (" Oh, oh !") Such a pro-
posal will, I believe, receive the unqualified disap-
proval of almost every man in the West Riding of
Yorkshire. (Hear, hear.) It is felt that things
are often achieved by having one or two great con-
stituencies that shall, as it were, almost represent
the whole—that great advantage may be de-
rived from having one such great prize to confer
upon a commoner of England—the greatest prize,
I take it, which can be held by any. Englishman.
However that may be, I hope that it is not the last
time that the toast of " The Member for the West
Riding of the County of York" will be given from
this festive board. (Hear.) I am the more em-
boldened in that hope when I recollect that Lord
Derby, the head of the Government, is not trying
his " 'prentice hand" at Reform, but as a Reformer
of 30 or 35 years ago ought not now to fall into so
great a mistake. lam still further emboldened in
that hope when I call to mind that the leader of
the House of Commons—if the hon. member for
Pontefract will allow me to say so—is no stranger to
questions of Reform. It may be said, and I hope
in him it will prove true, that the child has been
father to the man, and that when we see the Re-
form Bill of the Conservative Government, it will
be not unworthy of the great Reformer named
Lord Stanley, and the Reformer of 25 years ago,
Benjamin Disraeli. At all events I hope the West
Riding as a constituency will not be cut asunder.
(Cheers.)
Mr. W. SMITH proposed "the Borough Members."
(Cheers.) 'When the hon. member for Pontefract
said that, politics being excluded, he did not know
what he could say, unless it was something with re-
gard to the House of Commons at sea, he (Mr.
Smith) listened with both ears erect, for, the House
of Commons having, according to his humble view,
been at sea the whole of last session, he was anx-
ious to know what account the hon. member could
give of it. But, unfortunately, the hon. member
turned to another topic, and they heard no more of
it. No one could dispute that, during the whole of
last session, there had been an absence of anything
like party or political principle, and the members
seemed all thrown hotch-potch, or like dice from a
box, when thrown on the table, they turned up as
it chanced. He had not the acumen to clear up
this point, but hoped the hon. member (Mr. Roe-
buck) who had to reply to this toast would do so
—of course, without entrenching upon the rule
against party politics. (Laughter.) Mr. Roebuck
possessed one of the highest qualities of a public
man, in that he never shirked his opinions, but ex-
pressed them in a way to leave no room for mis-
taking what he meant. The special interests of
Sheffield were perfectly safe in the hands of Mr.
Roebuck and his colleague. (Cheers.)
Mr. J. A. ROEBUCK, M.P., was greeted with
protracted cheating. He said—I beg to return my
thanks for the mode in which the hon. gentleman
proposed my health, and the very marked way in
which you have received it. But, sir, I feel the
difficulty with my hon. friend Mr. M. Milnes. He,
far more practised than I am, felt the difficulty of
being called upon to respond. to the toast of the
" House of Commons" witbout talking politics.
I feel the same difficulty now that my health is
proposed, for lam a politician, and only a politi-
cian. My hon. friend, indeed, has other claims on
the world's notice; I have none. To talk politics is
my business, and you might as well call together
a congregation of farmers and tell them not to talk
about prices, as to call together politicians and bid
them not to talk politics. (Hear.) Now, sir, I
have been for many years a member for the
borough of Sheffield. I have attended this festive
board very many times. I have always heard the
same thing about not talking politics. (Cheers.)
My hon. friend Mr. Milnes said he did not intend
to talk politics, and then began to talk about the
most exciting point of foreign politics. My hon.
friend Mr. Dunn echoedthe sentiment that lie would
not talk politics, and then began to talk upon the
most exciting point of home politics, viz., reform.
Now, what do I intend to do ? Why, I intend to
talk politics. (Cheers and laughter.) Sir, a gentle-
man has said that the House of Commons, during
the whole of the last session, has been at sea. I beg
most respectfully to dissent from that opinion. We
have, in this last session of Parliament, read a very
great lesson to all politicians. We have taught those
whom success had made insolent that there was a
punishment immediate upon their insolence.
(Cheers.) We have got rid of the peccant member,
and England now stands where she did not stand
before, viz., in her own proud position, as indepen-
dent of foreign influence. (Cheers.) To that result
1 humbly contributed, and if anything should be
engraved upon my tombstone I would have that
marked upon it, that I vindicated England's honour
when her honour was at stake by means of her
Chief Minister. (Cheers.) Oh, sir, but we are not to
talk politics ; and we are to talk only of the House
of Commons at sea. I was with the House of Com-
mons at sea. I went to Cherbourg, and what did I
see there ? Sir, a great writer, a great prelate, once
described England as being, among her sons undis-
turbed as the rocks amid the stormy seas which sur-
round her. That was the description given by the
great Bossuet of England. Now, sir, I would take
from nature a more apt illustration of our position.
and I would say England, with regard to European
politics, was as an island in the Pacific, surrounded
by a coral reef. Within that barrier all was peace
and good order. Without were various ele-
ments, struggling under the influences of the
wind right round the globe. That wind im-
pelled the waves against the barrier, but the bar-
rier withstood its power, and the island was at
peace in spite of the elemental warfare around
her. That is England. Sir, I recollect England in
1848. The despots of Europe were running about
wondering where they should go, and they came to
England as to a harbour. I saw Prime Ministers
wandering also, and they came to England as to a
_harbour. Well, then, when Europe was thus
struggling—when the world was at strife—we were
at peace, and held out to the assembled nations of
the world the wondrous spectacle of a people go-
verning themselves, and being in perfect peace and
security. (Cheers.) Was this attended with any
result ? It was. The despots of Europe hated
England because she held up to the people of
Europe a marked and a striking example of popular
government. And now, Sir, let me apply the moral
of my tale. England is, as I have said, the mark
and hate of every despot. My hon. friend here,
who did not talk politics—(laughter)—and I went
to Cherbourg, and then we floated in the waters of
a despot. It may be said that those who stand in
my position ought not to say anything that excites
national animosity, anal respond to that sentiment.
(Hear, hear.)- But, Sir, the farmer who goes to
sleep, having placed the watch-dog, " Tear'em,"
over his ricky-ard, hears that watch-dog bark. He,
in the anger of a half somnolence, says, " I wish
Tear'em would be quiet," and. bawls out of the win-
dow, " Down, Tear'em." " Tear'em" does go down,
the farmer goes to sleep, and he is awaked by the
flashing in at his windows of the light of his ricks
on fire. (Cheers.) lam " Tear'em.' (Loud cheers
and laughter.) I tell you to beware. What is the
meaning of Cherbourg P Are they afraid of Russia,
oprnAgiu.asntaripa,Noro saslsiaa'n? No. Arc they afraid- of
Cherbourgi emine.sa,' not
invader. What, then, does
standinga k
omo c. ;Loa Ea -e
very learned, faced-
there is a paper
saving,
nagnd“
ld,ehaors
hose
and he finishes by
h arcat 3,0 you are
forearmed."
imde
adn.
what Les this mean ? It means t
ger, and why ? Let me tell you why. The press of
England is free, thank God. (Cheers.) And a
any man says here cannot be imputed to thewCiet-
vernment. The daily penny press comes out with
abuse of everybody. 1 believe it takes its pleasure
in abusing me. (Laughter.) Well, lam delighted
that it should] do so. I would rather be abused
than not regarded. (Cheers.) Nobody says that
L rd Derby is answerable for the penny press.

But is this true with regard to France ? Why, sir,
I have got in my possession now a pamphlet called
" Cherbourg et l'Angleterre ;" and that pamphlet
is stamped with the imprimatur, the approval of
the Imperial Government, which does not allow a
word to be said against itself. Then, I say that
every word said by the French press is imputable
to the French Government. (Hear, hear.) Well,
what does that pamphlet say ? It buses England
—it calls her perfidious. It says that we are in-
tent upon the enslaving of the world ; that we are
a set of bandits ; that we are unworthy of the name
of men ; and that Frenchmen ought to hate us as
they do. To whom do I attribute this ? I lay it
at the door of the French Emperor. Mark me, I
know what I am saying. I say it upon a solemn
occasion. I say that the French press is the ex-
pression of the Emperor's opinion, and that his
appeal to the prejudice and hate that now exist in
the minds of the French people against England is
a manifestation of the Emperor's opinion. I am
the watchdog Tear'em, and I only tell you what
my hon. friend would tell you, though in more
mellifluous phrase, when I say—Be you prepared ;
get your guns, get your ships ready, for depend
upon it, that in his heart he knows that Cherbourg
is a standing menace. (Cheers.) Now, I tell you
what will result from all this. I am sent to Par-
liament as your representative. There have been
estimates, and in the next session there will be esti-
mates, and everything that goes to protect England
against foreign invasion will receive my hearty
support. (Protracted cheering.) Sir, I know the
position that England holds. She is a shining light
to all the nations of the earth. In her fields are
peace, and her harvests are gathered by a people
unprotected by bayonets. The law is paramount
from the Land's End to John o' Groat's. The
Queen travels from one end of the island to the
other with a solitary policeman on the train,
and he need not be there. (Hear.) Is not this a
striking instance of what popular government may
do ? I am not here, gentlemen, to bandy
phrases and compliments with my hon. friend
on the left, or my hon. friend on the right. I am
here to take advantage of the occasion, and I do so,
and tell you at once that we are a people hated by
the despots, and it requires us to be prepared
against the coming evil that certainly, by and by,
will befal us. Depend upon it that gallant nation
which is our nearast neighbour cannot, will not,
bear the dreadful burden that is now upon her
shoulders. Time will lift that burden off. We
standing by shall see the dreadful explosion. We
shall have to be prepared against all coming cala-
mity, and I beg of you, as you value your own
hearths, and your-own happiness, to support me,
your member, when I vindicate before the world
England and England's safety against the world in
arms. (Loud cheers.) Sir, I fear that I have made
this evening too serious. (No, no.) But depend
upon it I have spoken but the words of truth. I
would finish simply by thanking you most heartily
for the manner in which you have received the
toast. (Protracted cheering.)
Mr. R. N. PHILIPS proposed " The Health of the
Clergy and the worthy Vicar of Sheffield."
The Rev. Canon SALE—I feel that the important
and solemn remarks just made by the hon. member
should be considered in an interval of calmness,
and I do not wish that what I may say should in-
terfere with the thoughts to which they are calcu-
lated to give rise. But I am sure the hon. member
will agree with me if I take up one or two frag-
ments of his important speech, and endeavour to
take their tone in the thanks I offer for the flatter-
ing manner in which this toast has been proposed
and received. Mr. Roebuck stated, and I felt proud
to listen to it, that when Europe was in a state of
confusion, when despotic Governments were over-
thrown, and kings and ministers were wandering
here and there, they came to England as a refuge,
and in our privileged island peace and order pre-
vailed. (Hear, hear.) How was this ? How was
it that our privileged island, from south to north,
was distinguished by the universal acknowledg-
ment of the supremacy of law ? Was it not that
there was religious principle—(hear, hear)—pervad-
ing the minds of the English population beyond
these of any other people? (Cheers.) I believe it is
this which, in proportion as it is diffused through
society, is the best guarantee of peace and quiet-
ness at home, whatever may be the state of things
abroad. (Cheers.) I believe it is that supremacy
of the word of God which, as a minister of the
church, I am privileged to hold up to the people
in all its integrity, and without reserve, is the best
guarantee that we shall have peace and quietness
in the future as in the past. It is this, I believe,
that is the true ground of the boast that English-
men can govern themselves. While other nations
are unfit to be committed to their own care, and
therefore must be held down by the strong hand of
despotic power, we, acknowledging the supremacy
of the law, can look abroad and say we do not want
bayonets at home, we do not want an armed police
to keep down freedom, we do not abridge the
liberty of the press, but we can each judge clearly
and. calmly what is the best for ourselves and our
neighbours. (Cheers.) While I am happy to ap-
preciate the kind feeling shown in the remarks of
my friend Mr. Philipps, and in the sentiments of
the company, permit me to say that I regard the
toast as the recognition of a great principle. You
have received with the greatest enthusiasm the
toast of the Queen and the Royal family, the army
and navy, the House of Commons, and your repre-
sentatives, but I take this toast as an acknowledg-
ment that, after all that the wisdom of man can do,
after all the bravery and self-devotion of our army
and navy can do to defend us, we are primarily de-
pendent on the God of armies. Without His bless-
ing, the power of our army and navy would, be
paralysed, the House of Commons would be at sea
(to take up an expression previously used). We
might soon be as a house divided against itself, and
fall beneath the attacks which our hon. member
says are already preparing. Let us trust in the liv-
ing God. Let His ministers do their duty. Let
the Church of England be what it ought to be—
the exponent of the truth of God. Thus we may
be united, happy, and free. Blessed is the people
that is in such a case—yea, blessed is that people
whose God is the Lord. (Cheers.)
Mr. ROEBUCK—I have now a different duty to
perform. Before I was talking about matters in
which I felt myself a political interest. Now, I am
going to speak on a matter in which I take a per-
sonal interest. I am going to propose to you
" The Health of the Master Cutler." (Loud cheers.)
I recollect upon a former occasion-that a noble friend
of mine, in proposing the health of the then Master
Cutler (Mr. W. A. Matthews), said he had obtained
a monopoly of distinctions, for he was at the same
time Mayor and Master Cutler. My friend, Mr.
Jackson, is of the same' kidney ; lie is Mavor and.
Master Cutler, and he has obtained these 'distinc-
tions at the hands of his fellow-townsmen by his
•own individual merit. (Cheers.) If I were to waste
your time from this to break of day, I could not do
more than say that I propose the health of the
Master Cutler, in whom you will find a friend and
protector of your commercial interests, and as Mayor
you will find him a worthy magistrate. (Cheers.)
The MASTER CUTLER. (Cheers.) You will, I am
sure feel with me when I say that I feel a degree
of diffidence in risinc, to respond to the toast which
has just been proposed. Permit me to thank you
sincerely for the honour .you have just paid me by
drinking my health in so kind and enthusiastic a
manner. It would be out of place if at this hour
of the evening I were to trouble you at any great
length. I had intended to address a few observa-
tions to you relative to the town and trade of Shef-
field. (" Go on.") I have heard-it stated, and by
visitors, on the occasion of the Cutlers' Feast, that
Sheffield was not making the progress it ought, and
was not keeping pace with our rivals in trade. I
never agreed with them, for I believe that there is
no town in England that has made more progress
in its particular manufacture than Shefeld.
(Cheers.) This progress appears the greater when
we take into consideration the difficulties we have
to contend against, Those gentlemen who think
that because other nations which were formerly
far behind us in our manufactures are now making
progress, we are standing still, are very much mis-
taken. I may mention one or two of the difficulties
we have to contend against, and which perhaps are
not generally known to those noblemen and
o.entlemen who do us the honour of attending this
is
annual festival. One of these is the enormous im-
port duties we have to contend with in foreign
countries. It may not be known that, while we
admit the cutlery manufactures of our ally and
nearest neighbour at 2s. 6d. per 1121 b., which is
not more than 1 per cent., the great cutlery trade of
Sheffield has not a market in France—that not a
single penknife, or scissor, or razor is allowed to
be sent into that country. With respect to almost
every other class of Sheffield goods, we have to pay
duties of 35 to 100 per cent. It is very fine to say
that -We do not keep pace with foreign manufac-
turers ; under such a system as that how is it pos-
sible ? There is a limit beyond which we cannot
go. If we could only have fair play, if our neigh-
bours in France would give us the same facilities
that we give them, we should not fear. In a speech
recently delivered at St. Etienne, Count de Per-
sigay stated that there could be no material rivalry
between this country and France, inasmuch as we
allow every article manufactured in France to have
access to our colonies on the same terms as British
manufactured goods. I hope the French will give
us the same facility, and that, if they value our
friendship and wish to be good neighbours, they
wioldloedto us as we do to them. (Cheers.) But it
is something for the cause to find a gentleman
holdingl
such
nTgh
iatshhai
that
free Count h officialdt
rae pae
e positionrwsi
ognulyd hb
aeisn good
already Francefor hisaacc
country.
knowledged
7 and I trust we shall see a speedy re-

form. • That is simply one example, and I might
quote many others. My impression of the state of
the manufactures of Sheffield is, that let us only
have fair play, and we don't care for the world. I
believe that we can not only maintain the position
we now occupy, but go ahead of it. (Cheers.)
-Mr. M. Mils Es. (Cheers.) I have to propose
another toast, which I am sure you will drink with
delight. Next week we are about to receive in
Yorkshire the greatest lady of the land, and we
shall give her a right Yorkshire welcome. (Cheers.)
But that will not preclude us from drinking most
heartily the health of the first lady of Sheffield—
the Mayoress and wife of the Master Cutler, and
the ladies—of whom I can say the more I know of
them the more lam delighted. " The Mayoress
and the ladies of Sheffield." (Cheers.)
The MAYOR briefly returned. thanks.

Air. H. VICKERS proposed " The Health of the
Mayors of the West. Riding," and congratulated the
Master Cutler on holding- the two highest offices
which it was in the power of the town to confer.
The MAYOR of DONCASTER returned thanks.

Alderman CARR proposed " The Health of the
Lord-Lieutenant, the Deputy-Lieutenant, and the
Magistrates of the West Riding." (Cheers.) Than
Mr. Wilson Overend no man in the kingdom stood
higher as a magistrate—(cheers)—and he filled his
office of deputy-lieutenant with equal credit to him-
self and to the town. Though the architect of his
own fortune. Mr. Overend had risen to a position
among his fellows, and was a gentleman whom he
(Alderman Carr) was proud to claim as Sheffield
bred and born. (Cheers.)
Mr. W. OVEREND, in responding, said Earl
Fitzwilliam, the Lord-Lieutenant, was new in his
duties, but had so far done well, and he (Mr. Over-
end) had faith as to the future. The deputy-
lieutenantcy was almost a sinecure, and he hoped,
notwithstanding what his hon. friend Mr. Roebuck
had said about war, that the time was far distant
when they would be called into active employment.
He must be allowed to say that the deputy-lieu-
tenants would have liked to be employed just now.
They were all loyal men, and as the Lord-Lieu-
tenant was going to meet the Queen at Leeds, they
would be only too glad if he would call upon them
to form his escort, and thus give them an opportu-
nity, of showing their loyalty to her Majesty.
Having expressed their wish, it was all they could
do. It was for the Lord-Lieutenant to do as he
thought proper, and, no doubt, he knew what was
best. The best recompense that the magistrates
had was the knowledge that they had given satis-
faction, and the conviction that they had fearlessly
discharged their duty. In the name of the trza
junctrt in nno he begged to thank them. (Cheers.)
The company separated about half-past 10
o'clock.

the Reform triumphs. By education, associations,
and instincts he was a Tory, and he maintained his
opinions with equal firmness and kindliness. They
did not, however, prevent him, either from living
on the most friendly terms with men of opposite
sentiments, or from lending the aid of his pen
on subjects apart from politics to the leading
periodicals of other political parties. The Quarterly
Reviewer was occasionally an Edinburgh Reviewer,
and he wrote upon literature and art occasionally
in more than one newspaper. A notice of his writ-
ings would be incomplete which passed in silence
over his brief and admirable life of Velasquez in
the Penny Cyclopedia, one of the happiest efforts
of his pen.
On the style of so popular a writer it would be
out of place here to dwell. It was, like his con-
versation, animated, epigrammatic, and discursive,
charged with thought, and sparkling with plea-
santry. With great powers of sarcasm, he was one
of the most gentle and amiable of companions, and
one of the kindliest of critics. One or two reviews,
of books well worthy of castigation, remain to
show how effectively he could apply the lash. But,
in his hands, the lash rarely descended on indivi-
duals. He was much more given to praise, per-
haps to over-praise than to blame. In the field
which he had made peculiarly his own, he was ever
ready to bid a new labourer welcome, and to call
public attention to the merits of a possible rival.
Of English critics he was among the first to do
justice to the historic genius of Prescott and the
graphic power of Borrow.
In the fine arts his knowledge, his skill, and his
judgment were remarkable. Had he not been an
eminent writer, he might have achieved eminence
as a painter. His portfolios were stored with ad-
mirable sketches of Spain and Italy; and these
portfolios were ever at the service of his literary
and artistic friends. From his sketches were made
some of the beautiful drawings by Mr. Roberts, so
popular in the Landscape Annuals of other days. His
sketch-books have contributed to the embellishment
of many various works, from Lockhart's Spanish
Ballads to the Illustrated News. He was not
only familiar with the masters of literature and
art, with Homer, Shakspeare, and Cervantes, with
Raffaele and Velasquez, but he was at home in all
the minor mysteries of conoisseurship. No man
could more accurately discriminate an Andrea from
a Lucca della Robbia ; a true Rembrandt etching
from a copy ; the porcelain of Capo di Monte
from that of the sister factory of Buen-Retiro.
Few collectors have been more diligent, versatile, and
successful in that enticing pursuit or pastime. His
collection of etchings or drawings by Parmegiano,
one of the finest ever formed, is now in the British
Museum. Among the Spanish pictures which he
brought from Spain, and which want of house-room
compelled him to part with, were several of the
gems of the late Exhibition at Manchester. Of his
Majolica ware we have already spoken. Some of the
finest existing, specimens of that interesting branch
of the ceramic art hang on his walls in Park-
street. Near them, among choice Italian and
Spanish pictures, are some remarkable landscapes
by Wilson, an artist by whom Mr. Ford inherited,
through his mother, the daughter of Mr. Booth,
one of Wilson's chief patrons, about 60 pictures.
The books collected by 'Mr. Ford were worthy of
the works of art among which they were placed.
Many of the rarities of the great Heber library re-
pose on his shelves in Park-street and Heavitree,
and have been rendered more precious by his notes.
In curious Spanish literature there are, probably,
few private English libraries so rich.
Those, and they are many, who had the happi-
ness of mingling in the circle which met around Mr.
Ford's hospitable board, and in his pleasant drawing-
rooms, will long remember with affectionate regret
those social gatherings and the kindly spirit which
presided over them and pervaded them. In the give
and take of conversation Mr. Ford had few equals
and no superiors. In most societies where we have
had the good fm 'ame to meet him he probably
knew more on most objects that could be started
than any other of the guests. Yet, in his hands,
conversation never degenerated into monologue ;
and, although ever ready and able to talk, he was
never indisposed to listen. From the jealousy of
the professed wit he was altogether Free ; and, feel-
ing no jealousy himself, he inspired none in others.
Perhaps few men of equal mark had so few ene-
mies, and certainly no man of private station is
likely, for many a long year, to leave so great a
void in English society.
For the last two years his friends and family
observed with concern that his health was giving
way. On the appointment of a Royal Commission
to report on the best site for the National Gallery,
in the winter of 1856-7, he was named, with his
own consent, one of the Commissioners, but before
the Commission met he resigned his place in it, on
the ground of impaired health. Since that time
he suffered from several attacks of illness, but until
the end of last July he continued to mingle in
society. Early in August he was again prostrated
by the malady which proved fatal on the Ist of
this month.
Mr. Ford was three times married—first, to a
daughter of the late Lord Essex; secondly, to a
daughter of the late Lord Cranstoun ; and, tairdly,
to a sister of the late Sir W. Molesworth, who
survives him. By his first marriage he leaves
three children, of whom his only son is attache to
the Legation at Lisbon. By his second marriage
he leaves a daughter. His brother, the Rev. James
Ford, prebendary of Exeter, and author of several
Irofound theological works, survives him.