The Sun.
London, England, 1835-02-18 00:00:00

SOUTHWARK.

DINNER TO HUMPHERY AND D. W.
HARVEY, ESQS.

Last evening, the United Reformers of the borough of
Southwark gave a dinner to Messrs. Humphery and D. W.
Harvey, in celebration of their return as Members for the
borough at the late election. The dinner took place at the
New London-bridge Tavern, a magnificent building, erected
we understand by Mr. Humphery, and opened on the present
occasion for the first time.
We calculated the number present to amount to about 350 ;
amongst the more distinguished were the Members for the
borough, Messrs. Humphery and Harvey, Colonel Evans,
M. P., Mr. H. Bulwer, M.P., Mr. Hume, M. P„ Mr. Wilks,
Mr. Tennyson, M.P., Mr. Barnard, M. P., Major Beauclerk,
M. P., and Mr. Potter, M. P.
Mr. ELLis presided in the Chair.
Mr. King, the excellent comic singer, had the arrange-
ment of the vocal department, and was ably assisted by Messrs.
Morley, Jones, and Turner.
The cloth having been removed Non Nobis Domine was
sung, after which—
The CHAIRMAN proposed " The health of the King."
The toast was given with three times three.
The next toast proposed was " The Queen," which was re-
ceived with some applause. but with much more of hissing and
groaning. The great majority of the company refused to rise
from their seats.
The CHAIRMAN attended the dinner, it being understood
that he was to propose such toasts as had been agreed to, and
had been entered upon their list. He was convinced that these
toasts, the great majority of those present would drink : but
if he were disappointed, if he found the company refusing to
drink the toasts he had to propose, he should feel it to be his
duty speedily to retire, to afford them the opportunity of se-
lecting another Chairman. He was confident, however, that
the majority would not allow the feelings of a few violent in-
dividuals to prevail.—( Hisses and applause.) If they did, he
should say it would be a disgrace to the cause of Reform, and
i n particular to the borough of Southwark.—(" No, no,"
hisses and applause.) He would now propose to them, " the
health of the Princess Victoria, and the rest of the Royal Fa-
mily."—( Great cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN next explained that all the metropolitan
Members had been invited, and such as were not present had
most respectfully explained their absence. After eulogizing
the public conduct of the two gentlemen whom the borough
had chosen as their representatives, he gave " The healths of
John Humphery, Esq., and D. W. Harvey, Esq."
This toast was received with long-continued acclamations.
Mr. HUMPHERY returned thanks. He said that he had al-
ways endeavoured to discharge his duty in a manner to give
his constituents satisfaction, and always would ; therefore he
hoped for their continued support. His Gracious Majesty,
however, had considered him (Mr. Humphery) not fit to be
one of the nation's, representatives; therefore his most Graci-
ous Majesty, acting upon the advice of his Privy Council,
thought fit to return him upon their hands—( A laugh)—but
the people again elected him, and as the same man in every
respect that he was when they first honoured him with their
choice.—( Cheers.) It must have much disappointed his Ma-
jesty to find that the borough was determined to return two
stanch Reformers. He should lose no opportunity of doing
his duty to his country; and they would soon come to an im-
portant crisis in the election of Speaker. He rejoiced to see
the Reformers uniting, and cautioned them against allowing
the Tories to divide them. The present aspect of public affairs
reminded him of the fable of the four bulls. The bulls were
too strong for the lion while they proved true to each other ;
but the lion, having persuaded them that one was speaking ill
of the other, caused a division amongst them, they became an
easy prey, and in the end, the lion managed to devour them
all.—( Laughter.) Thus the Tories would divide the Re-
formers, their object being eventually to devour them all.—_
( A laugh.) He and his friends were designated Destructives ;
but what could be his object in becoming such a character ?
He possessed all he desired ; and anarchy and confusion might
involve him in a loss, but certainly would not be productive of
advantage to him.
Mr. HARVEY next presented himself, and addressed the
company in a very elegant speech. Within forty-eight hours
of the time when he was now addressing them, a great battle
would be fought. From the remotest provinces of this empire
the contending armies were drawing near, and the plains of
Westminster were to be the scene of the struggle. The
troops of Toryism were coming on, but they would be over-
eiome by the young troops of Reform. It had been thought
by some that he was going to vote in favour of the late
Speaker, and there was one way in which he could account for
the supposition. The fact was, he was deeply indebted to Sir
Charles M. Sutton ; he was indebted to him for having turned
him (Mr. Harvey) out of Colchester; because if this had
never been done, he, in all probability, would never have been
Member for the borough of Southwark. —(Cheers.) The
question as to the Speaker was not one as to the personal me-
rits of the two gentlemen ; his belief was, that if Sir C. M.
Sutton became Lord Lexington, and Lord Aberdeen the Earl
of Carlisle, the House of Commons would nevertheless be able
to find a person to fill the Chair with dignity, and enforce or-
der with propriety.—( Hear, hear.) No ; a far higher prin-
ciple was involved than that of mere personal qualification.
Two men were put forward as distinct standards of impor-
tant and opposing principles, and the people of England
were to be told whether reform was to proceed, or to be
insidiously, artfully checked, and diverted from its course.
The next toast given was " The health of the Members of
the City of London."
_ _

Mr. GROTE returned thanks. He said that a much larger
majority of Reformers would have been obtained if the electors
in the country had not been intimidated and corrupted. The
only sure remedy for this evil was the ballot:—( Cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN next gave " The Members for Middlesex."
Mr. HUME made a long and able speech, in the course of
which he lamented the ignorance that prevailed in the coun-
try districts in particular. As to political questions, the dis-
cussion of them and of theology was positively forbidden in
most of the clubs or societies that • existed. Other knowledge
might be acquired, but that which was the most important of
all was denied. And who were the parties who generally ori-
ginated those regulations? why, those who were apprehensive
that the people would become too anxious to inquire into, and
demand, the reform of the abuses by which they profited.—
( Cheers.) In Scotland the improvement had been great. He
recollected when Scotland returned but five Liberal Members;
_ _ _

now, out of fifty-three, there were but eleven Conservatives.-j-
-( Cheers.) This was the result of their associations and general
activity, and England should exert herself in a similar manner
if she would counteract the influence of the magistracy and
parsons, who constituted a perpetual standing committee for
the support of the Tory interest.
The health of Mr. Tennyson and Major Beauclerk having
been given,

Major BEAUCLERK would take good measures from the pre-
sent Government, if they should give such measures at the
expense of their political characters ; but could anything so
extraordinary be expected ? Small, indeed, was the hope of
valuable reform from this Administration : had not Lord Stor-

mont joined it, who said he hated the very name of Ref;;;?
And was not the Marquis of Londonderry to be sent by the
Government as Ambassador to the Court of St. Petersburgh?
Little intercession was to be looked for from him in favour of
the suffering Poles.
The health of the Members for Westminster having been
given, Colonel Evans acknowledged the compliment. Mr.
Barnard acknowledged a similar compliment to him.
The stewards, and several other toasts, were drunk, and the
evening's entertainment was protracted to an unusually late
hour.

SINGULAR AND MOST IMPORTANT INVENTION.
—Mr. Parker, of Syracuse, in this State, has discovered a
composition which will harden like stone, and yet may be
worked in a soft state as easily as mortar ! Exposure to the
weather causes it to petrify and become actual stone, requiring
a heavy blow with a hammer to break it. A specimen may be
seen at Mr. Garfield's shoe-store, in Congress-street, who is
agent fo: Mr. Parker in this city. Mr. P. has recently com-
pleted a section of Canal as a specimen of that intended to
bring water near New York from the CrotQrt ,it MO'
be cast in moulds in the form of pillars, fire-places, vestibules,
&c., and is not dearer than brick. Its value is incalculable for
buildings, cisterns &c. situate in wet or damp places. It is
undoubtedly one of the most important inventions of the day.
The American Institute have awarded Mr. Parker, a gold
Medal: -; r/I0 Chrmlick