The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-02 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 2, 1860.

that part that remained for him to play when " a
well graced actor quits the stage." He could only
say that, as far as he was personally concerned, he
should ever have a grateful recollection of his lord-
ship's courtesy. He had not ventured to offer a
single allusion to politics, conceiving it to be his
duty as Lord Mayor to observe a perfect neu-
trality ; and he was gratified to think that so good
a custom as that of receiving her Majesty's Minis-
ters within those walls had not been omitted in his
year of office. He concluded by proposing as a
toast " The House of Lords," coupling with it the
name of the Lord Chancellor.

The LORD CHANCELLOR said, from the office he
now held, and to which he had been rather unex-
pectedly and suddenly raised for the second time, it
became his duty to speak on that occasion. It might
have been more suitable that the hereditay branch
of the Legislature should be represented by one of
his noble friends, who traced his descent through a
long line of illustrious ancestors ; but perhaps, as
the Lord Mayor had suggested, he (the Lord Chan-
cellor) was the more fitting representative, because
he in himself offered an example of that which was
the peculiar characteristic of that assembly—the
facility with which it opened its doors to receive
within its walls those who were not nobly born.
The nobility of this country was unlike that of
other countries. It was not a privileged, exclusive
class ; it was not separated from the nation by any
eminence on which it was placed, nor hemmed in
by the possession of any exclusive privileges.
It was recruited from the people and still mingled
with the people. He had been often amused at hear-
ing persons, who were more addicted to assertion
than proof, declaim against what they called the
privileges of the House of Lords. He should be
thankful to such declaimers if they would tell what
those privileges were, and he should be happy to
enter into their practical enjoyment, or be comforted
with the assurance that he possessed them. It had
been frequently made a reproach to their house by
those who sought to disparage them that their sit-
tings were so short, that they did so little business,
and that they never entered into such animated and
interesting discussions as often took place in the
House of Commons. Those objectors could not have
reflected upon the peculiar part which the House of
Lords had to play in our happily balanced constitu-
tion. It was for the security of our liberties that,
while the great affairs of the nation should be ma-
naged in the House of Commons, the House of
Peers should be a power in reserve. It might be
compared to a counteracting check on machinery,
which came into operation when the wheels were
going too rapidly, and he thought it would be ad-
mitted that the House of Lords had always exercised
that reserved power with judgment and moderation.
(Cheers.) The House of Commons, closely in contact
with the people, was sometimes urged on with too
much impetuosity, and it was well that it met with
an occasional barrier, by which it was induced to
pause and reflect in its career. That might lead to
disappointment sometimes, but Englishmen were
generous, and when they had time to cool for reflec-
tion they were generally disposed to appreciate the
motives which had induced a particular course of
action. In the various points which the House of
Lords touched the people they might be always sure
of its sympathy. They would be sure of attention
to their interests and their reasonable demands ; but
being warned by history how often nations sank
"by darling schemes oppressed" that house would
resist to the utmost every attempt to sap the foun.
dations of our institutions, and would vindicate its
proper place in the Constitution of the country.
(Cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR proposed " The House of Com-
mods," coupling with the toast the name of a most
distinguished member of that house, the Chancellor
of the Exchequer. (Loud cheers) They were all
accustomed to read with great interest the remark-
able speeches of the right hon. gentleman, and it
formed part of what was called a polite education to
be familiar with his admirable productions in litera-
ture. It was to be hoped that in dealing with the
finances of the country the right hon. gentleman
might be as successful with facts as he had hitherto
been with fiction. (Cheers and laughter.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in rising to
speak, was greeted with enthusiastic cheers. He
said—My Lord Mayor, this is not the first time I
have had the honour to return thanks in this hall
for the House of Commons, and as, judging from
your lordship's speech, candour and frankness are
not without charms in this hall, I will admit I care
occasion from oeyrsonthae
same privilege. l
(Laughter.) I am sure you
not how often and how longg
ylouernpj
re-
vealing to you my future Budget—
alw wlill
sioenx,c uisfe
I me,re f r
aniont notwithstanding tah stthains d
(a laugh)—
but I will submit to the classic taunt which
you have addressed to me without attempting in any
way to vindicate my right to the views which I at
present hold by communicating to you results which
I have no doubt would be interesting to the city of
London. (A laugh.) On the part of the House of
Commons I may remind you that their labours will
in a few days cease. This has been an eventful and
troubled Session. There are many who say—l think
without due reflection—that the Session has been
fruitless. My noble friend the Chief Minister has
already referred to one branch of our labours, which
I certainly think is not entitled to that epithet. I
hope that when the summary of our achievements is
made in a few days by the Speaker he will be able
to announce that some laws have been passed which
will improve the health and advance the education
avid moral training of the neglected classes of this
country. (Hear, hear.) And if that were alone all
we had accomplished, I think we should not have
laboured in vain. But, my Lord, I think that there
is some little mistake as to the character of the
Session that is about to close. It is very true that
a considerable portion of it has been employed .in
protracted discussions, but the subject of those dis-
cussions has been the most important that can
interest a free people, and, though they have ter-
minated -,vithout any legislative result, I venture to
think that they have not been in vain. (Hear.)
All impartial persons will, I believe, admit that
when at the beginning of this year the House of
Commons was called upon to consider that great
subject which absorbed so much of its attention, the
country did not possess adequate and accurate infor-
mation respecting it, and that the conclusions which
were recommended to us did not exhibit that matu-
rity, and were not sufficiently considered to justify
their adoption by the House of Commons. (Hear,
hear.) I trust, however, that candid observers will
be of opinion that the time occupied in our discus-
sions has not been wasted. I cannot but believe
that these discussions have enlarged and enlightened
public opinion upon one of the most important sub-
jects that can engage the attention of the country—
namely, the principles upon which power should be
distributed among a free people. (Hear, hear.)
That is a subject which demands the calmest con-
sideration, and upon which no measures should be
taken except such as are founded upon ample know-
ledge, and brought forward after due deliberation.
(Hear, hear.) My Lord Mayor, you have alluded
to the connexion between the House of Commons
and this corporation, a connexion which has so of-
ten been referred to and so long been cherished. I
trust that the sympathy and the confidence which
have always existed between the House of Commons
and the city of London may ever be maintained.
Through memorable times that feeling has been
cherished, and I believe it has been always favour-
able to the national welfare and the public liberty.
(Cheers.)
After the toasts of the City Magistrates and the
Sheriffs of London, to which Mr. Alderman Cope-
land and Mr. Sheriff Figgins respectively responded,
Lord STANLEY presented himself to speak, and re-
ceived a most cordial welcome. He said he had not
asked the permission of the Lord Mayor to propose
the toast he was about to give, nor was he going to
make a speech at that time of night. They were all
grateful to the Lord Mayor for his splendid hospital-
ity that evening, but even that hospitality would have
lost the greater part of its charm if it had not been
for the presence of the Lady Mayoress and of
the other ladies by which the occasion had been
graced. He asked them to drink " The health of
the Lady Mayoress."
The toast was received with acclamation, and
the company soon afterwards separated.
The Right Hon. Spencer H. Walpole and Mrs.
Walpole were prevented from dining with the Lord
Mayor by the unexpected death of a near relative.