The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-10 00:00:00

LORD MAYOR'S DAY.

THE BANQUET AT THE GUILDHALL.
Last evening, after the return of the civic pro-
cession from Westminster (an account of which ap-
peared in our impression of yesterday), the new
Lord Mayor and Sheriffs gave their annual banquet
to the Common Council, on a scale of unusual
splendour and abundance.
The hall had been specially decorated under the
superintendence of Mr. Bunning, the cityarchitect,
who gave it a very warlike appearance, by surround-
ing the clustered columns on each side of the hall
with muskets, intermixed with halberts bound to-
gether with laurel. In the centre of each compart-
ment were large trophies, composed of armour,
swords, guns, and pistols, with emblazoned shields
of different countries, also bound together with
laurel. On the embattled scenes surrounding the
hall (which are temporarily fitted up for ventila-
tion, the fresh air being admitted behind them),
were bayonets and pistols, crossed so as to give
the appearance of chevaux de frise, backed up
with flags and Union Jacks. The eastern
window bad in its centre a large trophy, composed
of flags and armour, beneath which, in letters of
gold, were the words "God Save the Queen," and
above it the Prince of Wales' Feathers, composed
of spun glass, and the motto. The western window
was decorated with Messrs. Copeland's beautiful
glass star. From the large cornices on each side of
the hall was suspended, as usual, flags of all nations.
The front of the south music gallery was decorated
with an emblazoned shield, containing a portrait of
hor Majesty, surrounded with swords and backed
up with flags. That of the north gallery contained
the city shield, decorated in a similar manner. The
entrance, porch, and passages from Guildhall-yard
were decorated in the same warlike style, with mus-
kets, cannon, and shot. The passages and lobbies
leading to the Council Chamber were adorned with
the Bayeaux tapestry. In the centre of the loggia
to the Exchequer Court (converted into a ban-
queting room for the occasion) were placed two cir-
cular bassi-relievi shields, seven feet in diameter,
designed and executed by J. G. Lough, Esq. In
the one called " The Shield of Milton," which re-
presents Satan in the act of calling his followers to
"Awake, arise, or be for ever fallen," Satan
stands proudly on the burning mass. Of the sur-
rounding figures some—answering the summons
with alacrity—are rising with fury, some are yet
stunned by the fall and but half awake, others
are assailed with forked lightning, while others
seem as though they would prefer their lot to again
risking the sword of Michael. The other, or Shaks-
peare shield, represents Shakspeare in the centre
sleeping, watche•i by two Aerial Genii of Dream.
The surrounding entablature depicts the story of
"Midsummer Night's Dream," Night arresting
the onward progress of Day, by parting the horses
of Apollo, assisted by the flours. Below is the mar-
riage of Theseus by Hymen. To the right is the
hunting scene, and Helen asleep ; to the left is
Bottom and Titania, with Puck and his fairy
revels. There were also a statue of the Spirit
from " Comus," by Mr. Lough • Ariel, from
Shakspeare's " Tempest," by Mr. Hancock ;
" Chastity," by Mr. Durham, and a group of
boys, " The First Thorn," by Mr. M'Dowall.
In the area on the western side of the aldermen's
court-room, was a scenic representation, composed
from Gray's Pindaric ode of the " Welsh Bard,"
and a fine statue of the Bard by Mr. Theed—
" Ruin seize thee, ruthless King,
Confniion on thy banners wait'
* * * *
On a rock whose haughty brow
Frowns o'er old Conway's foaming flood
Robed in the sable garb of woo,
With haggard eyes the poet stood,"
The statue was placed on a rock before a painting
of "Conway Castle," by Frederick Fenton, and
the army of Edward 1. was seen on its way through
the valley below. In the foreground were mounted
figures clothed in armour, representing King Ed-
ward and his knights. The area on the north side •
of the aldermen's court-room was fitted up as a
large conservatory, and filled with choice plants, in
the centre of which stood a colossal figure, by John
Bell, Esq., of " Armed Science ;" at the back of
which was another painting, by Frederick Fenton,
of the " Taking of Delhi." The recesses and niches
in the lobbies and passages contained marble busts
of "Egeria and Innocence," by Mr. Foley; the
"Skipping Girl," by Mr. Thorneycroft ; " Baron
Pollock," by \Tr. Durham ; a figure of " Are-
thusa," by Mr. Thrupp ; "Pandora," by Mr. Bell ;
a figure of " Samuel,' by Mr. Bacon ; also several
vases and figures from Messrs. Copeland's establish-
ment ; and in the council chamber a colossal head
of LThoer d
dinner He at hafinedl dw, M.
wr
h.
iNoe
h bwl
were
r
a both supplied
by Messrs. Staples, gave unusual satisfaction, and
musicrboth vocal and instrumental, was added, to
give completeness to the entertainment. The voca-
lists were the Misses Birch and Wilson and Mr.
Gauge. Mr. Harker was the toast-master.
Among those present were—The late Lord
Mayor (Alderman Finnis), the Lord Chancellor,
Earl Granville, the Earl of Harrowby, the Earl of
Clarendon, Viscount Palmerston, the Marquis of
Salisbury, Lord Panmure, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Mr. Vernon Smith, M.P., Lord Chief
Justice Campbell, Lord Justice Turner, Vice-
Chancellor Stuart, Vice-Chancellor Wood, Mr.
Justice Cresswell, Mr. Justice Williams, Mr.
Baron Channel), the Solicitor-General, Sir F.
Thesiger, M.P., Sir F. Kelly, M.P., Mr. R. Lowe,
M.P., Sir J. Ramsden, M.P., Mr. John Walter,
M.P., Mr. Grant, Baron Rothschild, M.P., Sir C.
Codington, M.P., Sir W. Jolliffe M.P., the Mi-
nister for the Ilanse Towns, the Haytian and the
Swedish Charge d'Affaires, Captain Mike, Sir E.
Cust, the Marquis of Stafford, Sir B. Hawes, Mr.
Mr. R. W. Crawford, M.P.,
J.
rd.leVsrimhl seaornii
fE.' andAl‘il .ISePhn. rti ffh
eLRa we
croeri ceer,
cAf 1
td
he
er nCit yGoaf br iel
Lon-
don, Mr. Thomas Chambers, M. P. (the Common
tSienr,j ema nr.t)C,
.MGri.lplVilne Cmh
p e.a,ptm rS. h
je.pThhe rwidlai,iateeray officers,
sp, tmA
.rc.
eurrss.:
Doulton, 47;c., a large number of military
and
mon upwardscoune of one
Council and
an d t h
et
ihro
fursi and e
Om: eo.rasvoef
tthh
ee Cuos
usual
subsequentlyloyAafltteorasditznaenr,dthe Lorin MA Y
Navy,"companThe Army and
yattoththeesam nowe
mtimoneucmalelinntgotfhteheatpteunktieoonf of the
then, he stated, for the first time exhibit edl ,
and having cost the corporation 5,0001.—a proof
that the citizens of London were not insensible to
the gallant achievements of our soldiers. His lord-
ship coupled with the toast the names of Lord Pan-
mure and Capt. Milne, R.N.
Lord PA.NMURE, in returning thanks for the army,
said it was unnecessary for him to utter one word in
its praise. He had only to refer to its past history,
and to point to its achievements in the present
day. (Cheers.) Tue army now attracted almost
the whole of public attention, not merely for its
acts, for they bad always been of the
bravest, but for the spirit with which its ranks
were being filled. In the Crimean war the soldiers
were always ready, although the food was not ; and
now the regiments which had only returned from
foreign service were ready at a moment's notice to
rush to India to revenge the wrongs of our injured
countrymen and countrywomen. (Cheers.) The
same spirit caused the recruiting to go on rapidly ;
so that in every way the army was truly worthy of
the confidence of their fellow-citizens. (Hear.)
Captain MILNE briefly returned thanks for the
Navy.

The following toasts were then given and re-
sponded to :—" Prosperity to the City of London ;"
" The late Lord Mayor" (with a warm eulogium,
which was loudly cheered by the company) ; " The
Lord Chancellor ;" "The Judges," &c. &c.
The LORD MAYOR next proceeded to propose
" The health of Lord Palmerston and her Majesty's
Ministers." He said that whoever might be in
office, the health of her Majesty's Ministers was
always well received in the Guildhall, where what
was looked to was not mere shades of politics, but
measures and men. He gave them the health of the
prime minister of this country. He (the Lord
Mayor) had sat opposite to his lordship the whole
of the last session, and could testify to his indefa-
tigable attention to the business of the House of
Commons. It was superfluous for him to say one
word in praise of Lord Palmerston, but this he
would say, that as chief magistrate of the City of
London he was proud and happy to have that dis-
tinguished nobleman as his guest. He felt still
prouder because his lordship was accompanied by
Lady Palmerston. (Cheers and laughter.) Men
were always most welcome to the citizens of London
when accompanied by their better halves. (Con-
tinued laughter.) He begged to include her lady-
ship's name in the toast.

Mr. Harker then, with much gravity, gave out,
" Lord Palmerston, Lady Palmerston, and her
Majesty's Ministers," to the great amusement of
the company, who cheered for several minutes.
Lord PALMERSTON rose to respond to the toast,
and was received with loud and prolonged cheer-
ing. He said—My Lord Mayor, ladies, and gen-
tlemen—l thank you on my own behalf, on behalf
of my colleagues, and in the name of my better
half, whom the Lord Mayor has been good enough

to include---(a laugh)--for the honour that has been
done us in the manner in which our healths have
been proposed and received. Your lordship has
alluded to the fact of having sat opposite to me
during the session in the House of Commons, and
1 am sure you will believe me when I say that it
affords me infinitely more satisfaction to be sitting
at the same side of the table at your lordship's
hospitable board than upon opposite sides of
that unfruitful table which divides the House
of Commons. (Cheers and laughter.) It was my
hope that I might to-day have bad to announce the
arrival of fresh intelligence from that quarter of the
globe to which just now all eyes are turned, and to
which the hearts of the whole country are directed.
[ was in hopes that I might have bad, not a con-
firmation, but ample details respecting that bril-
liant exploit of arms by which the capture of Delhi
has been achieved ; and I trust that before many
hours have elapsed, we shall receive intelligence
which will cheer the hearts of Englishmen, and
prove that the caprure of the stronghold of the mu-
tineers has decided the fate of the contest, and. that
what remains to be achieved is only the sequel of
that memorable struggle. (Hear, and cheers.)
My Lord Mayor, it is impossible for any English-
man to look upon what has been achieved in
India—not by our soldiers only, but by civilians,
by individuals scattered in knots over the whole
surface of that great empire, without feeling more
proud than ever of the nation to which we have
the happiness to belong. (Cheers.) There never
was an instance in the history of the world of
such splendid examples of bravery, of intrepi-
dity, of readiness of reource, of self-reliance, or of
such accomplished results as that of which India
has been the scene...during the last few months.
(Loud cheers.) But the government at home, on
the other hand, may, I think, justly pride them-
selves on not having been wanting to the magnitude
of the occasion. We took the earliest opportunity
of despatching to India a great army—an army
which bad not yet arrived when our great triumphs
were accomplished, but which, when it shall arrive,
will render what remains to be done compara-
tively easy of accomplishment, and will, I do not
doubt, establish the power and authority of Eng-
land on an unshalsa Able basis throughout the whole
of our Indian empire. (Hear, and cheers.) My
noble friend, Lord Panmure, has alluded to the
spirit which has been displayed throughout the
country, and I am proud to say that, although
we have despatched from these shores the largest
army that I believe ever left it at one time, we
have now under arms in the United Kingdom as
many fighting men as we had under arms before the
news of the mutiny had arrived. (Loud cries of
"Hear, hear.") And, therefore, if any foreign
nation ever dreamt in its visions that the exertions
which we have been compelled to make in India
have left us at all weakened, and that a different
bearing may be observed towards us than in the
hour of oar strength, the manner in which the
spirit of the country has gone forth, the manner in
which the ranks of our army have been filled, the
manner in which our forces have been replenished,
will teach the world that it is not a sale game to
play to attempt to take advantage of that which
they had erroneously imagined to be a moment of
weakness. (Loud and protracted cheering.) Gen-
tlemen, it has been the fashion amongst people on
the continent to say that the English nation is not
a military nation, and in one sense that assertion
may be said to be true. Au Englishman is not so
fond as the people of some other countries of uni-
forms, and steel scabbards, and iron heels, but no
nation can excel us either as officers or soldiers in
knowledge of the duties of the military pro-
fession, or in the zeal and ability with which
those duties are performed. (Hear, hear.)
Wherever desperate deeds are to be accom-
plished, wherever superior numbers are to be boldly
encountered and triumphantly overcome, wherever
privations are to be endured, wherever, in short,
there are the worst dangers for the soldiirs to face,
there, I will venture to say, no nation is superior
—I might, without too much national vanity, say,
no nation can be equal to the people of England.
(Loud cheers.) And while we admire the bravery
and constancy of our countrymen in India, we
must not forget to do justice to the high qualities
of our countrywomen. (Cheers.) In the ordinary
course of life the function of worn in is to cheer us
in adversity and comfort us in the hour of suffering,
or, in happier times, to give additional brilliancy
to the sunshine of prosperity but our country-
women in India have had occasion to exhibit
qualities of a much higher and nobler kind, and
whether they have had to sustain the perils of a
siege, or the still greater privations and dangers of
escape, to neglect their own sufferings while alle-
viating the sufferings of others, the women of this
United Kingdom, wherever they were placed in
India, have displayed qualities of an unprecedented
kind, and such as have never been surpassed in the
history of the world. Henceforward the bravest
soldier may think it,no disparagement to be told that
he has courage and powers of endurance equal to
those of an Englishwoman. (Cheers.) My lord, while
we thus do honour and justice to the great bulk of
ourcountrywomen in India, we must not forget that
person who by his exalted position in that country
stand at their head— i mean Lord Canning, who has
shown throughout the contest the highest courage,
tiniheliatraeraytessetrvaibcieli,ty
will,andwe resource, and who, by Vs e cor-
dial7ty which exists between him as head of the civil
maybe
service and Sir Colin Campbell as the head of the
beexseurrtei,onl esavcaennothing
undone that their combi effect,
but that by both everything will be accomplished
that may be necessary for the service of the coun-
try. (Cheers.) The task wh oh Lord Canning will
have to perform will be indeed a difficult one. He
will have to punish the guilty, to spare the inno-
cent, and to reward the deserving. To punish the
guilty adequately:exceeds the power of any civilised
(man,Hraegeea sr.such for
or)
asthe i
But,
couldmy
atrocitiesonly whha
have
been
ne
imaginedbeen committed
of na-
v
demons in the lowest depths of hell.
lord, as your lordship has ob-
served, justice must not be administered in a spirit
of vengeance, but in a spirit of severity, in order
that the example of punishment for crime may pre-
vent its repetition, and for the future insure the
safety of our countrymen and countrywomen in
India. (Hear, hear.) Lord Canning will have
to spare the innocent, and it is most gratify-
ing to know that while the guilty are to be
numbered by thousands the innocent must
be reckoned by millions. It is gratifying to me as it
is honourable to the people of India to know that the
great bulk of the population of that countryhave had
no share in the enormities which have been com-
mitted. (Hear.) Those men who have had experi-
ence of British rule, and who have thus been able to
compare it with the tyranny practised by the native
chiefs, have had no participation in the attempts
which have been made to overthrow our dominion,
and it is most remarkable that in that part of the
empire which has been most recently acquired, I
mean the Punjaub, that which has most recently ex-
perienced the government of the English, we have
found the people the most loyal and attached to
their new and benevolent masters. (Hear.) Lord
Canning will have to re wardthe deserving, for many
are they, both high and low, who have not only ab-
stained from taking part in this mutiny, but have
most kindly and generously sheltered fugitives, have
rescued others from the assaults of the mutineers,
and have thus entitled themselves to distinction and
reward. (Hear.) If Lord Canning receives, as I
am sure he will, that confidence on the part of
the Government and people of this country without
which it is impossible for a man in his high position
to discharge his duty, Is am satisfied that, when this
dreadful tragedy has pased away, he will be found
properly to have played his part, and to have ex-
hibited stern unflinching justice--not, however,
without that discriminating generosity which has
ever been the peculiar characteristic of the British
people. (Loud cheers.) The noble lord concluded
by again thanking the
,c,ompany for the toast.
The next toast was The Foreign Ministers."
Lord PaLafEasToN gave "The Lord Mayor," to
which the latter responded, and gave " Lord
Granville and the House of Lords," with a compli-
mentary allusion to his lordship's hospitalities iu
Moscow, of which the Lord Mayor had been a
partaker.
Earl GRANVILLE offered a few words in acknow-
ledgment,ns aittliheote,
sameis time apologising for having
at
on a previous occasion, put
the patience of the citizens to too lengthy a trial.
iethepatimea,ou
With regard to the Moscow mission, the moment
his colleagues had selected him he consented to go, and
had done his best to show a gallant enemy that when
UNCleeawvoeurerercel a
to
oy
teach t o receivethenhiumssi
Russians
sa
Englishmen were as ready to fight as
ftii.liaetndw.bile
ally men,
they were the most ready of all men to
shake hands.
the war
He
ns
hoavde re,
(Cheers.)
The remaining toasts were then disposed of, and
separated.
the company

THE 93D HIGHLANDERS AND THE MOSQUITOS.--.A
friend in Calcutta writes :—"A detachment of the 931
Highlanders, lately arrived, marched into the Fort yes-
terday in their kilts ; but I fear the national costume
must be discarded, from the utter impossibility of the
men
Fuse--they gwill their officers wh€n ordered to stand at
a be so tormented by the mosquitos."
tothheeyyin