The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-02 00:00:00

ROYAL

AIITQUBT.

The opening of the exhibition of paintings and
sculpture for the year 1859 was celebrated on
Saturday by the usual anniversary dinner given
within the walls of the Academy. The company on
these occasions ordinarily comprises ministers of
State, dignitaries of the Church, commanders in
the army and navy, statesmen of all shades of
poliees, men of letters and of science, as well as
eminent representatives of trade and commerce. In
this instance, however, owing to the general elec-
tion, there were not a few noticeable gaps at the
festive board ; and such of the leading. members of
the Government as were able to attend had to leave
at an early hour on account of the pressure of public
business.
The guests began to assemble at two o'clock, and
spent the interval before the dinner began in in-
specting the pictures distributed through the various
apartments. As group after group arrived the
most animated conversations were carried on, in
which it must be confessed that eager gossip about
electioneering topics and "the state of the poll"
divided attention pretty equally with criticisms
upon the productions of the painter.
The banquet was held in the East-room, the light-
ing of which is so arranged, as at a preconcerted
signal—viz., the health of her Majesty—hundreds
of gas jets in the ceiling are simultaneously turned
on, bringing out, as with magical and entrancing
effect, the pictorial glories with which the walls are
so richly studded.
Sir Charles Eastlake, the president of the in-
stitution, occupied the chair; and among the assem-
blage were—his Royal Highness the Duke of Cam-
bridge, the Earl of Derby, the Lord Chancellor, the
Lord President of the Council, Lord J. Manners,
Lord Chief Justice Campbell, Chief Baron Pollock,
the Master of the Rolls, the Bishop of Oxford, the
Bishop of Lichfield, the Bishop of Ripon, Earl
Cawdor, the Earl of Carnarvon, the Earl of Carlisle,
Lord Cranworth, Earl Granville, Lord Hardinge,
Lord J. Russell, Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord Mont-
eagle, Lord Methuen, Marquis of Northampton,
Lord Northwick, Lord Overstone, Earl of Ripon,
Baron Alphonse de Rothschild, the Duke of Somer-
set, Earl Shelburne, Lord St. Leonards, Earl War-
wick, Mr. Gladstone, M.P., Mr. Cardwell, M.P.,
the Chairman of the Board of Customs, the Dean
of St. Paul's, Professor Faraday, Sir B. Brodie, the
Governor of the Bank of England, the Lord Mayor,
Sir R. Murchison, Sir S. Northcote, M.P., Professor
Owen, President of the College of Physicians, Mr.
G. Grote, Mr. Thackeray, Mr. J. Foster, Sir W. F.
Williams, Professor Wheatstone, together with a
large muster' of eminent academicians and asso-
ciates.

The usual loyal toasts were duly proposed and
received with marked enthusiasm.
The PRESIDENT next gave "The Army and
Navy," connecting with it the name of his Royal
Highness the Commander of the Forces. The toast
was drunk amid loud cheers.
His Royal Highness the Duke of CAMBRIDGE—
Mr. President, my lords, and gentlemen, in respond-
ing to the toast which has just been given, I have
to express to you, in the name both of the army
and navy—for I believe there is no naval officer
present to speak on behalf of the latter service—
their warmest thanks for the honour you have done
them. In looking round on this festive, this calm
and peaceful gathering, I cannot help .congratulat-
ing you that whereas in various parts of the Conti-
nent events of serious moment are now going, on, in
this glorious country we are enabled to meet in the
manner we have done this evening. (Cheers.) It
may at first sight appear a very trivial matter that
we can now assemble so tranquilly and agreeably
round this festive board;_ but the circumstance
should really read a lesson to other nations, and
indeed, to the whole world. While other countries
are at this time unfortunatelyinvolved in much diffi-
culty, we at least are determined, as far as possible,
to remain peaceful, happy, and contented. (Cheers.)
But, though I cannot too strongly impress upon
you, gentlemen, the favourable position which we
occupy, on the other hand I am the last person who
would hesitate to tell you that in order that we may
continue in that peaceful, happy, and prosperous
state, we ought, especially under present circum,
stances, to be well prepared for whatever may
happen. (Renewed cheers.) It is a different matter
not to wish for war, and when war comes not to be
prepared for it. I believe the people of England,
from one end of the country to the other, are im-
bued with the conviction that in order that wemay
enjoy continued contentment and security we must
be ready for the worst if our neighbours will not
allow us to be at peace. (Cheers.) Such is the posi-
tion which this com,try ought to occupy, and it is
the position which every man, whatever his shade
of politics, is desirous that she should occupy.
(Hear.) To pass, however, to a more agreeable
theme, I cannot but congratulate the members of
the Royal Academy on the result, as far as I can
judge, of their present exhibition. I perceive that
the army and navy are largely represented in this
collection. Some of my friends around me are very
well delineated to the world, and I have no d..ubt
they will be very well satisfied with the effect thus
produced and the justice that has been done them.
(A laugh.) I see other most charming works around
me, all proving that art in this country has in no
respect deteriorated. (Cheers.) My worthy friend
the chairman has referred to the Indian mutiny,
and brought to your especial notice a most illus-
trious name. Perhaps I may be forgiven if I bring
before you another name—not so illustrious, cer-
tainly, yet not undistinguished, and one more
immediately connected with your own body, thus
exemplifying that arts and arms are more inti-
mately associated than many persons imagine.
Among your most eminent artists who have contri-
buted so largely to the success of this admirable ex-
hibition my excellent friend Mr. Grant will, I believe,
be admitted to hold no inconspicuous place. Now,
we have in the army in India a most distinguished
soldier, the brother of that gentleman—(hear)—
who, when the mutiny broke out, was only a
colonel of Dragoons, and of whom nothing was
known, except that he was a good officer. How-
ever, during the war he had an opportunity, like
many others, of showing in various commands of
what he was made, and he has acquitted himself
quite as well in his profession as his accomplished
brother has acquitted himself in yours. (Cheers.)
Gentlemen, I have only (min to thank you for the
compliment which you have paid to the army and
navy.
The PRESIDENT next proposed " The Health of
the noblemen and gentlemen who this day
honoured the Academy with their presence."
The toast was responded to by the Lord Chan-
cellor in an elegant and characteristic speech. His
lordship concluded by giving " Prosperity to the
Royal Academy."
This was acknowledged by the President, who
proposed as the next toast " The Health of her
Majesty's Ministers."
The Earl of DERBY—Mr. President, my lords
and gentlemen, I beg to return you, on the part of
my colleagues and myself, our grateful thanks for
the kind manner in which you have received the
toast which has just been proposed. I confess that
when I came here to -day I had some little hesita-
tion as to the way in which we were likely to be
received, inasmuch as I could not but feel that if
there were any diminution in the numbers attend-
ing on this occasion, we might, perhaps, be held
somewhat responsible for that circumstance in con-
sequence of the political step which we advised our
Sovereign to take. (A laugh.) I know not whether
the music for this evening has been specially ar-
ranged with reference to that subject, but I find in
the glee (of Spofforth) about to be sung we are
told that—
" From the mall and from the ring
Ev'ry one has taken wing—(laughter);
Chloe, Strephon, Corydon,
All are fled, and all are gone !"
(Renewed laughter.) Whether or not the next line
holds good—
" What is left's not worth your stay,"
I will not venture to say ; but this I know, that,
with the exception chiefly of those who represent
the City of London, to whom I should be sorry to
apply expressions so disrespectful—(laughter)—
many who would have been exceedingly desirous to
attend to-day have been compelled, by circumstances
much more disagreeable than those of " the smoky
town," to absent themselves from your festive board,
and that they "all are fled and all are gone." (Re-
newed laughter.) And there is one who, if present,
would certainly not be behind in tendering you his
acknowledgments for the honour you have done the
naval service—l mean my right hon. friend the
First Lord of the Admiralty, who has this day to go
through the ordeal of appearing before his constitu-
ents. Seriously speaking, I am deeply sensible of
the kind reception you have given to the health of
her Majesty's Ministers, because I am quite sure
that never was there a time when those charged
with the public affairs of this country had greater
need of being supported by the confidence, the sym-
pathy, and the good-will of their fellow country-
men than those who are now entrusted with the
anxious and heavy task of conducting the govern-
ment of this empire. (Cheers.) We are at this mo-
ment in the heat of a political struggle of no ordi-
nary character ; but it is not now 'for the first time
we see that, in the midst of the most earnest political
strife, party differences are not allowed for a single
instant to disturb the harmony or interrupt the
social intercourse between men of the most opposite
opinions assembled at festive meetings like this.
(Cheers.) But the anxieties and labours of the Go-
vernment would be little indeed if they were con-
fined to matters of mere domestic interest. We are
on the eve of events • of which Rio man can foresee
the end. (Hear, hear.) We have striven earnestly
and diligently to avert the calrmities of war.
We kayo been unsuccessful. War is, I fear, inevi-

tably on the point of breaking out, and how it may
close no human prescience can pretend to tell. But
of this I am quite sure, that whatever our other dif-
ferences may be, there is a perfect and entire unani-
mity among all classes of this great community as
to the course—the dignified course which this coun-
try ought to pursue in the present crisis of foreign
affairs. (Cheers.) The illustrious duke who so
worthily presides over the army has told you how
anxious he himself, as well as all the gallant pro-
fession to which he belongs, feels that the peace of
this country, at all events, should not be disturbed.
And indeed it would be a melancholy case if, on the
very eve of returning our heartfelt thanks to Al-
mighty God for the blessing He has bestowed upon
us in putting an end to the formidable revolt which
has raged in India we were about to be involved in
the vortex of another war perhaps still more bloody,
and in all probability, much more lasting. (Hear.)
Of this I am satisfied, that the conduct which Eng-
land ought to adopt is as far as may be possible to
maintain an impartial, a dignified, and a neutral
attitude—(loud cheers)--to seize every opportunity
that may present itself of reconciling conflicting
nations, and what is even more difficult, of reconcil-
ing conflicting principles. (Hear, hear.) The state
of war in which Europe is about to enter will no
doubt entail on this country much of anxiety, much
of apprehension, much of expenditure. But God
forbid that it should entail on us that most fearful
of all expenditures, that of British blood and Bri-
tish lives. (Cheers.) In endeavouring to mitigate
the calamities of war, and promote the cause of
peace, we shall have the assent of all men of all po-
litical opinions whose opinion is worth havinc, in
this country; and one of the great sources of influ-
ence which England possesses in the world is
this—that whatever our differences of opinion may
be at home, when the honour and the interests of
the country are concerned all private feuds and
animosities are forgotten, and all men in and
out of office are equally ready to lend their aid
for the promotion of the public service and
the public good. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, I cor-
dially concur with the illustrious duke when
he says, that in order to maintain the attitude which
England ought to hold, it is necessary for the sake
of peace that she should not be unprepared for any
contingencies which may arise. I trust this assem- 1
bly will believe that such a sentiment is in entire
accordance with the views, and I think before 24
hours are over it will be seen that it is also in entire
accordance with the practice, of her Majesty's pre-
sent advisers. (Loud cheers.) Before I sit down
there is only point ..•.n which I may venture to ex-
press a difference of opinion with my noble and
learned friend, the Lord Chancellor. You, Mr.
Rresident, have alluded very slightly to the possible
and I believe probable, improvement in the acecom-
modation which in a short time is to be given to
the Royal Academy, for the exhibition of their
works of art. My noble and learned friend ex
pressed a very natural anxiety and desire—forget-
ting, I think, something of the circumstances—that
we should often meet again in this place. (A laugh.)
Now, without having any difference of opinion in
substance with my noble and learned friend, I beg
to express, with no less cordiality, my hope that
we may not often meet again here. (Cheers and
laughter.) I trust that before many anniversar;.es
are over we may be enabled to congratulate the
Royal Academy on having a larger and more suit.
able site for the exhibition of the trophies of art
which adorn these walls—for the extension of their
meritorious and laudable endeavours to cultivate
the fine arts and promote the instruction of their
younger brethren ; and that at no distant period
we shall find the productions of British artists in
their annual collections displayed where there is
room for all the deserving, many of which I am
sure from the present inadequacy of the space at
your command have necessarily to be excluded.
Gentlemen, I recollect that when I last had the
honour of holding office under the Crown I ex-
pressed in this place the same anxious desire, and I
then made an appeal to the liberality of my right
hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who
is not now present, to provide better accommoda-
tion for this society ; and I am happy to think that
now, while filling the same
,situation for the
second time, we find ourselves near the completion
of that wish of my heart at that day • and that,
knowing the exertions which the Royal Academy
is itself making for the advancement of art and
science, we shall see that great object realised in a
short time by the aid of Parliament—whether or
not during the period that I may still continue to
hold office I do not presume to say—(laughter)--
viz., the provision of a more worthy building for
the exhibition of the works of the Royal Academy.
(Cheers.) The noble earl concluded by repeating
his thanks for the toast.
The other toasts were " The Photographic Society,'
coupled with ." The Health of Chief Baron Pol
1( ek ;" " Mr. Grote," the eminent historian ; " The
City of London and the Lord Mayor ;" "The Health
1 of Lord John Russell ; " The Royal Society and Sir
Benjamin Brodie ;" " The interests of Literature
and its Professors present," coupled with the name
of Mr. John Forster.
The list of toasts, which were all well received
and eloquently acknowledged, having been brought
to a close, the guests dispersed themselves again
through the different rooms to make a further in-
spection of their attractive contents. In this pleas-
ing employment not a few lingered till a pretty
late hour.

The vocalists engaged for the banquet were under
the direction of Mr. Francis, and included Messrs.
Lockey, Benson, Young, Buckland, and Lawler,
besides choristers.