The Sun.
London, England, 1857-06-03 00:00:00

. BIRMINGHAM, TUESDAY.
Last evening a grand banquet in honour of the
Visit of H. R.H. the Duke of Cambridge was given
by the mayor at the Royal Hotel. About 180 noble-
men and gentlemen were invited to meet the illus-
trious guest. The Duke arrived from Wyddrington,
the mayor's residence, a'few minutes before seven
o'clock, and dinner was shortly afterwards served.
The guests at the raised dais were Lord Le;gle the
lord-lieutenant of the county, the Earl ofHard-
wicke, the Earl of Lichfield, the Earl of Shaftes-
bury, Earl Talbot, Lord Hatherton, Lord Cal-
theree, and the Bishop Of Worcester. Amongst the
general company were Lieut.-General Sir Harry
Smith, Lord Ingestre, M.P., Mr. Schelefield;
Mr. Spooner, M.P., Mr. Newdegate, M.P.., Major
the Hon. Somerset Calthorpe, Mr. Adclerley, M.P.,
Mr. Beale, M.P., Mr. C. H. Brace bridge, the Hon.
and Rev. Grantham Yorke, the Rev. I. Spooner
(the mayor's chaplain), &c. Aldermen Hodgson,
Baldwin, and Hawkes, were the vice-presidents.
A very magnili.ent banquet was served by Mr.
Dee, and the customary toasts having thereafter
been disposed of,
The MAYOR sa;d—l am sure that you will par-
don me when I say that I feel some difficulty in'
introducing the toast I am now. about to propose
in a manner suitable to the cccasion. When we see
at my right our'illustriouS guest who has honoured
us this day with his, presence—when we think of
the manner m which the inhabitanta of this town
have received,himes-when we have seen the loyalty
Which has t'een'displaYed Alike' by the artisans, the
tradesmen,- and the. gentry of this town—l must
confess I feel unable to say all I could wish to say
on this occasion. (Applause.) The display of this
day must have shown to his Royal Highness how
much we appreciate his presence on this occasion.
The objet of his visit has been one of the greatest
importance—the opening to the inhabitants of a
park which, I trust, will ever hereafter be open to
the public. (Loud cheering.) When we think of the
thousands whoin.we saw to-day panting for fresh
air, and glad to get out into the free sunshine fora
few hours, I am sure I only express the opinion of
the town at large when I say that the generosity of
that nobleman, and the condescension of his Royal
Highness in coming amongst us, will long live in
the memory of the teeming multitudes who are to
enjoy. the benefits resulting from that generosity and
condescension. (Cheers.) I am sure that I speak the
sentiments of the whole population of this town—
I except none—when I say that his Royal; Highness
lives in the hearts and affections of every man.
(Cheers.) We. appreciate the condescension of his
Royal Highness, and assure him it will be long re-
membered and cherished, not ,only by us and our
children, but by our children's children, to the
latest day. I feel great pleasure in proposing the
health of our noble guest, the Duke of Cambridge.
The toast was received with vociferous cheering,
and was drunk with " three times three, and one
cheer more."
His Royal Highness the Dnke of CAMBRIDGE,' on
rising to respond, was greeted with enthusiastic
cheers. He said—Mr. Mayor, my Lords, and
Gentlemen,—l rise with feelings of the deepest
emotion to return you my sincere thanks tor the
honour you have done me in drinking, my health.
Gentlemen, the Mayor has been good enough to
say that he did not exactly know how to bring this
toast before you ; but I confess that he has done
so in terms more flattering than in my opinion I
deserve. If he had not said a word, it needed no
more than what I have seen. this morning. (Loud
cheers.) The Mayor wilt permit me to say, Birming-
ham has spokeis. (Protracted applause.) Sir, as
an individual, I appreciate that compliment, as
*very man would do who was in my position. To
find one's self respected and honoured in the man-
ner that I have been, by a great and enlightehed
borough, is such an honour as any man would be
proud of. But, gentlemen, lam not vain enough
to suppose that such an honour is only due to my-
self. You, gentlemen, and all the meri of Birming-
ham, have wished to show in my person a respect
for the great institutions of our land, and it is on
that account that I doubly appreciate the compli-
ment I have had the honour to receive. (Cheers.)
Gentlemen, it may in some respects appear strange
that I, a soldier, should come among you on such
an occasion as that we have this day witnessed. I
venture to think there is nothing very extraordinary
in that fact. When my worthy friend, his worship
the mayor, and a deputation of yourselves waited
upon me, and invitedme to attend at so interesting
a ceremony, I did not for one moment hesitate.
Why did I not hesitate ? Because I conceived that
you, gentlemen, and my noble friend on my right
(Lord Calthorpe)—to whose liberality I know you
are much indebted—(loud cheers)—were engaged
in a goal work, and I wanted, in my humble capa-
city, or in any capacity I could, to bear my testi
mony, and the testimony of the many noble friends
lam happy to see around me this day, to so useful,
advantageous, and excellent an undertaking. (Loud.
cheers.) We live, thank God, in the greatest com-
mercial country of the world. To you it is ow-
ing that this country is the respected and glori-
ous, and great country which England is at
this moment. But to whom, gentlemen, do you
look for assistance in carrying out the great
projects you have constantly, hourly, and daily
in hand ? .Why, to these artisans, to . those
men we saw in the streets to-day by thousandS,
without whose assistance you would be unable to
carry out any of those undertakings which have
made England famous in the world, but who at the
same time could not live in the comfort and enjoy-
ment we would wish to see them without the recip-
rocal assistance and mutual support they receive
from you. (Cheers.) A great nation, that is based
on such principles, founded on the mutual support
of all classes of the community in their proper
sphere, a country so circumstanced cannot but
thrive. (Cheers.) It is therefore a feeling of great
gratification and pleasure to myself, as it is to my
noble friends around me, that such undertakings
as that to-day inaugurated are becoming more and
more general. I trust that in every part of this
country we shall see equal efforts made in regard to
similar undertakings. I think it reflects the greatest
credit and honour upon all of you to have encou-
raged such a laudable movement. Gentlemen, I
have further received great pleasure from coming
amongst you, as I have not hitherto had the advan-
tage of seeing your important town. To-day I have
seen your streets crowded with happy idlers, con-
tented and happy, because you have given them
the means of being so. To-morrow thanks to the
care and advice of my worthy friend the mayor, I
shall bexery happy to enjoy the advantage of see-
ing those men employed in their various avoca-
tions, so far as time will permit. (Cheers.) But
whether it be from the public or happyfestival which
I have witnessed to-day, or whether it be from
the interesting visits which I shall be able to pay
to-morrow, I shall ever, look back with pleasure
and satisfaction to the two days whioh, through
your kindness, I have been permitted to spend
amongst yon. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, before el sit
down.l perhaps may digress for one moment from
a peaceful to what may appear -a warlike subject,
though I am inclined to think that so far from
being warlike it is of all subjects one which may ,
more likely conduce to peace than anything else.
It is a mistaken notion to suppose that men who,
like myself, are soldiers at heart are the people of
all others who are disposed to war. Ido not sup-
pose that in this room there is any man more happy
to see peace re-established in the world, or at'least
iu Europe, than the person who now addresses you:
(Applause.) Letme assure you, asfar as my humble
judgment goes, that to be at peace, and in order to
continue at peace, you must not forget that such a
thiug as war is possible. This is far more a com-
mercial question than a military one. (Hear.) We
military men have nothing more to do than to carry
out to the best of our abilities the important inte-
rests entrusted to us by our Sovereign and by the
country ; but it is for you, gentlemen, to consider
whether you can be a great commercial country
unless you are prepared to carry your commerce
into every part of the world ; and in doing so to
feel that that commerce is secure. (Cheers.) The
greatness of commerce is its security, and that se-
curity rests upon the means of backing up your
commercial interests wherever and whenever cir-
cumstances require. For that purpose you have
and for no other. (Cheers.)
anw We
army
wa
ntaineod anaaavyrLidisement. We simply want
our commercial' interests carried and guarded
all over the world. Gentlemen, lam persuaded
that that is an important, and if I may so say, a
proper view of this great question. (Hear, hear.)
No extravagance no absurdities ; but let us keep
the great institutions of the country upon such a
footing as shall enable England always to retain
the proud position which I am proud to think she
at this moment occupies. (Protracted applause.) 1
hope you will forgive me for having made this di-
gression. (Hear, hear.) I again thank you for the
honour you have done me, which I never can forget,
and I beg to return you my most heartfelt thanks.
Sid Boyal Highness roamed his seat amid