The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-11 00:00:00

constituents ,may think to bo beneficial to the town. I
will not enter into the history of this undertaking. Many
speakers will follow me who will be better qualified to
do so than I, but I cannot avoid observing that it is not
possible for any one who has paid any attention to there
subjects not to be struck by the vast magnitude and im-
mense importance of the various drainage operations
which have been undertaken in this county, from the
first works that were projected by the Earl of Bedford in
1652, to the formation of the Eau Brink Cut.—(Bear,
hear.) There is no man, I say, who must not be struck
with the magnitude and success of these operations. We
have all beard of that Monarch who, in the plenitude of
pride and power, when seated on the beach, willing to
reprove the impiety of his Ministers and courtiers, vainly
bade the waters to retire—little did he dream, when he
impiously attempted to imitate the Almighty, that the
day would yet arrive when the Almighty would give to
man that knowledge, that science, and that strength
which would enable him to turn the. waste of waters
into luxuriant plains, producing food and affording em-
ployment to an industrious population.—(Hear, hear,
and loud cheers.) The traveller is struck with asto-
nishment when told that over the fields whew souse

weeks cgo he might have seen luxuriant crops and bus-
baudmen busily pursuing their toil, the tidal waters
swept a few years since without check or hindrance.
But the energy and genius of man has accomplished
these great wonders, and in these and similar achieve-
meats are to be seen the proudest monuments of the
indomitable industry of Englishmen.—(Enthusiastic ap-
plause.) You, Mr. Mayor, were recently afforded in
your civic capacity an opportunity which was not per-
mitted to me of joining in that magnificent banquet
which you and your brother mayors gave-in the city of
York in return for the hospitality to which you were
invited by the Lord Mayor of London, when he desired
last summer to discuss with you the prospects of that
Exhibition at which the people of England have chal-
lenged the nations of the world to compete with them in
industry arid skill. At that brilliant assembly in York
you had the opportunity of hearing a speech delivered
by an illustrious Prince, who, although of foreign birth,
is now the first English subject, and shows that during
his residence in this country he has learned to under-
►tand and appreciate tee English character. That
illustrious personage well portrayed in a speech
the doubts and hesitation which invariably attend upon
every fresh undertaking in this country. He described
the minuteness and jealousy with which every new pro-
ject was scanned, but he did not fail to remind us that
when we were once persuaded of the value and utility of
an enterprise there is no sacrifice, however great, no
exertion, however arduous, that we are not prepared to
make in its behalf.—(Hear, hear.) These remarks do
not seem inappropriate to the undertaking in which we
are now engaged, for we all remember with what doubts
and difficulties it was surrounded at its onset. It has
triumphed, however, over all these obstacles, and we
have now the consolation of reflecting that it is not an
undertaking put forward by a set of speculators, but a
bona fide project, in which the inhabitants of the entire
neighbourhood are deeply interested. Without meaning
to allude to any political difference that I may have had
with some of the valued friends around me, I trust I may
be permitted to say, that it is with gratification I observe,
that at a period when the agricultural interest may be
said to be in some doubt as to the effect of past legisla-
tion, a body of men has been found willing to embark
heart and soul in such an undertaking as that which we
have to-day so auspiciously commenced.—(Hear.)
" Hope springs eternal in the human breast."
—(Hear, bear.) Or perhaps it is that they agree with
me that, whatever may happen, whatever may be in the
womb of the future, the agricultural interest shall not
perish.—(Hear, hear.) Would that they would go one
single step further, and agree with me that, by the
exercise of that energy which they ore continually dis-
playing, and which they exhibit at this moment in a re-
markable degree, by the application of that science•
which is yet in its infancy, they may pass through that
ordeal unscathed.—(Hear, hear.) The difficulties which
encompassed the promoters of the work which we have
this night assembled to celebrate,' were numerous and
serious. One by ono they have vanished, but we have
sustained a loss which can never be retrieved.—(Hear.)
I believe there is no name more indelibly stamped on
this great undertaking than the name of Lord
George Bentinck.—(Vehement applause.) I thought
it—l knew it. I knew there was no assembly
where that name would be received with greater
reverence and respect than this. It was in this town
that we first learned to know his great abilities, his
sound sense, his indomitable courage, his fearless ho-
nesty.—(Hear.) It is in this town that were first ap-
preciated those qualities which raised him in a day to
be the leader of a party. I almost think I see him with
us ; it seems but yesterday he stood amongst us full of
life and vigour and hopeful ambition. Ile is past, but
his memory remains ; and it is such a memory as in-
cites men to lofty deeds and noble enterprises. It is
alone by such qualities as he possessed that men can
hope to succeed who contemplate embarking in such an
undertaking as the present.—(Hear.) It is by similar
qualities alone, by fearless courage, by unwearying
energy, by undaunted perseverance, that undertakings
such so these are conducted to a successful conclusion.—
(Loud cheers.) My Lords and Gentlemen, I will not
further trespass upon your time, but thank you for the
attention with which you have heard me. I beg leave
to propose the health of the chairman and directors of
the Estuary Company.—(Cbeers.)
Sir W. FFOLKES acknowledged the compliment. He
said, I would willingly have spared addressing the com-
pany on this occasion, for the gout has deprived me of
the use of my limbs, and a month's confinement in my
room has nearly deprived me of the use of my tongue.—
(Laughter.) I should, however, be very ungrateful if I
could not find words to return thanks for the compliment
you have paid the directors of the Estuary Company.
We have been labouring from year to year, and many
difficulties have assailed us. It is not necessary for me
to enter now into detail, but I may say that nothing but
' the perfect confidence the directors had in the policy and
advantages to be derived from the scheme could possibly
have carried them along. Amongst the difficulties with
which we have had to contend, certainly not the least,
was the premature death of our late lamented chairman,
Lord G. Bentinck; and no man more than myself regrets
his death, because I have been called upon to hold a
situation which he would have filled more ably.—

(Cheers.) By degrees, however, our difficulties were
overcome—the public got confidence in the work,
ar.d after some negotiation by which we re-
ceived the noble present of 60,0001. from the
town and trade of Lynn, and 60,0001. from the gen-
tlemen of the Levels—we felt ourselves upon pretty sure
ground, and determined to proceed with the works as
quickly as possible. Allusion has been made to the
smallness of the scheme—the first plan was certainly on
a more extensive scale, and comprehended the reclama-
tion of 150,000 acres of laud, which was afterwards ex-
tended to, I believe. 200,000 or 300,000 acres. We
found, by the state of the money market, it was impos-
sible to carry ou. any works to that extent, and we
therefore determined to confine ourselves to a smaller
scale. The present Act is for the enclosure of 32,000
acres of land, but I confidently hope that those younger
than mysef will hove to see 150,000 acres or more re-
claimed.—(Cheers.) I wish I could live to see it. I,
have taken a great interest in the measure, but if I live
to see the 32,000 acres reclaimed, it is all I can expect..
I am sure after the fatigue which I have undergone this
day, you will excuse my saying more; but I had almost
forgotten that I had turned my back upon this beautiful.
trophy (turning to the silver spade which was suspended
behind the Mayor). lam proud of such a present, and
,upon such an occasion especially—it will go down to my
family as an heir•loote, and I hope when my descendants
look upon it they will not think that I have been an idle
man in my day and generation.—(Loud elvers.) I have
great pleasure in proposing to you "The he,:lth of the
Lord-Lieutenant of the County."—(Loud cheers.)
The Earl of LEICESTER proposed "The health of the
Mayor of Lyne."—(Applause.)
The MAYOR, on rising to acknowledge the toast, said
_ _

—I can insure you I eceply feel the compliment you
have been pleased to pay me. The only drawback to
my pleasure has been the position I hrippert to occupy,
knowing my inability to do justice to it.—(Hear, hear.),
I have held that position in consequence of the indispo-
sition of the worthy chairman of the board of estuary
directors; nevertheless, I thank you for the honour, and
I aslur., you my thanks are as heartfelt as any one can
give you.—(Cheers.) During the time I have bad the
honour of bolding the °ince of mayor, it has been my
fortunate lot to be present at two of the greatest pageants,
ever witnessed in England—l allude to the dinners given
by the Lord Mayors of London and York, but I can
assure you neither of them were so gratifying Ito my
feelings as this meeting to-day.—(Loud cheers.) The
vast undertaking which we have this day commenced
will be the greatest possible boon to the town of Lynn.
It will tend to give encouragement not only to our
shipping, but to the agricultural labourers who will be
employed on 32,000 acres of land—land which will last
so long us the soil will be—so long as the soil shall last
—ia perpetuity—not as in the case of a railway, which,
although it increases labour for a time, is never inter-
fered with afterwards. Before I sit down I beg to pro-
pose to
b
ehtostoroouugthhe._he(aLltoluisd cheers,)ofthetwo noble representatives
Mr. Stanley's absence
from England was the only cause which prevented him
from bring present on this occasion. lam proud to see
Lord Jocelyn here, and I have great pleasure in giving
you "The health of our Members."—(Loud cheers.)
Viscount Jocelyn returned thanks.
Mr. A. Isamostp, of Castle Acre, said that be had now
to propose a toast which, happily for him, would require
but few remarks, as it was the health of a nobleman
well known in the borough, and whose family bad ree
ptesented it in bygone years. The nobleman to whom
he referred was distinguished by the rare combination
of the highest social qualities, with habits and capacity
for business such as were seldom to be met with even in
persons of less elevated rank. Those who knew him
were well sensible of the energy and activity of his mind,
and those who were well acquainted with the details of
the present undertaking were sensible that the directors
were greatly indebted to him for his keen and clear
suggestions. It was scarcely necessary fur him to add
that the nobleman to whom he referred was the Right
Honourable Lord Orford, Lord High Steward of the
borough.—(Loud cheers.) Having intimated the
purpose for which he had risen, he (Mr. Hamond)
might now without impropriety resume his seat,
and he should do so were it not that he had an impres-
sion that he might perhaps say a few words which might
not be deemed inappropriate to the purpose of their
meeting. Ile was not prepared to enter into any details
respecting the project which had been that day so auspi-
ciously commenced, but he.could not help saying that he
did not think the undertaking had been sufficiently
lauded. He would take leave to give them his opinion
as a practical farmer. Ile was not ashamed to say that
it was in that capacity that he had given his co-opera-
tion to the design for establishing the Norfolk Estuary
Company, It was not to Le questioned that the
undertaking was one encompassed with diffiMs
nor were those difficulties simply such as were to be
expected from men ; they had a powerful enemy to