The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-22 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 22, 1857.

THE VISIT OF THE DUKE OF cAm--

BRIDGE TO SHEFFIELD.

Yesterday his Royal Highness the Duke of Cam-
bridge visited Sheffield for the purpose of laying the
foundation-stone of a monument to the memory of
the soldiers from Sheffield and the neighbourhood
who fell in the Crimea. The monument originated
with a few working men, who formed themselves
into a committee and appealed to the gentry of the
town and neighbourhood for subscriptions. The
appeal met with so liberal a response that fundswere
at once raised sufficient to carry out the project in a
manner worthy of the town. On competition, the
design of Mr. Gouldie, of Sheffield, was adopted, and
the monument is to be erected on a triangular piece
of land called Moorhead. It is in a central part of
the town, and the point upon which no less than six
streets converge.

The laying of the foundation stone was an event in
which the greatest interest was manifested by the
town.

At noon all the shops and places of business were
closed, many thousands of persons assembled in
Norfolk Par; and formed a procession in honour
of the occasion.

All the pub is bodies were represented, as also
various institutions, Odd Fellows, and sick socie-
ties. The procession was headed by a body of about
60 Sheffield men who had served in the Crimea ; it
left the park at 12 o'clock for the Great Northern
station, and there halted to await the Duke of Cam-
bridge. His Royal Highnes., acc'nupanied. by Lord
Burghersh and Colonel Clifton,arrived at 12.35, and
was received by Lieut.-General Sir Harry Smith,
G. C. 8., Colonel Hodge, C. 8., the Mayor of Shef-
field, the Master Cutler, Mr. Overend, and others.
A. guard of honour of the 10th Hussars was in wait-
ing outside the station. The Duke, who with
Sir H. Smith was most loudly cheered, entered the
carriage of the Mayor and fell into the ranks of
the procession, which then moved through the
principal streets- to the site. The whole route
of the procession was perfectly gay with ban-
ners, the streets -were crowded, and every point
where platforms could be erected and every avail-
able eminence were occupied by eager spec-
tators, who everywhere greeted his Royal Highness
with demonstrations of enthusiasm. The ceremony
was performed by the Duke of Cambridge iu the
presence of assembled thousands, and the proces-
sion afterwards moved to the Market-place, and
there broke up. _ _

At 4 o'clock a cold collation was given at the
Cutlers'-hall, at which the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Pye
Smith) presided, supported by the Duke of Cam-
bridge, Col. Hodge, Col. Wilkie, the Master Cut •
ler (Mr. W. Hutchinson), the Town Regent, (Mr.
W. Butcher), the Rev. Canon Sale, Messrs. Over-
end, Jeffcock, Ellison, Phillipes, etc.
The toasts of " The Queen," "The Prince Con-
sort and the rest of the Royal Family," were given
by the Mayor, and most cordially received.
Mr. W. OVEREND, in proposing " The Health of
the Duke of Cambridge," said it was impossible
there could be a more popular Commander- in-Ch ief
either with the army or the public. Sheffield always
welcomed the military with enthusiasm, and they
had especial pleasure in doing so to day, when they
had among them a member of the Royal family
who, as General, led the Guards with a coolness
rarely equalled up the heights of the Alma—(cheers)
—and who headed the Guards for five hours in their
band-to-hind fight with the enemy at Inkerman.
(Loud cheers.)
The Duke of CAmmtinar,—(cheers,)—Mr. Mayor
and gentlemen, the toast has beeM proposed by
Mr. Overend in so flattering a manner that I
feel some difficulty in responding to it, btrt, how-
ever flattering the terms which have been used with
regard to myself, I am happy in having this op-
portunity of expressing my satisfaction in being
present to-day in your excellent town of Sheffield.
The reception which I have had the honour of re-
ceiving during my progress through this town—a
reception which was not confined to any particular
class of society, but to the whole population—was
such as to be highly gratifying to any individual to
whom such a compliment was paid. (Cheers.)
Gentlemen, I had great pleasure in accepting your
invitation. I am aware that this was specially a
movement of the working classes—(cheers)—and I
thought that the feeling of Sheffield towards the
army was so laudable, so handsome, and so satis-
factory, that it would ill become me in my position
to have for one moment hesitated in accepting the
invitation. (Applause.) I have not had any reason,
gentlemen, to regret having done so. (Cheers.) On
the contrary, I have received that hearty welcome
which has been gratifying to myself, and which has
convinced me that the decision I came to was a c•r-
rect and righ r one. (Applause.) But since I accepted
your invitation events have taken place in India
which no one could foretell, and which have pro-
duced a feeling throughout the country which has
been especially manifested in this excellent borough
of Sheffield. You have set a noble example by en-
deavouring by every means in your power to fur-
nish recruits for the army. (Cheers ) Well, a
were accident has brought me here at this period,
but I consider that accident a fortunate one, be-
cause it enables me to express to you the sense
I feel of that movement, and my anxious hope
that it may be followed and extended in various
parts of the country. (Applause.) Now, the only
subject which of late has given me anxiety was the
recruiting for the army. I must however tell you
—for there is nothing like being frank and open
with you—that the ordinary recruiting for the army
is progressing in a manner which is perfectly in-
credible. (Loud cheers.) The ordinary means of
recruiting have in two days alone produced 800
men. (Renewed applause.) That is a great fact ; it
is a result which was never obtained during the
Russian war ; a result whish was never °quilled in
the military history of the country. (Cheers.) Gen-
tlemen, I put this forward to prove that it is not a
mistake to say that we are recruiting remarkably
well. There is no doubt that all parties, especially
myself, must have felt considerable anxiety as to
the result. The number of men required is very
considerable. How were they to be recruited ?
Ordinary recruiting, I leave no doubt, would in
time have produced them. The circumstances are
extraordinary, and extraordinary efforts must be
made ; it is of the very greatest consequence that
the feeling which has obtained in Sheffield should
be spread and extended throughout the country,
and the example which Sheffield has in that respect
given is very valuable. On my part it has been felt
very sincerely, and we feel very grateful to you for
it. (Loud cheers.) And what has been done by
Sheffield might be done by other towns, and not
only by towns, but by individuals. Gentlemen
read of these events in India, and say, " how sad
it is," and wish they could assist the Government
in their suppression of the mutiny. Gentlemen,
you can assist ; every country gentleman could,
every community, every individual can assist if
you will take the pains and trouble to explain to
men who, from their peculiar position, live very
humbly, live from hand to mouth, and say, " Why
do you not go into the army, where you will be well
cared for, and do the country service 1" If you do
this you will be benefiting the country, and the
army will receive great benefit from getting an in-
crewed number of good recruits. (Loud cheers.)
Therefore, I am anxious to impress upon you that
the more that spirit is fostered, the more it is en-
couraged, the better. I, as the responsib'e head
of a la ge profession, shall be pleased, and the more
will you benefit the institutions of your country.
(Applause.) Gentlemen, as regards India I feel
great delicacy in speaking ou that tupic in presence
of my gill:int friend on the left (Sir Harry Smith),
who has had so much experience there, but from
what I know I may state that I have no fear of
failure ; that 1 have not the smallest fear for the
result. (Applause.) The struggle has been a despe-
rate one, but it was nobly and gallantly sustained
by that portion of our army which was present—
, by every Englishman, yea, by every Englishwoman
and every English ethild. (Applause.) I feel confi-
dent that the turning point is passed, and that the
period is arrived when by degrees vast reinforce-
ments will reach India from this country. When
they have, as my gallant friend (Sir H. Smith),
who knows more of India than I, will tellyou, they
will be able to sweep through the land, restore and
replace the proper authority. (Cheers.) I trust
that no undue leniency will be adopted. (Cheers.)
That may appear a very harsh and unfeeling re-
mark. (No, no.) It is nothing of the knd.
What does it mean ? We have an army of 70,000
men who leave mutinied nobody knows why.
Are these 70,000 men to be allowed to go
broadcast over the country ma-sacreing men,
women, and children without receiving the punish-
ment due to such crimes? ("No, no.") Just so,
gentlemen ; therefore let us have justice. (Cheers.)
Not undue, indiscriminate vengeance, but justice,
and stern justice. (Cheers.) We have a right to ex-
pect that those men shall Le brought before proper
tribunals and duly punished for the atrocious deeds
thattot
punishment.
ehusbonee
ihosdabhovsu
anee ere
the
le.
(Cheers.)
laehl S)teSheaeorinllcountryadig.tweLriliteliss all
e

tions, for I know that they are sentiments which
pervade the Ur( acts of every person in this great'
empire, which exists by its prestige—by the im-
porta c 3 it holds throughout the world. There-
fore its authority must be vindicated ; that accom-
plished, and then it may be for us to consider what
may be done to improve our posi-ion in India.
(Hear, hear.) I have no doubt that on many occa-
sions faults, grave errors may have
but, I ask you, gentlemen, if in the history of na-
tions extending over a perio 3 of been committed ;
100 years it is not
a natural consequence that errors should have been
committed ; and the only thing is that when they
are discovered thy should be rectified—that we
should take care Lc); to f 1t into those errors again.
That is the lesson which we should. derive from these
sal misfortunes wh;ch have now befallen us. How
this is to be doue I am not able to say, nor do
I think this is the proper place for its considera-
tion. It would be folly to suppose that we may
not have committed some mistakes, and those
mistake; ought to In corrected ; and it is just as
great a fault to say that becausewe have committed
such mistakes it has served us right, and that we
ought to have known better. (Applause.) We
might have done better, but it is very easy to find
fault after the disaster has happened ; but the coun-
try at large has another lesson to learn, which I also
trust will not be long after the peace. I have on all
occasions in my power adrisel my colleagues by
saying, "WI aLver you do,
have the country pre-
pared for any emergency." (Cheers.) It was not
for me to say what should be done in India, but I
do say that this great empire must always be to a
certain extent prepared for such disasters as that
which has now come u .)ou ite What has been our
principle of action ? We have cut down our estab-
lishments exactly to the point where we could go on
wol king. (Cheers.) We have kept nothing for an
emergency. Ask yourselves—is it right thata great
country like this sh ,uld be in that position ? (Loud
cheers.) lam not for extravagance, but I will put
a case. Suppose you require 50,000 troops for
duty, surely s nsible men would have at least
55,000, in order that 5,000 should be ready for
any emerge/11y that might arise
and for which
the 50,000 would not be availthle, being em-
ployed on their own special duty. (Cheers.) You
cannot have efficiency if you have net the means at
a moment's nonce to vindicate the honour and
P9sit'cn of the country. (Cheers.) Now, gentle-
men, we have had two important leAsons, one after
the other. Wo hare had the Cr:inean war, which
trust
to neet that ; but
found us unprepared, and we have hid the late dis-
aster,na,
ei nr f
il
i whatlndia.
has
3been don
it will be admitted it is
w
cheers.) should be a
still it has beon an immense exertiob, and at this
moment we are not without our di
tfleulties. Well,
lessongen. tle /.I.l,,erna, l
ltwo m
time.
( successive Lou d
All I will now
further say is that a great and itateljgent country
should not forget what it has seen happen so re-
cently. In conclusion, his Royal Highness ex-
pressed his earnest thanks to the peoge of Sheffield
for the hand,otne reception given
to him which
had made his visit to Sheffield one of high gratifi-
cation.

army
blood com-
manding Sir HARRY SMITH, in returning flanks for the
3 "Armyhave and
a PrinceN ayy, " said—The was proud
t
ofthe Royal rn2
it. (Cheers.) The tide is India had
turned, and with the powerful army which would
now be collected events would rapidly rush in our
favour. Speaking from experience, he said the
army of India was justly treated, and had no cause
for the c.induct of which they had bsea guilty. No
man, civil or military, ever had taus to pred;ct
this misfortune ; it was too much tle fashion to
blame the East India Company, but ha maintained
that the rule of that Company had bekn one of jus-
tice in every respect. India was won by the sword,
and had to be maintained by the sw4d, but that
word must be one, of justice. He sawao difficulty
in the future management of India, finless there
was treachery among ourselves in ulland, and a
continuance of that twactile and mock iiiilanthropy
which is too much the rage of the day The tide
of Christianity would flow more rapilly by our
simply endeavour a; to prove its correctness and
its justice than by attempts to force it upon
Mahommedans and Hindoos. Again he warned the
people of England not to b 3 led away by that
twaddle and mock philanthropy, which would do
much more to et ush Christianity than promote it.
The Duke of Cambridge retirpd amid loud cheer-
ing, and returned to London-by the Great Northern
train. at 618.

arid in every way qualified to fill the office to
which he has been elected.
'THE POTATO CROP.
An experienced agriculturist r3ports to a Kil-
kenny paper that the potato crop in two large
districts of that county is turning out very light,
not giving more than half last year's yield. The
tubers, however, are much more free from dis-
cave than he bad expected. This report, it is
addedlapplies pretty generally to the condition
of the crop in the whole county, the returns
not being more than hilt* of 1856, but the supe-
rior qullity of the new crop over that of last
year very largely makes amends for the decrease
in bulk.