The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-21 00:00:00

PRESENTATION OF THE FREEDOM OF
THE CITY TO LORD NAPIER.

THIS DAY.

In accordance with the resolution of the Court of
Common Council, passed a short time ago on the
motion of Mr. Symonds, seconded by Mr. Alder-
man Gibbons, the freedom of the City of London
was this day presented to Lieutenant-General Lord
Napier of Magdala in the Guildhall. Proceedings
of this nature generally take place in the Common
Council Chamber, but on the present occasion the
ancient Guildhall was specially prepared for the cere-
mony. A dais was placed at the west end of the hall,
and sitting accommodation for over 1,000 was pro-

vided ; the benches extended nearly the entire
length of the ball, and when the three tiers of
seats were occupied by a majority of elegantly-

attired ladies the scene was particularly effective.

The doors were opened at half-past eleven, and
from that time up to half-past twelve the arrival of
the company was continued ; the members of the

Corporation wore their robes and insignia of office,
and a guard of honour was stationed at the en-
trance to receive the illustrious visitor.

The following is a copy of the resolution which
led to the interesting proceedings " That the
freedom of this city, with a sword of the value of
two hundred guineas, be presented toMajor-General
Sir Robert Napier, G.C.8., G.C.5.1., Commander
of the Forces in Bombay, in admiration of the for-
titude, skill, science, energy, and promptitude dis-
played by him in bringing the Abyssinian war to so
successful and brilliant a close."

Shortly before one o'clock Lord Napier, accom-
panied by the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, and nearly
the entire members of the Court of Aldermen, en-
tered the hall, and were received with great cheer-
ing, during which his lordship was conducted to the
seat assigned him on the dais. The usual formalities
having been performed, Mr. Benjamin Scott, the
City Chamberlain, then advanced, and, addressing
Lord Napier, said the Corporation of the City of
London, as a mark of their estimation of the
bravery and extraordinary skill with which the late
expedition to Abyssinia had been conducted, had
unanimously agreed to present the freedom of the
City of London to his lordship, coupled with a
sword of the value of 200 guineas. In the con-
duct of the whole of the affairs which had so
successfully terminated, all the prisoners hav-
ing been released without the loss of
a single life, was an act unparalleled
in the history of the country. Having alluded in
very glowing language to the military career of his
lordship, the Chamberlain concluded with present-
ing the gallant general with the freedom and the
sword, amidstloud cheering.
Lord NAPIER, in acknowledging the honour, said
he should estimate the present of the City as one
of the greatest honours that had been con-
ferred upon him. In carrying out the duty
imposed upon him he had had to .encounter
difficulties, but the valour and bravery, the
endurance and energy of the troops he had the
honour to command, enabled him successfully to
surmount the difficulties which they had to contend
with, and to rescue their countrymen from that cap-
tivity which they had so long endured. The object
of the expedition was solely one of national honour
and nothing else—(cheers)—and having vindicated
that, her Majesty's troops quitted the country as
speedily as possible, leaving behind them an
impression even amongst the inhabitants of that
almost inaccessible country that English honour
could not be insulted with impunity, and that the
flag of Great Britain was yet all sufficient to pro-
tect those who sheltered themselves beneath its fold.
(Loud cheers.) His lordship then alluded to the
splendid gift of the City of London, and having
again thanked the Lord Mayor and the Corporation
for the honour conferred, quitted the hall in com-
pany IN ith the Lord Mayor amidst general cheering.

LORD NAPIER OF MAGDALA AND THE THIRD

LONDON RIFLES.

We are informed that the honorary colonelcy of
this regiment has been accepted by Lord Napier of
Magdala, and we congratulate the corps, which is
composed of working men, on the event. This
distinction was, as some of our readers may remem-
ber, pressed upon Colonel Richards, the founder
and commanding officer of the corps, on his late
resignation ; but though the honour was fully ap-
preciated it was not accepted by him, on the ground
that he wished to see some one of high influence
and distinction, and also, if possible, a military
officer of renown, the honorary colonel of the 3d
London. It must be as gratifying to him to see
his wish thus carried into effect, even beyond his
probable anticipations, as it was to receive so high
a mark of confidence and esteem on the part of the
regiment which he so long conmanded.—illorn-
ing Advertiser.

The Hungarian Colonel Frigesy, who com-
manded a portion of the volunteer force at Mon-
tana, has published a letter upon the subject of the
enrolinents in various parts of Italy. The per-
sistent character of these rumours he justly at-
tributes to the turbulent and intriguing spirit of
what may now be regarded as a fixed element of
perturbation in our body politic. All the chief
cities in Italy swarm with representatives of the
class of professional volunteers, idle, dissolute
vagabonds, who have lost all taste or appetite for
hone.A labour, and derive a precarious subsistence
from the proceeds of their blatant patriotism,
either as recipients of a scanty daily pittance from
the State, or by extorting contributions from well-
intentioned, but simple-minded folks in further-
ance of mysterious expeditions in preparation
under the pretended patronage of Garibaldi.
The Dukeof Cambridge, K.G., attended by Lord
Henry Lennox, M.P., and Col. Clarke, R.E. visited
on Saturday the Albert Works at North Woolwich,
and inspected the great floating dock building there
for Bermuda. Thr,i Royal Standard was hoisted ou
his Royal Highness's arrival, and saluted by the
flagship Fisgaul.