The Sun.
London, England, 1844-09-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER 27, 1844.

TRIUMPHANT RECEPTION OF
T)R. BOWRING, M.P., IN TIIE ISLE OF
MAN.

(Abridged from Mona's Herald.)

Yesterday morning preparations were commenced
at an early hour, and the greatest excitement every-
where prevailed among the inhabitants, in order to
receive Dr. Bowring, who, with his ady, was to
arrive by the mail steam-packet, King Orry, in the
afternoon, with all due respect, honour, and grati-
tude, and evince to the world that the Manx people
are not ungrateful to their benefactors. The day,
although a little lowering, continued throughout all
that could he desired; and a large portion of the in-
habitants appeared not to have changed their Sunday
attire, except in the immediate vicinity of the places
where the triumphal arches were being erected along
the line of procession which the Hon. Gentleman
would pass on his way from the pier to Castle Mona.
The numerous shipping in the harbour displayed a
profusion of their choicest flags. Cannons were heard
at intervals throughout the afternoon, and after the
packet came in sight the firing in all directions was
continuous.
Shortly after three o'clock the various Friendly
Societies began to assemble at the Odd Fellows' Hall,
in Athol-street, and shortly after five proceeded to the
pier in procession, with banners, bands, &c. All
having taken up their position in due order, awaited
the arrival of the packet. Meanwhile thousands of

spectators, all in holiday attire, crowded to the pier
and place of debarkation, animated by one enthusi-
astic feeling of gratitude to the man who had so suc-
cessfully pleaded their rights in the British Senate.
About half-past five o'clock the mall.packet, King
Orry, Captain Gill, with all her colours flying,
reached the pier-head; and immediately on coining
within hail, the cheering with which the assembled
thousands welcomed their honoured visitor was long
and loud, and the enthusiasm unbounded. The ordi-
nary passengers having landed, the Fiscal Committee
went on board to welcome Dr. Bowring and his lady.
Mrs. Bowring leaning on the arm of Sir W. Hil-
lary, and the Doctor on the arm of W. Kelly,
Esq., as they set foot on Mona's shore were received
with renewed cheering, the bands striking up " See
the Conquering Hero Comes," escorted by Lieut.-
Col. Campbell, with Sir Wm. Hillary, Magistrates,
the Fiscal Committee, and many other respectable in-
dividuals, accompanied with equally enthusiastic de-
monstations, proceeded along the-pier to the Victoria
Hotel, the whole route being lined with many thou-
sand spectators. Dr. Bowring and his lady, accom-
panied by Mr. Win. Kelly and Mr. T. Garrett, jun.,
having entered the carriage, the procession moved on.
At length, the procession having reached the Castle,
the general cheering was resumed, and the bands
striking up their liveliest tunes, the Hon. Gentle-
man rose in the carriage and attempted to address the
crowd; but it was many minutes ere silence could be
obtained or his voice heard, and as it was, almost
every sentence of his short but excellent address was
enthusiastically cheered. The Hon. Gentleman spoke
nearly as follows:
" My friends, I wish my voice had many times its
real compass, that so far as words would convey to
you what I feel, I might express to the thousands
here assembled, my deep sense of gratitude for this
most unexpected reception—this unexampled demon-
stration.—(Cheers.) I have done but little to deserve
all this kindness. You laboured under a deep wrong.
Her Majesty's Ministers lent a willing ear, and were
anxious to promote your welfare.—(Cheers.) It has
been raid that man is naturally cold and ungrateful,
but, my friends, I have never found it so ; my ex-
perience has been far different. Your kindness, my
friends, has been far, very far beyond my deserts or
what I had any right to expect.—(lmmense
cheering.) This demonstration proves that ingra-
titude is no charasteristic of the Isle of Man.—(Re-
newed cheering.) As I came along I heard a cry of
Down with the House of Keys.'—(The Hon. Gen-
tleman's voice was instantly drowned in a burst of loud
and long-continued cheering which was repeated unin-
terruptedly for about five minutes • when silence was
in some measure restored he proceeded)—My friends,
I am not here to join in that cry. The Keys may
be rather rusty and I have no objection to their being
polished a little ; they are too little used, and the first
thing I would do is to try to snake them open their
own doors. They must be improved so as to har-
monise with the spirit of the age ; but, my friends, I
will not lend my aid to overturn any of your vene-
rable institutions. The Keys may be of im-
mense service to their country, and especially
now when increased intercourse is to be opened
up between your island and the surrounding
countries.—(Cheers.) You may, my friends, feel
assured that on all future occasions no single indivi-
dual in your island shall want the aid of my assist-
ance in redressing their wrongs.—(Cheers.) I grate-
fully and most cordially thank you for this most
flattering reception."—(lmmense cheering.)
The immense multitude who crowded the Castle
grounds remained for some time after the Hon. Gen-
tleman and his lady had retired to their apartments ;
the fiscal committee remained for some time at the
Castle, and the bands enlivened the scene with many
of their very spirited strains. It is supposed that al-
together during the procession no fewer than 10,000
persons were assembled.
During the evening bonfires were kindled on
Douglas Head, Banks How, and an immense fire
blazed from the apex of the landmark on the Head,
and in various other localities. There was a splendid
display of fireworks on the Castle Mona grounds.