The Sun.
London, England, 1844-03-13 00:00:00

The dinner given to Daniel O'Connell, Esq., M.P,
to show the sympathy of Englishmen with Irishmen,
and the admiration entertained in this country
for the constant advocate of the rights and
privileces of Irishmen for more than forty years,
took place at Covent-Garden Theatre last night.
The pit of the theatre was boarded over so as to
make it on a level with the stage, and five
long tables, with two slips occupying the
bend of the boxes, making seven tables in all,
were spread in that part of the house. There were
six cross tables and ten long tables spread on the
stage, besides the grand table, at which sat the Chair-
man, the guest, Mr. O'Connell, and several noble •
men and other gentlemen. The stage was fitted-up in
the most tasteful manner, with fluted draperies of a
pale pink and light blue colour. The Chairman sat in
the centre of the stage. At the back of, and imme-
diately over the chair, suspended from the ceiling,
there was a brilliant illumination of' variegated
lamps, representing the rose, the thistle, and the
.shamrock, underneath which appeared, in front of
the raised orchestra, the word " O'Connell,"
in variegated lamps. On the right of the device was
the word " Ireland," and on the left the word "Jus-
tice," also in variegated lamps. At the back of the chair
was the retiring-room, over which was the orchestra,
containing thirty vocal and instrumental performers,
under the direction of Mr. G. Stansbury. The
great salle, formed by the boarded pit and the stage,
was illuminated by thirty elegant ormolu chandeliers,
in addition to the great chandelier suspended from the
centre of the theatre andthe smaller chandeliers suspend-
ed over each box in the dress circle. The stage was
adorned by mirrors at the centre and the sides, which
produced a most picturesque and pleasing effect. These
arrangements were designed by Mr. J. P. Burnard,
and reflect the highest credit on his taste and judg-
ment ; and they were most judiciously carried into
effect by Mr. Sloman, the ingenious mechanist to
the theatre. The dinner, which was a cold one, was
provided by Mr. Rouse, f the White Conduit Tavern,
who is entitled to the greatest praise for the excel-
lence, the variety, and the profusion of the viands
which were provided. The wine, too, was of excel-
lent quality. The boxes were appropriated exclusively
to the use of ladies, who were admitted by tickets.
To the galleries both ladies and gentlemen were ad-
mitted as spectators. For many days past tickets,
both for the boxes and the dinner, have been at a
premium. In order to accommodate the immense
number of gentlemen who were desirous of
showing their respect to M SONG,r. O'Connell, the When Britain first at Heaven's command,
Committee had made arrangements for enlarging Arose from out the azure main,
the area of the theatre, to its utmost possible extent, This was the charter of the land,
but the additional room thus afforded, was found to And guardian angels sung this strain:
be insufficient, and many hundreds were dis- Rule, Britannia, rule the waves,
appointed. The same thing occurred with Britons never shall be slaves!
regard to the box and gallery tickets. They Rule, Britannia, vie. The nations not so as t
were all disposed of some days since ; and we have
Must in their turns to tyrantshee,
fall ;
heard of high premiums being offered to those who While thou shalt flourish great and free,
were fortunate enough to possess one, to endeavour The dread and envy of them all!
to induce them to dispose of it. The arrangements for Rule, Britannia, ace.
admission to the theatre were excellent. The entrance The Muses, still with freedom found,
for gentlemen with numbered tickets was at the Shall to thy happy coasts repair;
Blest Isle, with matchless beauty
stage-door, in Hart-street ; Peers, and Members of And manly hearts t 6 guard the fair !
crown
Parliament, were admitted at the private box-door, Rule, Britannia, &c.
in Bow-street ; while ladies; with box-tickets, were The CHAIRMAN said lie now rose to propose---
admitted at the usual box-doors, in Bow-street, and " Health and long life to Daniel O'Connell !"—(The
to their exclusive use the box-entrance in Bow-street toast was received with most immense cheering, the
was appropriated. The doors were opened at half- whole audience rising en masse, waving their hand-
past five, and the theatre was filled in a very few kerchiefs for several minutes. - Nothing could sur-
minutes;but so admirable were the arrangements that pass the enthusiasm with which the toast was re-
there was not the least crowding or confusion. Every ceived, nor have we ever seen it equalled
person admitted had the number of his place marked on any similar occasion. Silence having been restored,
for his ticket, and was immediately conducted to his the Chairman proceeded.) Yes, even at the risk of
place. About 1,080 persons sat down to dinner, and incurring the displeasure of certain high personages
there were 180 waiters to attend upon them. The at the Home. office—(Laughter)—he asked them
tables were laid out at five. At half-past five the band to join with him in wishing health and happiness to. entered the orchestra and commenced playing, and this " convicted conspirator"—(Great cheering and
they continued performing a series of' popular airs laughter)--and he assured them that he felt there was
until six o'clock, when a flourish of trumpets an- so much of sincerity in those loud and honest acclama-
nounced the approach
other distinguished guests. those gallant cheers—of sympathy for the chosen
p pitch, and representative of Ireland, and through him sympathy
on Mr. O'Connell making his appearance at the left for the wrongs of Ireland, that he felt it would
hand door of the proscenium, leading from the green- be worse than presumption in him, by any
room to the stage, he was greeted with the most lengthened observations, to hope he could induce
rapturcius applause ever heard within these walls. them to do additional honour to the toast he now
The coup creed presented by the appearance of the proposed to them. But, in justice to them, as welt
house was splendid in the extreme. The house was as in justice to the public feeling that he knew ex-
crowded in every part. The boxes being exclusively isted at present in this country—(Loud cheers)—he
occupied by ladies. All present rose, the ladies in could not deprive himself of the gratification of as-
the boxes waved their handkerchiefs, and were most suring their distinguished guest—(Cheers)—that
enthusiastic in their greetings of the Liberator. this sympathy, and this enthusiasm, was not confined
The gentlemen cheered most rapturously, and to within these walls.— (Loud
heers.) He could
even the reception with which Mr. O'Con- assure him, • that this building, had it been tea
nell was greeted at the meeting of the Anti- times more spacious, that space would haw
Corn-law League in this theatre, three weeks since, been insufficient for those who were anxious
was less warm than the reception with which he to come forward, not only to testify
was greeted this evening. their esteem and respect for him as a patriot and a.
T. S. Duncombe, Esq., M.P., took the. Chair, and man, but for the purpose of expressing, by their
was loudly applauded when he made his appearance. presence, their disgust and indignation—(Applause)
The Chairman was supported on his right by the —at • the persecution, at the injustice, at the
distinguished guest, Daniel O'Connell, Esq., M.P., treachery and meanness—(Cheers)—the malignity
and on his left by the Earl of Shrewsbury. and vindictiveness which
re had marked the
The following Noblemen and Gentlemen were State trials, as they we called, in Ireland—
recent
seated at the principal table : (Cheers)—and of which he and others were
The Lord Camoys, Lord Dunboyne ; the Hon. attempted to be made the victims. The At
F. H. Berkeley. M.P.; the Hon. Charles Langdale; torney-General for Ireland—(Hisses and laugh
Sir R. W. Bulkeley, Bart., M.P.; Sir John Easthope, ter)—the first law-officer of the Crown in that
Bart., M.P. • William Collins, M.P.; Mr. Sergeant country—he, at the onset of the proceedings, pledged:
Murphy, M.P. ; W. H. Tancred, M.P. ; Henry Met- himself that he would prove the existence of one of.'
calfe, M.P. ; W. S. Crawford, M.P. ; Wynne Ellis, the foulest, and one of the most wicked—(Laughter)
AMP.; M. J. Blake, M.P.; Thomas Gisborne, M.P.; —conspiracies that ever endangered the safety of an
Charles Hindlev, M.P. ; James Pattison, M.P.; empire.—(Great laughter.) He would not in-
John Dennistoun, RP.; H. Elphinstone, M.P.; suit their understandings by asking them how
Robert Holland, M.P. ; Joshua Scholdeld, M.P. ; he succeeded. All England, every honest man
P. S. Butler, m.p.; Sir V. Blake, M.P.; Sir B. Wray, in England proclaimed his failure.—(Cheers.) All
Bart.; the Hon. W. B. Nugent; Edward Weld, England despised his attempts, and cried shame upon
Esc'. ; Rigby Wason, Esq.; J. A. Yates, Esq. ; the Goverrenent proceedings.—(Cheers, and cries of
Major Revell ; James Harmer, Esq. ; Senor Olozaga ; " Shame.") It was with much satisfaction that he
General Washington Barron ; Summers Harford, heard, the other evening, one who had been high in
Esq.; and John Travers, Esq. the councils of her:Majesty, a member of the late Go.,
Tbe grace (by G. Stansbury) having been sung, vernment, and leading member of the Opposition At
the company sat down to an excellent dinner. the present moment—he meant Lord John Russell—
During the time of dinner, the band, led by Mr. (Cheers)—it was with great satisfaction that. ho
Godfrey, performed several popular airs, including heard that Noble Lord express his opinion that
many of the most favourite Irish melodies. At the Mr. O'Connell, had not had a fair trial—(Loud
conclusion of the dinner, the grace (by T. Cooke) cheers)—and that if he had been tried by art English
was sung, after which Judge and an English jury, it was his opinion that
The CHAIRMAN rose to propose the first toast. he would have been acquitted.—(Cheers,) Was he
The Honourable Gentleman, on rising, was not justified in stating to Mr. O'Connell that he must
greeted with enthusiastic cheering. After the not judge of the feeling of this country by that.
cheering had somewhat subsided, he said that which had been testified upon the present occasion
.%)
when he reflected on the importance of the oc- he must not believe that with this evening's procee4-14.
casion on which they were assembled, and when he ings the enthusiasm would end.—(Great cheering,)
looked around him and saw the persons distinguished No, he might depend upon it they would not rerfusist
for their abilities, their inflnence, and their eloquence tongue-tied—(Cheers)—while they saw this. pro-
-(Cheers)—by whom he was, surrounded, be felt secution pursuing its accursed way, and not make any that those persons had incurred a very great re- attempt to rescue from its fangs that man in whom
were centered the hopes and affections of the Irish
sponsibility who had ventured to place him in the
situation which he then occupied.—(Cheers.) They people.--(Great cheering.) If there was no, stronger
had incurred a great responsibility, not only to inducement than their
attachment to the impartial
those whom he was addressing, but also to their administration of justice, he was sure the attempt
distinguished guest—(Loud cheers)—for the very _
would be made—(Cheers)—and let him remind
imperfect appointment which they had made.
them, that that which was Ireland's fate to-daw.
(Cheers and cries of " No, no ") Those, howeverl
by whom he was surrounded, had kindly promised might be England's to-morrow—(Cheers)—if tl,ey
(limey looked on.—(Cries of " No.") If they saw
the aid of their talents and their eloquence, so that
on them would devolve the charge of conducting juries packed—if they allowed Judges to become, mi.
nisterial partisans—if they allowed the law to be
the greater portion of the proceedings, and he must strained—if they allowed public meet nga/legJly
rely upon them for that indulgence which it had convened, to be put an end to by proclarriabons—ir
been his good fortune on many other occa- they allowed the rights of petition to be abrogated
sions to receive from the hands of large by such proceedings—if they allowed it to be pro-
bodies of his fellow-countrymen, and which he claimed that the sword and the bayonet were the-
trusted would not be denied to him that evening, just remedies—they might depend upon it:.
when they considered that the occasion on which they that the struggles of their ancestors f;er freedom would
be in vain, if their descendants B.cted with such pu-
were assembled was one of great national interest. In
the discharge of the duty which devolved upon him 1 silanimity.—(Cheers.) But had Mr. O'Connell noi
other claims for their admirat;.on and support? Ilia&
he had to propose the health of the Sovereign—(Lo.ud
they forgot the Catholic 'Emancipation measure
Cheers Sovereign who, let the faults and
mightdelin-
quencies of her Ministers be what they
(Cheers)—which was his act, and his only ? To him (Cheers)—held a firmer place in the hearts and
the Catholics were indOoted for it.—(Great cheering.)
affections of her people, whether of England
any former Sovereign had To him the Liberal Pr;otestants owed their admira-e or of Ireland, than
tion. Had they forgsot also that to Mr. O'Connell
ever possessed.—(lmmense cheering.) He had
and the Irish Members they were indebted
heard the Prime Minister say, in his place in Perna- for most valuable as sistance in the straggle that.
ment, that it would be the happiest moment of his took lace for the Ref arm Bill ?—(Cheers.) True it
life, if he could see the Queen of England set her foot was t phat the Reforns Bill had disappointed—had
on Irish ground, to restore peace to that disturbed sadly disappointed—them, but Mr. O'Connell
land. That speech implied disloyalty to the Irish was notresponsible for that.—(Hear, hear.)
people. He would ask who was it that prevented Had not Mr. O'Connell made many men..
the Queen of England from setting her foot on Irish Sees for the cause •of liberty ?—(lmmense cheer..
land ? Was it the Hon. Gentleman on his right ? ing.) Had he not devoted his time, his services hit
(Cheers, and cries of " No.") Was it the Irish his profession, and hia fortune, to the' cause of their
people ?—(Cries of " No.") • They were a people people—and his services at the present moment.
whose loyalty was proverbial almost to weakness. were at the command of his country. (Tre-
To insinuate such a thing was the greatest libel mendous cheers.) lile (Mr. Duncombe) had
against the Irish people that ever was uttered.— heard Mr. O'Connell state to Ministers that if-
(Loud cheers.) It was that faction—(Cheers)—the they would bring in measures for the benefit of Ire.-

Th✓y choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour;
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the Queen.
The CHAIRMAN said the next toast he had to pro-
pose was the " Health of Prince Albert and the Royal
Family."—(Cheers.) He was sure that he need 'not
remind them that this toast included all that was dear
to the Sovereign, and all that was respected by the
' people.—(Loud cheers.) It included husbands, and
offspring, and parent ; and he had only to mention
the name of the Duchess of Kent to ensure for thia
toast an additional mark of their gratitude and
esteem.—(Drank with loud cheers.)

GLEE.
Here's a health to the Prince and the Queen !
Proclaim it each son of the wave,
May their hearts long entwine, like the oak and the vine,
To shelter and cherish the brave.
Prosperity smile on their reign,
And concord to hallow the scene,
While the people rejoice, and exclaim with one voice,
Long life to the Prince and the Queen.
The CHAIRMAN then gave—" Our brave defenders
by land and s,a, the Army and Navy." Drank with
loud applause.