The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-29 00:00:00

ENING OF THE NEIV ROYAL
EXCHANGE.

TIIE BANQUET.
The following are some additional particulars,
which were omitted yesterday :
The arrangements of Messrs. Staples, of the Albion
Tavern, under 'hose direction the entertainment was
Prepared, were the general theme of admiration, and
the following details, in reference to the same, will
be read with interest :
A magnificent service of gold plate, for a dinner of
three courses, was manufactured expressly for her
4a.iesty's table by Messrs. Harvey, of Regent-street.
The design of the principal dishes was exceedingly
eautiful, and the whole service was greatly admired.
The knives and forks were perfect specimens of art ;
tl.e handles representing figures of knights clad in
armour, and the spoons to correspond, having the heads
cif the twelve Apostles elaborately chased thereon.
The dessert service, manufactured expressly by Mr.
• Smith, consisted of the most superb china. In the
eentre of each piece was the royal arms, surmounted
Ca the arms of the City of London, the Mercers'
lnPany, and those of Sir Thomas Gresham, all
Bitentlicily emblazoned in gold and purple.
"-he wine glasses placed on the royal table were
unique in design, and elaborately engraved. The
!"Inorial bearings alluded to, as forming a portion of
the decorations in the service of china, also appearing
In beautiful relief upon each glass.
eThe d'oyleys for the Queen's use were of peach
,n.loured satin, trimmed with lace of the most value-
tie descrip
tution. In the corners of each were worked
e figures of a crown, a sceptre, a grasshopper, and
r„Ile arms of the City of London, the whole present-
? one of most perfect specimens of that description
(11 manufacture which it is possible to imagine.
Behind the Royal table was a magnificent display
1
;I:late, tastefully arranged on a framework covered
With Crimson drapery. The subjects of some of the
pieces were very fine, but two dishes especially at-
;Meted the attention of the company, these represent-
tn,_g respectively the "Adoration of the Magi," and
d`le " Battle of the Gods."
The menu presented to her Majesty by Mr. Staples
Olts of a most tasteful design and richly illuminated.
I_ll a groundwork of delicate satin was printed a
autiful steel engraving of the Royal Exchange,
With the
Duke of Wellington's statue in the fore-
orf°llncl• This engraving, surmounted the bill
4„
,itblarel occupying the centre, the blanks on
7 Side being filled up with the letters
sh R. in gold and colours. The menu was
p;ll.°llnd ed by a rich border of gold, inlaid with
th riale and crimson, and a beautiful fringe, formed of
We satin, itself encircled the whole, which, altogether
0,48 exceedingly creditable to the skill of the artists,
Sthe well-known Messrs. De la Rue, of Bunhill-row.
re.,°PY in every respect similar to that above de-
-1111:uad, with the exception of the cypher, was pre-
gelled for the Prince Consort, and both were pre-
tated to the royal pair at the same time, by Mr.
tie", who submitted them upon a small slab of
13 crimson velvet.
Ler efore rising from the table her Majesty expressed
flit. admiration of the beautifully executed bill of
tlnd requested that it might he forwarded to
Ilds°r• Prince Albert presented his copy to his
aeelle ney Count de St. Aulaire, who had also
kreatly admired it.

hllle following are copies of the Address presented
-3terchtY, and her Majesty's Answer:—
" TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
The humble Address of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen,
and Commons of the City of London, in Common
Council assembled.
" Most Gracious Sovereign,
•tive
the _or_
ka , your Majesty's faithful subjects,a
don°l', Aldermen, and Commons of the city of Lon-
bl C°lnroon Council assembled, together with theo
tlie-,r, Wardens, and Commonalty of the Mystery f
4terce • •
it rs, joint trustees of Sir Thomas Gresham,
fo tOe'our Majesty's auspicious presence in the heart
‘44QI" Metropolis on this renowned and favoured spot
atts,:rnhe liveliest sentiments of devoted loyalty and
4, Th:at.
Your 1. Privilege we this day enjoy of approaching
revives °Y4l person under the roof of the new Exchange
Alsi,,, tile memory of the olden time, when your
votiis:3P ' s
illustrious predecessor, Queen Elizabeth,
ritikedgskare to adorn by her presence the simple edifice
a
hworld•e citizen, and dedicated to the commerce
of
tap7reler Majesty in this respect emulates thde.sexa:
rag- OL that great Monarch who deemed it no
Pthe
herePt °f her imperial state to proclaim
titla anCl tO distinguish the work of a subject, byy the
:).f Royal Exchange.'
it is
use recorded in the graceful narrative. of
building.
sthetalt:tbute,dre oaondthe foundation stone of this
f
"le relief of indigence and the advancement. of
science,' entered into the capacious
tali "le °f the original founder of this noble instid-
gra:al; and
are made subsidiary to the stability an.
ko-rbl:h.jell°llrebldinfgat commerce co-extensive with the habit-
that eminent citizen and benefactor
t
to ki4€l4 Sir Thomas Gresham, the signal merit
rienl and execute at his own charge this glo-
tourcitheleeskt, we still rejoice to trace the assisting hand
the
ee City, and the ancient Company of Mercers,from.
prosecution of the design, and our grati-
Poohis the
in reflecting that each memorable.
tilde of Royal Exchange is marked by the solidi-
the 44 the reigning Monarch to raise and to rebuild
twies‘rticture from the ashes to which it has been
ins er!educed by the calamitous effects of fire.
'ing Charless 11. commenced the former build-
Prinee" the 23d of October, 1667, and the illustrious
Royal Consort of your Majesty, under
presenta.aiestys auspices, laid the first stone of the
Itvhie;rryeoiuge clrni;fitocheyearolenfotrhee, 17th January, 1842.
most gracious Lady, to regard
approbation this work of our hands,
the citizens
and well-constructed pile again raised by
worthy of London, and erected on a site rendered
thlre7w:ff:rhveenotbiect of so vast an undertaking, to en-
Perishes, Y pray, for ages, a memorial and im•
and u'e monument of the commercial grandeur
kaiePs7slaeritY, and of the peaceful triumphs of your
I's happy reign.
" Signed by order of Court,
HENRY ALWORTII MEREWETHER."
T HER MAJESTY'S ANSWER.
Adla' r receive with peculiar satisfaction this dutiful
pi3:ress• It IS a pledge of the affectionate loyalty of
P e
lo ople, presented on an auspicious occasion in a
of the
:grealtns.
renowned as the centre of the commerce
tobilt delights me to behold the restoration of this
favour, edl6ce, which my royal ancestors regarded with
iitllr,.and which I esteem worthy of my care.
within the last three years, when fire had de-
the Yed the ancient building, my beloved Consort laid
the new foundation, and this day I gladly celebrate
B,ra_eo.petion of the work, quickly executed, but
and perfect in all its parts.
stiel:he relief of the indigent, the advancement of
tow; the extension of commerce, were the objects
4ternPlated by the founder of the Exchange.
These objects are near to my heart. Their at-
filit-
fili. tents will, I trust, be recorded among the peace-
itisriuttphs
of
my
reign ; and I shall rejoice if I am
enabled, by the blessing of Divine Providence,
of promote the prosperity and happiness of all classes
my subjects:,

bet'll Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress had
et: treelelarlyoo and 500 visitors at the Mansion-house
part of the day to witness the magnifi-
pittllltbsPectaele, and entertained them in the most hos-
Lo ale and elegant manner ; and in the evening his
ithcir'lllill and the Lady Mayoress gave a grand ball
41 suPPer to about 500 more. Nothing could be
41:11.e satisfactory to the Chief Magistrate, his family,
the afrlends, in every respect than the proceedings of
tilin-v!3'• In the drawing-room a bust of his Lord-
IV-A,`4l been placed in the morning. It was executed
attracted
'Tones, a young artist of very high talent, and
1, ed great admiration.
4, Ille banquet at the Mansion-house was supplied
at; 4essrs. Birch, of Cornhill, who also splendidly
ptiliPlied the tables of the Merchant Tailors' Corn-
eZ the Mercers' Company, the Fishmongers
ot-134nY the Clothworkers' Company, and some
00 'arri.panies, to the number in the whole of nearly
' 0 uldwidusds.