The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-13 00:00:00

‘,eitriening Ant

LONDON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1844,

Among the healthiest indications of a sound state
of public feeling, we look with profound interest on
such manifestations as that which the day before yes-
terday took place in the Hall of the Merchant Tailors
in this city. In entertaining at a sumptuous banquet
so distinguished a public servant as Sir HENRY POT-
TINGER, the merchants of London conferred high
honour, undoubtedly, on. their guest; but they also
did honour to themselves.' They thus demon,trated
to the world that they fully appreciate the merits of
this most successful diplomatist, and that, looking to
the prospective results likely to ensue from the treaty
negotiated by him with so much ability, they can
postpone to large ulterior views of public interest
and national policy,—their, natural solicitude for the
immediate realisation of present commercial benefits
on some scale commensurate with the magnitude as
that on which they ultimately calculate. In all this,
we have evidence of a feeling of gratitude and re-
spect for Sir HENRY'S ability, zeal, and energy, com-
bined with the proof that-they are not less sagacious
and vigilant in observing, than prompt on rewarding,
them. Whilst our merchants are open to impres-
sions and influences like these, there will be no lack
of devoted public servants—nor deficiency of ade-
quate encouragement to their efforts. In the speeches
of Sir GEORGE .LARPE,NT, on presenting the address
of congratulation from the principal mercantile firms
of London ; and or Mr. J. A. &mem, in proposing, as
Chairman, the toasts of the evening, the language of
commendation; and' even of eulogium, on the great
intelligence and wisdom, the forecast, firmness, and
moderation, evinced by her MAJESTY'S Plenipotentiary
throughout his difficult and eirentiul mission, was
almost exhauSted; yet it did not transcend the merits
which it celebrated (for these it is not easy to reach),
nor the sentiments of those in whose'presence it was

uttered (for they, unanimously and enthu,iastically,
responded to it). We heartily congratulate Sir H.
POTTINGER on a fact so honourable to the conduct
which haS acquired for him a reputation thus de-
servedly high in the metropolis of commerce and of
civilisation. The Right. Hon. Baronet's eminent ser-
vices were handsomely noticed by the two gentlemen
whose speeches we hare just recurred to ; and in no
passages of them do we more fully concur than in
those which dwelt upon the extensive markets opened
to our commerce by the treaty of Nankin, and the
liberal spirit in which Sir HENRY had arranged the
fiscal terms on which the trade between the ports of

China and this country will be in future conducted.
There were other features, however, in the pro-
ceedings at this banquet, which imparted to it an un-
usual and most gratifying interest. To do honour to
that much- respected guest who had opened to his coun-
trymen the high road of peaceful and honourable in-

:ereourse with a nation numbering three hundred

millions of inhabitants—men of all parties, animated

by every variety of political opinions, had assembled
in festal harmony. With perfect good taste and good

reeling political discussion was excluded from the

business, or the pleasure, of the evening. Yet among
the more distinguished visitors whose presence graced
the banquet., were political antagonists of the highest
rank, character, ability, and station ; former and pre-