The Sun.
London, England, 1829-07-31 00:00:00

ENTERTAINMENT TO THE MAYOR AND
CORPORATION OF CANTERBURY,

ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE FREEDOM OF THE

CITY TO THE EARL OF DARNLEY.

The corporation of Canterbury some time
since voted the freedom of the city to the above
excellent Nobleman ; but the presentation of it
was deferred in consequence of the Noble Earl
being desirous of receiving it at his mansion,
and of entertaining the corporate body on the
occasion. An intimation to that effect was there-
fore made, and on Friday last the Mayor, Re-
corder, six Aldermen, and sixteen Common
Councilmen, accepted an invitation sent by the
Noble Earl. The body met at Rochester, and
proceeded at two o'clock to Cobham Hall,
through the park and preserves, thereby avoid-
ing a circuitous route, aad shortening the dis-
tance by four miles. On arriving at the man-

sion the whole were introduced into the music

room, where were Earl Darnley, Lord Clifton,
the Mayor, and one or two other gentlemen.
The latter had previously entered the room. A
formal introduction then took place. After
which Lord Darnley slid the unpropitious state
of the weather prevented him indulging the
gentlemen in a treat he had anticipated. It ap-
peared that carriages had been prepared to con-
vey the company over the domain, but the
heavy rain that 1.211 prevented any amusement
except that within the precincts of the mansion.
They were assured however that on another
occasion they would have an opportunity of
enjoying that pleasure. The music-room is
thirty-two feet high, cased with beautiful
marble; there are two galleries, and two tiers of
windows.

The MAYOR then proceeded to present the
freedom of the city, in the following words :
My Lord,—l feel highly gratified in being
deputed by the Court of Burg!mote, to present
to your Lordship this bo::, containing its una-
nimous vote of the freedom of t:ie city of Can-
terbury, as a testimony of the high opinion
that body entertains, in common with the
citizens at large, of your Lordsh;p's attention to
the general interests and welfare of the city, and
particularly of your valuable assistance afforded
to the Court in successfully resisting an attack
upon their chartered rights. I beg to be al-
lowed to express my hope that your Lordship
may long live to enjoy the pi;;:!eges I have
now the honour to confer upon you.
Earl DARNLEY replied as follows

Mr. Mayor, and Gentlemen of the Corpora-
tion.—l accept with much pleasure this token
of your regard, because I consider it a proof
that you are satisfied with the conduct of your
Representative, who has served you, faithfully
at least, for a conside-a:ble number of years ;
not being conscious that I owe it to any merit
of my own. The satisfaction I feel on this oc-
casion, is enhanced by the presence of many
whose political opinions on some subjects are at
fiance with my own. In this free and happy
gilke,.l there must of necessity be various opinions
on most subjects, but I trust we agree in
mutually giving credit to each other for having
the same object, the welfare and happiness of
our country, in view, although we seek to attain
it by different means. I accept, gentlemen, the
honour you have conferred upon me as a pledge
of the continuance of that connection now hap-
pily subsisting between your ancient and loyal
city end this house—a connection, as we are
equally independent of each other, founded on
the best and most secure basis of mutual confi-
dence and esteem. I trust, therefore, it will be
lasting, and not only survive me and my son,
your present Representative, but be cherished
by his children whom you have seen this day ;
and that this box which I hold in my hand may
be considered an heir-loom in this house, and
descend in it to the latest posterity.
The ceremony being concluded, the Noble
Earl and Lord Clifton invited the party to view
the fine collection of paintings, and in this man-
ner the time passed pleasantly till the hour of
dinner arrived. There were at the table the Earl
and Countess of Darnley, Lord and Lady Clifton,
the Hon. Col. Bligh, r the Hon. J. Bligh, and
Lady E. Bligh. The dinner was served on a
superb service of silver, and consisted of turtle,
venison, and every other delicacy. The wines
were of the first order—ice champagne, claret,
Madeira, port, &c. The dessert consisted of
abundance of pines, delicious grapes, peaches,
and other fruits. After dinner the guests re-
tired to the music room, where coffee was pre-
pared, and were entertained by Lady E. Bligh
and the Hon. Miss Bligh, by a selection of music
performed on the organ, piano, and harp.
The urbanity and condescension of the noble

host and family will long be felt and esteemed
by the Mayor and Corporation then present.
His Lordship observed, it was the first time he
had had the honour of entertaining the corpo-
ration ; on another occasion he hoped the
weather would be more propitious, when be
would be happy to conduct them over his garden
and domain. The party retired about eleven
o'clock.—Kent Herald.