The Sun.
London, England, 1842-07-11 00:00:00

TESTIMONIAL" TO: MR, HARMER.
On Thursday there was. was "a very interesting party
at the residence of J. Harmer, Esq., at Ingress Abbey,
Greenhithe, for the purpose of presenting to him a ser-
vice of plate, as an acknowledgment of the opinion en-
tertained of his public services, and the estimation in
which his private character is held. It was the result of
subscriptions commenced, it may be remembered, after
that gentleman resigned his Aldermanic gown. The
subscribers, agreeably to arrangement, proceeded there
in a new iron steamer (Matrimony), belonging to the
Iron Steam-boat Company ; starting from Blackfriar's-
bridge soon after ten o'clock, and calling for the re-
mainder of the company at Brunswick-wharf, Blackwell.
About 200 gentlemen were present. The vessel having
arrived off Iggress Abbey, greeted Mr. Harmer with
salutes ()rearm= ; and there was a most liberal salute in
return. The companyhaving:landed, proceeded in pro-
cession to Mr. Harmer's residence, where they were re-
ceived by the worthy host. For the reception of the
company, there had been prepared a large marquee on
the lawn, in front of Mr. Harmer's delightful residence.
There were ranged under it two oblong tables, and one
upper and cross table. Theywere most profusely covered
with a cold collation, fruits, wines, &c., and between
three and four o'clock, about 230 gentlemen sat down to
partake thereof. The appearance at such time was ad-
mirable, and most animated.
Mr. Harmer presided on his right were Ald. Sir J.
Duke and Hooper ; and on his left, Ald. T. Wood and
Johnson ' • and near him were crowds of his old City
friends—Mr. Galloway, Mr. Deputy Blacket, Mr. R.
Taylor, &c.
During dinner, as well as afterwards, the able band of
the Royal Engineers performed a variety of excellent
music. There was near them, and about half-way down
the marquee, a stage under another marquee, on which
the plate to be presented was arranged ; and behind, but
towering above it, a_ right noble baron of beef, with a
knight to carve the same, and he was afterwards kept
very fully occupied. The whole scene was thus rendered
most interesting and varied, and though there was some
rain for a short time, it by no means damped the ardour
that evidently animated them all.
The plate naturally attracted great attention. The
centre piece consisted of a truly splendid and admirably
designed candelabra, and was surrounded with four
corner dishes and covers, and two soup tureens, the
whole weighing about 1,000 ounces. The central piece
deserves more particular description : it was formed of
six massive branches, surmounted by a chased vase. The
column was richly chased, decorated with the acanthus
flower ; the foliage displayed beautifully. The column
was surrounded by three figures ; the first representing
Truth, with Bible and mirror - the second, Justice, with
sword and scales ; and the third, Liberty, with the me..
morable cap of liberty, the column and figures resting on
a triangular-shaped base, that bore on its three sides—
first, the following inscription, boldly and neatly en-
graven : Presented to
JAMES HARMER, ESQ.,
With a Service of Plate,
by numerous Citizens and Friends,
on his Retirement from the Office of Alderman-of London,
as a testimony of the high regard
which h:s estimable qualities, both public and private,
have acquired for him during a long and useful life,
as an able, just, and merciful Magistrate;
a kind, sincere, and generous friend and neighbour;
a firm and disinterested patriot,
the foe of every abuse,
and the steady supporter of the rights of mankind:
On the second side of the plinth were the names of
the Committee, namely :
Committee.
Sir James Duke, lint., M.P., Alderman.
John Blacket, Esq. John Alex. Galloway, Esq.
. Alexander Galloway, Esq. Henry Adlard, Esq.
Richard Taylor, Esq. John Lowe, Esq.
And on the third side Mr. Harmer's armorial bearings,
with the motto, " Labore et Honore." The whole was
supported by three British lions. They and the oak
branches were chased; the figures of Truth, Justice, and
Liberty were frosted silver. The candelabra stood nearly
three feet in height. The covers and tureens were beau-
tifully finished, with rich borders, and having on them
Mr. Harmer's armorial bearings. The appearance
of the whole of the plate was most imposing and
splendid, and it may not be out of place here to remark
that, after the repast, the whole of it was removed and
placed in front of Mr. Harmer. Previously to the repast,
the Rev. Mr. Knapp said grace,' and after it the same
Rev. Gentleman returned grateful acknowledgments.
The CHAIRMAN (Mr. Harmer), the tables having been
partially cleared, but fresh supplies of wine placed on
them, rose, he said, for the purpose of proposing the first
toast. Among other falsehoods, it had been declared
that he was a disloyal man. He denied the imputation.
—(Cheers.) There was not a more loyal man in the
kingdom ; no man could give with greater sincerity
than himself " The health of her Majesty the Queen."—
(Loud and long-continued cheering, followed by three
times three most enthusiastically given.)
Anthem—" God saye our gracious Qaeen," power-
fuly and tastefully given by Messrs. Broadhurst, Crew,
&c., the company ably and boldly joining in the chorus.
The CHAIRMAN afterwards gave " Prince Albert"—
" The Price of Wales and Princess Royal"—" Prospe-
rity to the Army and Navy"—which were most enthusi-
astically honoured.
Sir JAMES DUKE said he was delighted to find that the
ladies had honoured the company with their presence on
so interesting an occasion. He much regretted that the
task which he had undertaken had not been confided to
abler hands, as he feared he should not be able to do it
justice. lie had not had an opportunity of knowing
what were the feelings or wishes of the subscribers ; but
he knew that if he failed in expressing those feelings so
well as he could wish, they would, he was sure, excuse
any deficiency on his part. His excellent friend in the
chair was too well known, and respected by all of them
to render it possible that the object which had called
them together that day should suffer in any degree from
a want of ability on his part. However painful it might
be to revert to circumstances of an unpleasant nature,
yet he felt that he must de so on the present occasion.
It had been his good fortune to be associated with their
worthy host in the Court of the Worshipful Company
of Spectacle-makers, and of which he (Sir J. Duke) was
then Master, and he (Sir James) now had the honour of
representing the Ward of Farringdon Without, to which
their worthy host had rendered so much public service. He
(Sir J.) had been thought a worthy representative of the
subscribers on the present occasion. He regretted, as he was
sure every one present did, that on a late occasion the
public mind had been turned against their respected
friend, and that he had been deprived of those honours
to which he had a just claim.—(Hear, hear.) Having
served the Ward of Farringdon Without for many years,
without any imputation on the purity of his motives, he
was elected to fill the office of Alderman of that great
Ward. He was chosen by those who had the best op-
portunity of knowing his private worth, and of judging
of the benefits which that election would confer upon
the public, and he was elected without a single objection
being made to him. He was afterwards chosen to fill
the distinguished office of Sheriff of the City of London,
the important duties of which he discharged with credit
to himself and advantage to the public, and he received
the approbation of his fellow-citizens when his year of
office expired. The manner in which he discharged' the
important duties entrusted to him had won for him the
approbation, respect, and confidence of his fellow-
satizens.—(Hear. hear.) While he was,engaged in per-
forming the duties that devolved upon him as an Alder-
man and a member of the Corporation of the-City of
London, it was acknowledged that he had conferred great
b ilea upon the public by his peculiar fitness for the
office, but when in his turn he looked for the highest
honour which the Corporation could bestow upon him,
some how or other his valuable services were altogether
forgotten—(Shame)—and he was deprived of those
honours which he had a just right to expect at the hands
of' his fellow-citizens. He (Sir James) told him, not-
withstanding all that had taken place, he ought
not to resign his Aldermanic gown—(Hear)—and the
Company of Spectacle-makers, to which he belonged,
held a Court the day after the election, at which a simi-
lar opinion was expressed. He (Sir James) felt con-
- vinced, that if he did so, the public would at length be
sensible of the injustice which they had done him, and
that the next year would see him triumphantly elected
to fill the Civic Chair.—(Hear.) But other advice pre-
vailed, and he was induced to adopt a different course,
and which. he (Sir James) lamented, because the public
had no opportunity of showing how much they were
mistaken. They, however, had assembled on the present
occasion to repair the injustice that had been done him
by the public.—(Hear.) Although it was frequently the
lot of individuals to suffer public disapprobation, yet,
when they had gone through life in' a manner that en-
titled them to esteem and respect, the public ought to be
slow to reject them from the public service. No charge
of a dishonourable kind had ever been brought against
their worthy friend. He had always acted in such a
manner that his conduct could not be challenged.
There had been some hole-and-corner meetings held—
(Hear, hear)—where something was done which showed
that their promoters were—
" Willing to wound, and yet afraid to strike,
To hint a fault, and hesitate dislike."—(Cheers.)
The Spectacle-makers' Company, however, notwith-
standing all that had been said against him, unanimously
elected him to be one of their Ward nes, two days after
tbe election for Lord Mayor had terminated. Their
excellent friend had a right to look back with pride upon
the manner in which he had discharged his public duties.
—(Hear.) That distinguished patriot, Washington, said
that he felt proud at being elected as the instrument by
which the liberation of his country was to be achieved ;
but h never was so happy as when he retired from pub-
licalife, with a conviction that he had faithfully served
his country ; and, although his excellent friend had not
filled so important a station as Washington, still he could
look back, with equal satisfaction, on his past conduct.
He had always acted with generosity towards those who
needed his assistance, and in the discharge of his magis-
terial duties he had invariably acted with kindness and
mercy to those persons who were brought before him.
:His active and benevolent, mind sought every opportunity
of relieving the distresses of his fellow-creatures ; not
ostentatiously, however, for, on the contrary, he was one
of those who
Did good by stealth, and blushed to find it fame."
And he (Sir James) was sure that every one present
hoped that he might be richly rewarded. Macbeth, after
the murder Of his sovereign, said his station was not a
happy one--;
" That which should accompany old age,
As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have ;"
Bat look to their excellent friend in the chair—he had
all those—(Hear)--and although deprived of that station
which he had a right to fill, nothing could deprive him
of the friendship of those by whom he was that day
surrounded.—(Cheers.) He trusted that many years of
happiness were yet in store for their worthy and excel-
lent host. They had shown by the splendid plate on
the table the high opinion which tllabyeinetwerotualidnehdavoef
him. Had it been neces,sary_the_wlaolq
been covered with pitite--PilietOrbUt 119 subscriptions

had been solicited ; on the contr,ay, every thing had
been done spontaneously ; and he knew that there were
many persons who were now very much vexed that they
had neglected to forward their subscriptions until it was
too late. He (Sir James) felt highly flattered at being
selected by the subscribers to be their organ on the pre-
sentation of such a testimonial of their approbation of
Mr. Harmer's public conduct, and their sense of his
private worth ; and however feebly he had represented
the subscribers, he could assure them, that were he to
say all that his feelings prompted him to do on this
occasion, he should detain them longer than he would be
justified in doing. He sincerely hoped that their ex-
cellent and worthy friend would live long in the princely
enjoyment of his splendid income, which he had earned
without the sacrifice of principle, integrity, or honour—
(Loud cheers)—and that he would descend to his grave
with the honest conviction that he had been useful in his
day and generation. That feeling should be the object
and consolation of all public men. If they acted from
mere selfish motives they would be sure to meet with
disappointment. With these convictions he should pro-
pose the health of their worthy host, with a hope that
the service of plate, with which they had just presented
him, might remain in his family from generation to
generation, as a proof of the esteem and respect of the
Ward which he had so ably and efficiently represented.
The toast was drank with three times three, amid the
firing of cannon and the cheers of the persons outside the
tent. As soon as silence could be restored,
Mr. HARMER rose, and addressed the company to the
following effect :—" He was sure they would not be sur-
prised when he told them that he was so overpowered by
the events of the day, and the compliments that had
been paid him, that he could not find words to express
his feelings. He could assure them that he received,
with the deepest feelings of gratitude, the elegant testi-
monial before him. It was valuable from its intrinsic
worth, but more so from the occasion which had given
birth to its presentation, and the flattering inscription
which it bore. On an occasion like the present, when
be was performing that which he considered the last act
of his public life, they would, he was sure, permit him
to advert to past circumstancesee-(Hear.) Before he
was tan years of age, he had the misfortune to lose his
father—an amiable and excellent man, though in humble
life, he being a Spitalfields'.weaver. After that loss he
was turned iclrift upon the world to seek his fortune.
He would not advert to the hardships, with which he, as
a poor and friendless boy, had to contend, in order to
obtain his livelihood, but fortune favoured him, and he
Lever despaired ; and really when he reverted back to
past times, he was himself astonished at his own perse-
vering attempts to raise himself in the world. He cer-
tainly seized every opportunity, under all circumstances,
of bettering his condition, and it was his good fortune to
have opportunities of improving himself in knowledge,
having received but little scholastic education. He soon
became an expert writer, and a solicitor took him into
his office, as an articled clerk, without any premium—
premium, in fact, he (Mr. Harmer) had none to
give. That was in the year 1792, and fortunately
for him it took place as it did, before the Legislature
imposed a stamp duty of 1201. on articles of clerkship,
for if he had not been articled before that stamp duty
was imposed, he should never have been a member of
the legal profession. He remained in the service of that
attorney about three years, and then he formed an at-
tachment for a young lady, whom he afterwards mar-
ried. This displeased the attorney, and he turned him
out of his house. Thus was he again adrift, but he was
soon taken into the office of Messrs. Fletcher and
Wright, of Bloomsbury, and to whom his articles were
assigned. He expected one of those gentlemen would
have favoured him with his company on the present oc-
casion, but he had received a polite, and very friendly
letter from him, regretting his inability to be present.
(The worthy Chairman here read the letter, which con-,
eluded by stating that no person' felt more satisfactiod'
at his (Mr. H.'s) success in life, and expressed a hope
that he would long live to enjoy it.) On the expiration
of his articles, he was indebted to a friend for the means
of obtaining:his admission as an attorney, and he after-
wards commenced business as an attorney, with little
money and few clients, in the Ward which he afterwards
had the honour of representing.—(Hear, hear.) For-
tune, however, favoured him—business flowed in,
and he suceeeddd beyond his most sanguine ex-
pectations. He could enumerate the names of noblemen
bankers, merchants, and even judges among his clients,
and he had the pleasure of knowing that they were all
satisfied with his conduct. In the year 1825 he became
a candidate to represent the Ward of Farringdon With-
out in the Court of Common Council. He thought that
every man was bound, and that it was a duty which he
owed to his neighbours, to offer himself as a candidate
for public offices. He did so, although the acceptance of
that office would interfere with his professional engage-
ments, and intrude upon his hours of relaxation. He
was elected, and he retained the office for eight succes-
sive years, during which time he was appointed chair-
man of three of the most important Committees of the
Corporation, which, perhaps, might be considered as a
proof that he was not an unsocial member of society.—
(A laugh.) In the year 1833 his most excellent friend
and true patriot, Alderman Waithman, died, and some
of his (the Chairman's) then colleagues suggested that
he was a fit and proper person to succeed him. He de-
clined the honour proposed, until he found that a worthy
and excellent friend of his, who was now present, and
who had been much longer in the Ward, and served it
most ably, would not come forward ; and it was not until
he received an assurance to that effect that he allowed
himself to be put in nomination. He was subse-
quently elected Alderman of the Ward of Far-
ringdon Without, without opposition. Bye that
election he gained nothing in a pecuniary point
of view, for he immediately relinquished a professional
practice which brought him in 4,0001. a year. His
name remained in the roll of attorneys for the benefit of
his successor, but he never interfered with professional
business afterwards. At the next election for Sheriffs
he was chosen one of them. During his year of office
some disturbances of a serious nature were apprehended
in the the metropolis, and the Sheriffs were called upon
by the authorities at the Home-office to take steps to
repress them. ' These disturbances were apprehended in
consequence of the measures adopted by the Govern-
ment with regard to the levying of taxes. The people
refused to pay. He offered to make the levy in person.
He did so, and no disturbance took place afterwards,
and at a public dinner given to the Judges shortly after-
wards, the Duke of Richmond praised him for the line
of conduct which he adopted on that occasion.—(Hear.)
As the time, however, approached when 'he had a right
to expect that he would be returned to fill the Civic
Chair, he found that an extensive combination had been
entered into to prevent him having that honour, and he
much regretted to state that some persons who had pre-
viously been his intimate acquaintances, and whom he
hail always considered as his friends, and from whom he
expected very different conduct, were among those who
combined together to destroy his reputatiou.—(Shame.)
of
The planattack had been previously arranged. It
was commenced by the Bishops in the House of Lords.
It was followed by the clergy in their pulpits, and
some of his colleagues were in the back-ground
advising parties how to act.—(Cries of " Shame.")
They all knew what fanaticism, bigotry, and falsehood
could effect. He was defeated. He was not mortified at
the result of the election, although he regretted the dis-
appointment which had been experienced by his friends,
who had so zealously exerted themselves in his behalf.
He had been blamed by some of those friends for subse-
quently retiring from the Corporation, and several of
them said that the result of another election—(Hear,
hear)—would exceed his most sanguine expectations,
and that he would be triumphantly returned.—(Hear.)
He had reason for not consulting those friends whom he
knew would advise him to remain in office. He had
strong motives for retiring from public life. In the first
place, had he continued in office he might have sustained
a second defeat.—(Hear, and " No, no.") That would
not have been very gratifying to him. Why should he
seek for an office by which he had nothing to gain, and
which would have entailed irksome labour upon him for
twelve months, compelling him to keep in one house,
never to be let out unless chained and guarded.—
(Laughter.) It was a situation he was not envious of
obtaining, for, when once elected to it, he could not re-
tire from the office. He would have been deprived of
that which he had always sought an opportunity of doing,
namely; 'spending his days in peaceful country retire-
ment. In the next place, he was anxious to retire from
all further association with men who had acted towards
him with the greatest duplicity.—(Hear.) He was
anxious for the honour and credit of the Ward which
he so long had the honour of representing, and which
had been distinguished for selecting men of talent and
merit, and he had no wish that a slur should be cast on the
Ward in hisperson, or th at it should have as its representa-
tive onewhom the Livery of London had thought undeserv-
ing of the Civic Chair. Though many persons had acted
towards him with great duplicity, yet he was happy to
say that there were several highly honourable excep-
tions, many of whom he then had the honour of address-
ing, and whose names he was happy to find were en-
rolled in the list of subscribers to the splendid testimo-
nial before him. It was a consolation to him that the
Ward of Farringdon 'Without would not suffer by his
retirement, and that a gentleman, who was distinguished
for his talent and public virtue, had been appointed his
successor. Long might he live to enjoy that honour.—
(The Chairman shook hands with Sir James Duke in
the most cordial manner.) The inscription on the plate
said that he (the Chairman) was a foe to oppression and
abuse. He did not claim any merit on that account. It
was a duty which he owed to society. In his professional
practice, and which had been somewhat extensive, he
had met with frequent cases of oppression. He had been
always willing to lend a hand to assist the oppresSed;
and whenever he witnessed injustice he exposed those
who were guilty of it, regardless of consequences.—
(Hear.) If it were not so egotistical, he could relate
several cases inctoasv3esec,m injustice which he had interfered in behalf of
had been done. Inconsequence
of his interference in the case of Holloway and
HaggertHaggerty,
he was threatened to be struck off the rolls for expos-
sin' the delinquency of
etfbethweitne!ses, and the mode in
which the conviction
tained. In that and other
cases, prisonerswhere
sbtei
ce
en
hab
d
been done, he made the who'e
for casemseli . g
public.—(Hear.)
' ivl2'
He-took some credit to hi
wasim a
Litplrroevperdo
at
he
practice of the criminal law. Formerl
to an attorney that he practised at they it
0l(i B
reproach had now been got rid of. He had
alsoey.
contri-
buted to reduce the number of executions for
trivial That
f
fences. He was thoroughly convinced of the inutility of
public executions, particularly in cases where the offences
were not of a serious nature. He had had the honour of
+giving evidence before a Committee of the House of
Commons on the state of the Criminal Law, and Sir
James Macintosh afterwards said, that his testimony
made more impression on the Committee than any other,
and passed a high eulogium on him, of which he felt
justly proud. He mentioned all these circumstances, not
by way of self-commendation, but as he and they had
been -stigmatized in the public prints, he was anxious to
show that he was an object nut wholly undeserving of
their support. He was now in the enjoyment of all the
comfort's he could wish—God had blessed him with ex-