The Sun.
London, England, 1842-10-20 00:00:00

~~~~~~~

GRAND FETE at RAVENS WORTH
CASTLE.
(From the Newcastle Chronicle.)
Wednesday last being the day appointed for cele-
brating the coming of age of Mr. Henry George
Liddell, eldest son of the Hon. Henry Liddell, M.P.,
and grandson of Lord Ravensworth, one of the most
princely and splendid fetes ever witnessed in this
district, was given at Ravensworth Castle, in honour
of the event.
A short time before three o'clock the company
began to arrive, and from that time until nearly five,
they continued to do so in close succession, and at
that period there could not be less than five hundred
assembled beneath the festive roof of Ravensworth
Castle. About half-past four o'clock, her Royal
Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, who at present
is residing at the Castle, was conducted into the gal-
lery by Lord Ravensworth. Almost immediately
after, the Archduke Frederick of Austria and suite
arrived, and having been in the most courteous man-
ner received at the entrance door by Lord Ravens-
worth, the Hon. H. T. Liddell, &c., he was con-
ducted to the gallery.
Soon after the company sat down to dinner, and
during the whole of the time, the excellent and, effi
cient band of the 61st Regiment were placed on the
lawn in front, and played several popular and en-
livening airs. Towards the conclusion of the repast
Lord Ravensworth called for a bumper toast, and
proposed the health of her Majesty, which was drunk
with three times three cheers and great applause.
That was followed by the healths of the Queen Dowager,
Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and Princess
Royal, the Duchess of Gloucester, and other mem-
bers of the Royal Family, which were all drunk with
hearty cheers ; after which the noble host requested
the company to fill another bumper, and called upon
the Marquis of Normanby to propose a toast.
The Marquis of NORMANBY then rose and spoke
as follows :---I have been requested by our noble host
to propose to you the next toast. If I readily accede
to this request, I am at the same time perfectly aware
that no one more strongly feels than Lord Ravens-
worth, therefore no one could more appropriately ex--
press the unexpected grace, the peculiar honour, con-
ferred on the family festivities by the presence of an
illustrious foreigner. But, though his imperial High-
ness the Archduke Frederick of Austria is for the first
time personally known to us, his name is already
familiar to English ears as connected with the gallant
profession of which he is a member; and from the
situation which I had the honour to hold in the coun-
cils of my Sovereign at the time his Imperial High-
ness was engaged_ ju,active service in the East, some
circumstances connected with his name were strongly
impressed upon my mind and that of my colleagues,
which, for the cultivation of that spirit of cordiality
we all trust may long continue between the countries
of England and Austria, I think it desirable should
not pass unnoticed at this the first very numerous re-
union—though private in its character—at which since
his arrival in England his Imperial Highness has had
occasion to be present. It is to all of us matter of
no very distant historical recollection with what in-

sense anxiety were formerly watched the gallant
efforts of the Austrian legions, then engaged as our
intimate allies in the deadly struggle which con-
vulsed Europe. It is happily not necessary to revert
to these dark times further than to say that the long-
enduring memory of the gallant deeds of the distin-
guished commander of those legions must be pecu-
liarly dear to his Imperial Highness. But it remained
for the Archduke Frederick, in the bright promise of
his opening career, to be the first of his family to
meet their ancient allies on terms of cordial and
efficient co• operation on that element which English-
men are accustomed to consider (perhaps somewhat
presumptuously) peculiarly their national province.
At that time I happened to be in a situation to see the
official and confidential reports of the great naval
commanders then employed there in our service, and
with whom his Imperial highness acted ; and I en-
tertain a lively recollection of the testimony borne by
them to the professional skill, the chivalrous zeal,
tempered with a high sense of discipline shown by
his Imperial Highness. One trait of his Imperial
Highness, as connected with these transactions, 1 can-
not refrain from communicating to those who may
not have heard it, and recalling to the recollection of
those who may. Our gracious Sovereign, with that
generous desire to distinguish merit, which is with her
as an innate sense of duty, readily proposed to offer to
his Imperial Highness that decoration which is with
us the mark of high and active public service. His
Imperial Highness, with a grace which far exceeded
that of unqualified acceptance, professed his desire
only to accept that grade of the order which would
be bestowed upon officers of the same standing in our
service. Thus showing that in the natural excitement
of successful youth, and in spite of the supposed self-
estimation of exalted rank, modesty is still the never-
failing accompaniment of real merit. Having thus
attempted to do but fair justice to that portion of his
Imperial Highness's career which came within my
own knowledge, I may be permitted, perhaps, in con-
nection with the toast which I shall have the honour
to propose, to'express the great gratification that all
connected with this house must feel, that in the course
of the tour in which he is so creditably engaged, to
examine our institutions, and to study our social cha-
racter, his Imperial Highness should hare been pre-
sent upon an occasion like this, so peculiar to our na-
tional habits. Of those who now stand to this house
in the same situation as myself; as I am the earliest
connected with it by ties of affection, I would ven-
ture to assure his-Imperial Highness, that as it is
almost unequalled in numbers, so may it likewise
challenge rivalry in family love and union. He has
seen this day those who had become the ornament,
and the charm, and the comfort of the homes
of their adoption, re-assembled at that of
their infancy with unaltered feelings and
undiminished interest to hail the celebration of the
reward of parents' anxious care, in the opening pro-
mise of one who is to continue in his person the re-
spect and attachment which the family name has so
long commanded and secured. It would, indeed, be
an unpardonable omission on my part if I did not call
the attention of his Imperial highness to the kind
footing upon which we have been favoured with the
presence of an Illustrious daughtev_of our own Royal
line, who, during the whole of her life has, by the
practice of every feminine virtue, ensured the universal
respect of the country, and by the charm of her man-
ners has added a grace to every society which she
honours with her presence. I will not venture to ex-
press in her Royal Highness's presence how much the
affectionate interest she has ever shown towards this
family has added warmth to the feelings of devoted
attachment which they all entertain towards her
Royal Highness. The observant eve of His Imperial
Highness will, I feel confident in anything which may
strike his eye as new, not see cause to regret his pre-
sence here this day ; and on the part of my father-in-
law and the family, with a deep and endearing sense
of the honour he has vouchsafed to us, I propose " The
health of his Imperial Highness the Archduke Frede-
rick of Austria."—(Cheers.)
The toast having been drunk amidst loud and en-
thusiastic cheering, his Imperial Highness being un-
able to speak fluently in English, desired -Lord
Ravensworth to acknowledge the compliment which
had been paid him, and his Lordship did so in happy
and appropriate terms. The Noble President next
proposed the health of Mr. Henry George Liddell,
whose majority they were then met to celebrate, and
expressed his gratification at his having been honoured
drunk onoured
by the company of so many noble and distinguished
great personages. The toast waswith
enthu-
siasm. Mr. H. G. Liddell returned thanks, and_co_n-
eluded by proposing the health of L_ ord and Lady
Ravensworth, which was received with rapturousap-
plause. The Duchess of Gloucester ana suite
then
retired, and the tables were soon deserted for the
allery, which formed a most delightful promenade.
uedaini u
inte at
The
sle
Grand Duke of Austria and suite retired to the
saloon. Coffee and tea were afterwards sery
the east end of the gallery. His Imperial lI
repaired to the gallery about eight o'clock, d
Duchess of Gloucester entered soon afterwards.
quadrille band from Newcastle had been engaged for
the_ evening. The ball was opened with a quadrille,
Liddell, and Mr. 11.
Imperial highness dancing
Lewithw t h th
hisL: If d
n' Miss
his Impe • l Highness and
Country dances followed,
the Hon. Miss Liddell again leadi- na
the " Keel Row." His In)er.ainfloff; to the tune of
left shortly after ten o'clock- ighness and suite
Imperial
before twelve many
of the company had taken their departure, but dancing
was continued with unabated spirit till a late hour.
Thus concluded this splendid fete,
which afforded
the highest gratification to all who had the honour of
attending it.