The Sun.
London, England, 1827-10-08 00:00:00

GRAND CIVIC DINNER.-NEWCASTLE-

UPON-TYNE

On Monday last, Alfred Hall, Esq. the late She-
riff of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, gave his last public en-
tertainment to the Members of the Corporation of
that town, which, by the way, serves as the Inau—
guration Dinner to the new Mayor and S:beriff.,
The dinner giVeii at M. DiidsWnith's, the
Queen's Head Inth, As has been ctistomarV With
the Ex-Sheriff, during both the years, viz. 1822 and
1827, in which he served the office of. Sheriff in this
town, the tables were copiously supplied with
West India turtle, venison, and such other delicacies
as are essential to a first rate entertainment. The
wines were in perfect accordance; they comprised
the rich sparkling product of Champagne, Lafitte
of the first quality, superior flavoured old Port, Ma-
deira, &c. The French wines were iced, and were

drunk with peculiar gusto.
The late Sheriff' filled the chair, the duties of
which he discharged with exemplary suavity and effect.
The first toast after the removal of the cloth, was
" The King," which was drunk' with enthusiasm.
The next toast was the health of the'New Mayor,
(13enj.• Sorsbie, Esq.) which was drunk with great.
applause: His Worship being absent from indis-
position, Mr. Malin Sorsbie, h►s son, rose and ex-
pressed his acknowledgments in handsome terms for
the honour done to his father. The worthy Chair-

man then rose, and, in felicitous language proposed.
the health of Archibald Reed, Esq. (the late Mayor,)
a gentleman with whom he had been associated dur-
ing the past year, in the public duties of the town;
aml to whom he felt extremely indebted for hiS many
civilities and kind offices during that year. He be-.
lieved that no chief Magistrate had ever given greater
satisfaction, as well to the Corp Oration, as to the in-1
habitants of the town at large, for his indefatigable
exertions in the service of the public. Though
much more might very properly be said on such an
occasion, he (the Chairman) would • not trespass
upon their • time, but . conclude with giving in a
1 bumper, the health of the late Mayor of Newcastle.

—(6h-eat applause.) . •
Mr. Alderman REED rose and said—Mr. Presi
dent—l beg to return my most heartfelt acknow
ledgments for the high honour that has just now
been conferred upon
.me, and, in a way, I must
add, so complimentary to my feelings. Belie re me,
gentlemen, it is at all times my anxious study to em
deavour to discharge my public duties in such a
manner that it may be apparent to all I have no
other wish but the general welfare of the town. As
long as I shall be honoured with your approving
voice upon this head, my highest gratification will
be ensured. Before I sit down, gentlemen, you
must permit me to give a toast and to request that
it be drunk in a particular bumper, it being the
health. of our most worthy Chairman, whose admi-
rable assistance, as Sheriff, I shall never forget.—
[Mr. Alderman Reed detailed at some length, and,
in handsome terms, the eminent services of the late
Sheriff of Newcastle.]—The toast was drunk with
enthusiastic and long continued applause.
The CHAIRMAN rose and said, he felt almost over-
powered by the highly dattering.manner in which his
health had been proposed and received. His only
ambition was to endeavour to do his duty. He had
done nothing more. The reward that had been ex-
tended to him far surpassed his merits. He would,
however, accept the homage of their approbation as
it ought to be accepted. It would hereafter be
thought on by him with the greatest pride and satis-
faction. He would fill an overflowing glass, and do
himself the honour of drinking all their good healths,
with his most sincere and hearty. wishes for their
prosperity—individually and collectively.—( Great
applause.)
The next. toast was, the health of the Sheriff of
Newcastle (EDWARD DALE, to which the
worthy gentleman made an appropiate and hand-
some reply.
The CHAIRMAN said ne oegpd to give the health
of a Gentleman to whom the town -was much in-
debted for his able services on all public occasions
—he meant Mr. Grieveson, and, he would add,
" The Liberty of the Press."—(Drunk with ap7
plause.) ,
Mr. GathvEsoN rose, and expressed himself nearly
as follows :—Mr. President, I rise, Sir, deeply im-
pressed with a sense of gratitude, to render my sin'.
cere acknowledgments for the honour conferred
upon me of drinking my health, in connection with
the Press. No object, I take leave to say, is nearer
my heart than to give satisfaction to my friends ;
and it is a matter of exultation to me to find that
my humble efforts in that direction are not altogether
unsuccessful.
With regard to the Press, gentleman, you do
not require to be informed by me that it is a most
powerful engine. It takes cognizance of peace and
war—of laws, morals, commerce, science, manufac-
tures—of every thing, in fact, that constitutes either
the happiness or the glory of nations.
Is not the Press the chief organ in diffusing that
useful' knowledge which enables the great bulk of
society to form a correct estimate of their several
rights and duties ? Does it not conquer ignorance
and prejudice ? In a word, in the whole range of
civilized life, what have we of greater value than the
press, which by giving an intellectual impulse, has-
tens the progress of improvement, and benefits
society in ten thousand different ways ?
In this sublunary world, to the philosophical eye,
everything is connected by a close link. By Letters
and the Presi, that darkness which for so long a
period benighted mankind, has been removed ; and
the mental energies of the human race have tic:.
quired a force and development which are greatly
auxiliar to the best interests of society. The Press
indeed is identified with the common weal of the
state—it promotes industry, and consequently im-
proves the comforts of individuals, invigorating and
purifying at the same time the whole -noral charac-
ter. Yes, gentlemen, such are among the blessings
which this happy country enjoys, by means of the
Liberty of the Press. May that inestimable. privi-
lege ever characterize the British Empire, I feel
that I have trespassed • upon your patience, Oentle-
men, but I have been carried away insensibly by
the subject before me. I beg you will accept my
best thanks for honouring me with so attentive a
hearing. I with much pleasure fill a bumper glass,
and must sincerely and respectfully drink all your
healths.—(Great applause.)
Several other toasts, usually drank on this occa-
sion-,.were given with spirit from the Chair; and
thus the hilarity and enjoyment of the evening were
protracted till a somewhat late hour.
. " Ride si sapis,"
or as our great Bard expresses it—
" Frame your minds to mirth and merriment,
Which bars u thousand harms, and lengthens life."

WINDSOR, OCT. B.—This forenoon, the
KING, with his household attendants, heard Divine
Service at the new Chapel Royal. The Rev. Mr, say_
mou a officiated. After Divine Service; his MAJESTY took
his usual afternoon's recreation in his phaeton. .A number
of tilted artillery waggons continue to arrive aniost daily
from London, laden with various articles of furniture for
the Castle. Yesterday, tit a quarter past 12 o'clock, the
KING, accompanied by the Lord Steward, and with his
usual retinue of outriders, left the Royal Lodge in an open
carriage, and proceeded to London, where be visited the
Queen of WnwrEmnEao, and after passing some time with
her MAJESTY, Princess AUGUSTA, and the Duchess of
GLOUCESTER, at St. James's Palace, his MAJESTY return-
ed to the Royal Lodge, where he arrived at half-past six
o'clock, and at seven honoured his distinguished attendants
with his company to dinner. The KING will visit the
Queen of Wuntamszac again on Tuesday or. Wednesday
forenoon next, previous to her MAJESTY'S departure. His
MAJESTY enjoys excellent health and spirits. The rumour
of his MAJESTY'S going to Brighton has quite ceased; it
is now said that Cumberland Lodge will be fitted up as a
temporary residence, and where he can, at all times the
weather permits, enjoy his favourite recreation, so bene-
ficial to his health. The KING travelled to and frnin
London on Saturday without any military escort; his 11.1a-
.3estir has declined being attended in future by any military
escort, except upon grand public occasions.