Star.
London, England, 1823-10-01 00:00:00

THE INAUGURATION DINNER.

This splendid entertainment was attended by a highly
respectable assemblage ; among whom we noticed—
The Lord Mayor, the Lord Mayor Elect, Lord F.rskine, the
Right lion. George Canning, the Right. Han. W. Iluskisson, the
lion. George Lamb, J. l'lanta, Egg. T. Wilson, Esq. Sir. C.
flower, Bart. Sir T. Bell, Aldermen &holey, Wood-, Annesley,
Thorpe, Magnay, Brown, Venables, Garratt, Thompson, Lucas,
and Key, the Recorder, and other Law Officers of the City, &c.
The Hall, which is spacious and handsome, was
decorated with great taste, and not less than 180 per-
scns sat down to the dinner, which consisted of all the
delicacies of the season.
At six o'clock the LORD MAYOR took the Chair. On
his right sat the Lord Mayor elect (Mr. WAITHMAN),
Lord EasKINE, the Hon. GEORGE LAME, M.P. and se-
veral other public characters : on hii left sat the R_ight
Hon. GEORGIC CANNING, M.P. Mr. MAMMON, M.P.
J. PLANTA (the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs)„
and several of the Aldermen of the City of London.—
The extremities of the principal table were occupied by
the new Sheriffs. Amongst the company we observed
several foreigners cif distinction ; Professor SCHLEGEL
was of the number.
As soon as the ciath was removed, Non Nobis Domine
was sung in a solemn manner, by Messrs. Pirtle, Broad-
hurst, And Master Barnet.

The usual toasts of the King, and the rest of the Royal
family followed, and were received with the usual de-
monstrations of respect.
The LORD Nlaxon then proposed the health of Lord
EAine, whose name was connected with the history of
t:cir country, and whose presence he had no doubt they
would appreciate iu a suitable manner—(Applause).
Lord ERSKINE, in returning thanks, briefly remarked
that he had a pond recollection of his early connexion
with the city of London, and should never fail to ap-
preciate the value of the services of his fellow-citizens
upon every occasion in which their independent efforts'
were called into action.

The LORD Marcia next proposed the health of the
Lord Mayor elect (Nfr.Witithrnan). In doing so he con-
gratulated the City upon the total absence of party feel-
ing which characterized the late election. It was a wel-
come presage of that sense of general propriety which
established the necessity of merging all considerations
purely personal or plitical, in the predominant neces-
sity of securing for the citizens of London an able and
efficient Chief Magistrate—(Applause). He had a long
knowledge of his lion. Friend (Mr.Waithman), and he
was convinced that be would be found to discharge his
duty as became the Chief Magistrate of the city of Lon-
don. He (Mr. Heygate) had had the advantage of fill-
ing it in peaceful times, and he had the satisfaction of
bequeathing the same advantage of time to his successor.
Mr. Waithman's health was drank with great applaule.,
Mr. WA 111111 A 24, in returning thanks said, that he at-
inowledged with great satisfaction the honour now done
him, as well as the flattering manner in which the Court
of Aldermen had conducted the election. He assured
them of His determination to support, as far as he could
support it,-the independence and integrity of the City of
London, and to do so with the utmost impartiality-
-4 Applause). At the same time that he should ever be
found, regardless of political differences, to sustain the
impartial character of his magisterial office, he hoped
that the good sense of Isis fellow-citizens would not
suppose that, either on their part, or upon his own, he
abandoned that right of free opinion which was an in-
herent right in every British subject, and which grew
out of the essence of their Constitution.,—(Applause.)
The LORD MAYOR then proposed the health of the
Right Hon. George Canning, who bad honoured them
with his presence at their festival—a Minister who was
not only distinguished by possessing the approbation of his
colleagues in office, but ilso of havingucquired the cor-
dial support of the great majority of the people of the
country at large, That Right Hon. Gentleman had
just returned ftotn a tour in the northern part of the
country, in the course of which he (the Lord Mayor)
was confident that he found at every step additional
cause of satisfaction at the prosperity of the manufac-
turing interests, and the general growth of'the popula-
tion of the country. He saw, no doubt, an attestation, if
any were wanted, of the truth, that in peace the com-
merce and manufactures of the country could flourish,
and a complete refutation of the exploded notion, that
war was necessary to invigorate the resources or inge-
nuity of the people—(Applause). It was quite clear,
from every day's experience, that nothing was more
condu:ive than peace to the prosperity of the manufac-
tures and commerce of the country. He hoped that
the Right Hon. Gentleman would find the same spirit
and prosperity in the City of London that he had in his
northeratour, and with it the prevalence of 'those sen-
timents of loyalty and affection, without which, they
'could fail to preserve that just rank and station in the
eyes of the world, which had made them so justly pre-
eminent—(Loud applause). He concluded by proposing
st Nr. Canning's health," which was drank with three
liMeg threes
Mr, CANNING, in returning thanks, said it was im-
possible for him adequately tO express his thanks to the
company for the testimony which on the present occa-
sion they had borne to his public conduct—a testimony
which, from the rank and respectability of those who
slid him the honour to confer it, might be deemed as
not .unreasonably embodying the sentiments of that
great and integral portion of his Majesty's subjects, the
Citizens of London—(Applause). He bad, in the dis-
c'iarge of his poblic duty, the high gratification of
baring .the approbation of his Sovereign ; to this was
added the sustaining suppot t of the Parliament ; but
great as were these testimonials of supperi, they were
i t:ornplete and ineffectual, without that other acknow.-
- Ittigment which he was proud to receive—the co-ope-
ra:mii and approbation of his fellow-citizens at large-
-4 Laud applause.) The Lord Mayor had truly said, that,
d fficult as had been the period at which he (Mr. Can-
ning) had been called to till office, he bad nevertheless
the satidication to find the City of London pursuing a
sliate of great and glorious pi osperity. He had the very

great satisfaction 'to 'know, not only that such prosperity
prevailed, but that it was founded upon sound and per-
manent principles of commercial economy—that from
the very nature of its organization and action, it was
not liable to the vicissitudes which had previously
swayed it, and was better calculated to acquire a steady)
and permanent value. He also agreed with the Lord,
Mayor elect (Mr, Waithman) in the full admission that
every man in the community, whatever 'might be his
situation or office, had a full right to the honest expres-
sion of his sentiments, in such manner as becomes an
honest and independent man—(Ckeers). The Constitution
of England rested on the balance of power between the
several bodies of the State. These could only be main-
tained by giving a fair scope to the conflicting opinions
of the county; and they, like all public men honestly
contending for the public interests, must be sensible that
however present feelings might prompt them to extreme
struggles, their only object—what they meant to accom-
plish—was the public good, according to their respec-
tive sense of its best interests. The real ground of dis-
putation was not the maintenance of the Constitution—
upon that they were all agreed; but the means of sup-
porting 'it, and with it the dignity and independence
of the country. (s. aw.nost all other countries but
Great Britain, natiuns were of late times found at war
upon extreme principles. This country had abstained
from participating in those inflammations, from a fear
of immediately aggravating them by a useless and an
unnecessary intermixture with their passions and their
wants. They had taken what he trusted would eventu-
ally prove the wiser course---they bad by their wiser po-
licy shewn, that however heretofore it might have been
deemed that war and commercial prosperity went hand
in hand, it remained for them to exhibit to the world
the admiring spectacle of commerce growing with gene-
ral peace, and by the more natural and calmer operations
of universal friendship and confidence—(Applause)
He cordially trusted that such a state of things would
be found progressively advancing, and that the time of
the new Mayoralty would, like the past, pass away in
one uninterrupted struggle to promote and perpetuate
such blessings, and to evince at its close the same grati-
fying result. He cordially hoped that the succeeding
Lord Mayor would enjoy the good fortune, and imitate
the example of his predecessor, and like him, have to
'conclude the period of his civic service as Chief Magis-
trate with the same gratifying recital—(Applause). He
could not conclude without testifying the respect he bore
to the City of London, by proposing the health of its
present Chief Magisti ate, and prosperity to the City.
The LORD NATOR expressed the high sense he enter-
tained of this distinguished compliment, and begged to
propose the health of another distinguished guest, who
was a member of his Majesty's Government—he meant
'the Right Honourable Mr. Huskisson, the President of
the Board of Trade. Mr. Huskisson's health was drank
with loud applause.
Mr. Husxtssoo, in returning thanks for this distin-
guished mark of civic attention, which, he begged to
assure them, he did with a deep sense of its value, de-
clared, that as President of the Board of Trade, to which
office he had been lately promoted, he felt peculiarly
such a mark of confidence and respect ; for he received
it as the compliment of that portion of a large mercantile
community, which might be fairly said to represent the
great and comprehensive interests of the commerce of
the country at large—(Applause). He feat, that his only
claim for such a compliment, and his only chance of
continuing to deserve it, arose, and must depend upon
his devoting his best efforts to make the general trade
of the country as prosperous as its great resources enti-
tled it to be made; knowing that at every step the City
of London must derive a great sit* of such prosperity
(Applause). They had of late years to arrange a state
of .business which grew out of the somewhat novel situ-
ation of a state of peace. During the war they had
made great commercial efforts, and had seen them often
affected by the powerful arrangements of a tyrant, who
directed all his energies against the commerce, the iscle-
pendence, and the rights of this country; but the
spirit and enterprise of the British merchant rose su-
perior to all these attacks; he held his ground, and
was now deriving the benefit of his perseverance.—
During the late calamitous war, it became necessary for
the Government to interpose a variety of commercial
°mations, which were only suited to the exigency of the
times. On the restoration of peace, they paved'the way
for a commercial system better adapted for the situation
of the country; andlong, he trusted, would that career
of peace enable them to cultivate and pursue a pacific
system—{Applause)—such a system as would give to
trade the freest scope, and the most ample security. To
promote and cultivate such measures would be his in-
' oessant duty, because he was convinced that upon their
realization depended the commercial prosperity of the
eountry—(Great applause).
The LORD MAYOR. next, in a complimentary speech,
proposed the health of the Sheriffs, to whose hospitality,
they were indebted for the entertainment they had en-
joyed—ltoad cheering).—The toast was welcomed with
very great applause.
Mr. Sheriff WUITTALER, in returning thanks, said,
it could not but be truly gratifying to an individual to
have his name received with such marked approbation
as his had been that evening, by the respectable persons
who then surrounded him, and he. begged to assure
them that he cordially felt the honour they had con-
ferred upon him. There were, he knew, many Gentle-
men present, who had filled the high and important
office which his colleague and himself were just entering
upon with credit to themselves and advantage to that
great City. Their example should be his constant guide,
and should he successfully follow it, he was sure the
same reward would be given to him when he retired
from the office, unworthily, he feared, bestowed on him
—a reward which, of all others, he set the greatest value
on—the esteem and approbation of his fellow-citizens—
(Cheers). He thanked them for their company at this
entertainment. To the Right Hon. Gentlemen present
his thanks were peculiarly due, and he should ever re-
flect with pride, that his inauguration had been graced
by the presence of two such eminentmen,alike
capacious talents, and for their distinguished
considera-
tion in the State —(C'h eats). for their
Mr. Sheriff LAURIE returned thanks in a speech of
some length, in which he detailed his reasons for form-
ing a voluntary connection with the City of London.
Both Sheriffs were warmly applauded.
t until a late hour in the festive enjoyment of
Several other civic toasts were given, and the com-
pany sa
civic hospitality.

The schooner lately purchased by Sir WILLIR*I
CURTIS, is now in dry dock, undergoing the necoa,l
sary reparation, preparatory to the worthy Baronet'
embarkation for Naples, to which' place, by the advice
of his Physicians, he will shortly repair, to remain duritig
the winter season.