Star.
London, England, 1823-10-03 00:00:00

THE DINNER TO THE POOR.

By twelve o'clock, from the admirable arrangements '
of the Committee, the members of which were most
assiduous in their exertions, the tables for the reception
of the poor people were completely spread, and a most
pleasing and tasteful display they made. The tables
were arranged on each side of the street close to the
kirb stone, and below the market-place they were in
double lines. They were about four feet wide, and were
covered with homely white cloths, tacked on so as to
perent any irregularity. The dinner consisted of roast
and boiled beef, roast veal and ham, and roast and boiled
mutton, together with an abundant supply of baked
plum pudding. For each guest a plate was laid, on
which were placed a twopenny loaf, a lettuce, and an
onion ; there were also small mugs for wine, and larger
4or beer, together with salt-sellan and mustard-pots suf-
ficient for the accommodation of all. In the centre of
tee streets, at intervals, were ran'ed barrels of beer,
which was distributed without anylimit as to quantity.
The Committee, in order to avoid any confusion, had
each taken upon himself the office of carver to a certain
number, and came prepared with a carving knife and
fork to perform the task which be had undertaken. In
lact, nothing was omitted which could in any way contri-
bute to the comfort and happiness of the humble guests.
—lndependent of the provisions to which we have al-
luded, theox and sheep roasted in Batchelor? Acre
-formed conspicuous dishes in the Feast. The ere, the
'roasting of which was completed. during the night, was
regularly dissected by butchers, and placed in small
pieces on different dishes, with a ticket containing the
word Ox, to distinguish it from the other viands. The
Baron of the ox, decorated with roses, laurel Iraves,andi
various flowers and green.foliage, was placed about the
centre of the tables, opposite the Church, attended by
two butchers in white :jackets, who afterwards carved
it; and the head of the animal was at the top of one
of the tables nearest the Castle, and like the boars head
in the banquets of olden times, was calculated rather to
please the eye than the I elate. The sheep were placed
Whole at the heads of two tables, and were likewise dis-
%ester by butchers, in a regular and methodical manner.
We ought also to state, that all the disherof meat were
,earnished with parsley, w ith as much taste and attention'
to neatness as might have been expected at one of our
most fashionable d4eunis.
The important raorneut for the arrival ei the guest

at length approached, and persons, many of them most
respectably attired, of all ages, and of both sexes, Were
seen taking their seats according to the number of the
tickets with which they had been provided, in the most
orderly manner. Whole families were seen placed to-11
gether with joyous countenances and buoyant hearts
and not the least interesting part of the spectacle was
the arrival of about five hundred children, belonging to
the different schools of the town, who were placed at
the tables immediately opposite the Church, and were
attended by the Members' Committee with a truly pa-
rental kindness.

It is impossible to imagine a more gratifying and de-
lightful scene than that which was now presented, and
it ts but just to say, that on no former occasion did we
witness such perfect decorum among all classes which
were assembled.

At one o'clock the band of the Royal Horse Guards
(Blue) marched up the town, playing The Roast Beef of
Old England. On arriving at Oa table where the Baron
of the Sr was placed, they halted, and played God Save
the King, and at the same instant the joy bells struck
off, and a royal salute was fired in Batchelore Acre.

•
The band then again advanced, renewing The Roast
Beef of Old England, and finally returned to the centre
of the tables, where they continued to play during din-
ner. At half-past one the signal of attack was given by
bugles from each end of the street, and the company

. _
commenced their meal with the zest of good appetites
and cheerful hearts.

The younger branches of the company, who had
anxiously watched for this moment, were kindly at-
tended to by the Gentlemen•carvers—

" Who pressed the little strangers to their food,
And leaned the luxury of doing good."
The following toasts were drank during dinner :
" The King, GOD bless him," with four times four.
" The itnyal Family," with three times three.
" Prosperity to Windsor," with three times three.
" The Mayor and Corporation," with three times three.
" The Subscribers to the Dinner," with three times three.
" The land we live in," with three times three.
Each Committeeman being provided with a list of the
toasts, announced them to his table at the proper sea-
sons—and the cheers were hearty and simultaneous.
Among the munificent gifts on the occasion was a
present of wine from Mr. Aurrtsr, the wine-merchant,
in the town, who gave to each individual about two
glasses of wine, and this was distributed when the health
of the KING was proposed.
About the middle of the dinner, a party from the
Castle, including the Marquis of CONYNOHAM, Lord
Furs, Sir EDMUND NAGLE, Lord GRAVES, General
Humus, General BOLTON, and Colonel THORNTON,
passed through the centre of the party, and seemed de-
lighted with the happiness which everywhere prevailed.
The whole feast was not brought to a conclusion till
half-past three o'clock, when the guests departed, grate-
ful for the boons bestowed upon them, and sincerely
wishing long life and happiness to that Sovereign, to
whose residence among them they were indebted for so
, hospitable an entertainment.
In the feast of this day there was nothing of the gross-
ness which on similar occasions we have sometimes wit-

nessed. The native and sterling good qualities of the
peasants were displayed in observing the greatest order;
and though all sat down to table with the seasoning of
the best sauce, hunger, there was no scrambling. This
must strongly illustrates the benefits arising from pro-
moting occasionally a cordial intercourse between the
different grades of society. On the whole, we never re-
collect to have been present on an occasion so calculated
to gratify and call into action the more benevolent and
amiable feelings of human nature. Indeed this was visi-
ble on the faces of the Nobility and Gentry, who sat in
their carriages or on horseback near the gate of the
Castle to witness the festivity and good humour which
reigned around. Some were induced to descend, and
parade along the line of tables, examining the goodness
of the cheer, and in some cases condescending to partake
of the ale. Amongst those whom we observed in the
crowd were the Marquis of CONYWOHAM, Lord Foe,
Lord ertuvas, Sir EDMUND NAOLF, and General BOL-
TON. who were escorted through the crowd by Sir
RICMAaD BIRNIE, and who expressed themselves highly
gratified by the judicious arrangements made.
PUBLIC DINNER IN THE TOWN HALL

At six o'clock, about a hundred and eighty per
sons sat down to dinner in the Town Hall, the MAYOR
in the Chair. Among the guests we noticed Mr. RAMS-
sorrou, one of the Members for the Borough, and his
son ; Sir RICHARD Blame, who had been specially in-
vited, and some of the most respectable inhabitants of
the town. This Hall is distinguished for containing
some admirable portraits of the Sovereigns of England;
but that of his present Mums', painted by Sir THO•
MAR LAWRENCY, and presented to the Corporation some
months back, is the most conspicuous. It is fixed at the
top of the Hall, and on this occasion attracted particu-
lar attention. On the cloth being removed, Non Nobis
Domino was sung by Messrs. Hawes, Terrail,
Fitzwil-
liam, and two of the young Gentlemen of St. Georges
Chapel Royal, Masters Wesley and Farndell, with effect.
The CHAIRMAN then gave the following toasts:—
" The King, and may he long eny and. honour with
his presence the noble Castle of Windsor."—With four
times four. This toast was drank with great enthu-
siasm, and was followed by the Anthem of God save
the King," in full chorus.—" His Royal Highness the
Duke of 'York, High Steward of this Borough," with
three times three.—Glee, " Great Apollo, strike the
Lyre."...." Our Royal Neighbour, the Princess Augusta,"
with three times three.
Glee—s Oh my love's like the red red rose."—This Glee was
song in the mast delightful manner.
" The remaining branches of the Royal Family," with 5 times S.
Glee-"" Ole/ions Apollo."
44 The Army and Navy," with three times three.
" Rule, Britannia."
Majesty's Ministers. and may the present transuillity of
the country be long presaved," with three times three.
" The Coronation," by Mr. Fitswilliam.
The Osamu, nest proposed the health of " The Marquis of
Ceoyogham." with three times three.
Glee—as The bright morning star comes dancing from the east."
" Sir W. Knighton, lists." with three times three.
flang—" The Girl that loves a Sallor"....TerralL
Mr. RAMSROTTON, after adverting to the services• of
the Mayor and Corporation of this ancient Borough,
both on the present and on all former occasions, pro-
posed their health, with three tunes three.—Drank with
enthusiasm.
The MAYOR returned thanks in a short but appro-
priate speech, on behalf of himself and his brethren.
He concluded by proposing the' health of Mr. RAMS•
BOTTOM, and all the Gentlemen present—which himself
and the other Members of the Corporation drank with
three times three.
G... lee" The Red Craw Kaivate
tie remainder of the evening 'was spent in the
greatest conviviality and harmony, and the company
did outbreak up till HUM hour.