Star.
London, England, 1828-05-29 00:00:00

PITT CLUB.

‘Taaterday. at the City of London Taaern. wit eel,.
brateJ the Anniversary of the Birth of the late Right.
Honourable Wria:sxm PITT. About three hundred,
Noblemen and Gentlemen, Members of the Pitt Club.,
dined together, and so highly distinguished a company'
Ins perhaps never been assembled on a similar occa-
sion. The entertainment commenced about seven
o'clock. Lord SICANIKRSDALIC presided. Anaongst
those present were

The Doke of Wellington, the Sari of Elden, Rarl Bathurst, the.
Varquis of ChieJes, M.P. the Earl of Harevrood, the Earl of,
Aberdeen, the Earl of Glasgow, Lord Kenyon, Lord Rolle, the
Rot Hatiotirableyiettry Gotellidrn M.P. the Right Honourable,
J. C. Haile', M.P. the Right Hinourable Sir George Henry
Rose, ALP. the Bight Honourable Sir George Hill, Bart. M.P.
the Honourable Lloyd Kenyon, the Hon. Edward Cust, M.P.
the Honourable l. Toirinend, M.P. Sir T. S. Gooch, Ban. M.P.
Sir J. D. Miley, Bart._ M.P. 4ir Q. H. Smythe, Ban. M.P. Sir
Thanes Lethbridge, tan. M. Sir John Gibbons, Bart. Sir
Thomas Meshed., 'Bert. Sir .M. Vaughan, M.P. Sir James
Wimatom, Henry Millie', Esq. M.P. J. Taylor. Esq. Alexander
Prater, Esq. John Stuart, Esq. Henry Stuart, Esq. Charles Kerr,
Esq. Mr. Alderritaii Varglirother, Reverend Dr. Bulwer, William
Grant, Esq. William Higgins, Esq. General Peacbey, M. P. G. H.
Sumner, Esq. Thos. Greene, Ping. M. P. filuintin Da. Nqn. M. P.
Iltaxnat Warden, Esq. M.P. John Capri, Esq. M.P. George
Moore, Emil. M.P. Charles Ross, Esq. ALP.' Hugh Dick, Esq.
M.P, Colonel Conyers, Itirerend C. 'Rieke Admiral Sir E. Har-
m, K.C. B. N.P. Colonel Struts, M.P. 'Captain G. P. Rose,
M.P. John tunas, Esq. General Scott, David Clark, Esq. Lieut.-
General Sir SI. Nightingale, K.C. B. M.P. Colonel Wood, M.P.
It. A. Dundas, Esq: M.P. Knees 13arkly, litl. Henry Shank, Esq.
Jahn Fable, risq. William Sairbridge, Esq. John Dodson, Esq.
'lc L W. B. C.lnendetN Esq. Lieutenant-ColoneLTyireen,.W.ll.-
cenwright, M.P. John Relisitd,.Esk. ,J. A. Houblon, Esq.'
It
IF
.S. Wells, .U. Heatheute, 1,41. Sir John Monlock. Sir John
rt. Sir George Thiekef, Bart. 3119 William Fawn's,
Ban. Georg 'Janke', Kit AP. Henry Winchester, Esq. Major
Woad, Rev rend "kitty -Fouls, Re4erenJ C. Tyrrell, Sir John
Tyrrell, Bart. Sir IL Gunning, Bart. It. B. Cooper, Esq. M.P.
W. Veraghan, Esq. Colonel Vatigliati; It. P. Glynn, Rig.
A militiry band played at 'intervals during the im-
tertainnient; and the vo.al department ,was sustained
with the usual ability by 'Messrs. Broadhurst, Charles
Taylor. Hawes, Golden, Leete,,and King. '
On the removal of the cloth. Lord SkiisMensbaLe
said, the first toast I shall have to propose is one which,
as good subjects and loyal subjects; I have no doubt
you wilt receive and chink with those lustiness to which
it is entitled- .
* The •King"—three times three—(Great • apgdause). Air,
* God save the King."
TIWCHAIIII4AN-1 now beg to give you, with three
times thiee. the health of •
e The Duke of Clarence, and the other branches of the Royal
Rimily"--draolt accordingly. Air," Hail, Star of Brunswick."
The CHAIRNIAIt—It is now my duty to propose to
you the toast which at this period it uniformly given at
meetings such' as the present. Before doing so, how.'
ever, 1 shall beg
.permission to say a few words intro-
ductory of it ; and I should certainly think right to
apologise for doing so, were it not that an unbroken
custom in this Club has made it neetssary that I should
Offer one of two remarks—indeed, I should otherwise
ikon any observation in recommending this toast quite
seperfluous. 'Die peiiod of two-ind-twenty years which
has elapsed since the death,of' Mr. Pat has been one of
the most eventful' Iltpt jbe', pets of history records ; but
to dwell upon the occinfences of that period in address.
ag a company, every one of whom must be as well
acquainted with them is I am, would, I should con-
ceive, be extrernely ill judged. •it is well known to all
of you, Gentlemen, that Mr. Pitt was called to the
Councils of hi, King at a very early period of life, and
that sitile,..staturing a plan for putting the finances of
this country upon a footing that could not have failed
*tamely to raise it to the highest pinnacle of • great-j
nets at home and abroad, a war broke out between
as iqg krrinfe. ' It is not for me tb detail to you the,
incemiiiiiiiiis litthat War. 'Mr. Pitt was then Nine;
MitiSte4 and I need scarcely remind you that he bad
Ile *Ring 'difficulties to contend with, and that he
did contend against them with signal success. At
the time he assumed the direction of his Majesty's
Councils he found the army in a state of . dis-
organit &on: I do not mean that disorganization
which proceeds irons 'any want of personal courage
—teethe bravery of British soldiers is what no man
is his senses will be disposed to doubt; but, I say,
that in all-the arrangements which tend to render a na-
tional army formidable to the enemies of its country, he
frond it deplorably inefficient. With these difficulties
be struggled, and fine* by his efforts they were over-
come, until at length the army coming into the hands
of his lase'lloyai Highness the Duke i I York—(great
applause)—it *as brought into a state fit to be com,
nianded by the greatest Captain of - the age—the Noble
Duke who now sits meth" the—(Continued applause).
Mr. fitt•had. 40444 fortune to live long enough
to witness the'Wects of his own prodigious exertions ;
he died the-Victim of ill health, brought on by the mot-
tification lie sustained at seeing. the weak and faithless
conduct of our Allies. He had-not, -I say, the good
fortune to witness the results which ensued upon the
wisdom of his commit's and the blow which the country
sustained at his death was followed ups not long after,
by the strioui illness of his late most Gracious Majesty
Ueerge 111. • Happily the mantle of that Monarch fell
upon h is son the Prince Regent, and he, with a knowledge
of human nature that was most striking, and with that
true love of his country. of which there could not at any
neat .be • the slightest doubt6As(applause)—with that
muteness of intellect, for which all whoever approached
him must have strongly felt—chose Lord Liverpool for
his Prime Minister, and intrusted a high command in
its army" to the Duke of Wellingusn-4-(Applause.).
Undei such auspices,. it was impossible but that the
affairs of the nation should prosper, and they cliff
Prosper accordingly. The fame and the suctesses of our.
°Toy, it was wed known, went on increasing. No one
Who remembers the Peninsular war. but also remembers
lite victorious were our arms in eve: y general action.,
until their tiiamph was easnuninuued in the field of
Woe' loo—(Great applause). You must feel, Gentlemuri2
that I have great difficulty and reluctance in touching
Upon these subjects in the presence of . one whO took lo
distinguished a past in the occurrences to which I al-
lade; but he has so distinguished himself, and it is his.
non acts by which the eulogium which I am .peo-t.
nemeleing ate brought upon him. Ido not step otit.of
my way for the purpose, and it is therefore no fault ol
mine. I repeat, Gentlemen. that Mr. Pitt had not the-
good fortune to witness the glorious termination of that
waggle, which, if he had not so well commenced. it
Would not have terminated so speedily. Bet it may
be aniseed to us to h. opt., that where he now is he may
be permitted to uitness the effects at those principles,
*bich it was the business of his life to sustain and ii-,
Nitrate, and which it is the object of this Association
to preserve, and to cbesish, and to perpetuate. I do
hope, that in his present state of exigence. his disem-
bodied spirit may be pumitted to look upon' passing
events; and if se, it is impossible but chat he must re-
Pod them with great satisfaction. I feel, Gentiemen,
thet X shuts d depart from the line which toy duty pre-
knees were 1 to occupy fitly more of your attentiou
with truths so obvious and so generally admitted, that
it would be almost idle, •under any cirtufloottuttosi to
ottimpe risettiorce them.--still woes idk and idtperti.
/int would it be, under circuteisieltts like the resent,

ad
Nr4

. •

• •
w) en tic Tact of your presence I ere amounts to the fua
admission of tb.'tn, and affords their brit confir motion.
I now plopose't.o Out
" 'the inemci4 the Rite Right Honourable William' Pitt"—
thcee times tbree--(Great misuse).
Ilse next toast, was—" The Navy and Army of the United
Kingdore—three times three.
The CHAIRMAN.theik proposed
`The House of firunpvick, and may they never forget the
principles Which placed then) upon the Throne of these Realms."
Upon which great applause ensiled. *hen is had nearly subsided,
Lord Ectocim cried" Once satire'!" ind the cheers were enthusias-

deadly renewed.
The CitAtasuria—The 'Manner in which you received
the last toast, •convinces me that neither you, nor the
House of BrunsWick, Will ever forget the principles
hich seated that Instrictits VamilyNyon the Throne,
and therefore I can easily anticipate with what degree
of satisfaction yoi; will receive the neitt toast, which it
is my duty to propose to yoo. namely--" The Protes-
tant Ascendancy."—(Drunk with immense applause).
The CHAIRMAN-+I must now crave your indulgence
for a few minute,, while I propose to you the health of
his Majesty's Ministers. At the last Meeting of this
Club, the Government of this country was intrusted to
hands, of 0 hich the present company, I belieie, did not
altogether approve—in whom, at least, they did not
place implicit faith. On this subject I wish not todilate
much further. and I trust you will excuse Me. When
you recollect that the then head of that AdMinistration
was my early and private friend; and though My dif-
ferences from him on political subjects were strong loth
-decided, they certainly were not of a character to dis
ftersonfl friend4hlp,, UnderthOte circumttanceso
I trust you will feel I am not ,caned.-uppn to enter.
into invidious comparisons.- I. shall thilefote pass to
more aweeable topics the present constituent': of
the King's Government ; a Government, I. will say,
possessing nut only the confidence of this Club,
bUt of the nation at large. How can it be otherwise
than that a ver y large majority of the inhabitants of this
country should yield to it unblended confidence, coin-
pos-d a• it i, of the•men•whom I now ve around nui?
Kh-n I see at its head the Noble Duke who led the
arttues of England vie oriuusly ever a great part of the..
Condo-nt. where they met and overcame some of the
most highly distiplined 'troops in the world, how can I
doubt that they possess that confidence? And how can{

i for a moment doubt that that confidence is well be-
stoWed, when I we on my right hand a member of that
Government, a Noble E.rl bred up in the • school of
Pin, venerating his character, and inheriting his princi-
plea' Again, can I doubt that that confidence is well
bestowed, when I know that there is also included
within the pitsent Cabinet such a man as the present
Secretary of State for the Home Department—who, I
am instructed to say, would have telt great pleasure in
'being het on the piesent occasion, had he not been un-
avoidably prevented i one who, young as be is, his
performed many and great public services, and were
they confined to the simplification and consolidation of
the criminal la,v, he would have been eminently entitled
to the gratitude of his country ? Also my belief in the
existence and excellent foundation.of that confidence is'
increased, when 1 see it this table the Noble Earl, the
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; when also we
have such a Chancellor of the Exchequer—one who,
when he was Minister for Leland, conciliated that coun-
try as far as it was possible for any person to conciliate
it. There is likewise the Master of the Mint. With
such men. who can doubt its principle, or Who is there
can avoid hoping success? The Noble Duke now placed
at its head, has by this time most probably discovered
that peace and quiet are not synonymous terms ; bit I
trust the time is not distant, when by hit aid we shall,
enjoy not only.peace abroad, but (Wet at home; and I
sincerely trust that he will be enabled to apply the leisure
which the pacific condition of Europe now permits, to
that domestic pacification of which we are notv to mulch,
in want.

" The health of Ms Majesty's Ministers" was thee drank *id
lone and reiterated cheering.
The Duke of WaLLitrovon—l beg leave, Gentle-
Men, on mr &Ora behalf and that of my colleagues, to
return you my most warm and grateful thanks for the
manner in which our names have been received, and to
assure you, Gentlemen, that it is our wish, as it will be
our duty, so to conduct ourselves as to merit your ail:
probation. In contemplating timbre of that great man
whose character and fame it is ttie business of this day
to commemorate, I cannot but observe, that his priaci•
pies were the principles of the Constitution, and that
the history of his life, when examined, proves to be no-
thing less than the application of those principles to the
interest and benefit of the country; and that every act
of that life tended to defend the Constitution and the
world from the misery with which at that time it was
threatened and assailed. Then, Gentlemen, with perfect
sincerity I can assure you that it is my intention and that
of my Noble and Right Hon. Colleagues to uphold those
,principles, and through, as we trust, their successful
operation, to proniote the security, prosperity, and hap-
.piness of the country. Tunes arid circumstances may
change, but I trust at no time, and under ho circum•
stances, will his Majesty ever be in a situation where he
may not find men from whom he may select servants,
capable and willing to imitate that great man whose
memory we are assembled to honour—(lsoud applause)
—and though we be now placed in circumstances far
different from those in which he stood, I hope that my
Noble Colleagues and myself miy venture to pursue
the course that in similar circumstances he would have
preferred, and to follow those principlei of which he
has set us so noble an example—(Long and continued
cheering)."
' The Cliftitailitir said, that the toast be had next. to
proposelp-them was.one to which the speech they had
just heard,Stons.the Noble Duke was an admirable pre-
&ice ;I,o4'aiiiiidingly, in introducing it to their notice,
biefrras saieid the necessity of making a•siagle observa-
icift.'-. The toast

ri: try.th. raTeskwilhilthettuaualwalaZontaounirmas atnedtmlieuceek
apenpelialsuseof
Th/OenArawas--Gentlemen, the next toast is one
whie'h Tenstwill think standing. but in silence. It is,
-. •IN:Tise Memory eellis late Royal Highness Ike Duke of York."
~..:Drunk aceosilingly.
• The Caa;amasa--The task which I have now • to
perform! is. line most grateful to my feelings--it is to
propose the health of an early Friend to the Pitt Club.—
one to whoa' it is under many obligations—one to whom
the country At large is under many obligations, as well
for his conduct as a Peer, and as a Member of his Ma-
jesty's
.Government, as for the exercise of his talents
and learning as a Judge in the Court of Chancery—
(Applause). I now propose to you the health of the
Earl of Eldon—Drunk with three times three. .
Lord ELDON—I really, my Lords and Gentlemen,
feel extremely embarrassed in attempting to give ade-
quate expressiin to the feelingi which have been ex-
cited in my breast by the very gracious manlier in-
which you have been pleased to receive the mention or
my name. I was an early Member of this Club, •and
As long as life is spared to me I shall feel it my duty to,
attend its Meetings. Be assured that I will attend its
Meetings on every occasion when I am not destitute of
strength to do so. For twenty.two years have I been
it bleiaber and a constant attendant of your Meetings.

•
I have been so for m . minus reasons. Ent, 1 recollected
the personal sa;Atitetde excited in my breast by the
kiodness that great man, whose faire and prin-
ciples it is our object to'. perpetuati. I attended
these meetiOgs,. tint only because I thought it my
duty as, an individual, 'bin beans, I thought it
a duty impoied on me as it member of that great so-
ciety on which Mr. Pitt had conferred such great and
lasting benefits. 1 attended theth alsO TOT another rea•
son—l cdriceive that meetings of thik kitia aye of great
public benefit ; for not only do they keep 'alive certain
political principles, but they transmit the sentiments of
the generation which is passing away to that which is
rising into existence. 'The; excite in young men st•
feeling of sympathy with their seniors, and impart to
youth somewhat of the experienie of age. Can any'
man whose heart beati with attachment to his country,
attend a meeting such as this, without being conscious
that generous sited really patriotic sentiments find their
best organ and depository in an Asiociation such as the
present? It is upon principles such as these that • 1
solemnly declare my intention. so long as sou gives
me life and sttength, never to be absent from your
meetings. I humbly repeat, that whilst I have exist
ence, you will never find me an absentee. Having no%
said all, and perhaps more thin was sufficient, respecting
myself, i will try to make a single observation or two
respecting the illustrious inditriduil whose memory we
are assembled to honour. No man who ever ekisted'ha4
a more intimate acquaintance with his political senti-
ments than I had. I had a thorough acqtaintance with
his sentiments on every subject:"And I should be want.,
dog In truths did I not assure you that one great difb.
malty which he always had to contend with was, is
collyisick hiiihelf that he was bound in duty to put
thoip.re,t4ctions upon kivil liberty, by which alone that
kOuld be saied; lb ihi tithes When he lived.
There. was one great grinciple of the English Constitu
tion vtlitch this nation had the good sense to submit, to,
but that was one which helad the utmost teluctance in
prOOrsing to Parliameiit, namely, the suspension of our
townies for a time, in order that we might keep them.
in existence for ever. I now speak to many individuals
hardly old enough to rememberrinf their.own knowledge,
the occurrences which took place in this cduntry,t nd in
Europe genes ally, from the ear 1788 to 1798. , And I
consider it a great Inistortune.f.hat they are not suffi-
ciently remembered. It witsin.that period that he and
the other friends of civil and religiinls liberty took upon
themselves, through evil report and 'through good re•
port, the heavy responsibility of suspending, for a brief
period, the fulness of freedom which this country en-
joys, in order that. the same tnight be preserved for ever.
In doing this, I perhaps need not assure the present
company. at this time of diy, that we were solely in-
fluenced by considerations of duty ; and that had similar
occasion's arisen in after times, we should !cave fearlessly
puisuecra similar course. During that great struggle
I professed myself, as 1 do now, to be merely the hum-
ble disciple of that great man; though in common with
him and others of my superiors, I was exposed during
the priod of which I speak, to every species of abuse.
tlnt, I trust that those civil and religious righti which
we were then instrumental in sustaining, may flourish
so long ai this country nista. In the observations which
I have now submitted to you, you will perceive
I have been merely applying myself to the past situa•
tion of the country. But to speak more imme-
diately of its present situation, I would say. that
never did tidy man more heartily or more cordially join
than I do: in the expression of an earnest hope, that
.things are now settled upon a satisfactory basis, that
confidence and hope wilt be restored to every friend of
the Constitution, that all will yet be right, and Great
Britain become %hat she ought to be.
The Noble Earl here sat down amid lotitcheetar
which had accompanied the whole of his speech. .4.
The Cuazahtiut thku proposed the health of a distioguithed meno
but (lithe Club. the Duke et •WaLumcrow.—Drunk with three
dais. three, With great applause.

The Duke of MILLINGTON—In offering to you my
warmest thanks for the highly gratifying manner in
which you have been pleased to receive the toast just
proposed by my Noble Friend, I assure you I have telt
highly honoured by the favourable reception which has
at all tines awaited me in this Club ; and I can follow
up the promise of frequent attendance made by another
Noble Friend on my left, by saying that I shall have
great pleasure in being present at your meetings as fre-
quently as my other avocations will permit. tnnw beg
leave to call your attention to a point on which I expect
the fullest sympathy throughout the meeting. I allude
to the obligations we are under to the Noble Lord who
has io ably presided over the present entertainment—
who has conducted himself in that chair with so much
talent, and who has evinced through a long political
course unshaken attachment to the principles of Pitt.
It now,. only remains for me to propose the health of
our worthy President.—Drunk with three times three.
• The CHAIRMAN declared, that he was quite at a loss
to Sin jtsitice to the feelings with which the present oc•
cation inspired him. The Noble Duke had well described
him as a. steady and unshrinking supporter of the prin.
cip:es of Pitt!- He had beenin public life between thirty-
tWer and thirty-three years. He and his lather before
him had been steady in their attachment to their great
leader. To use rather a homely expression, he was a
decided old Tory—(Applause) He would now propose
tOthem,
14 The health the Earl of llarewond, who certainly, be be.
lievetl; would feel but little flattered on being called a Whig."—
Drank with three times three.

The Earl of liaitawoon returned many thanks for
the Measlier in which his'health had been received. • In
meetings of that kind it was not usual wholly to omit
political topics, and in the short notice which he might
feel himielt called on to take of such subjects, he would
endeavour to promote as far as possible the good
humour which then so happily prevailed. The last
time hr had the pleasure of addressing them, it was ob-
served that he must be • very fastidious man indeed,
who could not find among the then Administration a
person in whom he could safely place confidence, and
yet he believed that the Club was fastidious enough not
to place very great confidence in that Government.
And he thought that circumstances which had since oc-
curred fully warranted the sentiments then entertained.
He tOosideied associations of that nature as of high
political importance ; and he did so the more, especially
when he recollected that hundreds nay thousands,
were occupied as they were. He thought such institu-
tions of great value in every point of view they brought
men together not otherwise likely to be connected—
they produced interchange of sentiment, and .promoted
sympathy and good understanding. As to the present
Administration, he would say but one word. He looked
with great confidence to the enlightened views and
straight forward and manly dealing of the. Noble Duke
At its head. He would say, as his oiria pricitte. opinion,
that he considered that distinguished individual a,
placed' in circumstances of great difficulty. But be
sincerely trusted, that au able, efficient, and...united Ad-
ministration would crown his efforts for the public good.
TM nett tout was, “ Ta. Duke di Atbol sad tilt Pitt Club of
Scotland."
The Earl of GLASGOW returned thanks.

!: •

•
• . '
• The next tnast war LcrJ Kum and arty Piet waiek
His LONDIMIP, in returning thanks, said be had greet
pleasure. in noticing the (avowable mewing, Pt t
Club. of Wales, the more especially as the Principality
'ent into their body many distinguished Members—
An
glesey. Combermerc, and Piston.
• The Clualtssax then prdp&nt—s, The Landed ind Com:wrest
Interests, and may they be toe ever oohed."
The Era of ELDON—I was alawyer for many ;years,
though I have. for some time reared practice. Still I '
may venture to.givean. opinion, that twenty-two yeas
undisturbed pOsseision constitUtes something like a
legal title. • Now tbere is one pleas.de,)f
giving which has been my teclusi,e 'prnpeety forld
years, and I shall not allow any other person to pm
pose it until you tell me I must not do so. The toast
is ." Prosperity and perpetuity to the Pitt
The company then separated, after as evening spent apiattaily
to their entire satisfaction.