Evening star., 1896-07-09
D1NED THE AMERICANS.
Hospitality to the BOstOntans Ii


Hospitality to the BostOnfans In
London.
The officers Of the Ancient and Honorable
Artillery Company of Boston dined with
the company Of Fishmongers in London
yesterday, an ancient and one OF the
wealthiest of London guilds. The principal
officers Of the Honorable Artillery Com
pany of London were also guests OF the
company. Both the Boston officers and the
Londoners were in full uniform.
The guests numbered $50, including Gen.
Sir Evelyn Wood, Quartermaster general or
the army; many prominent merchants and
city men.
The banquet was held in the ancient hall
Of the company, about which the new guild
house, erected in 1881, has been built, over
looking London bridge. The hall Is hung
with the armorial bearings of former prime
wardens. and the ancient banners OF the
company.
The toasts at the banquet were few, and
were sandwiched in between songs, stories,
etc. After the usual loyal toasts had been
drunk, the prime warden toasted the navy,
the army and the reserve forces. Major
General Lloyd. deputy adjutant general, re-
sponded to the toast. He said that 1t was
a great honor to meet the members of a
sister service from the other side Of the
Atlantic. (Cheers) He expressed the be-
lief that should bitter time ever come,
Great Britain would more probably be
found side by side with the great American
nation (cheers) than face to face with it.
Sir Howard Vincent, conservative mem
Der OF parliament for Sheffield, also replied
to the toast of the auxiliary forces. He
said he was glad to have the honor of
meeting the Boston guests, and he re-
gretted their short stay. Then, turning to
Col. Walker, he assured him that they
would carry home the most affectionate
feeling of every volunteer in Great Britain.
(Cheers)
Sir Howard Vincent continued as follows:
Should danger threaten US, we feel GER
tain that you would be found our side.
And when you return to your homes in
Massachusetts,, you must remember the
hearty welcome you have received here,
and you may paraphrase the song we have
just sung by saying, 'Hark. the Echoes of
Our English Home -
The prime warden then toasted the An
cient and Honorable Artillery Company Of
Boston. He referred to their long and hon
orable career, and bade them a hearty well
come, and hoped that such occasions would
make kind the two nations. His toast was
drunk by all standing and amidst three
cheers.
Col. Walker responded on behalf Of the
Boston company. He was received with a
great outburst of cheering. and he return
ed sincere thanks, not only on behalf Of his
corps, but also in behalf of Massachu-
setts, of Boston and of "the great Ameri-
can nation" for their cordial welcome
He referred to the enthusiastic departure
of the Ancients from Boston, and said:
Grand as that was, it was no grander
than the reception on this side, showing
that way down underneath politics the
hearts of the two peoples are closely knit,
and are eating with the same feelings and
instincts, reaching back to Runnymede
and the great charter to the English race
We are here tonight as our right We be-
long here. (Cheers)
Blood is thicker than water, but thicker
than blood are our common language and
the customs and faith Of the race Moth
Ing has touched me more than the welcome
accorded US by the grand army and navy
Of old England
Col. Walker concluded by assuring his
hearers that II they crossed the water they
would be welcomed with open arms. 1--WE
are one race" he said, "of one creed and
are one people" Vociferous applause.)
A number of Bostonians dined with the
artillery mess at Woolwich. Others dined
at the Criterion, in Piccadilly, from which
point they went to Earls Court, There
were 800 other members of the Boston
company and the ladies ACCOMMODATING
who sat down to the banquet at the Cri-
terion. Sergt. Oussey of the Honorable Ar
tillery Company of London presided The
toasts and speeches were short, but elo-
quent, and were greeted with enthusiasm
Col. Smith of Boston called for -hree
cheers for the President, which were gwen
standing up and with tumultuous applause
The Bostonians will leave Waterloo sta
ton on special train today, and will pro
ceed to Aldershot, where they will witness
sham fight, and afterward 1900 troops
will march past in review.
The Bostonians will then take lunch at
the Government House. as the guests of
the Marquis of Lansdowne, secretary of
state for war.