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The idea was well intended bv ^'**™> ™™ & ¦ ffiW " ^^^ S ' Tom 4 ^ fe 2 S SS SE SBS ^ ^^ -B ^ w ^ e ^ ovided with a 6 Wr ia the buUfiiff * the Surrey Gardens—the neir music-hall ^ a * i froseT who had invited them « ifeo invited tlttK friends to assemble in the box « j * o look on . 3 ffl * men were allowed * > ottIN « tf * tout eacfiV «* a bottle of champagne- betweeir three . Whoever heard of such ammunition for the * charging' of toasts after dinner ? The champagne had frothed away long before the toasts were over , and . the
men were drinking toasts with empty glasses . This is an insult , when it is done intentionally ; and by the ' swell' committee who superintended the arrangement , and made a show of the guests , it ought to have been felt as a sarcasm , the more bitter because unintentional . Another great party of guests has come upon us self-invited—the Dowager Queen and the Court of Oude . The Queen Dowager has come to prefer the claim of a young gentleman whom she is pleased to call the ' heir apparent' of the late King . Apparently , we should say , there can be no heir where there is no inheritance . The lady seems to suppose , however , in the first place , that Queen Victoria can give as she has taken away , and that Indian kingdoms are to be handed backwards
and forwards like a coin ; and secondly , that she can secure her object all the better by showing us one hundred and ten live Indian natives of her state - —members of her ' court . ' Such is the grade of intelligence to which the deposed monarch has brttught his realm ; and we are invited to restore him ! Our own Queen is off to the Highlands , having rapidly run the railway journey from London to Edinburgh in the usual style , with Lords-Lieutenant and County Guards of Honour at the railway-stations , bouquets , cheers , and so forth . Our Foreign Secretary goes--with her , keeping up the communication between the head of the State and
her representatives abroad . Sir Benjamin Hall , too , is off , so the fashionable intelligence announces , after having—morally at least—laid the foundation of two new offices in the neighbourhood of Downing-street , for the Foreign Office and the War Department . In order to carry on that work as constitutionally as possible , and in 4 accordance with the sp irit of the epoch , ' as Mr . Disraeli would say , Sir Benjamin has called together a meeting of architects , has warned them that he shall throw the designs for the buildings open to public competition , and has affably invited suggestions ; receiving some on the spot . Sir Benjamin aspires to be the grand London improver ; and , as the Romans talked of the Augustan age , we shall hav-e to talk of the Days of Benjamin .
The army , and the public generally , will be glad to hear of the appointment of Sir Comn Campbbix to be Inspector-General of Infantry in the placoe of the Duke of Cambbuxhe , who has most auspiciously signalized his accession to the Comxnand-in-chief by this unexceptionable exercise of patronage . The whole of the depdts throughout the United Kingdom are to be formed into battalions of 800 to 1000 strong , consisting of denote of four regiments ,, to be commanded by a tiefcUofficer on . the staff . The drilling of recruits will go on at these depot battalions , and nothing but made soldiers will be sent out to
headquarters ; a system which , if carried out , will tend to beep regiments in consummate order and discipline . Sir Cocin has plenty of work cut out for him , and as the Highland Brigade know , ho is the ¦ man to do it decisively , with euch an Adjutant-General as his Crimean aide-de-camp , Colonel Sterling . The appointment of the Duke of OAMwaiDGtia to the command in-chief is , it mast bo said , very generally approved , and the country will mark with satisfaction bo fair an evidence of public spirit and of single-minded devotion to the best interests of the service as this appointment of Sir Colin manifests .
No topic of tho week has excited moro discussion than tholetter oFM . Louis Blanc on the treatment of political prisoners by tho French Government . Ahe complacent publics hna affected to wonder . A very few words will express to our mends in I ? ranee tho sense of tho article in tho Times : ' On vieut do dCconvrir Cayenne .
TJifi DINNER TSO THE GUARDS . This most iaterwrting' and genial celebration took place on Monday at the Surrey Gardens . The weather was cloudy « md chill , but there was no rain , and the gardens w « w crowded with a pleasure-seeking company . " The GrtWdiers , " says theJkmes , " marched *! B « nn theft barradtaM in BiBdcage-wsJIfc « wei < WoetminadMB ^ bTiage to the ywdens .. The FuaHfers , whose barracks ane at Chanlqf-cros % passed otm > DTaterloo-bridge , foWaming the € fc * nadi « fc from th * Ulephmt and Castles . The Cold ^ Wams . ¦ Mfcrched frMK thos tower aver B * B * m bridge ^ . Wlfcr'Elephaiiif «» r «« rffe , and thtwwto the gardens tto f the same wmte asr the other regiments . Added to these was a large body of Guardsmen who are stationed at Aldershott and Windsor , and whom the directors of the South-Western Kailway liberally
conveyed to London and back free of all expense . The streets through which the troops passed -were densely crowded , and the cheering of tne people was most enthusiastic . The officers were in undress uniform- ; the men wore their foraging caps , not their bearskins , and , except in a few instances , did not carry side-arms . The Grenadiers , under Colonel Foley , were the first to arrive , and were followe'd shortly afterwards by the Coldstreams , under Colonel Upton , and the Fusiliers , under Colonel Ridley . " The concert-hall , where the dinner took place , was decorated with a profusion of military trophies , flags of the allied nations , shields inscribed
with the names of distinguished officers , flowers , and garlands of laurel . " Behind- the chair was a white escutcheon , bearing the name of ' Florence Nightingale , ' the word ' Redan' being inscribed in the left corner and ' Malakhoff' in the right . The company assembled in the galleries was fashionable and numerous , and a large proportion of the spectators were ladies . The gallery facing the chair was occupied by officers . The private box to the right of the chair was set aside for the Lord Mayor and his suite , while that on the left was reserved for the members of the committee and their friends . The consolidated bands of th 4 three
regiments of Guards , under the direction of the masters , Mr . Godfrey , Mr . Boosse , and Mr . D . Godfrey , filled the orchestra . In the gallery above them were seated a number of vocalists , chiefly amateurs , under the leadership of Mr . Land . The body of the hall not affording sufficient space for the 'accommodation of all the Guardsmen who were invited , those -who could not find room within its walls were entertained in a great tent formed by an awning extending from the top of the fireworks balcony to the margin of the artificial waters . "
On proceeding to the dinner , " the Grenadiers were ranged on the right of the chairman , the Coldstreams on his left , and the Fusiliers , who were accompanied by their pipers , occupied the centre of the hall . The chair was taken by Sergeant-Major Edwards , the senior sergeant of the Guards . He claims the honour of being the oldest soldier in the British army ; yet he is by no means an old man . He must have entered the service at an unusually early age , for though he has worn uniform for one-and-twenty years he is still in tho prime of life .
He served during the whole of the Crimean campaign , and was offered a commission , but declined it . On his return from the East , the Queen sent for him and appointed him one of the Yeomen of the Guard . He is the Prince of Wales ' s preceptor in Calisthenic exercises , and has been given to understand that ho is to have an office in the Prince ' s household as soon as the establishment of his Royal Highness shall have been formed . " Mt . Harker acted gratuitously on the occasion . Grace having been sung on the conclusion of dinnor ,
Tho Chairman rose amid loud applause and said , — " Comrades , I am going to give you a toast . The individual -whose health I am about to propose -will require very little preface from me . I am satisfied that the image of that individual is so thoroughly impressed on every one of your hearts that her very name will make your henrts jump to your months . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Comrades , I . beg to propose ' The Health of our Royal Mistress , Her Most Gracioua Majesty tho Queen—God bless her ! ' ( Enthusiastic cheering . ) Drink it three times three and upstanding ! " The toast was received with great applause . The National Anthem was then played by the various bands , tho vocal portion boing executed by three hundred choristers , in conjunction with tho whole of tho GaiaYdsmen .
The Chairman : — " Comrados , I have got another toast to propose to you ( cheers ') , mid I have a notion that it will pleaso you very nearly as much aa the last . I d ' on- ' t mean to say that it will please you altogether as much . —that is not to be expected—but I nm confident that it -will please- you very nearly art much . ( C / teern . ) I want you to drink to tho health of ' Prince Albert ami tho rest of tho Royal Family . ' ( Lotid cheers . ) Now , mind , I say ' tho rest of tho Roy / il Family , ' which , of course , includes my pupil tho Prince of Walea . ( Cheers . ) May ho follow in tho stopa of hia Royal parouta , uiid may tho day bo distant when he will wear tlio Biitiah Crown ! " ( Loud cheers . )
Previous to tho next toast , Mr . Harker called on tho company to fill a bumper . Mo then exclaimed , " Charge 1 " Tho Guurdsinon leapt up , looked dubiouwly about them , and panned for tho uppoaranco of tlio enemy , when Mr . Ilurkcr completed hia admonition by
saying— " Your g , ge , your glasses ! " The laoglitOT elicited by this trick having died away , The Chairman again rose and said : —" Another toast for you ! ' ( Cheers . ) I beg to propose ' His Royal Highness t&e General Commanding-in-Chief , our soldier s and sailors * -t he chaplains of the army , and our brave allies in the late war . ' ( Vehement applause . ) I wish to say a few wftuds to you as comrades . Now , mark me , I wisa to talk to you as comrades . Hear me , old hands of Alma and Itt&emaann ! I need not say anything to rou in tfraise of Aft Duke of Cambridge . ( Cheers . ) He must usie mijrtJtar hearts and in the hearts of all British soldicrs as he wlU in mine eternalty . Our greatest pride must beto say that we were Guardsmen at Inkermann
( Enthusiastic cbeering . ) The Duke of Cambridge -was there ( loud cheers ) , and that is saying enough about him . As for our brethren of the line , I am sorry—if I can be sorry for anything on such an occasion—that the table was not big enough for them as well as for us . But , as the table was too small ( laughter ) , I am sure that they will not envy us our happiness ; but , on the contrary , that they will be rejoiced to learn that we have been so well received . As for our sailors , the good feeling that subsists between you and the blue-jackets is known to the world . We are indebted to them , and they are indebted to ns , for many a kindness . You know it as well as I do . ( Cheers . ) There never was anything like the good feeling which subsisted during the war between you and the blue-jackets themselves—the ' blue
soldiers , ' as they were called . ( Loud cheers . ) With respect to our brave allies , if I were the greatest speaker that ever lived , I could not do justice to their noble conduct . Oh , my comrades ! you saw the day when you could have knelt down and worshipped them as you would your God . Don ' t you remember when you saw them coming over the hill ? ( Tremendous cheering . ) As for the chaplains in the army , they did their duty like men , and so little notice has been taken of them in military assemblies that I am sure j r ou will be glad to have an opportunity to return them thanks for all their kindness . Therefore , I include them , in the toast , comrades , and I hope you will make it a bumper . '' Mr . Harker : " A bumper ; a bumper ! Make ready—present—fire ! " ( Cheers and laughter . ) The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm .
After the national airs of France , Sardinia , and Turkey had been played by the band , and a song commemorative of the Guards' achievements had been sung-, the Chairman exclaimed : — " Another toast , comrades , another toast ! ( Cheers and laughter . ) I want you to drink ' the health of the Chairman , committee , and subscribers to the Dinner Fund . ' Now mind , when I say ' the chairman , ' I -rvieh you clearly to understand that I do not mean myself . ( Chters and laughter . ) I mean the chairman of the committee—another person altogether . ( Cheers . ) I have very few words to say , but I am sure the toast will speak to your hearts . First and foremost , comrades , you are invited to a dinner such as I suppose the memory of man never saw anything to equal it . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Now ,
understand what I mean . Your coming hero is an honour to you , because it shows that your countrymen , the people of England , are satisfied with the manner in which you did your duty . You did your duty , or you wouldn ' t be here ; so I'll say no more about it . ( Cheers and laughter . ) But it is clear that we ought to return to the chairman , the committee , and the subscribers our most grateful thanks . Ah ! we have seen the day that we never could have dreamt that such a day as this would occur in tho history of tho best of us . Think of what you have gone -through , think of what you have seen , and then look around you ! Why , men dear , I could jump into another campaign to get another such ¦ welcome as this . ( Loud cheers . ) There ' s not a man of us' that -would not volunteer to-morrow for another war
after what we have seen to-day . " ( Renewed applnnse . ) Tho Lord Mayor , in returning thanks , alluded to " the short , sharp , and decisive battle-field oratory" they had heard from Sergeant Edwards . He comp limented the soldiers generally on tho capital lettere they had written homo during the war , and finally begged to propose " tho health of Sergeant-Major Edwards , " who , he observed , was in every respect—whether as regarded hia height , his beard , hia looka , or tho tinge of grey on his hair , which marked the old and honourable aoldior—an honour to the British army . ( Cheers . ) lie hoped tho gallant sergeant would bo long spared to servo lii . s country with honour , and to bo aa useful to tlio regiments ot Guards us ho had been that day . { Loud cheers . ) " N « w » brave fellowa , " concluded hia lordship , " you know how to fire—let ua have a good volley ! " The Hiigg <' - ' " ' reudily adopted , and tho hall rang with tin repeated burflta of applaueo with which tho name of
Sergeant-Mu ) or iMlwunla was greotod . Tho Chairman , in acknowledging tho conip limonr , said : — " Bravo conmidea , tliihi in n proud day lor nil « i us . Now , I am firmly convinced , and 1 t < -ll it to you |>» confidence , tliia in tho first timo that a HerK « ant . -mii . )« r '" tho British army has hud bin health propimod l > y " »' Lord Mayor of London . ( Laughter and cheers . ) " * to thank him for tlio honour 1 cannot tell . However , do return my humble tlianka to hia lordship <<> r i" » honour ho Iiuh done mo ; but it is not an honour n <> l' » y to mo , who am but , a mito in tho great , engino tailed liu-Britiuh army ; it ia an honour to nil who ore lien : Hswnibled . ( Cheers . ) Comrades , 1 will » ay no iuor « ; but
Untitled Article
lasses ntlemen THE LEADER . [ No . 336 , Sattjbday ,
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 30, 1856, page 818, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2156/page/2/
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