Zbe Alletropolis.
A meeting of the Common Conacil was held on Tuesday. It was announced by the Sheriffs, that the Queen and Prince Albert would receive the address of congratulation on the Queen's escape, on Monday next.
Mr. King asked Sir Matthew Wood, whether there was any truth in the report that be had put a question to Lord Melbourne with a view to ascertain if the Queen and the Prince would accept an invitation to a public dinner in the City, in commemoration of their nuptials? Sir Matthew Wood replied, that, in compliance with the wishes of many gentlemen, he had put that question to one of her Majesty's confidential advisers, ald had ascertained that the invitation could not be accepted. He thought it better to learn privately what the Queen's inclination might be ; and he thought so still. Mr. Anderton thought Alderman Wood's conduct an insult to the Lord Mayor. The Lord Mayor did not feel insulted -in the least. Mr. Anderton said he should take the matter up as a breach of privilege. Mr. Wire thought it nothing short of absolute nonsense to treat a civil question put by an Alderman to a Minister of State as a breach of privilege.
This important discussion having closed, Mr. Galloway moved a re- solution, that the summer excursions of Corporation Committees be discontinued. 'this motion produced a speech front Mr. Deputy Angel, which excited the grave Court to mirth— He begged to intbrm the Lord Mayor, an .1 the rest of the mortals who com- posed the assembly, that he, an Angel, stood tinward to Stippol the ri.dits of his sister angels, the women—the truly angelic women. For sixty years they spent cue day in each revolving year in the Maria Wood,—which took its name from an antvel; and his learned friends would agree that sixty years' un- disturbed possession constituted a legal right. They al,to possessed a mortal right ; for without the assistance of the ladies, neither his Lordship nor any member of that Court could now be in existence ; without their coilperation there would he no succession of Mayors, Sheriffs, Aldermen. Deputies, or eVell Common Council. Without their coaperation, the wells of life would become Stagnant and useless; the Court would dwindle into a conummitv of mules, amt the noble race of frinownys would be exiinguished for ever. And would that Court, for a for paltry hundreds, deprive the excellent wives, the fitsei- sating widows, and the beautiful virgins of the Corporation, of one short dav's enjoyment ? Forbid it gratitude, forbid it generosity, forbid it genius, 1:whiti it Galloway. It was it,eless for any gentleman to reply to thee t,:wervations, lie was hoth physical:). and morally deaf to all attempts to detach him from the 011ie of the female portion of the civic community. Alderman Thomas Wood reminded Mr. Galloway, that he himself regularly attended these pleasant parties— The worthy gentleman happened to he blest with a double opportonity of enjoying the ,mod things which he now so warmly deprecated; for Ile had tile advantage oteheing Chairman to two Committees, to lath of 'ditch he wos equally attentive at the proper season. Mr. Gan:sway coulil t h take a (limbic allowance ; and it was IleVer observed that he was particularly shy at the nu- merous periods of enjoyment to which he was east 1) virtue of lii offices. There was something very amusing in the indignation old' whicli he spoke of feasts, and the avidity with which liedevoured them. But, first:loth, he took lass place at the festive board, because it' he did not somebody chal would, or his share would he wasted. Ablermin ood would oppose the motion, because In! thought that municipa/ institutions awe best supported, apd the best feelings were reciprocated between the members, by (Avant cutvrtainments such as the motion mmed at putting an end to.
Motion rejected, by 40 to 9.
A subscription has been set on foot in the City to purchase a testi- monial of respect to Messrs. Evans and Wheelton, the Sheriffs.
Previous page
