much that augurs future good in this; for friendships formed between nations, as between individuals, are not based so much on a similarity of those tastes and pursuits which lie near the surface as on agreement in the deep undercurrent of feeling such as has been shown to exist during the progress of these Artic(sic) explorations. As long as this agreement continues, we may rest assured that both nations will work together vigorously for the common good of mankind, in spite of any differences which may from time to time make their appearance on the surface of their political relations [Hear, hear]. Such, then, are the objects which these illustrious men proposed to themselves in their arduous undertakings – objects which have enabled them in life and embalmed their memories in death. We mourn for them who have fallen as heroes, but do we mourn for them as men without hope? Far from this. We feel assured that men actuated by such motives did not enter on their work without placing their humble dependence on Him whose eyes alone could see them and whose arm alone could help them in those dreary and inhospitable regions whither they were bound; and when they were driven from one extremity to another – when one by one chances of life were failing them, we can well imagine them joining in a prayer to Him who rebuked the waves and the sea. “Lord, save us, we perish”. Yes, we mourn for them deeply and sincerely, but we do not mourn for them as men without hope [Applause]. Several other toasts and responses followed, during which the chairman announced that he had received £25 each from the two Members, Messrs. Robertson and North, for the Patriotic Fund. Unlike many other complimentary dinners that are given, the one here described was an intellectual treat, and the notice of it is deemed to be worthy of permanent record.
The “Peacocks” Dinner. The Chairman at the above dinner (C. Clift Esq.) being that year’s Mayor, was also chairman at the Castle Club dinner on the 1st of February, when that Radical club – facetiously called “The Peacocks” – was inaugurated.
Harvest-Home Dinner. It deserves to be recorded that instead of the 8th of October annual wedding-day festivals, which took place when Musgrave Brisco, Esq. was alive, his generous widow changed it to a harvest-home festival. Hence, on the 8th of September, the men of Mrs. Brisco’s estate, with their wives and children, partook of an excellent dinner, and spent the rest of the day in pleasure at the bailiffs, the Steward being also present at the farm . house. At the same time another party assembled at dinner with the domestics and friends, at the Hall.
