Page:Australian views of England.djvu/65

  The annual dinner of Australians in London, to commemorate the foundation of the colony of New South Wales (for that really is the event which the boastful Victorians and others celebrate at these gatherings) took place in the great hall of the Freemasons' Tavern, on the evening of the 12th instant. The chairman for the occasion was Sir James Palmer, and the vice-chairman at the New South Wales table was Sir Daniel Cooper. The Duke of Newcastle, Lord Stanley, Sir John Pakington, and Lord Clarence Paget were among the guests of the evening. Mr. Gladstone was to have been present, but was unfortunately kept away by a family bereavement As a public dinner, the thing passed off well, but the speaking was very indifferent I noticed that your colony was but poorly represented, except by men retired from official position, such as Sir John Dickinson and Mr, Therry. Mr. John Croft, Mr, John Alger, and one or two others connected with your trading circles, were all that I observed at the tables.

Sir John Dickinson, I am told, has some thoughts of returning to the colony, and regrets that he resigned his seat on the Bench. Among the accessions to your bar, you will receive in the course