RÉVOLTE DES INDES

Discours prononcé, par M. Van de Weycr au Town-hall de Maidenhead.

• ■ The toast which I hâve now to propose to you is one whicli makes, a t. this moment, every heart beat wilh the deepest émotion. You instantly l'eel that I mean I lie " Army and Navy of England » (Cheers). Under ordinary cireumstnnces, I should consider it my duty to expatiate upon thequalities which so highly distinguish the British soldier, upon his indomitable energy, his undaunted courage, liis fortitude under every trial, his manly dévotion to his Qucen and country; but when I reflectupon the wonderful military athievements which bave taken place since the beginning of this awful Indian crisis, I a'm conscious thaï I could nol find words adéquate to express the solemn feeling of admiralion and respect which sucb glorious deeds arouse in my soûl (applause). I feel that I could not do justice to the unostentatious heroism of that great and good man, General Havelock — (loud applause) - that man, who with a handful of brave warriors, opposes to the most treacherous and barbarous euemy, the most admirable résistance that bas ever been recorded in the military annals of any country (cheers). Thèse gallant soldiers are not only fighting for the restoration and maintenance of your power in India ; they are fighting for a cause in which ail free and enlightened nations are interesled,

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and for the succcss of which wc ail do pray. They are fighling the batlle of civilization itself. Lislen to the insolent language ofyour enemies abroad, of those who are the enemies of ail civil and religious liberly. Already are they rejoicing upon what they call your humiliation and dégradation; already are they boldly predicting the downfull of England, and of ils hateful constitutional Government. In the face of such dangers, in the présence of a crisis of which it wonld be childish to diminish the extent and probable duration, you will, I am sure, feel and think with me lhat it is our paramount and most sacred duty to testify our admiration for the English army and navy, not only by patriotic and sympathie effusions, not only by toasts and cheers, not only by words, however éloquent and stirring, but by the strongest combination of ail the possible means to increase lhat noble band of our defenders (cheers). Let every one of us put our shoulder to the wheel. Let us, availing ourselves of the ready machinery of thèse associations, put our hearts and heads together ; let us make in a praclical way an appeal to the sterling sensé of the one and the pound sterling of the other ; let every hand that can he spared from the field and farm be employed in wreaking vengeance upon the butchers of innocent women andchildrcn (cheers). Uenceforth let every one of us say to the man who complains he can find no employmenl : « you can go and help your Christian brethren in India, and we will assist in sending youover ; there you will find al this moment Ihe noblest employmenl which an Englishman can wish for, an employment in which you will reap the gratitude of your country, the admiration of the civilized world, and upon which as with one voice we will call down the blessings of God. » (cheers). I beg to apologise for having spoken at some

lit

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length,and willi warmlh,upon (lie subject, but reallyl feelas iflwere a true-born Englishman (long continuée! cheering). It is with thèse feelings lhat I propose to you the healtli of the brave soldiers of the Army and Navy of England. . . .

Lord Howard de Walden à M. Van de Weyer.

« Brussels, oct. 12, 1 8.">7 .

-i My deah Mons. Van de Weyer,

« I hâve just read your speech al Stroud, and I cannol refrain, not only as an old colleague and friend, but as an Englishman from expressing to you the pleasure I derived froni sucli expression of sentiments so high mindod and just, as well as my cordial thanks for the sympalhelie cordialily with which you hâve cooperated to rouse a proper spirit in such a righteous cause. —

« You hâve also given ullerance lo wholesome Irulhs in a loue which I hope will make many ashamed of themselves. —

'■ There is a détestable spirit of jealousy on the continent and perhaps nowhcre is it more évident than among the edilors of the daily press in tins country — you know the class and lo what extent ohl gallic anti inglish feelings prevail in viewing every thing that takes place with us. On the other hand your countrymen bave corne forward-in great numbers, — I may say of almost ail ranks in your army offering their services towaids the triumph of our ascendancy against the miscreants who can inspire no generous mind with auy thing but sorrow.

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« Believe me; always, my dear Mons. Van de Weyer, most sincerely and gralefully

« Howard de Walden »

(Page 130.) LE ROI JACQUES ET LE CHAUDRONNIER.