VICEREGAL VISIT TO DONEGAL. DEJEUNER AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE FINN VALLEY [SEPTEMEER 21ST, 1863.] THE which, he was sure, they would drink with more than ordinary enthusiasm. They were all happy in this country in having a Lord Lieutenant who did not shut himself up in solitary state in Dublin Castle, or in the Viceregal Lodge, or who associated with only one class of the Queen's subjects, but who came amongst them to learn their habits and understand their wants-who loved their beautiful scenery, and bore towards them the same warmth of heart that Irishmen always bore to those who they felt did them justice. He would not weary His Excellency or those present by dwelling on the many points which peculiarly fitted him for the post of Lord Lieutenant; but this he would say, standing by his side, as he had said when standing opposite him as his political opponent, that as Viceroy of Ireland he was not the minister of a party, but the Representative of Her Majesty, whose only object was to secure the welfare of her subjects. He would give them "The health of the Earl of Carlisle," to whom he desired to convey his thanks for appearing amongst them on that occasion, and a warm welcome to the wilds of Donegal, and "Prosperity to Ireland," as connected with his name. The EARL OF CARLISLE said : LORD LIFFORD, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN, I return you my very sincere thanks for the kind and cordial manner in which you have been pleased on this occasion to accept the mention of my name. It is a matter of great congratulation-not now for the first time-to have that name coupled with the wish of prosperity to Ireland-for certainly that is a wish very near to my own heart. The prosperity of Ireland seems to-day to be more especially identified with the extension of its railway system; and I assure you that it has given me the greatest pleasure to have made this, I may call it opening or inaugural trip down this cheerful and rich Finn Valley, and I have had the advantage of seeing it both in its smiles and in its tears. It is true there may be railways of greater extent and compass, that may have cost a far greater amount to construct, but cheapest construction is one of the surest elements of success to railways; and if it be true, as we have been informed, and as we shall hear by-and-bye from more competent authority, that this railway was constructed at the cost of little more than £5,000 a mile, I must say it will have afforded a very useful and very effective hint to other railways, both in this kingdom, in England, and in the world at large. Hitherto the county of Donegal may be considered to bear the character of a remote and distant region. It is about the furthest from the capital of Ireland, about the furthest from England, and it fronts the broad Atlantic, and is in fact nearest to that great country, where I wish the inhabitants would learn to live in peace and harmony, after the example of the men of Donegal. I, at all events, have shown my partiality for Donegal by visiting it for the second time in the same year; and I trust that the railway which we have opened this day will be the means of bringing to the heart of this beautiful district not only such idle travellers as myself-though I will not indeed admit that it is wholly an idle thing in one placed in the position which I have the honour to fill, to make myself acquainted both with the beauties of your natural scenery, and with the general condition of the inhabitants-but I trust this railway, besides the access it gives to your mountains and glens, and matchless sea cliffs, will also be the means of bringing among you all the more substantial products of material wealth, and all the benefits of a progressive civilization. I am sure, Ladies and Gentlemen, I shall best evince the gratitude which I unaffectedly feel, by asking your leave to propose a toast. You know how much this railway is indebted to my noble friend and host, Viscount Lifford; and I am sure that the public gratitude is due to him, as I know my own to be in a most eminent degree, and therefore on every ground, both personal and public, allow me, as the best means of embodying the sentiments I now feel, to propose to you "The Health of Viscount Lifford, and success to the Finn Valley Railway." VICEREGAL VISIT TO DERRY. ADDRESS FROM THE CORPORATION. [SEPTEMBER 25TH, 1863.] A LEXANDER LINDSAY, Esq., Mayor of Derry, having welcomed the EARL OF CARLISLE on behalf of the Citizens and Corporation within the walls of their Ancient City, and The Town Clerk, J. W. GREGG, Esq., having read a suitable Address, The EARL OF CARLISLE said : I beg to offer the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the City of Londonderry, my very respectful and grateful thanks for their most loyal and considerate Address, and for the kind welcome they have afforded to me, upon the occasion of my first visit to their ancient and most famous City. I would not fail to echo from my heart the graceful tribute which you have paid to the queenly qualities and personal virtues of our beloved and honoured Sovereign. It would indeed be impossible for me to express all that I feel of the indulgent and generous estimate which you have been led to form of my individual services. The very highest amount, however, of gratification I could have received on an occasion like this you have yourselves now supplied. To hear from such independent and competent witnesses that within their own ample and well-instructed experience, quiet and content have more abounded, crime has dwindled, and almost disappeared, strife and discord have melted under more genial influences; and in the districts formerly consigned to barrenness and sterility, improved cultivation, expanding commerce, extended intercourse, the practical ingenuity of science, and the honest vigour of industry, are adding to the national resources, and promoting the peaceful co-operation of nations-these are views delightful indeed to the ears of any rulers. But they serve to show how much of such results must be due to the combined efforts of all ranks, all callings, all creeds, all parties amongst us, and more plainly still how deep should be our gratitude, and how entire our dependence upon the wonder-working hand of Heaven. I rejoice sincerely that this distinguished City and its enterprising inhabitants should largely share in this growing welfare. I trust that they may receive from every quarter the encouragement and facilities to which they may be justly entitled. And I pray that the industry, the enterprise, the self-reliance, the loyalty, the harmony which shall prevail among you may be guided by a blessing from on high into the development of great, manifold, and continuous prosperity. The MAYOR OF DERRY then presented the Freedom of the City to His Excellency. The EARL OF CARLISLE said:- MR. MAYOR, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE CORPORATION, Let me assure you that I very gratefully receive the certificate of this hereditary honour which you have now so kindly awarded me. I know full well how many illustrious men have previously borne this distinction. I cordially appreciate the manner in which it has now been bestowed upon me, and I shall feel proud to consider myself a Freeman of the ancient and loyal City of Derry. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Mayor, in his opening observations, was pleased to say that this part of the kingdom had been called occasionally-but I think by some illminded libeller-the cold and black North. I can only say, from my experience of the welcome I received in the streets, that I shall always consider it the warm-hearted North; and, judging from some of the complexions I see before me, I shall also consider it the lily-white North. OPENING OF THE NEW IRON BRIDGE. [SEPTEMBER 25TH, 1863.] JOHN BARRE BERESFORD, Esq., D. L. and J. P., Chairman of the Bridge Commissioners, having addressed His Excellency, and A. H. STEWART, Esq., Secretary, having read an Address from the Commissioners, The EARL OF CARLISLE then replied : GENTLEMEN, I thank you very sincerely for the honour you have done me by your most acceptable invitation for me to be present upon this interesting and auspicious occasion, and for the kind and friendly terms of the Address which you have just presented to me. As I have now had the opportunity of inspecting this important work, I may more freely express my admiration of its elaborate and graceful structure, and its solid and permanent usefulness. You have recounted the different transitional steps in the communication between the counties of Derry and Donegal; how the ferry gave way to the timber; how the timber now yields to the iron. May this be the type of the progress in everything around us. May agriculture rise from one improved process to another; may trade and commerce discard their obsolete methods, and go straight to their point; and as this thin but tenacious network links together the opposite shores, may the silken cord of love unite all hearts in one common brotherhood. Well have you accomplished your noble task. We bid the work good-speed, and now declare the New Bridge of Londonderry open for public traffic. THE BANQUET. [SEPTEMBER 25TH, 1863.] THE Chairman, J. B. BERESFORD, Esq., said :— MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, I must now ask you to drink "The Health of the Earl of Carlisle," a nobleman who, after a long acquaintance with Ireland as Chief Secretary and Lord Lieutenant, and imbued with a sincere desire of advancing her material interests, along with a most cultivated mind, and an affable disposition, is justly considered a most popular and efficient Viceroy. |