THE WATERLOO BANQUET. [From the United Service Gazette.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 755, 27 October 1852, Page 4

THE WATERLOO BANQUET. [From the United Service Gazette.]

Fiiday ,e\ening, the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington gave his commemorative banquet at Apsley- house, to a party of 84 gallant officers who participated in the dangers and glories of the field. The representatives of the powers allied with England at the period of the battle, called at Apsley-honse early, to tender their respects to the illustrious commander, and the same mark of respect was paid by a numerous body of the aristocracy. On no previous anniversary was there such a throng of visitors. Before half-past six o'clock, the hour when the veteran officers invited by his Grace began to arrive, a large concourse of people congregated in front of the mansion. The popular favourites received their customary ovations from the crowd. .Viscount Hardinge and Sir Harry Smith were cordially welcomed, but the loudest demonstration of favour was reserved for Field Marshal the Marquis of Anglesey, who was enthusiastically cheered. His Royal Highness Prince Albert arrived at five minutes past seven. The prince was received by the noble and gallant Duke at the portico. The full band of the Grenadier Guards was stationed in the vestibule, and performed a varied selection of music during the arrival of the guests, and on the Prince reaching the court-yard struck up the " Coburg March." Precisely at half-past seven the Duke and the Prince Consort, followed by his old companions in arras, passed into the Waterloo Gallery, in which the banquet was laid out in a style of sumptuous magnificence. The Duke sat in the centre of the table, having on his right bis Royal Highness Prince Albert, the Marquis oi Angle- j sey, the Marquis of Abercom, the Earl of Stafford, and Sir Harry Smith ; and on his left the Hanoverian Minister, Sir Colin Halkett, &c, &c. In addition to the Prince Consort, the company dining with his Grace on this anniversary were as follows :—: — His Excellency Count Kielraansegge, Field Marshal the Marquis of Anglesey, General the Earl of Stafford, General Sir Peregrine Maitland, General Sir Colin Halkett, General Sir Edward Kerrison, Bart., Lieutenant - General Lord Seaton, Lieutenant-General Sir Alexander Woodford, Lieutenant- General Lord Fitzroy, jj[. H. Somerset, Lieutenant-General Sir James Macdonald, Lieutenant-General James W. Sleigh, Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur B. Clifton, Lieutenant-General the Earl Cathcart, Lieuten-ant-Gentral Viscount Hardinge, LieutenantGeneral the Hon. HI. P. Lygon, LieutenantGeneral Sir George H. F. Berkeley, Lieutenant General Sir George Scovell, Lieutenant-General Lord Saltoun, Lieutenant-General Henry Wyndham, L'eutenant-General Sir Edward Bowater, Lieutenant-General DOyly, Lieulenant-General the Hon. Heftry Murray, Lieutenant-General Thomas Dalmer, Lieutenant-General Jas. Hay, Lieutenant-General Sir Hew Dalryraple Ross, Lieutenant-General J. W. Smith, LieutenantI General Douglas Mercer, Lieutenant-General John Reeve, Major-General Sir H. Willoughby Rooke, Major-General A. Money, Major-General E. Parkinson, Major-General R. Lluellyn, Major-General Richard Egerton, Major- General J. Claud Bourchier, Major-General Sir Harry G. W. Smith, Bart., Major-General Felix Calvert, Major-General Sir De Lacy Evans, Major-Geueral A. Macdonald, Major-General Lord James Hay, Major-General Lord Sandys, Major-General Sir George Bowles, Major-General T. W. Robbins, Major-General W. L. Walton, Major-General Mildmay Fane, Major-Geueral Sir James Maxwell 'Wallace, Major-General William G. Moore, Major-General Sir Henry Floyd, Major-General James Simpson, MajorGeneral the Hon. George Anson, Major-General Lord Hotham, Major-General T. W. Taylor, Major-General E. B. Buckley, Major-General Edward Byara, Major-General Berkeley Drummond, Colonel Henry Dawkins, Colonel Michael Childers, Colonel C. AHix, Colonel Thomas Wildman, Colonel the Hon. Hely Hutchinson, Colonel G. W. Horton, Colonel James C. Chatterton, Colonel C. F. R. Lascelles, Colonel Thomas Read, Colonel A. K. Clark Kennedy, Colonel E. C. Wbinyates, Colonel John Oldfield, Colonel Everard Bouverie, Colonel Lord Rokeby, Colonel Thomas Marten, Colonel C. Diggle, Colonel John Cox, Colonel Edward Keane, Colonel the Right Hon. Geoige Lionel Dawson Darner, Colonel R. H. Cook, Colonel the Earl of Albermarle, Colouel John Enoch, Colonel George Wilkins. The banqueting table presented much the same aspect as on former years. After dinner, the Noble Duke called on his gallant friends to fill their glasses, and, the command having been complied with, the Duke rose and gave " The Queen." The toast was drunk upstanding, with three times three. Band — The National Anthem. His Royal Highness Prince Albert next rose a"nd said — Gentlemen, I have only to give you " The health of the noble Duke, our distinguished host, and to express a feeling, in which I am sure*you will join me, of my delight and satisfaction in seeing our illustrious host in such excellent health and spirits on the present occasion. (Loud cheering.) The toast was drunk with three limes three, the Band playing " See the conquering hero comes." The Duke of Wellington, on rising, said there was no occasion to remind the public of bygone transactions, but of this he was confident, that should an emergency arise, of which, he was happy to say, there was no prospect at present, the Officers and Array would do thejr duty as they had done before. He begged to propose ** The health of Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family." Band—" The Coburg March." The toast being duly : 'b:onoured— His Royal Highness Prince Albert said — Gentlemen, I am thankful to the noble Duke, and I assure him that 1 1 highly appreciate the honour of being associated with you on this remarkable anniversary. (Cheers,) The Duke next gave " The memory of those who fell at the battle of Waterloo." This toast wa3 drunk in solemn silence.

, His Grace afterwards rose, and in an excellent speech proposed " The Cavalry tbat fougU at ! Waterloo." He spoke in most terms of the services of that branch of the service. He said he saw an old friend (turning to the Marquis of Anglesey) near him who had greatly distinguished himself with the Cavalry on that day, and it afforded him great satisfaction to • see him so full of health and spirits. With the \ toast he would join the Marquis of Anglesey, i (Cheers.) Band — "Cavalry march." 1 The Marquis of Anglesey, in reply, said he begged to return his thanks to his gallant corai rades for the manner they had drunk his health. : Often as he had had the honour of meeting them, i never did he experience the happiness he felt at the present moment to see their illustrious chief s still possessing that power of mind which carried t him through with all his triumphs. (Cheers.) This was the thirty-seventh anniversary, and long might we see him — long might he -be spared to remain the admiration and glory of his country — (loud cheers) — to enjoy all the honours conferred on him. (Continued cheering.) The noble Mai guis having repeated his thanks for their kindness, resumed his seat amidst warm applause. The Duke of Wellington, after a few remarks hearing testimony to the great services of the Foot 'Guards, gave " The Foot Guards at Waterloo and Sir Peregrine Maitland :" his Grace turned round to Sir Peregrine and said to the gallant General in a loud voice, " Your good health. Band—-" The British Grenadiers." General Sir Peregrine Maitland briefly returned thanks. The Duke then proposed " The Artillery at the Battle of Waterloo," with which he associated the name of Sir Hugh Ross. (Cheers.) Lieutenant- General Sir HughDalrymple Ross X.C.8., briefly acknowledged the toast. The Duke, in proposing the next toast, "The Infantry of the Line of Waterloo," said he had been an eye-witness of their great efficiency on that occasion, and he was confident that, whenever their services might be required, they would faithfully discharge their duty. With the toast he would uame Lord Seaton. (Cheers.) Band — " Quick Step." Lieutenant-General Lord Seaton, G.C.8., returned the noble Duke his grateful thanks for (he honour done the Infantry of the Line, and for the mentioning of his own name in conjunction with that branch of the Service. The Duke next rose and said, among the more difficult duties attached to the Army, there was none more so than that imposed on the Staff. He proposed the" Staff Officers at Waterloo, and the Earl Cathcart." Lieut.-General Earl Cathcart, X.C.8., replied in a few words. The Duke now rose, and said, the country was Tery strong when the great battle was fought which they were then commemorating, for the whole of the Sovereigns of Europe were allied with us. Among the armies of those Sovereigns none had done more service, both in Flanders and the Peninsula, than the Hanoverian Army. He had. on his left a distinguished friend who served with him on that occasion ; and he begged to give "The Hanoverian Army and the Count Kielmansegge." (Cheers.) * His Excellency Count Kielsmanegge, in a very eloquent speech, thanked the noble Duke and the gallant Officers for the compliment paid to the Hanoverian army. There was not a man in the Hanoverian army that would not follow the example set them by British valour, and the Great Captain that had led them to victory. They might be assured his countrymen would feel proud to learn the high opinion given of them by the greatest General of his time. (Cheers.) The Duke then said, he always at those meetings was proud to acknowledge the great services rendered by the Prussian army nt Waterloo. Indeed, he could not speak too highly of the advantages which followed upon their operations. He saw his old friend Viscount Hardinge at the table, to whom important duties in connexion with the Prussian army were entrusted. The result proved the diligence and ability of bis noble and gallant friend on a very delicate duty. He would, therefore, give them "The Prussian Army and Viscount Hardinge.', Lieut.-General Viscount Hardinge, G.C.8., in reply, said he was proud on all occasions to obtain the approbation of the Duke. He could only say tbat the reliance of Marshal Blucher was chiefly ou the good faith and confidence he had in the noble Duke and the British array. After a few further observations, the gallant Viscount concluded by thanking the Company for the honour done to himself and to the army of Prussia. The Duke next gave " The King's German Legion at Waterloo and Sir Colin Halkett." General Sir Colin Halkett, G.C.B. briefly returned thanks. The Duke next proposed " General the Earl of Stafford's health," and spoke in high terms of his gallant services at Waterloo. General the Earl of Stafford, in rising, said he .saw aroumTbim many brother officers to whom he was much indebted, aud to the value of the men and the officers the success of the day was looked forward to by the noble duke. He returned them his grateful thanks for the kindness they had shown him in return. The Duke said, they had amongst them a gallant soldier and a valued officer, who had returned from a most arduous and efficient service. He (the duke) was fully aware ( of, the harassing and annoying circumstances that officers had to contend with, in not having a sufficient force to bring against hostile barbarians in a country abounding in woods and forests, and a rocky and mountainous land. He (the Duke) was satisfied that, like his predecessors, ,he had great ar.d almost insurmountable difficulties to contend with, in also an enemy's country, the whole of the treacherous inhabitants hostile to him. He (the Duke) would propose " The health of Sir Harry Smith." The toast was loudly cheered. When the applause had subsided, ' Major General Sir Harry G. W. Smith.G.C.B., rose, and in an energetic speech expressed his deep sense of the kindness of the gallant Duke, and the satisfaction be felt that his services bad his approbation. The gallant officer said he had been graciously received by her Majesty, the Duke, and by his country on his return. He concluded by thanking the All-wise Dispenser of

Good that he bad been spared to meet them again under the roof of their illustrious Captain. The gallant General was loudly cheerea during his speech. It being half-past ten, the Duke and his Royal Highness Prince Albert and the gallant veterans now left the gallery, for the saloon, where coffee and tea was served. His Rqyal Highness Prince Albert, after taking his farewell of his Grace, left at a quarter to eleven o'clock ; immediately afterwards the venerable and gallant band separated. The Duke, soon after the departure of the Prince Consort, ordered his carriage to attend the Marchioness of Salisbury's ball.