DINNER TO THE MEMBERS FOR PORTSMOUTH.
On the Thursday evening, a highly respectable and numerous body of the electors of Portsmouth, dined together at the Green-row Rooms, in that town, to celebrate the return of two reform candidates for the borough, viz. :— Mr Bonham Carter, and Francis Baring. Besides of the candidates, Lord Palmerston, and Mr Hector, M.P. for Petersfield, were present: his Lordship did not arrive till the cloth was about to be removed, and was vehemently cheered. Mr Howard, the late mayor, presided.
After the posts, the CHAIRMAN next proposed a toast, he was sure everyone present would do justice to, viz. :—"Prosperity and Independence to the Borough of Portsmouth."
The toast was drunk amid long and loud cheering.
The CHAIRMAN when called upon the company to fill bumpers, and has said that he rose to propose a toast which, they would readily anticipate, was connected with the object of the present meeting. The electors had a twice made a choice of Mr Bonham Carter and Mr Frances Baring as their representatives in Parliament, a proof that they had confidence in those gentlemen [cheers]. He was fully convinced that they would, by their acts, carry out their principles; and he had the pleasure of proposing their healths.—[The cheering, after the toast was drunk, lasted several minutes.]
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"The Health of the late Administration," that of "Mr. Hector, M.P. for Petersfield," and several other toasts, were drunk; after which the company separated.