"M a y the Almighty bless with perfect health and length of days the Royal Infant. "Long,flerylong, may your Majesty live the guardian, the protector, the ornament and delight of your faithful and devoted subjects, throughout that extended Empire on which the glorious sun of Heaven never sets, and by your instruction and example form the mind of your Royal son to the government of a free, a brave, and generous people. M a y that son, in the fulness of time, succeed to the virtues, as well as Throne, of his Royal Parent; and preserve for a long succession of years, the glory, the happiness, and the prosperity of this our Province, and all other dominions of the British Crown." Mr. James Croke moved, and the Rev. J. Y. Wilson seconded, the nomination of Messrs. James Simpson, James Croke, F. B. St. John, Hon. J. E. Murray, F. M'Crae, and J. W . Stevens as a Committee to obtain signatures, and take the necessary steps to forward the Address. A PRAYER FOR THE QUEEN.
The following Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving to Almighty God,forHis merciful preservation of the Queen from attempted assassination by John Francis, on the 30th May, 1842, was prepared by the Rev. A. C. Thomson, Episcopalian minister, and offered at morning and evening services at St. James' Church, on Sunday, the 30th of October, and for thirty days after:—"Almighty and everlasting God, Creator and Governor of the world, who by Thy Gracious Providence has oftentimes preserved Thy chosen servants, the Sovereigns whom Thou hast set over us, from the malice of yvicked m e n : W e offer unto Thee our humble and hearty thanksgivings for Thy great mercy now again vouchsafed to us, in frustrating the late traitorous attempt on the life of our Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria. Continue, we beseech Thee, 0 merciful Lord, Thy watchful care over her : Be Thou her shield and defence against the devices of secret treason, and the assaults of open violence : Extend Thy gracious protection to the Prince Consort, the Prince of Wales, and all the Royal Family : Direct and prosper her Counsels, and so guide and support her by Thy Holy Spirit, that evermore trusting in Thee, she may faithfully govern Thy people committed to her charge, to their good, and to the glory of Thy holy name. A n d to us and all her subjects, O Lord, impart such a measure of Thy grace, that under a deep and lasting sense of Thy manifold mercy, we may show forth our thankfulness unto Thee, by loyal attachment to our Sovereign, and dutiful obedience to all Thy commandments. Give ear we beseech Thee, O merciful Father, to these our supplications and prayers, yvhich we humbly offer before Thee, in the name and through the mediation of Jesus Christ, our only Saviour and Redeemer.—Amen." Thefirstact of the Toyvn Council of Melbourne, at the meeting of that body, on the 15th December 1842, yvas the adoption of an Address to Her Majesty, with reference to the same providential escape. A BIRTH-NIGHT BALL.
As a sample of those entertainments, I append some particulars ofthe last of the old series, which was held on the 23rd May, 1851,fiveyveeks before the birthday of the colony of Victoria. This was to be a great affair in consequence of the change in the political conditions of Port Phillip, and every exertion was made to render it a grand success. From the accounts printed of the affair, it seems to have eclipsed any previous attempts of the sort in the settlement. Mr. Latrobe (now a Lieutenant-Governor), Mrs. Latrobe and suite, arrived about 9 p.m., and were received at the door by a guard of honour, the band playing the National Anthem. T w o bands (Megson's and Hore's), played alternately, and there was no lack of music. The supper yvas laid in the billiard room, yvhich was inconveniently small. Mr. Latrobe, after proposing the Queen's health, which was rapturously received, withdrew to the ball-room, and his place was taken by Colonel Anderson, who " toasted " the Lieutenant-Governor, and denounced " those editors who were in the habit of blackening His Honor's private and public character." Mr. William Hull, in a glowing eulogy, gave " T h e Army and Navy," yvhich was gushingly responded to; and at 2 a.m., the Latrobe contingent retired, but a general clearance yvas not made until after four o'clock. The event gave much satisfaction. The attendance was unprecedentedly respectable, as the stewards "had shown much care in the issue of tickets, and refused some who had misconducted themselves on former occasions." Yet the supper was pronounced " passable," but the champagne was, " except a few bottles, execrable."
