eagerness to shake hands they seemed almost ready to devour their old friend. He entered, with three other gentlemen, a carriage drawn by four horses. This was followed by his own carriage containing his wife and his wife’s sister. A procession was then formed, consisting of the Mayor and Corporation; the four-horse carriages with two silk flags; Mr. Smith’s own carriage, a number of other carriages; Mr. Smith’s workmen, and an immense following of other people. The band, which headed the procession struck up “Cheer Boys, Cheer,” in which all the people joined so heartily as to make the whole town resound with melody and harmony. The church bells also rang out a welcome peal, and flags, with congratulatory mottoes appeared in all directions, whilst here and there, Mr. Smith’s portrait, encircled with laurel, was hung outside of the houses. A huge banner was also exhibited, with a well-executed painting, representing Justice trampling on Envy and Hatred, who, with broken spears, rolled vanquished beneath her feet. This evoked a loud burst of cheering. On arriving at the George Hotel, Mr. Smith alighted and soon appeared on the balcony, where he addressed the crowd, and in the course of his remarks he said that although he had been judged and condemned, he did not complain; but he considered the best judges of his character were those with whom he had lived for fifty years. The reception they were giving him showed the estimate they had formed of his general character and conduct. Mr. Smith then returned to the carriage and the procession was resumed nest to wend? its way to the honoured man’s residence at about a mile distant and known as Springfield. Refreshments were there partaken of, and Mr. Smith was left at his home for a short time, and the procession returned. At 3.30 p.m. he was again at the George Hotel, where a public dinner was provided for 115 gentlemen. The chair was occupied by the Mayor, with Mr. Smith on his right, and Mr. McKinnon, M.P. on his left. While these gentlemen were in high festival at the George, a considerable number of the inhabitants kept up the day as one of pleasure in various games on the Salts, where the proceedings closed with a display of fireworks. The gentlemen from Hastings who took part in Mr. Smith’s enthusiastic reception, returned by the last train, accompanied by the Band, who played them to the Castle Hotel.
More Honours
That Mr. Jeremiah Smith’s incarceration should have resulted in a limited duration at the bidding of the Home Secretary, and that such release should have been the occasion for such a general manifestation as above described, must have been a lasting reminiscence, there can hardly be a doubt. Equally doubtless it is that their gratification would be enhanced by Mr. Smith’s further sucess(sic) being assured by his growth of hops, which that year, were more than usually abundant. His was the first pocket of hops that reached the -
