7025 106
Sough Street 227 May 115t
I have the honor to acknowledge your Excellency's private note yesterday, which was delivered this morning and to submit my reply. On the 13th inst I had the honor of being present at your Excellency's official dinner-party, of compliment to the new Admiral - The Chief Justice sat nearly opposite to me, Captain Wodehouse sat at a much greater distance, and so I believe did Captain Mathieson & Mr. Hoodgate. The Chief Justice was on the right of your Excellency and the Colonial Secretary on your Lordship's left.
During dinner my attention was now & then attracted by eccentricities on the Chief Justice's part. But I should not have thought of it again, but for what occurred immediately after dinner, when the Chief Justice with some excitement and loudness of voice called a servant and ordered the removal of the lights from the Table. Your Excellency remonstrated with His Lordship - persisted and caused them to be replaced. From that moment your Excellency appeared to labor under some uneasiness, and to be anxious for the termination of the party. It was to that cause I attributed the circumstance of your proposing "The Army & Navy" in one toast instead of "The Queen and the Royal Family". To the same cause I attributed your Excellency's leaving the dinner somewhat abruptly immediately after the toast had been drunk.