The company was so numerous as scarcely to be accommodated at the three principal inns. It would be a piece of injustice not to mention the dinner at the Castle, which was served in a style of unusual elegance.
The following toasts were afterwards given:
1. The King.
2. The glorious and immortal Memory of King William the IIId.
3. The Memory of the Glorious Revolution.
4. The Memory of those Friends to their Country, who, at the risk of their lives and fortunes, were instrumental in effecting the Glorious Revolution in 1688.
5. The Law of the Land.
6. The Prince of Wales.
7. The Queen, and the rest of the Royal Family.
8. Prosperity to the British Empire.
9. The Duke of Leeds, and prosperity to the House of Osborne.
10. The Duke of Devonshire, and prosperity to the House of Cavendish.
11. The Earl of Stamford, and prosperity to the united House of Boothe and Grey.
12. The Earl of Danby, and prosperity to the united House of Osborne and Darcy.
13. All the Friends of the Revolution met this year to commemorate that glorious Event.
14. The Dke of Portland.
15. Prosperity to the County of Derby.
16. The Members for the County.
17. The Members for the Borough of Derby.
18. The Duchess of Devonshire, &c.
In the evening a brilliant exhibition of fireworks was played off, under the direction of Signor Pietro; during which the populace were regaled with a proper distribution of liquor. The day concluded with a ball, at which were present near 300 gentlemen and ladies; amongst whom were many persons of distinction. The Duchess of Devonshire, surrounded by the bloom of the Derbyshire hills, is a picture not to be pourtrayed. Near 250 ball-tickets were received at the door.
The warm expression of gratitude and affection sparkling in every eye, must have excited in the breasts of those noble personages, whose ancestors were the source of this felicity, a sensation which Monarchs in all their glory might envy. The utmost harmony and felicity prevailed throughout the whole meeting. An hogshead of ale was given to the populace at Whittington, and three hogsheads at Chesterfield; where the Duke of Devonshire gave also three guineas to each of the eight clubs.
It was not the least pleasing circumstance attending this meeting, that all party distinctions were forgotten. Persons of all ranks and denominations wore orange and blue, in memory of our glorious Deliverer; And the most respectable Roman Catholic families, satisfied with the mild toleration of government in the exercise of their Religion, vied in their endeavours to shew how just a sense they had of the value of Civil Liberty.
Letter from the Rev. P. Cunningham to Mr. Pegge.
Eyam, near Tideswal,
Nov. 2, 1788.Rev. and dear Sir,
You will please to accept of the inclosed Stanzas, and the Ode for the Jubilee, as a little testimony of the Author's respectful remembrance of regard; and of his congratulations, that it has pleased Divine Providence to prolong your days, to take a distinguished part in the happy commemoration of the approaching Fifth of November.
Having accidentally heard yesterday the Text you proposed for your Discourse on Wednesday, I thought the adoption of it, as an additional truth to the one I had chosen, would be regarded as an additional token of implied respect. In that light I flatter myself you will consider it.
I shall be happy if these poetic effusions should be considered by you as a proof of the sincere respect and esteem with which I subscribe myself,
Dear Sir, your faithful humble servant,
P. Cunningham.
Stanzas, by the Rev. P. Cunningham, occasioned by the Revolution Jubilee, at Whittington and Chesterfield, Nov. 5, 1788. Inscribed to the Rev. Samuel Pegge, Rector of Whittington.
"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms.