ACCOUNT OF THE DINNER. 
293 
and would not detain them longer about himself, but would say that 
he felt most grateful to them for the honour they had done him in 
drinking his health. 
Mr. King, jun., then obliged the company with a song, after 
which 
Mr. James Turner rose, and hoped that he should be permitted 
to propose the health of a gentleman who might truly be called 
one of the main props of their profession. They were met that 
day to celebrate the obtaining of their Charter; but there were 
many among them who were, perhaps, not aware of the steps by 
which that object had been obtained, or of the individuals who 
laboured to accomplish so desirable a purpose. To such it might, 
perhaps, be new to hear that Mr. Mayer, of Newcastle, was to be 
truly regarded as the parent of their profession. There might be 
many older men ; but he alone had stood forward, out of a body of 
a thousand strong; and, to argue the propriety of making an effort 
to obtain a royal charter, he came to London several years ago. 
He was, however, free to confess that, although he had not thrown 
cold water on the plan, he had been a silent observer of the efforts 
which Mr. Mayer was making, and that, in fact, to Mr. Mayer it 
must be acceded that he was the first grand mover in the under- 
taking. It is also certain that other powerful spirits acted in con- 
junction with him, and he thought he should not be doing justice 
to his brother if he did not bear testimony to his efforts to accom- 
plish his noble object. Some other influential characters also 
played a most important part in bringing their powerful influence 
to bear on the great personages of the land; but to Messrs. Field, 
Mavor, King, and several others, whose names are, and ever will 
be, deeply embalmed in his memory, he considered they were 
principally indebted for bringing about that consummation which 
they were met to celebrate. They all owed a deep debt of grati- 
tude to Mr. Mayer, of Newcastle, and he hoped they would shew 
they felt the obligation by drinking his health with all the honours. 
Mr. Mayer thus replied : — Mr. President and Gentlemen, allow 
me to render you thanks for the honour done me in drinking my 
health, and for the very flattering manner in which my friend, 
Mr. James Turner, has been pleased to speak of my services. It 
VOL. XVII. Q q 
