Mr. Truscott has made an elaborate defence of himself and
the Royal Entertainment Committee of the'Common Council, against the charges launched against them by 'Deputy Elliott, of embez- zling the valuable "articles" provided for the Princess's re- ception on the occasion of the Guildhall ball. The Entertain- ment Committee, in gratitude for his and his wife's services, came to a resolution on the 12th of June to give all the fittings in the boudoir of the Princess to his wife. They were worth 6001.-7001., and .Mr. Truscotit refused the " gratifica- tion," only allowing his wife to receive some -portions of -the furniture on which the Princess's arms were emblazoned, and " other articles that could.not be purchased." He offered to name the exact figure for these articles, but the Court declined to hear it. It was, he said, very small indeed, in comparison with the total value of the furniture. The perfumery, soap, and articles of that description, had only cost 98/. (not 1381., as Deputy Elliott had said), and this sum was raised by a process which Mr. Trus • cott describes so obscurely that it is, perhaps, better to use his own words. The china was bought after receiving several tenders, and " was manufactured expressly for the purpose, and he could inform the hon. member that by the price that was ralized the Corporation was a gainer to the extent of 1001. by the difference of what would have been paid if such articles had been obtained upon loan, and he might remind them that this sum would pay the whole cost of the perfumery to which the hon. member made so much objection." The " waifs and strays," he admits (value 1501.) were divided by lot amongst the Committee. The Committee were very moderate, he said, in spending only
2001. on luncheons and dinners ; for they had met 17 times—about 121. a meeting—and always sat till 3 or 4, now and then till 12 at night. On the -whole, Mr. Truscott's injured feelings were received with much sympathy—the enemy, Mr. Deputy Elliott, did not show—and all discussion was adjourned. The total cost of the whole ball and the arrangements for it was 15,0001.
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