The Press. — London, England, 1855-06-09 00:00:00

JUNE 9, 1855. BRITISH BENEFICENT INSTITUTION . THE anniversary• festival of this most useful and benevolent institution was held on the 30th ult. at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, the president of the society, in the chair. Amongst the guests, num bering more than a hundred, we observed the Marquis of Clanricarde, General Sir James Macdonell, Sir F. Agar, Sir Richard Paul Joddrell, Mr. Leopold Redpath, and many other influential supporters of the society. The health of her Majesty having been drunk, The CHAIRMAN said he had now to propose the health of " H.R.H. Prince Albert, Albert Prince of Wales, and the other members of the Royal Family." He was gratified to find that a member of his family, H.R.H. the Duchess of Gloucester, had lately shown her appreciation of the value of the society by becoming its patroness, and he would, therefore, with their permission, also couple her name with the toast. (Cheers.) The toast having been duly honoured, His ROYAL HIGHNESS rose and said : Gentlemen,—At a moment like the present little or no preface is necessary in introducing to you the next toast— " The Army and Navy." (Loud cheering.) We are now involved in a great and most important war, and the eyes of the whole country and of Europe are directed towards the proceedings of our gallant army and navy; and although I am myself a member of one of those pro fessions—(loud and repeated cheers)—l think I may be allowed to say that neither the army nor navy has lost any in reputation during the last twelve months — (cheers) —and I trust that we may confidently look for ward to renewed triumphs and victories. (Cheers.) lam fully persuaded that both the army and navy are ready, and anxious, and willing to perform their duty, and I am further persuaded that they have the ability and energy to perform that duty satisfactorily towards the country. (Cheers.) But, gentlemen, in speaking of the army and navy of the present day, it would ill become U 3 to forget the deeds of that army and that navy in former and equally important wars. We have the honour, and I have the satisfaction, of seeing at the table one of the most distin guished officers of the army, who is now enjoying in repose and comfort the laurels which he has won in the service of his country. lam certain there is no man in the army who stands higher in his profession than Sir James Macdonell. (Loud and repeated cheers.) Passing over a great number of actions in which he has been engaged, I think it right to Ming to your recollection the fact that he is the officer whose name became famous m history from his defence of Hougemont. (Loud cheers.) He has come here on the present occasion to support me in the chair, and to show the interest which he feels in this charity, and he has done this at considerable inconvenience to himself. (Cheers.) 1 have great pleasure in pro posing " The Army and Navy," coupling therewith the name of Sir James Macdonell. (Loud and enthusiastic cheering.) General Sir JAMES MACOONELL, who, on rising, was received with great cheering, said : Gentleman,—His Royal Highness having done me the honour to associate my name with this toast, I have great pleasure in responding to it, and I will avail myself of the opportunity of expressing my sense of the benefits which the widows and daughters of many officers have derived from the munificence of this institution. (Cheers.) Although it is my duty to return thanks for the army generally, I hope I shall not be considered presumptuous if I say a few words respecting that part of the service which has for some time been employed in the Crimea. (Cheers.) They have already performed many great and valuable services to the country, and have added fresh laurels to our former fame. (Cheers.) It is impossible to touch upon this subject without adverting to the great national solemnity which lately took place on the parade at the Horse Guards, when her Majesty, with her usual consideration, determined to distribute, with her own hands, those medals which were appropriated 'o the heroes of Alma, Inkermann, and Balaidava—(cheers)—and I leave you to judge what her Majesty's feelings must have been when the first soldier who presented himself to re ceive that well-earned honour was her near and dear rela tive. his Royal Highness, who now occupies the chair. (Loud and continued cheering,) I wish to be allowed to state one or two incidents which took place on that most interesting occasion. When that gallant officer, Sir Thomas Troubridge, was wheeled to the dais on which her Majesty stood, her Majesty, in presenting him with the medal which he had so dearly won, declared to him that from that instant for the rest of his life he was her aide•de•camp. (Loud and rapturous cheering.) In making that declaration, her Majesty, while leaning over and expressing to him her deep commiseration for his misfortunes, dropped a tear upon his coat—that coat ought to be encased in glass, and placed in our United Service Museum. (Immense cheering.) I may be per mitted to mention anther incident. When one of our gallant and glorious British tars approached to receive his reward, the medal by some accident dropped to the ground. It was picked up and presented to him by the Minister at-War, on which the gallant tar said he would much sooner have received it from the hands of his Queen. (Loud cheers.) Her Majesty immediately desired it to be replaced, and then took it up and presented it to the gall mt fellow, whose feelings may be better imagined than des ribed at this mark of her Majesty's favour. (Great cheering.) Gentlemen, I feel particularly proud that his Royal Highness has intrusted to me the duty of returning thanks for the army, and also for the sister branch of the service, and I can assure you I do so with the most sincere and heartfelt satisfaction , (Loud cheers.) THE PRESS. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE, after adverting in complimentary terms to the services of his Royal Highness in the Crimea, proposed the health of the " Royal President of the Institution," which was drunk with all the honours. His Row. HIGHNESS, in acknowledging the com pliment, said:— Gentlemen,-4 can assure you that the handsome way in which my name has been received on the present occa sion, and on all other public occasions, is most flattering to me, a most ample and satisfactory reward for any ser vices which it has been in my power to render to the country. I can only say, with respect to this institution that l cordially enter into its objects and intentions, and , , if it is in my power in any way to further the object of such institutions, my services are very much at their dis posal- (Cheers.) Ido not wish it to be understood that I would, without consideration, support any institution, but I am most anxious to support such institutions as are likely to be productive of public benefit, and I have not the slightest hesitation in saying that I consider it my duty to come forward and give my cordial and hearty support to this institution. ( Loud cheering.) His ROYAL HIGHNESS, after a short pause, again rose and said : Gentlemen,—lt now becomes my duty, as far as lies in my power, to plead the cause of this institution, in honour of which we are assembled this evening, and I must say as far as my humble judgment goes, that I have under.' taken no very difficult task, for I conceive that the institu tion presents itself to the public in the most favorable light. (Cheers.) The object of this institution is to afford relief and assistance to a most deserving class of persons whose pecuniary resources have been diminished by the loss of their relatives and friends. The patties to be benefited by this institution are the widows, or sisters, or daughters of persons in a higher sphere of life—military, naval, and professional, and the relatives of gentlemen of broken-down fortunes. It is for these that I now plead and I am sure every one at this table will agree that the' position of these unfortunate persons is peculiarly difficult and distressing. Many of them are in such a pontion tha. they cannot probably do much for themselves. Having' been accustomed to comfort and ease, which, when they become old and decrepit they can no longer enjoy, they frequently find themselves under the necessity of either going to the workhouse or asking charitable relief, and this is peculiarly distressing to persons of their condition. If the position of such unfortunate ladies can be mitigated by such a society as this, every exertion ought to be made to increase its funds and extend its benefits. (Cheers.) I said that I had no difficultyand no doubt in attending this meeting, and I will tell you why. In addition to the circumstance that this is a charity which, under any circumstances, well merits general support, I think that at this peculiar season it is particu larly entitled to the aid of persons like myself who are connected with the military profession. (Loud cheers.) I sin convinced that during the present year, and for some years to come, the wives sad families of many of the gallent men who have perished during the war will have to apply to this charitable institution for assistance, and I am confident they will receive its liberal support so far as its funds extend. (Renewed cheering.) But, in order to enable the institution to become more useful, it ought to be more generally supported by the public in this great metropolis. I therefore consider it peculiarly my province to appeal to your feelings, and to request your support to this institution. (Cheers.) lam happy to find that the institution at the present time affords relief to the extent of 301. per annum to no fewer than thirty-four ladies. (Cheers.) I believe that there are at present thirty-four other candidates who are desirous of becoming annuitants, and I believe, generally speaking, their claims are entitled to the favorable consideration of the society. Unless, however, the subscriptions' become more liberal, I very much fear that few of those applicants will receive the aid which the committee are desirous of affording them. I again appeal to your sympathies, because I deem this in stitution well worthy your consideration and support. (Hear, hear.) The manner in which the institution is conducted is, as far as I am able to judge, perfectly satis factory. The most searching inquiry is made into all the cases which are presented, and the council are particu larly careful in ascertaining the character of the applicants for annuities—every care being taken to make the in quiries in such manner as not to harass the feelings of those unfortunate ladies, who would otherwise come for ward with much less satisfaction and with much greater reluctacce than they do at present. (Cheers.) As a further security for the proper application of the funds, I believe in the case of every application four persons are required to come forward as annual subscribers of one guinea each. I think, therefore, the public may repo,* every confidence in the management of the institution, and I bring these points to your notice for the purpose of showing that you are not blindly giving your money to an institution without being convinced that its objects will be legitimately carried out. (Cheers.) The society have, with a most laudable forethought, not expended all their receipts in the shape of annuities, but they have retained and funded a certain amount so that they may be able to meet any liabilities which may come upon them. (Hear.) Of course, the larger the amount of subscriptions, the greater will be the number of annuities granted by the society. No person is eligible under the age of fifty-five, unless under very peculiar circumstances—such as blindness, for instance—and I think you will admit that the age fixed upon is one at which relief of this kind may fairly and properly be given. (Cheers.) I may add that I believe the institution is under great obligations to the members of the Stock Exchange for their very liberal pecuniary as sistance, and I think it is our duty to think them for their kind and generous support. (Loud cheers.) I will not detain you longer, bat will aim propose the toast of the 547 evening—" Prosperity to the British Beneficent Institu tion." (Loud and repeated cheers.) A long list of subscriptions and donations, amounting to upwards of 8001., was then read out ; amongst which were his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, 20 guineas ; the Marquis of Clanricarde, 10 guineas ; Mr. Leopold Redpath, 20 guineas ; Major General Sir William Robert Clayton, Bart., 10 guineas ; and a " Citizen," to commemorate his Royal Highness taking the chair, 50 guineas. (Loud cheers.) His ROYAL HIGHNESS said he had heard the list of subscriptions with great satisfaction, and was particularly flattered to think that his presence had been the means of inducing a citizen to contribute so handsome a sum as that which had just been announced. (Loud cheers.) He now begged to propose the " Vice-Presidents of the Institution," especially naming Sir Felix Agar, the President of the Council, who had taken the greatest interest in carrying out the objects of the institution. (Loud cheers.) Sir Fzux AGAR, in returning thanks on behalf of the vice-presidents, laid stress upon the economy observed in the management of the institution. His ROYAL HIGHNESS then proposed " The Coun cil of the Institution," coupling therewith the name of Profs:ssor Murphy, who acknowledged the com pliment, and hoped the assembly would remem ber, now that the 18th of June was close at hand, that the widows and orphans of that army which then distinguished itself equally as its successor has lately done at Alma and Inkermann, still remained amongst us ; some of whom, not unknown to the distinguished general present, were candidates for the society's annuity. (Hear, hear, hear.) Mr. GEORGE WHIELDON, who up to the present time subscribed annually five guineas, announced his intention of doubling his subscription, and ex pressed a hope that other gentlemen would do the same. (Loud cheers.) His ROYAL HIGHNESS trusted that the spirited ex ample which had just been set would be extensively followed. (Cheers.) He then proposed the last toast of the evening—" The Stewards "—particularly mentioning the name of the Rev. Charles Mackenzie, who briefly returned thanks. The musical arrangements were under the direc tion of Mr. Genge, by whom, and Miss Wells, Miss J. Wells, and Mr. Farquharson, many excellent songs and glees were given. Mr. Harker ably officiated as Yv The dinner was one of more than ordinary magnifi cence, in consequence of the liberality of Mr. Leopald Redpath, who, from the earliest establish • ment of the institution, has taken the greatest inte rest in its welfare—he and the whole of his family being large subscribers to its funds. The party did not separate until a late hour. THE SEBASTOPOL COMMITTEE reassembled on Wednesday "to consider resolutions." The public were not admitted. All the members were present, and the sitting lasted from twelve till past four o'clock. It is stated that draught reports were sub mitted for consideration by Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Drum mond, Sir John Pakington, and Lord Seymour. Upon discussion that presented by Lord Seymour appeared most in harmony with the views of the majority, and the others in consequence were laid aside. The committee had not come to any final decision when they adjourned, but it was expected that Lord Seymour's report, after it had undergone some further modifications, would be agreed to. Ix seems tolerably certain that Rus"ia intended to try her band at a diversion in India, bad we not deranged her plans by the invasion of the Climes. There is a Russian officer now at head-quarters who belongs to a regiment that was actually told off for a march to India last year. Several other regi ments were destined for the same expedition, but they too found themselves encamped on the Alma on the 19th of September, and on the road to Baktchi-Serai the following evening. The officers had been provided with books relating to India, and had been studying " the manners and customs " of the Hindoos and Mussulmans of the great pe ninsula. THE CZAR has conferred the order of St. Anne, with the insignia in diamonds, on Baron de Chazal, aide-de-camp of the King of the Belgians. THE DEATH OF THE BEY OF TUNIS is reported by a telegraphic despatch from Cagliari. The event occurred yesterday week, the Ist instant. His suc cessor and cousin, Sidi Mohammed Bey, has ascended the throne without opposition. The late Bey, Ahmed, was not more than fifty years of age. About two years ago he had an attack of apoplexy, by which he was in part paralysed, and it is probable that his death has been the consequence of that attack. Mo hammed Bey, who has been long considered as the legitimate heir of his cousin, and who is now on the throne, is forty-four years of age, and is regarded with great respect both by the native and European populations.