The Express.
London, England, 1864-04-22 00:00:00

ROYAL ASYLUM OP ST. ANN'S SOCIETY.

The Mini feetival of this society was cele-
brated yesterday at London Tams, Biehopegate-dreet,
the LORD MAYOR presiding, supported by the Right Hoe.
Lord H. Gordon, Sir P. Can Notion Pok, Bart., Sir Felix
Agar, Mr Robert Sydney, Colocel J. Sidney North, M.P.,
Mattliaa Wolverley Attwood, Esq. (treasurer), Claptain
Clarke', R.N. T. H. Lowry, Esq.. M.D., Oaptain R.
PrtOldershier, the Rev. Jordan Palmer Y.A., F.S.A.,
s., chaplain ; Samuel Pegg, Eq., .1. Giles
Filcher, J.P., J. Knowles, Fasq., Rev, B. Belcher,
ILA., E. Haswell, Esq., Re.
The loyal toasts having been disposed of, and the usual
formalities having been gone through, the children of the
asylum passed round lb. room, and one of the senior boys
having recited an address on the subject of oervereranco, es
illustrated by the career of Richard Whittington,
The Criantnax proposed the toast of the evening, "Pros-
perity to the Royal Asylum of St. Antes Society. It was
mart gratify*, he said, to feel that this great city (where
wealth and commerce were fostered and encouraged to an
extent which gave it an enviable plans among the nations of
the world) should at the same time be the centre, and
indeed the main starting point, of every public inetitutioa of
a charitable nature. In the midst of their successes the
great merchants and traders of thin city never forgot their
poorer brethren ; and the iostitutiou which they were now
assembled to support was one of those which especially
commended itself to their notice. The society, as must
now be well known, was established for the purpose of
bringing up in a sphere of rmpectability the children of those
whq though once moving in a prosperous position, might,
through reverse of fortune, be prevented from oonferring
upon them that greatest of all benefits—a monad and liberal •
education. For many years past the institution had had
the high privilege of sending forth to the world a large
number of girls and boys, many of whom had been an honour
and credit to the society. The institution was sooooducted
that religious education was made an important element in
its observances. It stood upon no narrow bads, and was
governed by no restricted raW such as might interfere with
a liberal administration of its benefit.. It was entitled to
the tallest measure of encouragement, and he could 000eeive '
no greater pleasure than that of making e Wort in their
Power to do that which would enable the of the
institution to increase the sphere of its usefoloess.
The toad was responded to with the warmest acclamation, '
and was followed by others, in which the merits of the society
ware serology expatiated upon. One of the speakers,
is proposing the health of the Lord Mayor, stated that the
interest he felt in the charity was testified by the fact that.
although he had been invited to dine with the Fishmongers'
Company (of whose court he was a member), to meet Gari-
baldi, he bad resolved to abide by his promise to take the
chair on this occasion.

le the course of the evening. Mr. Luis. the Mderatien-
ble secretary, read list of subscriptions, =meting to lase
thee 7004, a small Sem conaidering the many legitimate
claims which this society prorate to public etymon.
The vocal part of the entertainmeat was ably euetained
by Medlin Game. and Wadlle. Goaetenoe Georg'. hire
Fumy Haldane, sod Mee. Fowler, mid the putarafore aroma-
' te were perforated by Mr. W. H. Adams. Mr.
Harker. junior, was the toastmaster.

SOCIETY FOE TIE ENCOEILAOLKOTT or THE FINE
Aare.—Last evening this society we a special ectertain-
meat in commemoration of the Tercentenary of Shake-
speare, consisting of retdings from his plays Miss
Heeled and Herr Kruger, a selection from Shakespearean
manic by Stevens, Arne, Purcell, Clifton. Bishop, and
Madarren ; aa original ode (htS4, poetry by Mrs- E-
Thome., the music composed expressly for the occasion by
Mr. Alfred Gilbert. The Shakespeare readings of Miss
Reread. ably supported by Mr. Kruger, were marked
throughout by intelligence and good tuts, and met with
the warm appreciation of a numerous auditory. The vocal
portions were given with excellent effect by the Poly-
hymnist) choir. The new occasional ode consisting succes-
sively of an introduction, recitative, chorus, quartett,
chorus, solo, and chorus is a work of considerable merit,
both in respect to the poerepeated platry and setting, and was greeted
with loud and udits.