The Express.
London, England, 1855-10-27 00:00:00

SOIREE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION

AT THE MILTON CLUB.

Yesterday evening the whole of the spacious apart-
ments of the Milton Club were gratuitously thrown open to
the,Congregatiostal Union, for the purposes of &soiree, which
was most numeroesly attended In addition to a very large
body of clergymen, both metropolitan and provincial, the
rooms were crowded w:th the laity of various sections of
the nonconformist body, all of whom expressed themselves
gratified for the accommodation afforded, and highly
pleased with the general gemente of the club. It is
now about four years since Mr. Henry Bateman sad Mr.
Samuel Morley conceived the Idea of establishing in the
metropolis a point of union for the various mem►er. of tie
macenformist body throughout the kingdom, and at
length, principally through the indefatigable exertions of
Mr. Bateman, a suitable clulhhoues has been obtained
and magnificently fitted up, a large capital raised,
lead between five and six hundred members enrolled on the
house list. The hoses is in a most central situation, being
No. 16, Ludgate-hill, end is exceedingly spacious se well as
somfortable. The decorations an, as might have been
expected, generally of a plain and unpretending sharacter,
eauvenienos and utility having bees obviously the great
desideratum with the committee. To this rule, however,
Me principal drawing•room forms a pleasing eseeption,
Wag gilt and decorated in a style at ones chaste and elegant,
end afford* oa entering a most gratifying coup &reel.
Notwithstanding an Immense outlay, the arrangements are
Miff Incomplete, bat are nevertheleis sufficiently advanced to
MOMS their ultimate sum and object. When complete,
they will include, is the rear, an immense and richly-
deuented hall for public meetings, more than one ball of
men moderate dimensions, a magnificent organ, and
other nuessary appurtenances of a plus dedicated
to great public acuities, whether festive or of a more
serious character. The hotel department, which has been
placed under the control of Mr. Donal, of the City of London
Tavern, is on the footing of the but west•sad clubs, and
has, in addition, a sufficient amount of sleeping accommoda-
tion for country members during their Decisional visits to
town. Altogether the club has a decidedly comfortable,
sabetantial aspect, and will no doubt, when complete, be
net only highly useful to the nonconforming body generally,
but exceedingly creditable to Maus. Morley, Bateman, and
the other gentlemen through whose energetic exertions it
ham ben established.
TM company commenced to arrive early yesterday even-
ing, and soon crowded not only the drawing-room, but all the
public apartments and even the staircases, which at one
period were almost impassable. A great point of attraction
was the megnifieent piece of plate masted to Mr.
Coartauld for his exertions in the celebrated Braintree cue,
and which was surrounded by admiring groups throughout
the greater portion of the evening. As this piece of plate is
probably destined to have a high historical interest, the fol-
lowing detailed description may be found interesting, pre•
asisisg that the design is purely ornamental, end the °bk. 3
to symbolise the triumph of Civil end Religious Liberty :
"Top group.—The upper figure (Liberty) holding in her
right hand the up of liberty, in her left the emblem of
victory; under her feet are faggots, chains, and scourge,
symbols of civil ant religious tyranny. Liberty is sup-
ported on one side by chriatienity ; under the feet of eh •
anity is the serpent, emblematic of evil end corruption ; on
the other side of liberty is justice satisfied, is the act of
calling the attention of the world to the achievements of
civil and religious liberty—her eyes unbandsged, and her
sword lying by her side. Wisdom (being the other figure)
holding in her hand a tablet, and exultingly calling atten-
tion to a motto thereon, characteristic of the subject. On
the base.—A tigers of history holding a tablet, oa which
s►e is recording the final issue of the Braintree contact. A
figure, emblematic of civilisation, holding in her bands a
book, from w►ich she is exultingly reading the triumphs of
civil and religious liberty. TM other figure, holding in her
hand the distaff—by her side the beehive and the beaver—
is emblematic of industry and perseverance, who is content
that her labours have resulted in success. On the bottom
of the boo are wreaths; the laurel. emblem of victory—
the oak, of endurance—tee palm, of peace. On the panels
are the medallion portrait of Samuel Cocrteuld, Esq., his
armorial bearings, ann the inscription, all of which are in
relief. The extreme height of the group is 42 inches, the
width 21 inches. Weight of the whole, 000 ounce'. Value,
800 guineas. Designed and manufactured by Samuel S.
Benson, 16, Cornhill, London."
As aeon es the company had partaken of the abundant
refreshments provided, and satisfied themselves by personal
inspection as to the elegant:ties and comforts of the house, a
meetiag was improvised in the large toots in the rear (the
future library), over which the Rev. Dr. Halley emitted,
the object brine to Plate on record the service rendered to
the Congregational Union by the committee of the Milks
Club, in placing their premises at the service of the Union
for the meetings of the week, and the gratitude of the letter
body for the veryinsportent and substantial benefit oonferred.
A resolution to this effect was proposed by the Rev. R.
AsnTow, and Funneled and sit:Toned by the Rev. Dr.
AAAAA and R. PRASCI (bleneheeter), and was passed oy
acclamation.