The Express.
London, England, 1863-08-04 00:00:00

THZ SAILORS' HOKE.

LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR AN
ENLARGEMENT BY LORD PALMRILSTON.-(THIS

/Ins day the ceremony of laying the foundation
one of the building for the enlargement of the Sailors'
lime took place is Dock-street, near the London
bockg. As it was known that Lord Palmer-
'too bad consented to be Present on the occasion, the
neatest interest was excited in the quarter of the metro-
NEB where the ceremony was to take place. The houses
is the neighbourhood were gaily decorated with flags, and
the temporary covering erected for the occasion was also
hens with flags, and oxupied by a gay unemblage of ladies.
Amongst those present were the Right Revs. the
&shop, of London and of Mauritius, Miss Burdett Coutta,
MrAyrtoo, M.P., Mr. Hanbury, M.P., Admiral Sir W.
Bowies, Mr. R. Hanbury, Mr. Mackay, Mr. Montague
Care, Colonel Sykes, M.P., Rey. Mr. Creator's; chaplain
to the Home, Hoe. Captain Maude, Mr. D. Powles, &c.
The men of the Royal Naval Reserve from H.M.S.
tresideot, and the boys from the Royal Marine SocietY
were in attendance, as also the bands of the Tower Hamlets
llifle Corps and the Metropolitan Police.
The " Home " was established in 1830, and WWI opened in
Kt.l ; and it has proved the precursor and parent of many
similar establishments in England, America, and other
Tarts of the world. Its object, as is well known,
is to provide comfortable accommodation for sailors,
and its benefits have been so much appreciated
that increased space has become necessary. "The de-
mand for accommodation," say the committee, "has now
reached such a painful crisis, more than 100 men having
been frequently refused admission, even when 70 cc 80
impromptu beds have been made up on the floors of the dor-
mitories, that the directors feel imperatively called upon to
enlarge the Horne. The outlay, with the most rigid eco-
nomy, will exceed 10,000/. The committee therefore most
earnestly appeal to the public for the assistance absolutely
D edger yto enable them to carry out this good work on
behalf of the British sailor. The Home was opened in 1836
foe the reception of 100 seamen. The number received
during the past year is 8,993; the total number received
since the opening, 139,180."
Lord Palmerston was received at the entrance of the court-
yard, next the Stamm' Church, by the patron, the Lord
Bishop of London ; the president, vice-presidents, chairman,
and directors of the institution, and was thence conducted
to the ground. His lordship was received with the greatest
enthusiasm.

The following address was read by Admiral Bowles, the
president of the society :

" May it please your Lordship,—We, the president, vim-
presidents, chairman, and director of the Sailors' Home,
desire to express our lively gratitude to your lordship for
having kindly consented to lay the foundation stone of the '
proposed boildieg, which is intended to form an
portent and neeserzy addition to the original struc-
ture. During the last six years the demand for
sctommodation bas been gradually increasing, and
has now reached such a crisis that the measure of enlarge-
ment has become the crowning point in the history of the
institution ; to delay which measure any longer would be
to being the nailer fro to face with his enemies beyond its
fostering walls, and defeat the cause to which we are
committed. It has, therefore, been determined to erect an
auxiliary building for the reception of 160 additional seems.
The plans, which embrace all the canons contrivances eon-
drive to light, comfort, and health, have been prepared by
Mr. E. L. Braesbridge, architect. The cost of the building,
r per contract, will amount to 10,8261; to realise which, '
together with a further sum of 2,0001. for ilttiap,
as appeal has been made to the directors by the
pidgin at large, more especially to the shipping
and mercantile community of the port of London.
The' Home' owes its origin to the devoted energies of three
marl officers- Captain Robert James Elliot, RN., de-
ceased, Admiral George Charles Gambier, and lieutenant
Robert Jostle., R.N. It was instituted in 1830, and opened
in 1835 ; and its object is. to provide a hams—combining
amity, freedom of action, and social enjoyment—
for ohs sailor, on his return from a perilous voyage ; and
to promote he moral elevation rod religious improvement.
as a proof that tree objects have, in large measure, been
accomplished, we beg to call your lordship's attention to
the fact that, slime the opening of the institution, 139,180
names have availed themselves of the advantages it holds
out ; and such is the confidence inspired by its operations,
that no less a run than 1,110,9801. has been received from
theme men, sad directed into legitimate channels for
their broth. These statistics bear most striking testimony
to the remarkable MCCOY which has, under Providence,
hitherto attended this institution ; and inspire as with the
hope that, seder the same Divine bleating, we shall meet
with that public support cmamenanrate with the present
need and the important end of affording protection to &larger
number of seamen from the profligate system to which
they are exposed. In conclusion, we shall always retain a
pleasing nroollectiou of the evidence of practical sympathy
with the care of the British sailor whsch or lordship's
pressor and oruatemance on this interesting occasion to
amply afford."

Lord PaLiernevon, in reply to the address, said that he
felt great pleasure as well as pride in being permitted
to take part in this most interesting ceremony. By
their insular position they were almost of necessity
a seafaring nation. All their interests, and he
might say almost their national independence,
were connected with the skill, enterprise, madder* courage
of their seamen. (Cheers.) It was needless for him to say
that in conseqaence of recent free trade measures
their oommercial intercourse with all nations and upon
every ocean bad immensely increased, and on that ground
alone the importaoce of their mamma could not be over-
rated. Bat there were other masons for holding their sea-
men in the highest estimation. He did not think that a
Dation of thirty millions of freemen could be conquered by
any invuion. (Cheers.) It might be possible, however, by
cutting up their commerce and by blockades to place them
in very grave and straiteeed circumstances, and the way to
prevent such results wee to Meter institutions like that,
which tended to raise the character of our seamen.
(Cheers.) It was well known that the sailor was a brave
man, and that he was also a imitated. man, and as such WOO
too often made the vietim and the dope of men of a dif-
ferent character. Meer, bear.) When he returned home be
could not go to his friends, but WAS obliged to remain at a
particular port, where he was exposed to temptation and
to the loss of money and of health. It was mid that
his " home " was " on the deep," but they were
now building for him a home on terra firma, where his
physical and moral welfare would be looked after. (Cheers.)
Establishments like that were a sign of the social im•
prominent of the time, and foe himself he felt
dome pleasure is laying the foundation stone for the en.
hrgemeut of an institution which would conduce so much to
the advantage of seamen and would be attended with so
much oatmeal advantage. (Loud cheers.)
The Bishop of London, assisted by the chaplain, the Roy.
Hr. Greaten; offered a prayer suitable to the 00C2W014
after which the usual formula of lowering
the atone took place. Lord Palmerston took the
trowel in head in thoroughly masonic style, and completed
the ceremony in a manner which elicited the approving
cheers of all present.
Immediately after the principal visitors partook of a re-
fection provided for their entertainment.