The Express.
London, England, 1855-04-25 00:00:00

ROYAL ASYLUM OF sr. ANNB'S

The anniversary festival of this society, eaten...—
for the purpose of affording e:othing, maintenance, sad
education to children of those in prosperity, whether
orphans or not, was held last evening at the London
, where a large company sat down to • dinner which
did ample credit to the reputation of that establishment.
Ifs 20311 T Paw, Bert., M.P., presided, and was sup.
by his Grace the Duke of Wellington, Lord Barna%
'll Sheriff Croaky, the Rev. Joseph Brawn, M.A., reeler
Chrietcharat, Blackfriate, and a large meal
ef other gentlemen. The institution was keeled
is 1709 by a few persona who resolved upon raising
wbecriptions and enstributicw, which being e
with the aid of the Satiety for Promoting Christian
Knowledge they instituted a day school in Alderagate for
educating and clothing 30 boys and 30 girls, each submriber
fa rotation having the right of placing a child in the wheel.
L the year 1800 a most important addition was made to the
arkinal purposes of the institution, a country saylum having
lama been opened for the entire maintenance and education
01 Ell additional boys. From these small beginnings has
arises the Royal Asylum, containing 226 children, wholly
maintained, clothed, and enucated. Additions have bees
made at various times under peculiar circumstances. Oa
the occasion of the revolution is France, in 1848, six
children were instantly and gratuitously admired into the
asylum from an orphan institution which could no longer be
supported in Paris. On the melancholy occasion of
the loss of the Amazon steamer, end the deaths of
Kr. and Mrs. Cumming, of Britton, two orphans,
shoo gratuitously, found a home in this asylum—instances
which suffice to show how justly entitled the institution is
to general support. Since the establishment of the society
upwards of 2,000 children have been placed out se
apprenticed, and there are now nearly 300 children under
its ewe.
The right hon. baronet who presided last evening dwelt
with considerable eloquence upon these and similar facts,'
and deduced from them the duty as well as the privilege of
liberally contributing to an institution which was produe-
tire of soh important results. As an earnest of hie since-
rity he contributed 60 guineas towards the funds of the
society, and a like sum was immediately afterwards contri-
buted by the Duke of Wellington. Other subscriptions also
towed in, yielding a total of 1,8001.
In eonnazion with the health of the Queen, the Chairmen
gave that of the Emperor and Empress of the French,advert-
Wg in appropriate terms to the happy alliance which the recent
visit of those illustrious persons had cemented ; and while
speaking to the toast of " His Royal Highness Prince Albert
and the rest of the Royal Family," announced that the
Duke of Cambridge had consented to preside at the next
anniversary festival of the society.
A very admirable and touching address was delivered by
one of the boys of the institution, and two of the children
who had most distinguished themselves received decorations
from the hands of the right hon. baronet.
In the course of the proceedings the children of the school
walked in procession round the room, and excited great
attention by their cleanly and healthful appearance. They
were addressed by the Be,. Dr. Croly.
The musical arrangements were under the direction of
Mr. G. Gene., assisted by Min Brougham, Miss J.
Brougham, Miss Malone, Mile Betts, Mr. Perrin, Mr.
Ransford, and Mr. J. O. Cahoon.
Mr. Harker discharged the duties of toastmaster with hie
testa ability.