The Express.
London, England, 1849-05-17 00:00:00

ROYAL LITERARY FUND.

Yesterday the anniversary dinner of this institu-
tion took place at the Freemasons' Tavern, Lord Haannatts
,in the chair. Amongst the more distinguished of the guests
were Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer, the Hoe. W. L. Melville,
the Hon. E. Stanley, M P.. the Hen. Charles Hardinge. the
Hon. G. It Trevor, M P., General Sir Charles Pasley,
Admiral Sir Charles Malcolm, Mr. Manekton Milne'', M.P.,
Mr. WIN, M.P., Colonel Mure, M P., Colonel Cenynghass,
Mr Serjeant Mrreweather, Mr. Whitiaide, Q.C., Mr. Bolt,
Q.C., Mr. Alison (author of "The History of Europe "), Mr.
Clarkson Eitanfi.ld, R.A , Mr. W. M. Thackeray (Author of
" Vanity Fair," &c.), Mr. Wentworth Dilke, Mr. George
Cruikshank, Mr. Finlaison, and others.
The usual loyal toss's having been drunk with great en-
thu'ia'm, the chairman proposed The Army and Navy,"
and the announcement was received with great enthusiasm.
His LORDSHIP awed that in bringing this tout under the
notice of the company, he should take the liberty of trans-
posing the form of the words usually adol•ted, MA he would
say, "The Navy and Army." He had always feat the most
unbounded admiration for the naval setviee of this country,
and he could only say that if any reduction in our national
defence, were rendered neeessary by the state of our finance/,
he would rather it should fill upon the army than upon the
navy. He would call upon his excellent friend Sir Charles
Malcolm to return thanks on behalf of the navy, and upon
Sir Charles Paley to address the company on the part at the

army.
Sir CHARLES MALCOLM and Sit CHARLES PALE? U.

spectively returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed "Prosperity to the
Royal Literary Fund." It would not be necessary for him
to occupy much of their time, as the Rev. Dr. Russell
would state to them, through the medium of the report,
the pn sent resides of the society, and the objects for
which it bad been established. He had lately mode himself
acquainted with the principles of this institutiot , end he felt
confident that the system was most admirable. He regretted
very much that an assembly at court had been the means of
preventing the attenasnce of many distinguished persons who
would othi rwiae have honoured them with their presence,
but, nevertheless, he was happy to find that the subscriptions
were loing on most ratisfactorily. It rave him much plea-
sure to say that a young friend of his, Major Edward's, who,
he might observe, wielded toe pen as well as the sword, had
riven ten guineas to the Literary Fund. (At the first men-
tion of Major Eilwardes's name the company gove an enthu-
siastic cheer, and it was sone time before the noble chair-
man could continue hie speech. The announcement of the
dininituisbed officer's subscription was the fig lel for a re•
newed burst of applause.)
The Rev. Dr. RUSSELL then read the report, and it ap-
peared from the list of sabecriptions which followed that her
Majesty had sent a donation of 100 guineas, and that Lord
Hardinge had given 60 guineas, with a promise that he
would ba a subscriber to the amount of 101. per annum.
Mr. MONCKTON MILNES proposed the health of
, Viscount Hardinge, and observed that although the feeling
against war was increasing largely in this country,
the respect mil admiration for these who had
distinguished themselves in the military service were
not diminished. He thought it right that on occasions
of this nature the chair should be filled by one who had ac-
quired tame in larger fields of action than those of literature.
By their practice hers they showed that they did not dia-
lregard their more silent compeers. Ile would rentitid the
company that this was rho anniversary of the battle of Al-
basra. (Cheers.) They would remember the valuable ser-
vices performed by Lord Hardinge during the time of his
filling the offi:e of Governor-General of India—not only in
his military and diplomatic capacity, but in the exer-
tions he made towards the promotion of education amongt
the }Undoes.
Lord HARDINGE, in returning thanks, said there was
no class of persons who owed a deeper debt of gratitude to
the literature of this country than the officers of the navy
and army. In reference to his own experience as a soldier
during his last campaign in births, he had only to as) that,
although he had been obliged to draw the sword after a
series of unprovoked aggressions, be had sheathed it again
at the earliest possible moment. (Cheers.) As regarded the
state of education to the East Indies, and the interest he had
taken in the prom!, ion of so desirable au object, he was proud
to say that he bad often met with Hindoos who could read
and appreciate Milton and Shakspeors at 12 years of age—
a gratifjing proof that the influence of literature was ex-
' tending to the most far distant countries.
" The health of Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer and the am
humidors" was afterwards proposed, and the hon. gentlii•:-
man having returned thanks, gave "The health of Mr.
Finlaison and the writers on science."
The Hon. CHARLES HARDINGE proposed " The
Hon. Col. Trevor, and the other members of parliament
who bad honoured them with their presence." The
tout was watmly responded to, and Col. Trevor returned
thanks.
" Mr. Alison and the Historians " was proposed by Mr.
Serjt. 11EREWEATHER, and Mr. ALISON returned
thanks in a very interesting speech.
The Hon. B. STANLEY gave the " health of Mr.
Whiteside and the Literature of Ireland."
Mr. WHITESIDE, in returning thanks, afforded much
pleasure to the company by the eloquent manner in which
he descanted upon the objects of the institution, and upon
the benefits to be derived from literature by all chases of
persons.
Amongst the other toasts of the evening were, " Mr.
Thackeray and the Novelists," " Mr. Alfred Bute Ricards
and the Drnatista," "Col. Mure and the Travellers," "The
Press," "The Ladies," &c.
The total amount of subscriptions announced on the occa-
sion was nearly 9001.
The musical arrangements were under the d'r.ction of
Mr. Ransford, assisted by his Ransford, Mr. Ransford,
jun., and other vocalists.
The dnner appeared to give every tatisfution, and Mr.
'h was a good tout-master.

MAgsfort-moolla.—Tha Lord Mayor and the Lady
Mayoress have lamed cards of invitation to the Duke and
Duchess of Richmond, Lord and Lady Stanley, and a select
circle, to a banquet, on Wednesday, the 13th June.
COMMISSIO LUNATIC° IscionteNno. Yr=e".
COlSlMi'llio7ll of lunacy of
were held at the Sessions
the Lewford-gate House of Correction, Briaml, before
Francis Barlow, Esq , one of 'her Majesty's commissioners
in lunacy, to inquire as to the state of mind of Mr. Peter
Sharpe Anstey and Mr. Henry /matey, two brothers, who
are inmates of the Fishponds Lunatic Asylum, Gloucester-
shire, and wkoee eases recently formcd the subject of dis-
cussion in the Court of Chancery. The commission had
been sued out at the instance of " The Alleged Lunatic's
Friend Association," for whom Mr. Stone, the
banister, appeared. In the course of the proceed-
ings the unhappy gentlemen were intrcducod, and al-
though their maladies differed somewhat in de gm, they yet
both of them manifested such decided proofs of imbecility as
to leave but one inquiry for the jury, viz., the periods to
which the commencement of their lunacy could respectively
be 'Mimed. It was shown that the unfortunate lunatics owe
the sons of a gentlemen named Anstey,;who had &mired
considerable money by his commenced pursuits at Devices,
and who bed died in 1824, leaving an ample provision for the
comforts of his afflict. d offspring. In both gentlemen the
mensal disease had commenced early, end was of the class
known to medical men as dementia or fatuity. Mr. Peter
Sharpe Matey, who is 63 years of age, had been in the
Fishponds Asylum since 1805. His brother, who is 10 years
his junior, had been an inmate of the same ettab!ithment
since 1821. The object of the inquiry (which was instituted
is cons quenee of some disclosures made at the Gloucester-
' shire quarter sessions) was to found some proceedings
in reference to the property of the unhappy gentlemen.—
Dr. Lyon, Mr. Keddell, sur,thon, and Mr. N. Smith having
been examined, together with a keeper named Dixon, the
jury found that both gentlemen had been of unsound mind,
without lucid intervals, and incapable of managing them-
selves or their property since, in the former case. too let of
January, 1818, and ia the latter, the 12th of April, 1825.
FIRE AT AN OIL WARENOUSE.—Yeaterday morn-
ing, between two and three o'clock, the lob:as:tantsf
o
Plough-yard, Short ditch, were alarmed bye Are in the pre-
mises behneing to flews. Oabey and Well', oil Recounts
and ginger lioochers. The engines of the Locd m Brigade
promptly attended, and the firemen sueeeeied in extinguish-
tog the dames, but not until about 4 cwt. of stager wes
hdere-
stroyed, and other property eonaidershly damaged. Neit
the premises nor their contents were insured.

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