The Express.
London, England, 1847-10-29 00:00:00

GERMAN HOSPITAL.

A special general court of the governors of this
institution was held yesterday, at the London Tavern,
Bishopweate-street, for the purpose of appointing a committee
to investigate the validity of the statement contained in the
report of the house committee, read at the special general
court of governors on the 14th inst. This statement had
reference to the conduct of Dr. Freund, the directing phy-
sician, who had been suspended front his office by the corn.
mittee. At the previous meeting, held a fortnight ago, the
matter was very fully discussed; but an adjournment be-
came necessary, in consequence of the committee having
resigned in a body towards the close of the meeting.
His Excellency the Chevalier Bun‘en, the Rev. Dr. Kuper,
and other gentlemen having entered the room, Mr. B. Cak-
bell, M.P., was called I. the chair.—Mr. Deeenstmst moved
for a return of the minutes of the last meeting.—Chevaher
Bunsen said there were no minutes.—Mr. OPPRNIIIIIM said
he had never heard of such a proceeding.—The SeCReTARY
said that no minutes had been drawn up on that occasion.
The CHAIRMAN said, that with every wish to conduct the
proceedings fairly to Dr. Freund, it had been suggested that
three should be appointed by. the committee and three by
Dr. Freund—the ox to appoint on umpire, if necessary ; and
the more quietly and harmoniously this was done the better.
He wished to know if Dr. Freund agreed to this arrangement?
Dr. BERNAYR said he would not. This was now no ques-
tion about Dr. Freund. His friends at the last meeting had
been grossly insulted by the committee, who, after the pro-
ceedings had gone on for a consid,rahle time, threw up their
charge as members of the committee.
Alter some angry discussion, the Rev. Mr. BRIINAA'S
asked who were the committee, as the old committee had
resigned? The last meeting bad been dissolved on a false
pretence, and the committee had afterwards found out that
they had no right to resign; and now they insulted the go•
vernora by refusing all information. If they were so treated
the great body of the governors would be driven from the
institution.
The CHAIRMAN said there was no actual resignation—
(" oh, oh")—but merely an offer to do so by Dr. Kuper.
The Rev. Mr. BRRNAYS said the resignation had been re-
ceived, and the Duke of Cambridge had dissolved the meet-
ing in consequence.
The CHAIRMAN said the committee could not resign in
this way—it was impossible fur them to do so. He should
therefore hold that there had been no resignation.
Dr. BERNAYS said—Then they ought to be placed in the
same position es they were in before the pretended resig-
, nation._

The CHAIRMAN called the doctor to order; and said, if
the meeting was to be conducted by clamour. he would leave
the chair. Having decided that there had been no resigna-
tion, he should decline to hear any further arguments on
that subject.
Mr. Ald. SIDNEY, M.P. moved, after a few observation.,
That a committee be appointed to investigate the charge, hear the
defence of Sr. Freund, and report thereon ; and that, in the mean-
time, the doctor be restored to the situation he held.
After some more angry discussion, the alderman stated that,
notwithstanding the resulution come to by the last meeting,
after his royal highness lett the chair, Dr. Freund, on pre-
senting himself daily at the institution, to resume his pro-
fersional duties, had been refused admission. Such was not
the course that the committee ought to have adopted towards
an honourable professional man.
Dr. BERNAYS said that on condition that Dr. Freund be
restored pending the investigation his friends would con-
sent to the appointment of a committee. Let all proceedings
sines the 3d of October be withdrawn, and they sees
satisfied.—Mr. C. A. PIiZTLER said it was not true that
the doctor had been refused admittance daily. This had
only occurred once, on the Saturday after the meeting.— I
Dr. BERNAYs pressed for an answer to his question--
whether Dr. Freund would be admitted to the hospital as
usual.—The CHAIRMAN said he certainly considered the
suspension at an sad, and Dr. Freund was,. ipso facto, in
th4osition he before occupied.—Mr. ADOLEHUs Demi said
he was willing to take to himself the responsibility of all
that had been done by the committee; but on referring to
the rules subsequently, he was of opinion that they had ex-
ceeded their power in suspending Dr. Freund, and he felt
bound to state this publicly.
Mr. D. H. GAIDECHENS thought the committee had the
power of suspension, but was willing to bow to the chair-
man's opinion, that the suspension wan virtually at an end.
Chevalier BUNSEN, as a vice.president of the institution,
expressed his belief that the whole of the committee would
be bound by the chairman's opinion. He spoke as a friend
of the institution, in behalf of which he had devoted much
time and attention ; and as such he was willing to rely on
the good faith of the committee, in the belief that no one
would refuse Dr. Freund admittance. (Hear.) Upon this
understanding, come to as between gentlemen, he hoped
they would now proceed to appoint the committee of in-
quiry, whose proceedings would receive the most perfect
publicity. He hoped his countrymen would take his word
that no obstruction would he offered to Dr. Freund, if he
chose to present himself at the hospital.
Mr. Steliee submitted his resolution in the following
form :
. . . . . . _

That a committee of governors be appointed to investigate the
charges made by the house committee against the directing physician,
De. Freund, with the view of submitting a report to a special court
of governors summoned to receive the same; that such committee be
also empowered to review the rules for the government of the Mali-
lotion, and to submit such alterations as they may deem expedient;
and that in the interim, pending this inquiry, the auscension placed
on Dr. Freund by the house committee is suspended.
The CHAI UM AN doubted his power to submit to • special
meeting such a resolution.—After a protracted conversation,
Mr. Sidney withdrew that portion of his resolution relating
to the rules.—The Ctralustaw expressed his opinion that he
could not put the rest of Mr. Sidney's resolution.
Much irregular discussion ensued; ultimately, Chevalier
BUNSEN moved as an amendment to Mr. Sidney's resolution,
the substitution of the words—" It being undentsod that
the suspension of Dr. Freund, by the house-committee, is at
an end," instead of the words with which the original reso-
lution closed.

Dr. KUPEa seconded the amendment.
Mr. SIDNEY, u the proposer of the original motion, con-
sented to adopt the amendment, believing it to be tantamount
to the words of his own resolution.
. .

- The motion was then put and agreed to unanimously.
The CitairmAre asked Dr. Freund if he consented to the
proposition that three gentlemen should be selected on
each tide ?
Dr. FanneD said be should leave the matter entirely in
the hands of his friends. This was the coarse he had at first
proposed, the adoption of which would have soved all this
trouble. He complained loudly of the conduct of the com-
mittee in printing the charges against him, and said that
these reports had been circulated, to his injury, in his own
country. On the Saturday after the last meeting, he had
gone to the hospital as usual, to resume his duties, when
Mr. Pretler had interposed, stating that the committee's
resolution was still in force, and protesting against his re-
suming his duties, in the name of the committee, and his
own name as the owner of the house. (" Shame.") After the
way in which he had been dragged before the public, this
proceeding assumed the character of a prosecution against
an individual by a public body. (Hear, hear.) He wished
for the appointment of six governors on each side.
Chevalier BUNbEN objected to so large a number.
Dr. FREUND would consent to the appointment of five on
each side.—This was ultimately agreed to.
It was resolved that five should form a quorum, and that
the ten should select an eleventh as umpire.—The proceed-
ings, which occupied about four hours, concluded with a
vote of thanks to the chairman.

WHITTINGTON Crx&—A general meeting of mem-
bers and other persons interested in the institution, was
held last evening at the Crown and Anchor, Strand,
to receive the report of a committee appointed to raise
a sum of 5,0001. by way of loan for the purpose of
establishing • west-end clubhouse. The chairman, Mr.
Shun, expressed his regret at the absence of Mr. Douglas
Jerrold, whe was prevented from attending by a domestic
affliction. The report of the committee announced the
success of the City branch of the club, which has been
opened for some months, notwithstanding the tem-
porary check which had been experienced in conse-
quence of the recent fire. It had been for some time
in contemplation to open a western branch, and with
this object the committee had nude arrangements
to take the Crown and Anchor, the building in which they
were at present assembled. The funds of the institution
being inadequate for the purpose, the committee had beer.
I appointed to raise a loan of o,outli., in shares of 61. each.
Towards this, 060 shares had been taken, the number at pre-
sent required to be taken up being only 40. The committee,
therefore, appealed to the meeting to raise the remaining
amount, which might be effected m shares of 11. each. The
chairman stated that among the gentlemen who had come
forward with assistance were Mr. Lushineton, the member
for Westminster, 20 shares; Mr. Douglas Jerrold, 10 shares;
Mr. Mark Lemont 10 shares ; and Mr. Charles Dickens, 5
shares. Mr. Lindeman then moved • resolution, express-
ing the satisfaction of the meeting at the result of
the operations of the committee, and pledging them-
selves by every means in their power to aid the
further proceedings.—Mr. Hornsby seconded the resolu-
tion, which was further supported by Mr. Peacock and
Mr. Parry.—The resolution was then carried, and tsroosed-
lags stayed for about half an hour, during which time the
name of additional shareholders were taken, and on the
result being announced, it appeared that 51 additional (11.)
shares had been subscribed. The proceedings terminated
after a vote of thanks to the chairman.
METROPOLITAN BENEIUT SOCIETIES' ASTLIIM.—A
general meeting of the donors and subscribers of this asylum

was held last evening at the London Mechanics' Institution,
Southampton-buildings, Holborn, for the purpose of electing
one inmate. The number of candidates was 17, and the
choice fell upon John Flamer, by a majority of 250 votes,
a man 74 years of age (with a wife aged 68). After the
ballot, Mr. H. Pownall, one of the vice-presidents, was
called to the chair, when a report, stating that there were
56 persons at present on the funds of the asylum, and that
it was most desirable to enlarge the building by the addition
of a new wing, was moved, and unanimously adopted; upon
which thanks were voted to the chairman, who made a few
remarks upon the advantages of the institution, and the
meetin sepTCated.
THE BUraHERS' CHARITABLE INSTITUTION.—Yes-
terday a meeting of the donors and subscribers to the above
institution, founded in 1828, for affording relief to decayed
master butchers, their widows, and orphans, was held at the
Freerossons' Tavern, for the election of eight additional pen-
sioners from a list of 30 candidates; Mr. John Sharpe in the
chair. The report stated that since the existence of the
society there had been paid to pensioners 14,8141. 17s. Ild. ;
the income arising from all sources during that period being
24,4581. ss. Id. The funds requisite for the payment of the
pensioners (46 in number), males receiving 20 guineas and
females' 15 guineas each, will this year exceed 9.50/. The
society has almshouses at Walham-green. The funded pro-
perty amounts to more than 10,0001.
CIIEESEMONGERS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.—
Yesterday a meeting of the subscribers and friends of this
institution was held at the London Tavern, Bishopegata-
street , for the purpose of electing two pensioners, and for
other business. The chair was filled by Mr. Edward Cot,
decoy. From the report of the past year it appeared that
the society since its formation had been the means of re-
lieving a vast amount of distress and suffering, there having
been a total of 63 pensioners, 20 of whom had died before
the last annual meeting. The total amount paid last year
in pensions was 6001. There had been given since the for-
mation of the society upwards of 4,0001. in pensionary relief.
The funded property of the institution up to the last account
amounted to 6,7951. The total income for the past year was
as follows : annual subscriptions, .5671. ; donations, 2301.135.,•
dividends, 1891. ss. Id.; legacy, 951 14s. 7d.; making a total
of 1,0821. 12s. 92., exceeding that of the former year by about
2001. The report having been adopted, and the pensioners
elected, several gentlemen addressed the meeting in support
of the society, and in furtherance of its objects, after which
the meeting broke up.
SUICIDE IN ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL.—We learn
that the gentleman who committed suicide yesterday in St.
Paul's is Mr. William Davison, soliciter, 21, Bloomsbury-
square.
SUICIDE OF A CITY ItlEßClLlNT.—Yesterday Mr.
Payne, the Coroner for the City of London, received informa-
tion of the death of John Henry Deffell, Esq., who com-
mitted suicide under the following circumstances:—The de-
ceased gentleman, who was in the 70th year of hie age, was a
merchant, and had offices in Billiter-court, Billiter-street,
City ; his private residence was at 38, Upper Harley-street,
l'ortland-place. He had recently become exceedingly
despondent. Between ten and eleven o'clock yesterday
morning he left home to go to his chambers ; and, in White.
cross-street, he entered a chemist's shop, and asked for some
prussic acid, in Latin, giving his name as Dr. Randell. The
shopman immediately got down from the shelf the prussic
acid bottle, which the deceased seized directly, and drank off
a large quantity. An alarm was raised, and the parties in
the shop tried to secure him, but he managed to run out as
far as 10S, Fore-street (a baker's shop), where a surgeon was
culled in, and the unfortunate gentleman removed to the
Cripplegate dispensary. Every effort was made to expel the
poison, but the deceased expired in a few minutes. An
inquest is expected to be held this day.