The Express.
London, England, 1853-01-13 00:00:00

CURRIERS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

This useful charity, which gives good promise of
being ultimately extensively useful in the branch of trade
to which it specially applies, had, like many greater English
institutions, its origin in very humble beginnings. About
six years since a Mr. Tapseett, a working currier, conceived
the possibility of raising a fund for the support of decayed
masters and journeymen of this most ancient and important
trade ; and having applied to Mr. Edward Grant, an exten-
sive master manufacturer, the latter at ones promptly
and liberally entered into his views. The result
was that the muter became treasurer, and the journey-
man secretary, to " The Carriers' Benevolent Institution,"
which has gradually and steadily progressed ever since, and
now gives fair promise of being extensively and perma-
nently useful. The fifth anniversary dinner was celebrated
yesterday at the Bridge House Hotel, when about 120 gen-
tienvn sat down to an excellent and substantial dinner ;
the Rt. Hon. the Lord Mayor presiding. lordship was
supported by the principal merchants in the trade, among
whom we noticed Messrs. B. Grant, De Vere, Birkett
(clerk of the Carriers' Company), Oldham, Mr. E.
Grant, jou., &c.
On the removal of the cloth, the Right Hon. Chairman
gave the usual loyal and constitutional toasts, which were
dilly responded to, after which, attention was called by
the toast-master, and
His LORDSHIP begged to propose • tout, which, although
not on his list, was one which be felt sure would meet with
acceptation in an assembly of free and enlightened English-
men—Ye meant, "Civil and religious liberty all over the
world." (Loud cheers.) If they wanted any additional
Inducement they would find it in the fact stated in the
public journals, namely, that an individual who had lived
long enough In England to acquire a taste for civil and re-
ligions liberty, had, on returning to his native country,
dared to rend a Bible to a few Protestaut children, and for
that offence had been immured in • dungeon, and had there
died. (Hear, hear.) Surely such a feet as that was suffi-
dent to make them prise the civil and religious liberty they
enjoyed in Ragland, and to drink to its continuance at every
convivial meeting. (Loud cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN next gave the toast of the eveninc—
" Success to the Carriers' Benevolent Institution." He
had, he said, during his life been connected with a great
many similar iustitutions—with the tallem, which had
15,00 N. in 'the funds; and the butchers, which divided
1,0001. yearly; and he looked upon the present, although
having • small beginning, as being as promising as asy.
(Hear, hear.) He saw something good " looming in the
future ;" but it must not be like Disraeli's good things,
loom " perpetually in the distance, and never be found
in their budget. (Cheers and laughter.) Trade was likely
to improve and wages to advance, and if such
should be the case, let them not forget the
poor, especially the poor of their own peculiar
calling. (Hear, hear.) He remembered years ago
having presided at an anniversary of this kind, at
which a gentleman present, who was reputed to be worth
40,0001, gave 1001. Since then, he (the Lord Mayor) had
lived long enough to solicit proxies for a grant of 201. a
year for that very gentleman. (Hear, hear.) Let the mas-
ters, then, recollect that there was nothing but ups and
downs in the world, and that the wealthy of to-day might
be the petitioner of to-marrow. He saw that the men had
subscribed 5001., while the masters had only contributed
1501. He trusted that such would no longer be the
cue, but that the masters would assert their
position by the exhibition of a proportionate libe-
rality. (Loud cheers.) His lordship concluded an
eloquent and forcible appeal by repeating the senti-
ment of prosperity to the institution. The tout having
been responded to, a collection was made, the result of
which will be found stated below.
Mr. GRANT (the treasurer) gave " The Lord Mayor,"
thanking his lordship for the eloquent appeal he had
made for the institution, and hoping that the company
would distinguish by their liberality this, which was em-
phatically "The Lora Mayor's year." (Cheers.)
His LORDSHIP, in returning thanks, took occasion to
announce that the collection amounted to 1381., the
largest sum yet received. He hoped it would that evening
be made 1501. (Cheers.)
The SECRETARY (Mr. Tapseott) announced that a depu-
tation of working men had waited on him with their do-
nation, 17 guinea:. This would raise the total to 1571.

The LORD MATO/a—Then we molt Maki it 2001.
(Laughter.)
The tincurritaT then read the report, the main facts of
which were elicited is the preeeding speeches ; but it may
be added that it sallow:toed the election of two pensioners
is June neat, and that the society gratefully acknowledged
a donation of 64. from Mr. Barrel, proprietor of the Bridge-
house Hotel, to whom they were also indebted for the
ample manner and moderate rate at which he had provided
their annual dinner.

The business of the evening terminated with the presen-
tation of a testimonial from the working currier' to Mr.
Edward Grant, the treasurer to the institution. The testi-
monial conateted of an address beautifully engrossed on
vellum and handsomely framed, and bearing testimony to
his unwearied exertions in support of the charity. The
Lord Mayor introduced it in an appropriate sddresa, to
which Mr. Grant responded in a suitable speech, shortly
after which the company separated.