The Express.
London, England, 1860-04-19 00:00:00

BRITISH ORPHAN ASYLUM.

The anniversary dinner in aid of the funds of
this valuable charity took place yesterday evening at the
London Tavern, under the presidency of the Most Noble
the Marquis of BRISTOL, supported by Lord John Hervey,
Hon. General Upton, Mr. H. S. Thornton (treasurer),
Aldermen and Sheriffs Phillips and Gabriel, Rev. C. Mac-
kenzie, S. K. Cattley, J. Wallis, J. Tanner, J. Hub-
bard, J. T. Wilkinson, C. N. Wilkinson, C. Woo/10ton,
Hy. Simpson, Wm. Brown, John Jones, Julio' Mayhew,
Revs.' Dr. Iliff, and about 150 other gentlemen, supporters
of the charity. The musical arrangements, which were
under the direction of Mr. Edwin Gray, included the
Misses Wells, and Messrs. Mostem Smith, Wilson, and
Burgeon. Mr. Toole was the toastmaster.
The CHAIRMAN in proposing the toast of the evening
briefly sketched the rise and progress of the institution. It
was established, he said, in 1827, for the reception of orphans,
the children of persons in the middle; and upper classes of
society. Since then it had received 500 children, 400 of
whom bad been reared, educated, and sent out into the
world, sod 90 still remained on the foundation. The educa-
tion and training were of the best description, and those who
had gone out into the world had shown their appreciation
of the benefits they had received from the institution, they
in their turn becoming its supporters. (Cheers.) At the
next election, in June, 39 candidates were expected,but
the directors in the present state of the funds could not
receive more than 10. The funded property yielded but
900 f. a year, so that the charity was obliged mainly to rely
on the well known liberality of the British public.
The sopeal of the chairmin was much strengthened by
an observation of Alderman and Sheriff Gabriel to the effect,
that he, in his position of a magistrate, saw so much of the
miseries of juvenile destitution in the City, that he
conceived it to be the duty of every man to come forward
and support institutions like the present, which were in-
tended for its prevention.
An allusion to the volunteers by the chairman in one of
his .perches created great enthusiasm, and brought up
Lord JOHN HERVEY, who, amid loud cheers, assured the
ladies in the gallery, and the gentlemen at the table, that
the volunteers would soon
Let all the world know
That the sons of those archers of England
Are her riflemen now.

Mr. C. WooLLorox, when returning thanks for the com-
mittee of management, stated that five years since the
directors had met in that room to consider whether or no
they should dissolve the institution. They had then 1,9001.
in hand, and owed 1,8001., so that they were solvent only
to the extent of 1001., whilst they had 63 children in the
school. Binoe then, however, the exertions of their friends
had prospered amazingly, as they had now 7,0001. in hand
to meet emergencies, and an annual income from property
to the amount of 204/. Besides this, they had 1,2501. from
annual subscriptions, leaving a difference to be made up of
1,4001. annually from special sources, such as the festival
of that evening, sermons, bazaars, Le.
The list of subscriptions and collection made up a total
of nearly 1,0001.

CHURCH or ENGLAND YOUNG MEN9B SOCIETY.—
The twelfth anniversary meeting of the eastern bnuich of
this society was held last evening at the Beaumont institu-
tion, The chairman, Mr. Robert Hanhury, M.P.,
in opening the proceeding. of the evening, called attention
to the value of this society, and to the in-olculable good
that had resulted, and was likely to result, from such insti-
tutions. He hoped this branch would continue to Sourish.
The report (which upon the whole was highly satisfactory),
having been read by the secretary, Mr. M. F. Buchner,
the ltev. Canon Champneys delivered an address on "Self-
deception, Self-righteousness, Self-renunciation, Self-coin
mama," which he delivered in his usual forcible and pleas-
ing style. Mr. John Ila,lgregor, barrister-at-law, was the
next speaker, and chose for his subject, " Young Men in
Russia and America." The concluding speaker was the Rev.
Mr. MVO.

°yams Tog FRANCE—The French national
paddleboat Memel', Le Roy commander, arrived at Fal-
mouth on Monday evening from Brest, in order to load a
cargo of oysters purchased there, through the coneutor
agents, for the purpose of being laid down in the French
estuaries—the cultivation of this particular fishery being
attentively looked to just now by the French government,
Marseilles is understood to be one of the ports of deposit.
ANCIENT ORDER OE FORESTER.I.—The annual
festival of the friends and supporters of the Widow and
Orphan Fund of this institution was celebrated last evening
at the Freemasons' Tavern. The Hon. George Byng pre-
sided, and was supported by Mr. John Locke, M.P., Arch-
deacon Robinson, Master of the Temple, Mr. Edwin James,
M.P., Mr. Tidd Pratt, Dr. Parkes, &c. The usual loyal
and patriotic toasts having been given and responded
to, the chairman proposed the toast of the evening,
"The Widow and Orphan Fund." He said it gays
him great. pleasure to attend a society which was
in an eminent degree self-supporting. was a most
distinguishing characteristic of societies for benevolent
pummel' in this country that they cooed/0.4A chiefly of per-
sons belonging to the middle classes ; their sympathies were
thereby drawn forth, while their self-respect was sus-
tained. The benefit which had been conferred by the insti-
tution, the anniversary of which they were then cele-
brating, reflected the greatest credit on its contributors.
Confining his statement to the Widow and Orphan Fund,
be found that the number of subscribers was 9,000, and that
the sum paid by them towards the charity during the past
year was 1,75&., out of which had been paid in pen-
sions alone during that period not less than 1,500 f.
The meeting was then addressed by Mr. Locke, Mr. Edwin
James, the Rev. Dr. Robinson, Mr. Tidd Pratt, and others,
all of whom bore testimony to the excellent character of
the institution ; and Mr. Locke observed that notwithstand-
ing the divergence in almost all other respects in the in-
stitutions of France, such was the astuteness of the
Emperor of the French in perceiving the social advantages
of these reciprocating societiea,that he had actually favoured
and patronised similar institutions in his own country.
The subscriptions were on a liberal scale. The musical
arrangetnesta were under the direction of Mr. Young, as-
sisted by Mr. Thomas, Mr. Howe, Mr. Nailor, sod
Master Lee. The duties of toastmaster Were aterharged by
Mr. Biwa.
not GREAT TASMANIA VlCTlMB.—Charles rur-
ea, another of the soldiers who came home in the Great
Tasman* died at the Liverpool workhouse on Tuesday.
The deceased was a sergeant-major in the army of India.
The mother of the deceased resides at New York ; and
Purcell, ere he died, left some money fur her in the are of
the governor of the workhouse.
ROYAL GROORAPEIcAL SOCIETY.—At the everting
meeting, on Monday, the 23rd inst., the papers to be
are-1. Expedition into the Interior of South Australia,"
by Air R. G. Maodonuell, governor ; and " Voyagu up the
Darling awl Btrwan Rivers," by W. R. Randall, Fag. ,
irommuniasted by the Colonial office. 2. "On Tyoosl
Mountain Itaugel," by W. Spottievro3d., Esq., F.R.G.R.