The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-04-12 00:00:00

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF FOREIGNERS.

Yesterday the anniveesary festival of this admirable charitable
Institution took place at the City of London Tatra—:he Duke
of WELLINGTON in the chair. His Grace was supported on the
right by his Excellency Count ?Goose's.. his Excellency Baron
Maslow, and on the left by his Excellency Baron Steimeld. The
company, which consisted of 200 and upwards, sat down to an ex-
cellent dinner at half. put six o'clock. As the Duke of Wellington
entered the room he was received with very warm attenstions.of
applause, the hand playing " Sec the conquering hero comes."
Ills Grace locked in good health, and seized quite recovered
fora his late indisposition.
The Duke of Weeet xcoote, on the removal of the cloth,
wished to state to the company the reason that it derived on him
that day to have the honour of oocupyiog the chair. It was ex.
petted that the Duke of York would have presided at the festival..
but his Royal Highness ass detsitied by public business, sod in
his absence a request was made to him that he would undertake the
office. It gave him much satisfaction to accede to such a reqoest.
(A p?lauee.
the King." Three times three.
" The Royal Family."
" Their Majesties the Emperor of Austria and the Emperor of
Russia, the hurrah protectors of this Society."
" The King of Prussia."
l" TM King of the Netherlands."
The Duke of Woroostotroo said that he hail already apologised
.to the absence of the Duke of York. lie would war propose as is
tow, " The Dake of York and the Army."
i_osg—." How merrily we live," Ac.
`• The Duke of Clarence and the Navy."—" Rule, Britannia."
The Duke of WELLINGTON next ruse to propose the health of
the King of Sweden, than whom this country had not a sincerer
friend or better ally. It was true his Majesty had net visited this
country, and had not therefrire an opportunity of being the bene-
factor of this Society ; but he thought it was due to that illustrious
individual to pay him this homage and token of respect in the pre-
stone of his 31inister.
Baron Sr r.rawor.D, the Ambassador of Sweden, rose end bowed
to the company, in token of thanks on the part of his Royal
Al aster.
.• The Patronesses of this Society."
" The Patrons of the Society."
Count 31t7NSTER felt it was unnecessary to precede the toast he
was about to submit *kb any expatia iratac en the merits of
the noble here (applause), whose neaps • -mogikl receive
wish enthusiasm. Loud applaa.e.) They menrsollallorotul in
having in the chair 041 this interesting occa..ion the illustrious NC-
endued who had so largely contributed to the glory of England—
teheev)—" The Duke of Wellington." . .
The Duke of 11.ELLINOTON (after the lend cheering with
•hich the announcement of his health had been received subsides')
r s and said, " I am thankful for the highly flattering manner an
which my health has been received. In accepting the situation of
perpetual President. I did to with a feclirg of latisfection that in
that situation an opportunity might be afforded me of being useful.
(((fear, hear.) The mary excellent Charities of this metropolis re-
flect more honour upon it even than its greatness and its wealth.
(Applause.) Other Societies hare been formed for particular ob-
jects of chanty; this charitable institution is highly distinguished
amongst those charities, and may perhaps be regarded as the com-
pletion of them. I: is therefore that I feel peculiar pride in having
been selected as the perpetual President of at. I hope, by our sub-
scriptions this night, we shall trove how sensible we are of the
benefit anti advantages this Institution renders to the objects of it,
and of the honour that it does the country. (Cheers.)
The Report was then read by the Treasurer. It gave a detailed
account of the successful progress of the Society during the het
year, and concluded with the following summary of the services it
had rendered to the objects of the Clarity in the course of lest
year :
" It would be endless for the Board to enter into details of the
casual relief afforded during the year, at their weekly sittings, when
the numerous applications of Foreigners of every nation have been
carefully icvestigated. It is evident that numberless mem of want
must occur in this large metropolis, especially amongst Foreigners,
generally deprives( at parochial relief, and exposed to the mood.
tudes ot human elides, without having any claim upon the assist-
ance allowed to British subjects. It will suffice to say that, timing
the last year, applications tor relief have been granted in 1039
stances, and, though the Dirators have °teen had occasion to la-
ment the inadequacy of their resourcis to meet the wants of the dis-
tressed individuals or families applying to them, it is not in the
power of human language to describe the sorrows which their timely
help has alleviated, the tears winch it has dried up, and the wise-
ties which it has relieved and prevented.
" Though the Board do Dot wean to enter into a detailed account
of the various kinds of relief they have been able to afford, such as
misting industrious people, ready to be compelled by want to part
with the very instruments of their industry; such as furnishing
clothes to indigent sailors, and thereby enabling them to get situa-
tions on board of ship., or such as preventing despair and starva-
tion in cases of entire helplessness, they would mention one sort of
assistance they have frequently routed, which they look back to
with the greatest satisfaction. They have been enabled to assist
eighty-three poor Foreigners in returr.irg to IMO' native homer—
thus affording them means todeave England oleo they could no
longer a 'tippet themselves by their exertions, but would have be-
come a burthen to society ; instead of which they Lave been re-
stored to their country and friends, where they may reasonably ex-
pect assistance. Alan y families have dins been timely rescued
from unavoidable and extreme misery, and they will ever look
upon the Society as a most blessed instrument of comfort in time
of raced.

After these general statements, which might easily,if time per-
mated. be corroborated by a number of facts, the Dirntors have
touting to add but to express their fervent hone that this Institu-
con, worthy of this enlightened and benevolent nation, will con-'
tinue to meet with increasing support. That, connecting as it does
the poor and the rich, the Englishman and the Foreigner, by the
most endearing ties, those of benevolence on one side, a7d of grati-
tude on the other, it will remain long a monument of British and
Foreign liberality; that it may be transmitted from its present
civorters to their children, in many generations, and stand as a
resource ever ready, for the poor and the destitute of every other
clime, who may sink under misfortune in this favoured land of phi.
lanthropy ; so that. as long as there shall be destitute strangers in
this country, this Institution may be ever worthy of its widely
comprehensive name, The Society of Friends of Foreigner In Dia.
tress."

•
.I,liUuit the donations of last evenmg were, the Duke of Wel-
lington (tifth time) 50 guineas; Count Munster 101.; Count
lilaltahan 10 guineas ; Count Lieven 211.; Mr. H. Seymour 101.;
/kr. The sum total received was 7121.

"success to the Society."

" The Corporation of London and the City Members."
Mr. T. WILSON, M.P., returned thank* on the part of the
f'orporation and the City Members. If the health of the City
Members was proposed in consideration of his presence, he could
only say. that he had merely followed the example set him by the
Royal Duke who was their Patron, and the illustrious Pield.
Maribel who did them the honour of presiding at their festival
(Applause). He would only add, that his first advancement in
life was owing to foregners in prosperity; and the least that he
could do was not to forget foreigners in adversity. (Loud cheers).
" The Treasurer.'

" The Foreign Clergymen and other Friends."
" The Secretary."
" Tbetitevards."

Mr. /I aftunx returned thanks on behalf of the Stewards. He
congratulated the Society on the harmony that prevailed that day.
A gloom was cast over the prospect 01 that evening by ths an-
nouncem.ent, in the early part of it, that his Royal Highness the
Duke of York was absent. Hot, ever, that gloom was removed by
the consideration of the presence of the Duke of Wellington-3
name that was equally known in that country and all over the globe,
and that would descend with honour to the latest posterity. (Ap-
plause. )

Several other complimentary toasts were given in the course of
the evening; and his Grace the Duke of Wel:ington retired at
ten o'clock. AA which the company (consisting of the inha-
bitants of many nations, principally Germans and Swedes) se.
peuted. The festival was conducted throughout with the etmest
hilarity, good.hurnour, and propriety.