The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-04-11 00:00:00

Sr. Lurrs, MIDDLESEX.

Yesterday the friends of Mr. AVilks and of the cause of Paro-
chial Reform, dined together at the Albion Tavern, Aldersgate-
smut, to celebrate the Seventeenth Anniversary of his Election, as
Vestry Clerk. and that of the Churchwardens, 04rseers. &c.
At four o'clock about 100 gentlemen assembled, and the dinner
was placed en the table at half-past four.
Alr. Wtxxs was unanimously called to the Chair.
After the cloth was removed, " Non nobis Lorraine" was sung
by Messrs. Huxley. Chapman, Newton, and J. Jones.
" The health of the King," followed, and the national anthem
was sung. WV' and chorus.
The CHAIRMAN, after a neat prefatory speech, gave,—" The
rivhts and privileges of Oid Engtand."—Three times three. Glee
" We must be gold subjects who are hearts of oak."
The Citatamme said freedom and prosperity must exist and
flourish where institutions were patronised for the cultivation of
learning. England was the fertile field of learning, and learning
was the sub-soil of liberty.
Sorg—" Scots who bar."
The CHAIRMAN P ,id, of whatever country we weer—whether
we &tittered in the Scotch mountains, in the fertile rallies of Ire-
land, or the aropendous mountains of Wales. all vanished when man
bad but one object for which to combat—the liberty of his native
land. He then proposed, " Prosperity to the parish of St. Luke."
it was by the reform their Independence had effected, that their
:ate* had been diminished. By their opposition they had redUced
them from ie. 2d. to 2s. fwd. in the pound ; and thus they had de.
Monstratol the utility of parochial reform, and he hoped they would
aiways persevere in the course that had marked their success.
Song—" The Death of Abereromby.'
The Chaumont said, though the best code be adopted by the
best people, unless the hearts of the whole people be engaged in the
cause, it would Inevitably vanish into nothingness. V. ere it not
for the officers who conducted their affairs, little would have been
effected. He should wpm " Thomas Porter, Esq. the present,
and the elect Churchwardens for St. Luke's."
Mr. POSTRR returned thanks.
Glee—" Hail, smiling morn."
Alt. 14711M.\:4—Feeling as he did under present circumstances,
he could not do that justice to the toast he was about to proposs,
which his sense of the exertions of the individual he should name
would warrant. He had long known his services, and could ap.
preciate them. The reform that had been effected in this parish
was .holly attributable to the assiduity of their vestry.clerin They
had bad the benefit of the reform he had effected for sixteen years,
and now enjoyed it. They had been indebted to him for his services
for the last seventeen years. He would offer to them " the health
of John Wilke, Esq. and prosperity to all his undertakings."
Mr. Wixxs rose; he said, never did the sun shine so reful-
gently upon him es on the present occasion. The clouds of ca.
)(Amoy had dispersed. It was the glorious triumph of the heart
over the weakness of the head. Seventeen years ago, had he fol.
lowed the impulse inherent to man, he might have bettered his
fortune. but would ultimately have felt its waywardness—he
might have walked the streets pitied by the pitying regards of
friends. It could not be the paltry desire of saving 24d. annually
that raised his enemies—it was that passion of opposition which
knew no rest in the bosom of some men that had fostered it. lie
knew that a subscription had been raised among a partial few, to
oust those officers who bad so fkithfully served them. lie would
Bite them " Civil and religious liberty throughout the land."
Song—" Over the water to Charley"—Mr. Huxley.
The CHAIRMAN regretted the absence of the Lord Mayor, who
had intimated his wish to be present, as also that of Mr. Byng ;
Alderman Wood would have been among them but for the debate
before the Commons. He must introduce one gentleman to their
notice—Mr. Palmer, of Newington, who had adopted the precept
of St. Luke's. That parish had been burdened with 15,0001.,
governed by a select vestry. They had adopted the plan pursued
y St. Luke's parish, and opposed the whole bar arrayed against
them in the Commons House of Parliament. Ile would give—
'" Mr. Palmer, and the independent inhabitants of Newington."
Mr. PALMER returned has acknowledgments. It was a great
gratification to him that he had effected a reform in his parish;
loy following the example of St. Luke's, he had effect a saving
of 3,0001. He would beg to offer " thanks to the parish of St.
Luke. prosperity to its fellowship, and long may it prosper, root and
branch."

• BIT. ILILS paid a compliment to Mr. Young, the Vestry Clerk
of Hackney.
Mr. YOUNG returned thanks. He had always stuck to prin.
triple. regardless of individual convenience. BY adopting fade.
pendent maxims, they had reduced their rare from fn. to 2s. 2d.
The CHAIRMAN felt bound to notice those individuals who
had persevered in the effectuation of those exertions that had
pliced them in their present tranquil and happy situation. and to
paniculatixe one he would name Edward Lycett, Esq. to whom he
would offer a tribute of grateful memorial of his services. It was
a bin (of Bold) inscribed—" A grateful memorial of the ,riumph
of Laterality, Justice and Truth, in the recollection of Mr. John
Wilke. much promoted by 31r. E. Lycett, by his intelligence,
prudence, and zeal."
LYCETT advanced and received the testimony. Ile said,
When he entered the room he had 00 idea of the manilaaation they
antunded to make of the services his feeble efforts had contributed.
They Ind appreciated them in a way which he felt too overpowered
so acknowledge in a manner commensurate to the extent of their
rtianifea,ation. He hoped they would experience no occurrence of
vicissitude and trouble they had overcome; but that every
future year would be one of peace, and that that peace would last
year after. 01 the testimony of their approval he felt so elated that
lie must beg a tacit acknowledgment of the obligation, which his
*tense of the efforts he had exerted forbad him to acknowledge as
his merits.

:long—" Death of Nelson."—Mr. Cross.
The CHAIRMAN then said, he must express the sentiment to
felt to every gentleman who had promoted the happy reunion of the
parish sympathies, and to their secretaries especially. He must
stake his acknowledgements to Mr. Reddall, as one of the secre-
taries. _ _

Mr. Rennatt. felt honoured by the approval of his service*.
Mr. lIATEYIAN, on the part of hic colleague, felt obligated by
the honourable allusion which had been made to the advantageous
pesition of the parish. For the left seven years he had not much
interfered in the parish concerns. To Mr. liainworth he felt their
obligations were more particularly due.
Song. " Captain Wattle," Mr. Huxley. Sinfowia intitaliva
cantata f tors _ . _

---
The Omitting—To Mr. Clarke he could not omit the oppor-
tunity of expressing that sentiment which lie was sure the meeting
goit in unisoo with himself. lie should propose " The health of
Joseph Clarke, Esq."
lfdr. CLatiog returned the compliment by a well-turned answer.
The CHAIRMAN proposed 31r. Lyas's health, which was cur.
dially received by the company.
Son q..." John Anderson my Joe."
Mr. Wit.xs proposed the health of his excellent friend " Mr.
Smith, aid tbs society of independent vestrymen."
kb. SMITH returned thanks.
The CuarttMAN next offered the thanks of the meeting to Mr.
rat Lee, un., who mad his ackwledgment, and begged to
"t the thsnks of thee assembly t noo
lldr. Rowland Wilk', who
sl •
id an 'appropriate address.
.y• company seemed oniatlitsd by the spirit of conviviality, and
tllt 1) -past tea the Chainald was still at the bead of the table.
pf sie7dy titre lemStrtmel.preraaleuitlf aslate;
flupt la: • Giant. ia h