The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-05-20 00:00:00

iIETROPOLITAY LITER.4RY iyinrrrioA:

The Proprietors and Mende Of this Institution dined together
yestnday, at the London Ceifee-house, Ludgete-hIIL
Mr. Sherif Witt . was in the Chair. _
Immediately after the dinner, which.was served up in a superior
manner, Now Noble Durnine wan swig in excellent style by the
professional singers in attendance.
The CHAIRIEAN observed. that, Rs all !amity Men were, er
ought to be, gar! and faithful subject., the first toast he S meld
propose was. The King 4" drunk in four times fbur, witu the
greatest eiahusiasot. Air —"God Sere the King."
Theta Artiste% then proposed "The Duke of York, and the
rest of the Esiniiy of the House of Brunswick. Song—" Ile was
famed for deeds of Arens."
The CHAI HAtt next gave " The Army and Navy."
Mr. Sheriff WHITTAKER then said the toast he was abseil ue
propose was one which he was sure would meet the wishes of the
assembly. The Corporation of London were all friendly to the
lnatitution, and some of them were connected with it. Here:
);vetted that one Ilan. oleinher of the hotly was net then present be
take the Chair (Alderman Ileygato, but as it had fallen m his lot
to do so, be would do all in his power to contribute to the h‘erceney
end good fellowship of the evening. Ile would propose the Lard
Mayor and Corporation of the City of London.
Mr. WHITBY, ea a Member of the Corporation of the City of
London, returned thanks.
Song—Mr. Smith—" Lively Maid."
The CIIAIRHAK then proposed, " The :Metropolitan Literary
Institution."
NIL Sheriff WHITTAKER said,. that all who were present Mutt
be sensible of the objects of the Institution whose formation they
were that day met to commemorate. In reverting to thine ponds
when the state of society was dark and unenlightened, he could not
avoid comparing it with the present. It was probably about the
year Bina when Literary eties were first established. But they ,
had not laboured with much effect until dnritig the reign of Charles
the Second. At length came that patriotic one, the Bridals Mu-
scum, to which Sir Hans Shane, .^.4 so many other eminent men,
dedicated their time sad their ketones. It was noble in them to
do en, and it ens jut In as to commemorate thin deeds—to pay
them those tributes of eatitede which we ought to pay. In %Culp-
tore it contained the Elgin Mumbles—in MSS. the Lansdown col-
other - • it had so hiereamad as to

leetion--asul in rtiany acquisition*,
bid fair to rival any institution in Europe. Others of a &miler
nature followed, and the one for which the meeting was mere Ms-
niediately intetests4 although it was the last, be trusted would Me,
be the least.
tilee--•• Glorious Apollo."
T. Sim w its, Esq. said, that however humble he might bens
an individual. be was proud to rank himself among the niembseal
of the Institution, who, he mea sure, would be squally rude 10116
himself to pay the homage they all must feel was doe to ths vow
thy, hooourable, and respecekble Chairman, who preadad eve*
proceedings of the day. He was not only entitled to praise in Ms,
thrilled elmiacter he held vs Sheriff of.the Cities of London wad
11 dominate, but in private tile his conduct did credit to the high
situation which he tilled. lle was also a tried and sincere friend to
the Metropolitan Literary Institution. He had stated to the tle-,
ciety, at its late meeting, that he would do all in his power to for-
ward its views • and he had kept his word. He (Mr. Saunders)
now called on the meeting to thank him for what be had done.
Mr. Sheriff W u AAAAA n returoed thanks.

Son.
Theg CHAIRMAN then proposed the health of Mr. Alderman
Ileygets, whose parliamentary duties obliged him to be absent
from the meeting.
The health of Sit C. Price, Bart. the treasurer, was then pro.
1,0•!d•

Song.
Mr. Tuostrsow said he could net but regret that it had fallen
to his lot to address the meeting oo a subject which now occupied
such universal attention. Every land had lined that Englishmen
were brave; the last sound of the trumpet had been just heard;
they had just laid down the sword; and had but recently ceased to
wave the flag which bad only waved to victory. In the war to
which he alluded many a noble man had sealed his good name
with his blood ; but when the labours of those wbo fought and
died had been completed, they onl felt that death was to
well
as to Immortality. Death takes the.grest and the talented a, well
as the brave, and the world had but just heard the lament for one
of its brightest characters. Man was never more deserving of im-
mortality than when conferring it upon others. Genius is of no
psrty, but it is above all. He would therefore propose as a toast,
and he hoped that it would be drank in 'Aetna silence—the im-
mortal memory of Lord Byron.
The toast was drunk in solemn silence.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed the Committee of Management.
Mr. SAUK nets returned thanks in the name of the Committee.
Ile observed, that when he looked back tt, the period of the forma-
tion of the Society, which was but little Mg* than twelve months
back, he felt the warmest hopes of its prosperity.
Song—Mr. Meow—" Sweet Horue."
The CHAIRXAX then gave the bealths of those gentlemen who
had gratuitously delivered lectures at the Institution.
JAMES ELstts, Esq. M.1i.1.A. returned thanks.
The nest toast was the Honorary Secretary to the Institution,
James Jennings, Esq.
Mr...ll:ximens returned thanks.
" The Literary Fund" was then drank with enthusiasm.
Mr. Einar. in the course of the evening, inhumed the Meeting
that the duplicates of his library, (which consisted of 7.45)0
volumes) should be at the service of the Institution, and that he
had many salvable works which he would present totbc Society.
The health, of the Ste.sards, the Stewards elect, and the visitors,
wire afterwards drank, and at eleven o'clock the worthy Chairman
quitted the chair.
The Meeting skogsdase• was as et draneest-aipanada.and
terestiag we have ever attended.