The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-04-30 00:00:00

EAST LONDON CATIIOLIC INSTITUTION:

Veuerday a very respectable though not numerous meeting, of
the friends and supporters of this very valuable and meritorious
Institution, were er.tertaiued at the Albion Tavern; the nom
E. Petre in the chair.

After the dinner, which was well serval, Messrs. Dignum, Gib.
bun. Webb, Appleby, and a most deserving yourig perferma,
from the Itorshy Thmtre, Mr. Bryant, sung NON :4 obis I)unthri
in very excillent style.
The first toast was, "The Ring, God bless him," three times
three. and drank with ar.clamation.

" The Duke of York, and the rest of the Royal Family," w&
the ni > t toast, and was received with great applause.
" The Army and Navy" followed, greeted with enthusiasm;
and the musical gentlemen gave "Rule liritannia" with
derable effect. .

The lion. C lIAI it MAN then proposed the health of the Right
Rev. Prelate, Dr. l'oynter, in GUMS of worm eulogiuni, for hi,
many virtu.s.
The iter. PRELATE, in returning thares, adverted to the objects
of that important institution, whose anniversary they were all met to
commemorate. In conclusion he proposed the health of the
lion. Chairman.

The lion. Cie AI n state, in returning thanks, briefly adverted to
the objects of the Society, and stated substantially the Report of
the Committee, which he gave as follows :
" In presenting the benefactors and subscriber. tqthis Institution
the Third Annual Report since the csttablithinem of the male and
female schools under the same roof, and upon the improved system
of tuition, the Committee feel the greatest satisfaction in inform-
ing them, that its sphere of usefulness has been enlarged thmogn
their kind and liberal constributions. They feel greatly indebted
to them for this generous assistance, and earnestly solicit a coati-
nuation of their kindness. By it, they have been enabled to clothe
forty of the girls, provide sixty new suits of clothes far the boys,
and impart to nearly 1100 children the inestimable blessing of
moral and religious education.
" In forwarding this great work, the Committee feel that there
is no direction of benevolence in which national and individual
benefit more clearly go hand in hand. Among all classes of so-
ciety, the only general and laming source of good conduct is a
good education. Every child brought up io the resort of vide%
and profligate associates, must, almost inevitably, Imbibe the eat.
tagion of moral turpitude, and become an enemy to these lemon
which the general good depends. And can any one doubt, chef
ignorance of the common duties of society, is not, se far es it ex.
tends, a most serious national injury ; Itet every approach to it • •
in its degreebaneful, and thet the scily securebaneful, and Tennithet
preventive, is the putting of the means of moral and ye jeeps
struction in the power of all ? It is not simply teaching lie dud
to read that will make him good or useful to society, but teach-
ing him at the same time a
.propel sense of amoral and Miens
duty. For, whilst the Committee deeply deplore the circuinsisece,
that many who have been taught to reed, have perverted that
knos ledge, and read only bad and irreligious books, they
at the mine time, are truly pmed to announce to the frieeni
of this Charity, that many, who have received the blessing of
moral and religious education from this Institution, have become
upright characters, and in their respective situations truly worthy
members of society.
" The Committee have also the *saute to mate, that, dining
the preceding year, about twenty children having completed the
education aimed at by this Institution, viz. a eke/ Catholic dace.
lion. have left the school ; for several of whom they have obtained
employment, and have thereby united the great blessing of edu.
cation, with the important advantage of industrlous pursuits. At
the four quarterly periods of the year, the Gentlemen and ladies'
Committees have selected three of their number to CLOWN the
children in every branch of learning required debt= ; from whith
the Committee have the gratifying task of stating, that they have,
generally speaking, received satisfactory reports of their
slue improvement. In this beneficent work of charity, it =
unpardonable not to notice, in the wannest terms of conseseda.
tion, how much the Committee are indebted to the Ladies, who
have so opportunely bestowed their assistance in rephmeg sad
super.intending the girl's department. To theivjudicious awl per.
seveting can, independent of all intellectual and moral amend.
meet, the girls exhibit an evident degree of neatness and pod
behaviour, that could not have been effected wilbellt their WM.
mitring exertions and attention.
" To the venerable Patron of this Charity, the thanks of the
Committee are in an especial manner duo : its apse has beta ad-
vocated by his eloquence—its interests promoted by big beneficent*:
and his :readiness to promote its interests on all occasions, an
never be sufficiently acknowledged or too highly appreciated. for
are the chaplains of the congregation less entitled to the wisest
gratitude and thanks, for their unceasing exertions iu promoting
the spiritual advantage of the interesting objects of this Charity.
From their watchfulness and devotion, example and advice. the
happiest results have sprung, the obdurate have been softened, the
hardened and untoward reclaimed, and a sense of moral and reli-
gious duty has been observed in the juvenile classes that frequent
the school of this Institution.
" To the Protestant nobility and gentry the Committee feel the
obligation. Regardless of any religions difference, they
greatest'ost generously and munificently aided and assisted in this
noble work of Charity, and to the strictest principles of honour and
generosity they have united the tend/vest sentiments of benevolnice
and compassion. The Committee hope they shall not be *eight
too pressing if they again earnestly solicit a repetition of their
favours: the wants of this Charity sre extreme, and the epplies-
tions to a participation in its benefits perpetual--and the b%sthis
daily teething to society from its infinence can only be combined
by had', by annual supplies. Without the charitable co-operaties
of the public, these children, who are now deriving such great ad.
vantage from moral and religious instruction, must he left to
wander in a trackless desert without any guide to condom ofriro,
and exposed to the dangers of temptation without any alga to
protect them front its dreadful influence. The Committee swat
here state, that it is the inadequacy of their film!' niece that

vents them from clothing a gfestei number of children than
do at present. The number of children in regular attendance at
their scnools, as before stated, is neatly 300, but absolute nermsiq
compels them to confine the annual boon of clothing to IN
It is true their specious premises are freehold, bet this wry
circumstance renders it more desirable that they should be
kept in good repair ; and to insure this. it will shortly le
found necessary to incur a considerable expense, la- order b
prevent their fulling into a state of dilapidation end army.
They candidly acknowledge, moreover, that it is it subject of grid
to them, and perhaps a subject of scandal to the Protettants of the
neighbourhood, to see so many of the inmates of their schools cane
far instruction, ragged and barefooted in every season of theism;
even in the severity of cold and frost ! ! They anxiously wish to
clothe objects so truly deserving ; and their hope is, by this
openly avowing their present inability, that the public at large
will enable them, by their liberal contributions, to acsomplith this
very desirable object. Certainly the unaided Catholic populighe
of the eastern district cannot afford the necessary mean/.
To their more wealthy brethren sod the publis at hrge
must they look to for assistance and support ; and fedi g
they do, and ever must do, highly grateful for the ensnare d
the past, they earnestly solicit a commustios of their suppet.
This is not a time to relax in an exertion of sad% unquestionable
utility —a time, when the poor are more than ever ex to the
baneful efforts of the infidels, and pseudapbiloso ers, d the
age, who are endeavouring to disseminate, with a seal worthy of a
good cause, their insidious, their unchristian sentiments
having completed their object, leave their nola and Mudd
disciples to wander through life without a principle to direct dor
I conduct, and to die without one solitary gleam hope.. It is en-
Min. that • to reap in the month of many we must sow to the field
of alms,'—and that innate feeling of happiness, which ever arises
from the execution of a good deed, aided by the merciful prombes
of a benign Ruler, must prove a stimulus to exertion ; an demos
which, whilst it promotes the comforts and well-being of others.
must equally enhance our own. The Committee therefore fed con-
fident, that this appeal will not be made in vain : they cannot fot
moment conceive, that their necessities can, or ever will be, dine.
garded In smatter of such mighty import, not only to these help-
less children, both here and hereafter, but also to the well-being
and prosperity of the community at large."
The Rev. !Ur. Molten then, at some length, expatiated is a
strain of feeling and of eloquence upon the nature of the Institu-
tion, and made a very forcible appeal to the meeting, whom he
besought to be liberal, as he that gave to the poor was lending to
the Lord.
The children of the Institution, nearly three hundred in numbers
and of both sexes, then west in procession round the room, see
exhibited an appearance of health, cleanliness. and comfort, ',hid
reflected the highest credit on the managing Committees both o:
Ladies and of Gentlenten. A youth who had received the benefit,
of the Institution delivrced an admirable address, and that in
manner which proved him qualified for a mud) higher situation it
life than that in which he appeared (one of a livery servant). P
that boy were improved he would add a lore to the highest office.
and we feel a pleasure in recording his name (Robert Walsh). with
a hope that where such powers are to be found, they will not
henceforth be confined to the pantry or to the opening of a atrial',
door.
A collection beat took place, and we have great pleasure is
stating, that it amounted to nearly 2001.
The health% of the Duke of Norfolk, Mr. Blount (Secretary to
the English Catholic Board), the Right Rev. Dr. Brimstone, the
Ladies' Committee, the Stewards, the Treasurer, and the Chaplain
of the lnstiiution, were successively given from the Chair, led
received with deserved applause.
That old favourite, Ni'ebb, gsve some humorous Irish wits
Gibbon was happier than usual in the beautiful song of ••• Swat
Home ;" the favourite veteran Dignum was never more applauded
than in die delicious air of " Sally in our Alley," and Bryant 50
rapturously heard and applauded in " Paddy Covey."
About ten o'clock the Chairman. the Right Rev. Bishops. cal
other gentlemen left the room, when the Chair was taken be IN
Rev. Mr. liartobin, whose exertions in the cause of this Chari-
table Institution were the tht me of universal panegyric. Tit
Rev. Gentleman proposed the health of those gentlemen who
so sweetened charity by their harmony, which was received te;:'
acclamations.

Alt. BRYANT returned thanks fur himself and his other bre-
thren, of whom he Kneed that they gave all the notes they
and if the mewing wished it, would continue to give until the
sembly declared they were tired (applause). If those who cow'
contribute from the pocket would only be as liberal, the East Ler.
don Institut;ou could not fail of success. Ills object, his hope
the object and the h...pe of his musical brethren then present were
to aid the cause of charity, in order to better mankind, and t•
promote education, in order to secure blessin to society. k°!l"'
own part, the timetie.g should have his all, gs hesrt, his exam'"
and would to God he had a purse to convince them of his siascrit7
I ((.'ries of bravo.)
After a short time spert in rational and cheerful festivity. th'
meeting separated.