The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-05-09 00:00:00

4
•IND.

ARTISTS' BENEVOLENT FUI
•
Saturday there was a public dinner at Frermasone Hall,
the stiteeuth Anniversary of the Society, established
creating a fund for the relief of the Widows and Urpha

The Right Hon. ROBERT. PEEL in the Chair, supported by
,ord Viscout Palmerston, Sir Ilugh Jones, Bart. 114. P, Walt-
on Taylor, Esq. M.P., John P. Grant, Esq. M.P., &c. &c. &c.
Nearly 300 gentlemen SAS down to dinner, and the gallery was
filial with ladies.
After the cloth had been removed, and Non Nair Doniine
sung,
The CFI timAN rose to give the first toast—" The health of the
King," in doing which, he said that he only pursued the course
customary on all similar occasions; but though such were not the
case, such tribute of respect would be due to his present 3lajesty
in consequence of the obligations which they more particuLely
owed him ; for in him they must recognise a most munificent
Patron of the Arts. However he might exult in the military glory
of the country, or however his mind might be harrassed by the
duties inseparable from his high station, yet never did he deny his
protection and his encouragement to the Fine Arts; for his en•
lightened mind saw that in -being thtir patron, he was consulting
die advantage and raising the glory of the country over which he
reigned. His Majesty wax not only a liberal patron of the Fine
Arts, but an enlightened judge of their productions, as was evinced
by the splendid collections he had made, not at the expense of the
public purse, but from his own private funds. The health of his
Majesty, he was sure, the company then assembled would receive
with enthusiasm, even without that additional claim upon their
Beatitude to which lie had yet to advert. His 3liijestydid not permit
his patronage to be solicited for that Institution ; but on the con-
trary, when be (Mr. Peel) after speaking generally On the subject
of the Society was about to solicit for it the Rcyal patronage, his
Majesty anticipated him, saying—.` I ought to be the Patron of
snch a Society." (Loud applause.) Accordingly the King had
commissioned him to declare this to the company, and to pitmen•
to them at the same a donation of one hundred guineas, as a slight
mark of his sincere desire to contribute to the prosperity of the
Institution.

The health of the King was then given from the Chair, and re-
ceived by the company with great enthusiasm.
The next toast which the Chairman proposed was the Duke of
York and the other members of the Royal Family. Their high
rank, he said, would entitle them to this mark of respect from any
assemblage of his Majesty's subjects, but he thought theannouncr-
ment of their health would to the present company prove peculiarly
acceptable, when it was recollected that without a single exception
they were always willing to devote their time, and afford theadvan.
tape of their countenance and example, to the work of charity.
Phis toast was then drank with three times three.
After some interval the Chairman proposed another toast, " the
Army and Navy of Great Britain." Between these bodies and the
artists there was he said a natural connection; they were mutually
indebted to each other, the one afforded subjects of the noblest
order for the exercise of the Fine Arts, and the other repaid the ob. I
ligation by commemorating the high achievements of heroism.
Lord PALMERSTON then addressed the company for the put.
pose of submitting to them a toast which he doubted not they would
receive with much pleasure, he meant the health of his Right Hon.
Friend who then presided. The presence of that friend completely
prevented his attempting to do justice to the sentiments of respect
and admiration, which he in common with all men, entertained for
his distinguished character; he was sure, however, that they would
supply in thought what he was unwilling to state in words. One
length he could not help going it, was that of expressing hit con--
vietien thar they could not have found any one better qualified to
preside over such an assemblage, or a more ardent admirer of the
Fine Arts.

-
Drunk with the usual honours, accompanied by very great ap-
plause.
The CHAIN WAN.—" Really, gentlemen, I am quite overpowered
by the very handsome manner in which you have done me this
honour. Ido assure you that lam unaffectedly grateful for it, and
proved too in becoming the object of such favourable regard. My
Noble Friend did me no more than justice in saying that I was
an ardent admirer of the Fine Arts, and I can with sincerity add
that I shall lose no opportunity of contributing to their advance.
ment and means." (Applause.)
Shortly afterwards the Chairman proposed the health of " the
President and Members of the Royal Academy," and in the speech
with which he prefaced the toast, observed that although the exhi-
bition of the present year was but so short a time open, yet he was
sure that the greater part of those who heard him had already had
an opportunity of enjoying the high gratification of visiting it, and
of witnessing the extraordinary specimens of art which graced its
wails. He trusted that at no distant period the country would pro-
vide a fitter place for the display of the Artists' labours. I Ap.
plauae.) This he said with the greater confidence, being aware
that it was a subject which his Majesty had near at heart. In
giving this toast lie could not help expressing regret at the absence
of his valued friend, the President of the Academy, caused at that
absence was by ill health. He was sincerely sorry that he was not
then present, in order that he might witness in what deserved earl.
mation they held his character as a gentleman, and his talents u an
artist. It was true he confined the exercise of these talents to a
branch of art which some were disposed to under value, but he
131 r. Peel) could never consent to acknowledge the inferiority of
that which was employed in handing down to posterity the effigies
of those who had been distinguished by virtue or by genius. Me
could not advert to the subject without remembering the beautiful
language in which Dr. Johnson had spoken of the art of portrait
painting. He then quoted the passage, which was nearly to this ef-
fect :—" That he (Dr. Johnson) should grieve to see Reynolds
transfer his powers to any ether department of art than that which
employed in diffusing friendship and reviving affection. in recalling
the absent and restoring the presence of the dead." He concluded
by entreating the company to join with him in drinking the health
of the President and Members of the Royal Acadettiy.—Three times
three.
" Prosperity to the British Institution" was the next toast. The
health of Prince Leopold followed.
The CHAU/MAN then rose to give " Prosperity to the Fund
for the Relief of the NVidows and Orphans of Artiets." There
was no toast that could have stronger demands upon their favour.
The Artists who contributed to this fund did not contemplate for
themselves personally any pecuniary advantage; but in sub.
scribing to it they thought it was not too much to call on the
public to aid them in making a provision for those who might be
left in digress. It must be felt that, in adopting the profession of
the Artist, the motives which actuated them were pure front the
slightest alloy of any thing sordid ; for it wet well known that in
this great commercial country the exertion of the same talents fn
any other walk of life would procure them a much higher peen,
niary compensation : but for the noble object of honourable dis.
tinction, the young artist was willing to submit to all the toils
and privation which were, he feared, nectuarily incident to the
profession : it was one too in which genius did not always triumph
—in which ability was not always acknowledged, at least during
the life-time of the artist. It was not then, he thought, too much
for men so actuated to expect that the pablic would come for-
ward and rescue those from want who were most dear to them, in
the event of they themselves being lea successful than their
more funuuate competitors. If any dread of " chill penury could
repress the genial current of their souls," it would be on account
of those they might leave behind them; and it was this %ditch
a public who owed them so much was bound to prevent. -lie
would now propose—" Prosperity to the Artists' lkuevolent Fund."
(Applause.)
The next toast was—" The health of Sir John Swinburne."
Mr. SOL LY returned thanks.
" The Vice-President, the Committee, and Officers, were then
toasted."
"Success to the Artists' Joint Stock Annuity Fund," was next
given.
The SECRETARY then read the annual Retort of the Com-
mittee, which laid before the company the state of the Society.
and the advantages which resulted from it. He also read a list of
donations, amounting to e 3131. 135.; which, with the annual pay-
ments of 1201. was, in the whole, a sum of 763/.
The CO•IASIAN then gave the health of the Ladies who had
that evening honoured the company with their presence—he re-
gretted that he could not more strictly any with their presence,
he regretted that, instead of being placed at such a distance, the
ladies had not been more immediately partakers in their festivities.
'l'be toast was then drunk with long-continued applause, anti the
compliment gracefully acknowledged by the Ladies.
The health of the Stewards being drunk,
lord PiteSIEMSTON returned thanks.
Several professional singers of eminence were present, and during
the intervals between the toasts and speeches, gave much pleasure
by the exercise of their great powers.
The meeting broke up at an advanced hour.

Letters received from Calcutta, dated the end of Decem-
ber, state that the India Government were busy taking up
merchant vessels as transports for six months certain.
The King of Spain has issued a Decree, which permits
the introduction of foreign grain into the ports of Cadiz,
Algesiras, Seville, Almeria, and Malaga, until the 31st of
May. The duty is fixed at 10 rials per fanega.

The merchants connected with the trade of Gibraltar
have been lately annoyed by an interruption to the usual
communication through Madrid ; from what cause this has
occurred is not at prevent known.
On Friday last Robert E. Broughton, Esq. was called
to the ;tar by the Honourable Society 4.. f the Inner
Temple.

The elephant presented by the Pacha of Egypt has ar-
rived at Havre. it ►s a female, and of a different species
from that of our male elephant. Great value is attached
to this circumstance. The African specks differs in its
form and habits ; its ears are larger, and its tusks grow to
a considerable sire. Two young lions, male and female,
have also arrived, and two others are on their way.

Yesterday morning, as a mechanic was angling in the
Regent's Canal, near the Rosemary Branch, he observed a bundle
floating in the water, and on drawing to land, discovered that it
contained the body of an infant, but a few days old. From the ap..
pearance of the child, it could not have been long dead. It was at
first carried to Mr. Heath's, a surgeon, residing to lioxton, but as
the vital spark was totally extinct, the body was by his directions
conveyed to Shoreditcla Church, till • Coroner's Jury could be
summoned to examine into the cause of its death.