The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1803-06-16 00:00:00

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RL'R.4L PErl:
AT THE GLEN OF THE. DOWNS.
The inequalities of wealth and :station, which the
bad envy, the idle will not striv e to acquire, and
which native goodness of heart, t :nited to a weak
understanding, feels sometimes in dined to deplore,
can do much; those who possess :them can promote
the welfare of society, and its moral, physical, and
political improvement, in many cases for which the
wisdom of legislation cannot provide, nor to which
the rigour of the law cannot reach. A signal proof
of this truth is to be found ire the. Friendly Society
of the parish of Delgany, established by the good
and amiable Mrs. P. Latouche, and existing under
her patronage. In this institution we see combined
the example of virtue and the amivity of benevolence,
brought into operation by that wealth which she
knows how to convert into a resource for the poor
and a blessing to herself, without encouraging idle-
ness and weakening the spring; of industry.
The Society consists of honorary and benefit
members—the former, subscribing five guineas in
one sum, or one guinea annually, to be l)ire'tors,
but receiving no advantage from the fund—the
latter, to pay weekly ; those not exceeding thirty
years of age 2d. and from thirty to fifty years 3d.
Among the prominent abilities derivable from this
fund are, the distribution of 2s. 6d. per week to mem-
bers unable, from illness or hurt, to labour-4s. a
week to a woman in child birth, fOr-a term not ex-
ceeding three weeks—every member after the age of
70 to receive an annuity of five guineas ;—unmar-
ried females, whose subscriptions stall have amount-
ed to two guineas, to receive, on the day of their
marriage, one guinea, and a handsome bible, the gift
of Mrs. Latouche. Besides these, there are regula-
tions for maintaining a moral and decent condua at
their monthly meetings, which take place at the fac-
tory house of Mrs. Latouche: The annual meeting
of the Society is to be held on every 4th of June, be-
ing the birth-day of a Monarch under whose protect-
ing and parental reign the Act for encouragement of
such societies was passed. h was on this occasion,
in honoUr of his Majesty and the institution, that a
loam, FETE was given, on Saturday last, at the
Glen of the Downs ; and whether the beauty of the
scenery or the happy mixture of the guests be consi-
dered, no exhibition could be better cakulated to
convey pleasure and delight to a heart interested in
the peace and happiness of the human kind.--
Tables, supplied with various refreshments, were
dispersed in a picturesque manner on the lawn, and
a large marquee erected, which was also well pro-
vided with refreshments, and into which all the
company were admitted without distinction ; that
company consisting of the neighbouring gentry, and
the farmers and their families. On the border of
the lawn, there happened an accidental pile of oaks,
felled and stripped of their bark ; on these many of
the aged, unai)le to join in the dance, seated them-
selves, and formed a sort of screen, under which the
music was stationed.
Nothing, perhaps, could present a more 'delight-
ful and exhilirating pkture of inanimate and ani-
mated nature. Such of the peasantry as did not
dance, or paused from the fatiguing pleasure, form-
ed a happy circle around those who did—others
dispersed themselves in groupes, walking about, or
partaking of the refreshments liberally provided for
them by their benignant hostess—while far above the
trees, which rose in " gay theatric pride" on the
sides of the hills forming the Glen, were to be seen
others of the neighbouring peasantry clustered on
the brown impending rocks, mellowed by the even-
ing sun, and looking on the festive and innocent
scene below.
The charms of song were not wanting to the
pleasures of the evening. In honour of the day,
God Save the King was sung in full chorus, and the
additional verse, composed by Mr. Sheridan, when
his Majesty's life was attempted at the I heave, was
introduced with great effect. Rule Britannia fol-
lowed, and the hills re-echoed the animating and
patriotic strains. Afterwards a collection was made
from the opulent visitors, in aid of the Friendly So-
ciety, and many ladies and gentlemen subscribed
very liberally. The happy guests did not separate
until the declining sun had withdrawn his last faint
rays from the scene, and throughout the whole en-
tertainment, the polite attentions of Mr. and Mrs.
Latouche were constantly and equally directed to.'
all the company without distinction. Mr. Latouche
was particularly assiduous to point out every beauty
of the scene and every thing worth notice to such
as happened to have been strangers and accidental
partakers of the fete. In truth, altogether, it seemed
as if the Genius of Virtue and Social Happiness had
collected and formed the assemblage, to shew how
blest man might be, if, knowing how to value the
good he possesses, and if, governed by the salutary
suggestions •of order, subordination, and mutual.
good will, he resisted the destructive influence of
lawless ambition and modern innovation.

Mrs. BILLINGTON, at the close of the Opera,
embarks for the Continent, being engaged to per-
form at Milan for the next season.
We are desired to contradia the report of an in-
intended marriage between Mr. Et more and Miss
Pi. UNKrr, daughter of Lord Du NSANY, mentioned
in our Paper of Monday last.
A pamphlet is just published, entitled " A Plan
to prevent the frequency of Derb."—lt is eagerly
sought for by the Hond-street loungers.
Mr. SHERIDAN has ordered a Monument, at his
own expence, to be placed over the graN;e of his.
departed friend Mr. RICHARDSON, and means to
write an inscription himself. The Monument is to
be a plain memorial of the talents and worth of the•
deceased.
On Mr. RICHARDsON'S death being notified to
his Grace the Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND, his
Grace, after stating, that it was an event he had
long expeded, said, that he feared his family were
but ill-provided to sustain the loss ; added, that
the 20Q01. which he had subscribed towardi the au.
tainment of his share of Drury-Lane Theatre, was
always intended by him as a gift, though as a Gen-
tleman and a Friend, he could not inform him sos
" Go, therefore," says he to the Gentleman whom
be was addressing, " and see that it be made avail- 1
ing to the comfort or his family !" An aft of pure
benevolence, worthy of so illustrious a patron.
7 We expel a most numerous and brilliant audi-
ence at the Roy AL CIRCUS to-night. The Enter-
tainments possess the greatest merit; particularly
Louisa of Lotniardy, which is announced for the last
time, this evening. Numbs,. Nip, the Installation
Song, INTEEPID EQULSTRIAN, and Mons. HENGLER,
the tight-rope dancer, are likewise great attrattions.
A change of Performances will take place tomor-
row.