The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-23 00:00:00

THE .HIGHLAND SOCIETY OF LONDON.

The annual gathering of the members of this society,
for the purpose of commemorating the battle of Alex-
andria, was held last evening at Freemasons' Hall.
'The avowed objects of this society (which was established
in 1778 and incorporated in 1815) are for preserving the
martial spirit, dress, music, and language ; the remains
of Celtic literature and antiquities of the ancient Cale-
donians ; encouraging a kindly feeling between High-
landers in all parts of the world, and in other respects
promoting the general welfare of the northern parts of
the kingdom.
The members sat down to an excellent dinner, which
was pre-sided over by Sir Charles Forbes, Bart., who was
supported by General Sir John Wilson, Sir John Milley
thiv!e ; Dr. Chisholm, of the Royal Artillery Medical
~tzfl; and abut 5O other gentlemen. Mr. Crawford
gave his valuable services, and sang several solos. Miss
St. Armand presided at the pianoforte, and Miss Ro-
bettion Stage, a young lady from Edinburgh, made her
first appearance as a vocalist. The usual preliminary
toasts having been drunk and most loyally responded to,
The CHAIRMAN next proposed to the company the
toast of "The memory of Abercrombie, and the heroes
who fell with him in Egypt," to be drunk in solemn
silence. This was the anniversary of the Highland So-
ciety, which, in 'spite of all difficulties and opposition,
and in spite of attempts to cry down the utility of the
Highland Society, had risen above it all. (Cheers.) It
had continued to prosper and steadily to do good. The
present toast was especially directed to the heroes who
fell in Egypt. It was a melancholy occasion, but at the
same time it was one of pride, which brought back to
their recollection the gallant heroes who perished at that
glorious fight.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of Lord Saltoun,
the president of the society, and then proceeded to give
"The Army and Navy," a toast which was received
with rapturous applause. He alluded to the gallant
conduct of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge,
who had endeared himself to every soldier by the hearty
good feeling he had evinced towards them, (Loud
cheers.) Of the army and navy it was impossible to
speak too highly. On a late occasion—and when he
said that they all knew what he meant—they all, must
admire as he did, the bravery, the gallantry, the indo-
mitable courage--the insuperable courage which had, by
the will of God, signalised the efforts .of the army and
navy. He said by the will of God, because within the
last few monthe, indeed at their last anniversary, they
had seven gallant officers of the army present, four of
whom had been killed, and one who was wounded had
afterwards died of his wounds, making five out of seven
who had perished in the cause of their country. (Hear.)
This he considered to be an illustration of what the Bri-
tish army was. The British army had evinced a spirit
of endurance which was known only to that army.
(Cheers.) For himself as a Briton—as a son of Britain
—he felt it to be a pride to have such an army and navy.
He drank the health of the British army, including
English, Scotch, and Irish, God bless them, and bring
them back to receive that tribute of affectionate admira-
tion which the country was ready to bestow on them.
Sir JOHN MILLET DOYLE returned thanks for the
army, and, alluding to his own career, stated that in
early lite he belonged to the 92d Gordon Highlanders.
He wore the petticoats in the 92d in Egypt. He had
derived many useful lessons from his Scottish superiors.
Pradence was not a distinguishing characteristic of an
Irishman, but ingratitude was not a crime which at-
tached to the Irish character. (Loud cheers.)
Captain JAY, R.N., returned thanks on behalf of the
Navy.
severallany S 3.0 t the ehr soton
mand played some on the " Blue Bells of
gasstswiftohllogwreeadt. e
frM
er
c. t Car
na
dw f
Miss
r ssean gA.
variations
in a very creditable manner. Miss Robertson
SSetao,tleaiid4 made her debut with the song of " What's a' the
steer, kimmer." The young lady, who has a good
mezzo soprano voice, wae loudly encored.
Sir JOHN MILLET DOYLE gave the health of Sir Colin
Campbell and the -Highland Brigade. The toast was
drun'; in a man, er o ly to be imagined by Highlanders.
A 4lanee by two «d th young«.r sons of Sir Charles
Forbes was admirably executed, with all the national
enthusiasm which characterises their respected father;
and the evening concluded with the usual Sottish fes-
tivities, . . _ - . - -