The National Register.
London, England, 1816-08-12 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

RELIEF OF THE DISTRESSED.

We have great pleasure in observing, that the affluent
are coming fin-ward cheerfully to contribute to the relief
of the distreshed by liberal subscriptions at the different
hankers in the metropolis: an example which will be
followed threughout the kingdom; as we understand that
in diffin.ent cities and towns Gentlemen are associating
(as on a fanner occasion fiir the Patriotic Fund) for the
purpose of giving regularity, consistency, and energy to
the efibrts of their fellow-citizens in the great cause of
lnunanity.—The times are indeed distressing to great
numbers, and the ability of many to contribute as they
could wish is much limited; but let it be recollected, that
the widow's mite is acceptable, and may be blessed
like the widow't cruse of oil to allay hunger, till the re-
turn of a Season of prosperity. Let the Dignities of the
church recommended collections, and the Clergy of every
denomination, as on former occasions, urge upon their re-
spective congregations, not the fitness merely, but the
necessity, of contributing, in the present emergency, to
the utmost of their abilities ; and there can be but little
doubt that a large sum may be obtained.—We need not
add, that there should be no procrastination; for the wants
of the sufferers are urgent and pressing.
In the List of Subscriptions for the Relief of the La-
bouring and Manufacturing Poor, there is one that de-
serves particular notice. It is that of '2OOl. subscribed by
his Royal Highness the Duke de Berri ; with an intima-
tion to subscribe 501. monthly until Spring. This is, in-
(Led, a Princely donation; and, coming from a foreigner,
its value is greatly enhanced by the liberal sentiments
which it is calculated to inspire. Iler overwhelming
wealth among the nations of Europe, has been long the
bras! of England. Mr. Pitt never opened a Budget with-
out a splendid display of this pre-eminence in riches;
and our system of subsidies and lavish expenditure were
unfortunately received as irrefragable evidence of the
truth of the statement. We begin now to feel the con-
sequences of this distinction, so very flattering to our
vanity, in the universal jealousy of our trade and menu-
flieture the source of this boasted superiority of wealth,
which itervades the nations of the Continent. The boasts
of our wealth, they regard as reproaches upon their po-
verty ; and, asserting the dignity of humor nature, they
are tired of being considered dependants I.pon British
bonuty.—With this feeling, they all regard British mer-
chandise as the natural enemy of their greatness ; and to
assuage this prejudice is the first duty of every friend to
British interests. In this view, we consider the donation
of the Duke de Beth as of inestimable value ; as tending
to encourage that spirit of universal philanthropy, which
constitutes the best security for the permanent peace and
repose of' nations.

The Duke of N't eliington is making the most of his
short stay in this country : he goes about from place to
place with his characteristic activity. On i..mrstLy
se'nnight he came to town from Cheltenham ; on Friday
he went to Hatfield ; on Saturday he returned to Lon-
don ; Tuesday he proceeded again to Hatfield, to be ut a
ball given by the Nlarchioness of Salisbury ; Wednesday,
his Brace went to Wanstead House, to be present at the
christening of Mr. Long Wellcsley's second son, on which
occasion a grand entertainment was given.—The Duke
and Duchess arrived at eleven, and at twelve o'clock the
ceremony of baptism was performed by the Rev. Mr.
Gilley, !lector of Wanstead. The sponsors were lord
Fitzroy Somerset and the Marquis of Worcester. The
finmer being absent, Mr. Wellesley stood for his Lordship.
Al one o'clock waltzing and country dances commeaced.
and at half-past two the company sat down to the ban-
quet. Every corer was of massive silver. Two rooms
were appropriated—in the grand ball 144 sat don n, in
the saloon adjoining 2140. The Duke of Wellington re-
tired before supper ; his Grave set off post for town.
Dancing re-commenced at three. and did not conclude
till nearly seven in the morning. The Mulles of Wel-
lington staved until the party broke up. A great number
of fleshionubles from London, and all the genteel fa-
milies fir twenty miles round, were present.—Thurs-
day the Lord Mayor gave a grand dinner to the Duke
of Wellington, for the purpose of presenting to
him the resolutions unanimously voted by the Court
of Common Council for the victory of Waterloo.
There were present, on this occasion. amongst other
distinguished persons, the Dukes of Kent and Sussex,
Earl Darnley, Lord Erskine, and Lord Clifton, Alder-
men, Ike. &c.

The following incidents, which occurred to the Duke
of Wellington, on his recent visit to Bristol, bear ho-
nourable testimony to the benevolence of his disposition:
A Mr. Tripp, a respectable butcher. %vial his son, a lad
about nine years of age, were both 11:1 One horse: the son, in
the hurry and confusion of the moment, Uiu apparently in
great hazard of being thrown. when the Duke starting tip,
caught the child in his arm:, took hint into his own CAlliage,
and during the remain& r of the precession Fafereil him to
Alclllll hi:1111111 with his valet. A %radii r had pressed through
the crowd, and at the door of the carriage begged permission
to shake hands with the here, .1 privilege he elamied from
having In en his t ampanioa iii arms. " A bird day you and
Mr' 11;1(1 01 it, vain. honour, this day seven years When
was that nis lad -'• At Talavera, your honour."--4h! I INA
quite forgotten; it was the ..!7111 of July: and to *bat teo -
meta did you belong asked the Duke. "To the 3tl guard..."
rt plied the soldite. " And why are yon absent from it ?"---
ilik at iny slimilder, your honour," soil the soldier-• he had
lost his arm in his country's cause. The Dakr immediately
gale him a pound note.