The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-20 00:00:00

confidently in a day or two—possibly tomorrow,
probably on Sunday, for certain not later than
Monday—when the Canard steamship now awaited
shall have arrived.

The first occasion on which His Royal Highness
the Prince of WALES presided at a public dinner
was on Wednesday last, when he took the chair at
the Royal Literary Fund. It is a gratifying re-
flection that so distinguished an honour should be
conferred on this society, and it seems a gracious
and graceful tribute to the claims of literature that
a society formed for its service should be selected
as the one which was thus particularised in a re-
markable degree. This society has always been
fortunate in its choice of chairman at its anniver-
sary festivals, On many occasions the most bril-
liant and conspicuous men of letters of the day
have come forward, and there is something very
pleasing to mark their efforts thus to render assist-
ance to a society which is formed to be of use to
their brethren who, treading the same path as
themselves, have not been so fortunate in their
career nor so favoured in their circumstances. The
presence of the Prince of WALES on this occasion
was a happy omen fcr the prosperity of the insti-
tution, and it is to be trusted that many influential
personages will not be backward in following the
example thus set them frcm so high a quarter. We
know there are many who will always follow in the
wake of royalty or fashion who will not trouble
themselves to take up the cause of worth or to study
the merits of a case for themselves. It was a bril-
liant sight which met the view of his royal highness
when he assumed his new duties, and surely it is
time to expect that the dreary fate once supposed
to appertain peculiarly to authors is past when
the heir to the throne thus comes forward
to do honour and render service to the So-
ciety which has for aim and object the noble
endeavour to foster struggling talent, and to succour
decayed genius. His Royal Highness war able to
were the meeting that their patron, the QUEEN,
still felt a concern in their welfare, and that all the
charitable institutions of the country were ever a
source of interest to her. This intelligence coming
from so undoubted an authority was doubtless wel-
come tidings for his auditory, and thus in some
measure his Royal Highness may fill up the blank
that is so deeply felt through the QUEEN'S con-
tinued seclusion. It is difficult to persuade people
that those retired from public gaze, and withdrawn
from active participation in the stirring incidents
of life, are still interested in the general affairs of
existence, and keep up the attention that in happier
moments they were distinguished for feeling. The
Prince of WALES, in coming forward on this occa-
sion, followed the example of his father, who pre-
sided at the Literary Fund Anniversary at his
second appearance in public as a speaker. The deep
interest that he felt in all 'matters connected with
literature is fresh in the recollection of all, and his
son can follow in no better footsteps, if he wishes to
gain the regard of the cultivated members of the
community. The Prince, with a candour that did
him credit, declared that he could not tell them any-
thing new relating to the Society since he spoke in
the presence of those who knew much better than
he did the details and distinctive features of its
workings. Still in offering the incidental remarks
that must perforce be uttered by one in his capacity
the illustrious chairman selected some very noticeable
peculiarities of the institution which they were
then met to consider. In the first place, he particu-
larised an admirable rule of its management,
namely, to draw no line of demarcation between
countries, thus enabling those of every land to
share the advantages and to pirtiepate in the
benefits of its agency. This is the right feeling to
display since literature has no creed or country, but
in its extent and universality comprises every
nation and race. Also the Prince alluded to the
secrecy with which the assistance was given. This
is a very important element in its workings, and
its successful attainment of the desired end must
depend, in a great degree, upon this rule being
adhered to. Earl RUSSELL performed his part very
creditably in proposing "Prosperity to English
Literature." The noble lord alluded to several
topics in the course of his address, which are well
worthy of attentive consideration. He said that it
was a pity that English literature was not more
studied in our schools, and that a clever man,
head master at Eton, said, that they had no,, a suffi-
ciently good method f teaching Englieja in that great
school. Earl RVSSELL propose;a very wise solu-
tion to the e.ifficulty, namel:f-
that they should adopt
the earlte system with
:Jur own language that they
do with regard to the ancient tongues, and select
the works of the best authors for perusal. Of
course the noble lord was successful in his oration,
and on this theme he was well qualified to give an
opinion, since he has always been distinguished for
his love for literature. There was great truth in
his remark that fictitious personages always ime
press themselves upon our mind name vividly than
historical characters, when we meet with the former
in the works of those skilled artists who impart
such force and vitality to their illustrations. The
noble lord gave an amusing account of his time
being so much engrossed, by saying that he had
not made himself acquainted with the " Small
House at Allington '• because of the " Great House"
in Downing street, which took up so much of his
time. The name of Mr. ANTHONY TEOLLOPE was
coupled with this toast, and the great success which
has marked his literary efforts merited this honour-
able distinction. Earl STANHOPE, the President
of the Institution, made an admirable address, and
diversified its course with some quotations which
created amusement and excited interest. On the
whole this last anniversary must be regarded as a
most brilliant success, and it is to be trusted that
thel
en
nti t a
the prominence thus afforded tiothu the merits r
those
o s ouf
able
to will be of service in inducing
to assist to come forward and render their aid.

Few things are more important to the social wel-
fare and commercial prosperity of a country than
the development of the various forms of its animal
life, and it is no wonder that the dwellers in a
fertile, but thinly populated, country like Australia
should feel anxious to increase the stores and enrich
the possessions of their adopted land. Of late years
some very important and successful efforts have been
made in this direction ; and the report of the pro-
ceedings of the Acclimatization Society of Victoria,
which has just been published, contains an interest-
account of the prospects of the
ing and gratifying
association. The committee are undoubtedly fortu-
tunate in possessing a climate so favourable for their
experiments, since there can bo no doubt that Aus-
tralia iF, as they declare in their report, singularly
adapted to a wide range of products. Already they
have attained unexpected success in several impor-
tant andexperiments,
9 ha
avencl fish so;
ceceds with a view
e,
diiidomiciling
numerous animals, birds,to
the purposes of the agriculturist, the sportsman, the
merchant and manufacturer, and the epicure. The
vast debt we owe to the animal kingdom is seldom
fully realised; but if we were suddenly to be deprived
of all the materials used in daily life which they
supply to us in one form or another, a good deal
of business would stand still. In Australia the
wants of exploring expeditions are always borne in
mind, and accordingly an attempt is ':eiog made to