The Sun.
London, England, 1839-07-11 00:00:00

the expense of postage was enormous at present, and it
bore particularly upon the lower classes of society, who,
if they wished to send money to their friends or rela-
tions in the country, had to pay double or treble
postage, added to which, the Post-office gave no security
for its due delivery.--(Cheers.) He thought the Post-
office was a trade that ought never to have been in the
hands of the Government.—(Cheers.) In former times
he believed the Lord Mayor was the postmaster, and he
had no doubt the present Lord Mayor would like to
have so profitable a concern.—(Laughter.) He was
sure if he had he would give dinners to his fellow-
citizens at least three times a week.—(Laughter.)
The LORD MAYOR—I would give them every day.
Sir M. \VooD felt bound to say a few words to ac-
count for the absence of one of his colleagues—Mr
Grote. He was, as doubtless was known to all present,
engaged, and had been for sonic time past, in the
Carlow Committee. Such Committees were a disgrace
to the House of Commons, and he trusted the time
was not far distant when they would be put an end to.
—(Cheers.)
Mr. TRAVERS seconded the resolution, which was
carried amid much cheering.

The LORD MAYOR returned thanks. He regretted
that he was unable to attend at the hour originally fixed
for holding the meeting, having been present at the
consecration of a churc. He had been invited to
attend a fete at Beulah Spa, on behalf of the Freemason's
Charity, but he could not refuse attending a meeting
having such important objects in view. He was most
happy if he bad rendered any service to the question.—
(Hear, hear.) It appeared to him that there was but
one feeling on the subject—all were unanimous through-
out the entire country that the measure should be car-
ried.into effect. He had thought that everything had
been arranged for the purpose, but now it appeared a
difficulty had sprung up, and it was asked, how was the
defalcation in the revenue which was likely to arise to
be made up ? Why no difficulty of that kind had been
started when the duty was taken off leather, and from
which, by the by, the public had derived no benefit.-
-(Hear, hear, hear.) No question of that kind had
been raised when the duty was taken off salt, and soap,
and bricks, and other articles.—(Laughter and cheers.)
The Chancellor of the Exchequer did not then feel it
his duty to require that the deficiency should be made
up. Let the measure, however, which the people were
unanimous in demanding he carried, and when the de-
ficiency came, then it would be time enough to inquire
how it was to be be met. He would not detain them
longer, but would conclude by thanking them for the
compliment they had paid him, and by assuring them
that he would be on all occasions ready to promote
to the best of his power the interests of his fellow-citi-
zens.—(Cheers.)
The meeting then separated.

THE NATIONAL LOAN FUND.

(From the Sherborne Journal.)

We venture again to offer the benefits of the above
Institution to the consideration of the provident and in-
dustrious, and we trust that, in pleadinr, its cause, and
urging its adoption and support, we shall receive the
aid of many country gentlemen and clergymen who
have the means of recommending it amongst the in-
dustrious classes of their neighbourhood. The ser-
vant who can lay by sixpence per week, beginning at the
age of twenty-one, would secure a competency in old
age, which would render him comfortable and respec-
table. If once the system was spread throughout the
country, we should hear less about the workhouse,
and the Board of Guardians may meet monthly
instead of weekly. Although we are not opposed
to the new Poor-law to the extent of some of our
Contemporaries, yet we confess it would delight
us to find that its powerful rival, the National Pro-
vident Fund, had met with such encouragement and
success as to leave the workhouses tenantless, except
by the masters and the porters. Our readers may be
assurred that., to instil into the minds of the poor a
habit of foresight and of economy is, next to religion,
and morality, the most wholesome and safe doctrine
that can be advocated by all who move in the higher
ranks of society. When the industrious man begins
to find that he has something at stake—that his
savings are accumulating—and that every passing
year crowns his labours with success, he is at once prey
pared to become a useful member of society ; and be
the example, induces others to adopt his plans and
demeanour. Fully impressed with this opinion, we
have examined the proposals of the institution now
under recommendation, for the purpose of ascertaining
whether it presented the ready means for giving the
industrious classes an easy and safe mode for in-
vesting, their savings, and we certainly consider

that it is by far the best plan that we have
seen ; and, in stating this, we do not wish to
disparage the excellent institutions of Savings
Banks or Friendly Societies, but we wish we could
induce country gentlemen and clergymen to look into
the proposals of the National Provident Loan Society;
we know that they are desirous to assist the industrious
classes, and it affords them great gratification to see
them in comfort and respectability. The hand of cha-
rity for effecting this purpose is constantly engaged, and
we trust the present will not be an unsuccessful appeal,
when we ask the philanthropic, the kind-hearted, and
the friends to the poor, to give this institution their
consideration ; and, if they approve the plan, not only
their recommendation, but their personal support, by
enrolling themselves as local patrons or directors.