The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-22 00:00:00

Highland Society of London.

The dinner to celebrate the anniversary of the
Battle of Alexandria took place yesterday at the
Freemasons' Tavern, Great Queen-street ; his Grace
the Duke, of Manchester, the president, in the chair.
The hall, as on former occasions, was decorated
with a large number of the banners of the various
clans, the Royal Standard of Scotland waving be-
hind the chair. Grace having been said, on the
removal of the cloth the usual loyal toasts were
drunk , with loyal enthusiasm. The toast of the
" Army, Navy, Militia, and Volunteers," was re-
sponded to by Major M‘Bean, 92d Highlanders, on
behalf of the army ; and by Wingfield Malcolm,
Esq., M.P., on behalf of the volunteers.
Sir P. COLQUHOUN gave " The Health of the
Chairman" in highly eulogistic terms, and the noble
duke gracefully acknowledged the compliment.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the toast of the
evening, for surely it was to be regarded in that
light, it being the 21st March and the anniversary
of the Battle of Alexandria. He had to propose in
solemn silence the memory of Abercrombie and the
gallant fellows who fell with him at the battle of
Alexandria in 1801. It was, indeed, a most im-
portant battle, when the soldiers of England met
those of the Republic of France, the result being
most satisfactory to the Highlanders. It was
said of Abercrombie by Gen. Hutchinson that he had
lived in honour and died in glory. He died an enviable
death for a British soldier. The 42d had been ridden
over by the French Dragoons, and Abercrombie
had to encounter hand to hand a soldier of the
French army whom he disarmed; but finding himself
wounded he gave his sword to Sir Sidney Smith,
who took the command. The noble chairman con-
cluded by giving the toast of " The Memory of Sir
Ralph Abercrombie and his gallant Companions in
Arms who fell with him at Alexandria."
The toast was drunk in solemn silence.

Her Majesty's bagpiper and the piper of the 92d
Highlanders charmed the company by playing a
variety of beautiful pibrochs, reels, &c.
. The next toast was, " The Two Survivors of the
Battle of Alexandria—Captain Forbes and Sir John
Wilson."

Captain FORBES, jun., returned thanks for Cap-
tain Forbes, who was not able to be present, and
who had celebrated his eighty-sixth birthday last
Monday.
The CHAIRMAN then called upon George Bain,
Esq., and other gentlemen present for a reel.
The request was speedily complied with, and the
company were delighted.

The toasts of "Chiefs and Clans," "The Ladies,"
" Highlanders Shoulder to Shoulder," " The Sword
and Banner," and " Pipe and Plaid" followed.

The band of the Royal Caledonian Asylum played
during the evening.
There were many officers of the 92d Regiment
present, and the various uniforms and costumes
gave a very picturesque character to the festival.
The dinner was well served under the able super-
intendence of Mr. Banks, the manager of the new
company.

At a late hour of the evening, a reel being called
for, the noble chairman tripped it gaily on the light
fantastic toe.

THE STATE OF GREECE.

kniEws, March 16.

The great event of the day in this capital is the
coalition, already telegraphed, between the revolu-
tionary party and the supporters of King Otho—be-
tween those who proclaimed the abolition of the late
dynasty on Oct. 22, 1863, and those who have
hitherto considered it a point of honour—to remain
faithful to that unlucky Sovereign. This event—
noteworthy for the light it throws upon Greek poli-
tical morality—has produced a profound sensation.
The Ministers, already apprehensive of the loss of
their power, are redoubling their efforts for its main-
tenance ; the professional agitators—Mother Carey's
chickens, who revel in turmoil and ride triumphant
on the bosom of storm—are rejoicing in anticipation
of a new era of troubles and anarchy ; sincere pat-
riots, who have had enough of political commotion,
and heartily desire to see unhappy Greece enter upon
the path of order and legality, shake their heads with
sad misgivings at this new episode of political versa-
tility. The last class, which forms the immense ma-
jority of the nation, are now being appealed to by
the organs of the reconciled parties. They seek to
appease apprehensions, and assume the attitude of
heroes who sacrifice private and political pique to
the welfare of the country. Thus, for example, we
read in the Morning Courier, the organ of the Bul-
garis party :—" Revolutionists, and those who have
had no share in the revolution which brought about
the existing regime, are equally interested in the
happiness of the common country, in the consolida-
tion of order and tranquillity, in the mainten-
ance of the present system. They feel them-
selves impressed with the same duties towards the
country, which they cannot leave the prey of a
depraved power."
The Aurora, the organ of the Otho party, abounds
in similar flowers of rhetoric, and particularly insists
upon the fact that the affiance has been formed to
support and consolidate the present regime.
Whether these aiseverations are sincere or not, it
cannot be denied that the two united parties are
strong enough to carry matters their own way.
Admiral Canaris, in reality merely the nominal
Premier, felt at once that he could no longer remain
at the head of affairs in face of so formidable an
opposition, and proposed to. his colleagues to give in
their resignations in a body. The other Ministers
declining, the old admiral placed his own resigna-
tion only in the hands of his Majesty. The King
asked time for consideration: Meanwhile the re-
mainder of the Cabinet, with M. Coumoundouros,
the soul of the Ministry, at their head, are leaving
no stone unturned to remain in office. Should they
succeed, it is thought not unlikely that the Opposi-
tion, irritated at the retention of power by men
whom they suspect, rightly or wrongly, of an inten.
tion to interfere actively in the elections, will resort
to open violence.

The natural result of such a condition of affairs is
general stagnation everywhere. Commerce is at a
stand-still, brigandage is far from being extirpated,
and the public Treasury is as bare as a man's hand.
Prompt and efficacious remedies are essential, and
are universally awaited with extreme anxiety.
A telegram of the 15th states the changes which
have since taken place in the Ministry.

"And then he drew a dial from his poke,
And looking on it with lack lustre eye,
Says very wisely, It is ten o'clock :
Thus we may see,' quoth he, how the world wags."
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