The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-10 00:00:00

HOSPITAL FOR CONSUMPTION AT BROMPTON.

This noble charity has just acquired a considerable
addition to its funds under circumstances so singular as
to justify particular notice of them. When the founda-
tion stone of the building in the Fulham-road was laid
by Prince Albert, on the llth of June, 1844, a handsome
gilt trowel, specially manufactured by Messrs. Elking-
ton, from an original and elegant design, was made use
of by the Prince. At the bazaar in aid of the institu-
tion, held in the grounds of Chelsea Hospital on that
and the following day, this trowel was exhibited at the
stall of Mrs. Philip Rose, wife of the honorary secretary,
and excited general admiration. A gentleman who saw
it, Mr. John M'Cullom, of Bedford-place, became
very desirous of possessing it, and ultimately pur-
chased it of Mrs. Rose for thirty guineas. A few
days after it became first known to the ?committee
that it was usual in such cases ta.request the layer of
the stone to accept the trowel which had been used
on the occasion, and all parties concerned were at once
desirous of repairing the error ii4o which they had un-
designedly fallen, and of regainining possession of the
handsome implement, that it might be offered for the
Prince's acceptance. Accordingly a representation of
the circumstances was made to Mr. M'Culloin by Mr.
Rose, and, though he was very reluctant to part with an
object which he had shown so much desire to possess,
and which appeared to possess peculiar value in his eyes
he at length consented to surrender it, that the wishes
of the committee might be complied with. But he posi-
tively refused to receive back the 30 guineas he had paid
for it, though urgently pressed to do so. The trowel
being sent to Prince Albert, was graciously accepted ' •
and the only return that could be made to Mr. M'Cullom
for his liberality was to present him with the hand-
somely-carved walnut-wood mallet which had also been
used by his Royal Highness during the ceremony.
On this mallet was a plate, with an inscription, com-
memorative of the use to which it had been applied ' •
and it was accompanied with a note to Mr. M'Culliom
expressive of the great regret felt at his disappointment.
These circumstances, trifling in themselves, seem to
have made a lasting impression on Mr. M'Cullom's
mind. So far from feeling aggrieved at the loss of the
trowel, the transaction appears to have strengthened
his interest in the charity which he thus for the first
time became acquainted with. On his death, a short
time since, he left the whole of his property absolutely
to his sister, his only surviving „relative ; but a private
memorandum was found in his desk, conveying his
desire that, at her death, she would bequeath the pro-
perty to the Hospital for Consumption. This wish the
lady held sacred ; and by her will, just proved, she
leaves her property, with the exception of a few trifling
legacies, to this beneficent institution. Her estate is
now being realised, and, we are glad to hear, will leave
a net surplus available to the charity after all deduc-
tions, not far short of 15,0001,

CUMBERLAND.—We have had a week of glorious wea-
ther for the harvest, and great progress has been made
in cutting, stooking, and leading crops of every kind in
all the districts around Carlisle.—Carlisle Journal.