The Sun.
London, England, 1838-03-28 00:00:00

COFFEE AND EATING HOUSE

KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Members of the above newly established charitable
Association had their first Annual Dinner yesterday.

Upwards of three hundred most respectable gentlemen at
down to an excellent dinner in the London Tavern. Dr.

BIRKBECIC in the Chair.

Around him we saw Mr. Hume, Mr. Ewart, Dr. Lardner,
Mr. Under-Sheriff Wire, Mr. Northouse, Mr. Humphreys,

Mr. Deacon, &c., &c.
The cloth having been drawn, and " Non Nobis " sung by
a professional party,
The CUAIRIIAN said, on all public occasions like that they
were engaged in, it was an ancient and admirable prac-
tice to preface the proceedings with drinking the health
of the illustrious personage who occupied the highest position
in the realm. On that occasion the ceremony became some-
thing more than an ancient custom—it became an act of en-
thusiasm on the part of those who knew that over them reigned
not only a youthful, bnt an intellectual Queen—( Cheers)—
of whim, if coming events really cast their shadows before, it
might safely be predicted, that the reigns of the Elizaueths
and the Annes, which were considered to be the glorious days
of England's history, would be cast far into the shade.—(Loud
cheers.) Looking at the auspicious commencement of the
' new reign, he had no doubt but that all would join enthusi-
astically in drinking the health of " Victoria the First, our

Queen."
The toast was drank with loud demonstrations of loyalty,
three times three and one cheer more.
Air—National Anthem.
The next toast was—" The Queen Dowager and the rest
of the Royal Family."
Drank with three times three.
Air—" Sleep, lady, sleep."
The CHAIRMAN said, although they had already done justice
to the Royal Family, still he was ()tinged to entreat them to
allow him to select one from the illustrious body who had al-
ways been distinguished from the rest by his great endeavours
to facilitate the improvement of the people of Great Britain.
They would at once recognize the character of the Duke of
Sussex—( Loud cheers)--who had always shewn himself to be
the uniform and enlightened friend of Education and of Li-
berty, both civil and relious.—(Cheers.) Upon that occasion
that illustrious individual particularly deserved their attention,
because he (Mr. B.) had the honour of announcing, that that
illustrious individual had consented to become the patron of the
London Coffee and Eating House Association.—( Immense
cheering.) In order that they might become acquainted with
the fact—that they ought not to receive it upon his testimony
alone, he would wiqi great pleasure read to them the letter
announcing the fact which he had received from his Royal
Highness' Secretary—it was as follows:
Kensington Palace, 19th March, 1838.
" SIR,—I am commanded by his Royal Highness, the Duke
of Sussex, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
14th instant, accompanied by the address from the President
and Secretary of the London Coffee and Eating-house Keepers'
Association, begging his Royal Highness to become the Patron
of that charitable institution. To this request, his Royal
Highness is most willing to accede, provided the Institution
does not clash and w;11 not interfere with the interests of the
Licensed Victuallers' Asylum, of which he has been the Pa-

trots from the earliest foundation.
" His Royal Highness commands me to add, that he will be
glad to contribute to its funds on another occasion, which he
cannot at the present moment do, from the numerous claims
upon him of a similar character.
" I have the honour to be, Sir, your moat obcdt. Servant,
( Signed) " W. H. WHITE."
" To Dr. Bickbeck, &c. &c."
(The reading of this letter was received with much appro-
bation.) The accession of his Royal Highness to the patron-
ship of the Institution must be hailed by every one present
with the most lively satisfaction ; and he (Dr. B.) could not
doubt of their utmost ardour when he called upon them to
drink the health of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex,
the Patron of the Institution.—The toast was drank with the
greatest enthusiasm.
Glee, " Merrily goes the bark ;" and afterwards a National
air by the self-taught American Indian brass band.
The CHAIRMAN—Before proceeding with the more imme-
diate business of that large and interesting meeting, he begged
to be permitted to call their attention to another illustrious in-
dividual—to one not illustrious by courtesy—to the master-spirit
of the age, to a man of the most enlightened mind of any
that had heretofore existed: He need scarcely say that he was
about to propose the health of Lord Brougham—(Loud and
long continued cheering)—the able advocate of the cause of
humanity—the great promoter of universal education—( Loud
cheers)—claims which he was confident would be most readily
admitted and zealously responded to.—( Cheers.) Standing
there as their Chairmen, he had only one subject of regret,
which was, that the Chair was not occupied by his Lordship,
to whom, with great propriety and wisdom, that honour had
been first offered. The engagements of that Noble Lord were
such that it was impossible for him to preside over all the meet-
ings which he was asked to do, and therefore he had formed
a decision that he would on no occasion deviate from the rule
he had laid down for himself, to abstain from attending any
public festival at all. He was, however, not the less interested
in the welfare of that Association, and the letter he had sent
to Gim (Dr. B.) informed him that the Noble Lord was fully
alive to the great benefits which the Association would
confer upon the community of London. In order that they
might understand what the Noble Lord's.sentiments were on
the subject, he would read a letter which he had received from
his Lordship yesterday morning, written, he believed, imme-
diately previous to the delivery of one of the most rhetorical
judicial arguments that had ever been pronounced.—(Cheers.)
The Chairman then read the letter as follows :
" Belgiave-street, Monday.
"Mr DEAR FRIRND,—I am truly sorry that I have been
unable to accept the kind invitation of the Coffee and Eating-
house Keepers' Society, to preside to-morrow at their meet-
ing ; but your having agreed to take the chair, gives me (as it
must them) great satisfaction.
" I regard this as a most useful body of men. Indeed, I
hardly know any whose services are more valuable to the indus-
trious classes ; and I have seldom been more gratified than by
finding that they have the wise and enlightened desire to co-
operate with us, in extending the benefit of sound and useful
information among their worthy and respectable customers.
" I beg of you, as a favour, to present my respectful com-
pliments to the meeting, and to express my best wishes for the
continued prosperity of that important body.
" Believe me, ever, very sincerely your's,
( Signed) "H. BROUGHAM.
Dr. Birkbeck."
The reading of the letter was followed by loud cheers.
After that declaration of his Lordship, it was needless for him
( Dr. B.) to state how much he felt interested in the welfare
of the Coffee and Eating-house Keepers of London ; that it
was his opinion that their trade was calculated to promote
sobriety, and bad contributed to the sobriety of a large por-
tion of this vast community of the mighty metropolis. More
than his Lordship's letter he need not offer in order to call
their enthusiastic attention to the name of Brougham.—
( Cheers. ) He begged to propose " The health of Lord
Brougham, the able and devoted advocate of humanity, and
the great promoter of universal education."
The toast was received with immense enthusiasm, and drank
with three times three, and throe cheers more.
The CHAIRMAN said that he had now arrived at the most
agreeable part of his duty, which was to call the attention of
the vast number of persons now assembled to the valuable In-
stitution of the Coffee and Eating House-keepers. He had
not the advantage
,of keeping a Coffee-house—he bad not the
advantage of keeping an Eating-house, but he would venture
to say that the Coffee and Eating House-keepers had done
more for the cause of temperance than any other set of men.
In 1111 the first public Coffee establishment was ietroduced
in London by the father of their worthy Vice-President
( Mr. Deacon). To him, therefore, they all owed a debt of
gratitude which they never could repay. From that time the
establishment of Coffee-houses had been increased, and the
consumption of coffee had followed in a similar ratio. That
consumption had been attended with the most beneficial
effects. Drunkenness had been discarded—vice had been put
aside, and the greatest benefits had been the result. From
that useful little work, the " Weekly Magazine," the benefits
derived from the Coffee-house Association were to be
ascertained. That work was to be procured for
the small charge of lid., and what was stated therein
showed a sign of the times, and the important part that the
Coffee-house Keepers would now take in the spread of educa-
tion. In the address of the Society, which he had before
him he found that " the Coffee-house Keepers have now become
so numerous and powerful a body, that, when united, they
possess within themselves every material for forming one of
the most extensive charitable Institutions of which this metro-
polis Gould boast—an Association which would in its conse-
quences not only be the means of providing a fund for the
permanent support of those of their own body who, from
reverses of fortune (to which all are liable) might be reduced
from a state of comparative prosperity, to the alternative of
dragging out a miserable existence immured within the walls
of a workhouse;—not only does this Institution contemplate
the obviating such a degradation to its members, but likewise to
extend its beneficent influence to relieve their widows from the
consequences of destitution, and to assist in bringing up their or-
phans so at to render them good citizens and useful members of
society." Thera was no cant about that—to every word of it he
subscribed in the fullest sense. He considered that the esta-
blishment of Coffee Houses as one of the greatest improve-
ments that had taken place in the present moral and intellec-
tual age. The Coffee-house Keepers did riot, however,
forget that others were joined with them in this great work.
The Eating-house keepers were equaly entitled to the
thanks of the public for the great exertions they had
made in the cause of temperance and sobriety. The
Coffee-house Keepers, determined to tarry into effect that
which they had so wisely began, bad resolved to form an As-
sociation for the protection of the indigent of their class, and
it was his hope and wish that that Association would carry out
the great objects it had in view. In fact the Coffee-house Keepers
had followed the steps of the Licensed Victuallers—( Great
cheering)—they had found out the excellency of that establish-
ment—( Continued cheering)--and were determined to follow
its footsteps. He trusted that the same satisfactory result
would follow—( Cheers.) He could not but think that the
mode adopted was one well calculated to meet every trying
circumstance, and to throw aside the horrors of poverty. The
adoption of such an institution as was contemplated, strength-
ed the band of charity—it " blesseth him that gave and it blesseth
him that received."—( Loud cheers.) In conclusion, he would
only. say that he wished every prosperity to that invaluable Asso-
ciation—the Coffee and Eating-house Keepers.—( Cheers.)
And he only trusted that the wishes he entertained f it its welfare
would be responded to by thousands upon thousand= of his fel-
low-men.—( Tremendous cheering.) The Hen. Gentleman

cc minded by proposing—" Prosperity ip th© Institution of the
London Coffee and Eating-house Keepers.''
The toast was drank amidst great cheering.

Comic song by Mr. Hudson.
Mr. HUMPHREY then rose for the purpose of proposing the
health of the worthy Chairman, whose influence had beer ex-
ercised upon the present, and upon every other occasion %v t'it
such honor to himself. It was to the exertions of the Chair-
man that the Society had the high honour of having the
Duke of Sussex to preside over them. It was to his exertiong
that the Society were indebted fur having the name of
Brougham---( Loud cheers)—enrolled under their banners ;
and he would venture to say, that had it not been for his exer-
tions, the Society would not have attained the height that it
now held. He wished the proposing of the toast had fallen in
abler hands; but he knew, however, that it would be responded

to by an honest fire from every person present.
The CHARMAN rose to return thanks amidst the most en-
thusiastic applause, which lasted for some time. The whole
object of hie life had been, and would always be, the diffusion(
of useful knowledge among the whole of the operative classes
of the country.—( Cheers. ) His object was not that he who
ran might read, but that he who eat might read.—(Laughter
and cheers.) He was persuaded that great moral and intel-
lectual results would follow the establishment of the Coffee
and Eating-house Society. Where, be would ask, could better •
recreation be afforded than in a Coffee-house; there the
tired body had rest, and there the mind was invigorated
by the refreshment afforded. The Coffee-house Keepers had
become a most influential body, and it was the greatest de-
light he experienced to take the chair upon the present occa-
sion. By doing so he had made himself en auxiliary in the
great work of the reformation of bad habits, and had gifcrt
his assistance, however humble, to the first principles of hu-
manity. The worthy Chairman concluded by proposing
health, prospority, and happiness to the Members of the
Coffee and Eating-house keepers.
Glee—" When shell we three meet again."
The CHAIRMAN had the pleasure of directing their atten-
tion to a name which he was sure would be heard with delight
by them all, and received with that respect which was due to
him who stood first upon their list as officers—he alluded to
Mr. Hutr.phreys, the worthy President of the Institution. He
(Dr. B.) upon such an occasion could not deny himself the
expression of the delight he had felt when visiting at the es-
tablishment of their President, as well as that of many of thoso
who appeared on the list as their officers. He was highly
pleased at the immense number of publications which might
be perused at those rooms. Upon their President's tables
he found that there were not less than 101 publications
of various kinds, of course including many duplicates—a va-
riety of literary entertainment which would only exist in this
extraordinary age—an age in which intellectual catering
was never surpassed or equalled—the introduction of lite-
rature, too, on easy terms to those who in former ages were never
considered in the world of literature at all. In those houses
the quantity of political literature was quite astonishing, and be
was delighted to find that amongst the large number of those
he saw at iherrard-street—( Loud cheers)—employed in tke
pleasing duty of solacing the body, there were scarcelY
one—he might almost venture to say, that there was W:4
one individual—however keen his appetite might be, b,ul
had an appetite quite as keen which induced him to Len
in his other hand another beverage than that agreeable one °`
which he partook—a beverage for the mind. He found eve/.
one as deeply engaged in feeding the mind as feeding the
body. He proposed the health of Mr. Humphreys, which wisS
drank amidst loud cheers.
Mr. HUMPHREYS felt duly sensible and proud of the come'
pliment which the Chairman had paid him, and the flattering
manner in which his health had been received. He was Well
aware that the manner in which his health had been drunk was
far beyond his deserts, but he could assure them that upon
all occasions, so far as his humble abilities would alki've'
they might command him. When they looked around an",
saw the results which had followed the Licensed Victuallers
Association—when they saw the number of splendid buildings
belonging to that Association—all engaged in the cause of cha-
rity—they would see what industry, public spirit, and peso...
ranee could achieve.—(k2heers.) His Royal Highness, the
Duke of Sussex, had intimated in his letter, that there might'
perchance, be some feeling of jealousy between the two Ass('
ciations • he ( Mr. H.) was sure that a public body of individuaif
like the 'Licensed Victuallers would view- the institution of their
Association with no such mean feelings asthe feelings ofjealonsY;
on the contrary, he felt satisfied that they would congratulate
themselves upon having been the means of inducing so large
a body as the Coffee and Eating House Keepers to follow then;
bright example. He was satisfied that the results of Oa.
Meeting would be most splendid, and that they would Pre“"t
most beneficial not only to themselves but to the communitydua_
large. He felt deeply sensible of the honour which ha be
sn,
conferred on him, and in return begged to thank them all mo
sincerely.—( Cheers.)
Glee—" Life's a bumper."
The CHAIRMAN had then a name to offer, which requltril
only to be mentioned to be at once adopted to his cntireoreee
faction. He had to request them to drink the
of the best friends to every species of improvement. Cheers')
to propose to them the health of Joseph iiume• d them
He had to introduce him as a visitor who had honoure , ne
with his presence, and as an individual who exceedingly
wag
plauded the system of Coffee-houses, and as one who ,
greatly in favour of Associations such as they had Me' _
celebrate. Mr. Hume was one who sincerely had the welfaru
of the operative classes at heart, and therefore he was a spe-
cial friend to the Coffee-house Keepers, and they would-
easily believe that he was much interested in the welfare of.
health
tic
had
the Association. As a universal friend, and the great sueporter
of all improvements in which the happiness of mankind wa4
involved, he was sure that in Middlesex—in the heart of the
City of London, it would be superfluous to say more—there:
fore he would at once ask them to drink the health of JoscP3
Hume, Esq., with the honours.
The toast was drunk with all the honour, and
said he had
Mr. Hume was received with loud cheers. He
to thank the Chairman for the kind manner in which hhoe
d[
„
lie
bean pleased to introduce his name to the meeting', a them
begged to return his most sincere acknowledgnienta to
all fur the manner in which they had received the toast.
ir
could with great pleasure confirm what had fallen from
. t_h,'(4,
excellent Chairman, that he (Mr. H.) had witnessed
_were
great satisfaction the proceedings of that day, and there the
many present who knew that he had often recommended
_as
course Which had been adopted.—( Cheers.) If there w
one part of an Englishman's character which ought to
be
formed, it was that he should be mado capable of appreevivarr,
ing the advantages of the Government under which he
and to be enabled to demand to have those rights and Prir.i)
loges which belonged to him as a hadfreeman.—(Chee
Every one who could remember the great changes said; the
taken place within a few years, in the character o
vra,
working classes of the metropolis, must be delighted. lt,,ich
also pleasing to contemplate the many opportunities vv"vee
those classes now enjoyed for their solace and ittirehieh
meat, compared with the great want of them 'joffee
formerly existed. The reduction of theiduty upon f tbo
had no doubt done much towards the amelioration 0
soroe
fiscal regulations of the country. The result of tiort
enquiries which had taken place showed that the consurrlP3o
of Coffee in 1814 was only seven millions of pounds. In to
it had increased to 14 millions; and in 1831 it had ritleo.
25 millions. He was well aware that the rapid inc re se
a upon
been produced by the heavy tax which had been imposede
what he had always called the natural beverage of the
try, viz. beer; but he could not shut his eyes to the gvrroer,
change which had taken place in men's minds. TheYeeoifea
now much more addicted to the grateful beverage of Libel/
than they formerly were.--( Cheering.) There bad and
allusion made to the Association of Licensed Victuallers, aed
there seemed to be some fear pf exciting jealousy. He,
there would be no feelings of such kind. He (Mr. m). 0,
recollected when, in 1811, he was one who assisted in the
ro
tablishing of Lancastrian Schools—in three years after thueea
was established the British School Society, and it Was ttr„4o
said that the one S-ciety would look on the other with fee7,isb
of jealousy. They did no such thing ; they hailed the Br",i,e.
Society as brothers labouring in the same cause and with
.:n5
same object as themselves. As the British Society
viewed with feelings of satisfaction so he trusted the Lice °,51,-e
Victuallers would view the Association now formed in 'de
same light, as brothers in the same field trying to ',stabil."
their independence, to form a fund for their relief, shoe'rt
they unfortunately be overtaken by distress, and to rendecoreld
unnecessary that, in their adversity and old age, they
be forced to apply to the parish, or have recourse to the for al!
lie purse. Independence was the great desideratire f°,.00
classes ; unfortunately it had not been much followed, becf;eo,
the working classes took their tone from the higher clas.blie
whom they saw not disdaining to put their hand in the Prod
purse. He had contemplated the Association of the egged
Victuallers with great satisfaction; he viewed them as sole 001
forward a bright example of the benefits of union. Sing
ewer.
were unimportant, but united they were a great and a fele
ful body; he had alluded to them as an example to P
be
ample,
lowed—they could not do better—let them follow that exs`"l,i-
-and he wished them equal success.—( Cheers.) The were
censed Victuallers had at present ample funds-a-05101e?
proceeding rapidly in the good work of establishing ;co' that
and so shaming the Government, who neglected to u was
which was their duty, to educate the whole people. ," ~ero
highly meritorious to the trade—the Coffee-house cleat
were now 2,000—the Eating-house keepers were 1,000---utto
made 3,000 ; if they were united and firm, they would f, oeso
most important body. They were subscribing from thee/el
funds to lay by for a time of difficulty and distress.
would that man be who subscribed to the Assocl3Oelat
from the. day he Joined it till the day he died--h,?_,wd to
have the proud satisfaction that he was enaule
reso
subscribe from his own funds for the comfort in their dista.„
or in their old age of those with whom he was associate,. the
' `
(Cheers.) In his opinion that Association, and that cn,hey
Licensed Victuallers, ought to be called brothers---
ought to go hand in hand together—there ought to heroon
jealousy between them. If he had a preference for one ref
than another it was for that which he had then the hone-it to
addressing, because he had been more accustomed to lones far
the advantages arising from intellectual improvement.f. "'hat
superior to those arising from any other cause; and thoso
their worthy Chairman had stated was tube taken as fac_t have
who visited the Licensed Victuallers were not likely tut the
their intellects improved.—( A laugh.) It would be
-Id he
millions that the benefit of the Coffee House system wnv, as
greatest, and, eventually, it would benefit the whole coe111:,110
it was important that the working classes should have 31 the
into them prudent halite, and no place was so likely :sole/
Ceffee-house where these could be picked up, or wbevre _
could so well meet for the purposes of mutual improc
fui
'They were becoming a greater, and he hoped a rnor
nue?'
et the
class of society; and it was on that account that he
establishment of the Coffee-house-keepers Associationli,aaselTal
to be one of great importance. He could say no vier
would
that he entirely approved of their independence, which
firmly established if they carrie out their object,*their
poverty arrested them, there was no d shame attaches. to