The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-04 00:00:00

LITERARY ASSOCIATION OF THE FRIENDS

OF POLAND.

Yesterday the twenty-first annual general meeting of
this association was held at the Sussex Chambers, Duke-
street, St. James's. Lord D. Stuart, M.P., the Presi-
dent of the Association, presided—supported by the
Earls of Harrington and Zetland, Lord Robert Gros-
venor, M.P., Captain Townshend, R.N., M.P., George
Traill, Esq., M.P., R. Monckton Milnes, Esq., M.P.,
Thomas Alcock, M.P., W.- Scholefield, Esq., M.P., Sir
B. Hall, Bart, M.P., Digby Seymour, Esq., M.P., W.
Pritchard, Esq., High Bailiff of Southwark, Thomas
Hankey, jun., Esq., Frederick Pigeon, Esq., the Rev.
Dr. Worthington, &c.
The Noble CHAIRMAN' said, it was his duty as Presi-
dent to preside on this occasion, and he had to tell them
it would that day be a part of their duty to elect a Pre-
sident for the ensuing year. The noble lord stated that
he had received letters from the Rev. Richard Macdon-
nell, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin ; Mr. Alder-
man Salomons, T. Mowatt, Esq., late M.P. ; T. Daniel,
Esq. ; E. Romily, Esq. ; and James Silk Buckingham,
Esq., apologising for their inability to attend the meet-
ing from various causes, and all expressing their anxiety
to render every support to the association. His lordship
concluded by calling on the secretary to read the annual
report.

WM. LLOYD BIRBBECK, Esq., the honorary secretary,
proceeded accordingly to read the report, of which the
following is an abstract :—The report commenced with
expressing the regret of the council that, after twenty-
two years, the exertions of the association, either to
diffuse information respecting Poland, or to afford as-
sistance to Polish political exiles, should be still required.
It explained the causes of the latter, by the augmen-
tation of the number of refugees, caused by the conti-
nued persecutions of Poles by the Russian Government,
and the unjust severity of that of Prussia, It entered
at some length into the case of Leopold de Rose, and re-
ferred to the just, handsome, and honourable manner in
which the late Home Secretary, Mr. Walpole, bad made
the amende honourable to the sufferer, by declaring in
the House of Commons that, had the magistrates pos-
sessed the information which he had received, they would
have come to a different conclusion, and have honourably
acquitted him. Reference was made to the arrival of a
large number of Polish refugees after the conclusion of
the war in Hungary, and the valuable aid afforded by
Lord Malmesbury in consenting to furnish a free passage
to America for 200 ; to the kindness of the Common Coun-
cil in granting the use of the Guildhall for the ball and con-
cert ; and of the perforniers who lent their gratuitous aid.
The report further stated, that many Poles residing in the
Continent have contributed to their funds, either directly,
or through the zealous and most efficient resident secre-
tary ; and that among the refugees in this country, the
Polish Fraternal Aid Society has been established. In
conclusion, the council expressed their faith in the ulti-
mate re establishment of Poland, a nation whose in are identical with our own in eastern Europe.
The income of the association was 8761., and the relief
granted to refugees was 7201., and other expenses
amounted to 3431., leaving a balance of 1861. excess over
income. The numbei 01 refugees now in England is
769, being 36 less than last year. In the course of the
year there were 954, most of them having been expelled
from the duchy of Posen. 172 left this country, and
13 died.
The reading of the report having been concluded,
The Noble CHAIRMAN called on
The Rev. Dr. WORTHINGTON, who said it was some
matter of regret that the report was not more satis-
factory, although, all things considered, they could
hardly expect it to be more favourable. He thought
it must be apparent that a change was rapidly ap-
proaching which would better the condition of the
Sclavonian race. He considered it was matter of deep
regret that the present ruler of France had adopted
such an illiberal policy as regarded the Poles. But when
they remembered that the French Emperor had formed
such a close alliance with the Jesuits, the deadly enemies
of Poland, and had bound himself up with the most
intolerant portion of the Roman Catholic Church, they
could not wonder at the hostile policy he had adopted
towards the unfortunate Poles. (Hear, hear.) He was
proud to say that England/still stood forth as the refuge
of the oppressed ; and he regretted that Lord Malmes-
bury had, as they would remember, acted in a manner
which was not creditable to the character of England.
He was, however, proud to refer to the policy which had
uniformly; been pursued by Lord Palmerston in counte-
nancing the struggles, for national independence in every
part of the world. - (Hear; hear.) After eulogising the
conduct and general character of the Poles, the rev.
doctor referred to the policy which Austria had' recently
adopted, and the grovelling sycophancy which the Aus-
trian Government had exhibited towards Russia. He
saw no reason why the refugees should not make every
exertion to recover their independence, and he trusted,
that when the attempt was made, it would be under
such circumstances as would insure success. (Heir,
hear.) He concluded by moving the adoption of the
report.
Lord R. • GROSVENOR rose to second the resolution,
and said he did it at the request of his noble friend the
chairman, whose wishes he was' at all times ready to
assent, to in forwarding any good work. (Hear, hear.)
He hoped the report would be printed and widely circu-
lated, as he _thought it contained matter which- should
be extensively known. One portion -of the report had
given him much pain—he alluded to the treatment of
that much ill-used gentieman—Mr. Leopold de Rose—
(hear) —and he thought that no one could have ren-
dered more service to that unfortunate gentleman than
the noble lord had done, in placing Mr. de Rose in a
proper light before the public. (Hear, hear.) While he
stated that he was deeply interested in the fate of Poland,
that distinguished but unfortunate and brave nation, he
must at the same time say that he certainly would not
express any encouragement to insurrection. The time
would come he hoped when Poland would be again a
nation, but ill-advised and premature attempts to recover
the independence of Poland would only result in the
discomfiture of those engaged, and add to the suffering
of Poland. He hoped the association would be the
means of rendering much service to the refugees and the
cause of Poland, and he had much pleasure in seconding
the adoption of the report.
The motion was then agreed to.
The Earl of HARRINGTON moved the second resolu-
tion, and said he was delighted to meet the association
at the present moment, and especially in the presence of
the noble lord in the chair, who was the untiring advo-
cate of the oppressed in all nations. (Hear, hear.) The
partitiOn of Poland destroyed the balance of power in
'Europe, and led to the unfortunate events which sue
seeded, and with which that partition was associated.
(Hear, hear.) It was only in England, by means of a
free press, that the wrongs of the oppressed could be
made known ; but the measures adopted by foreign
states prevented these statements being widely circu-
lated. • (Hear, hear.) He was happy, however, to say
that he had that day heard that the Prussian Govern-
ment had come to the determination of not preventing
the introduction and circulation of foreign journals
throughout Prussia. (Hear, hear.) lie could •not doubt
that the redemption of oppressed nations was at hand,
and he felt confident- that the day was not far distant
when Poland would recover her independence. , (Hear,
hear.) . He was, however, opposed to the establishment
of a republic in Poland ; and he could point to this
country as an instance of the happiness and liberty that
prevailed under a constitutional monarchy. He intended
to have been present in the House of Lords on the
debate on the Jew Bill, and to have spoken against the
bill, because he considered the Jews to be abettors of
tyranny throughout Europe, by furnishing the despots
with funds. The noble earl concluded by moving the
following resolution :—" That the permissive destruction
of the nationality of Poland laid the foundation, and has
mainly facilitated the further development, of that sys-
tem of confederate despotism which has since absorbed,
with those of Poland, the national rights of Italy, Hun-
gary, and Germany, and menaces the existence of con-
stitutional Government, and of any form of freedom,
throughout Europe."
MONCKTON MILNES, Esq., M.P., seconded the reso-
lution, and thought it was so worded as to merit their
support. Everything that had occurred had shown
hounfortunate it was for Europe that the nationality
of Poland had been destroyed. Even the countries that
bad benefited by the accession of territory through the
Partition of Poland, had in reality gained anything but
an advantage by the perpetual irritation and excitement
that prevailed throlighout their territories. (Hear.) The
destinies of the Solavonic nations were not yet unfolded,
and he believed that the remnant of the unfortunate
Poles would take the lead in righting that unfortunate
race. (Hear.) He would say that in all.their struggles
they had bis hearty sympathy and best wishes. (Hear.)
Recollecting the position in which the Poles were placed,
he conceived they were entitled to every possible consi-
deration. (Hear.) Were Englishmen scattered through-
out the world as the Poles unfortunately were, he had
no doubt they would behave as the Poles had done.
(Hear.) The hon. gentleman then referred to the state
of Italy, Hungary, and the other oppressed countries on
the Continent. The nationality of the Poles was most
prominently exhibited, and he thought if the events of
Europe enabled them to regain their independence, that
they should not consider too particularly what form of
Government should be adopted. (Hear.) In conclu-
sion, he complimented the noble lord in the chair on his
efforts in behalf of the association. (Cheers.)
The resolution was then agreed to. '
The Earl of ZETLAND proposed the next resolution,
which, he said, afforded him much pleasure, as no one
more deserved the hearty expressions of their regard
than did the noble lord in the chair. (Hear, hear.) He
begged to move that Lord Dudley Coutts Stuart be
President of the Association for the ensuing year.
Colonel CHESTERTON seconded the motion, and bore
testimony to the untiring zeal which the noble lord ever
exhibited on behalf of the oppressed. (Hear, hear.)
The motion was then unanimously agreed to.
Lord DUDLEY C. STUART rose to return thanks for the
honour conferred upon him in re-electing him president
of the association for the ensuing year. They had for a
long while to regret the condition of Poland, but he did
not despair of the restoration of that unfortunate country
to independence, and he trusted they would all live to
witness it. (Hear.) Since the last great struggle in
1831 the condition of Poland had been indeed of a most
melancholy character. The unfortunate Poles were
sent to the mines in Siberia, exiled, or put to death.
Those who had. been able to escape from the power of
Russia had their sentences of death still recorded against
them, and among the numbers were some of the mos
illustrious of the people of Poland. So sure as their.of
an-
niversary meeting came round they were quite certain
notbeiasng at.a
regardedlossfor h
e topics
proceedingso n which toof
the expatiate,
Emperor esp-
eciallyoflßi
buesrstiya,inw lm
Europe.was, lierrh considered,is year
he
w theas
u gralarming greatestgiving
n,g aaenl
every
dEe mi
on
rya
to
hpdo
ee. f
by his menacing, conduct towards. Turkey,
policy pursued by Russia Austria.
TurkeyTlie r There w was ntolide
these
despoticbt t h a t th
powers
wn animosity swi tagsowing entertainedto-thetowards
no
e

conduct of the Sultan in giving refuge to Kossuth, Baal
and the other unfortunate Hungarians. (Hear.) EDIr
land, backed by the only other free country in the world,
the United States of America, supported Turkey in re'
fusing to give up these brave men to the vengeance of
Russia and Austria ; and the noble conduct of the Sultanht
will never be forgotten by these twin despots. T,'
noble lord then referred to the Montenegro affair, on
to the object of Russia, in demanding the independence
of Montenegro. The intention of Russia in that matter
was obviously to undermine and destroy the independene?
of Turkey. (Hear.) The object of Russia was universo!
dominion, and she had her eye fixed on Constantinople
and the Dardanelles. But Russia knew that the westerA
powers were watching her movements, and she was there:
fore endeavouring to do that secretly which she dared 11°'
attempt openly. The noble lord then at some length rt"
ferred to other proceedings of Russia, which he said was
in order to work out the infamous policy in which she
had been so long engaged. He was glad to see the course
wsohifcahr,tahtislecaosutn, tarsyitwwasenpr
ituwinags osanttishfeacEthasryte;rninqduhestiescaoll;
hadespecially
latepleasedly written wtiot with
thet h e
town letter whichof N e
Newcastle-upon"
ie
.Johnupoßn
on the subject. As he had already stated, the 'woe!,
prospects of Poland were not very bright, and he W;
sorry to say, neither were the prospects of the associ. t
tion. He had been thinking that a public dinner wig%
be made the means of giving some aid to the funds,
sn
he hoped their friends would turn the matter over ni
their minds, mid see how it could be carried out. (oel/r(;
hear.) He believed the Almighty would not allovrtsia
great an injustice as had been practised towards Polailit
to remain unredressed, and he could not .doubt
Poland would yet be free and independent. (13(„ear'
hear.) Let the Poles go on cherishing their national
but he would not counsel them to make any efforti_.fi
the fitting period arrived. Let them teach their cull
to cherish their love for the white eagle of .ulysseolotl
(hear, hear, hear)—and when he knew the devolli°oisinliocillat
the feelings of the women of Poland, he had no fear lir
their children would have deeply instilled into thero
minds that love of Poland which had made their fath,
patriots. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion the noble 0:1g.
begged again to thank them for re-electing him pre
dent of the association. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. ALCOCK, M.P., moved the next resolution or
vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, ended
mon Council of the city of London, for their contnid
sympathy with the misfortunes of Poland, by gran lot
the use of their Guildhall on the 15th of December,' •
for a ball and concert, in aid of the funds of this ass,-I;sr
tion, and, in particular, to Mr. Deputy Holt, theAN, r=
man, Mr. Deputy Eagleton, the treasurer, sn':for
James R. Carr, the secretary of the ball comrnitte',,'
their noble and indefatigable efforts to insure the °°,„-tc'eott
of that-entertainment. In recommending the resole
to the meeting, the honourable gentleman said he ev,, to
never forget the visit he had made some years
.sg.A"
Poland, and the great delight which that visit no
forded him, as well as the interest it had excited ir`..)
for the restoration of Polish independenee: (Che;;Bot
Mr. BEALES seconded the resolution, and, in delm,.,„,*' ea
warmly advocated the cause of Poland, and denf.jls
the vile conduct which Austria had recently pro' de V
Italy. He also severely censured the attempts r°s
certaia parties in this country to get up another go
powder plot, with which it was endeavoured to o'l°,o,
the name of the illustrious Hungarian patriot, .IC°""
(Cheers.)
The motion was then agreed to.
Mr. CARR returned thanks, and concluded by
a vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen tchumbh 11
their gratuitous services to the concert at the
in aid of the funds for the Polish refugees.
Mr. FERGUSON seconded the resolution, which wo
agreed to.
Mr. PRITCHARD moved that the following noblenife;
should be elected vice-presidents of the associatio!the
the ensuing year, namely, the Duke of Sutherlanal.A
Marquis of Breadalbane, and the Earls of Scarborlol
Harrowby, Harrington, Fitzwilliam, Shaftesbury
Fortescue. ifo
Mr. DEERING seconded the resolution, Which
agreed
thto. oft
On e motion of the Rev. Dr. Woralill' for
seconded by Mr. FERGUSON, the council and officer"
the ensuing year were next elected. or
Colonel SZYRMA then, in the name of the PolisdhireaB
torical Society, presented to the association an
from the council of the society.
Lord DUDLEY STUART was sure he spoke the
ments of the association, when he said they were P-
It
gratified by the address from the Historical societYreffr
was most gratifying, he said, to see how the Polish fro
gees were employing their time during their= elcil%.4itr
their native country in collecting valuable histor'
formation. (Hear.) the
Mr. W. A. SMITH proposed a vote of thanks to
noble lord in the chair, for his presence that dal, the
for his unwearied and indefatigable exertions ill
cause of Poland. ao4
•M. WIERANSKI seconded the resolution, and hi the
so pronounced a high eulogy on the charaCter of
noble lord.
The motion was unanimously agreed to.
Lord DUDLEY STUART briefly returned thanks• if. of
Lieut. C. SZULCZEWSKI then proposed the thanjorli
'
the association to the hon. secretary, Mr• i_Nfi rely
Lloyd Birkbeck, for the valuable services he '-"
dered to the association.
Colonel PRZYIEMSKI seconded the resolution, Nhio
was agreed to.
Mr. L. BIRKBECK expressed his acknowleubP"
after which the meeting separated.

VOLUNTARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

The fifth annual meeting of the friends and supPoort:o4.
of this association was held last night at the Freera..„ai,
Tavern, Great Queen-street—S. M. Peto, Esq., Av
in the chair. f
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings fit"
evening, dwelt forcibly and eloquently on the 10,1%4
to be derived from the voluntary principle in educli:red.
matters. The hon. gentleman was loudly c'll,
during the delivery of his speech, the prinelP"i:l
the following quotation furnishing the chief arrinlePase of
" This association was formed in 1848, for the purP-to old
promoting religious education independently of St°':-tetet
or control. Under the present Governmental sy"
though nominally religious, all classes are .taxed 0111
dow Judaism, Popery, Tractarianism, and other the
of error, whilst just four-fifths of the fund raised ffiroife
purpose are expended upon schools essentially exc'urd
and sectarian. The new measure proposed by LiOnttee
Russell on the 4th of April, continues to the eaa-I the
of council the power it now possesses, of directiageire.
religious education of the country, whilst it relldivg
from it even the semblance of responsibility, by ,Pr.
for that purpose a fund beyond the control of Paru3-ildea
It also embodies the scheme oflocal rating, recomoie,q,lie
by the Manchester and Salford Committee, with ce%
modifications, which render it still more obnoxWico'ir
not practically inope'rative." The hon. gentleman t,
eluded by calling on the secretary
,to read the rePc:rab it
The SECRETARY then read the report, from vti:heol
appeared that the principles of the Voluntary P.'„sibte
appeared so commanding that it only required t°,:tioe
them clearly. The committee believe that eds't,in
should not only be religious, in the wide and uncero
state put upon that term by the Government,..
thoroughly Christian—and that the State, ,as it 1:40
competent to give such an education to the people, ° prl
not to interfere in the matter, but leave it to YeluLieg
effort. The confidence of your committee has, ati of
the past year, heen greatly strengthened by a varie doir
considerations ; and their own sentiments upon ther vt.
ject have found an eloquent echo in the address ..„(1 joe.
Harris at the last assembly of the Congregational ugijoir
Although the financial statement presents an erlefieeiP
ing aspect, the committee would urge upon their Po' so'
the importance of augmenting the resources of then, re;
ciation, that their wishes may be realised both "-rot
ffi y of
gards the enlargement and ecienc 11°- ir
,
establishments, and the increase of the funa,w,;ete;
cable to the extension of schools in our rural a-jise°
The amounts of subscriptions and donations re z,
during the past year have both increased, while
_.!;,-cell,
penses of the male normal school have been red
and those of the female branch have been but .""
siderably augmented, notwithstanding the greatlft,
creased attendance. From the treasurer's statenlelloC
appeared that the balance in hand April, 1, 18510'. net
563/. ; annual subscriptions, 6771. 15s. 6d. ; clott,"" 0.;
5891. 2s. ; collections and sale of pamphlets, 21" "bea
making a total of 1,8521. 19s. The expenditilre ,
ct
been 1,1901. 15s. 3d. ; leaving a balance in ha
6621. 4s. id. the,
Resolutions in conformity with the objects onus
meeting having been submitted were carrigl---„te
mously, and the proceedings terminated with a
thanks to the chairman.

• 4
CO.
WILLIS'S Rooms, ST. JAMES'S.—A grand evening 00
cert, for the benefit of some foreigners in distrt'ocr
given at the above rooms on Monday, upon which their
sion the following eminent artists generously gr:srsier
valuable services :--Mesdames Fiorentini, A-Le-4(llles'
Newton, Ferrari, Taccani, Tasca, and Enderson;,„'rs„clt,
Bassano, Alleyne, Cole, and Stabbach ; Signori Piieist,
Ferrari, Onorati, Li Calsi, and Herr Gans ;on
Madame Bompiani. The concert opened wi'no tit?
hoven's " Septuor," arranged for four perfornier° -napiaal
pianofortes- -perfectly rendered by Madame J3rgoly
and Herr Ganz, assisted by Signori Li Calsi an s sls°
d real. Miss Bassano sang with her usual taste, ssigsor
did Madame Tasca. The duet of Madame aliA et bi
Ferrari was delightfully sang, as was also the duet
Miss Alleyne and Herr Brandt. Miss Stabct seir
in exquisite voice, and sang a very apprerniegg
son sung for the first time, by Glover, entitled
eceivea
Morning," which was charmingly given, and i( So'set
well-deserved applause ; her other song'', feeling'
Home," was sang with much pathos an No la At
II
Signor Onorati, in a romanzi by Verdi, as „tP
duet by Donizetti, with Miss Stabbach, was 10-
could be wished. Mrs. Alexander Newton 'Iwo&
zart's " Queen of Night " with her usual „Al° nooro
The pianoforte duo of Signori Li Calsi and "`"-° of th°
for two instruments, on therilgrim's Chorus wad
Lombardi of Verdi, arranged by Montuore, sisoeo
itself a gem, and artistically performed. r,,le„scl 11'
„•
Cole, in Mendelssohn's duet, " Greeting, ed
H. Smart's duet, " The Greenwood," recelLch
merited applause for the artistic manner with w °33 izetti 0
bit
gave their duets. The concert closed with D
sang •
" Terzetto," from The Lucrezia, beautifully ,orati.
Madame Tasca, Herr Brandt, and signor 1
1014
The room was fully and fashionably attendr3,l",h Os
hope the concert realised the object for wn"— r,
given. Signor Li Calsi was conductor.
ur
illestigyfiltoerit
THE AUTHOR, OF " SAM
loving readers will be delighted to hear
is immediately forthcoming from the pen °the attractin'
burton. It is in two volumes, and bears modera.
title of "Sam Slick's Wise Saws nad,...d."
4tances ; or, What he gala; Did, or Wen"
that •31,.ticigwe

(