The Sun.
London, England, 1825-04-15 00:00:00

SCllool4`i IN THE HIGHLANDS.

Yesterday, at the Freemasons' Hall, the Society for the Pro-
pagating the Christian Religion in the Highlands and Islands
celebrated its fifty-second London Anniversary Festiva); his
Royal Highness the Duke of SUSSEX in the Chair. Between
two and three hundred gentlemen sat down to dinner, and the
gallery was filled with ladies. There was a military band, and
several professional singers.
After the cloth was removed and grace said, the health of the
King was given, and drank with the usual honours.
The next toasts were, " The-Duke of York and the rest of
the Royal family :"—" The Navy and the Army ;"
.both three
times three.

3lr. ABERCROMBIE then rose, and called upon the corn-1
pony to offer that tribute of respect, which they could not but
feel was due to his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex and '
Earl of Inverness. lie was sure that the mere mention of
his Royal Highness's name would have more influence with
them than any ohservaticins of his: There was no circumstance
which so cordially united the people and -the Royal Family as
the zeal with which the latter promoted the diffusion of know-
ledge. In this note stood forward more distinguished than the
Royal Dulte- who then presided. He concluded by proposing
the,. health of their .2resident, which was drank -with heat
vpplause.
His Royal Highness the Duke of SIiSSEX said that his first
duty was to retorn thanks to the company for the kind manner
in which.they had received the mention of his name, anti his
next was to thank his Hon. and Learned Friend for the hand-
some terms in which he was pleased to advert to his exertions in
the cause of the Society—a Society in whose success he felt the
deepest interest, for its objects embraced the most remote parts
of his Majesty's dominions. In the few words he should have
the honour to address to. them, with reference to the Society, he
trusted that if he had the good fortune to reach the hearts of.
Seotehmen, be should find but little additional difficulty in ar-
riving at the bottom of 'their- pockets.—(Applause.)—He had
had the honour of presiding over their meetings for several
Years,. in which office he succeeded to an excellent and near re-
lative of his, now no more, who took the deepest interest" in the
prosperity of the institution. His Royal Highness then entered
into a brief detail of the origin and progress of the Society ;
stating, that although it only began with 1,0001. and five schools,
it now could boast of 309 schools. When the country over
which its operations were extended, and the length of time it
lasted (twelve years), were taken into account, they could easily
calculate the numbers who enjoyed its advantages. His Royal
Highness then touched upon the causes which had produced a
diminution of its funds—the number of Testaments (twenty
thousand) which bad Been circulated in Gaelic; the expe,
diency of not seeking to extinguish national languages, or to
disuse national dresses, and various other appropriate topics.—
He concluded by stating, that the excess of their expenditure
over their income, for the present year, amounted to between
8001. and 9001.

After some music snd singing, his Royal Highness proposed
the health of the Vice-Presidents, regretting that only one of
them was present.
Mr. Down E. of Appin, returned thanks, and proposed the
health of the Earl of Inverness, unconnected with the English
title of Sussex,

Which was accordingly received with much applause.
The Royal Cil AI ItMAN, in returning thanks, called to their
mind an old Scotch song, the burden of which, he said, was,
that the Scotch would never desert the friendless. Ile hoped
they would now keep that sentiment in view.
One of the Secretaries then read the Report, containing a
statement of the Society's accounts, and a view of its circum-
stances ; in doing which. he took occasion to address a few
words to the Meeting on the nature and objects of the Society.
The PitEgtnENT,- in proposing the health of Alderman
Crowder and the City of London, observed, that no.metropolis
in the world was more distinguiihed for its charity.
The Worthy Alderman returned thanks in an appropriate
speech.
" The health of the Ladies, Subscribers to the Society," was
then trfank, with three times three.' •.• .
His Roirat. IlmliNEss. after a few prefatory observations,
proposed the health of an Hon. and Learned Friend near•him
(Mr. Abercrombie), which being received and drank with the
usual honours, that gentleman briefly returned thanks.
When the heidth of the Treasurer (Sir Peter Laurie) was
drank, he addressed the company at considerable length, and
concluded by, proposing the health of the son of the Earl of In-
verness (Colonel D.'Este), then at that table.
This toast haying been received with universal plaudits, the
Gallant Officer returned thanks in suitable terms, and attri-
buted the flattering manner in which his name had been re-
ceived much more to the feelings that
.were entertained towards
the proposer, and towards him from whom he had derived his
existence, than to any merits of his own. He expressed strongly
his attachment to Scotland, bound as he was to that country by
both his parents.
The health of the Secretaries was then given from the Chair,
and very cordially received by the company, as were the health's
of Messrs. Monteith and Campell, who were elected Vice-Pre-
sidents, together with Mr. Abercrombie. •
The Stewerds' healths were then drank, and Mr. ABER."
CROMIIIE returned thanks in their name.
His Royal Highness and a few of those immediately around
him, soon after left the Hall, when Mr. DOWNIE took tlhe
Chair, and the festive enjoyments of the evening were contint ed
to a late hour.
Sonlgsri theue
rceosuursnegowf entertainmentitcheffec
t,iinsteivtehrael
bnaantdionpallanyan4d4t,,,,,:e:.
tervals. The Royal Duke, en his entrance and at
cure, was preceded by Highland pipers.

A celPlwated Physician was sent for by a Lady
who imagined herself very ill ; when lie came, she complained
dismally, that she eat too much, slept too sound, and had a
very alarming flow of spirits. " Make yourself perfectly easy,
Madam," said the Doctor, " only follow my prescnptions ,and
you shall soon have no reason to complain.'