The Sun.
London, England, 1825-01-28 00:00:00

GRAND MASONIC FESTIVAL.

The Anniversary of the Birth of His Royal
Highness the Duke of SUSSEX, Grand Master of the Loyal'
Ancient and Hon. Fraternity of Freemasons, was vesterdry, as
usual, celebrated by the Craft at the Freemasons' Tavern, by fl
grind dinner.
About six o'clock His Royal Highness entered the Hal and
repaired to the grand table, preceded by the ordinary proces-
sion • immediately after which Colonel VirupstaN, MX. wok
the Chair.

On the right of the chair we observed Lord Montfor4 and
Sir \V. De Crespigny ; on the left, his Grace the Duke of
Leinster, and several other distinguished of the Brethren.
The dinner was excellent ; and although the tickets were Poi/
15s. each, the wines were admirable and in profusion.
The cloth being removed, Non Nobis Donzine was sang in
admirable style by the musical Brethren present; amongst
whom we observed Messrs. Attwood, Bellamy, Broadhurst,
Collier, Clarke, Hawes, Leete, Pyne, Chas. Taylor. Terraib
&c. &c. Sir George Smart presided at the piano- forte. • Im-
mediately after that beautiful grace—
The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of " The Kinp—the
Patron of the Order," with three times three. Drank Wih en-
thusiasm.

Music and air—God save the King—the whole of the Birthro
standing and joining in the chorus.
The next toast proposed was—" His Royal Highness the
Duke of York, the Worshipful al aster of the Prince of Wales 'A
Lodge." with three times three; drank with acclamation. Tur
—The Duke of York's March. Glee—How merrily we live
that Masons be.

To this succeeded—." The other Members of' the Roy's
Family who are Masons." Drank with three times three•
Glee (by A ttwotxl)—ln peace love tunes the shcpherd's reed.
The next toast was—" The Members of the Royal Family
who are not Masons." Drank with similar testimonies of re'
spect. Glee—Marked you her eye of heavenly blue?
The CHAIRMAN next rose to propose to the brethren assem-
bled the grand toast of the evening—" The health of flair
Il-
lustrious Grand Master, his Royal Highness the Dulte.ef Sus-
ssez ;" 'the anniversary of whose birth they bad assembled to'
celebrate. To refer to the service done to the Craft by his
Royal Highness would be in him (the Chairman) superfuous-
To dilate upon the advantage derived not only from the illus-
trious name, but the exertions in the cause of Masonry br
the illustrious, amiable, and most respectable Prince at his
right hand, would be in him (Col. NV.) presumption. The'
Gentlemen whom he had the honour to address were Masons,
and could as fully as himself appreciate the obligations con-
ferred upon the Craft by his Royal Highness. It was not az-
little remarkable, however, that only in this country Oterx
the Princes of the Blood Royal—nay the Heir Presumptiis ttr
the Throne—were Masons, that here only was the Craft recap"
nixed, and here only did it flourish.—(Cheers.)—He should not
longer detain the Brethren, but would again repeat the We:-
with which he had commenced—" His Royal Highness the.
Worshipful Grand Master, with hearty congratulations upon%
that happy return of his birth-day."—Drank with acclamatioo-
His Royal Highness the Duke of SUSSEX rose to returo
his heartfelt thanks for the-kindness with which the toast ha&
been announced from the Chair, and for the warmth wits'
which it had been received by the Brethren assembled. To re-
turn thanks in his situation with sincerity and effect, he must
be allowed to state the mixed feelings by which he was impel-
led. To be thanked by a meeting not only equal but superior'
iu numbers and respectability to all those which had preceded it
upon similar occasions, was a grateful task, still the recollec-
tion that it announced the addition of another year to one's'
life must necessarily bring with it a grave reflection. He hat's
early in life entered into the Fraternity, but he had done
so with caution and with circumspection. He was equally
proud and happy to say, that from that moment the cause
had become increasing in interest and respectability. Be could
remember the time when the Craft were suspected, pur-
sued, and hunted down—he had the pleasure to witness its rer
storation to importance and respectability in the public estima.
tion.—(Applause.)—He trusted that perseverance in the same
cause would always insure to Masonry the respect in which it,
was held in this free country.—(Applause.)—The Hon. Chair-
man had briefly referred to the recognition and support of
Masonry by Members of the Royal Family of this country ; and
he (tlie Duke of Sussex) believed that Masonry could only
exist with freedom: butin congratulating the assembly which he
had the honour to address upon the progress of the Institution,
there was one poweiful drawback—the situation of the Masons
of a most interesting portion of the empire—Ireland.--(Loud
cheering. )--The operation- of a recent Act of the Legislature
was supposed to extend to the Freemasons of Ireland ; they
accordingif submitted—they met no longer in Lodge—•--
(Cheers)—and in that act of obedience to the laws he trusted
would be recognized that which had not before been doubtful
—the loyal and admirable foundation of that system of which
he and those who heard him were enthusiastic supporters.--
(Cheers.)—.lle trusted that in that circumstance would be found
an unanswerable argument for the restoration to the Masons of
Ireland of the privilege of which they had been deprived.—
(Cheers).—He had nothing more to add than the repetition of
his best thanks and best wishes for the welfare of all assem-
bled.—(Continued applause.)
A manuscript Glee, applicable to the occasion, the music by
Brother Sir John Stevenson, was next performed; but the words
and music were common-place. •
" The Grand Lodge and Brethren of Ireland" was the next
toast, and was received with great enthusiasm.

His Grace the Duke of LE is. s'r E 11,G rand Master for Ireland,
returned thanks. Under the extraordinary circumstances in
which the Freemasons of Ireland were placed by the recent
Act of Parliament referred to by his Royal Highness the
Duke of Sussex, he had felt it his duty to consult that Illus-
trious Princo, and by the advice of his Royal Highness he had
recommended to the Masons of Ireland to meet no longer in
Lodge. He trusted, however, that the day was not far dis-
tant, when the loyalty and fidelity of Irish Masons would be
duly appreciated, and rewarded by the repeal of that part of
the law which prevented their meeting.—(Cheers.)
Air—Pairi,Ms Day.
" The Grand Lodge, and the Masons of Scotland"--" The
Ladies"—" Chairman"—" The Stewards"—and other toasts
followed, accompanied by several fine songs and glees.
At a quarter to ten o'clock his 'loyal Highness the Duke of
SUSSEX rose—again thanked the Brethren present for the ho-
nour conferred upon him, and being exhausted by constant oc-
cupation during the day withdrew amid the applause of all the
Brethren present.
The gallery was crowded with elegantly dressed ladies. On
no former occasion were there so many of the Fraternity pre-
sent, and we never witnessed a more, orderly or respectable as-
semblage, and have rarely experienced so delightful an enter-
tainment.

After, the retirement of the Royal Duke Colonel Wildman
left the Chair, which was immediately filled by another distin.
guished Brother, under whose auspices the festivity of the even.
ing was kept up to a late hour.

The Paris Papers of Tuesday, and the Etoile
dated Wednesday, arrived last night. They are
unusually barren of political intelligence. M.
COUSIN, the young French philosopher, who was
arrested and imprisoned in Prussia, on a charge
of being engaged in revolutionary plots, is soon
to be set at liberty. lie insists, however, on a
public declaration of his innocence, and it is ex-
pected that this act of justice will be conceded

to him.
The Constitutionnel has an able article on the
results of the administration of Mr. Canning,
founded on the interests of his country, as con-
trasted with the results of the administration
of M. de Villele, founded on the system of
the Holy Alliance, from which we have
extracted that portion which alludes more par-
ticularly to the recent decision of the English
Cabinet, acknowledging the independence of the
South American States.

( From the C'onstitutionnel of Tuesday.)

It seems strange that the adherents of the
Treasury pretend to be surprised at the resolution taken by
England, as if any body were ignorant that it has long en-
tered into her views to wish the Spanish Colonies independ-
ent, and that on this point she was acting in conjunction
with the United States, which have always had a tendency to
break all the chains which attach America to Europe. Could
it be expected that a Statesman like Mr. Canning would chain
the British Islands to the Holy Alliance, which desires, by an
impossible union, to enjoy the advantages of civilization, and
reject its consequences, and that he would not seize every op-
portunity of opening to the industry and commerce of his
Country her markets, while the markets of Europe are almost
closed against her ? The policy of England agrees with her
interests. The principles proclaimed at Carlsbad and at Ve-
rona are accusations against her, and the legitimacies of
Europe have condemned the legitimacies of England. Is
it to be expected that she should arm in favour of principles

which are opposed to her Monarch's rights, and which
condemn in their source the institutions which alone have
given her strength and made her great ? The tragical end of
a celebrated Minister, placed some years ago at the head of
affairs of his country, strengthens our reflections on the true
policy of England. Lord Castlereagh became continental, in
consequence of his long continued relations with the Cabinets
of Europe, and had almost engaged England to the policy
of the. Holy Alliance. A respect for the institutions of his
country made him veil some occult transactions ; but Eng-
land was not deceived; troubles ensued ; its injured interests
took the alarm, and the country was filled with tumultuous
assemblies. Vienna, Aix-la-Chapelle, and Laybach had seen
Lord Castlereagh seated in Congress with Kings.- He
saw the moment arriving when he should be obliged to
deny, in the name of his country, the engagements of his
passions and his personal policy ; the world knows how he
avoided a journey to Verona. Mr. Canning was placed at the
head of affairs, and he made England return to her natural
policy. Masking his designs with skill he appeared weak,
while he was creating means of power and greatness ; his pru-
dence was mistaken for pusillanimity; but the Holy Alliance
has been deceived. Under his- administration the expenditure
of the country has been diminished, and its prosperity increased.
Repudiating the principles of the Holy Alliance, he at first-
appeared rather neuter than hostile ; he seemed to leave them
to their course ; and, while they engaged in a perilous enter-
prise, he opened .to Great Britain the commerce of the world.—
Factioni have disaPpeared, the opposition is extinguished,
the radic;ls and jacobins have ceased to exist ; and
even the distinction of Whig and Tory is almost insen-
sible. Some ancient pretensions opposed themselves in vain
to his career; he has shewn what is the power of a statesman
who supports himself on the interests of a great nation, and he
has proved that those Ministers alone are dependent on foreigners
who depend on' factions. When the Spanish war occurred,
which was inflicted on us by the Holy Alliance, he saw that it
would be injurious to our interest, though it might be favourable
for our arms ; he allowed us to acquire a burdensome glory ;
he has seen the moment arrive of a brilliant seiaration between
Spain and her Colonies, and he has revealed to astonished Eu-
rope the secret of a policy regarded as impotent or feeble. Eng-
land, which was said to have fallen from her rank among nations,
braves the Holy Alliance and all its, armies ; she separates her-
self from it with glory ; she destroys, by a single blow, all the
acts of ten Congresses, and placed at the head of the civiliza-
tion which marches forward, she displays a bold front to the
civilization which retrogrades. He has judged Europe cor-
rectly. He knows that the Holy Alliance reposes on a system
of compression which does not permit them to engage in hostility
without danger, and that it is more easy for them to stifle the
liberty of Europe than fire a single gun at the power which
would support it. The Holy Alliance, moreover, want the
sinews of war which Great Britain so long supplied it with.
France alone, which has paid the expences accrued by the prin-
ciples-of the Holy:Alliance, without reaping the profit of them,
could enjoy the honour of furnishing subsidies ; but the war of
Spain, its loans, and its indemnities have put it out of her power.
Either the Holy Alliance must support theirprinciples by the dis-
play of forces dangerous to themselves, or must bend humbly
down before the public and solem disapproval, which its prin-
ciples have now received in the face of the world. They must
declare war, or confess themselves ►morally conquered. Such
is for England the great result of Mr. Canning's administra-
I don, supported 'on public interests.

FRENCH FUNDS.
PAItTS, .TA1r.'25..-=---Five per Cents. opened at 103 f. 10c., and
closed at 103 f. 15e.; Bank Stock, 1,970 f. ; Neapolitan Five per
Cents. (Falconnet's Certificates), 80f. 40c. ; Rente d'Estapie,
17 ; Royal Spantsh Loan, 1823, 56af.
EXCHANGE ON LONDON.—One Month, 241.95 c; Three
Months, 24f. 80c.—( fours Avthentivic.j

Dutch Papers and Mussels Journals to the
26th instant arrived this morning. They contain
accounts from Batavia up to the 9th October,
communicating intelligence from Macassar, which
gives the details of an expedition sent by the
Dutch Governor-General, Baron VAN DER CA.-
PELLLN, against Soepa, for the purpose of re-
ducing the Prince of that district to the same
terms as the Prince of TANETTE. The ex-

pedition was repulsed with great loss in
two attacks which they made on the
enemy's benting, which was fortified both by
nature and by art; and the commander, Colonel
STUERS, finding it impracticable to reduce Soepa
by force without strong reinforcements, re-
solved to act no longer on the offensive, but to
turn the siege into a blockade, by which means
he hoped to obtain the desired result with-
out a further sacrifice of lives. The loss of the
Netherland troops is stated at 30 killed and 140
wounded. Among the killed are four officers,
viz. Lieut. Van PELT, of the Marines. Lieut.
BRUFF, an old soldier of tried courage, Lieut.
D'Anr.‘lNG Van GRESSENBURG, of the Navy,
and Lieutenant STERCKE, of the Army. The
wounded had been sent to Macassar.—Baron
VAN DER CAPELLEN has returned to Ba-
tavia from his visit to the Moluccas and Ma-
cassar, after an absencQ of upwards of seven
months.

The only article of political intelligence in
these Papers is the following :
_ __

FRANKFORT, JAN. 19.

It was reported at Vienna that there would be immediately a
new promotion in the Austrian army, and that most of the
officers included in it would be sent to join the Cordon in the
Buckowina, Transylvania, and the Bannat of Temeswar, which
are the provinces adjoining the Ottoman Empire. _ .

The Military Committee appointed by the German Diet,
of which General Langenan is President, is to continue
its deliberations with great activity, relative to the Army
of the Confederation, and the provisioning and arming the
fortresses. It is not known whether the Diet will proceed
this time to the choice of a General-in-Chief, and whether
this important post will be given to an Austrian, a Prussian,
or a Bavarian General.

The. Allgemeine Zeitung of the 21st instant
contains an article from Constantinople, dated
Dec. 25, which repeats the accounts of the intes-
tine divisions existing among the Greeks, and
states that IBRAHIM PACHA, on the sth of that

month, had, by command of the SULTAN, left
for the third time the Bay of Alarmarissa, with
a fleet of one hundred and forty sail, to take
advantage of the dissensions of the Greeks,
and attempt a landing in the Morea ; but
he encountered so many difficulties in the exe-
cution of that object, that he had abandoned
it, and sailed to Egypt. It was supposed, how-
ever, that the latter part of this report is not
correct, but originates in the circumstance, that
InnAntst PAcISA had sent home some transports
which had become unfit for service.

A convention has been concluded between
Austria and Sardinia, and acceded to by the Go-
vernments of the Cantons of the Grisons and of
the Tesin,.by which Austria undertakes to repair
the road of the Splugen, and Sardinia that of
St. Bernardin. A separate arrangement has been
made between the Canton of the Gricons and Sar-
dinia for the road of Lumino. The execution of
these conventions will afford great facilities to
travellers and to trade.

We have been reluctant to interfere upon the
question respecting Mr. K F.AN, as the sentiments
of private individuals can have little weight in
the scale compared with the fiat of public opinion.
We considered him as rash; and wanting in deli-
cacy, in venturing to appear so soon before the
Public, but we left the Public to decide for
themselves. They have decided, and obviously
given a stamp of disapprobation that he ought
not to have resisted. His perseverance in ap-
pearing again before the 'Public, after so
decisive a manifestation of displeasure, and of
so emphatic a nature, should have induced him
to withdraw till more temperate feelings prevailed•
We inserted thrt letter of BENEvor,us yesterday,
from the same motives of humanity that obviously
governed the writer, but we totally differ with him
in thinking that Mr. KEAN should be exempted
from all censure grounded upon his private con-
duct, not character, for that was sufficiently un-
derstood, but when that conduct became a matter
of legal investigation, and of such repulsive noto-
riety, we conceive that the public would have she wn
a torpid and most reprehensible indifference to all
moral feelings, if they had withheld that signal
and energetic sense of decency, and that homage
for virtue that marked the reception which he ex-
perienced on Monday from an evident and large
majority.

BIRTII•DAY OF MR. Fox.—On Monday last
the Anniversary of the Birth-day of this Gen-
tleman was celebrated at the Waterloo _Hotel,
Edinburgh. About two hundred friends and ad-
mirers of the departed Statesman were present.
FaiNcis JEFFREY, Esq. took the Chair. Ile was
supported on his right hand by the Duke of
H AMI LTON/,. and on the left by Sir,A.M. GIBSON.
The company in general was highly respectable.
The Chairman and other visitors paid many elo-
quent tributes to the memory and merits of Mr.
Fox, and the day passed off' with cordiality, and
no undue expression of party feelings.

The Bri, ish Ambassador, Sir CnAar.EsßAGO'r,
left Brussels on the 22d instant, for London.
Gibraltar Papers have been received to the
sth inst. They contain a proclamation of the
Earl of CHATHAM, regulating the duties to be
paid on wines, spirits, and spirituous liquors, im-
ported into that garrison. The duty on spirits
and spiritous liquors for consumption, is fixed at
six reals per gallon, and upon those articles land-
ed for tho.purpose of being infused into wine, a
similar duty is levied. These articles would not,
however, be admitted for consumption in Gib-
raltar in casks of less than fifty gallons, nor be
permitted to be stored, unless in- strong packages
containing at least fifty-four bottles, at four and
a half to the gallom. Some penalties are decreed
to all who shall attempt to evade the regulations
contained in the Proclamation, which is dated
the Ist of the present month._

A Cabinet council was summoned to meet
yesterday, but the assembling of the Council was
postponed : the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
did not come to town in consequence.
Yesterday the Duke of YORK left his resi-
dence in Stable-yard, St. James's, in his travel-
ling carriage and four.

It is very currently reported that Lord CoM-
BERMEttE is going out to India to succeed Sir
EDWARD PAGET RS Commander of th. Forces.—
Lord AMHERST, we understand, is to keep, un-
disturbed, the post of Governor-General.—
( Times.)

We have received accounts- from Ceylon to the
middle of June, by which we learn, that, in
consequence of the irregularity of the seasons,
and the deficiency of rain during the last
and the early part of the present year, the
insalubrity of the climate in many districts
of the island had been severely felt, especially
in those of Chilaw, the northern part of the
district of Colombo, the Four and the Seven
Korles. The deaths from fever had been in
considerable numbers, as well among the native
population as the European troops, and several
Officers had fallen victims. It was generally
believed, however, at the date of these advices,
that the severity of the sickness was past.
Mr. ISAAC BURGESS, a merchant at Batavia,
has obtained a licence for four years and a half,
to build steam-vessels to navigate on the coast of
Java. These steam-boats, which are to be built
in the Netherlands, may, during the term of the
licence, go from Europe to India, and are to be
allowed the Dutch colonial flag, with the same
privilege as sailing vessels.