The Sun.
London, England, 1836-09-08 00:00:00

RAMSGATE.

I(FROM A CORRESPONDENT, DATED AUG. 30.)
At the close of last year, several gentlemen resident in
the metropolis, who had been educated by Mr. Whitehead
in this town, being desirous of marking their respect and
gratitude to their valued preceptor and friend, having met
together, it was proposed to raise a subscription and ap-
point a committee to determine on the best mode of carry-
ing their wishes into effect. The result was a resolution
that a piece of plate should be presented to Mr. Whitehead,
and that he should be invited to meet his old pupils at a
dinner to be given by the subscribers thereto at Ramsgate,
on the 29th August following, being the twenty-first anni-
versary of the opening of his establishment in this town.
The committee having carefully examined several designs,
fixed upon one of a most elegant and chaste description ;
the subscriptions having amounted to upwards of one hun-
dred and fifty pounds, being confined to those gentlemen
who had finished their education under his care.
At six o'clock yesterday, upwards of fifty of his former
pupils sat down to a superb dinner, furnished from the
London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. The wines and des-
sert were of a most costly description. The chair was ably
filled by W. H. Tilstone, Esq. After the usual public
toasts had been ',riven, the President, in an eloquent and
feeling speech, addressed Mr. Whitehead, stating that on
him had devolved the pleasing task of presenting to their
respected preceptor and valued friend, a small token of re-
gard from his old pupils, who Ivere desirous of testifying
i their gratitude for the valuableinstruction which they had
received whilst under his charge, by which they had become
qualified for holding their present situations in society. He
begged to express the sincere wishes of his schoolfellows
and himself, that Mr. Whitehead and his family might
enjoy many years of health and happiness.—(Long con-
tinued cheers.) .

After some time Mr. Whitehead rose, but was so over-
powered by his feelings that he was unable to give utterance
to a syllable. At length his words found vent, and he as-
sured the Chairman and his old boys how truly that was a
proud day for him. When be saw himself surrounded by so
many of his former pupils, with whom he had also conti-
nued upon the most friendly terms since they quitted his
roof, he had no power to express his feelings, and should
ever regard the memorial before him with the greatest
pride and gratification ; that be should hand it down to his
son, whom be hoped would succeed him in the education of
youth, with his prayer that the same kind feeling might al-
ways exist between his son and his pupils, that always
existed between his own scholars and himself.--(Long
cheers.)
The health of Mrs. Whitehead was then given with loud
cheers, and sincerely was she greeted as the boys' friend,
both in sickness and in health.

Many other toasts were given, accompanied by some ex-
cellent speeches from Messrs. Tilstone, Henry, Curling,
Hilouse, White, Oakley, Hamilton, &c.
Shortly before twelve Mr. Whitehead rose to retire, when
he again addressed his old boys and repeated his gratifica-
tion, adding that the events of the day had made an im-
pression on his heart never to be obliterated. A numerous
company of ladies and gentlemen were admitted to witness

the presentation of the plate, and were liberally regaled with
wine, fruit, tea and coffee. The design of the plate was
both chaste and elegant, being of frosted and burnished sil-
ver, viz., two female figures on a tripod, supporting a basket ;
on the vase was the following inscription :
Presented

THOMAS WHITEHEAD, ESQ.,
of Chatham House, Ramsgate,
by his former Pupil F,
on the 21st anniversary of his establishment,
in grateful remembrance
of the able, unwearied, and conscientious exertions
of their preceptor and friend,
28th August, 1836.
The plate was purchased from Messrs. Green and Ward,
Cockspur-street.
Much praise was due to the managing committee for
the selection of the plate and fbr the general arrangements.
The whole proceedings must have been highly gratifying to
Mr. Whitehead and his family ; nor must it be considered
adulatory when we say that the worth of the man deserved
the memorial, as was stated by his oldest pupil, Mr. Henry,
in his eloquent speech, that to none could he more
appropriately apply " palmam qui meruit, ferat," than to
his tutor. If a devoted love of his profession, assiduity,
a conscientious discharge of duty to those committed to his
custody, and, above all an ever active principle within to
guide his actions, mark the upright man, Mr. IVhitehead
is that man !