The Sun.
London, England, 1849-11-15 00:00:00

ARTISTS' AMICABLE SOCIETY

The members of this excellent society dined to-
gethe.r yesterday at the George Inn, Aldermanbury.
The attendance, though tolerably numerous, was
not quite so full as the utility of the society deserves,
but doubtless this was owing to the fact of its existence
not being generally known, since it has not been
established more than two years. Mr. W. Williams
occupied the chair, supported by Messrs. Wagstaff,
Landells, Sergeant, and Gorway. Messrs. Wall and

Force officiated as stewards.
The cloth having been drawn, and the usual loyal
and patriotic toasts disposed of;
The CUAIRMAN proposed "Prosperity to the
Artists' Amicable Society," explaining that it had
been founded for the purpose of promoting feelings of
amity and friendship amongst professors of art, and
raising a fund to support indigent members in times
of suffering and distress. The idea had met with a
warm response from the profession generally, and he
was convinced, if its originators would continue the
same persevering efforts in thoroughly establishing it
that they used in bringing it into existence, it would
succeed beyond their most sanguine expectations.
The toast was drank in bumpers.
Mr. WAGSTAFF, in acknowledging the toast, re-
marked, that in their moments of conviviality
they ought not to forget the source whence
they derived their profit and fame. He re-
membered the day when artists and engravers,
so far from lending it any encouragement, looked
upon the illustrated press with feelings of contempt,
but time—the great test of all human words—bad hap-
pily convinced them of their error. The merits of
cheap publications, embellished with the pencil of the
artist as well as the pen of the author, were now ac-
knowledged on all hands, though at one period it was
thought such works would degrade art, and men of
taste and eminence shunned it as they would a pes-
tilence. Now, however, that prejudice was rapidly

disappearing, and if they might judge by the popular
names attached to the illustrated publications of the day,
instead of debasing art, it would seem that they had
done much to promote it. Indeed, if he was not
❑iistaken, they had led to the discovery of a new
style of art, namely, the mezotint system, which had
proved highly successful in this country. Formerly
artists and engravers were dependent upon aristo-
cratic patrons, but now they looked to the universal
public for their support. Latterly the sale of their

works had somewhat diminished, hut he attributed
the falling off to the commercial depression. The

state of trade had now become alike the barometer of
the success of art as of other pursuits and professions,
and he viewed that circumstance as an incontestable
proof of an improvement in the public taste of the
country. He gave them " The Illustrated Press."
The toast was heartily responded to.
Mr. SERGEANT returned thanks on behalf of the
artists, and observed that he had never entertained a

doubt of the utility or success of cheap illustrated
literature, nor did he believe there was an artist or
engineer who would dispute with him the good it
had accomplished in encouraging and extending a
taste for the fine arts. From the gilded saloon
of the aristocrat down to the domicile of the

:.rtizan a change was perceptible, and, equally
in the necessaries as the luxuries of life, there
was a craving for improvement animating
all ranks and grades of society. The very shop
windows of the metropolis betrayed a striking mani-
festation of this feeling; and look to the east or west
of London, the line of beauty could be discovered in
the show rooms and warehouses of tradesmen. Trust-

ing, then, that every member of the profession, be he
never so humble or so high, would persevere in the
glorious struggle of accomplishing the mission of
art —namely, to make their fellow-men worthy
of the greatness of their country—he again thanked
them for the hearty manner in which they had drunk
the toast, and begged leave to propose to them
"Success to Wood-engraving."
The toast was drank with honours.
Mr. LANDELLS was deeply sensible of the compli-
ment they had paid the body to which he belonged,
and, like Mr. Sergeant, he was rejoiced in being able
to bear testimony to the success of the union which of
late years had subsisted between the pen and the
pencil. There were three flourishing works in
existence that placed the utility of the combination, if
he might be allowed the term, beyond a doubt.
'lle success of the Pickwick Papers, which
gave birth to one style of illustration, was in the first
instance due more to the artist's pencil than the
author's pen. It was not generally known that poor
Seymour conceived the characters of Pickwick and
Sam Weller before even a line of the work was
written, and it was ever to be regretted that the
success which attended the conception resulted in
the death of the author. Then, again, there was
the immortal Punch, which owed its popularity to
artists : for several months after it was brought out
it was a losing concern, but a happy idea of Harry
Mayhew, of bringing out an illustrated Punch's
Almanack profusely illustrated, placed Punch in a
position which he had never receded from. The last
instance of the success of the union was the Illus-
trated News. We remember the day when that also
was a losing affair, but it was suggested to the pro-
prietors, on the occasion of the Queen's first visit to
Scotland, that they should send artists to follow her
as the daily papers did reporters. They adopted
the suggestion, and the success of it could be
seen in the immense number of papers sold
during the recent visit of her Majesty to
Ireland. The fact was the system of illus-
trating newspapers, and such like publications, was
as yet only in its infancy. As the public taste in•
creased illustrated works would multiply, and it was
therefore for the interest of both high and low art to
encourage and promote such periodicals.
Several other toasts were given and responded to
and the festivities were kept up till a late hour.
The dinner was well placed upon the table, while
the wines were of the best quality.

TESTIMONIAL
TO THE HUNGARIAN REFUGEES.

" THE HUNGARIAN NATION COUNTS ON THE SYMPATHY
OF ETERY NATION WHICH LOVES RIGHT AND Li-
PERTY."—Kossuth's Protest against Russian Interven-
tion.

Subscriptions may be sent to the following laankers:—.
Messrs. Coutts and Co.
Messrs. Drummond.
Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Smith ;
or to any one of the members of the committee formed
to carry out the Testimonial.
***All further Post-office orders to be made payable toMurdo
Young, Esq., at the Money Order Office, Strand.
Subscriptions already received ... .„. £1,153 12 71
A. Levy 0 2 6

Total

... ... £1,153 15 1i

THE LAW COURTS.—(THIS DAY.)
This being the Thanksgiving-day, the Law Courts
both at Westminster Hall and Lincoln's Inn were
closed. A single Judge appeared in some of the
Courts at the accustomed hour of ten, but it was only
for the purpose of going through the formality of
adjourning them until to-morrow.

MARKET NEWS.
MEAT MAILIEETS.

SOUTHALL, Nov. 'l4.—Our market to-day was heavy
for each kind of fat stock, the prices of which had a
downward tendency. Beef, from 258 d to 3s 10d; Mutton,
"'s led to 4s; Veal, 3s 2d to 3s 8d; and Pork, 3s 4d
to 4s per 81bs, to sink the offal.
ROMFORD, Nov. 14.—Prime Beasts and Sheep com-
manded a steady sale, at fully last week's prices. Other-
wise the market was in a sluggish state. Beef, from 28
10d to 4s; Mutton, 3s 2d to 4s 2d; Veal, 3s 2d to 35 8d;
fork, 3s 4d to 3s led per Blbs. Suckling Calves,
les to 255; Quarter old Store Pigs, 16s to 225; and
Much Cows with their small Cult, 16/ to 19/ each.
LEWES, Nov. 13.—The general demand was steady
at full prices. Beef, from 3s 2d to 4s 2d; Mutton,
3s 4d to 4s 2d; Veal, 3s 4d to 3s 6cl; and Pork„ 3s 6d
to 3s 8d per Sibs.

CORN AVERAGES.
GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN
or the Week ended NoY. 8, 1849, made ap from Ike RetArns of the
Inspectors in the different Cities and Towns in Eigland. and Wake
per Imperial Quarter.
WHEAT. I BARLEY.' OATS. RTE. I BEANS. I PEAS.
I
PRICE .. 40s 7d 1 28s 8d I 16811 d I 22s ad I 39S 4el I 30s lid
DUTIES ON FOREIGN CORN.
,% HEAT. I
BARLEY.OATS. I I
RTE.
BEANS. PEAS.
IS 0(1 IS Od lls Od Is Od lls Od ls Od

Nothing is more dissimilar than natural and ac"
quired politeness. The first consists in a willing abne-
gation of self; the second is a compelled recollection of
others.—Eliza Cook's Journal.

CLOSE OF THE TWEED
. FISHINGS.—SaImon fishing
in the Tweed closed for nafishing on the 15th October,
find fir rod fishing on Wednesday, the 7th November,
fur the annual close time. The commencement of the
season was not favourable for the fisheries above 15, here
the tide reaches, and the number of clean fish taken was
below an average. The grilse season, however, WO,
better than for some years, and very large numbers 01
excellent large grilse were taken at many of the fish-
( ries, both near the mouth of the river and higher up,
with the net. Many of the salmon caught latterly were
much above the general weight. Mr. Prescott killed one
salmon, a little above Kelso Cauld, of the unusual weight
if 36 lbs., the largest fish that any of the fishermen re-
member to have been killed with tie rod iu these waters.
( rwo years ago Mr. Dennistoun killed one in Carbon
water 32 lbs. weight, which was considered extraordi-
nary.) The Duke of Roxburgh killed a salmon 26 lbs.,
Lord John Scott, in Rutherford wa er, a salmon 28 lbs.,
i,nd Colonel Sullivan, at Sprouston, a salmon 25 lbs.---
Edinburgh Advertiser.
As bees can breed no poison though they suck the
deadliest juices, so the noble mind, though forced to
drain the cup of misery, can yield but generous thoughts
and noble deeds.—Eliza Cook's Journal.