The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-15 00:00:00

THE ROYAL. GENE;itAL ANNUITY

-t-OrssE.t -
The Anniversary ies:isel of this f'"lCPllellt society was
3 es ts rday evening. The Most
held at the London Tavern
Noble the Marquis of SAisbary, K. (3. the Lord-Lieutenant
st Middlesex, presided Over thee aaseuibly, which numbered
upwards of 260 gentlemen, c+ v.ith or interested
in the institution. A large - number of ladies, in full
evening dress, cccupied the gallera at the foot of the
room and the tiers of raised seats behind the chair, their
presence contributing not the least of the pleasures of the
evening. At intervals, doting the evening, a choir of
professional vocalists, under the direction of Mr. Hobbs,
assisted by Miss Pyre, Miss L. Pine, Mr. Francis, Mr.
Ch sipm an, and Mr. H. Phillip, sang several beautiful
airs, which were warmly and deservedly applauded.
Among the company present, lit,sidea the Noble Marquis
in the chair, we °halved Lord :Vavereham, the Rev.
Lord Saye and Sc le. Mr. Nee dsgme," M.P., Mr. B. B.
Cribbk-l!, M.P., Mr. lLe,olob:s. Mt., Mr. Waddington,
Colonel Thomas Mr. Powt,til!, Mr. Duncan,
' and msny (Alit r gentle men of t.ntl'ihiltience in the
trietropohs. The ciiimee a;id (1(4,-ci t, Mich Bete of the
most see:lie/eke quality, being we r. the ?Noble Chairman
gave in succ(ssioll the usual 1,3,1 tt a 5.22
The CnantinAN, iii proposing t,t,,:ccs§ to the society,
gave some interesting-details rcspe,litg its history and
operations. He said at the cemine tire teem of the charity,
some twenty }ears ago, it fluuri,ated greatly, but some
time afterwards it fell into comparative obsculity; and
it was not till within the last few years that by the great
exertions of the directors and the secretary it had risen
from its ashes, and lie trusted it would long continue to
flourish as it now did. It could not be a ell conceived
how much a person leas an object of coramisseration who
had passed his life in active employment, in promoting
the prosperity of his country, and in the earnest desire to
support his family, when, in his declining
days, he found all his endeavours to main-
tain himself and his family were unavailing.
It was impossible to conceive anything more grievous to
a generous mind, than to see persons who had largely
contributed to the public charities of their country, re-
duced to receive that charity at the hands of others,
which they themselves had so often and so liberally
bestowed.—(Hear, hear.) For the last few years the
funds of this society had greatly augmented, and that
notwithstanding a period of unexampled distress. The
allowances to the annuitants had been considerably in-
creased, as had also the contributors to its finances. But
notwithstanding the liberality which the public had
shown towards the society, it was very far from equiva-
lent to the requirements of the charity. There were
thirty-four annuitants at present dependent on this
charity, and seventeen of them were upwards of seventy
years or age. Among that number he was sorry to say
there were twomerchants, who were lately in affluent and
prosperous circumstances, and were perhaps contributors
to this charity—(Elear, hear)—and fbur persons who
were the widows of merchants, and a lady who was the
daughter of a Baronet. The Chairman then mentioned
that the society had it now in contemplation to raise a
building fund, with a view to provide dwellings for the
most deserving obj, cts of the charity, and concluded by
commending the society to the support of the meeting.
Mr. S. ALDRICH, the indefatigable secretary to the
charity, then announced the subscriptions which had
been raised among the company after dinner, and which
amounted to the munificent sum of 1,750 k, including
301. which had been contributed by the Noble Chairman.
Lord FAVERSHAM, in proposing the health of the
Noble Marquis in the chair, paid a well-merited com-
pliment to the society. From what he had heard, and
from what he knew of this institution, he said he might,
without hesitation, affirm that it was one of the best
conducted, and one of the most useful institutions of
which this great metropolis could boast; and there was
this peculiar character distinguishing the society, that
its operations were not confined merely to the metropolis,
but extended to all parts of the united kingdom.
Mr. B. BOND CARRELL, M.P., also bore his testimony
to the usefulness of the charity, which he said enabled
those who were in distress to live in their own way
among their friends, and in a state of comparative com-
fort. In that point of view an institution of this kind
was one of a very important character.
Mr. NEWDEGATE, M.P., in returning thanks on behalf
. .
of the stewards, said he could assure the meeting no one
felt more sincerely than he did the importance of this
institution—(Hear)—and no man felt more happy in
seeing the Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex coming to the
city of London, and joining its citizens in providing for
those misfortunes which might .happen to any of them,
and in those days when it was so incumbent on every
one to depend on his own individual exertions,
and when trade and commerce were to contend, unpro-
tected, in the arena of the world, he rejoiced to see all
classes combining together against the misfortunes and
contingencies which might befal the wisest of them all.
The benefits of this society were extended—not alone
to the city of Loudon, though that might be its centre—
but to the country in general ; and he hoped it would
form an example for provident societies throughout the
country.
It may be interesting to the reader to know, in con-
cluding this brief report, that this society, which was
founded in 1827, is under the patronage of her Majesty
and her Royal Consort, and is supported by voluntary
contributions ; and that the design of the institution is
to give pertranent relief, without distinction of country
or religious persuasion, to decayed merchants, bankers,
professional men, master-manufacturers, tradesmen, and
their widows, clerks, and to single females, daughters of
persons belonging to such ciseses of society, by allow.
ing annuities, not to exceed 21. 5a per mouth to the
males, and 11. 10s. per month to the females. No one is
admitted a candidate under sixty years of age (total in-
capacity only excepted), nor until the strictest investiga-
, don has been made as to character.

The company scparided about twelve o'clock. Mr.
Harker, with his usual address, officiated as toast-master.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTO/SIM:ITN, WEDNESDAY. Mr. Biddlecombe,
master (1835), of the St. Vincent, 120, will be offered
the mastership of the royal yacht Victoria and Albert.
The recent report of that post having been conferred
upon Mr. Brown, Master of the Agincourt, is incorrect.
THE COAST OF AFRICA..—The Centaur steam frigate,
Capt. Buckle, bearing the flag of Commodore Arthur
Fanshawe, C. 8., to succeed Commodore Sir Charles
Ilotham, K.C.8., in the command on the west coast of
Africa, was to sail for Plymouth Sound yesterday morn•
ing, for her destination with the mail. The Penelope
(Commodore Hotham) is daily expected in England.
The Rattler, 6 gun screw schooner (the best steam
man-of-war ever built, according to the most competent
official authority) hoisted the pennant of Commander
Cumming at Devonport yesterday morning, and, with
the exception of one or two judiciously-kept vacancies,
she was manned in a few hours afterwards. She is to
be employed in slaver hunting on the coast of Africa.
The Confiance, the Plymouth steam tug, commanned
by Mr. Martin, arrived here to-day from Chatham and
Sheerness. To the latter port she had been with officers
and seamen belonging to the Ocean, who had been em-
ployed in taking the Spiteful steam sloop from that port
to;Plymouth. She called here for passengers and parcels,
and sailed again this afternoon for Devonport.
The Arrogant, 43, is now reported not to be commis-
sioned until the arrival of the Rodney or Vanguard.
The Rolla, apprentices' brig, is again all ataunt for the
summer exercise.
TW:S.W., moderate breezes and fine weather.
Editoret. WAITING-ROOM AT GosPOßT.—Some
months since a building was commenced in the Royal
Clarence-yard, to form the reception room at the ar-
rival or departure of royal trains of the Court, or other
illustrious bodies. The site stlected for this much -needed
erection was immediately contiguous to the slaughter-
house, so contiguous that that highly scented edifice was
obliged to come down, and be removed to an opposite
portion of the yard. After mouths and months of
labour the new reception house reared its walls, and
presented the appearance of finish; but lately the bad-
ness of the work, and the ill-judged insignificance of the
structure, have shown the thing up in such a contemp-
tible light, that we yesterday heard it was to come
down altogether, or, at all events, partially, as un-
suitable to the loyal purpose with which it has been
built.

WOOLWICH, FEB. 14.—The following circular has just
been issued for the information of flag officers, captains,
and commanding officers of her Mcjesty's ships and
'vessels:—

" ACQUIREMENTS REQUIRED or ENGINEERS.
" Admiralty, Jan. 26.
" My Lords Commissioners of
by their circular order of the Ist April,of I
of engineers,
32), relative to the examination, pay, &c•,ii a factory, or
directed that ' certificates of service in the Admiralty having,
(iiiiigo.,
shall be pro-
ducedproof of acquaintance with enginre
efiginenettention of my Lords
be promoted to the
acquire..
before an assistant-
rank of chief engineer; and the attention
which have been.
having been called to the daft
experienced in who had not served in
meats in respect of thosehe 111
deficiency among the junior
factories, likewise tro,
(especially the capabilities and
of the, young men
grades f engineersnneethe
ascerte,iniego
service), in that mechanical
brought up 1
skill and know ledge so essential to qualify them
responsible duties •
undertake the . et engineers
to un
machinery ; my Lords are :therefore
in charge of
that a shop be • nor •
Jostled to direct
Portsmouth, 4` .-- (Plated at Wool_
under the ' •
wich and one at . superintendence
of the chief' engineer officers of h . Lk.
factories in those
dockyards, in order that the engineers, on check, may
have the opportunity of acquiring practical skill in the
use of such tools as they may be hereupon called upon to
use when afloat; and instruction, when necessary, will
be afforded by a skilful mechanic who will be selected for
the purpose.
"A means will be thus afforded to enable engineers to
acquire the requisite mechanical skill, no assistant-engi-
neer will in future be advanced to the rank of chief en-
gineer, or to that of first-class assistant, unless he pro-
duces a certificate of servitude in a factory, or of his
competency as a workman from the engineer officer of
Woolwich or Portsmouth Dockyard.
" It is further distinctly to be understood that in fu-
ture the periods of service required by the regulations
as part of the qualifications of assistant. engineers for
promotion to the higher classes, are to comprehend only
the periods an officer may be in receipt of full pay; but
on a certificate of good conduct, and of reasonable im-
provement in mechanical requirements being produced
from the chief engineer of one of her Majesty's factories,
halt of the time employed in receiving instruction in the
workshops will be allowed to reckon as sea time.
" By command of their Lordships,
~H. G. WARD."
There have been during the last 18 months about from
40 to 50 engineers on check at Woolwich Dockyard, to
whom the above circular would apply
and employment
beneficial to them,
in the manner proposed will prove
and ultimately to the service.

the share-
gcnaosf held yester-
day isoosf
share-
holders annual
lis town,meetin
day (Tuesday), when a dividend of 12i per cent. was
declared for the peat year.— Wolverhampton Chronicle.