The Sun.
London, England, 1825-06-04 00:00:00

PITT CLUBS.

•
LEEDS.
(From the Leeds Intclligencer of June 2.)
ANNIVERSARY DINNER IN COMMEMORATION OF THE
BIRTH-DAY OF THE RIGILT HON. WM. PITT.
The Anniversary of the Birth-day of this Illustrious States.
man was celebrated by the Members of the Leeds Pitt Club,
at the Music Hall, in this town, on Saturday last. CHARLES
BROWN, Esq. Mayor, in the Chair; Dr. Hunter, vice
Chairman. A little after fire o'clock, about 120 Members sat
down to a sumptuous dinner, consisting, in addition, to the
more substantial requisites of the table, of every delicacy the
season could afford ; among which was a profusion of turtle,
green peas, &c. provided by Mr. Turnbull, of the White Horse
Hotel, on whom the arrangements reflect great credit. The
wines were also of the finest quality, and were highly approved.
The Chair was surmounted with a canopy of laurel, at the back
of which was introduced a beautiful transparent painting of a
crown and laurel wreath. Opposite the Chair, and in an ele-
vated part of the saloon, was placed a striking bust of Mr. Pitt.
The Chairman was supported by the Vicar on the right, and
by Mr. Alderman Hall on his left. On the cloth being drawn,
Non Nobis Domine was sung, and the Mayor proposed
The King—which was drank with the usual honours.
God save the King—was performed in full chorus, and in

excellent style.
The Duke of York.

[This toast was received with most enthusiastic applause,
and was drank with nine times three.]
Glee—Hale Star of Brunswick.

The Duke of Clarence, and the other branches of the Royal
Family—Three times three.
Band—Glee—When Order in this Land commenced.

The MAYOR begged leave to offer a few remarks previous
to giving the next toast. He regretted that the Chair was not,
on that occasion, better occupied. However much he might
feel the compliment of being placed in that situation, and lie
thanked the company for the honour they had thus conferred
upon him, he was sensible of his inability to do justice to an
office of such importance and distinction. Impressed with this
feeling, he had accepted the chair reluctantly, at the pressing
invitation of a number of his friends, and if his services could at
all aid the cause they were met to promote, he should be highly
gratified. The principles and conduct of Mr. Pitt, which he
had always approved, had been so often discussed in that very
place, and were so generally understood and admired, that
even if he had possessed the ability and inclination, it would
only be a trespass on their time and patience to enter into a de-
tailed discussion on the subject. They had witnessed the effect
of the operation of his principles, which had proved that Mr.
Pitt and his brethren in the Ministry were right.--(Applause.)
—What had been the consequence of them ? Why, every man
could " sit under his own vine and fig tree, none daring to
make him afraid," and prosperity increasing in all directions.—
(Applause.)—What they had now to do was to make a proper
use of it; and he would strongly recommend them to be firm
to the established principles Of Mr. Pitt, and to the Constitu-
tion in Church and State.—[Here a burst of applause conti-
nued for some time, intimating the hearty concurrence of the
meeting with the worthy Chairman's recommendation.]]—The
advantages of the present system were obvious ; but if they had
followed the advice of Mr. Fox and the Opposition Pasty, and
had they daitardly succumbed to Buonaparte, as recommended
by them, where would now have been the glorious institutions
of our country ? He would leave it for them to make their
own conclusions. He proposed
The immortal memory of the late Right Hon. William Pitt;

which, was drank in silenc'i, standing.
Glee—Pittrs illustrious name.
Our glorious Constitution in Church and State—three times
three.

Band—Glee—The King and the Church.
The Army and Navy of the United Kingdom—three times three.
Song—Rule Britannia, by a Member, the company joining in
full chorus.
The House of Brunswick—three times three.
Duet—Hark forward, by Mr. Bellamy and Mr. Bywater.
The Mayon said, although good and loyal men might differ
in opinion as to the late agitated question, yet he could not sup-
pose for a moment, that there could be in that company two
opinions as to the toast which he should have the pleasure of
giving them. It must be either Protestant or Catholic, and he
gave them—
The Protestant Ascendancy.
[Reiterated bursts of applause followed the announcement of
this toast. As soon as this had subsided, it was drank with nine
times nine.]
Glee—The Rose of the Valley.
Mr. Alderman HALL observed, that his Majesty's Ministers
were successfully pursuing the line of Mr: Pitt's commercial
policy, and were zealously upholding the honour of the coun-
try abroad and at home. ror the information of the younger
members of the Club, of whom he was happy to see a great
accession, he wished to state what were Mr. Pitt's views of the
subject in which the whole nation had recently felt so great an
interest, and on which he was represented to be totally at va-
riance with those professing his principles. Mr. Pitt's views
of the Catholic Question were these :--he thought that the
Roman Catholics might be admitted to a participation in
the few benefits from which they were yet excluded, but,
for this end, he couhl not consent to a naked proposition, to
repeal any of those provisions • which the wisdoin of our
ancestors had.: deemed necessary for the preservation of
our Constitution, in Church and State. The systeM which
he meant to propose, would go to relinquish securities
which he thought,, in' some respects, ineffectual to proMe the
securities which would give more safety to the Church and
State, as well as more satisfaction to all descriptions of his la
jesty's subjects. And the last expression of his opinion on this
subject in May, 1805, a short period before his death,. seas,
4 that to render the concession of the Roman CathOlics effective,
he deemed a general concurrence of theCOMMUnity hiclisPens-
ably requisite. Ile meant it as a measure of peace and conci-
liation, which it could never be, unless it could gratify the
wishes of one party without awakening the fears or exciting the
jealousy of the other. Mr. Hall observed further, that unfor-
tunately we were not in possession of Mr. Pitt's plan ; but it
appeared to him that, if his Majesty's Ministers would suffer
themselves to-be regulated by his view of the question, they
would not greatly err. He confidently hoped that, under the
influence of Pitt's principles, the blessings we enjoy would be
confirmed to us and our posterity. He proposed :
His Majesty's Ministers, and may, the principles of Mr. Pitt
always animate their councils-3 times 3.
Song—The Bowl—By Mr. Walton.
The Duke of Wellington, and the Pitt Clubs of the United

Kingdom-9 times 3.
Band—See the conquering Hero comes.
The land we live in, and may those who don't like it leave it.

Band—Over the Water to Charley.
Song—Sweet Home—By Mr.-Settle.
The VICAR felt pleasure in proposing the health of a Gentle-
man, who had always possessed and manifested a spirit of true
and genuine patriotism. He gave
Our worthy Chairman-9 times 9..
The MAYOR lON amidst repeated tokens of approbation.
His worthy and much respected friend the Vicar, had spoken of
him in high terms, and he thanked them for the very flattering
manner in which the toast had been received.. He knew not
how to express his gratitude for the honour they had done him,
and for the kind manner in which they had passed over his'im-
perfections as a chairman.
Band—Glee—Foresters blow the cheerful horn, with additions
from the music in Der Freischutz, which was encored.
Our Noble President the Earl of Harewood,
Song—.-By Mr. Betlamy.
The Rose, the Thistle, and the Shamrock.
Glee.—The Witches.
_ OUr County Member, Mr. Wortley...4 times 3.
Catch.—Ali ! how Sophia. .
Dr. HUNTER said", lie felt great pleasure in proposing a toast
that would- be highly agreeable to that company ; nor was that
feeling confined within those walls, but they were equally re-
spected by every individual in the town, and acknowledged
wherever the members of the Corporation were known. He was
proud to live under such a Corporation. - The Doctor then
shortly, but in a clear and forcible manner, pointed out the la-
borious nature of their public duties, and illustrated their ex-
ertions for the benefit of the town, by alluding to the spirited
course they had pursued with respect to the Middle Row, and
showed their efficiency, by the effect produced upon that mas-
sive pile, when they brought their great guns to bear upon it.
He next touched upon the great commercial facility likely to
result from their exertions, in the erection of the intended Ex-
change, and also that of the New Bridge. He concluded with
observing, that if faithfulness in the discharge of their official
duties., integrity as merchants, and honour as gentlemen, with
devotion to their King and country,—that, too, proved in the
most perilous times, by the support of those measures which
led to the present prosperous state of the country—were deserv-
ing of gratitude and applause, the company only do justice to
the toast, by drinking the Mayor and Corporation in a full
bumper, with three times three.
The Mayor and Corporation—nine times three.
The MaToit returned thanks on behalf of himself and the
Corporation, and expressed his conviction of the firmness of
their attachment to the King and Constitution.
Song--" Death of Nelson," by Mr. Bywater.
The Vicar of Leeds.
(Before this time, the Vicar had retired from the room for the
evening.)
Glee--," The winds whistle cold."
In introducing the next toast, the. Chairman commented on
the unlimited liberality of the individual to the town and parish
of Leeds, to whom their warmest acknowledgments were due.
He could not egress what he felt when lie considered that gen-

tleman's unbounded munificence to the town of Leeds, and par:
ticularly to the poor, and which would be handed down from
generation to generation.
Colonel NVilson—nine times three.

Captain RICIIARDSON returned thanks on behalf of the
Colonel.

Clee—" Mynheer Van Dunck."
The MAYOR prefaced the following toast,- by stating, that
the worthy gentleman to whom he referred had-been a member
of that Club ever since it was established, and stitch had been
the uniform consistency of his character-as a subject, a soldier,
and a gentleman, that he was still warmly esteemed by that
company. He was yet considered one among them; and
though he was absent, he knew his heart and soul Was with
them.

Colonel Lloyd—nine times three.
Band.—Song—" Auld Lang Syne," by Mr. Bellamy, in
full chorus.

The CHAIRMAN remarked on proposing the following toast,
that Sir John Beckett had always interested himself in- white_
ever was likely to promote the welfare of the town and borough
of Leeds, nor was he ever backward in doing all in his power
for their good, with his advice and his purse.
Sir John Beckett.-9 times 3.
Christopher Beckett, Esq., returned thanks.
Song—My friend and pitcher.—By Mr. Walton.
On naming Mr. Naylor, of Wakefield, the CHAIRMAN-
passed an eulogium on his character, and designated him as a.
downright Pitt►te and an honest man.
Mr. Jer. Naylor, and the Wakefield Pittites.-9 times 3.
Mr. Nictums, of Wakefield, exceedingly regretted the
absence of Mr. Naylor; he knew, however, that it was of ne-
cessity. On behalf of himself and the Wakefield Pittites, he
returned his most grateful acknowledgments for the honour they
had done them, and he felt great pleasure in drinking all their
healths.

Song.—By a Member.
Plenty in the land, and loyalty in the people.
Song.—By Mr. Bellamy.
Mr. M. T. SADLEIt begged leave to propose a toast, and
one he conceived in strict accordance with the principles which
they were that day met to celebrate. It had been said that
these meetings were degenerated into occasions of mere festi-
vity; and if so, the change was more than justified in the al-
tered position of public affairs. They met on former occasions
under very different circumstances, when the country had to
contend in arms, and singly, for those principles which were
now triumphant. But now we not only sat each of us under
our own vine and fig tree, none daring to make us afraid, as
the worthy Chairman had said, but the country reposed as
it were under a canopy of laurels, as he did on this occa-
sion, and had only to recount the triumphs which had distin-
guished the exertions that had been made in behalf of the
liberty and independence of the empire. The great man
whose birth they were met to celebrate, it is true, was a re-
former, but one of a very different cast to those who now
assumed that name and character. Both he and his Noble
Father were ever anxious to support and perpetuate the
advantages of the British Constitution, to the utmost practi-
cable limits; and in contbrmity with their principles, we could
now advert to a practicable reform that was to take place in the
representative system of this country. The Borough of Gram-
pound was to be disfranchised, and two additional Members
added to the Representation of Yorkshire. It was strictly in
conformity with the patriotism and feelings of this meeting to
advert to this circumstance, as well as to point out to an indivi-
dual who would, if he could be induced to come forward on the
occasion, do honour to this great county : a gentleman whose.
loyalty, patriotism, and practical talents were well known, and
whose firm adherence to the Constitution of this country need
not now be announced—and, in addition to all these recom-
mendations, whose munificence, one example of which.. the
town of Leeds had lately experienced, was, it might be said.,
almost unexampled. After having thus described the indivi-
dual, Mr. Sadler continued, it would be almoSt unnecessary to
name him—he must he present in all their thoughts—and, con-
tinued he, without the least knowledge of his own personal in-
tentions, or the opinion of his family or friends on the occasion,
I venture to propose to you—
Richard Fountayme Wilson, Esq., and may he become one
of the Members for the County.-9 times 3.
[This toast was drank with the universal enthusiasm it was
calculated to excite.]
C. lIECKETT, lisq., returned thanks, and observed, that
Mr. Wilson entertained the highest respect for the town of
Leeds, and had always great pleasure in promoting its welfare-
and prosperity. Upon the subject of the representation of the
county, where Mr. Wilson's name had been alluded to in so
flattering a manner, he had no doubt that he would faithfully
discharge the duties of a representative, and would be happy in
supporting those principles which that Meeting valued so
highly ; but that, at present, it appeared doubtful whether he
would come forwards as a candidate for that honourable situa-
tion.

The Commander of `the District, Major-General Sir Jahr?
Bg.
Duet—Deserted by the waning Illoon.—By Messrs. Bellamy
• and Bywater.
The Committee and. Stewards, and thanks to them for their,
• services—Three times three. •
J. W. ELM, Esq. one of the Stewards, and also a member
of the Committee, returned thankS for the flattering manner in'
which they had noticed their services. if they hadgivensatis.
factitin, (he. would '•speak for' hithself and his friends), they
should feel themselves highly gratified.
~
Loid' Grantham and the YorkshiHussars—Three time three.

Band—Glee—Life's a bumper. -
The Landed and Commercial Interests of this Country, and
may they ever be united.
Son,7-,-By a Member.
Sir H. C. Ibbetson, and the absent Menibers of this Club.
Song—By Mr. Walton.
Colonel Hardy and the Leeds Volunteers—Nine times nine.
C. Beckett, Esq. returned thanks.
Sotig—By a Member.
Dr. Hunter, the Vice Chairman, proposed—..
Mr. William Brown and the New Members.
The Mayor returned thanks on behalf of his son.
Song—By Mr. Bywater.
Prosperity and perpetuity to all Pitt Clubs.
God save the King was again sung by a Member, the whole
company joining in the chorus.
The meeting was conducted with spirit, and the greatest pos
Bible good humour and social friendship pervaded the whole .;
indeed, every one seemed to vie with his neighbour, in expres-
sions of satisfaction and joy, at the return of the. auspicious day-
The meeting.separated at a quarter past eleven o'clock.
Great 'praise is due to the Committee of Management, who
have taken much pains in arranging the business of the meet-
ing, and who are, no doubt, amply rewarded by the manner in
which the whole went off

The musical department was quite efficient, and was con.,
ducted with equal credit to the managers and the performers.
Besides the gentlemen whose names we have already mention-
ed, who promoted the harmony of the meeting, we may notice
Mr. Settle, who presided-at the piano-forte, and Messrs. Chap.,
pel, Clapham, Mallinson, and Williamson.

HALIFAX.
On Monday. last, the Members of this Club, held their annual
anniversary dinner at the New Rooms. Colonel Ramsden pre-
sided, and Thomas Greenwood, Esq. was Vice-president, the
utmost conviliality prevailed. Mr. Carr, of the White Swan,
who provided the dinner, gained to himself much credit by his
exertions, and gave satisfaction both as to the excellence of the
dinner andi as to his arrangements for the comfort of the party.

HUDDERRSFIEI,D.
The Anniversary of the Huddersfield Pitt Club was
brated on Friday by a public dinner, at which Captain Atkin-
son presided. The utmost harmony prevailed till a lite hour
in the evening, when the company separated in good. humour.
We are glad to learn that the Clubis flourishing.