The Sun.
London, England, 1838-04-30 00:00:00

THE SOCIAL VILLAGERS.

The members of this Society held their seventh anniversary
festival on Saturday last, at the Bedford Arms Tavern, Cam-
den Town, when upwards of fifty gentlemen sat down to a
dinner provided in his usual style of excellence by the much-
respected landlord, Mr. James.
Among the company present we observed J. S. Knowles,
Esq., (the founder), L. Blanchard, Esq., John Anderson,
Esq., Murdo Young, Esq., J. Lawrence, Esq., G. Turnbull,
Esq., Daniell, Esq., Moran, Esq., and Dr. Ilallion.
Ort the cloth being removed,
The CHAIRMAN (J. M. Cape, Esq.) proposed the health
of the Queen, and in doing so observed, that the youth and
sex of the Sovereign were circumstances of so interesting a
nature, that ,a strict observance of the ordinary course
adopted in drinking toasts of loyalty would not be an adequate
expression of the feelings entertained by those whom he was
addressing towards her Majesty—feelings that were rather
akin to personal affection and regard than to the deferential
respect that was always felt by loyal subjects towards the
throne.—(Cheers.) The beautiful 1 ines in which Lord Byron
dedicated " Childe Harold" to lanthe, contained a stanza
which might, perhaps, have been more appropriately ad-
dressed to her Majesty at an earlier period, but which even now
were by no menns inapplicable:—
" Ah 1 mayst thou ever be what now thou art,
Nor unbeseem the promise of thy spring,
As fair in form, as warm, yet pure, in heart :
Love's image upon earth, without his wing,
And guiltless beyond Hope's imagining !
And surely she, who now so fondly rears
Thy Youth, in the thus hourly brightening,
Beholds the rainbow cf her future years,
Before whose heavenly hues all sorrow disappears."
Believing► that in these aspirations all who then heard him
cordially joined, he begged emphatically to propose " The
health of her Majesty, the Queen."—(Drunk with enthusiastic
applause.)
" God save the Queen" was then sung by the professional
gentlemen present.
" The Queen Dowager and the rest of the Royal Family,"
with three times three.
Song—" The four-leafed Shamrock," by Mr. Evans, who
kindly contributed to the harmony of the evening.
" The Navy." Song—" The Arethusa," by Mr. Thomas
Phillips.
"The Army," Song —'
years," by Mr. Gifford.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed, in terms of high but just
eulogium, " the Health of the Founder, Sheridan Knowles,
Esq., and said that although the members of the Social Vil-
lagers were more immediately connected with that private gen-
tleman in his private character as a man, yet it was impossible,
while contemplating his claims on their respect and esteem, to
dissociate in their minds his transcendent merits as a drama-

•" The flag that brayed a thousand

tist, because the one character was a reflex of the other, the
virtuous precepts of the gifted author being illustrated and en-
forced by the admirable example of the individual.—( Cheers.)
The toast was received with enthusiasm, and when the
cheering had ceased,
Mr. KNOWLES returned thanks in a strain of affectionate
and manly eloquence that touched every heart. He was
proud of being called the founder of a society, the end and
aim of which was to promote the social affections, and unite
man to man by the mutual ties of brotherhood.
_ _ _ _

Mr. Morgan then favoured the company with an Irish song
in ids best style.

The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the next toast, said that it
was a fundamental rule of this Society that all allusion to
political topics should be carefully abstained from.--( Cheers. )
There was, however, open to them a field sufficiently wide to
engage the whole of their attention and exercise all their
sympathies. Among the many things for which th-.! British
empire was pre-eminent, there was, perhaps, not one more
attractive in its nature, or more entitled to their regard, than
the charitable and benevolent institutions of the country.—
( Cheers.) Whatever might be said of the wisdom or the
folly of their ancestors, this they were compelled to admit,
that in deeds of benevolence they had set their posterity a
glorious example; and he was proud to believe that the pre-
sent generation, despite the chilling doctrines of the econo-
mists, were willing to follow, and that not with unequal
steps, in the path of their forefathers. He had been led to
make these observations because they were now honoured
by the presence of a gentleman who was well known to
be closely connected with and actively engaged in promoting
one of the most excellent charities existing in the metropolis
—he meant the Licensed Victuallers' Society.—( Cheers. )
He therefore, with much pleasure, proposed as a toast, " John
Anderson, Esq., and the Charitable Institutions of the British
Empire."
Drunk with considerable applause.
Mr. ANDERSON said he felt more than he could express
the kindness with which his health had been proposed and
received ; it was most grateful to his feelings to find his name
united with one of the noblest charitable institutions which
either this country or any other country in the world could
boast. An institution which provided alike for the old and
the young, affording comfort to the industrious aged whose
success in not been equal to their deserts ; and sus-
tenance and education to their orphans and destitute offspring.
It was well known to the intelligent company ho had the hap-
piness to address, that the Morning Advertiser, with which he
had the honour of being connected, was mainly devoted to the
support of these benevolent purposes. The charitable insti-
tutions of the British empire were justly regarded by every
philanthropist the highest glories of this country, so long re-
nowned amongst the nations of the earth, and by none of them
could the noble Institution of the Incorporated Society of
Licensed Victuallers be surpassed. This important body
of traders, but lately distinguished by a Royal charter, had
proved how worthy they were of Royal protection, not only
by the extent and utility of their benevolent institutions for
the provision of the destitute, but also by the success with
which they had entered into honourable competition with the
most distinguished companies in trade, science, and art.
Already were their steam-vessels selected for the conveyance
of mails, both by this Government and the Governments of
other countries ; and from the spirit and success with which
that great branch of industry was carried forward, there could
be no doubt that the time was not distant when their vessels
should visit the most distant shores. Their Fire and Life
Insurance Company gave the most perfect safety to the as-
sured, on the most advantageous terms; and the public ap-
probation proved alike the soundness of the principle on which
it was established, and the honour with which it was con-
ducted. He need not more particularly allude to the large
sum that was distributed weekly in pensions at the office of the
Morning Advertiser, nor to their extensive school in Kennincr-
ton-lane, where the young were so well provided for, nor to
their Asylum in the Kent-road, where the aged enjoyed ever
comfort that their friends could wish. All these institution:
proved that the Licensed Victuallers were a body who had
honourably distinguished themselves by their benevolence,
their industry, their intelligence, and their integrity. With
such a body of men he felt proud to be connected ; and he
begged to return the company his heartfelt thanks for the
honour they had conferred on them as well as on himself.
Song—" John Anderson, my Joe, John"—( A laugh )_by
tlr. Henderson.

Mr. ANDERSON then proposed, in very eloquent and compli-
mentary terms, the health of Murdo Young, Esq., the Editor
and Proprietor of The Sun, who, by his enterprising spirit,
had introduced a system of communication between the re-
mots parts of the empire with a celerity hitherto wholly un-
exampled.—( Drunk with applause.)
Mr. YOUNG acknowledged the compliment in a very happy
and humourous strain.
The healths of the Chairman and Vice- Chairman were then
severally drunk, for which those gentlemen returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed—" The Drama ;" for which
Mr. Knowles returned thanks, and proposed the health of Mr.
Blanchard, who expressed the gratification he had felt at being
present at a Society which did honour to a man for whom he
entertained the strongest respect and affection.
Mr. DANIELL begged to propose_" Success to the forth-
coming play of Sheridan Knowles ;" and read the following
lines from " Bentley's Miscellany" for May, which elicited
much applause.

" Fill, fill up a bumper no twilight, no, no!
Let hearts, now or never, and goblets o'erflow !
Apollo commands that we drink, and the Nine,
A generous spirit in generous wine!
" The rose smells as sweet call it what name you will ;
The right honest heart is an honest heart still ;
Can we find a truer to garnish our bowls
Than Sheridan, Sherry, or prime Paddy Knowles ?
" The bard, in a bumper, behold, to the brim
They rise, the gay spirit of poesy—whim
Around ev'ry glass they a garland entwine,
Of sprigs from the laurel, and leaves from the vine.

" A bumper! the bard who, in eloquence bold,
Of two noble fathers the story has told !
What pangs heave the bosom, what tears dim the eyes,
When the dagger is sped, and the arrow it flies.
" The bard, in a bumper ! Is fancy his theme ?
'Tis sportive and light as a fairy-land dream ;
Does love tune his harp ? 'tis devoted and pure;
Or friendship ? 'tis that which shall always endure.

" Ye tramplers or liberty, tremble at him ;
His song is your knell, and the slave's morning hymn!
His frolicksome humour is buxom and bland,
And bright as the goblet I hold in my hand.
" The bard ! brim your glasses, a bumper I a cheer !
Long may he live in good fellowship here.
Shame to thee, Britain, if ever he roam,
To seek, with the stranger, a friend and a home !
" Fate in his cup every blessing infuse,
Cherish his fortune, and smile on his muse ;
Warm be his hearth, and prosperity cheer,
Those he is dear to, and those he holds dear.

" Blythe be his Autumn as Summer bath been—
Frosty, but kindly, and sweetly serene :
Green be his winter, with snow on his brow,
Green as the wreath that encircles it now !

" To dear Paddy Knowles, then, a bumper we fill,
And toast his good health as he trots down the hill ;
In genius he's left all behind him, by goles !
But he wont leave behind him another Pat Knowles!"
Mr. KNOWLES expressed his acknowledgments, and
i pro-
posed the health of Mr. Mccready, of whom he spoke n the
warmest terms of praise.—(The toast was drank with great
applause.)
Mr. MoRAN, having been called on by Mr. Knowles, re-
turned thanks on behalf of Mr. Macready.
Several other toasts were drunk and songs and glees sung,
and the conviviality of the party was kept up till near twelve
o'clock in the true spirit of the name by which this excellent
society is known.

Mr. Murray is said to have given 4,0001. for the
copyright of the late Mr. Wilberfwee's life, of which the fist
edition consists of 5,000 copies, upwards of 3,500 of which
were bespoke by the trade.