The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-16 00:00:00

THE NAVY CLUB.

The members of this club dined together for the first
time this season, last evening, at the Thatched House
Tavern, Admiral Sir Deana Dundas, M.P., in the chair.
There was an unusually full attendance of officers on
this occasion, probably owing to the fact of the Gallant
Chairman of the day (who ex officio has always the pri-
vilege of introducing one friend) having invited the
newly-appointed representative of the French Republic,
Admiral Cecile, to become the guest of the Club. The
Gallant Admiral duly accepted the proffered hospitality,
and was received on his arrival at the tavern by Admi-
ral Deans Dundas and several other officers. The ban-
quet was of the most reclurché character, and did ample
justice to the proverbial and excellent taste of the direc-
tors of this far-famed hotel. The chairman was sup-
ported on his right hand by the guest of the day, Ad-
miral Cecile, and upon his left sat Admiral Sir Byam
Martin. Captain John Forbes occupied the vice-
chair. The following Noblemen arid Gentlemen were
also of the party :—Vice-Admiral the Marquis of
Thomond, Admiral Lord Radstock, Captain Lord Fre-
derick Hallyburton, Captain Lord Colchester, Captain
Lord Edward Russell, Captain Lord John Hay, Captain
Lord Clarence Paget, Admiral Sir E. Codrington,
Admiral Sir Augustus Clifford, Admiral Sir Charles
Ogle, Rear-Admiral Sir F. Mason, Captain Sir Thomas
Hastings, Captain Sir Watkin 0. Pell, Captain Sir
Richard Grant, Admiral Sir Graham Hamond, Admiral
Sir Samuel Pym, Captain the Hon. S. T. Carnegie,
Rear-Admiral Sharpe, Rear-Admiral Bouverie, Admiral
Crofton, Captain M. J. Currie, Captain G. Mansell,
Captain Eden, Captain Graham, Captain Stewart, Cap-
tain Clifford, Captain Pechell, Captain Sykes, Captain
Herringham, Captain Nias, Honourable Captain Rous,
Captain Frankland, Captain Walpole, Captain Williams,
Captain Hamilton, Captain Macdougal, Captain Towns-
head, Hon. Captain Cary, Captain Knox, Captain Free-
mantle, Captain A. Milne, Captain C. Talbot, Captain
Porter, Captain H. Forbes, Captain Mundy, Captain
Sparshott, and Captain Percy Grace.
The cloth having been drawn, and a magnificent des-
sert placed upon the table,
The usual loyal toasts were duly honoured, after
which,
The Gallant CHAIRMAN rose and said—Ten years
ago Admiral Fleming introduced a foreigner into this
room—that foreigner is now President of the Republic
of France—l beg to give as the next toast, " the health
of the President of the French Republic."
This call having been responded to with enthusiasm,
Sir BYAM MARTIN said the privilege of giving the
next toast had been conferred upon him, and he felt
great pleasure in proposing to the company " the health
of their gallant guest, his Excellency the French Am-
bassador."—(Cheers.) The club had met that day in
unusual numbers, he believed he might say, in honour
of the Gallant Admiral.—(Hear, hear.) It was not
only, however, with the desire to support him as their
guest that they, had assembled, as they desired to mark
the high respect which they all entertained for his dis-
tinguished character, and, at the same time, make him
welcome to their mess.—(Cheers.) All who knew his
Excellency were aware of the high esteem in which he
was held in his own country, and he (Sir Byam Martin)
had frequently heard his praises sounded by British
officers.—(Hear.) He begged to give them " the health
of his Excellency the French Ambassador."
Admiral Sir E. CODRINGTON, in rising to second the
toast, said he did so with all his heart. Ho had often
had to fight against the French, and he had often en-
joyed their co-operation when under his command. In
every instance he had found them possessed of great
bravery and a high sense of honour.
The toast having been drunk with every mark of en-
thusiasm,

His EXCELLENCY rose and acknowledged the compli-
ment with great warmth of feeling, addressing the com-
pany in the French language to the following effect:—
He heartily apologised for his inability to express in the
English language the sentiments of his heart, but he
trusted many, and ho hoped all present, would be able to
understand what he said, though he adopted his mother
tongue.—(Hear, hear.) In the first place, he begged to
thank them most sincerely for the honour they had done
him in inviting him to their banquet; and, se-
condly, for the good cordial reception he had met
with.—(Cheers.) It was a source of high grati-
fication to him to find himself in the midst of his
" brother officers."—(These words being pronounced in
English were greeted with loud cheers.) And he re-
joiced to add, that he saw many around him to whom
he was bound by the strongest feelings of his heart.—
(Cheers.) When the opportunity was offered to him
of coming to this country he had gladly embraced it,
for without any desire to speak boastfully, he had felt
that he should be made welcome during his residence
here.—(Hear, hear.) His Excellency, in conclusion,
repeated his thanks to the company and sat down amidst
loud cheers.

Sir RICHARD GRANT next gave "The Health of the
Chairman, with many thanks to him for the pleasure
he had afforded the company by securing the presence
of Admiral Cecile at their banquet."
The Gallant CHAIRMAN briefly returned thank•, and
the remainder of the evening was devoted to social en-
joyment.

TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD
JOHN RUSSELL, M.P.,: &c., &c.
My Lord,—l have this evening received certain in-
formation that your Lordship has, upon the part of
Government, laid before the Irish Poor-law Committee a
proposal " that the valuation of land should be perma-
nent for seven or ten years."
When this proposal was announced in last week's
Economist as one of the remedies for the existing evils
in Ireland, I took no notice of it, for I could not have
believed that so palpable an absurdity could ever receive
the sanction of Government.

It is only another proof to those I have already ad-
duced that your Lordship does not receive correct in-
formation upon agricultural subjects, from what motive
it is ❑seless to inquire ; but no reasonable doubt can
exist that such a limitation must have the effect of bene-
fiting the idle landlord at the expense of the industrious.
The proposal which I made last year was, that the
valuation should be permanent, and the rates fluctuate
according to the wants of the poor, and I have yet to
learn that such a proposal could inflict the slightest
injury upon man, woman, or child, whether landlord,
tenant, or labourer, and must benefit all by the en•
couragement it would give to the employment of the
people.
But the limitation of seven or ten years must have a
most prejudicial effect in preventing the employment of
the people, experience having proved in Scotland that
no tenant will embark his capital to the full extent tin.
less ho has a lease of nineteen years—and this on land
which is in a proper state of cultivation when he enters.
Upon land which is' in a bad state of cultivation—or
on waste land to be reclaimed—nineteen-year leases are
too short. Mine are all for thirty years, and even that
term is short enough to repay a tenant.
But with the proposed limitation no tenant who pos-
sesses a grain of common sense would take a lease for
more than the seven or ten years, and therefore he could
not be expected to employ the people to the extent he
would upon a nineteen-year lease.
And then the improving landlord, will he spend his
capital in employing the people in the more expensive
operations of reclamation, drainage, &c., if there is a
probability of his rates being doubled at the end of the
next seven or ten years—and this for the benefit of his
idle neighbour who has done nothing?
I have the honour to be,
Your Lordship's most ohrdient servant,
RIGBY MASON.
Reform Club, Feb. 15, 1549.

EMIGRATION FROM DORSETSIIIAB.—On Tuesday
last a very large meeting, over which the High. Sheriff
presided, was held in the Town-hall at Shereborne, for
the purpose. of considering the expediency of emigration,
a grant of two ships having been obtained from the Eint-
gration Commissioners for the exclusive passage of
grants from the county of Dorset. The Rev. C. Bing-
ham proposed a resolution (after some observations on
the inadequacy of the labourers wages for their support)
in support of the plan of emigration
.about to be adopted,
which was seconded in a speech ot considerable length
by the Hon. and Rev. S. G. Osborne, in explanation
.d,of
sond h the general principle of colonization, a the
En benefits
likely to accrue from it to many in the sou of glan
who were in a most pitiable condition. The Hon. and
Rev. Gentleman having concluded amidst great applause,
the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Scott, the Rev. H. F. Yeatman,
and other gentlemen addressed the. meeting. The reso-
lution having been carried, the HolfgheinSilgierraittifon
announced
u
himself a convert to the principle
intimated that the Lord-Lieutenant of the countyt was
that day given his countenance to the local society. The
during the Government agent was busily engaged
even-
ing wish applicants for free passages.
HEAVY PENALTY UNDER THE EXCISE
the Court of Excise yesterday John Strahan, alias John
Scott, was fined 4001., with condemnation of the spirits,
for dealing extensively in illicit goods, and defrauding
the revenue for a considerable time past to a very greet
extent.

THE BALLINGARRY INSURRECTION.—The Clonmel
Chronicle says:—" Martin Doherty, who has been an
outlaw sin6.e August last, being one of Smith O'Brien's
principal men at Baulagh Commons, and formerly tutor,
was taken at Ballingarry on the night of the Bth inst.,
and scut to Clonuiel gaol."

PROGRAMME OF THE ROYAL
ITALIAN OPERA. COVENT GARDEN.
The director of the Royal Italian Opera, Covent-garden
has published his programme for the entafing season.
The subscription is for forty-six performances, com-
mencing on Saturday, March 10th, and terminating on
Tuesday, August 21. Since last season Mademoiselle
Alboni, Madame Persiani, and Madame Castellan have
seceded from the establishment. Grisi, however, sail
continues to give her support as prima donna to the
Royal Italian Opera, and Madame Pauline Viardot is to
appear in Meyerbeer's opera, the Prophete, in the latter
portion of the season. The place of Alboni
is to be supplied by Signora Angri, a lady new t o this
country, but who has achieved a great reputation on the
continent, and whose voice is of such compass that she
can sing with equal facility either as a contralto or as
a mezzo-soprano. She has frequently, it is said, alter-
nated the parts of Lucrezia and Orsini in the opera
of Lucresits Borgia, Another contralto will also
make her de4ut at the Royal Italian Opera this
season—Mdlle. Marie, the daughter of Madame
Merle, who was sa popular some seasons since. Madame
Dorus Gras is to be the substitute for Persiani, and a
young English girl, Miss Catherine Hayes, who was
recently pinta donna at Lt." Scala, and who has achieved
an immense success at the principal lyrical theatres of
Italy and Germany, is also eogaged. Madame Ronconi,
Mdlle. Steffanoni, Mdlle. CorOari, and Madame Bellini
are re-engaged. Mario is the pr imo tenore. Salvi is also
engaged, and Luigi Mei anti Lavia are the secondi
tenori. The corps is rich in baritones; Tamburini,
Massol, and Ronconi are all engaged, the latter under-
taking, it is said, the line of characters heretofore sus-
tained by Rovere, who is not re-engaged. Marini,
Tagliafico, and Polonini are the bcTssi profundi. The
chorus and orchestra are under th,e direction of M.
Costa, and the performance of ballets will he confined to
short divertissements and to those incidelital to the operas
which may be produced. The season opens on Satur-
day, March 10, with the opera of Massaniello,
which will be produced for the first time
in a perfect form in this country, with
Mario as Massaniello, Massol as Pietro, Madame
Dorus Gras as Elvira, and Mdlle. Pauline Leroux as
Fenella. in addition to the existing reyertoire four
new operas, at least, are to be produced during the
present season, viz., Massaniello, Roberto it Iliavola, It
Matrimonio Seuretto, and Meyerbeer'a new grand opera
Le Propehte. Meyerbeer himself is to superintend the
production of this, said to be his grandest and most
wonderful production, and will conduct the first three
representations. The cast will embrace the names of
Madame Grisi, Madame Pauline Viardot, Signor Mario,
M. Massol, and Signor Marini. The performances are
to commence at half-past eight on Tuesdays, and at
eight precisely on Saturdays.

THE ROY AL ASYLUM OF THE
ST. ANN'S SOCIETY.

Yesterday the adjourned general meeting of the go-
vernors and subscribers was held at the London Tavern,
Bishopsote street. The chair was taken by the Hon.
William Ashley, and there was a crowded attendance.
The whole proceedings appeared to excite the most
intense interest.

Previous to the general meeting held on Friday last,
Mr. Carpmael, of Lincoln's Inn, had issued a pamphlet,
principally composed of the detail of a transaction be.
tween himself and the scretary of the society (Mr. E. F.
Leeks), in the year 1837. The matter was explained fix
1840, and rested quietly until the end of last year, when
it was revived by Mr. Carpmael, and an angry corre-
spondence ensued between that gentleman and Mr.
Leeks. The whole of this correspondence was published
by Mr. Carpmael, and distributed not only to the sub-
scribers, but to the public generally. Yesterday morn-
ing Mr. Leeks issued a small pamphlet entitled "Brief
Replies to Mr. Carpmael ;" and this was freely distributed
to every subscriber on his entering the room. The
whole matter in dispute may be stated in a few words.
Mr. Carpmael, in his printed statement and correspond-
ence, says:—
" On the 4th of December, 1837, I paid a cheque for
10/. 10s. to the master of the St. Ann's Schools, and re-
ceived a stamped receipt for the same, thus becoming, as
I supposed, a life governor of that institution. From that
date I continued to receive the voting papers for each
half-year's election, and such voting papers were ten-
dered and received at the election, but whether they were
allowed I have no moans of knowing. In the year 1840,
the collector of the schools applied to me for my annual
subscription, when I informed him (by letter, but of
which I kept no copy) that I had paid a life subscription."
To this Mr. Leeks, in his " Brief Replies," says :
" As to the payment of the ten guineas' life subscrip-
tion, in December, 1837, Mr. Carpmael himself furnishes
the obvious explanation of the omission to enter that
sum. He made the payment to the master of the schools,
instead of to the secretary or collector, and states he ' re-
ceived a stamped receipt' for the same. No doubt this
mode of payment led to the omission of which Mr. Carp-
mael now complains. If the payment had been made to
the secretary or collector, a printed receipt would have
been furnished, and from the counterfoil of that receipt
the proper entry would have appeared in the society's
books."

The Hon. CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said
he had attended at great personal inconvenience to oc-
cupy the post of chairman; but when he found the con-
duct and character of one of its principal officers im-
pulled, he considered the interest of the institution at
stake, and thought it desirable above all things, that the
accusation made against that gentleman should either be
sustained or refuted.—(hear.)._

The lion. and Rey. F. Yowls moved that the
statem(nt of accounts submitted on Friday last be
adopted.
Mr. ComaNcs seconded the motion.

Mr. ANDERTON considered that, by the adoption of
the motion, the subscribers would completely shut them-
selves out from further remedy. He would therefore
suggest that it would be better for all parties that he
should immediately put as an amendment upon the re-
port the resolution of which he had given notice.—
(Hear, hear.) He had no reason to doubt that the se-
cretary would have a sufficient reply to the charge.—
(Hear, hear.) After a few more observation, he moved
as tollows:

" That a special committee of governors be appointed,
with MI power and authurity to investigate and exa-
mine into the managetnent and government of the school
of the society, and the receipts, disbursements, and appli-
cation of the funds and subscriptions belonging thereto;
with power to employ an accountant to assist therein, if
deemed necessary by such committee so to do; and that
they do report thereon at the earliest possible period, to
a special general meeting, or court of governors, to be
called for that especial purpose; with power also to re-
commend such alterations for the future management
and government of the society as such committee shall
see fit."

Mr. Leeks stood high in the city; ho held many other
situations of trust; and upon the result of the present
inquiry his character must stand or fall.—(Hear.)
The Rev. 1)r. PRENDERGAST seconded the motion.
Mr. BREWSTER then moved—
" That this meeting has entire confidence in the inte-
grity and efficiency and management of the society, and
feel assured that the committee will attend to any sug-
gestion properly offered for any desirable alteration in
the mode of keeping the accounts; but this meeting at
the same time disapproves of the course recently pursued
by Mr. William Carpmael, and are of opinion that the
pamphlet published by him was perfectly uncalled for,
and has a tendency seriously to injure the society."
After a long discussion,
The CHAIRMAN decided that the amendment of Mr.
Anderton must be disposed of before that of Mr. Brew-
ster could be put.
Mr. CARPMAEL, at great length, and amid nauch in-
terruption, proceeded to recapitulate the whole of the
charges contained in his pamphlet, quoting and re-quot-
ing until the company exhibited unmistakeable signs of
impatience.
sergeant MEREWETHER, in a well-timed address,
hoped that the excited and unfriendly feelings then
exhibited would not be long continued. He had no ob-
jection to the fullest inquiry, but he very much doubted
whether a work of charity, such as theirs, would be
much aided by angry discussions like the present.
Mr. SID:ARES diffs.red with Sergeant Ilerewether, and
succeeded in inflicting several speeches on very unwil-
ling hearers.
Mr. SHAW—The whole matter seems to be this—the
ten guineas seem to have gone through the left-baed.
pocket of the secretary into the right-hand pocket or
the society.—(Laughter.) The gravamen of the charge
f
is, that it did not go first into the right-hand peeket
the society.
The CHAIRMAN then read a letter from
Laing, formerly honorary chaplainmittotee,
thethe Itseovc.ieDt}r.:
he did not
stating that, as a member of the.eboirrty,
teindingbut that, as a
an angry nig-
ewl toiesrhgy shrinkman,
he fromho u
iadn any
creel
isnp.c)nas
he w hlayoss eft conductaor totheo
remarks
serious
ehm e
apaksssieoodrf
said he had the greatest
cus•ion. At the same time,
upon
confidence in Mr. Leeks,
a high eulogium.
Mr. Alderman Wiesosi;
d his intention of voting .for the
::::dt::::einpecutrt:wpLOTT defended the con-
duct Mr. Shaw:
ridicule, and expressed
amendment.
o
winAN TAYLOR spoke in favour of
and of Mr. Leeks,
the amend-
as secretary.
Mr.fl3tle;s—e-lves as committee-men,
ment.
A long and very personal discussion ensued, and on
Mr. Lo
the amendment being put, it was rejected by
a majority
of ten to one.
The regular business of the meeting then proceeded,
the re-appoilittneuts in every case being contested. The
result wa. that the late committee, with one or two ex-
ceptions, were re-elected, the auditors were chosen, and
Mr. Leeks was unanimously re-appointed as secretary,
amid great cheering.
The proceedings commenced at eleven, and did not
terminate until after four o'clock.

WEST KENT YEOMANRY.—We understand that her
Majesty's Government have consented to an augmenta-
tion of the Cobham troop of the West Kent Regiment
of Yeomanry Cavalry, to the strength of eighty men,
under the command of Captain the Earl of Darnley.
This regiment will now consist of strong troops, amount-
ing to 2SO rank and file, the whole commanded by
Lieut.-Colonel the Viscount Sydney.—Kentish O/server.
SALMON EISIIINGS.—The salmon fishing in our
Scottish rivers opened on Thursday week. The Deve-
ron, which has escaped the late floods,
have yielded a considerable catch; but we understand
on
ald
that the take on the first day was under a score, end
subsequent days had been by no means large. A
fair
was expected
itlo
proportion of foul fish have been observed•Seotch Re-
formers' Gazette.
F. Thorpe Porter, Esq.,magistrate at the head
police-office, Dublin, is, we understand, at present in
•
the
London, engaged in making
inquiries into the mode of
managing the police, and conducting business in the
different police-offices of the metropolis.