The Sun.
London, England, 1825-03-14 00:00:00

CALEDONIAZ4 ASYLU:q.

The Antliversartor this Charity was celebrated
in Freemasons' Hall, on SatUrday, Lord. FRANcis LEVESON
GOWER, second son of the Marquis of Stafford, and heir to his
mother, who is, in her own right, Countess of Sutherland, the
premier-Peerage of Scotland, was in the Chair. His Lordship
was supported on his right by Lord .hmes Stuart, brother of
the Marquis of Bute, on his left by Lord Glenorchy, son of the
Earl. of Breadalbane.,The company, who were not very nu-
merous, but, were highly respectable, sat down to an excellent
dinner at half-past six..

The usual loyal 'and pathetic toasts were drank with every
honour and cordiality, professional singers accompanying them
with appropriate songs and glees. When " the health of his
Royal II ighnesS the Duke of Sussex, Earl of InYerness," was
drank, The Highland Laddie' was played with great effect by
'the bag-pipe ; the piper marching round•the company.
Lord JAMES STUART rose to propose a toast, which he was
sure the company would receive with great pleasure. It was
the health of their Noble Chairman.—( Great applause.)—Whets
he heard that both his Royal Highness the Duke of York, and
his Royal Highness Prince Coburg, were unable to preside, he
felt great regret; but thougls deprived of the honour of their
presence; he saw and felt that ..the greatest service and dignity
were conferred on the Meeting by. 'his Noble Friend.—(Ap-
plause.)—They all knew his Noble Friend to posseSs high cha-
racter and distinguished talents.—(Applause.)—He was de-
scended of one: of the oldest and most honoured families in the
-country, and the Representative of the most ancient familyin
the. Highlands of Scotheed—a family long distinguished • for.
patriotism and generosity--,a family now doing all in their
power for the interest of - their, tenantry and the good of the
country. Such, then; he.enight: call upon theM to drink with
enthusiasm, " Lord Leveson Gower, their Chairman.—(Great
applause.)"
The toast was recei:Ved.4.4iith every demonstration of respectful
affection and regard... •
Lord LEVESON Or' E -expressed his thanks in the warmest
terms. Those of them with had been in foreign parts, as he had
been, must have perceived a very-great distiuctton between the
state of. society in this country, and that of all other countries..
In this country alone meetings of:individuals were held to pro-
mote the great ends of improvement and.eharity.—(Applause.)
In this country the stream of charity was not forced to flow as
the Minister of State' already burdened more than enough with
other affairs, might be pleased to direct it.—(Great applause.)—•
With respect to.this- Institution, it was not necessary for him to
say much. No object could excite the-feelings of the people of
this country more than charity, whose purpose it was to provide
for persons left destitute through the, exertions, wounds; and
death of their -parents in their country's cause ;—(Repeated
pludits.)—to protect them from want and insult, and to rear
them up good and useftti• -Members of society. To remedy the .
deficiency of prOVision for per Sons thus destitute and interesting,
the Caledonian Asylum was instituted.- It was not merely to.
provide what the poet describes as
" Meat, clothes and fire"
that this Charity .was directed, but to bestow education, the
parent of every moral arid' religious excellence.—(Applause.)— -
to afford them the means of honest competence, and the hopes
of salvation.—(Great rip(mlause.)—Happyshould he always feel, •
if, from family circumstances, or otherwise, he could contribute
to the prosperity of such an institution. The Noble Lord con
eluded by proposing "The Caledonian Asylum, and may the
sons of thebraye never. Want a-protector."
When this toast had.been drank with due fervour, the bOys
'supported and edUcated in this Asylum, marched into the Hall,
dressed in tartan and wearing the bonnet.. They presented a
most striking and interesting sight as they marched round the
*room to the martial music of the bag-pipe. Their countenances •
eXpremed most eloquently the attention paid to their comfort
and education. They formed themselves at last in a line behind
the chair, while the state of the institution was laid before the
:Meeting. .• . -. • - • .
• Mr. TmioatPsonea Director, explained with much minute-
ness, and at great length, the state of the-funds.. The funds
of the Caledonian Asylum were derivedfrom two Sources--Ist,
from the interest of capital ; and 2d, from annual subscriptions
and donations. The receipts of the last. year . exceeded 2000/..
The ordinary expenees of the -establishment were moderate,
but in • course of the year considerable expencei were incurred
in securing a freehold in the house ,and chapel in Cross street;
and in paying off' balances of account-for an Act Of Parliament.
Votwitlistandrokall,clierges,-there was added to the permanent
!ands oftleeinstnutiou in the-last year 7751. The fluids, in
fact,- were eitfficient for the.extension of the. charity to a Much,
'greater eltunimerof boys. . The great obstruction to this -most
desirable extension . was: the want of acebtrimiidation- for a
greater nu mbet; itirto remove this obstruction it was India-
; peneihle to be at l'itiTeXiience of- building' more extensive; pte-
. mimes in another ietnation. In order to meet fidsexpence with-
out enceoaching on the capital of the-charity;' it would be 'nee.•
• cessaey to appeal to .the liberality of a humane and generotts
public. The managenment of the establishment was such
- must endear it to every enlightened mind. The faces of. thdee
boys bespoke the -care and judgment with which they were
trained; but Could-lie exhibit before that assembly the prin-
ciples
of knowledge, wisdom, .virtue, and piety, with which •
their minds were' Stored, all would be struck-with' admiration.
The Reverend Mr. Lee's conducted their education with a
degree of skill, assiduity, tenderness, and success, almost un-
qualified—(Great: aripb:use.The Report of the Scottish Pres-
bytery was most satisfactory to every one interested in this
Institution. -Ilehegged leave to conclude-by reading the con-
eluding paragraphei-Le
" The Presbytery cannot conclude without •congratulating
.the Directors.. of the Caledonian Asylum on the state of their
Institution. The style of Education is truly Scottish—plain,
substantial, and unostentatious, wherein Conduct is founded on
Religion, and Character formed by Piety ; and while things con-
tinue so well. ordered as we have this day found them, a blessed
thing it is for every poor Scottish'youth who finds his way to the
door of this Asylum, and obtains a place among the little ones ,
who are therein training up for the life that now is, and the life
that is to come." •
Mr. B. B. CABBY:et gave " the Highland Society," the pa-
rent, author, and founder' Of this Institution, affbrding a home
and an asylum to the children of those who shed their blood and
lost their livei in the.service of their country.
Colonel HAatterpie- felt it his duty to thank the company
for the honour they had done to time-Society of which he was-
a 31eneber., There could be no person, particularly no High-
lander, whoSe breast did not swell with pride and delight at the
sight exhibited in that-room a few minutes since—(Applause).;
That the Highland Society had contributed to the establishment..
of such an Institution WaS highly to-their honour. It could not
be too distinctly understoodthat the Caledonian Asylum was
for the children of men who had bled and fallen in their coun-
try's cause, who had carried )Britain's fame to the extreme ends
of the.world—(Applause).—The Asylum was. open only to the
Children ofsoldiers who were not admissible to Chelsea or Green-
Wich, and of indigent Scotch parents, not entitled to parochial
relief-,(Great applauSe).- • . -
Lord JamEs tea-nte his health, being drank, returned
thanks. -His heart felt the highest pleasure at the. sight of the
boys; and he should always feel delighted in doing all in his-
power towards the SuCeess-of so excellent an Institution.
Mr. 31. GitaxTelli.P. proposed " the health of Lord Gle-
norchy." He a& well,as his father-felt it a ditty, and a duty
in Which they took pleasnre,-to do the-best in their power for'
ab etcellent an inStiNtion.-( A pplause.) had .attended
the examination or:thehifys - this year, and was not only pleas-,
ed but astonished at-their prowess. In their answers to reli
gions questions, they oot only showed promptitude and tictite
racy, but by the whole Of • their demeanour they showed that
they knew what they were aliont.—(Applause.)--He'felt only
one regret, that their nusiber was not greater, and that regret.
he hoped would soon be removed.—(Cordial applause.)
. The Rev. 'Mr. let'ayDjoirnerly Minister.of the Caledonian
Church (his health having been drank), returned thanks in
very eloquent terms. As a native of Scotland, and:Minister of •
the Gospel, he felt deep interest in this Institution. The
children themselves made an irresistible appeal to to the un-
derstandings and hearts of all.—(Applause.)— They ware. fa-
therless and orphans, because their fathers fell in the service of
their country. Their fathers grappled with the foe in the Pont
of battle, and when the darkness of death gathered around
there, their thoughts were on their homes
-- dulcet moriens reminiscitur Argot.
hopeil7h tenitllaytinhgia for his
ycowuenutrkyi,
takethe beraarveeesfohldiis feracthheerrlieslsmaedeitih.4
dren—(Great applause.)—The hope was not frustrated. : time
• education, moral and religious, given to the sons of such
fathers in this Institution, must give delight to every heart--
(Applause.) •
oSiZelldma.AnicliTeloNquicentit°Lsle?gliti Director,Rey.
jpiniwt reohnnouinjeceeds,
.aaa
the key-stone of the establishment, and the author-of the, dis-
tinguished success which attended their efforts.
The toast was drank with marked applause. _
Mr. LEss shortly and -neatly returned his than k..
maon--tl
tine
great services
Mr. S. N c !TOLSON, -then expatiated
r. •
Countess of
.Breadalhane, and Lady Gw.ydy
Imes three • and enthu-
siasticmree t"
done to the institution ,by the Marchioness of Stafford, the
Their kealtlis were drank with
The Rev. Mr. LEES, applause.
re—Alrs. Coutes 100 guineas ;
of the year. Amongst others sve
Secretary, announced the donations
the Marchioness of Bute, 20 ditto; Benjamin Bond Cabbell
Esq. 50 ditto; by the will of Sir W. lax. ton, 100 ditto. The
whole amounted to nearly 700/,