The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-23 00:00:00

WESTERN LITERARY AND

SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION.

The members of this society held their first festival
on Monday at the Freemasons' Tavern, when the Right
Hon. Lord Kinnaird occupied the chair, and was sup-
ported by Henry Drummond, Esq. (President) ; R.
Monckton Milnes, Esq., M.P. ; Luke James Hansard,
Esq. ; Albert Smith, Esq. ; Mr. Sheriff Kennard, &c.
Several toasts in honour of the Royal Family were
proposed by the chairman, after which the Noble Lord
proposed the toast of the evening, " Prosperity to the
Western Literary and Scientific Institution," for which
Mr. Malcolm said that the institution was founded in
1825, and that, after struggling with those adverse cir-
cumstances that usually beset similar undertakings, it
had at length succeeded in forming a library of about
eight thousand volumes. In alluding to a meeting
which had taken place at a very early period, the Secre-
tary observed that there was present on that occasion the
lamented poet Thomas Campbell, who seconded the first
resolution. The poet descanted not only on the advan-
tages of such institutions, but on the opposition they ex-
perienced in carrying out its objects, and he quoted the
opinions of Dr. Whitaker, who thought that " public li-
braries were calculated to corrupt the principles of so-
ciety, because bad books would be mingled with the
good, and that they would have the effect of depressing
learned men by making learning general, and that it
would make the lower orders of society saucy and lazy."
In opposition to such doctrines Mr. Malcolm show( d
the vast benefits the socit by had been the means of dis-
tributing, and concluded by requesting the co-operation
..1 the public in carrying out the useful purposes of the
Institution.

Other toasts were then proposed, which having been
duly responded to the company separated at a late hour.
The musical arrangements were under the direction
of Mr. Blewitt, assisted by Miss Ransford, Mr. W. E.
Ransford, Mr. Genge, and Mr. Edney.
About one hundred gentlemen sat down to a dinner
provided for the occasion, which gave very general sa-
tisfaction.

WESTERN GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
The annual distribution of the prizes to the pupils of
the Western Grammar School, Alexander-square,
Brompton, took place on Thursday, the 17th inst. The
patron, Earl Cadogan in the chair, supported by the
Rev. Charles Kingsley, Rector of Chelsea, President of
the Institution ; the Rev. J. R. Crawford, the Head
Master ; the Rev. D. Coleridge, Principal of St. Mark's
Training College ; the Rev. Thomas Jackson, Principal
of the National Society's Training College, Battersea ;
the Rev. W. J. Irons, Vicar of Brompton ; and many
other clergymen and gentlemen belonging to, and friends
of the institution. A large and highly respectable
auditory being assembled in the principal school room,
and the reports of the several examiners in the different
branches of study considered ; his Lordship, the patron,
delivered the two prizes of books annually presented by
himself, to the successful scholars, viz.:—

. _
The Cadogan prize for classical and gene-
ral literature and knowledge to Godrich 1
The Cadogan prize for Theology
The King's College prize Godrich 1
The Latin Verse prize Deverinne 1

The English Essay prize
The French Essay prize Hains
The First Mathematical prize Godrich 1
And thirty-seven other prizes, in books, given by the
institution for proficiency in the several branches of
study were presented to those who had gained them.
After the prize essays, which gave universal satisfaction,
had been recited by their respective composers, the Pre-
sident addressed the meeting, and was followed by the
Rev. Thomas Jackson, who in a powerful and eloquent
speech, pointed out, first, the proper foundation of all
training, namely, religious knowledge, as taught and in-
culcated in the school, according to the doctrine of our
beloved Protestant Church ; secondly, the high value of
a classical and mathematical education—the learned
languages and science being the pillars whereon to rear,
upon the before mentioned base, the whole architecture
of an education fitting the individual alike for business
or for the learned professions. The Rev. Gentleman
then, with much feeling and energy adverted to his past
intimate knowledge of the school, as formerly one of its
masters, its success and reputation at that time, and the
confirmation they had, this day, after an interval
of ten years, witnessed, of the statement in the
annual report of 1847, that the school had
in no respect declined from its former high
standard ; reminding the assembly that its present
most respected and talented head master Was a distin-
guished pupil of that great reformer of the system of
education in our public schools, the lamented Dr. Arnold.
He then called upon the proprietors to extend the know-
hedge and influence of the school, now nineteen years
established ; and having sent forth many of its pupils to
gain distinguished honours at each University, several of
them now labouring in the Church, and in the learned
profession, and many in the service of their country, or
engaged in honourable mercantile pursuits, bringing up,
he trusted, in many cases a new generation to become
pupils of their old and honoured institution, of which the
Rev. Gentleman stated that he purposed timely to intro•
duce his own son as a pupil. After paying a just tribute
to the several masters, he concluded by a powerful
appeal to the wealthy and increasing neighbourhood to
augment the list of proprietors, and thereby enable the
committee of management to proceed to its contem-
plated important objects, of founding scholarships to
bestow on its pupils, and of forming a suitable library.
The Rev. the President then declared the business of
the day to be most agreeably and satisfactorily termi-
nated, and the school was adjourned to the 26th July.

HER MAJESTY'S ACCESSION.—Monday last was
kept as a holyday at the law offices on account
of her Majesty's accession occurring on the previous day.
The Judges' Chambers were closed.

Mr. Frederick Hill has been appointed Inspector
of Prisons of the home or central district, and is suc-
ceeded in the inspectorship of the northern district,
which he held for several years, by Captain O'Brien.—
Scotsman.
REPRESENTATION OF CAMBRlDGE.—Yesterday, at
two o'clock, a deputation of the electors of Cambridge
waited upon Major-General Sir Harry Smith, at
Usher's Hotel, Suffolk-street, Haymarket, for the pur-
pose of requesting the gallant general to stand for the
representation of that place in the ensuing Parliament.
The deputation having stated the object they had in
view, Sir Harry replied that nothing could be more flat-
tering than so high a compliment from his friends in
Cambridge, but that for the present, as well as he feared
for some time to come, he must depend upon his sword
for procuring him the means necessary for enabling him
to avail himself of so desirable and distingnished an
honour, and, that, within a short period, should Provi-
dence so ordain that his health be restored, he should
find it necessary to proceed abroad again in his military
capacity. Sir Harry stated, that he had felt himself
compelled to decline a similar offer from the electors of
Westminster, adding that, should fortune prove favour-
ble, and that at any future period his fellow townsmen
should think his services desirable, he would feel proud
in being their representative.
DESTRUCTION OF A PACKET SHIP ET AN ICEBERG.

—The packet ship Eulalia, belonging to St. Sebastian,
while on her passage from Havannah to Galway, was
overwhelmed by an iceberg. She had thirty-seven pas-
sengers (a great many of whom were women) on board,
with a crew of sixteen, including the master. She was
a fine-looking vessel, barque rigged, 300 tons burden,
and was laden with a cargo of miscellaneous articles.
Her voyage was favourable till she made latitude 42 18
north, longitude 52, when she met with a heavy field of
ice. This occurred on the morning of Friday, the 21st
of May. The master observing the perilous state of the
ice, bore the ship round, and attempted to clear it, but
this was found impossible, and about nine o'clock a tre-
mendous iceberg struck the ship amidships, cutting her
down to the water's edge. The shock was fearful, and
the terror and dismay of the passengers were painfully
great. Not a moment was lost in lowering the boats,
and placing the passengers in them; for, on the pumps
being sounded, the ship was found to be fast filling. The
crew lingered on board at the pumps in the hopes of
keeping her afloat, but were compelled to make a hasty
retreat, the ship reeling over on her beam ends and in-
stantly sinking. Two boats, containing the captain,
fourteen of the crew, and fourteen passengers, succeeded
in getting clear of the wreck, but the third, with twenty
persons in it, most of whom were women, was drawn
down with the vessel, and every soul perished. The
boat, it appeared, was fastened to the wreck by a rope,
which the crew, in their fright, fearing the ship was
sinking, had forgotten to unship, and it was impossible
to cut, the passengers having no proper implement.
On the following day, at five o'clock in the evening, the
remaining boats were picked up by the schooner New-
port, belonging to Stockton, and their crew taken on
board, which vessel reached Galway on Monday last.
The loss of the Eulalia and cargo is estimated at 25,0001.
VAUXHALL GARDENS.—This well-known and most
ancient place of public amusement is now once more open
for the season. It has undergone many improvements
since the close of last summer. Many of the old and
ruinous buildings, which had nothing but their antiquity
to recommend them, have been removed, and in their
place other buildings have been erected, which are com-
modious and in good taste. The ground on which the
fireworks are displayed has been enlarged, and there is
now ample space for the most extensive exhibition of
pyrotechnic skill. The orchestra is restored to its ori-
ginal form, and will remind the old frequenters of the
place of former days, and of the glories of the days of
the all but immortal Simpson and his earlier predecessors.
There is a manifest improvement in the scenic represen-
tations, or large pictures, with which various portions of
the grounds are decorated; the illuminations are as bril-
liant as ever, and the whole appearance of the place
displays good taste, and a liberal yet judicious expendi-
ture of money. In the Rotunda the performances are
those of the Bedouin Arabs and of Mademoiselle Caro-
line. The feats of the Arabs are, of their sort, the most
marvellous that have hitherto been exhibited ; they
bound and rebound from the earth or platform with the
elasticity of Indian rubber, throwing somersaults in
every manner that such vaulting can be performed, and
in a manner totally novel to the vaulters of this country.
Of the admirable equestrianism of Mademoiselle Caroline
we have spoken before, when that lady was in England
a few years ago. The whole of the arrangements, which
were formerly intrusted to Mr. Simpson, are now under
the control of Mr. Lewis, who last year made his debut
in these gardens. The company on Monday was very
numerous, and included many of the n'bility and persons
of rank, amongst them were the Earl of Lonsdale, Lord
Stanhope, Lord Strathmore, &c.
CONTINENTAL COMMUNICATION.—The South-
Eastern and Continental Steam packet Company's
steam-ship the Lord Warden left Folkestone for Bou-
logne on Monday morning at four o'clock. The Prince
Ernest arrived at Folkestone from Boulogne at 6.30
a.m., and again left Folkestone for Boulogne at 3 p.m.,
with 52 passengers. The Lord Warden arrived at
Folkestone from Boulogne at 4 p.m., with 53 passen-
, gers ; and the Queen of the French left Ramsgate for
Ostend g 9 a.m., with 64 paisengers and three carriages.