The Sun.
London, England, 1841-04-24 00:00:00

INFIRMARY FOR THE CURE OF FISTULOUS

DISEASES.
On Thursday the Fifth Anniversary of this most Bene-
volent Institution was celebrated at the Albion Tavern,
Aldersgate-street. Ong hundred and fifty gentleman of
. _

great ieipectability, wealth, and influence in the metropo-
lis sat down to dinner, which was served up in the best style.

Alderman COPELAND, M. P., in the dha'r.
After the cloth was removed, " Non Nobia Domine" was
sung, by Mess-: s. Broadhurst, Taylor, and other professional

pnitemen.
The health of her Majesty was then given, and drank
with three times three.

The hcalths of the Queen Dowager, Prince Albert, the
Princess Royal, and otl er branches of the Royal Family,
met with similar enthusiasm.

The CHAIRMAN then said, in proposing the next toast, he
would have to trespass largely on the indulgence of the com-
pany ; his situation as Chairman compelled him t,) do so.
He had to lament that the health of the Cbief Magistrate
prevented him from appearing among them, as he was

sure h would much mere efficiently discharge the duties
which were imposed on him than be could,—( Hear, hear.)

Though lye was his senior in the Court of Aldermen, yet
when he cal!e I upon him to preside on the present occa-
sion, be willingly responded to that ca 11..--( Hear.) His
anxiety IA 113 to do justice to the merits of an Institution
not so well known as it ought to be to have its merits
appreciand.—(Cheers.) No one knew better its merits
than he did. He would yield to no man in zeal for its

success ; and it was a matter of pride and gratification to
him to sea it in such a thurisbing condition..—( Cheers. )
They had met tl celel,rate its anniversary, and though this
greet metropolis abounded with charities, yct there was not
one more deserving of public support. His own experience
had proved that, as he had been Governor of many uf the
institutions of the country, and amongst their number there
was nut one to which suffering humanity was so much in-
debted.—( Cheers.) It was rather remarkable that in-
stitutions were established in the reign of Henry VI., and
originally they were founded for the curing of the sick,
the protection of the young, and the punishment of the
guilty ; and there never was an institution of a similar
description until it was raised by their bounty.—
( Cheers. ) He trusted that they would not re-
lax those exertions, as their poor suffering brethren
were looking with anxious confidence to their results.
The existence of fie Institution was owing to his exc 3ilent
friend, Mr. Salmon, who fearlessly undertook a labour
which others shrunk from ; but no opponents could stand
before his active bAievolence.—( Cheers. ) He undertook
the care of a malady which the innate modesty of English-
men (and modesty was their peculiar characteristic)
shrunk from disclosing. It was a disease which from their
kindest and dearest relatives they were anxious to conceal.
But be thanked God that owing to the bountiful contribu-

tions of the company that concealment was unnecessary,
as the most perfect cure followed its disclosure is the In-
stitution, and the benefits it conferred were manifest by
its progressive success.--( Cheers.) How the philan-
thropic contributw's heart most be animated when he re-
flected that he was an auxiliary in affording relief to
1,400 of hii fellow-creatures I—( Cheers. ) Six hundred
successful operations bad been performed by his spirited
surgical friend ( Mr. Salmon), and he would confidently
appeal to their benevolence whether they would not support
an Institution which conferred such lasting benefits, alto be

partakers in the gratitude which their liberality procured.
To show how the benefits of the charity operated on the
heart, he would mention one fact. In the latter part of
1639, when he had the honour to fill the .civic chair, three
labourers from Bethlehem Green (who had been relieved
by the Institution), waited on him, and solicited him to
become the patron of an auxiliary institution. He con-
sented ; and he now bad the pleasing duty of being the
humble instrument to convey their bounty of fifteen
guineas to the parent establishment.—(Loud cheers.)
After such a circumstance would they not come forward'
liberally ? He appealed to the young as well as to the old.
It might be the first time the f rmer had stretched
their nand to the support of an Institution conferring such
benefits, and the recollection of it would be coeval
with their existence.—( Loud cheers.) The Society had to
regret the loss of Sir Francis Ommanney, but he trusted
that his benevolent support of the Institution left a bril-
liant example for imitwion. In conclusion, he declared
that the Institution had as strong a claim upon morality
as it had upon philanthropy.—(Cheers.) The Secretary
then read the Report, from which it appeared that the sub-
scriptions in the room amounted to four hundred pounds.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of the Lord Mayor,
who, owing to his advanced time of life,: could not be pre-
sent. He could assure the company that his Lordship
felt the deepest interest in the success of the Institution,
and nothing could prove it better than the liberality of his
donation. His Lordship's health was dfank most enthu-
siastically.
The CHAIRMAN. after paying a high eulogium on the
public conduct of Mr. Sheriff Gibbs, proposed his health,
which met with a flattering reception.
Mr. Sheriff GIBBS having briefly returned thanks,
Mr. POWNALL rose and said that though he had not
aske I the Chairman's permission, yet he would propose a
toast, which he was sure would be received in the way to
which it was entitled.—(Hear. hear.) Every person pre-
sent knew what a staunch, anxious, and zealous friend to
the Institution their Chairman was.—( Cheers.) He had
already given seven donations, and he not only always sup-
ported it with his purse but by his presence.—( Cheers. )
He now filled their chair, and no one filled a chair with
more credit, and they owed him their most cordial and sin-
cere thanks. He cherished the institution by his fostering
mind and kind sympathy.—(Cheers.) Its support was a
work of mercy and benevolence, and they could not feel
too deeply the importance of its existence.—( Hear, bear.)
Their thoughts would weep with joy when they contem-
plated the afflicted parent restored as he might say t.) his
orphan child.—(Cheers.) Its benefits were a bon to
suffering mankind. The disease it alleviated was a pecu-
liar ms:ady. It was not a topic for conversation over
their domestic altars as other Institutions were. It

was not necessary then to dilate upon its remedies
and eff,:ets; tbosc were apparent. It was true there
were no Corinthian Pillars within its walls, but

contained jewels far more precious, "grateful hearas."—
, Loud cheers.) The poor man restored to health and
strength had nothing to give but his gratitude ; what wealth
could purchase that ?—(Cheers.) Though it could not
be purchased it could be generated by their liberality. He
would return to his daily toil, a husband and a father car-
resting and carressed by his family.—( Cheers.) Let them
but contemplate the labourer's wife on seeing her husband
restored to health, returning to industry, and supporting
his family. It was like drawing two hearts together wits
a silken thread, or he should rather say it was like the
electric spark which while it illumed one heart lighted
both.—( Loud cheers.) When they considered the bless.
ings which it conferred on destitute tamilies, English be-
nevolence and 13, itish liberality would be at their post. Its
support was as beneficial to tnem as it was a blessing to
others, and when they were called to the joys above he
could not ray whether they would be more missed than re-
gretted.—( Loud cheers.) Ile concluded by proposing
the health of the Chairman.
The CHAIRMAN having returned thanks,
Mr. Sheriff GIBBS proposed the health of Mr. Hoare
and the Vice:. Presidents.
Mr. HOARE rose to return thanks, and said that he re-
gretted the absence of his colleague, Sir John Littledale,
and he could assure the meeting no man felt a deeper in-
terest in its success than he did. There was an impression
abroad that the profession had not the opportunity to judge
of the merits of the Institution ; but that was not the fact,
as he could assure them that Mr. Salmon had offered
every professional gentleman an opportunity cf witnessing
his practice even so early as seven o'clock in the morning.
Therefore, Mr. Salmon was most anxious to extend the
benefit of his experience to other branches of the profes-
Ei3n, in order to increase the usefulness-of the institution.
Ile had made large sacrifices in its behalf, and no doubt
he would enjoy that moral satisfaction which such benevo-
lent exertions more calculated to produce.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the health of Mr. Fre-
derick Salmon, the Surgeon of the Institution. —( Cheers.)
Mr. SALMON rose to return thanks. He said, that
it was not in his nature to express what he felt. He was
a simple-minded man, arid not a public speaker, but his
heart spoke. In the establishment of the Institution
he had had great difficulties to contend with, but a Chris-
stian public enabled him to overcome them. There were
there 200 subscribers to the Institution, and what ought
to be the feelings of those gentlemen when, by their
bounty, they were enabled to relieve their fellow-creatures
who were pining in sorrow, suffering intense bodily dis-
ease, and oppressed by mental despair? With regard to
his own merit, he would not be worthy of the name of man,
if he did not exert its valuable prerogative, and that
was relieving suffering humanity. He had exerted that
prerogative. He was the humble instrument of relieving
1,300 of his fellow-creatures. If ever flat re was a
necessity for support to the present Institution, it
was at the present time—the increasing population
so imperatively demanded it. He could assure the gene-
rous subscribers that their beneficent liberality would be
well represented by the gratitude of those whom they re-
lieved from bodily suffering and mental misery.—( Cheer.. )
The health of the other officers of the Institution having
been drank the Chairman left the Chair, and the Company
separated, after having spent a most delightful evening,
with the strongest reliance upon the increasing prosperity
of the Institution.

BARBAROUS PUNISHMENTS OF FORMER
Days.—Amongst the Romans the bead of the malefactor
vies in some cases fastened within the furca, and in this
attitude he was whipped to death. Parricides were
sewed up in a leathern sack, with an ape, a cock, a ser-
pent, and a dog, and so cast into the sea. Lord Cob-
ham was thus executed in England some centuries ago
Then was he layd upon a hurdle, as though he
had been a most heynouse traytoure to the Crowne,
and so drawne forth into Sainct Gyles Felde, wheere
as they had set up a new pair of galowea. Then
he was hung upon a chayne of yron and so consumed
alyve in the fyre, and so be departed hence moost chris-
tenly. how the priests that time fearred and cursed, re-
quiring the people not to pray for him, but to judge hym
damned in hell, fur that he departed not in tae obe-
dience of the Pope, it were too long to wryte. And
this was done in the yeere of Our Lord MCCC and
XVIII." On the 17th of November, 1577, the Attor-
ney-General in England is directed to examine Thomas
Sherwood by the rack, and orders were given to place him
in the dungeon among the rats. This dungeon is often
mentioned. It is eesciibed as a cell below high water-
mark, and totally dark ; and, as the tide flowed, in-
numerable rats, which infest the muddy banks of the
Thames, were driven through the crevices of the walls
into the dungeons. The alarm excited by the erui.tion of
these loathsome creatures in the dark was the least part of
the torture which the unfortunate captives had to undergo.
Instances are related which humanity would glatly believe
to be exaggerations, where the flesh had been turn from
the arms and legs of the prisoner by the well-known vo-
racity of these animals ; but Sherwood's courage and con-
I Stancy were not subdued by the horrors of this dungeon.
Papers from Algoa Bay, to the 11 th February
inclusive, state that the Kowie River was open, and this would
afford Freat facilities of communication with the eastern fron-
tier. fhe Home Government was about to be memorialised to
I make it a free port.