The Sun.
London, England, 1823-11-06 00:00:00

LAW LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY.

Yesterday. the Law Life Assurance Society
held their first Meeting at Freemasons' Tavern. At six o'clock
upwards of 209 Gentlemen of the several branches .of the
profession sat down to en excellentdinner. Mr. SCABLEVP
presided.—After the cloth had been removed, the grace of the
llryckamists, by Reding, was sung by Messrs. Broadhurst,
Leet, Fitzwilliaihi, &c. The solo " Sit nomen tuum bene.
dictum" was sung with great Sweetness by Master Smith.
The CHAIRMAN gave " The King," which was drank with
applause. Air, " God save the King."-.-The Chairman next
gave, " The rest of the Royal Family." The usual demon-
strations of enthusiasm, and the glee " Ilail, star of Bruns-
wick," followed the toast.
The Climax:lx next gave " the Army and Navy." The
toast was drank with applause.
The CHAIRMAN said, that in rising to propose a toast which
was connected with the object of their present meeting, he
could not forbear eepressing the satisfaction which he felt at
seeing so numerous and respectable an Assembly. He misted
that this was a happy and a sure omen of the success of their
Institution. It proved that the zeal with which the Institution
had been formed continued still unabated, and it afforded
the strongest assurance that it would still continue to lieu.
rich. It would be presumptuous in him, before • Gentle-
men so fully acquainted with the subject, to pretend to
explain the benefits arising from an Institution which had
been so happily formed. He knew no Gentleman in that
room who was not as well, and perhaps better, acquainted
with the subject than himself, and it would be unnecessary
for him therefore to waste their time in endeavouring to illus-
trate a truth of so common-place a nature as the advantage
which was derived from the Insurance of lives. Great, how-
ever, as were the benefits arising from such institutions, they
did not seem to be so generally understood and appreciated by
the public as for their advantage might be desired. Ile trust-
ed, that the effect of that institution would be to extend more
widely and beneficially the advantages of the Institution, so that
they might be communicated to those who were not at present
connected with it, and that its. Members had no wish but for
the advantage of the assured,. anti that the length of their lives
was connected with the safety and prosperity of thelnstitution.
--(Applause.)—lle might truly say, that although the Pro-
prietors of such an Institution as this must, and indeed ought
to derive some advantage from it, there never was, nor could
be a Society formed in which individual benefit was so much
connected with the advantage of the public. So true it was,
that with reference to the objects of this Institution, and the
manner in which it was conducted,
" True self-love and social are the same."
He would not detain them by any further observations, but
he would at once propose a toast, in which he was sure every
Gentleman present would heartily join, " Prosperity to the
Law Life Assurance Company, and long life to the Assured.
The Ludi-rnocister, or Toast-master of the Tavern, gave the
toast, " Long life to the Assurance t:inipany." This version
of the President's toast excited considerable laughter. The
toast, as it was originally n.liven, was drank with enthusiastic
applause. Glee..." Long life and treasure to the old."—
" Home, sweet home," was sung in a very charming manner
by Master Smith, and was loudly applauded.
The CHAIRMAN next gave-s" The Common Law and
Equity Judges." Song—" O'er the water to Charley," by
Mr. Broadhurst.
The CHAIRMAN' said he rose to propose another toast, which
he was sure would meet the concurrence of every Gentleman
present, he meant—" The health of the Directors of the Insti-
tution." The situation of a Director, in a society of this nature,
was one of great trust and responsibility, and he believed he
might say that no institution of this kind had ever existed,
which had furnished a greater number of persons capable, both
front their talents, their integrity, and • their respectability in
life, to hold that situation. lie might truly say, that every
member of the society who now tilled the office of Director
had discharged his duty with the utmost ability and zeal.--
(Applause.)—He trusted they would all along continue to do
so, and in return for the services which they had hitherto per-
formed, he now begged leave to propose their health with three
times three.—The toast was drank with applause.
Mr. Serjcant PEAKE returned thanks in his own name, anti
on behalf' of the other Directors of the Institution. They had
had some difficulty in discharging the various and complicated
duties which had devolved upon them; they had endeavoured
however to discharge them to the utmost of their ability, and
he trusted not altogether without the satisfaction of the mem-
bers of the Institution. This was not the place for entering
into the details of what had been done by the Directors; he
would confine himself therefore to expressing the grateful
thanks of himself and his brother Directors, for the honour
which had been conferred upon them : and he would conclude
by proposing the health of a body of gentlemen to whom a most
important trust had been confided, and to whom the society
was greatly indebted for the zeal and fidelity with which they
had discharged it, he meant the Trustees of the Institution.
Mr. BICKNELL, as one of the Trustees of the Institution,
returned thanks:
Mr. JERv is rose to propose " the health of the Auditors of
the Institution." lie was sure that the services of those Gen.
tietnen were too well appreciated, by the Members of the So-
ciety, to render it necessary for him to make any observations
on the manner its which they had discharged their duty. Ile
felt confident, therefore, that their health would he drank with
thine demonstrations of approbation to which their eminent ser-
vices so justly entitled them.
The toast was received with applause.
Mr. CAMPBELL, on behalf of the Auditors of the Society,
rose to return his most hearty thanks for the manner in which
their health had just been drank. It was in vain for him to
attempt to express the satisfaction which he. felt at his having
been elected to an office of such high trust and responsi-
bility without any solicitation, and' indeed, without any
expectation of so great an honour being conferred upon
him. In return for this mark of their confidence he bad
endeavoured to discharge, to the utmost of his ability, the
duties of the office in which he had been placed, and he had
great satisfaction in saying, that he had seen nothing but
what had given him the greatest pleasure in the discharge of
those duties. The Directors had carted themselves to the
utmost in promoting the interests of the Society; indeed, it
was impossible that any hotly of men, in their situation, could
have displayed more zeal, intelligence, and activity. lie could
not forbear paying the warm tribute of his approbation, on this
occasion, to a Gentleman to whose services the Society was
greatly indebted—he alluded to their Actuary. He (Mr. Croup-
bell), from his situation of Auditor, had had the best opportu-
nity of appreciating the merits of that Gentleman, and he had
great satisfaction in stating, that he was in all respects qualified
for the situation which he held, and that he was entitled to the
implicit confidence of the Society. The accounts had been sub.
mitted to the auditors in the best possible order, and the flourish-
ing state of the Society afforded the strongest assurance, that
en Institution which had commenced under die most favour.
able auspices would long continue to prosper.-,(Applause.)
Mr. Broadhurst sang " Auld Lang Syne" in a very effec-
tive manner, and was much applauded.
Mr. SUGHEN said he had to propose n toast, which, air he
offered, he was sure the whole of the assembly would receive,
with the utmost satisfaction. Ile did not propose it, however,
without feeling how unequal he was to the task of doing justice
to the merits of a gentleman whose talents as well as his inte-
grity had raised him so high as the individual whose health he
had now to give. The company would have already anticipated
that lie meant their worthy Chairman.--(Applatte.)-11e had
not expected that he should hare had that evening to join the
respectable and social circle in which be then stood, and con.
sequently it had not been a quarter of an hour ago, that
the Gentleman who had the direction of tlie toasts had' in.

timated a wish that ho should perform the task, which he
now willingly undertook. If the individual to whom he
had to offer this testimony of the respect of the Society,
had been one whose merits it was difficult to discover, he
should have felt hesitation, unused as he was to this ape.
cies of public speaking, to have addressed the assembly. But
the merits of the subject of his address were not obscure they
stood boldly forward on the canvas—it was impossible for any
man to speak of him (Mr. Scarlett) without rendering to him
fully and freely the testimony of his applause.—(Checrs.)_The
ability of their worthy chairman as a lawyer, were acknowledged
by the whole of the learned profession to which he belonged ;
his merit as an orator they heti all had frequent opportunities of
witnessing, and his virtues as a man were the delight of the re-
spectable circle in which he moved.—(Loud applause.)—There
were now present individuals of all political opinions, train one
extreme of the range to the other; but whatever were the opin-
ions in that room, it must be gratifying to every one of inde-
pendence of mind to see a man like their Chairmanan indi-
vidual, whose political opinions bad always led him to oppose
the Court so decidedly, as to leave him no hope of the good
things which proceeded from that quarter, raised by the force
of merits to the highest rank in the profession, which a man
not in oti4ce could attain, and enjoying his elevation amidst
the universal applause of all classes.—(Loud cheers.)—lle
should now propose the " Beath of their 'Worthy Chairman."
„..( A pplau se. )
" The Chairman," was them given, and drank with three
times three, and long continued marks of approbation.
Mr. SCARLETT said, that though not unpracticed in the art
of addressing numerous assemblies, he hoped they would give
him credit that he never rose in Ids life under renter diffi-
culties. lie was so sensible of the manner in which his health
had been received, that he knew not haw to comment on the
speech with which his Honourable and Learned Friend had in-
troduced it. His Learned Friend (Mr. Sugden) had been
pleased very partially to allude to his professional conduct.
In the long course of his public life he had only looked to one
object—the discharge of his duty.—(Applause.)—Without

looking to tha right or the left, he had endeavouvd to dis-
charge his duties 44 a professional man.—(A ppl au se. )---Th e only
reward he had ever sought was the good opinion of those who
bad known him ; and no reward • was so grateful to him as that
the Honourable profession of which he was a member should
think that he had been sometimes useful to the public as well
as to the class of men with whom it was his happiness to
associate. In his love to his profession he had not been ac-
tuated by a feeling of regard either purely selfish or merely
professional. Though his Honourable Friend (Mr. Sudden)
had very properly abstained from politics, there was one senti-
ment in which he knew they would all concur—they all loved
their country and all cherished its liberties—(Applanse).—Ue
loved his profession therefore, because, in proportion as a Go-
vernment was the, he knew it must be governed by laws ; and
in proportion as it was free—therefore must the weight
and the respectability of the professiten, which was instru-
mental in administering the law, be In every country in-
creased.—(Loud applause.)—He had, therefore, always en.
deavoured to preserve the profession of the law free from
any stain, and as far as his hunible hndeavours went, to
sustain its integrity and its dignity. If then, in the opinion of
the society present, the best and the severest judges, he had
accomplished that object as far as an individual so humble as
himself could accomplish it, he should carry to the grave that
consolation, should he receive no other reward--(loud and long
continued applause) ;—and lie should desire no other reward
in addition to the testimony which his conscience might
afford him, of a life not uselessly spent.—(Applause).—He
felt more than he could express as being placed in the situation
which he at that moment filled, and to which he had not ven-
tured to aspire, but to which the most liberal part of the most
enlightened profession of England, the profession of the law,
had raised loin. Ile felt, he said, proud, that unadorned as
he was by office, unassisted, as his Honourable Friend (Mr.
Su den) had observed, by the favour of the Government, he
had received from so large a body of those, who had the best
opportunities of witnessing his conduct, the approbation which
was, he might say, insinuated by the situation in which they
had placed hini.....(Lotul applause.)—He said this with feelings
of the highest satisfaction, because he was persuaded, that in
the history of the profession of the law, there never was a time
when the Bar were more enlightened as to acquirements, more
liberal as to sentiments, or more zealous and more upright in
the discharge of those duties than they were at this time. lie
said this because he knew it was the fashion, though he could
not conceive why, to throw aspersions on that body, and to as-
sert that it 04 not possess the weight which it once had. If it
were true, that a body of men so important, and so useful, bad
declined from the estimation they had enjoyed, it would, in-
deed, be much to be lamenteil; but this he could confidently
say, that the liar was even more enlightened, more zealous,
more fearless, more entitled both to confidence and respect,
than even when he had first entered upon the profession. In a
free country, the law was essentially a free and liberal profes-
sion, because the members of it rested upon nothing but indi-
vidual merit tier success and prosperity.—(Applauee.)—After
having too long detained the society, he should conclude by re.
turning his heartfelt thanks for the honour that they had done
him, and by assuring them that his whole life hereafter should
be spent as it had hitherto been, in endeavours to uphold the
honour and prosperity of the profession.—(Loud applause.)
A comic song was given by Mr. Fitzwilliem in very good style.
The CHAIRMAN said, that as he had occasion to observe
just now, that the Bar never was more distinguished by talent
than at present, so be should now verify his assertion by pre.
scoring to them the name of an individual, a Member of the
Bar, who would do honour to tiny profession by the unwearied
exertion of his rare talents. The Society would anticipate that
be meant his Learned and excellent Friend Mr. Brougham
—(Lood applause, which continued for some minutes.)—He
would not delay the toast, which would be so agreeable to all,
except by one observation • that he was satisfied that no matt
of the Bar, when he produced Mr. Brougham as a specimen of
the Bar, would not he the more proud of the profession to
which he belonged.—(Applause.)
Mr. Buouc; want rose amidst the cheers of the company, and
when silence was obtained, assured them that he felt most grate-
ful for the honour doe hint by the cordial manner in which
they had received the unexpected mention of his name by his
Learned and most esteemed Friend. This was certainly not
the thst time that his Learned Friend had completely purged
him —(a laugh.)—Often, indeed, it happened in the course
of their professional intercourse, that his Learned Friend had
left him quite at a loss what to say in reply to his; but now he
confessed his Learned Friend hail more completely than at any
former period deprived him of utterance. Ile might venture
to assure the Society, that no man among them, attached as
they all were to their common profession, could entertain deeper
feelings than lie did, of its importance to the interests to the
prosperity, to the liberty of the country ; and he said there
could be no prouder object of any man's Ambition, than to merit
the ap.piause:of those with whom it wits his fate to meet in prat;
tire, in whatever branch of the profession it might be.—(Ap-
plause.)—Encourraged as he was by the favourable reception
they had given him, he would take the liberty to propose a
tout. They had oiven the health of the Common Law, and
Equity Judges. They would permit him to propose the health
nra great and illustrious Judge, who no longer adorned the
Bench, but whose decisions would go down to posterity as'
guides of all future judgments. lie had only need now to
mention his name indeed he had hardly need to do as much)--
he meant Sir William Grant, the late Master of the Rolls.—
(Loud applause.)
The health ()fair W. Grant was then drank with three times
three.
Mr. ,Anonv said, after the speeches they had heard from
their respected Chairman, and from, the Hon. and Learned
Gentleman who had just addressed them, it was with sonic dif-
fidence he should have risen, had it not been to pay a debt of
gratitude, by proposing the health of a gentleman to whom the
Society was deeply indebted. The profession at large was per.
haps as deeply indebted to the mime gentlemantewho, having
m coinenced his professional career in the lower walks of the
profession had risen to adorn the highest branch of it, and had
given an encouraging example of the effects of industry, inte-
grity, and talents. Ile gave—" The health of Mr. Preston,"
which wait drank with loud applause.
Mr. PaEsTow rose to return thanks, but we regret that he
was at times inaudible to the company in the middle of the
fn allusion to the speech of Mr. Amory, he said that he
was never ashamed to avow he never regretted to recollect that
he had eommenced his life in that part of the profession, which
the worthy Gentleman had denominated the lower walk of It.
He had entered uptin the profession at the age of sixteen, and
he had never repented the duties whichhe had discharged, and
which in all branches of it were, when honourably discharged,
alike honourable.—(Applause.)
The Cir stnatasr said, in filling the honourable station
which had been assigned to him, it was his duty to propose the
toasts which were set down for him by the Gentlemee of the
Society on whom the business of choice had devolved. He
should, however, take the liberty • to substitute for one set be-
fore kiln viz. " The abstract Members of the Society," ano-
ther, which would at once supply an omission and embrace
both the present and the absent Members, He the rather pro-
posed it on account of -what hail fallen (sons his Learned
Friend who had just sat down, and from the worthy Gentleman
who had proposed his Learned Friend's health. lie had had
much experience of all parts of the profession, and he might say
no inconsiderable experience of all classes of people in this
country; and he would take upon him to say, as to that part
which the two Gentlemen who had preceded Mtn hail called
the lower walk of the profession of the law, that he had never
any where found firmer integrity, and a nicer sense of honour
and propriety, than in that part of the profession.—(llear,
hear h)—lt was not his intention to flatter any set of persons,
but to utter the simple truth of a set of men, whose merits
were less warmly acknowledged than their defects were
vigilantly exposed. It was impossible (and it would be
absurd to pretend It) that such a number of persons as
composed this large profession should be collected, with.
out including sonic persons of doubtful morality, and at
the ,same time it was unfortunate, that those who dis-
graced a profession, reflected discredit even on those who
adorned it. This was not the fate of attornies alone. The liar
suffered under it, the clergy suffered under it, the army, the
navy, suffered sunder it. If, because there were a kw un-
worthy
membeese a profession was to be degraded, no pro.
fession could be honourable. But he spoke of the profession
at large, and most emphatically, of the part which had been
especially alluded to by his liearned. Friend. No profes-
sion in the world, lie was bold to say, could be more hon-
ourable than that pert of the profession of the law. Among
the members of it he had found' men of the nicest sense
of honour and propriety; anti if he were called upon to'
select from the whole range of those he had come in plant
with, men of the highest and most deserved estimation, he
should choose them front the profession of the law, and from
among that part of it.—(Applause.)—lt would be invidious in
him to mention names, nor was it necessary, when he saw many
around him who enjoyed reputation equal with the highest
characters in the kingdom. Those who had paid attention to hie
conduct would do him the justice to say, that he had been as
zealous to do honour to the general merits of that profession as
he had been adverse to the few who disgraced it ; and he would
not conclude without paying the tribute of his applause to an
Institution which did credit to its Members, many of whom
he saw present, and which had done much to raise the profes-
sion above all suspicion. He should conclude by proposing a
toast, which, though it might seem i like drinking them-
selves," lie should venture to give—he meant The Profes-
sion of the Law ;" and might it long continue to enjoy the esti-
mation which its utility .merited. (The Learned Gentleman
suit down amidst loud applause.)
" The Profession of the Law" was drank with three times
three.
Mr. ATCUESON proposed " the health of Mr. Bickersteth,"

0e1,44111141 who had .tendered iuo.t efficient service to the
Instinnien. It was drarik-with three times three.
Mr. Bine...Lean:TlE, in a few -woreli, returned his thanks for
the honour cenferred and expressed his anxious
tune for the success of .so laudable an object. -
On the proposition of Mr. ArcitEsON, " the health of Mr.
Kirkpatrick,' the Actuary, was drank with great regard.
Mr. WILSON- said, he rose to propose the health of that most
useful and exemplary officer, the Secretary. In such an as..
sembly it was wholly unnecessary to dilate on the services and
merits of that Gentleman. The Society had experience of his,
active zeal and unwearied activity in furtherance of its interests.
Ile ehould therefore satisfy himself by merely proposing " the
health of Mr. JaMes Anderton"—(Loud cheers.
The CHAIR litAN (Mr. Scarlet° said, that, as his time was
exhausted, he had requested a Learned Friend of his to pro..
pose the toast, in his name.
The health was drank with three times three.
Mr. A erDEIII ON assured the company that he. duly appree
ciated the high honour bestowed upon bun. It was the object
of his ambition to obtain that distinguished mark of their ap—
probation, and he valued the obligation the more when he -ed_
verted to the respectable quarter from which' the proposition
originated, as he knew it sprung spontaneously from that
Gentleman's honourable feelings. Ile (Mr. Anderson) looked
back with great satisfaction to those efforts which he with few others had made, in order to effect the accomplishment of
that purpose, the good effects.of which every day's .progress
was manifesting.
.The original proposers had two great
jecta to stimulate their etfbrts. The first was to effect that
cordial and permanent union of the profession of the la,W—
(Hear, hear!)—the result of which must be to dissipate those
vulgar and unfounded prejudices that had too long existed. in
the public mind ; for it was notorious that formerly lawyer
could scarce make his appearance in a country town or village
that he was not made the object of some base sarcasm or coin.
ment. The union of ouch an enlightened body naturally legit.
to the acknowledgment of its respectability; and he was most
happy to say that that great object lied been most successfully
accomplished. The second object of the, Institution was to
induce 'those who perhaps never contemplated any such pro.
jeer, namely, making an assurance on their lives, to adopt
such a security for their families. Professional men, ab.
sorbed in the conduct of extensive causes for others, seer-,
often slow in adopting such a course for themselves; hut the
very establishment of an Institution, of which their own body
were the Praprietors, constituted an inducement for them -
to
take a step which so many would find to be eventually- be.
neficial.—( Hear, hear, hear !).—lrnhore generations would yet
probably bless the originating of an Institu don which secured
the widow and the orphan against the viciseitades of life.
—That desirable speculation had been . most successfully -
carried into effect, and it was not too much to anticipate its
progresetive extension over every part of the kingdom.. In
taking an active part towards the wablishment of such an In.
stitutton, be should ever feel a considerable share of satisfac.
tion ; and in having those of estimated by the approval
of that meeting would be to his latest hour a source of neVer.
failing gratification. Ile .knew Low much the prosperity of
the InstitUtion was indebted to the zealous services of a
number of gentlemen whom he saw around him ; but he cou!i
not sit down without bearing his testimony to the able advh
and unwearied exertions of that sturdy champion of integrity,
Mr. Jonathan Brundrett—(Bear, hear, trout all parts of the room.)

3fr. SCATtIATT, 11h.BnCittO/lAsl.,and several other Gen. tlemen then retired, accompanied by the grateful and vivid ex-
pressioni of regard from every gentleman present.
Mr. PREsToar,:late Member for Ashburton, and the learned
author of the Treatise on Conveyancing, succeeded Alr. Searlett
in the Chair.

The Company continued in the enjoyment of all the hilarity
whieh'good wine, excellent vocal talent, and enlightened con'.
verse could produce, until nearly twelve o'clock.

ERCANTILM SHIPPING.

. _
• . DtaL, S.E.--Arrived and sailed for the
River the Agincourt, Mahon, from Bombay • and Georgiana,
W ' arren llcrbice, the latter has had, part of her cargo. wa4teit
overboard. • The, Delight was expected to sail the latter end of
October. Came down from the River and 'remain the Castle:
Lachlan, Smith,. for Jamaica; Brothers, Cummings, 'Rio ;
Pusey Hall, Head, Dominica; Thomas,Bell, St. Vincelit's ;
and Cicero, Plunkett, tin Honduras.
POUTA,3IoUTLI, OCT. b.—Wind S.—Arrived the
Hutchinson, from Oporto ; George- WTashington, .Whitnev
Havannah ; Jack Tar, Downs; strel, ditto; Brunawia,
from Quebec; Governor Harcourt, W lson, Demerara ; Mari.
anne, Gardner, New Zealand ; Hector, Howl tt, Guernsey ;
Betsy, Frith, Tobago; and Nprth Briton, Met icon, Virg n a,
all with loss of sails and other dam,ge ; also arrived the John,
Cowen, from Quebec; Dart, Cox, Smyrna; Juliana, C ut,
Downs ; Deveron, Wilson, Neal South Wales; :Enda
Barclay, Norway; and the Fame, .—..-, from Hull, the 11.. t e •
with her cargo shifted, having been on shore. Sai.edlho Jack
Tar and Catherine Green, for Jamaica.
PLYSIOUT OcT. 4.—Wind W.S..rrived t'
bernla, Gillesl,T 'from London for PotanyW Boy,'A with da
Lucy Day idsoa, t ,e Downs for the, (.41,e of
Good llope ; and the American vessel Augusta, from the East
Indies fur Holland, with damage.
FAL MOLT OcT. 4.1-Wind S. \V.—Arrived the Adrian,
Gordon, for Van. Diemen's Land, with loss of. bowsprit, fore»
mast, main top-mast, rigging, sails, bulwarks, &c. Bce.;,
• ner, Churchland, from ?lavrc; Marshal Blucher, Davuo from
Plymouth ; and Mary, (,!nick, from Cork. Sailed
ander, Longmaid, thr Lzwitern ; Dash, • Webster, and Four
Friends, Itobcris, fur London. Off the port the Deierou,
Wilson, from Port Jackson, sailed tith June.

The brig James and 11Inry, Plurntree, fro.n Caen to iletr.
castle is on shore in West May, Dungeness. '
The Globe, of Sunderland, went on sllct:e in Swansea Bay
the 2d instant., and broke to pieces.
The Friends, Richards, from Poole to Liverpsol, wes.,aban.
cloned oil the Lizard, and afterwards sunk.
The P.:ast India Company's ship Repulse, outward.beund,
arrived at Bencoolen on the 16th of June. • ••
Yesterday a Court of Directors was held at the East India
House, when the following Captains were sw, rii into the corn.
mend of their respective ships, viz.:-.Captain tieorge
stead, General Harris, St. Helena, Bencoolen, and China
V. Campbell, Duke of York, Bombay and China ;Volta,
Shepherd, Berwickshire, Bengal and China John Levy.,
Astell, China.