The Sun.
London, England, 1849-10-12 00:00:00

S U N

blishinents. When they had such an
they ought to congratulate theneselvk
such an acquisition, and when the.
sidered that not one death Lad occurred due
pest year, they mast he satisfied that the
been carefully selected. The possession of such an
officer was most important both to the policy-holders
and the shareholders—especially when they had to
deal with persons in robust and in an opposite state
of health.—(Hear.)
Mr. ALFRED SMEE (who was loudly cheered) said—
Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I must confess that I
always feel great repugnance at receiving votes of
thanks for the success of any professional services I
may have rendered, because that which medical men
have to deal with—life and death—is not altogether in
their hands—(Hear, hear)—and therefore they may
often obtain merit for that which is due to a much
higher power.—(Cheers.) However, gentlemen, I
observe, as we pursue science further in the cause of
our profession, every step we take convinces us snore
and snore that nothing in this great universe is due
to chance, but that everything is founded upon and
governed by immutable laws. It is our duty, as
medical officers to provident institutions of this nature
to make ourselves intimately acquainted with those
laws and their operation.—(Loud cries of " Hear,
hear.") Recently we have had passing over
this vast metropolis a devastating epidemic, not
equalled in intensity since the plague ; yet its
coming had been specially predicted ; maps were
prepared of the localities which it would most effect,
and medical men, before the scourge came, were
enabled to mark out the places where the disease
would decimate the people, cutting down whole
families at one " fell swoop." The result of my ex-
perience has convinced me that men who violate God's
holy ordinances, or outrage the laws of nature in
their habits or living, will certainly suffer. It is the
duty of the medical officer of an institution like this
to make himself, as .1 have said, intimately
acquainted with the laws of nature, and on those
laws to make their reports, as to the value of the
lives submitted to my examination.—(Hear, hear.)
I can say truly, and without reserve, that I have
done my duty to the society, and I accept the
flattering vote of thanks which you have been kind
enough to pass to me as a testimony on the part of
those who have been before me, and of the share-
holders at large, that I have used the greatest amount
of skill at my command, and.that I have done my best
to promote the welfare of the society.—(Cheers.)
Mr. TYLER proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. T.
H. Devonshire, the solicitor, which was seconded by
Mr. West, who complimented the society upon the
small amount they had charged for the legal expenses
incidental to the commencement of the office.
The motion was carried unanimously, and Mr.
DEVONSHIRE returned thanks.

It was then moved by I. LYNE lIANcocK, Esq.,
seconded by F. A. DAVIS, Esq., and carried unani-
mously, with much applause,
That the best thanks of the meeting be presented to
Mr. T. A. Pott, the founder of the Gresham Life As-
surance Society, and its present secretary, for the great
zeal and ability displayed by him in the formation of the
corporation, and in the subsequent conduct of its
affairs."

Mr. T. A. PolT briefly expressed his acknow-
ledgments for 'the mark of approbation and confidence
which they had so kindly expressed. He should al-
ways continue to devote his time and attention to the
interests of this society.—(Hear.)
A. vote of thanks was next passed to the Chairman,
who returned thanks, and the meeting separated.

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