The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-09 00:00:00

WEDNESD'AY EVENING, JUNE 9, 1847.

DINNER TO M. SOYER.
Last eren;ng, a dinner was given to M. Soyer, at the
Ta.vern, p,g,'e t. uy his frie,tl.s ano
admirer, to commemorate his philanthropic and disin-
terested exertions for the relief of the poor in Ireland,
and likewise for the amelioration of the condition of the
destitute in every other civilised country.
At seven o'clock, about 150 gentlemen sat down to
dinner, E. Smith, Esq., in the chair ; Captain White and
H. Powell, Esq., acted as vice chairmen. On the right
of the Chairman sat the honoured guest, M. Soyer.
Among those present we observed, T. De la Rue, Esq., W.
Pilmer, Esq., E. Mo-s, Esq., Miser). Esq., Nicoll,
E-q., Dr. Wats W. Absolon. Esq., C. Dutton, Esq., G.
Atkins, Esq., Williamson, Esq., &c. &c. The tables
were richly set out with a magnificent service of gold
and silver plate, and table ornaments, which were gra-
tuitously furnished for the occasion by Messrs. Hunt
and Roskell. The gold candelabras and epergnes
were superb, and the effect they produced was grand in
the extreme. The musical department was combined in
Messrs. Jolly, Genge, F. Smith, and Moody.
The toastmaster was Mr. Higgs. The dinner
was of the most recherche description, in
fact Messrs. Bathe and Reecho seemed to
have made it a point of honour to, if possible, surpass
themselves. They knew they were in the presence of the
greatest artiste in the world ; they were determined to
maintain their ancient reputation, and they not only
did so, but they added to it.
In proposing the health of " the Queen," the CHAIR..
MAN explained that he had been called upon to occupy
the chair at a very short notice from Sir Andrew Leith
Hay, who was to have occupied the chair. A letter bad
been received at a late hour, expressing the kindest senti-
ments towards M. Soyer, and the deep regret of the writer
that it would be utterly out of his power to join them on
that occasion. Under these circumstances, he (the
Chairman) had taken upon himself the onerous duties of
presiding over their festivities, and he trusted to their
support to enable him to conduct :the proceedings of the
evening.—(Cheers.) He concluded by proposing the
" Health of the Queen."—Drunk with three times three,
and one cheer more.
Air—" God save the Queen."
The other loyal and national toasts having been drunk,
The CHAIRMAN rose to propose the toast of the even-
ing, " The health of M. Soyer."—(Cheers.) It was
with the utmost diffidence that he ventured to
address the assembly. He never until that moment so
completely felt his his own inefficiency, never had he more
ardently wished that some person of high rank, of great
eloquence, had filled the chair.—(Cheers.) Still he
thought there could be no mistake as to the object of
their meeting.—(Cheers.) They were met together to
do honour to one who had deserved well of the country
—(Cheers)—who had devoted his time and talents to
the alleviation of the sufferings of his fellow creatures.
—(Cheers.) Their friend had been opposed in his be-
nevolent exertions, but he had persevered and succeeded.
—(Cheers.) He had read of the misery which
the destitute were suffering he thought he could
alleviate that misery, and with untiring energy in spite
of opposition, in spite of sneers, he had carried out his
plans, and had alleviated that misery.—(Cheers.) It
should, moreover, be remembered that all that
that gentleman had done had been done at his own
expence.—(Loud cheers.) He had read of the misery
which the Irish people were suffering, he thought he
could relieve that misery, and set his talents to work.
He drew his own purse-strings, and out of his own re-
sources alleviated it. Whatever he had done hitherto,
had been done at his own expense.—(Cheers.) Up to
this moment M. Soyer had not received the fraction
of a coin for anything he had done.—(Loud cheers.)
He said not this as a reproach to any public bodies. M.
Soyer had received the most kind support from the Go-
vernment of the country. and whoever would have been
in power, he believed he would have received the same
support ; because, in a case of this sort, the Government
would always act irrespectively of politics, and he be
lieved that, eventually, they would repay M. Soyer
his expenses, so that he should not be a loser
pecuniarily speaking by his exertions for the relief of
his suffering fellow-creatures. He begged to propose
the health of M. Soyer.
Drunk with three times three, and one cheer more.
M. SOYER then rose and spoke as follows.—
Gentlemen,—lt is with the most grateful feeling that
I rise on this occasion to return my sincere thanks to
you for the high honour you have conferred on me this
day, and specially for the warm and hearty expression
hich has been delivered in your name by your much
esteemed and worthy chairman. Relative to my mis-
sion in Ireland, the duty I had to perform in Dublin
was only following the laws of nature, which is to re-
lieve the sufferings of our fellow creatures, whilst it is
in our power. On this important subject lam delighted
gentlemen, to inform you that, my economical principle
of pfoducing cheap food for the poor, has far surpassed
my first anticipations; and though, at the present time,
from 20,000 to 25.000 poor are daily relieved without
the slightest confusion from the central kitchen,
in Dublin, all the city depot being supplied with various
kinds of wholesome and nutritious food before ten o'clock
in the morning, bread included, and that with a saving
of above one penny a head per day, compared with the
old system of preparing food in the unions. I beg to
observe, gentlemen, that this economical plan is still in
its infancy, the above being performed in my small
model kitchen—small, I say, comparatively speaking,
when I consider to what extent I could carry it out with
a trifling more expense of machinery, hands, and fuel.
To give an idea, gentlemen, of the simplicity of my
system, in making and delivering cheap food for
the millions of poor, I shall do myself the
pleasure in a few minutes to present to every gentleman
round this cheerful board, a correct drawing of my model
kitchen, as it is now in full operation in the capital of
Ireland, adding to it the little pamphlet of my charitable
cookery, which will correctlyexplain its details, and also
remove the erroneous ideas now existing amongst a few
of the multitude. My economical receipts were published
for the poor and labouring classes of society, and not for
the wealthy; but merely as a medium by which they
might assist the destitute in their struggles,
having written for the latter a large book on
gastronomy at one guinea, and for the former
a small one at sixpence ; and I cannot better
illustrate my meanings than by quoting from the last
work the following lines :—" Economy with the affluent
in time of distress is a crime, whilst doing good with
little is a virtue." And at the end of my receipts is as
follow :—" More meat may be added by those who can
afford it, as I am a great advocate that every trade
should flourish, and that wealth should always support
luxury." My model kitchen, gentlemen, having within
these few days been removed from the Royal Barrack's
esplanade (where it was temporarily placed) for its trial
to the most populous district, will enable me not only to
supply a larger number of poor, but to add ovens
to bake bread of my composition of an ex-
cellent quality, and at a very cheap rate, and
for any number of people it may be required. This
bread may be composed of any farinaceous sub
stances, and has been already submitted to numerous
noblemen, gentlemen, and relief committees, and espe-
cially to several doctors and chemists, who have all
approved of the taste, natural composition, and powerful
content of substantial nutriment, which has been baked,
and tasted round this board. I have also made experi-
ment of a very important nature, and may venture to
affirm, that I have succeeded in preserving any quantity
of fish, which will keep for six months at least, without
deteriorating the nutritive and gelatinous substances
of that wholesome food, which I must say, with
pleasure, is now, and was much approved of by the poor
whilst I was in Dublin, beincs dressed according to the
several receipts I published there. Consequently the
use of fish on a levee scale will not only encourage
fishery, all through Ireland, but must give employment
to a vast number of people who are willing to work,
and must have the effect of keeping up the spirit of in-
dependence of the people, by giving them an oppor-
tunity of purchasing the food at cost price only, and
thereby support gratuitously the infirm and destitute
poor that Providence has afflicted the most ; dying
for want of food when in possession of a fer-
tile soil, and surrounded by a rich and magnificent
ocean teeming with life which is given as food to man,
is a sin to our Creator. Gentlemen, my return to
Dublin having been unavoidably postponed for a short
atime
happy.th rou g m
however
h ye a
tov heavy
say, that
tat w
thhe
the Reform
pa tr
nCalgueb ,
of
the Government, and the spirited benevolence of the
Dublin Relief Committee, my ideas will be carried im-
mediately into operation. You will be gratified also to
hear that I have had application to erect a similar
kitchen in Vienna and Hamburgh for the same purpose.
Allow me again to express the gratitude I feel for the
honour that you, gentlemen, have conferred upon me on
tho present occasion ; it will for ever make me, if pos ,
Bible, more zealous in this important cause. With the
greatest sincerity, I most cordially beg to return you
my most heartfelt thanks for having so kindly invited
me to this magnificent, hospitable, and festive board,
which is, and ever will be, deeply engraved on my
memory.
Various other toasts were then drank, and shortly
after eleven the Chairman left ; and Capt. White, the
vice-president, was then voted into the chair, and the
festivities were kept up to a late hour.
During the evening some bread manufactured accord-
ing to M. Soyer's receipt was handed round the room.
It had been made for fourteen days, and was as moist
and sweet as though it had been made only one. The
cost of making bread upon M. Soyer's plan is thirty per
cent. cheaper than by the ordinary method.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.—On Tuesday evening
her Majesty's box was occupied by the Earl and Countess of
Shelburne, the Countess of Mount-Edgcumbe and Miss Field-
ing. There were also present the Duke of Devonshire, Duke
and Duchess of Beaufort and Lady Blanche Somerset. Duke
of Rutland, the Marquis of Douro, Marquis and Marchione44
of Ailesbury, Marquis of Granby, Earl of Malmesbury, Earl
and Countess of Egmont, Countess of Chesterfield, Earl
Bruce, Earl and Countess of Granville, Earl and Countess
of Wilton, Countess of Tankerville, Earl of Wiuterton,
Countess Dowager of Essex, Count Potocki, Count Louis de
Noailles, Viscountess Newport, Viscount Dupplin, Viscount
Templetown, Viscount Cantalbipe, Lord Elphinstone, Lord
Carington, Lord Foley, Lord and Lady Sondes, Lord G.
Manners, Lord H. Lennox, M.P., Lord A. Lennox, Lord E.
Bruce, Lady W. Powlett, Mr. and Lady Charlotte Denison,
Mr. and Lady Caroline Maxse, Lady Suffield, Hon. J. For-
SS
Sir
For-
tescue, Hon. D. Astley, Hon. Captain Vyvyan, Hon. Eliot
Bathe,
Yorke, M.P., Captain the Hon. James Macdonald, Captain
the Hon. St. George Foley, Lady Palmer and Miss Palmer,
James Lady
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Sadhset; w Stewart,
Captain Osborne, M.P., Mr. H. Yorke, M.P., and
Mrs. Yorke, Mr. E. D. Protheroe, M.P., Major and Mrs.
Mountjoy Martyn, Mr. Henry Baring, M.P., Mr. Charles
ri3ahloSasseimr
Hen
Greville, tilt. J. Lloyd Clayton, &c.
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RobertaJodrell,dG
IMPROVEMENTS Or GEE EN WICII HOSPlTAL.—Yes-
terday workmen were employed, by order of the commis-
sioners of Greenwich Hospital, in the demolition of the Ship
Tavern, the Lord Ligonier 's Head, and other buildings in
Fisher-lane, Greenwich, to form improvements in the line
I of, and in addition to, the river‘ frontage of Greenwich
I Hospital.