The Sun.
London, England, 1848-06-19 00:00:00

ROYAL CALEDONIAN ASYLUM,
The directors and friends of tkis excellent institution
dined together last Saturday evening, at the Freema-
sons' Tavern, to celebrate its thirty-first anniversary.
His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch presided, supported
by many noblemen and gentlemen interested in its
progress.
After the usual loyal toasts,
The PRESIDENT, in an excellent speech, proposed the
" Caledonian Asylum, and may the offspring of the brave
never want a protector."
The boys and girls of the school were marched round
the room, preceded by Mr. Mackay, her Majesty's
piper, and the Noble Chairman called on the company
to witness their appearance, which certainl7 reflects the
highest credit on the officers of the institution; perhaps
they are the finest and healthiest looking children among
the many charitable institutions in London.
His GRACE, who evidently felt the force of the scene,
appealed to the company to testify their satisfaction by
contributing to its support. He said that this was an
institution unlike most of the same character—superior
in its management, and conducted on the best principles
of economy, combined with liberality, and altogether
above the common order of these institutions; and al-
though, generally speaking, other charities bad their
proceedings represented by the powerful aid of the press,
still the Caledonian Asylum needed but an inspection of
its fruits to satisfy its subscribers.
The toast was received with applause.
His Grace then called forward the boys and girls who
were to receive medals for merit and good conduct, and.
in a very feeling address presented them with the
pledges of reward, and then called on

Captain CHARLES FORBES, as a director, to report
more minutely the management and proceedings of the
institution. The Gallant Gentleman, who takes a sin-
cere interest in the welfare of the asylum, said that ho
would confine himself to the general heads, with a view
to place before them the necessity for increased zeal and
assistance to this most interesting national institution.
In looking at the expenditure of the asylum during the
last two years, and the diminution that had taken place
in the funded capital of the corporation, which appears
to have taken everybody by surprise, it is necessary to
take into consideration three most important points :--
First, the average number of children and domestics
during the last 28 years; secondly, the addition made to
that number daring the last two years; and thirdly, the
increase in the cost of all articles of provision during the
last two years. Now, for upwards of twenty years the
average cost per head for an establishment of 90 individuals
has been about 181. to 201., or 1,8001. per annum, and with
outlay in building about 2,2001. per annum. The addi-
tion made in the number of children during the past two
years has been 50 female children, and a corresponding
increase in the number of officers and servants, making%
with the boys already on the establishment, an
aggregate of 150 individuals, or an increase
of 60! During the last two years it is a matter
of history that famine prices have reigned in all amides
of provision, and difficulties have been experienced in
many institutions to obtain contracts. The average rate
per head increased in consequence from 20/ to 301. per
which, upon 150 individuals, gives 4,506/., or upon
h
extra children and household, a clear increase
upon u
r former expenditure of 1,8001. per annum, for
head,thet
e sixty
household,
oo u
sehold, and of 2,8001. upon the gross expenditure
in the year. The income of the institution has been
usually derived from the following sources :
From donations received at the annual Per annum.
dinner, and otherwise, about £4OO to £5OO
From annual subscriptions
From the Caledonian ball
From Stock invested, about .. 67o*

X 1,970

It will consequently be seen from this statement, that
it is incumbent upon well-wishers and friends to raise
additional annual subscriptions. The efforts of private
individuals connected with the direction and in the cor-
poration have, in many cases, been beyond all praise to
maintain and uphold the interests of the charity. There
are now in the Asylum :
Boys
Girls....

50

Children together
Officers and servants 9

The Gallant Captain
Individuals . .
140
'a report was received wi manse sheering. th int..
The Rev. Dr. CUMMING also appealed in the charity's
behalf ; and,
Mr. CooKE, the Government Inspector of Schools,
testified to the proficiency and excellent system of edu-
cation observed among the children.
The dinner and wines were of the best; and Duncan
Macnaughten, of the Grenadier Guards, acted as toast-
master, dressed in a handsome costume. His appear-
ance in that character had an imposing effect when
proposing the toasts.
The band of the Institution attended and played
various pieces of music during the evening, and Mr.
Wilson (although not there professionally), at the re-
quest of the Chairman, sang some delightful songs.
The amount of subscription received was about 850/.
• Now 6211. I Is. 3d.—or from Consols, 525/. 16s. 7d.,
Reduced, 95(. 14s. Sd.

DEPARTURE Or THE CAMBRIA•—The British and
Royal Mail steam-ship Cambria, Captain Harrison,
sailed from Liverpool on Saturday forenoon, for Boston,
via Halifax. She carries out the usual weekly Canadian
and United States mails, and about sixty passengers,
among whom are the Hon. Colonel Bruce, brother to
Lord Elgin, the Governor-General of Canada, and the
Hon. E. Stanley, son of Lord Stanley, who go out on a
pleasure excursion.

- THE ANNIVERSARY OF WATERLOO.—Yesterday
was the 33d anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo,
fought by the allied armies on the 18th of June, 1815,
and which victory consolidated the peace of Europe.
The colours of the Royal Horse Guards, the Grenadiers.
Cohistreams, and F usileers, were yesterday, in honour
of the event, decorated with laurel, all the men also
mounted laurel leaf in their shakos. The number of
men now attached to the household Brigade, and actually
present in this engagement, is reduced to forty.
Loss OF THEVACKET-SIIIP ASTORIA--On Satur-
day letters were received at Lloyd's communicating the
total loss of this fine, newly-built ship, 500 tons burden,
while on her first outward voyage to Quebec. The um-
fltriunate vessel was only launched at Sunderland in the
latter part of last year, a gentleman named Collinson
being the owner. She took her departure from Graves-
end in the early part of the spring with a number of
passt.ngers, and a cargo of merchandise insured for
70,0001. her passage across the Atlantic was as favour-
able as could be desired, and she had gained within 70
miles of her destination when the unfortunate event oc-
curred. It took place on the night of the 11th of last
month, when running along the coast of the Little Fox
river in a gale of wind from the westward. A thick mist pre-
vailing prevented observations of the ship's course being
taken, in consequence of which she got too close in, and
ran ashore on a mass of sunken rocks. She struck vio-
-ently several times, producing the utmost consternation

among the passengers and crew. Her masts were cut
away, in the hopes it would lighten the vessel and she
would float off, but she remained fast, and, the weather

continuing boisterous, soon beat in her bottom, and she
filled with water. The following night an attempt was
made by a gang of desperate wreckers to plunder the
wreck and the stores, which had been saved and landed
on the shore. They came down in large numbers, and
the master of the Astoria had to direct his men to fire
on them to disperse them : some, it was said, were
badly wounded. By the last accounts from the master,
it appears there is not the smallest chance of the vessel
being saved, and she was immediately expected to ge to
pieces.
FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE LIVERPOOL ZOOLOGICAL
GARDENS.—LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY.—This morning a
melancholy accident occurred at these gardens. The
stupendous elephant, Raja, the finest animal of the kind
in Europe, was chastised by his keeper, Richard
Howard, slightly, for some disobedience. The animal
immediately resented, and struck his keeper to the
ground, crushing him to death afterwards with his foot.
This is the second keeper within a few years who has
been killed by this elephant, who was generally exceed-
ingly tractable, and walked about the gardens on gala
nights with an Eastern car behind him. The Messrs.,
Atkins immediately resolved upon destroying the
animal, and, for this purpose, two ounces of
prussic acid and twenty-five grains of aconite were
administered to him in a bun ; but beyond
slight uneasiness for about five minutes, the elephant
did not seem to be at all affected by the poison.
After waiting three-quarters of an hour, and finding
the poison was not likely to take effect, it was deter-
mined to shoot the animal. A detachment of the 52d
Rifles, who are at present stationed in Liverpool, were
sent for, and twelve men having entered the den, they
waited and fired. The animal staggered, and leant
against the den. Another dozen riflemen entered and
fired. This brought theranimal to the ground, and he
died instantly. The poor man who has lost his life was
literally flattened, every rib in his body being broken.
Amongst the gentlemen who were present when
the animal was destroyed was Van Ambnrgh, who
is at present fulfilling an engagement at the
Theatre Royal. There were also several medical
gentlemen in attendance to assist in destroying the
animal. The animal cost 800 L eleven years ago, but was
worth more than 1,0001.
FIRE NEAR GUILMIALL.—ShortIy before six
o'clock on Saturday evening a fire broke out in the
extensive range of buildings recently known as the
Bassishaw-chambers, in Basinghall-street, which closely
adjoin the eastern end of Guildhall, and for some time
placed that ancient structure in danger. The flames,
when first discovered, were issuing from the back win-
dows of the second floor, in the occupation of Messrs.
Forestine and Co., German merchants and importers of
foreign clocks. Immediately on the outbreak the hose
was attached to the fire-mains belonging to the various
engine-stations of the brigade, &c.; but although their
attendance was speedy, and the supply of water abun-
dant, the flames continued to burn with great fury,
until the whole of the upper part of the premises in
which they originated was gutted, and the adjoining
buildings on either side damaged by fire and water.
Messrs. Forestine and Co.'s stock is stated to have area
extensive, and their loss is estimated at 5,0001. The
building is insured in the Phoenix Fire office, but it was
not known last night in what office the stock is insured.
The origin of the fire is believed to have been caused
through the flooring of the warerooms being covered
with Russia matting, and a number of foreign ',gentle-
men having been smoking there in the course of the
afternoon.
MARTLEBONE VESTRT.-013 Saturday the Rev'.
Dr. Spry presided, when the debate upon a petition to
Government, to send to the colonies paupers and others
out of work was again resumed. Mr. Standford, Mr. H.
Wilson, Mr. Joseph, Mr. St. John, Mr. W. Williams,
Mr. Haikes, and Mr. Glazier having addressed tha
Vestry, the debate was again acourned.