The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-31 00:00:00

ASYLUM FOR IDIOTS.

Last evening an institutor} festival in hJnour of this
really humane and disinterested charity was held at the
London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. The chair WAS
occupied by the Right lion. Lord Robert Grosvenor
(in the absence of his Royal Highness the Duke of
Cambridge, who was most reluctantly prevented from
attending in consequence of severe indisposition). The
company was not so numerous as was expected, but the
subscription proxies far exceeded the anticipations of
the committee. A splendid dinner, with excellent
wines, were provided for the occasion, and ample justice
was done to both. The convivialities of the evening
were enlivened by some excellent singing, and the duties
of the toastmaster were discharged with great efficiency
by the younger O'Toole.
Amongst the gentlemen who supported the chairman
at the cross table were—Sir George Carroll, Mr. Sheriff
Hill, George Thompson, Esq., M.P., Sir James Clark.
M D., Dr. Forbes, Dr. Conolly, Dr. Little, Samuel
Amory, Esq., S. B. Brooke, Esq. The cloth having
been removed, and the various loyal toasts disposed of
with becoming enthusiasm,
The noble CHAIRMAN rose to propose the toast of the
evening, " The Asylum for Idiots, and may it live and
prosper." He said many thoughtful men had met
frequently in that hall for purposes similar to that which
had called them together that evening, namely, to provide
against the various infirmities that flesh was heir to, and
on !looking at the noble charitable institutions in which
the metropolis abounded, it was admitted that only one
link in the chain of benevolence was wanting, that
which they had met to celebrate the adoption of, and to
support and maintain by their influence and personal
contributions.—(Cheers.) Previous to this, however,
the condition of the unfortunate idiot had been over-
looked ; and by the experiments which had been made,
not only in this country, but in France, Germanyo and
Switzerland, the interesting feet had been established
that the idiot might now be educated.—(Cheers.) The
Noble Lord then proceeded to quote a variety of in-
teresting facts in reference to this subject from the works
of Dr. Scott and of M. Seguin, the principal of •
similar institution in Paris, and concluded by making an
impressive appeal to all present on behalf of the funds
of the institution.

The toast was then drank with great afflause.
Sir GEOROB CARROLL proposed " The health of
the Chairman," who returned thanks, and afterward?
proposed, " The health of the President and Tice-Presi-
dents."

GEORGE Tnompsost, Esq., M.P., returned thanks,
and spoke with great eloquence and feeling, and at con-
siderable length, in support of the institution and the
claims of the poor idiot, who, he said, instead of being
made the prey of the vulgar, the vain, and the inconsi-
derate, should be the first objeets of care and culture
on the part of the wise, the humane, and the religious.
" The Health of Mr. Sheriff Hill."—(Cheers.)
Mr. Sheriff HILL returned thanks.
" The Health of the Medical Officers."

Dr. CONOLLY returned thanks, and gave an interesting
and affecting amount of the progress of the Institution.
" The Health of the Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Reed."
Dr. REED returned thanks, and read an account of the
subscription, which amounted to about 700 L Amongst
the principal contributors were his Royal Highness the
Duke of Cambridge, 20 guineas; Baron Rothsckild, 10
guineas; D. Salomons, Esq., 10 guineas; Mr. Sheriff
Hill, 10 guineas; Sir G. Carroll, 10 guineas; S. P.
Brook, Esq., 10 guineas; Sir J. Clark, 10 guineas; Dr.
Sutherland, 10 guineas, &c.
A well executed view of the house and grouuds,called
Park House, Highgate, was exhibited over the head of
the chairman during the evening, and attracted very
general inspection. The asylum is calculated to accom-
modate between seventy and eighty inmates. Then,
are vacancies for six to be elected in April next, but the
number of applicants Already amounts to seventy, show-
ing the extent to which the dire affliction of idiotcy exist
in the metropolis.
Dr. LITTLE having returned thanks fbr the board of
directors, and Mr. TYLER for the stewards, the company
shortly afterwards separated.