The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-01 00:00:00

FRIDAY EVEgING,

real nature of the diplomatic proceedings of Lbrd
Castlereagh, and :0 we have got rid of his corn-law
so we trw.t ttr.t. we shall ere long get rid
of his otherhandiwork, the treaty of Vienna,
and then there may be some probability
that the affairs of Europe will be established upon a
permanent, because upon a natural and just basis.
" Fuss in a Book Club" is an attempt to put down
Miss Martineau's book on " Eastern Life" by sheer
and mere abuse. The writer, like his hero, the
Hon. and Rev. John Murray, contents himself
with saying that the book is a mischievous book, but
never points out in what the mischief consists, nor,
although he expresses a wish " for a strong refuta-
tation" of all the errors ,which it contains; does he
himself attempt to adduce a single argument in
refutation of any one of them. " The .Army and the
People, No. 2," is a well written exposé Of a few of
the grievances under which the unfortunate soldier
suffers from the petty, teazing tyranny of ignorant,
inefficient, and, therefore, martinet officers—" a
vile fellow," to use the words of Sir Charles
Napier, " who worries his men, fellows whom
soldiers hate, men who ought to be hated."
The piper on the " Life and Works of Leopardi" is
an interesting biographical memoir and review of the
works of one of the greatest poets and philologists of
modern Italy, the patriot-poet of despair, the laureate
of death, the Dante of the 19th century, who died at
Naples in 1837, at the age of 89. We have then an
amusing paper descriptive of the Christmas festivities
in Russia, and the first of a series of articles on the
Austro-Italian question well worthy the study of all
who take an interest in foreign politics. The present
paper gives a history of the various Italian states,
from the treaty of Utrecht to that of Aix-la-
Chapelle, showing the decline of the. Spanish, and
rise of the Imperial power in Italy, and
the constant and systeniatic encroachments of the:
Dukes of Savoy in attempting to carry out the am-
bitious project which every head of that family has
entertained, of making himself King of "Lombardy
first Piedmont, then portions of LornbarclY.an4
Man-
tua, then Sardinia, with the title of King,. then.
Genoa, were obtained by this ambitious family, and
Charles Albert, in his recent invasion of Lombardy,
was but carrying out the hereditary policy of his
house. " The Inundation of Pest," and " Yeast " are
brought to a conclusion in this number, which con-
tains a condensed but well-written summary of the
current history of the month.

DECEMBER

THE SCOTTISH HOSPITAL,

The 183 i ant ivennrY dinner ofthis mot excellent
charity was celebrated yesterday, St. Andrew's Day,
at the London Tavern, under the mast brilliant
auspices, since on no former .occasion did f o great.a
number of Scotchmen, and Englishtren (fur the
charity has received most liberal aid from the natives
of South Britain) congregate within the walls of any
bui!ding to do honour to the Scottish Hospital. The,
managers, anxious to promote the increased prosperity
of the charity, obtained the ready aid of the Lord
Mayor, Sir James-Duke, himself a Scotchman, and a

warm supporter of the institution.. It being the first
public dinner in connexion with the charities of the

metropolis to aid which his Lordship has presided, a
vast number of worthy citizens, Scotchmen as well as
Englishmen, stepped forward to support his Lordship.
The announcement that upwards of 400 persons par-
took of the banquet will not be received with sur-

prise ; certainly- those who know what ScGtchm- en
can do when they " put shouleer to shoulder," will be
prepared fix such a fact. The large room of the
Tavern was therefore crowded almost to inconve-

nielice.nt The arrangement of the tables across the

room, and the utmost economy of space, failed to give
more than elbow room to each man. The room was

beautifully decorated with the national arms and ban-
ners, spears, targets, and Tartan scarfs of all the

leading clans. The gallery was graced by many
beautiful ladies. It was remarked that not one wore

,he Tartan, except to the extent of a ribbon or a

scarf. Seventy or eighty gentlemen wore the kilt. The
Lord Mayor took the chair at half-past six. He was
supported on the right by M. Monthrot,
attaché to the French legation, and on his left by
Alderman Copeland. The Chisholm was croupier.
Amongst those present we observed:—Captain Forbes,
Chisholm •Anstey, Esq., M.P. (who wore the kilt) ;
Lord Dudley Stuart, M.P.; the Hon. J, Melville,
Mr. Alderman Finnis, Sheriff ; Sir C. Malcolm,
General Milman, Mr. B. Cabbell, M.P. ; Mr. Moffatt,
; Major Campbell, Captain Denham, R.N. ;
Captain Dalzell, R.N. ; Captain Lamont, R.N.; Mr.
Alexander Thompson, the Rev. Dr. Stebbing, Mac..
donald, of Inch ; Mark Boyd, Esq. ; Charles Logan,
Esq. ; Tulloch, Esq.; Archibald Master, of Car-

lisle, &c., &c.
Due justice having been done to the dinner, which
Well sustained the high renown of the London Tavern,
The LORD MAYOR gave the " Queen," which was
received with the utmost expressions of loyalty. He
said on looking over the list of those who bad aided the
charity, he found that the Queen had been a liberal
supporter of the charity ever since she came to the
throne—(Loud cheers)—an act which demanded their
gratitude and loyalty. It was a source of great con-
gratulation that no strife existed between the subjects
and their Sovereign, and:it was a proud boast for the
people of Scotland to be enabled to say that whilst the
nations of Europe were engaged in civil strife,
the Queen of England could go to her retirement in
the mountains of Scotland and remain thereas secure

as if she were surrounded by:her soldiers. He might
say that there was nothing but affection in the breezes
that floated over the heather and blue bells of Scot-

land.—(Loud cheers.) No doubt her Majesty would
long continue to visit their native land, and his hope
was, and he was sure it was echoed in the heart of
every Scotchman, that her Majesty might long reign
over a happy and united people.—(Loud cheers.) lie
then gave " The Queen."
• The toast was drunk with true Scottish enthu-
siasm.

The toast of "The Queen Dowager" (whom his
Lordship said had been a liberal subscriber to the
charity for the last 30 years) followed, and was equally
well received.

The LORD MAYOR then proposed "The health of
Prince Albert," and said he was glad to find by an
Aberdeen paper that his Royal Highness had become
a Highland laird, which he was sure would endear
him still more to Scotchmen.—(Loud cheers.) Since
he had become a Highland laird, whenever he came
among them, he was satisfied they would give him a
Highland welcome.—(Cheers.) He begged to couple
with the toast, " Albert Prince of Wales, and the rest
of the Royal Family."
The toast was drunk with Highland honours..
The LOBD MAYOR next proposed " The Foreign
Ministers." The French Ambassador had been unable
to attend, but he sent them his private secretary.—
(Cheers.) In giving the toast, his Lordship said—
Since they had no right to quarrel with the mode of
government 'which other countries chose to adopt, it
was their duty to treat the representatives of those
Governments with the utmost respect.—(Cheers.)
He could not forbear calling their attention to the
kind invitation he had received from the National
Guards, on his accession to office, to visit Paris,—
(Hear, hear, and cheers.) He trusted they
would reciprocate the cordiality of feeling they had
evinced towards this country.—(Loud cheers.) The
recent speech of the French Minister would, he be-
lieved, do more to promote the peace of the two coun-
tries than twenty diplomatic negotiations.
M. MARTHROT returned thanks in French. He
said the French nation looked upon the people of this
country with the utmost respect, and he believed that
nothing would tend more to their mutual advantage
and the preservation of peace than the existence of that
reciprocity of feeling and communication to which his
Lordship had adverted.—(Cheers.) Whenever they
might come to Paris they would find a hearty
welcome.—(Cheers.)
The LORD MAYOR then proposed " The Army and
Navy."—(Drank with the usual honours.)
General MILLMAN returned thanks on the part of
the army; and Admiral Sir CHARLES MALCOLM on
behalf of the navy.
The LORD MAYOR then rose and said—Gentlemen,
I rise to bespeak your indulgence whilst I endeavour
to address myself to the toast of the evening. If any-
thing is more gratifying to me than another, it is to
have the honour of presiding over such an assembly,
gathered together for such a purpose, on the
first occasion of my taking the chair at
a public dinner since I have been called
to the position I have the honour to hold. lam
proud, not only to take the chair on an occasion like
this, but lam proud—l may say lam especially
gratified—to see myself surrounded by so many, dis-
tinguished men who have gathered together here for
the purpose of supporting this charity—(Cheers)—
and I hope the Gallant General will not be offended
if I say 1 think he took an unfair start of me in ad-
dressing himself as he did to the ladies.—(Laughter.)
I wish to address myself to the galaxy of beauty that
adorn yonder gallery—(Cheers)---and 'to beg that
they will consider—notwithstanding the humble in•
dividual who. is. now.addressing them—how they can
best promote the prosperity of the charity, since, but
for their countenance and support, it iwould never
have flourished to the extent it has.—(Cheers.) I ain
sure, if they will merely smile upon it, and interest
themselves in so good a work, that it cannot fail to

prosper.—(Cheers-.) Gentlemen, it is unnecessary
for me to detain you by wearying you with any ob-
servations on this excellent charity, which has been
so long acknowledged as one pre-eminently deserving
of your support. It was founded nearly 200 years
ago, and has since then been supported with more or
less success, but always doing a great deal of good.
—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, it had its origin in that
feeling which I trust w ill long be cherished in Scot-
land and amongst Scotchmen when far away from
home—namely, aiding each other.—(Cheers.) I believe
it was in that spirit, and for this laudable purpose,
that first induced a few Scotchmen, here in London,
when railroads did not bring their own land so near,
or enable them to pass so frequently as they now can
to and fro—it was an equally rare thing to see a
Scotch Lord Mayor—(Prolonged cheering)—to com-
bine together for the purpose of helping their
destitute fellow-countrymen in the metropolis ;
but whether those resident in London visit
Scotland more frequently than they did, or whether
those in Scotland come more frequently to London
than in former days, I hope none of us shall ever
forget this institution which is so peculiarly Scotch.
My excellent friend the secretary, Major Adair,
who is most indefatigable in the discharge of his
duties—(Loud cheers)—has informed me that this
charity provides for no less than 100 poor persons—
to whom it gives a pension of 101. a year, and
30 more aged persons receive 81. a year
each. Now, gentlemen, my experience tells me that
there is nothing so difficult as to discriminate in the
distribution of charity. The benevolent are always
subject to the basest deceptions by the idle and unde-
serving, but this excellent charity employs its funds
in succouring the aged above seventy years, when it
is impossible anything like imposition can be prac-
tised.—(Hear.) It is the means of preventing many
industrious, deserving men from being compelled to ,
adopt that der-144er• resort, the poor- house. Many
most industrious and deserving persons, I need not .
tell you, become ultimately so distressed, from no
fault of their own as to have no other means of sub-
sistence ; and, herefore it is incumbent upon those
whom Providence has blessed with wealth to spare
out of that abundance something towards comforting
old age. (Hear.) These are always the feelings
that actuate me whenever I consider the applications
to me for charity ; and I am sure, if you take
into account the labours of this institution—
the numbers it has relieved and the numbers it has
helped back to their native home—you all agree with
me that it peculiarly deserves your generous support ;
for we all know well that nothing is more gratifying
to a Scotchmen than to be enabled some time or
other to visit his ancient home.—(Cheers.) Though
he may be carried there on a bed of sickness, and pre-
sent himself there as an object of charity, yet
still it is satisfactory to him to be enabled
to die in old Scotland.--(Cheers.) Gentle-
men, these are the objects, the laudable objects,
lis ancient institution. I am sorry it has not
been so well supported as it so richly deserved. On
this ccoation I am happy to know that this large and
-important assembly have gathered here on this occa-
sion to kindly mark the respect whichlhey -entertain

1, 1848..

for ti:e office which I hold.. I. trust they will allow
me, Sco'xhinan, to-ritreat-theol,to rally round the
lx•t i,stitution se 1.V.:.: c f thelind --(Cheers.)
friend nor me TelltiLICIS me that «hen I advert to
tiro institution sending Scotchmen home, I should
also mention that about three hundred are relieved a
month as casual poor.—(llear, hear.) Now, gentle,
men, I have said that I have had some expe-
rionee of the poor ,of this . metropolis; and
though not here to make ,harsh observations c r
cpmparisons with respect to any country, yet I
cannot help remarking that but few Scotchmen apply
for relief.-_—(Hear.) I remember being present on
an interesting occasion at a public dinner, and mak-
_,
ing mention of the power of foreign countries, of the
magnificent wealth of our own, of her immense
commerce, which is wafted to every shore, and of the
vast importance and greatness of London, but
I added, if you ask me what dues Lon-
don most , honour, I would tell you that
it is her charitable institutions.— (Loud cheers.)
Now, gentlemen, what charitable institution is more
deserving of support than the Scottish Hospital.—
(Hear, hear.) IVe know there are many Scotchmen
in London, and therefore do not let it be said that
the only institution in London, peculiarly
wants any lack of support.—(Hear, hear.) lam glad,
however, to say, that we are not solely indebted to
Scotchmen for support, because I know that many of
our friends who have no connexion with Scotland
hive come
.forward to support it.—(Hear, hear.)
Scotchmen, we all know, have the greatest disincli-
nation to receive charity, and that they never accept
it except when driven to do so by stern necessity.
The distress you are called to relieve, is, therefore,
of the, most urgent and of the most necessitous kind.
It is unnecessary for me to detain you with any fur-
ther.observations, except to state that,.as you must be
aware, the population of this town is greatly increas-
ing, and I am happy to know the number of Scotchmen
are also increasing. (Hear and laughter.) This
iOtitution has increased detnands made upon its
funds. I hope,,therefore, I shall have the happiness
to night,
.when I leave .this chair, to End, . that I
have made a successful appeal on ~behalf- of this
excellent charity ; and although I cannot . call
upon the secretary to wait upon the ladies with
" book and bag," yet I count upon their assistance. I
am sure you will all add to the pleasures you
have, enjoyed this evening, this [additional, one, the
" luxury of doing good." 7-- (Loud cheers.) I ask
you to join me in a bumper to " Prosperity to the
Scottish Hospital and its Noble President, the Duke
of Montrose."

-The toast was drank with the utmost enthusiasm.
The CurssoLm, who is treasurer to the charity,
returned thanks on behalf of the Noble President
(s ho was unable to attend), and the other principal
supporters of the hospital, and expressed his regret
that the Noble Duke himself was not present, to add,
by the power of his tried and practised eloquence,
fresh fuel to the flame already kindled by his
Lordships's able appeal from the chair in be-
half of the Scottish Hospital. (Applause.)
He hoped the company would sanctify this
banquet, and make it a feast of love and charity;
and, for his part, he esteemed it a high honour and
privilege to be enabled to do so.—(Cheers.) Certain
persons had slighted the claims of this charity, on
the ground that it possessed resources in the funds—
they withheld their support from it, because they
considered it was rich. Now, his reply was that it
was true the managers, in the exercise of that pru-
dence which was said'to be characteristic of Scotch-
men, had provided in some measure against the
immediate requirements of the institution ex-
hausting all their available means, still he could
only tell them that unless they received the regular
subscriptions of the benevolent, the society would soon
find its hands to be tied, and have to turn the
aged and necessitous unrelieved from its doors.
He appealed to their charity, not because they were
rich, but because they were poor, and, being poor,
they were prudent.—(Cheers.)
_ _

Lord D. STUART then proposed the " Health of
the Chairman" in a very complimentary speech, in
which he congratulated the citizens of London upon
their good fortune in having so able and talented a
Scotchman to fill the office of chief magistrate of the
first city in the world. Drunk with great enthusiasm.

The CHAIRMAN returned thanks in a very appro-
priate speech, in the delivery of which he was loudly
and repeatedly cheered.

The CHISHOLM then proposed " Prosperity to the
City of London," associating with the toast the name
of Alderman Copeland.
Alderman COFELAND briefly acknowledged the com-
pliment, and in an able address commented upon the
fact that London, whilst it derived deserved fame and
renown as the mighty emporium of the world's com-
merce, received perhaps its highest glory from the
circumstance of its holding out to the world an
example of benevolence and charity, commensurate,
to a lau.lable degree, with its transcend:.- t mercantile
and industrial celebrity.

The CHISHOLM proposed the " Sheriffs of London,"
which was responded to by Mr. Sheriff Finnis.

The LORD MAYOR gave the health of " Mr. Chis
holm Anstey, M.P.," who briefly responded.

The health of " The Chisholm " followed.

The. Cmsnar.st, in responding, alluded to the dis-
tracted state of Europe, and regretted that civil broils
had kd even to the shedding of blood on the steps c.f
the capital of. Rome, and to the life of the Pope being
menaced. With respect to Scotchmen, he would
undertake to say of them that whenever their services
were
.required in defence of the liberties of their
country, they would be ready to fight " shoulder
to shoulder," as in the days of yore.—(Cheers.)
The LOaD MAYOR then proposed " Prosperity
to the Caledonian Asylum." He wished to couple
with the toast the name of the great benefactor of the
institution, Sir Charles Forbes, who had not only
devoted his money, but his best energies, to raising
the institution to its present eminence.—(Cheers.)
Captain CHARLES FORBES said the Caledonian
Asylum had been appropriately termed the "twin
sister of the Caledonian Scottish Hospital, he trusted
it would long continue so. His father and family had
ever taken the most lively interest in the-velfare of
the institution, and, would, as they had heretofore
done, use their best efforts to.promote its increased
efficiency.—(Cheers)
Major ADAIR (the Secretary) .read a goodly list of
• subscriptions in aid of the charity already collected,
for the purpose of providing for the wants of the en-
suing year. Among the principal contributors were
—the Duke of Sutherland, the late President (half-
yearly subscription), 50/.; the Right Hon. the Lord
Mayor, 20 guineas;. Alderman Copeland, 10 guineas ;
Admiral Sir C. Malcolm, 10 guineas ; Lord D.
Stuart, 5 guineas, &c.
The company did not separate till a late hour.
Miss Ransford, Mr. Ransford, and Mr. Genge con-
tributed much to the harmony of the evening.
Mr. Cooper the well-known singer of Scotch
songs, also enlivened the company by singing some
good old songs in superb style.
Mr. Higgs was the toastmaster. • The embellish-
ment of the room was tastefully accomplished by
Mr. Douglas, one of the officers of the new society of
Scotch Archers.

THE ELECTRIC LlGHT.—Further experiments
were made last evening in Trafalgar-square with, this
newly invented apparatus for the production of light;
and vast crowds of astonished and delight, d foot passenr
gers assembled from all parts of London to witness the
extraordinary, elf, cts of this new and clever application
of eleetro-galvanism. The flame, although small, from
its intense whiteness and purity, is thrown, by means of
a reflector, a considerable distance down Whitehall ;
while in the immediate vicinity of Charing cross .a mann-
sctipt or small type may be perused with the greatest
facility and pleasure. The discovery is of very great
importance, and, after a short time, we should not be
surprised to bear of the total extinction of half the gas
companies in the kingdom.
INQUESTS.—Yesterday no fewer than five inquests
were held in the metropolitan districts. Two of these
were upon persons unknown, whose bodies were tound
in the river Thames; a man, apparently about 30 years
of age, six feet in height, and dressed as a lighterman,
and a respectably-attired woman, rather above the mid-
dle stature, about 28 years, attired in a stuff dress. The
Man was found on Monday, opposite the Fox-under-the-
hill, Strand; and the woman on Tuesday, off Uunger-
ferd, Pier.—A third inquest was held at St. Martin's
workhouse, on the body of Frederick Le Sage, aged 57,
who destroyed himself on Saturday night, at the Model
Lodging-house, George-street, Bloomsbury, by swallow-
ing laudanum.—A fourth on the body of John Herring,
aged 45, who, having gone out for a walk, was
after-
wards found drowned in the Surrey Canal, into which
it is supposed he accidentally fell, the banks being in a
cal ably unprotected state.—And the last upon the body
of Thomas Carrol, aged 40, a labourer in Covent-garden
market, who was, accidentally run over by a Piccadilly
oinnibus.j4rerdicts in accordance with the evidence were
severally returned.
THE SWELL Mon.—For some time past various
robberies have been committed in railway carriages, on
adjacent lines, supposed to be effected by small detach-
ments of the London swell mob, whose respectable dress
and often affable deportment elude all suspicion of the
purpose of their travelling. Two young wen of gentle-
manly exterior, who have been seen to take repeated
trips on the Edinburgh and Northern line, without any
apparant legitimate purpose, were apprehended by the
police authorities on Monday, and brought by Mr.
Moxey before the Magistrate on Tuesday, where failing
to give an account of their mode of living, or to make re-
ference as to character, they were awarded the highest
punishment the'- New Police Act inflicts on vagrants,
namely 60 days' imprisonment. This clause reaches all
cases where the party, having no employment, or ob-
vious means of living, is found wandering about idly,
and with a- suspicious purpose. No substantive act
could be alleged against the parties in question, but the
strong suspicion which attached to their manners and
conduct seemed to the Magistrate to warrant the putting
in force of this provision.—Caledonian Mercury.
There is a boy in Salem so bright, that his mother
has to look At "him through ti-piece of- smoked -glass.—
!Yew Ypik paper.