The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-01 00:00:00

COURT CIRCU LA R.

ViTygnsoa, WEDNEsoiv.—Tkie Q4'o7 and Prince Al-
bert promenade.-1 in the vicinity of the Cstle precincts
previous to his Royal Highness going out to shoot, ac-
eompanied.by the Earl of Lincoln, Sir Robert Peel, the
Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, and Lord Rivers, and at-
tended by Majur-General Sir Edward Bowater and
Mr. Anson.
The fineness of the weather this morning permitted
the Royal Family to be taken for their early rides and
walks in the pleasure-J-on-ids.
The Right lion. Sir James and Lady Graham, and
the Right lion. William Gladstone, arrived at the Castle
to-day, on a visit to the Queen.
The r3yal dinner party at ae Castle this evening
will include her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent,
Lady Fanny Howard, and the Baroness de Speth.
The band of the Grenadier Guards will attend duri-g
dinner, and her Majesty's private band will afterwards
attend at the Castle.
Th.

-eir Royal Highnesses the Duke of Cambridge and
Prince George left to.vn for Coombe Wood, on a sho
jog excursion, yesterday morning, returning to tLwn in
the afternoon.
The Right lion. W. E. Gladstone arrived in town
yesterday morning from Hawarden Castle, Flintshire.
The Right Honourable Gentleman left town in the after-
noon for Windsor Castle.
Lord Granville Somerset arrived in town yesterday
morning.
Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening from the
Colonial-ocfice for the Governors of New Zealand and
Van Diemen's Land.

ADELPHI THEATRE.
Last evening a dramatic version of Dickins's
Cricket on the Hearth was produced at this theatre,
and with the most unequivocal success. It consti-
tuted the second piece in the evening's entertainment,
following the excellent historical drama of The
Lioness of the North, brought out a few nights ago.
The piece was placed upon the stage in two acts, or
"chirps," and is considerably shorter than the
Lyceum version ; though the plot, the arrangement
of the incidents, and the dialogue, are almost pre-
cisely the same. The condensation is a great im-
provement, and while no feature of importance is
omitted, the interest of the piece is considerably
heightened, as any tendency to flag that may have
been observed at the Lyceum is entirely removed.
The cast of characters was in the main
excellent; in fact, we have seldom seen a
drama better calculated to bring out the Adelphi
talent. The rough, but warm-hearted carrier, John
Peerybingle, was personated by Mr. 0. Smith—need
'we say that it would be difficult to find a better re-
rnerntative ? Mr. Lambert was Caleb Plummer,
into Psloamyed the part with very great effect, throwing
e of the scenes considerable pathos and
feeling, especially that in which he dispels the do-
mestic elysium he had endeavoured to create in the
imagination of his blind daughter. Mr. Cullenford
nsitardaen a respectable Tackleton ; and the part of the
ger, the son of Caleb from the Golden South
Mr.sey
Americasib . The personation
with great discrimination by
early personation of servility in the
part of the piece was an exceedingly good
display of histrionic skill. Dot, as might
be expected, was entrusted to Mrs. Fitzwilliam,
and well did she pourtray the lively, bustling, yet
deeply affectionate, carrier's wife. We have never
seen this versatile and excellent actress to greater
effect than in her assumption of this character. In
the interview with her husband, which is to separate
her under a false suspic'on from his hearth and
twine, the power and feeling she displayed drew tears
from nearly every eye of a densely-crowded
audience; while in the re-action that follows, the
abandonment with which she gives herself up to joy,
and the coy fondness with which she banters the
rude, yet kind hearted carrier, while she disabuses
his mind of all doubts and suspicions, were admirable,
and drew loud and enthusiastic applause from every
part of the house. Bertha, the blind girl, found an
excellent representative in Miss Woolgar ; and
Miss Taylor made a respectable May Fielding ; and
Miss E. Chaplin was the fair and graceful Fairy
Cricket of the Hearth. The scene in which the fairy
appears to Peerybingle was well managed, the tableau
called up to represent the domestic happiness of the now
disconsolate husband, was beautifully effected, while
the monitory passages put into the month of the spirit
were delivered in a very clear and intelligent manner
by the young lady in question. But it may be asked
where was Wright? Why was he not cast in such a
piece? Have patience, gentle reader ! so he was, and in
the very quarter where he should be. The feminine
graces and nursery skill of Miss Tilly Slowboy
were entrusted to his care, the consequence of which
was to keep the house in a continuous
roar of laughter whenever he was on the stage.
The dress, the manner, the action, and the barbarous
jargon employed to soothe and lullaby the young
Peerybingle, were all given in first-rate style. That
which in other hands would have been a little and
comparatively an unnoticed part, became in his
hands one of the most remarkable and best ap-
plauded of the piece. The scenery and mountings of
the drama were all that could be desired ; the interest
never in the least flagged to the denouement ; and the
curtain fell amidst a perfect whirlwind of applause,
which the
with which the piece concluded, and in
the Terpsichorean feats of Mr. Wright are
rather broadly brought out, having been rapturously
encored. The piece was announced. for every even-
ing without a single dissentient yAce. The Cricket
on the Hearth is a decided hit, and will, we are sure,
ior many a day shed the influence of its pure and
healthy spirit on the frequenters of this popular
place of amusement.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.
LONDON, DEC. 31.—Wind, pleasant breeze from the south
and westward, and fine.
DEAL, DEC. 30.—Arrd. John Dugdale, Kelleck, Singapore ;
Mary Stewart, Renwick, Saldanha Bay, with loss of sails
and jibboom ; Broad Axe, Newfoundland. Arrd. from the
river, 'Malacca Shettler, Madras, &c. ; Tanka, Medainet,
Rio Janeiro. The Borderer, Willis, from Shields to Aden,
struck on the Goodwin Sands yesterday morning, but got off
without apparent damage, and is now in the Downs. The
Rapid, Thomas, from London to Jamaica, got on shore on
the Muir near Dymchurch this morning, but was assisted off
without apparent damage, and brought into the Downs.
l'otrrssiount, DEC. 30.—The Taorwaldsen, Handguard,
from Copenhagen to St. Thomas, was in contact 28th inst.,
Off Beachy Head, with the Aurora, from Riga to Bordeaux,
latter cut through amidships and turned bottom up; crew,
except one, saved. Former put in here with loss of sails,
bowsprit, &c.
Sournimrrox, DEC. 30.—The Transit steamer, arrived
Isere from Havre, reports the supposed loss of the St. David
steamer from Havre to Liverpool, the body of the engineer
having been picked up, and. a trunk, known to have belonged
to a passenger, also sundry cases forming part of cargo.
NEWPORT, DEC. 30.—The Minerva, Rowland, laden with
iron for Liverpool, broke adrift, and drove athwart the bridge
and received damage. Will be surveyed.
BIDEFORD, DEC. 28.—Arrd. Three Brothers, Quance,
Prince Edward's Island.
• 2B.—Arrd. Caroline, Breton, Prince
lIAHACOMBE, DEC
Edward's Island. LIVERPOOL, DEC. 30.—Wind N.W., a gale.—Arrd. Jose-
phine, China ; Palatine,
Susan,
Lady Flora Hastings, South-west Lo
Wilde, Calcutta;t MoetrTifariita; Madras;
Laguina; I. Tura, Snow, New Orleans' ;aCsiliftop
Orleans ; Raja, Eldridge, New Orleans ; .
Walpole,lngeTS4,)lll,oNmeaws,
Britan-
nia, Orlears ; Albania, Wise, Mobile; Eli Whitney, Dyer,
Savannah ; Sarah and Arsilia, Balerman, Charleston ;
Coulthart, St. John's, New Brunswick; Ann, llolt,
John's, New Brunswick ; Indus, Strickland, Halifax ; Ann,
Prince Edward's Island. Off port, Monmouth, New Orleans ;
Tyron, Spear, Charleston.
MARYPORT, DEC. 26.—Arrd. Hannah, Kenzall, Quebec.
RAMSGATE, DEC. 30.—Th* Oceano, Lauri, from St. Pe•
tersburgh to Naples, and the Eugenio, from Newcastle to
Messina, which put in here yesterday, have become very
leaky.
DUNGENESS, DEC. 29.—The bodies of three men have been
picked up here, and part of a vessel is on shore to the west-
ward. A great deal of wreckage was passed on the 28th. A
ship's register, No. 109.141, issued at Newcastle, bearing the
signature of John Oliver,
PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 29. hasThbeeeNn picked up here. _
on Point Beech, but it expected ~ortoonff, Jnoehxntson
flood,, got on
withoutshore
damage.
LrvanFooE, DEC. 30.—The Ilectorine, Graham, from
Drumore to this port, was driven h inst.; mate drowned. The Richard,
of
thisore aptorFt,ofrrnby 27th
from
i
la
dlas, is on the rocks St the back of the Hilabre Island
crew saved.
LONDON, DEC. 31.—The brig Eliza, of Newcastle,supposed
to have been commanded by Captain Oliverr oCaptain
Fleming, ran on shore ott Jury's Gap station, nett:. Folkestone,
28th inst., and became a wreck ; crew supposed to be drowned.
A ship's spare topmast, painted lead-colour, length 40 feet,
and diameter 14 inches, was picked up 25th inst., off Folke-
stone, and a wreck, apparently of a brig, was fallen in with,
floating en her broadside, top side painted with a broad white
streak and large black ports, South Foreland, bearing
N.N. by N. 9.

THE PRINCESS ALICE.
The report of he Princess Alice steamerhav in g
against the Mo!e,t and received considerable damage, hasstbruecekn
contradicted. It appears she struck the
No liveslVestwerePier, o
lost
damaged her starboard paddle-wheel only.
:LOSS OF THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT STEAMER
PAPIN.
in addition to the particulars previously given respecting
t
the melancholy loss of the above vessel, the following ex
of a letter from Lloyd's agent at Gibraltar will be in-
teresting :
"It ;Appears there has been a dreadful sacrifice of lives;
and "132°')
gst the drowned are the new French Consul for
Mogadore
two passengers, and all the officers except one
midshipman; seventy-seven in all, Many were, however
,
saved by the laudabr . 7.eal_of Mr. Alexander
British-Vice-Consul at M .g.rran under
a,:
n,lhtoedmintahne, acting
- rran, under whom the Moore
acted in a praiseworthy and human: Tn"
TOTAL LOSS OF THE ENGLISii. SCHOONER
DYNAMENE.
The Admiralty have forwarded a dispatch to Lloyd's, corn-
rnunicating the total loss of the above vessel, on a sunken
rock, off I'ock Cess, on the 13th of September last.
The
crew, after receiving some cruel treatment from, and plun-
dered by the natives, were at last allowed to depart, and
were taken on board the Australian, where they 'received
every Possible kindness ; and, subsequently, the protection
of her Majesty's ship Lily, C. W. Newton, commander.
LOSS OF THE ELIZA. AND NANtAr OF DART-
MOUTH AND THE SYMMETRY, OF SUNDERLAND,
AND STRANDING OF THE HAIDEE, OF LEITH.
A dispatch received at Lloyd's, from the Foreign-office,
contains particulars of the above three vessels having gone
on shore oil the Island of Gothland and Faro. Crews saved.
Part of the cargo of the former expected to be saved, but
vessel a total wreck. The Haidee would undergo repairs.
111 Syrnmetry remained on. a dangerous reef, and no part of
CUP Likely to be saved.

ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE
NATIONAL MERCANTILE ASSURANCE

The anniversary festival' of the National ?ler-
-cant;le Assurance Asscciation took place on Tuesday
evening, at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street,
.+ illeoxson, Esq., in the chair.
Among those present we ebserved—W.Nicholson,
Esq., on the right of the chairman, and Mr. Alderman
Sidney on his left ; Geo. Moore, Esq., W. Lawson,
Esq., Edward Baker, Esq., Giles Redrnayne, Esq.,
Geo. Cursharn, M.D., Chas. Ray, Esq., D. hull,
Esq., Murdo Young, Esq., David Waddington, Esq.,
John Bragg, Esq., Edward Perkins, Esq., J. R.
Cuffley, Esq., John Stoker, Esq., E. Stockdale, Esq.,
Jam( s Walsh, EFq.; R. J. Mullidge, Esq., M'Cul-
loch, Esq., J. P. Massey, Esq., J. W. Brookes, Esq.,
A. D. Cuffley, Esq., W. H. Smith, Esq., A. Wilson,
Esq., &c.
The company began to assemble at five o'clock, and
shortly after that hour about 200 gentlemen sat down
to a dinner, which included all the delicacies of the
season, and which was put upon the table in the best
style of those first-rate caterers, Messrs. Bathe and
Breache. The wines, too, were of excellent quality,
and were supplied without stint.
Messrs. Ilobbes, Hatton, Hawkins, Machin, and
Master Norman were the vocalists (Mr. Hatton
presiding at the pianoforte), and Toole, the Toole,
was the toast-master, and, as such, surpassed all his
former doings as master of the revels.
The cloth having been withdrawn, and the " Bene-
dictus " having been sung by the vocalists,
The CHAIRMAN rose, and said that he had to pro-
pose as a toast the "Health of the Queen."—(Cheers.)
He was sure it was needless for him to say anything
more, for that was a toast that, in every assembly,
must be received with affection and loyalty.
Drunk, upstanding, with three times three. Air—
" God save the Queen.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the "Health of Prince
Albert."—(Cheers.) He thought her Majesty might
he justly said to have been most fortunate in hav-
ing allied herself with a prince whose conduct,
since his arrival in this kingdom, had been such as to
secure to him the good opinion of the public at
large.—(Loud cheers.)
Drunk with with three times three. Glee—"
Albert, hail."
The CHAIRMAN had next to propose the "Health of
that illustrious lady, the Queen Dowager," whose
many private virtues, as well as her great public
benevolence, had won for her the esteem of all classes
of the community. With the health of the Queen
Dowager, he begged to couple that of " the Prince
of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family."
Drunk with three times three. Madrigal—
is Sylvia ?"
The CHAIRMAN then rose and said, I am now about
to propose a toast of great national importance—" The
Army and Navy of England." I think it may be
fairly said that to these great branches of the public
service the country is indebted for much of its great-
ness in the scale of nations, and for much of its
commercial prosperity.—(Cheers.) It is owing to the
exertions of these services that our ships are found in
every port, bearing to us the fruits of the industry of
every clime, and that Britannia rules triumphant o'er
the waves.—(Cheers.) War, with its attendant
horrors, is ever to be deprecated (Cheers) --
and I trust that the day is far distant
when this country shall be compelled to have recourse
to arms to defend our national rights and our
national honour.—(Loud cheers.) But I do think
that it is to our army and our navy in a great degree
that we are indebted for the long and happy peace
which this country has enjoyed, and by which each
man has been enabled to sit under his own vine and
his own fig-tree, none daring to make him afraid.
Drunk with three times three. Grand chorus—
"To arms," which was rapturously encored.
The CHAIRMAN then said—Gentlemen, it is now
my pleasing duty to propose to you a toast in which
you are all much interested. I think it may be said to
be the one that has brought together this evening this
very large and very respectable company. lam sure
that you have already anticipated me, and therefore I
give at once " Prosperity to the National Mercantile
Assurance Society."--(lmmense cheering.) Through
your kindness last year I had the honour of filling
the chair at your annual festival, and it was my duty
to give you something like an account of the rise
and progress of this Society, of the difficulties which
we had encountered— of the fiery ordeal through
which we had passed—the tempest in which we had
been tossed and buffeted, and which, at one time,
almost threatened the dissolution of the Society. But
now a more pleasing task devolves upon me—
thanks to the moderation, temper, firmness, and de-
termination of a little band of your Directors, only three
in number, who stood up for what they Con-
sidered the defence of your rights and liber-
ties (Immense cheering) -- against a fearful
majority of the then board of Directors we have
been enabled to overcome every difficulty, and to hand
over to you, your society uninjured and unimpaired.
—(Loud cheers.) It is therefore my pleasing duty
this evening to endeavour to present to you something
like a sketch of our present position, and of our
future prospects.—(Cheers.) Early in this year the
Directors called the Proprietors together to exercise
one of the most important privileges with which
they are invested, the election •of four
gentlemen as Directors. You were then
pleased to elect four gentlemen as Directors, and I
congratulate you on your choice, for by that elec-
tion you obtained the services of men of sterling
worth, high business character, and unblemished
reputation.—(Cheers.) At that meeting it was re-
solved that a further increase in the number of shares
should take place, and, in consequence, your Di-
rectors have, since that time, issued 10,000 addi-
tional shares, the whole of which have been eagerly
taken up.— (Cheers.) It is gratifying to me to state
that we consider this as a great step gained, inasmuch
as it will add to our stability in the public estima•
tion, by increasing our pledged capital. (Hear,
hear.) This has not been a year in which life
as-urance associations have in general experienced
very great successes. This is to be attributed to the
large speculations which, during the first nine months
of the year, were made in railway shares. The public
mind seemed to be so absorbed in railway matters,
that the still more important subject of life insurance
was neglected. Things, however, have now come
round to their usual channels, and life insurance
associations have so progressed within the last three
months, that, judging from our own experience,
taking all things into consideration, I think that life
insurance companies have reason to be satisfied.
I now come to an important part of the business of
the evening. You know that it has been determined
by our constitution that periodically the Directors
should proceed to make a division of the profits of this
Society. The year 1846 is one of the periods fixed
for that division. It is my gratifying and pleasing
duty to be able to inform you that our funds, in con-
sequence
j re
i whose
in
devoting
of the exertions of our actuary (Mr.
usualtimeaexertionslto o t have y beenou r
service great indeed,
many
snore
particularlyhours
afterc
of business,
sinueso
ssihdaeveelabree to been placed edin
suchh e a
r the
t, position.
pro-
prietors
and policy-holders a most liberal bonus.—
This is neither the time nor the place to enter
( e
into further details on this subject but I feel called
upon to say that I feel confident that the bonus which
we shall be able to declare, must and will be highly
satisfactory to all.—(Loud cheers.) To our com-
mercial friends I would say, that I hope that they
will be stimulated to make exertions during their
journies through the length and breadth of the land
—to interest their friends and customers in our be-
half as far as they can do it.—(Cheers.) Their
hearts are with us.—(Cheers.) I know they will do
their utmost.—(Loud cheers.) Before I sit down I
may be permitted to say that the Directors have long
felt the want of larger premises, in which to conduct
the business of this Society. We have long been
seeking for premises in some leading thorougifare,
such as we ought to possess, but, owing to the many
public companies which have recently started, land-
lords have asked exorbitant rents, and we have ex-
perienced considerable difficulty in procuring premises
which will suit us ; but through the exertions
of our Directors we have at length been enabled to
procure eligible premises, which we hope to occupy in
the course of a few months. They stand in the
Poultry, with a frontage in Charlotte-row, and when
we get there I doubt not that we, with your zealous
co-operation, shall make this society what we all wish
it to be—one of the first in the city of London.
The toast was then drunk with three times three.
Oh, if there's a pleasure," beautifully
sunAg by
i r
.is Nr.
IL
cl
u.ol.l.l.soobNb Hobbes, an
e,
tpd thuroenudosfiatshtiecahlloy encored.
Mr.
had been Conferred upon him, in having the proposal
of a toast entrusted to im but he was sorry
it had not fallen into more re able hands, see-
ing as he did, around him
so
who were so much better able many gentlemen
gitenjtulestmiceen.
The toast he had to propose was " The Commercial
Travellers of the United. liingdome
He had him-
self for many years the honour of belonging to that
important, energetic, and noble class of men. For
forty years of his life ho had been one of that great
and important body ; but he believed that in his time
the body of commercial travellers had not possessed
one-ha it now
:.
no situation In life requiring
possessed. There ss -
the energy and importance which
. 41,r of a commercial
more energy and decision than -,der
traveller. They were required to exercise so
judgment and greater zeal to fulfil their duties pro-
perly than any other class of men were called on to
exert. It had been his happiness to belong to their
body for many years, although for the last eight or
nine years he had retired f.om public business as a
commercial traveller. But his former experience
justified him in saying that they were a most impor-
tant body—the representatives of the. commercial
world. There was no class of men th-oughout this
kingdom who ought to occupy a more important

"Who

situation in society thin the commercial travellers.
There were no men who had greater opportunities of
ascertaining the general opinions of the country, and
there were no men who were more called upon
to exercise a knowledge of human character.—
(Cheers.) It was the first duty of a commercial
traveller to look scrupulously to the characters of
those on whom he called, that he might know whom
to trust and whom to avoid. No class possessed a
greater influence than the class of gentlemen whom
he had the honour of addressing.—(Hear.) Through-
out their peregrinations they were looked up to as
men of superior information, and as exercising an in-
fluence on society which in general exceeded that of
any other class.—(Cheers.) He believed that they
were all willing to exercise that influence on behalf of
this Society, and therefore he would not detain them
longer, but would at once call upon them to drink
the toast.—(Cheers.)
The toast was then drank with three times three.

Mr. CUFFLEY, in rising to return thanks, campli-
mented his brother travellers on seeing so many men
o 1 influence assembled around there.—(Cheers.) Ile
was delighted that the toast to which he had to re-
spond had been proposed by Mr. Nicholson, a gentle-
man who had been known upon the northern road
for years, and who on that road, by his exertions in
behalf of his employers, had always been an example
for all commercial travellers, both old and young.
In proposing the toast, Mr. Nicholson, as one of the
Directors, had been pleased to say that they were a
powerful body. He (Mr. C.) believed that they
were a powerful body, and he felt assured that they
were willing to exert all their power in promoting
the prosperity of the National Mercantile Life As-
surance Association.—(Cheers.) He believed that
the Society was greatly indebted to the commercial
travellers, who had not only insured their own lives
in it, but had induced their customers and friends to
become its supporters.—(Cheers.) In fact such
Was the power of the commercial travellers, that if
they embarked in any enterprise with energy and
zeal, it was impossible for them not to succeed.—
(Loud cheers.) As an illustration cf this, he would
mention that the friends of this Society had endea-
voured to establish a school for the education of the
orphan children of commercial travellers. Four gen-
tlemen had come forward, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Carter,
Mr. Jones, and himself, with their subscription of ten
guineas each in support of this school. He had said that
if 100 gentlemen would come forward with 10 guineas
each, the school could be established. His scheme
had been treated as chimerical. But what was the
fact ? Instead of 100, they had obtained 250 sub-
scribers at 10 guineas each.—(lmmense cheering.)
He would not now appeal to them in behalf of that
school, altheugh he knew if he were to do so, that
he should obtain a great surn.—(Loud cheers.) But
lie would say, that he thought those who had origi-
nally set this school on foot were entitled to the praise
of their brother travellers—(Cheers)—and he hoped
they would show that they appreciated the exertions
which had been made by subscribing liberally to
the school fund.—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. ROBERTS rose to propose the health of the
Chairman. He wished 'that the duty of proposing that
gentleman's health had fallen into abler hands ; still,
he would do his best to express his feelings respecting
the excellent character of that gentleman.—(Cheers.)
On every occasion on which he had come in contact
with him, he had experienced the greatest kindness.
All that he (Mr. Roberts) had seen of Mr. Wilcoxson
showed that he had the best interests of the Society
at heart.—(Cheers.) If the commercial travellers
would do their duty, as Mr. Wilcoxson had done,
their success would be placed beyond the possi-
bility of retrogression. However flattering it might
seem to Mr. Wilcoxson, it was his (Mr. R.'s) duty to
inform them that had it not been for his firmness,
energy, and perseverance, the Society would not have
been in existence now.—(Bear, hear.) He only men-
tioned these things to remind them of the obligations
they were under to their chairman.—(Hear.)
Under these circumstances he had very great
pleasure in proposing the health of that gentleman,
and he was sure they would receive it with warmness
and enthusiasm. Before sitting down, he would
refer to one pleasing incident of that day's proceed-
ings. It was in reference to the school. They had
laid the foundation of what would yet prove one of the
best schools in the country, and hundreds of children
yet unborn would have reason to bless them for the
establishment of that important institution. It would
enable parents to procure a good education to their
of spring, however much they might be afflicted with
disease or impoverished in circumstances. Without
further trespassing upon their attention, he
would propose " The health of their excellent Chair-
man, Mr. Wilcoxson."—(Loud cheering.)
The toast was drank in the most enthusiastic man-
ner, and accompanied with every demonstration of
respect. _ _

The CHAIRMAN then rose to return thanks, and
was greeted with renewed and most enthusiastic bursts
of applause. When silence was restored, he said—l
rise, under feelings of great excitement, to express
thanks for the very kind and enthusiastic manner in
which you have noticed me, and to say how exceed-
ingly gratified I am at the warm and cordial manner
in which you have received the mention of
my name. Were any further inducement re-
quired to stimulate me to greater exertion in your
service, such a striking manifestation of your feeling
and respect would be an additional incitement. You
all well know the position I have occupied in this
life assurance company. It has been till within the
last twelve months often of a mixed and painful cha-
racter. There has been much to encounter, much to
endure ; still, the strong and undeviating sup-
port of two of my brother directors, Giles Redmayne,
Esq., and Edward Baker, Esq., who, with a large
majority of the proprietors, supported me, and en-
dowed me with sufficient moral courage to stand by
the interests of the company, to fight its battle and
to obtain the victory.—(Loud cheers.) As long as I
possess the confidence of the proprietors, so long shall I
employ every exertion to improve the condition and
advance the solid interests of this assurance society,
and I am proud in the result of this day, when I see
ranged around me at this friendly board so many of
my friends among the commercial travellers.—
(Cheers.) lam certain, with the gigantic efforts you
have made, and with what we are yet able to accomplish,
we must and shall command every success that is de-
sirable. Thanking you for the kind wishes you have
expresssed, in return I beg leave to drink all your
very good healths. The Hon. Gentleman resumed
his seat amidst loud and general applause.
Glee—" The Chough and Crow.
Mr. WADDINGTON then rose to propose the
health of the Directors. He regretted that
some other party had not been entrusted
with the toast who would have done it greater
justice. Still, when called upan to speak, he was
much gratified in having to appear before that as-
sembly to propose such a toast. He would not detail
the reasons why they should respond to it, as he was
sure, when he told them it was a vote of confidence
in the management, it would be quite sufficient.
From what he knew of the past circumstances of
the Company, he, as one, must say the Directors
were entitled to support, and that the meeting
ought, as a mark of respect, to drink their healths in
a bumper toast.—(Cheers.) If they considered
the onerous positions those gentlemen occupied, the
attention they had bestowed in conducting this public
isno se ti
ei ttuyt,i ohne,
wi nu s conjunctionwerewith
n t
itthl
eedi rt
to
set
vaenrdyi nin
mg a
r k
of consideration and respect. When they found a
gentleman among them so highly respected as the
Chairman, along with those by whom he was sur-
rounded, and when he (Mr. Waddington) told them,
also, that that gentleman was a man who had risen
from the ranks, and had led an active and useful life
for forty years, he was proud to have that oppor-
tunity of calling upon them to honour the toast he
was about to propose. Looking to what the society
had been, and to what it now was, and well knowing
what life insurance companies ought to be, they would
perceive the great obligations they were under to the
Directors. He had most sincere pleasure in propos-
ing " the Health of the Directors," and hoped they
would find the amplest support from the Proprietors
in carrying out the good work in which they were
engaged.
The toast was drank with all the honours.
Mr. GILES REDMAYNE, returned thanks. He said
that Mr. Alderman Sidney, who had been entrusted
to respond to the toast, having been obliged to leave,
he (eh. Redmayne) was called upon to reply, and he
would not, therefore, shrink from the duty. He was
not prepared to say much on behalf of the board
after the excellent speeches which had been deli-
vered ; but this he must say, that with his
friend, Mr. Wilcoxson, he had stuck well to the ship
—(Loud cheers)—and had got her under fair sail
again. They had left their adverse gales behind, and
found the vessel under fair sailing, and with few con-
trary winds.—(Cheers.) He had great gratification
in meeting them that night, and felt deeply interested
in the interest and welfare of the soc;ety. He be-
lieved the Directors had done their best to advance
the interests of the whole body. There was another
point to which he would refer. It was the school. It
would be most gratifying for them to know, that in
the event of their death, their children would
be well provided with the elements of know-
ledge, or if they did not secure these advantages to
their own offspring, they would at least be secured
to the children of the widow and the orphan.—
(Cheers.) They did not live for themselves alone,
formbuotrep::
ral7 benefit of others; and what could be
worthy than to provide those with know-
ledge who were not able to provide it for themselves.
Shouldosctheira s
oczl families not require the advantages
of
they were establishing, if
any of their brethren should die, and leave a widow
with a ranailv, it was a very easy thing to
subscribeu6vgir,ide
cia which the children so left
ftinZutly be enabled to enjoy the
blessings of CdUeatiori.—(Loud cheers.) lift was
not prepared to Illtiiio a lonF speech, and would,