The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-07 00:00:00

late Capt. Gr. Gds.; Lieut. Henry Raper, R.N., F.R.A S.;
Captain G. Parlby, H.P., late 4th Dragoons; Captain
Percy Grace, RN.; Sir Charles F. Forbes, M.D., K.C.H.,
&c.; Captain M. H. Sweny, R.N.; Major-General H.
G. A. Taylor, C. 8., Madras Army.
Then followed an abstract of the accounts, and a list
of the subscribers to the lecture theatre.
The adoption of the above report having been moved
by Captain LLOYD, R.N., and seconded by Lieutenant
NICHOLSON, it was unanimously adopted.
The SECRETARY, in answer to a question from a
member, said that the institution was free from the pay-
ment of rates and income-tax. He then read an alter-
ation proposed to be made in the rules, to the effect that
the rooms should be open daily for visitors, but the li-
brary
for members only, who would have access to it
throughout the whole year until 10 o'clock at night.
This having been agreed to, the next subject brought
under discussion was a motion proposed by Captain IV.
F. WATKINS, of the Bombay Artillery, to the effect that
the widow of their late porter, John Wilson, who had
died while i❑ their service, should be put on pension.
The Gallant Captain went on to say that the widows
of private soldiers did not receive any allowance from
the Government. He thought that the Hon. Members
of the institution would be glad to have the opportu•
nity afforded them of assisting the widow of their ser-
vant, and called upon his Gallant Friend, Captain
Grover, to second his resolution.
Captain GROVER said he would decline to second the
resolution, as he had been one of the members of the
Council appointed to inquire into the circumstances.
Captain L'RILPOTTS then seconded the resolution.
Major CLARK said, that it appeared that there had
been some neglect in this case, as the housekeeper had
considered that the deceased, while in a fit of apoplexy,
WAS tipsy, but so soon as the mistake was discovered
very assistance was given to the unfortunate man. A
Council had been summoned, in which the case was
gone into, but they did not think they would have been
justified in expending the money of the institution for
any other purpose than that for which it had been sub-
scribed by lion. Members; and to show that the Council
had done all in their power in the present case, he would
call upon the Secretary to read the minutes of the
Council assembled upon that occasion.

The SECRETARY having read the minutes,
Major CLARK stated that, in addition to the trans-
actions there recorded, the Council had paid to the
widow of the deceased the sum of five pounds towards
the expenses of the funeral.
The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution.
An Hole. MEMBER inquired what was the number of
the family of the deceased ?
Capt. WATKINS stated that there was a large family,
but that they were all provided for.
Colonel Fox moved as an amendment that inquiry be
made into the pecuniary circumstances of the widow,
and that a book be opened in the hall for the purpose cf
receiving the names and amounts of those members who
would subscribe towards the relief of the widow.
Colonel HoLDswouTu seconded the resolution.
The CHAIRMAN, having put the original resolution
which was negatived, then put the amendment of Col.
Fox, which was carried unanimously.
Col. Fox then proposed that the management of this
subscription should be left in the hands of the Council.
Captain GROVER seconded the resolution, which was
also unanimously agreed to.
The following members were then elected to supply
the vacancies in the Council : Lieut. 11. Raper, R.N.,
F.R.A.S., Capt. M. H. Sweny, R.N., Major-General
H. G. A. Taylor, C. 8., Major-General W. D. Cleiland,
H.E.1.C.5., Col. Henry Godwin, C. 8., Lieut.-Colonel
Robert Barnewell, H.E.1.C.5., Lieut. Col. E. Sabine,
R.A., Major-General T. Kenah, C.B.
Major CLARK then stated, that with similar feelings,
though with not quite so much of the imperial mode of
expression with which the hero surveyed his Auritectica,
or golden house, so might the honourable members of
the institution now look upon the building in which they
were assembled. They would, however, obFerve a vacuum
as they came up the stairs ; and as nature abhor-
red a vacuum, so it was to be supposed that
Hon. Members would express their abhorrence of a
vacuum in this institution, by placing their names with a
certain figure or figures placed opposite in the book,
which was opened for the purpose of receiving sub-
scriptions towards building the new lecture hall.
He would, therefore, suggest that those favourable to
the object should put down their names for any sum they
pleased.
A vote of thanks was then passed unanimously to
Mr. Taylor, the architect, for his active and disinter-
ested exertions in behalf of the institution in the ex-
tensions which took place a few months ago.
The CHAIRMAN then declared that the business which

they had been called together to transact was con-
cluded, and again expressed his regret at the absence of
Lord Ellenborough. He was satisfied, however, that
nothing but the important duties which he had been
called upon to discharge would have kept him away.
The Chairman having left the chair, and Colonel
Holdsworth, one of the oldest members of the insti-
tution present, having been voted into it,
Major CLARK proposed that the thanks of the meet-
ing should be given to Sir Charles Malcolm for his
valuable services on that occasion. He was a practical
illustration of the memorable remark of Sydney
Smith with respect to Lord John Russell, that he would
take the command of the English fleet if it were offered
to him, for Sir Charles consented to take the chair imme-
diately on being informed of the unavoidable absence of
Lord Ellenborough.--(Hear, hear.)
The motion was seconded by Sir BENJAMIN SMITH,
and carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks, and the
meeting broke up.