The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-04 00:00:00

LONDON ORPHAN ASYLUM.

- •
The anniversary festival of this institution was held
last evening, at the London Tavern. The chair was
taken by James Capel, Esq., and amongst the gentle-
men present were Mr. Kemble, Mr. Pownall, Mr. lloare,
Mr. Drummond Majoribanks, Mr. Edward Majoribanks,
the Rev. Dr. Hesser, the Rev. J. H. Hall, the Rev. C.
Mackenzie, &c.
The enthusiasm of the company on the drinking of the
Queen's health was very marked. Whatever may be
the opinion of Republicans and rapid Revolutionists, it is
evident that doctrines subversive of the peace and order
of the country find no sympathy amongst the middle and
upper classes of society in England.
The same feeling was manifested during the speech of
Mr. KEMBLE, who drew a parallel between the character
of the English and French populace, at the same time
contrasting the stability of the former with the insta-
bility and misapplied enthusiasm of the latter. Daring
the whole of this gentleman's speech there were long and
hearty cheers.
The prospects of the charity, as it would appear from
' the statement of the Chairman, are not at the present
moment, of the most brilliant kind. The expenditure
exceeds the annual revenue, and the public are solicited
to lend their assistance to the maintenance of a charity
which has peculiar claims upon their sympathy and sup-
port. The institution commenced its labours with four
children only as the recipients of its bounty, and now the
number has increased to 370. The permanent income
is only 1,500/. per annum, while the annual expenditure
is between 7,0001. and 8,0001. The value of the institu-
tion is seen in its universality, for it is not confined to
the inhabitants of London alone, but it is open to all
the world. There are at the present within the walls of
the institution, Africans, Americans, and Irish. The
institution has further claims upon the charity of the
public, for its labours do not cease upon the removal of
the pupil, but they are exerted for six years after he
leaves the asylum ; a supervision which has been found
to be productive of the moat beneficial results.

Other speeches in favour of the asylum were made by
the gentlemen present, all tending to demonstrate its
utility, both socially and morally, to the children who
are entrusted to its care as well as to the well-being of
the community at large.
The evening was enlivened by the professional talent
of Miss Ranstord, the Misses 'Williams, and several
gentlemen of well-known celebrity. The commissariat
department was such as is usually found at this famous
rendezvous of the great meetings of London, and it gave
general satisfaction to those assembled to partake of its
excellence. The office of toastmaster was discharged
officially by Mr. Harker.
The subscriptions of the evening amounted to 1,2001

THUNDER-STORM AT LIVERPOOL.—A terrific
thunder- storm raged in this locality on Sunday last,
which, although very short in its duration, caused for 1
the time considerable alarm. The weather, up to five
o'clock on the evening of Sunday, had been remarkably
fine, and had attracted considerable numbers of the in-
habitants to the river boats, which were greatly crowded.
At live, however, the low, rumbling noise of thunder was
heard in the distance, which grew louder as it neared,
until it burst forth in all its violence over the town, ac-
companied by incessant flashes of lightning, which lit up
the whole horizon. The scene several times was most
imposing. Tho buildings shook with the effects of the
thunder, which, after lasting half an hour, passed away
to the eastward, and was succeeded by a heavy rain,
The American ship liindostan, at the Victoria Dock,
loading for New Orleans, was struck
.by the lightning;
her maintopgallant-mast was slightly injured. No other
=ideate are reported.