The Sun.
London, England, 1833-06-03 00:00:00

ARTISTS' GENERAL BENEVOLENT

INSTITUTION.

The anniversary dinner of the Artists' General
Benevolent Institution took place yesterday at Free-
masons' Hall. Among the friends and patrons of
this excellent charity present, we noticed the Earl
of Shrewsbury, Earl De Grey, Sir M. A. Shee, Sir
W. Beechey, Sir Harris Nicolas, Mr. W. Ord,
M.P., Mr. Wilkie, R.A., Mr. Daniel, R.A., Mr.
Phillips, R.A., Mr. Westmacott, R.A., Mr. Etty,
R A., Mr. Stanfield, R.A., Mr. Robinson, F.S.A.
and F.G.S., and other distinguished professional
gentlemen.' About 150 gentlemen sat down to
dinner, the Maigiiis of LANSDOWNE in the chair.
The usual loyal toasts were proposed from the
chair and drunk by the company with all the
honours and amidst general plaudits.

The Earl of SHREWSBURY, in proposing the
health of the Noble Chairman, pronounced a just
eulogium upon so distinguished a patron of the arts.
The cause of a benevolent institution like that which
had congregated so great a number of the brightest
ornaments of the fine arts, could not be but greatly
advanced by the pre-ence in the chair of a Noble-
man whose extensive patronage of the arts and
sciences was too well known to require further com-
ment. He therefore, without dilating upon those
advantages, should beg leave to propose the health
of the Marquis of Lansdowne.
The toast was received and drunk by the com-
pany amidst the most enthusiastic plaudits.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE returned thanks.
Nothing could be more giatifying to his f elings
than to be enabled by any means, however slight,
to contribute to the advantage and prosperity of
this nis,ittition, which was one of benevolence and
charity. He need hardly remind the assembly he
had the honour to address, that if ever there was a
profession which, in its honourable but adventurous
career, was most exposed to the accidents and straits
of fo.tune, it was the profession of the arts; anti
that, notwithstanding the evidence of advancement
of fortune and character attained through that pro
fession afforded by the toilliatit examples present
(ornaments both of their profession and their
country), much talent Wag doomed to languish in
obscurdy, or be cut off by privations betore that
ta'ent could be turned to profit.—(Applause ) The
object of this institution was to extend relief to all
di4tressed artists, as well as to their widows and
fam!lies, merit and distress constituting the claims to
its benevolence. Such an institution could not fail
to advance the arts, because its relief enabled the
artist, undisturbed by dis ress, to preserve unim-
paired those powers of imagination which were the
foundation of his art,—an art more than any other
subj; ct to the caprice of public favour.—( nippiouse )
H- felt persuaded that on the present occasion no
indifference would be shown as to the importance
and utility of such a society, and he would h.g to
proprose us a toast, " Soccess to the Artists' Ge-
neral Benevolent Institution."—(Loud applause.)
The secretary (Mr. ROBERTSON) then read the
report of the subscriptions collected in the room,
which, including those of the Noble Chairman,
guineas, the Earl of Shrewsbury 101, and Earl De
Grey 101., amounted .o 5641. 4s.
The Noble CHAIRMAN proposed " Success to the
Royal Academy," and connected with the toast the
he WI of its President.

Sir M. A. SHEE ackniiwledged the compliment
in appropriate terms, and was warmly greeted.
Seve.al other appropriate toasts were proposed
from the Chair, and the utmost harmony p-rvadrd
the entice assembly. The proceedings of the evert-
ing were considerably enlivened by the vocal efforts
of some piofessiondl getelemen.
The Noble CHAIRMAN, accompanied by the other
distinguished personages to whom we have alluded,
left the room at half-past 10 o'clock, and shortly
afterward the company separated.