The Sun.
London, England, 1834-11-13 00:00:00

THE DISTRESSED POLES.

Yesterday a number of gentlemen assembled at Guildhall
for the purpose of promoting the object of aiding the dis-
tressed Poles now in England, by application to the City
authorities, to grant the use of the tjuildhall for a splendid
ball for the benefit of those unfortunate persons, M. W.
PEACOCK in the Chair

Lord Dudley Stewart, and several members of the Li-
terary Association of the Friends of the Poles, Mr. Fresh-
field, Mr. Charles Bleaden, Mr. Deputy Gorst, Mr. Ste-
vens, Mr. Pritchard, Mr. Williams, Mr. Fisher, and many
others of the most influential members of the Corporation,
and of different politics, attended for the purpose of render-
ing aid on the occasion.
The CHAIRMAN stated the object for which the gentle-
men assembled. It had occurred to some of the Corpora-
tion that as the hall was, in consequence of the entertain-
ment of the 10th instant, fit for the reception of a large
company, and as the •Lord Mayor had most warmly pro-
mised his support, it would be advisable to give a ball for
thekb'enefit of the distressed Poles, whose melancholy con-
ditton had so strongly excited the compassion of the pub-

Lc.--:(Cheers.) Triose who had fitted out the hall would
"take the necessary preparations at a very slight ex-
-pense, and every influential person who had been ap-
plied to for assistance had, in their disposition to serve
the Poles, nobly dropped all idea of political associa-
tion, so that all parties were ready to co-operate. Un-
der such circumstances, no doubt could be entertained of
the decisive success of- the experiment, which would be an
admirable commencement of the new mayoralty.—(Voud
cheers.) There was one circumstance which might, in some
degree, interfere with the grand object of relieving such
deep distress as that of those poor foreigners. Mr. Sheriff
Raphael had, with his characteristic liberality, promised to
give a ball, in conjunction with the Lord Mayor and Sheriff
Illidge, to the ladies of the city of London at the Guildhall.
Now, as such an entertainment would doubtless very seri-
ously interfere with the profits of the projected ball for the
benefit of the Poles, it would be advisable to apply for its
postponement.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Deputy GORST asked whether the consent of the
Court of Common Council was not necessary in order to
procure the use of the Hall ?
• The CHAIRMAN replied in the negative. The Lord
Mayor was custos of the Guildhall, and had the sole power
of consenting or rejecting ; and it was pleasing to those who
applied to meet with the most ready acquiescence. He
thought that it would be prudent to consult with Mr.
Raphael on the propriety of giving up the plan of a ball,
which might injure the cause they assembled to promote.
Mr. W. PRITCHARD said that no man could more
strongly feel the claims of the unfortunate Poles than Mr.
Raphael did, or more promptly acquiesce in the proposition
for their relief. Mr. Raphael, however, having some.time
ago promised to use his exertions and influence to obtain
the use of the Guildhall for a ball for the ladies, would ra-
ther incur the whole of the expense himself than agree to
y proposition for a postponement. The fact was, that
Mr. Raphael would himself be in attendance to promote by
his presence the object of the meeting, if he did not consider
that a construction would be put upon his taking any part
in it unfavourable to the promise he had made.—(Cheers.)
He (Mr. Pritchard) did not think that the cause-of the
Poles would be prejudiced by the determination of Mr.
Raphael not to retract under any circumstances.
Mr. STEVENS said that if two balls were to be given, one
of them gratuitously, and the other for the support of the
great charity for the Poles, he apprehended that the for-
mer would boast of a more numerous assemblage, notwith-
standing the noble spirit which reigned in the public breast.
—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. WILLIAMS, of Watling-street, thought that the sole
object of those around him ought to be to relieve the mis-
fortunes of the poor crowd of foreigners who were pining in
want. It would, he was convinced that it would, be most
grateful to the citizens of London to have the Guildhall ap-
plied to such a humane purpose, and he trusted that the
Corporation would make the, most strenuous exertions to
accomplish the object.--(Cheers.)
Mr. C. BLEADEN said that the occasion was one which
enlisted the sympathies of all, and that no party-feeling
had at all interfered with the disposition to assist those
'poor strangers, who were houseless, naked, and starving.—
(Cheers.)
Lord DUDLEY STEWART said that he attended the meet-
ing as the Vice-President of the Literary Association of
the Friends of the Poles. It was with the most heartfelt
pleasure he saw by the newspapers that the great object of
contributing to the relief of the dreadful necessities of the
Poles was taken up by the gentlemen of the city of Lon-
don.—(Cheers.) He agreed with Mr. Bleaden in the be-
lief that those who differed in politics would be found agree-
ing in this experiment, and ,he thought it- would be most
advisable to suggest to Mr. Raphael, whose liberality had
entitled him to so much respect, the necessity of postponing
this ball, as, if two balls were to be given successively, that
of the Poles would doubtless be attended by the smaller
number.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. STEVENS said he hoped that it would not go abroad
that Mr. Raphael did not most anxiously feel for the dis-
tresses of the Poles. If any persons had suspicion of the
kind, it would soon be removed.
Mr. FISHER said he was convinced that &benefit to the
amount of from 5001. to 1,5001. would be derived from the
united efforts of the Corporation and of the Literary Asso-
ciation, if proper exertions were made. He then moved
that the Lord Mayor's offer of the Guildhall for the be-
nefit of the Poles should be accepted.
Mr. WILLIAMS seconded the motion.
Mr. PRITCHARD stated that the general patronage given
to the ball would, in his opinion, supply the want of civic
patronage, supposing Mr. Raphael's ball should take place.
Mr. GORST said that he could not compliment the citi-
zens of London with the possession of any very powerful
sympathies for the distressed Poles, and he wished, there-
fore that a deputation should wait upon Mr. Raphael, to
assure him of the necessity of abandoning his project of
giving a ball.
The resolution was then unanimously agreed to, and a
deputation from the meeting waited upon the Lord Mayor,
who instantly agreed that the ball should be held on Wed-
nesday, the 20th inst. His Lordship, at the same time
that he promised his warmest support, expressed his entire
disapprobation of a second ball in the Guildhall, and inti-
mated that he should noiagree to such a proposition.
Lord DUDLEYSTEWART was then appointed Chairman of
the Grand Committee, and proceeded to act in that capacity.
The ball will, we understand, be upon the most splendid
scale, and the profits will, no doubt, prove very considerable.
s ,

PEDESTRIANISM.—A man started from the Clock
Gate of Youghal on Tuesday morning at 12 o'clock, and
walked backward five miles in one hour, and five miles forward
in another, being ten in two hours. Thousands assembled to
witness the extraordinary feat..--Cork Herald.