The Sun.
London, England, 1856-04-17 00:00:00

LOYAL HUMANE SOCIETY.

The eighty-second anniversary of the Royal Humane
Society was celebrated last evening at the Freemasons'
Tavern ; his Grace the Duke of Wellington inithe chair.
There was a very numerous attendance of the friends of
this admirable institution, including Sir Robert Peel,
M.P., Colonel Baillie, Thomas Hawes, Esq., Captain
Fishbourne, Marshall Ha'l, Esq., M.D., Shirley Wool-
mer, Esq., Dr. J. S. Christial, Joseph Charlier, Esq.,
Andrew Caldecott, Esq., Dr. M`Cenn, and other gen-
tlemen who have taken a deep interest in promoting the
operations of the society, which has so many and such
just claims on the liberal spirit and benevolence of a phi-
lanthropic public.
After the usual loyal toasts were duly honoured,
Sir ROBERT PEEL proposed the health of the Presi-
dent of the Institution, and took occasion to enlarge on
the beriefite which the society had conferred. During
the past you. 162 cases of immersion, attended with risk
to the lives of 193 persons, had been brought under no-
tice ; 25 of these were cases of attempted suicide, 180
were suecessfully treated, the other 13 having been past
recovery. Since the establishment of the institution,
the number of lives saved and restored in this country
alone had been upwards of 30,000, thereby affording
practical evidence not only of the success, but of the
correctness and activity with which the committee bad
prosecuted the views of the founders of the association.
During the same period the society conferred, as rewards
of gallantry to those who had risked their own lives to
,are the lives of their fellow-creatures, 16 honorary
silver medals, 13 honorary bronze medals, and 21 testi-
monials. The hon. baronet observed that none but
those who had been placed in similar circumstances of
peril with himself, could appreciate the value of an in-
stitution like the Royal Humane Society ; and he ear-
nestly entreated for it a liberal share of countenance
and support. He gave them, with all earnestness and
sincerity, " The Health of their President, the Duke of
Wellington," who had taken so warm an interest in be-
nefitting the condition of the institution. (Cheers.)
The Duke of WELLINGTON acknowledged the compli-
ment, and, in suitable terms, proposed " Prosperity to
the Royal Humane Society."
The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm.
The medals and testimonials were then presented to
the Rev. Walter Thursby ; Mr. Francis Robert Ransome;
George Guest, a member of the Irish constabulary force,
statione I at Cork, whose gallantry deserved special
commendation ; Alderman Hill, of Tamworth ; Mr.
Robert Mason, jun., of Guildford ; Captain Pengelley,
R.N., and Mr. C. N. P. Portman, of H.M.S. Colossus ;
Mr. W. H. Wilkes, jun., of Worcester; Commander J.
R. Woodruff, Admiralty Agent an Gibraltar; and Mr.
John C. W. Ellis ; all of whom had been instrumental,
under circumstances of great personal peril, in saving
the lives of several fellow-creatures. The case of George
Guest, who in one day bad rescued no less than three
persons from watery graves, excited considerable interest.
The Duke of Wellington complimented him on his bra-
very, and said that it was only equalled by the modesty
and great propriety of demeanour which he that even-
ing exhibited.
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Subscriptions to the tbhaev
by the secretary
Some minor toasts, including " the health of the Se-
cretary," followed.
The dinner and wines were unexceptionable, and the
musical entertainment, conducted by Mr. Hobbs, was
rendered additionally attractive and agreeable, by the
great vocal ability of Miss G. Cole, a young artiste of
oonsideptble proinifie.

V.-