The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-17 00:00:00

THE ROYAL LITERARY FU.ND.

The 71st anniversary of this institution was cele-
brated by a dinner at the Freemasons' Tavern last
evening. The Lord Bishop of St. David's presided
on the occasion, supported by Viscount Stratford do
Redeliffe, Viscount Dungannon,. the Right Hon. J.
Napier, Mr. A. Russell, M.P., Mr. Monckton
mimnes M.P., Mr. Briscoe, M.P. Mr. Philipps,
M.P., ;he Very Rev, the Dean of Westminster, the
Rev. Chancellor Williams, the Rev. C. Merivale,
the Rev. R. 'Whiston, Mr. Beresford Hope, Mr.
Motley, Mr. R. Bell, Capt. Sherard Osborn, R.N.,
Professor Huxley, Dr.:Guest, MesSrs. ;H. G. Bohn,
G. S. Venables, T, Page, C.E., M‘Lean, C.E., P., C.
Hardwicke, G. Cruickshanks' Sapapson Low, Bent-
ley, Hurst and Blackett, and others.
About 100 gentlemen in all were present. The
bealths of her Majesty, the Prince Consort, and the
rest of the royal familj-likVing been given from the
chair and.cordially received by the company,
Mr. BERESFORD HOPE proposed " the Houses of
Parliament," taking occasion to pass,a high cube-
glum upon the deceased architect to Whose genius
the nation owed the splendid edifice in which the
Legislature held its deliberations.

Lord STItA4FORD DE REDCLIFFE, in acknowledg-
ing the toast, Observed that it was extremely- pain-
ful, when they had met to promote the interests of
literature and shed some consolation over the mis-
fortunes of its , professors, to be reminded by the
course of passing events of the days when this coun-
try had to contend for everything that was dear to
her. Our streets were filled with volunteers ; im-
mense demands were made upon the public resources
for defensive armaments; all for what? We were
told that universal good feeling prevailed between
the sovereigns of Eurepe, and yet from some cause
or another,- upon which he would not dwell, the
whole of the continent was thrown into a state of
uncertainty. Every one apprehended he knew not
what danger, and nations were obliged to bear the
burdens of war in time of peace. Never was there
a period in which this country was more sincerely
desirous for the preservation of peace, more dis-
posed to respect the rightsof nations, or more anxi-
pus to cultivate the good will of all! her neighbours.
He trusted that the stout- hearts of the people of
England; the high characterof their Sovereign, and
the blessing of Providence would avert from us all
danger. But if war should unhappily come upon
us he doubted not but that our arms would be
crowned with as brilliant victories as any that had.
yet employed the pen of the historian. - (Cheers.)
fThe Right Rev. CHAIRMAN, in giving" the-Army
and Navy," said he was not one of those who be-
lieved that innocence and righteousness were al-
ways endowed by Providence with sufficient power
to protect themselves from lawless violence ; and
lie could never believe that physical strength
should be employed only in the cause of robbery
and wrong, and not in putting down the wrongdoer.
(Hear, hear.) It had been said that " Hearts of oak
are our ships," alt hough, after recent discoveries it
hardly held good of our gunboats. (A laugh.)
Capt. SHERAED OSBoEN briefly returned thanks.
Iti proposing the toast of the evening, "Prosperity
to the Royal Literary:Fund," the Chairman expa-
tiated on-the pleasures and advantages of- literary
studies. With respect to this institution, he re-
maili-cd that it was one of-its noblest characteristics
that it practically levelled all the barriers of inter-
national prejudice, regarding the men of letters of
every country as forming one great brotherhood, and
one body, of which, if any of the members suffered,
all the others must Buffer with it. (Cheers.) If he
had felt any doubt of the excellence of this institu-
tion, as a channel for the relief of distressed literary
men and their families, he would have been satisfied
by an inspection of the records which had been sub.-
mitted to him. The Royal Literary Fund united
all 'possible claims to the public favour, in its ma-
nagement as'well as in the amount and manner of
the relief it bestowed. To- many of those who re--,--
ceived it that amount was of inestimable value, com-
ing at a time when it might save the sufferer from
despair and 'misery, and allow him time perhape to
collect thoughts, and the material for some fresh
literary enterprise, 'which- would render him again
independent of such assistance: The manner in
which this relief was distributed showed the most
tender and delicate consideration for the feelings of
those concerned. In every respect, therefore, the