The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-27 00:00:00

ROYAL FRES HOSPITAL.

The annual meeting of the governors of this hospital
was held yesterday afternoon in the board-room of the
institution, Gray'-inn-road, General Watkins, a member
of the committee of management, in the chair. Among
the principal governors present, in addition to the gal-
lant chairman, were E. Halswell, Mr. T. M. Nelson,
Rev. J. B. 0 wen, Mr. W. E. ,Wahnesley, Mr. W. H.
Warr, Mr. Finer, Mr. Hodson, Mr. Mackroll, Mr.
Grant, Mr. Walters, Mr. Hannah, Mr. Mor4an, and,
among the officers of the institution, Dr. O'Connor,
physician ; Dr. Marsden, senior surgeon ; Mr. Weedon
Cooke, Mr. Gant, Mr. T. Wakley, Mr. A. Marsden, &c.

The proceedings commenced by -
Mr. S. S. Smith, the secretary, reading the advertise-
ments, convening the meeting, after whin
The CHAIRMAN said that the u-ual step was, in the
first instance, to adopt the report.
The Rev. J. B. OwitN read the report of the com-
mittee, which, after expressing their gratitude to Diviae
Providence on being pertnitte.l to present to the sub-
scribers and governors their 30th annual report, says:—
" It is a solemn reflection that a generation of our
fellow-creatures has now passed away since this emi-
nently useful institution was es'ablished. During this
period 608,685 sick and destitute claimants of public
charity have been more or less relieved. Commencing
rei.-To or. 14- in a
management of finance, and novel principle ot
admission to really destitute patients, soon attracted the
attention and patronage of the public, and early se-
cured the h.,nour of the approval of her Majesty, who
condescended to become the patroness of the
charity. Thenceforward it so rapidly extended its
means of usefulness as to require a more commo-
dious suite of buildings, which were happily obtained
on its present site in Gray's-inn-road, to which a
considerable addition was made the year before
last in the erection and opening of the Sussex wing, in
memory of his late Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex.
The committee regret to have occasion to refer to the
peculiarly trying events of the last three or four years as
having inevitably exercised an unfavourable influence on
the interests of benevolent institutions. The pressing
appeals on behalf of the suffert r 3 in the Crimean struggle'
in the inundations in France, and more recently the
calamitous mutiny in India, synchronising with a sin-
gularly severe commercial panic in the great trading
communities of the United Kingdom, America, and the
continent, have indirectly affected the ordinary resources
of all domestic charities. During the past year the
ho-pital has moreover sustained no common loss in tie
sudden death of its late esteemed secretary, Mr. Kerr.
The appointment, however, of a successor, in the person
of Mr. S. S. Smith, who has been officially connected
with the institution for upwards of twenty years, and
whose unwearied activity aud intelligence had secured

the confidence of the Weekly Board, obviate any serious
inonaveuience to the cnarity, which the lamented decease
of his predecessor might otherwise have occasioned.
Notwithstanding all the foregoing painful impediments
and difficulties with which the hospital, in common with
other unendowed charities, has had to contend, the
committee have the thankful gratification to report that
the extent of in-pal ieut relief afforded during the year has
not diminished, but exceeded that of any previous year,
while the out-patient relief has not sensibly fallen short of
former years. The committee feel it to be due to the
seasonable generosity of George Moore, Esq., of Bow-
churchyard, and to the strenuous exertions of a depu-
tation of the Weekly Board, consisting of the Rev. J.
B. Owen (chairman), Benjamin Head, Esq., C. James,
Bowyer, Esq., to state that the deputation were en-
couraged by the large liberality of Mr. Moore's personal
donatiou, added to those of his immediate friends, to
undertake a special canvass in the city and suburbs,
inclusive of sir. Moore's list of 8401., obtained the total
sum of 1,7151., irrespective of several sums promised.
The difficulties of the committee were thereby must
opportunely met, and they were enabled to liquidate a
considerable portion of old outstanding debts against the
hospital to the amount of 1,865/., improving to that
extent their prospects for the ensuing year.. The
unhappy troubles in India, and the pressure in commer-
cial circles, suddenly fading upon the deputation in the
midst of their canvass, necessarily suspended the appeals
which they hope to resume so soon as it may he prudent
to make the effort. The hospital has passed through
many an anxious crisis—and by the blessing of God has
survived—of various and painful kinds ; but, " through
good report arid evil report," its committees have hon-
estly and hopefully adhered to the single characteristics
principle on which it was originally organised—of a free
admission to the sick and needy to the full extent of the
means which from time to time the confidence of the'
public has entrusted to their charge. So long as this
policy be fairly pursued, they have no apprehension,
under the Divine blessing, of the means of relief
at their disposal being suffered to prove inadequate
to the demand, which distress, enhanced by the
coincidence of disease, may make upon them. The
committee have much satisfaction in referring to
the cordial unanimity and co-operation which so happily
exists among the various members of their medical staff,
ta
ina and
oftheir they beg to express
valuable
services,m o s
whetherunqualifieds
hapopnroercairay-
physicians and surgeons, or in house surgeons and
Tfrhoime report
acnodulvdehrbeacloeozspidreersasiholnysenlarged
g
dwiistphene xsetrras ts
grateful testimonies to their professionalasiknillrtaehnpedeirahtudmutainese
attention, from poor patients admitted to the hospital
theirduring
Myeenatr 'of thheacocnosmtamnittatetteenatgion to
ackuowitehdeg
weeklyre fnlboard.
watched
someotioittshemheouispbietaral
and the highly important services rendered
over the interests of
as
commencement. Its old friends are
oti
Inaey the hhoeal
ropi
closely
ytf
roaoftmltdhient
sameo time the committee
r
still its best friends. At
itukein
very thankfully recognise
the members of the weekly hoarde
a promising
acquisitions to
influence, not unw,irthy of the
most dis,inguished among their
predecessors.
succession The
and
of zeal, intelligence,
com-
mittee
beg again to make honourable mention of the
continued zeal and attention to every branch of the hos-
pital's interests
which characteriseNsvti.llm.arsden E
ti
.t,h
whosee ser
daily visits as services
its respected founder, almost
general inspector of the institution have
been attended with the most desirable results, • pos-
sessing the weekly board from time to time with every
point of information essential to the efficient discharge of
their functions. The committee report the financial
position of the charity for the past year as follows :
—The donations amount to 3,1512/. ; annual sub-
scriptions to 1,5281 ; legacies to 1,049/. making a total
from all sources, of which details are submitted in the
financial statements, of 5,7831. 19s. 9d. It is the
earnest hope of the committee that the results of the
canvass of the deputation from the Weekly Board may

enable them to expunge the
rernmr. ins liabtlit2e, 0 the ho'
its entire annual income to t!
extensive relief of ti'e tin
medical assistance. The
absolutely destitute cases, small sums of money,' or
articles of clothing _to patients leaving the hospital for
their homes at distant places, continues to be attended,
in many affectinv. instances, by favourable results—par-
ticularly among fallen females, whose unhappy social
position usually leaves them without other resources
except the wretched course which had reduced them to
disease and dest:tution. The committee invite the
attention of subscribers to the liedical Report, frog*
which it appears that 778 in-patients and 42,080 old-
patients have been treated during the year, making a
total of 42,905 cases relieved. The committee con-
scientiously feel they have a strong case of appeal for
public support, The location of the hospital in the
centre of a vast population of the humbler class of
citizens, and its rile of free admission to sick persons
from all parts of the metropolis and from the provinces,
not excluding even foreigners overtaken by the help-
less visitation of sickness in a strange land, create 4,

large demand, constantly increasing in proportion to the
population upon the resources of the charity. It
is supported entirely by voluntary contributions, which
have never yet failed, and the committee venture to
believe they never will fail, so long as there are feeling
hearts to condele with the sufferings of poverty, and
just convictions of its claims upon the sympathies of
affluence."

Mr. SMITH, the secretary, then read the financial state-
ment, from which it appeared that the income of the
institution during the past year (including a balance of
2461. 19s. 11d. for the previous year) bae been 6,0301.
19e. 3d. The expenditure amount-d to 5,8971. se. 7d.
(including the payment of 1,865/. 12e. 7d. for debte in•

curred in 1856), leaving a balance of 1331.

The following is a c-py of the medical report, from Ist
Jan. to 31st Dec., 1857 :—" Persons afflicted with
_ _

malignant and eontag °us diseases, 19.650 ; ditto,
various disorders, 17,331 ; accidents relieved and sent
home, 1,750 ; patients under the dentist, 3,277. In
addition to the above there have been 778 totally destitute
diseased persons admitted into the wards, of whom 61
have died, and 717 have been discharged cared
relieved. The nu.nbir of accidents admitted into the
wards was 119, of whom 23 died, and 96 were cured or
relieved. Total relieved in 1857, 42,905. Number of
patients relieved up to 31st Dec., 1856, 565,780, making
a grand total of 608,685."
On the motion of the CHAIRMAN the following gentle.
men were elected the Committee of Management for
1858:—Messrs. W. W. Bramston Beach, M.P., J.
Bowyer, T. B. Browne, J. P. Bull, Chas. Candy, Alex.
Dobie,. Edmund -Ralswelli Joisepla-Hastuals, Benjamin.
Head, grain Hooper, W. Lawrence (Alderman), Josepts—
LiggitiN A. L. Mocatta, Sir F. G. Moon. Bart. (Alder-
man), deo. Moore, T. M. Nelson, Rev. J. B. Owen, R.
T. Perkin, W. Pritchard, Benj. Robinson, Thomas
Sidney (Alderman), Geo. Simpson, William Tegg, Thos.
Wakley, jun., Wm. E. Waltni...ley, Wm. H. Warre,
General Watkins, John Watson, 11. S. Westmacott,
Wm. Withal'.

The following gentlemen were elected auditors :
Messrs. J. W. P. Field, H. Finer, E. W. Scott.
Votes of thanks having been given to the committee
of management, the treasurer, and auditors,
Mr. HALSWELL moved that the thanks of the meeting
be given to Dr. Marsden, the founder of the institution,
for his valuable and gratuitous services in promoting its
interests, Not only was the credit of the idea of a free
hospital due to Dr. Marsden, but be was entitled to the
gratitude of the oommunity at large for the efforts which
he had made to alleviate the distresses of las fellow-
creatures. (Hear.)
Mr. T. W. CooKE seconded the motion. •

Dr. MARSDEN, in acknowledging the compliment,
said that when the institution was founded he hardly
expected to live to see its working for so long a period
as 30 years ' • but, considering his health and sprits, be
trusted he should be able to assist it for some years
longer. (Cheers.) The public were greatly indebted to
the committee of management, and especially to the
gentlemen who constituted the weekly board, to whom
the prosperity of the institution wag mainly owing, and
it was highly gratifying to find that that board and the
medical staff worked so harmoniously together. (Hear.)

On the motion of Mr. SNow, seconded by Mr. WARR,
a vote of thanks was given to Mr. Wakley, jun., and
the medical officers, which was briefly acknowledged f y
Mr. Wakley, who stated that nearly 10 per cent. of the
whole population of the metropolis received gratuitous
medical relief, and that the Royal Free Hospital sup-
plied a very large proportion of that percentage. (Hear.)
Dr. MARSDEN, in proposing a vote of thanks to the
chairman, observed that General Watkins, who bad re-
cently joined the institution, was just one of the men
whose assistance was needed by the hospital. He was
not only a great commander, but bad the command of
great means—(a laugh)—and was willing and able to
give effective support to the institution. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, expressed a hope
that the unanimity which now existed amongst the vari-
ous parties clnnected with the hospital would long con-
tinue, and said he should be happy to attend all the
meetings of the institution, and to meet the calls which
might be made upon him. (Cheers.)
The meeting then separated.

- _
SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

BETTING AT MANCHESTER -TUESDAY.

It is now tolerably evident that no great amount of
wagering will be done upon the Chester Cup, until the
acceptances have been published. To-day 1,000 to 30
was taken. and afterwards offered against Ctsarles the
Second, 1,000 to 35 was offered nn +h. .+l,l Plink
at 40 to 1 taken. 1,900
to 15 would have been taken about The fladji. 400 to
10 was taken once about King of the Gipsies, but 50 to
1 might afterwards have been obtained. The only horse
in ,:etnand for the 2,003 Guineas Stakes was Brother to
Marchioness, about whom 6 to 1 was taken freely.
Several investments were made to small sums upon the
Liverpool Steeplechase. Nothing was done upon the
Derby.

LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE.
100 to 8 agst Harry Lorrequer (offered)
100 to 6 agst Escape (taken)
100 to 6 apt Jean du Quesne (taken)
20 to 1 agst The Brewer (offered)
100 to 3 agst Lough Bawn (taken)
100 to 3 agst Conrad (taken)
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES.
6to 1 agst Brother to Marchioness (t f)
20 to 1 aget Coxwold (w)
CHESTER CUP.
28 to 1 agst Paloaister (offered)
100 to 3 agst Charles the Second (taken and off)
40 to 1 agst Blink Bonny .(taken)
40 to 1 agst Blackthorn (taken)
50 to 1 aget The Hadji (take 66 to 1)
50 to 1 aget King of the Gipsies (offered)
100 to 1 aget Vanity (t ,ken)

THE DUKE OF BEDFORD AND THE
MARKET GARDENERS.

Yesterday a very numerously attended meeting of
market gardeners and the owners of standings in
Covent-garden Market, was held at the Bedford Hotel,
in the Piazze, to consider the terms of a commuuicatiou
received from the Duke of Bedford, with reference to an
application made to his grace t i cover the open part of
the market and effect other improvements.
The chair was occupied by Mr. G. BAGLET, who made
a statement with reference to the complaint.; of the
market gardeners and tenants of standings. From the
statement of this gentleman, it appeared that when the
market was built in 1828. liberty was given to certain
persons to have standings or " pitckings" outside the
covered part of the market, for which they paid a sum
equivalent to threepence per square foot per annum in
addition to other market charges. The market gar-
deners who rented these standings, had long com-
plained of the hardship which they suffered by
exposure to the weather, and by the depreciation of
their goods, which in wet weather were decreased
in value by from 25 to 50 per cent. The last
act of Parliament passed, with reference to the
market, gave power to the Duke of Bedford to expend
money in covering and improving the market, and an
application bad lately been made to the present duke to
expend the necessary capital, for which it was contended
an ample return would be made. The duke had referred
the applicants to his solicitor, and that gentleman had
stated that his grace wool I not be indisposed to entertain
thi application, provided the market gardeners were
prepared to pay a sum in excess of the 3d. per square
foot, which would amount to 4 per cent. upon the outlay
and 1 per cent. for repairs. These were the only terms
upon which it appeared the representatives of the duke
were prepared to entertain the proposal.
ucoodnedrittiohnes
Alhatidhtdopwarni,iamanediati,t
twheas
Dd eubd
kaetedt
Bedford was not bound, on the re
Several gentlemen expressed themselves dissatisfied
o request of the majority
of the stand owners, to cover the m k
wwhitehthetrh,e
market and provide a
proper supply of light. The market, it was stated, cost
110,0001., while the rents amounted to 12,0001. or
14,0001. a-year, being equal to 12 per cent. upon the
outlay. It was urged that, under these circumstances,
the duke ought not to charge more than 3d. per square
foot, originally sancti • •
oned by Act of Parliament.
A. GENTLEMAN
, suggested that a deputation from the
trade s hould wait upon the Duke of Bedford and repre-
sent their grievances.
Mr. ATTWOOD said that the Duke would not see any
of his tenants, and that no good could be effected by the
proposal, as the solicitor and the agent managed every-
, thing.
A. long conversation ensued with reference to the oppo-
sition of the shopkeepers and higglers, and it was
stated that the admission of the latter to the market was
an infringement of the Act of Parliament.
Ultimately, Mr. LOCKJAW moved, and Mr. WELLS
seconded, a resolution expressing the surprise of the
meeting at the terms demanded by the Duke, and repre-
senting to his grace that by the preamble of Act of
Parliament of 1828, the then Duke of Bedford and his
heirs were bound to expend any sums that might be
necessary for the improvement of the market.
A memorial was also agreed to, representing the
' hardship which the trade suffered by reason of the
exposed nature of the market, and It was agrees that
the memorial and a copy of the resolution be forwarded
direct to his grace.
• The meeting separated with a vote of thanks to the
f chairman.

DEATH OF SIR HENRY DUNKINFIELD.—We have to
record the death of Sir H, R. Dunkinfield, Bart., which
event took place on Sunday evening. The deceased
baronet, who was 67 years of age, was in holy ordeFos
and was for a long period vicar of the metropolitan parish
of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. By his death a prebendal
stall in Salisbury Cathedral becomes vacant.