The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-03 00:00:00

MONT BL ANC TO-NIGHT AT 8, and
TO-MORROW AFTETO:OoN AT 3

CREMORN t 4:. —THIS DAY (itlo, day).
GRA N D GALA —BALLOWN ASCENT ind GRt.AT
ATTRAC (lONS, Is.

QT. JAMES'S THEATRE. -CARLIYANDRE-
OLETTI'S MYSTICAL ILLUSIONS. 3londay Evening,
and Wednesday and Friday Evening next, at o', lock. Satur-
day Afternoon, at 3, a Morning Pe,formance.—Tickets and places
at Mr. Mitchell's Library, 33, Old Bond-street.

No,

ST. JAMES'S HALL, PICCADILLY. --
Now Open, until Saturday, May 15, Mornings at 3, Evenings
at 8 o'cIock.—GOMPERTZ' GRAND IitSICRICAL DIORAMA
of the INDIAN MUTINY.—A dinifsion, Stall seats, which may be
secured at the Hall, between eleven and one, 36 ; Area, 2s. ;
Gallery, Is.

BANQUET AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY
OF ARTS.

dient. I believe much good in the proposed direction
has been accomplished ; but, as often happens in experi-
mente, an indirect and unexpected benefit was also the
result—namely, the gradual education of the people by
means of exhibitions, museums, and schools', in the ap-
preciation of works of taste ; including, con- equently, a
reference to nature, and awakening that aptitude for
mental pleasures which is one of the criteria cf advanc-
ing c;vilisation. (Hear, hear.) The principle is, I believe,
now admitted, that if work is to be provided for those
who live by toil, their leisure should also be an object of
attention. Apart altogether from the question respect-
' ing the Sabbath, and with reference only to other periods
of cessation from labour, it is felt that the means of
rational recreation, reflection, and improvement should
be in store for the working man's holiday. That such
resources are indirect elements of culture we can no
longer doubt. Many in the higher classes—with their
powers of thought in grave matters heavily taxed from
day to day—can rarely turn to the arts except as to ob-
jects of momentary amusement or of solace ; but to him
whose labour is chiefly of the body, while his men-
tal powers are inert, a certain exercise of the mind
even in his boars of relaxation is a wholesome change.
It is partly for this reason that the fine arts are more
directly means of instruction with the lower orders
than they can be with others ; and for this reason the
working man, long before he appreciates art for its
own sake, readily consents to make a study, in con-
nection with history, poetry, or science, of that which
to many is only an agreeable dilettanteisnr. (Hear,
bear.) Far be it from me to undervalue that dilettanteism;
far be it froin'tne to wish that enthusiasm to be less.
On the contrary, I believe that the progress of con-
'noissetthibip and the beat -.floas of living art, developed.
and displayed by means of such an - institution as this,
are as essential to the effects to which I have referrers
as central light is iedispeneable to the remotest red c-
ti n. (Hear, hear.) It is to many in this assembly,
and to many more whom this assembly represents, that
the advantages which I have noticed are mainly to be
ascribed. Our acknowledgments -are due to all those
who, by the interest which they take in such pureuite,
or by direct to- couraeerrieot, have contributed to that
diffusion el love of art which in its censequercee may
be regarded as a national benefit. (Cheers.) The Pre-
iddent, concluded by giving the health of the guests,
winch was drunk with the usual honours.
The LORD CHANCELLOR.—My Levis and gentlemen,
—I wish it had fallen to the let of some worthier guest
to acknowledge the compliment which you have jest to
kindly paid, because I feel there is probably not one of
those who have shared in the present honour with me
who is not more competent and better entitled to un-
dertake this duty than I am. The greater part of my
life has been spent in severer studies, which have wholly
prevented the cultivation of a taste for those arts which
refine and adorn society, and I can therefore offer only
the tribute of an unenlightened admiration. But,
etrarger as I comparatively am to puruits cf a lighter
kind, I have always censidereel it cue of the privileges
of offietal life—of which, however, I have not had fre-
queot experience—(s laugh)—to attend the great Annual
festival of the arts, at which, in the company of the
most distinguished artists of the day, and surrounded by
the triumph of their genius, all our senses are at once
gratified,—our hearing by instructive and agreeable dis-
course, our taste by the generous hospitality we enjoy
—(1 laugh)—and our eyes by the splendid works which
are diplayed before its. (Hear.) The opening of the
Royal Acadarny is au event which is lo ked forward to
with great. interest and anxious expectation by the
whole of London. At the earliest opportunity the pub-
lic swarm numberless for the purpose of seeing dis-
played before them the result of the thought, the
taste, the imagination, and the skill which have
been labouring in secret for many months before fur the
honour and glary of the nation. Nor are they doomed
to be disappointed in their expectations. Year after year
the stores of genius are presented to their gaze; they see
them in various productions of historical illustration, of
creative imagination, of imitation of nature, and of that
which I may call the interesting and domestic branch of
the art, by which those features which are dear to us are
preserved, and, by a fortunate inspiration catching the
happiest expression of the moment, are transferred im-
perishably to the cancan,. (Cheers.) Gazing upon the
splendid works we see immediately before us, and recol-
lecting those of the other department of the arts,—
" Where Sculpture with her rainbow sister lies"—
we may venture to say with pride that our national taste
Las not degenerated, nor is otfr national genius on the
wane. (Hear.) Indeed, ther? is no country in the world
which can produce such admirable specimens cf living
genius as we have the happiness now to behold. (Hear.)
I am sure that our distinguished friends, the foreign Mi-
nisters who are near me, will pardon me this expression
of national prig e, and will even feel eympathy with a sen-
timent which% tbie basis of that generous rivalq in which
nations may enter upon a field of contest in which all-the
victories are bloodless, all the triumphs without a stain.
(Ceeera.) I believe it is the duty as well as the interest
of a nation to cultivate and encourage the fine arts to the
utmost; and there is nothing which will tend to foster
talent or encourage genius more than the continuance of
that which from my heart I sincerely desire, and which I
no at call upon you all to join with me in drinking— viz.,
" Prosperity to the Royal Academy." (Cheers.)
The toast was received with great cordiality.
The PRESIDENT then said—My lords and gentlemen,
I beg leave, on the part of the members of the Royal
Academy and on my own, to return our respectful thanks
for the honour you have done us. I beg also to express
our acknowledgments to his lSrdship for the mannEr in
which ho has been pleased to introduce and recommend
the toast. (Cheers.) In speaking of the efforts that are
being made to render art subservient on the one hand
to commercial prosperity, and on the other to educa-
tional purposes, it appeared to me unnecessary to dwell
on their higher r, cemmendatione. That part of the sub-
ject has, however, been eloquently taken up by his lord•
ship, who bat spoken of the fine arts as their best frit nds
could wish, and of the present exhibition in a manner
calculated to encourage and stimnlate all those who
hate
contributed to its attractions. (Hear ) With regad
this institution, aiming as it does, whatever be its prac-
tical shortcominge, at the highest development of art, the
chief regret of its members has been, and is, that want
of space which renders it impossible to do justice to all
the exhibitors en these occasions. Attractive as this
exhibition is said to be, it might, I believe, have been
more so bad an additional room been at our disposal,
while a far more important object would have been at-
tained by the display—or, at all events, the better dis-
play—of many works of great ability, and the preven-
tion of disappointment of their meritorious authors.
(Hear) But if we cannot at present indulge a hope that
our domain may be enlarged, it is at least reasonable to
expect that we shall not be unfairly molested where we
are, (Ileac, and a laugh.) While it is complained,
justly or unjustly, that every institution is constantly
making increased demands on the financ-s of the coun-
try; the Royal Academy, with the Exception of its occu-
pation of these walls—the equivalent for its original
local habitation, and for which it is admitted that it
makes a fully adequate return—bas, from its founda-
tion, sever received from the Government a single grant
—(cheers)—on the contrary, its members, in their private
capacity, have often bequeathed their bard earnings and
the result of theirlabours to the public; Bourgeois, Selene,
Turner, Cbantrey, are instances to illustrate the truth of
this remark. (Hear.) Let not, then, the economy of this
institution be imputed to it, especially in these times, as
a demerit ; ncr the fact, with all its gratifying infer-
ences, that during the existence of this institution, for
nearly a century, it has received the unvarying moral
support of every Administration, and the unceasing fa-
vour of the Throne. (Cheers.) I now beg to propose as
the next toast the health of her Majesty's Ministers; and
I take the opportunity of observing that the first occa-
sion when the advancement of the Fine Atts was noticed '
as an object worthy of attention in a speech from the
Sovereign in Parliament was during the Administration
of the Earl of Derby, in 1852. (Hear, hear.) I have
the honour to propose "The Health of Her Majesty's
Ministers."
The toast was greeted with loud applause.
The Earl of DERBY—My Lords, Mr. President, and
gentlemen, in the name of my colleagues and myself
allow me to return you my grateful thanks for the honour
which you have done us in drinking our healthy. I thank
you, sir, for the manner in which you have phi to us
this personal tribute of your regard and goodwill. I say
this personal trieute, because, on an occasion like the
present, surrounded by men of all opinions and of every
political denomination, here in an assembly, in which
even for a abort time we can breathe the air untainted by
the breath of political strife, it would be absurd and ridi-
culous if I were to attempt to connect with the toast just
given any, the slightest, political significance. (Hear.)
We accept it, gentlemen, as I am sure you mean it, as
an expression of that kind and generous feeling with
which every body of Englishmen regard those, whatever
their opinions, who to the best of their ability nod judg •
went are devoting their time, attention, and labour to
what they conceive to be the public interest. (Cheers.)
My noble friend the Lord Chancellor has said, it is one
f the privileges of office to be admitted to participate in
anniversaries like the present ; but, unfortunately, 1
can say for myself at least, and probably for all who
have had FO short a period in which to familiarise them-
selves with the labours of office, it is also one dim
penalties that we have not at commaud that leisure which
would enab e us to avail ourselves of those advantages,
and unhappily I may Fay, for myself, that both yester-
day and to-day my en
time was soentirely engrossed by
pubic engagements that it was only a few moments before
we sat down to dinner that I ''a- able to enter these
rooms, and that, beyond running hastily through them,
and having pointed out to me by sosee of my friends tii.%
greatest ornaments in your Ilection, which you
a b,wt
forgive me if I do not venture to specify —d
0 in.o
jgo./ar,d
have had any opportunity of obeerving,.cbwier!a:a,
our-
appreciating those triumphs f art by t
rounded. (Cheers) But among the fewvifbto which nay at.

for he, too, was a most distinguished ornament to his
profession—sometimes indicate outwardly their fitness
for deeds of daring ; or, as in the instance of Sir Henry
Havelock, the highest military reputation and the steps
which lead to it may be compatible with a life of ra-
tional study, of order, and of devotedness to the highest
duties. (Hear, hear.) Recurring to that former war
to which I have alluded, the achievements of which were
commensurate with the magnitude and difficulty of the
operations, I need not remind you—and yet it is a plea
sure to remind you—that the earlier triumphs of that,
war were shared by an illustrious prince who
now honours us with his presence. His Royal High-
ness's name will be remembered with those who were
prominent in the dangers and successes of some of the
most arduous conflicts which this age has seen ; nor will
it ever be forgotten that his Royal Highness's sympathy,
humanity, and considerate arrangements endeared him,
as they still endear him, to every soldier under his com-
mand. (Loud cheers.)
The Duke of CAMBRIDGE, who was received with loud
cheers, said,--My lords and gentlemen,—l rise to re-
spond, on behalf of the army, to the toast which has just
been offered to you in such handsome terms by your
President ; and in doing so I can assure you that to me
it is a source of the greatest pride and satisfaction to feel
that the army is at this moment meriting the good
opinion of the nation, which is, indeed, at all times
happy and willing to appreciate its -services. (Cheers.)
Believe me, the army is always gratified, when absent on
duty in a foreign land, to know thaiethe country is not
insensible to the sacrifices and hardihips which it has to
'endure: 'fio-befeinember4 isitcefur gatherings like,
this is to us at home as well as to those of us at a
d►stance at once a solace and a pride. If ever there
was a time at which the services of the army were
highly appreciated by the country 1 believe that
time is the present; and all I can say is that when-
ever called upon in period 3 f emtrgency the army
will perform its duty conscientiously and in a manner
of which the nation will ❑ever have cause to !se
ashamed. (Cheers.) Allusion has been made to the
campaigns in the Crimea ; but it would ill become
►ee to refer to any services of mine, except to say that
I feel proud in having shared in at least some psi don
of those operations. And I should be very ungrateful,
indeed, if I did not express to you that all the went
which has been a,cribed to me is due to those who
series under me and with me. I only bore a part
with them in their exploits, and, as one of the generals
employed in the late war, it is only just to those who
were engaged under me that 1 should pay to them the
tribute wLich has now been accorded to myself. (Cheers.)
As regards the duty which the army is now discharging,
nobody, I think, will refuse to admit that the able and
admirable manner in which my gallant and distinguished
friend Sir Colin Campbe:l has conducted his operations
in India is deserving of the highest praise. (Cheers.)
I do believe that there never was an officer—not even
excepting some cf the greatest captains of the age, who
has exhibited more military talent than the Commander-

MR. and MRS. GERMAN REED'S NEW
ENTERTAINMENT.—The New ,eries of Illustrations by
Mr: and )►+rs. REED (late Miss P. HORTON), will be repeated
every evening except Saturday, at 8. Saturday Afternoon at 3.—
Admission Is., 25., and 35. ; tails. secured, without extra charge,
at the Royal Gallery of lilustration, 14, Regent-street, and at
Cramer, Beale, and Co.'s, 201, Regent-street.

CHRISTY'S MINSTRELS, Polygraphic Hall.
TWO HUNDRED AND EIG[ITY-SIX fit ENThRTAIN-
11ENT.—Change of Programme, introducing Burlesque on the
Circns.—Many Patrons of the Christy's having been unable to gain
admission owing to the limited numbers-of Stalls, they have now
Introduced an extra row, which will afford more ccnifeits to their
numerous patrons.—Evening at 8, and on Saturday Morning,
commencing at 3. Prices—Boxes, It. Is.; Staiis, 35.; Area, 2s. ;
Back, Is.

DR. KAHN'S ANATOMICAL AND
PATfOLOGICAL lIUSEU3I,
3,:TICHBORNE-STREET (Opposite the Haymarket).
LECTURES daily by DR. KAHN at Three, and by Dr. SEXTON at a
quarter past One, at Four, and, on Diseases of the Skin, at Eight.
Open from Twelve till Five, and from Seven till Ten.
Admission, ONE SHILLING.
bit. NINE LECTURES ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF
MARRIAGE, &C., post free for twelve Stamps.

ADELAIDE GALLERY, Lowther Arcade,
Strand.—ARGYLL CASINO. with B. BIGNELL'S celebrated
band ; formerly conducted by the late EXILE Levanyr, now con-
ducted by the great artist, Mons. Lemorrn, of the Grand Salle
Valentino at Paris ; principal cornet-a.olaton, 'll BOULCOURT, "the
greatest artist in the world ou that instrument;" Leader, Mr.
CRAM= HALL. The above bAnd plays selections from ",La
Traviata," " II Trovatore," and "Lucia Di Lammermoor," nightly*:
and is to be engaged for Concerts and Baits. Apply to R. R. BIGNELL,
at the "Original Argyll Rooms," Great windmill-street, Hay-
market. Doors Zopen at half-past 8. Admission, is.

GREAT UNITED STATES' CIRCUS.
Messrs. HOWES and CUS RING, Pro prietora.—F IF TEI
WEEK—Unprecedented Success—New Scenes in the Circle intro-
deced—The largest Equestrian Establishment in the World,
numbering over Twollundred Men and Horses, is NOW OPEN for
a Short Season, at the ALHAMBRA PALACE, Leicester-square,
giving Two Performances each nay, commencing at half-past
Two, and a quarter to Eight o'Clock, p.m.
*a* In consequence of the immense attendance at the evening's
Performances, the proprietors beg to state their intention of
continuing the Grand Morning Entertainmen's daily until further
notice. The Day Performance is fully equal to that of the Evening.
Admission—Private Boxes from 21. 2s to 31. 3s each ; Stalls, 5s ;
Reflerved Seats, 35; Boxes, 2s ; Pit, Is ; Gall ,ry, 6d. Private
Boxes and Stalls can only be secured at the Alhamb•a Palace,- and
Mr. Mitchell's Library, 33, Old Bond-street. Box-Office open from
10 a.m. tint] 5 p.m. No fee for booking places. No Programmes
are correct but those purchased inside the building, and only One
Penny each is allowed to be charged. Carriages must set down with
horses' heads towards Charing Cross; taking up to the North.

RICK CLOTHS, with Poles, Ponies, and Lines
complete, both New and Second-hand - BE VJAMII•T
EDGINGTON has prepared for the ensuing season a'. extensive
Stock of Pick Cloths, Marquees, and Tents. A srelt varie:y of
Tents erected on the oremises. Netting ar,d Bunting lor the protec-
tior. of Fr..it Trees and Tenoer Plants.
Address BENJAMIN EDGINGTON, 2, Duke-street, Southwark,
S.E-: West-end Establishment. 32, Charinz-cross.
N.B.—An Illustrated Catalogue sent free by post.

METROPOLITAN COUNTIES LIFE
ASSURANCE SOCIETY', 27, Relent- ,reet. waterloo-
place, London, S.W. T ife assurance, annuities, endowments, and
loans on advantageous terms.
F. FERGINON CAMROUX, Manager.

N.B. Policies in force, no:withstanding the Decease of the Life
Assured, provided the Premiums be paid within the thirty days
Of grace, _

INTERNATIONAL LIFE A SSITR A.NCE
SOC (STY. 142. Strand, London, W.C., Feb. 25, 1858 : estab-
lished 1837.—Payment of Premium within Days of (trace,—lt always
has been and still Is the practice of this society to pay claims under
policies of assurance notwithstanding the death of the assured oc-
curring within the 30 days of grace, and hetore payment of the
annual premium, provided payment thereof be mile, or notice of
the death be given to the office before the expiration of such days
of grace.

For the Court of Directors,
E. S. SYMES, Chairman.

THE INTERNATIONAL LIFE
ASSUR kNCE SOCIETY,

142, Strand, London.

Empowered by Act of Parliament: for LIFE ASSURANCE, SUR
YIVORSHIPS, ANNUITIES, ENDOWMENTS, &c.
DIRECTORS.
EDMOND SHEPPARD SYMES, M.D., Chairman.
Wm. Kenworthy Browne, Esq. Henry J. Hodgson, Esq.
Samuel King-Church, Esq. I John Moss, Esq.
John Elliotson, M.D., Cantab., I John Byrnes, Esq.
Joseph Thompson, Esq.
SECRETARY TO THE BOARD.
Alexander Richardson, Esq.

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
Augustasißlondel, Esq.:
AUDITORS.

Professor' Wheatstone, F.R.S., and Professor J. Radford Yoq,,g,

MEDICAL REFEREE GENERAL.
- J. Brnotscat, 31.1:74, Cantab , 37, Conduit-aro
ACTUARY.
W. B. B. Woolhouse, Esq., F.R.A.S., F.S.S., &c.
ASSISTANT ACTUARY.
Barker Woolhouse, Esq.

BANKERS.
:Messrs. Glyn, Mills, and Co., 67, Lombard-street.
SOLICITORS.
Messrs, Gregory, Gregory, Skirrow, and Rowcliffe, Bedford-row

• The next Quinquennial Division of Profits will be declared
‘.
aY, 1860.

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ohmuaryveepdorofonnauces..
an interchange of compliments, as it,-
relatiOnifto-enter into any lengthened-
thanks for the honour you have don
would be changing this splendid ass,
family parts. (A laugh.) I may, ho`
to say that your sister, whom I repree
healthy (a laugh) ; she has a very great . _-_,Jit
an *undying interest in you.; and Ms alwayrka very great ~ib
gratification to her to see herself so well remembered -:t
within these walls, and to know that she is 14honbtred
guest at your hospitable board. (Cheers and laughter.)
Mr. THACKERAY—My Lords, Mr. Mira= and
Gentlemen, permit me to say that had it not been for
the direct act of my friend who has just sat down, I
should most likely never httVeTbeeti included in the toot
which you have been pleascilkto drier ; and rehould ..
have tried to be, dot a writer, biAppamter, or designer.'
of picturit. That was the objact,of my:early ambition,,
and can remember .when Mr.- Dickens 'was a very-
young man, and hid commenced delight* the world-
with some charming humorous works of which I cannot •-•'
mention the name (laughter), but which Iffitrqpoloured. -7
light green, and came out once a month (a laugh), that - .
beenn day.to. find' a place en '
this young man wanted an artist toillfititiatd his writ- ..
writ-
ings, and I recollect walking up to his chanibere with -
two or three drawings in my hand, which, strange to
ThkB.4isaiipeiet-.
say, he did not find suitable. (Laughter.) But for -
that Unfortunate blight which came over my artistica
,34Y _pride and my plea- ~
went caused me to direct my attention.. to kiv t - man
-
walk of art, and now I can only hope to be " translated''
011. these walls, as I have been, thanks to my tileictia-
es
theseux risetetnowcahelal walls te
for w"oondu endeavoured
friend Mr. Egg. (Hear, hear.) I shall, however, ever
think with pride and pleasure of my name baying been.
mentioned from that chair, always connecting it:with
the person who first sat in it. You, sir, know Whence ..r
he came, and we, gentlemen, are all aware that the
knight of Plymouth has not left theknight of Plymouth -
behind him. (Cheers.) Sir Joshua Reynolds:was one
of the most delightful of men, and to have been well
spoken of from his chair is one of the greatest gratifica-
tions I could experience. (Hear, bear.) The men of my
profession have long been connected with painters. I
myself have bad the happiness to number several awl g
the dearest friends of my life. You yourself, sir, have
mentioned that Goldsmith always attended these anni-
versaries ; and I understand that Johnson too was pre-
sent in the very last year of his life. Despite the short- •
!oessof his breath, he delighted, to vralk,--up the tont
stairs of thwaoiai ifiAw innai, Ntd-eit at the-feast of ,ft
v 0 Qt Sir Jbahis. And we.tsiin Uri iiiiitaiiiiisp. n - :OW, •
long Eta'rs to get up-(a laugh)—shall alwayebe. happy ,
to receive your welcome and partake of your hoSpitalitg.

tention was more particularly called I have certainly seen
exemplifications of a study of nature, of imagiriation, of
invention, of combination, of colouring, and of design,
which have impressed me very stronay in favotir of the
present year's Exhihitien. (Hear, hear. So far ifs I. have
been able to form, I can hardly say an opinion, from: the
transient glimp4 which, as I have been able to obtain, it
fully confirmed the report made to me by those more for-
tunate than myself, in having their time at their disposal,
that the present collection may fairly vie with any of
those which of late years have preceded it. (Cheers.)
There was, however, one consolation which I promised
myself in attending this banquet. I thought that .I.
should have heed free for two hours at least from the im-
portunity of those requests which, sometimes in a milder
sometimes in a more pressing tone, are urged upon the
attention of the members of a Government. (Laughter.)
B—rletwiiilnosmhestrrerieegDeonrsyrnasoslamh:oediennpranauismaynf_mpgoeapr-b(ttsojelatoiriaruialt,egtilehnsmilteesgtve:tlneirrntnt)aidt—nxsaiwq:ptbieuhdtauciiorultete,aharllnnsoendoefolrftecbivdluadeentrsyhsosavdieacpae,redepnraatldefimnhgc:fianoioetfifne
mfa leg. ar•Le qauuagrhet
et or .
) havelhhaavde
been
ns uchseli
disappointed.citatio n. s made to
laughter.) You, sir, in the most persuasive tones and with
mo-t flattering allusions to whet took place on former
occasions, have hinted your confidence that Government
would not be deaf to the claims of art ; you have inti-
mated that, great as are the services which the Royal
Academy bas rendered to the country, and which I
cheerfully acknowledge, they might be greater still if
you enjoyed greater accommodation.
" 0 si angelus ills,
Proximus accedat." .
(Laughter.) If there was another room, or another
house, or a better house, it would incalculably increase
the ad vautigei which the publiccitriireitorri your labours.
(Cheers end le ughtece} —Asiositee4elsep4opeempiliaike
for recorling that the first speech from- the Throne which
ed verted to the improvement of the fine arts as an ob-
ject of public interest was one which I had the honour
of advising the Sovereign to deliver in 1852. Sir, that
also reminds me that in those days, when we wire green
in office—(laughter)—my tight hon. friend who then, as
now, was Chancellor of the Excheqt er, expree€el at one
of these anuiv,rsary festivals, notoul, his hope and wish
but also—deluded mortal I—(laughter)--his sanguine
expectation that the next year would see the Royal Aca-
demy and the National Gallery united in a much im-
proved situation. Ernfertueat-ly, before that next year
atGir;eoerfin w.,eii affairs.ct
6e,a, sseu(dlic
ct to
laugh.)ed bee
dr e.
us
sp, o
and
,e b
nid,i 11
.1e fo ,
(e,
rr
ar thel
the
and
Ia Bat dm
progressive
i nyi se
at rras
under their auspices, it is painful for me to say that of
the improved site of the Royal Academy and National
Gallery I have not the slightest indication. (Cheers and
laughter.) With this experience I shall not repeat the
errors ef my right hon. friend ; but I have this consola-
tion, that at least you will not think the present Go-
vernment lose attentive than its predeceesors—(laughter)
and that, if we have net the good fortune to be re-
teemed a Govern= n% of progress, at all events we shall
toat be considered one of reaction. (Cheersand laughter.)
But, to speak seriously, I hold it to be one of the main
objects of a Governs eat to promote the interests of the
flee arts—l hold that, to be an object of high national
importance ; and o far as the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer and the House of Commons will allow nie, I shal:
have the greatest pleasure in c.eatributting to their ad-
vancemet tto the utmost of my power. (Cheers.) The
noble earl concluded by repeating his acknowledgment
for the toast.
The PRESlDENT—Gentlemen,—The second leaf of our
eatalogueshows chat the Royal Academy has its honorary
members. Tho.e time-honoured offices date from the
foundation of the institution and have been filled by dis-
tinguished names—from Goldsmith to Walter Scott, and
from Gibbon to Lori Macaulay. The honorary office
of chaplain to the Royal Academy having been vacant
by the decease of our repp.cted Bishop Blomfiel I, the
Bishop of Oxford was invited to undettake that office,
and having been pleased to acclit it his lordship appears
here to-day no loug,r as a guest but in his privileged
capacity. (Cheers.) In making this aunounceinent I
have to congratulate the members of the Royal Academy
on the acces,ion to their liA of honorary members of an
enlightened friend of art, who, I have reason to think,
takes a warm interest in the w&fare of this institution.
(Cheers.)
The Bishop of OXFORD—My lords and gentlemen, I
beg to return you my very hearty thanks for the honour
you have thought fit to do me in acacciating me as an
honorary member with this institution. I can assure
you, sir, and your company, as well as your fellows to-
day; that I esteem it a very high honour and a great
privilege to be connected by your choice with British
art, and that not only because of my own great love for
it and delight in its tvorle, not only because I thank-
fully acknowledge before you and your brethren of this
institution the great debt which, in the education of my
own mind, I have personally cintracted to those enno-
bling arts ; but because I believe also that that Holy re-
ligion whose officer in this land I am is hound by indis-
soluble bonds with yoeir pursuits. ',(Cheers.) Not only
does the art of painting owe its rebirth among us to
the influence of the Christain faith—not only did it find
its earliest subjects in the catalogue of its objects of be-
lief, but even down to the present eay it is the high
tone which the Christian religion maintains among us
which opens the eye of many to understand nature
around them, which accus'oms them also to Gornto.°
bend that conscietitieuenees and labour in dealing
with their subjects are essential to their success, and
that, theretore, there is a union between us ; tba .
you give and receive ; that you receive from
Christianity, and that in turn you render back
to our great work ; that you hslp us in unnum-
bered ways in our special vocation in raising the ton-
and temp-r of the people of this land ; that you are fel.
low-labiurers with us from the very highest rank of
society down to the very lowe,t. (Hear, hear.) I would
say, were it not too trite an observation, that what we
see even around your table this day of the mixture for a
One of those who are acotn-tomed, and necessarily accus-
tomed, to strive together somewhat roughly in the arena
harmonyof art
goodwill,anaoe,g
roifvpaul bploilcitilicleiLitsiLthethbeeNst:epseiinnriiitttioeeafsse
fens:,

(Cheers.
The Chairman then left the chair, and the company ,
dispersed themselves through the different saloons, lin-
gering till a late hour to gratify their curiosity in in-
specting the col!eclion.
The musical arrangements were under the direction of
Mr. Francis, assistsd by Messrs. Lookey, Benson,
Young, Buckland, and Lawler, and a group of youthful
choristers.

(Cheers.) We see an illustration of this in the lamb-like
gentleness which now interrupts their lion-like struggles.
(A. laugh.) Therefore, believing that the arts spread among
us unnumbered advantages. I heartily rejoice as a
Bishop of the Church of England, to have been honoured
by you with that distinction in virtue of whieli I have
troubl-d you with these imperfect remarks. (Cheers )
The PRESlDENT—Gentlemen,—During the last session
*of Parliament some important observa,ions were made
in the House of Lords reepectini the Turner bequest.
As I hal subsequently the opportunity of offering some
explanations to my Lord St. Leonards • with regard to
the Royal Academy as concerned in that bequest, I need
I not recur to that part of the subjec+, more especially as
the arrangements of the Academy in reference to it are
not yet completed. But on the part of the friends of
Turner, including, I need hardly say, every member of
this institution, I beg to thank his lordship for his ad-
vocacy of the cairns of Turner, in recommending that a
suitable place should in due time be provided for the
noble gift which the painter bequeathed to the nation.
I beg to propose " the health of Lord St. Leonardo."
(Cheers.)
Lord ST. LEONARD% in returning thanks, observed
that the bequest which Turner, after a long life of suc-
cessful labour, had gathered together and left to his coun-
try would descend to a grateful and admiring posterity
as an inestimable legacy. He agreed with their excel-
lent president, that the nation owed a debt to the
Royal Academy. If they looked at the Turner col-
lection in the mere light of its pecuniary value, they
must feel that the collection, envied as it was by
foreign nations, and placing Ode country, as it did, in the
highest rank in Europe for the cultivation of art, was a
treasure the worth of which could hardly be calculated
in money. Let any man visit Marlboreugh-house and
gaze on the productions of Turner's glorious geeing
which were now displayed there to the greatest advan-
tage that the capacity of the building would allow, and
he would naturally ask himself whence did the country
derive such a precious legacy ? It had been derived
from the splendid talent, the untiring industry, and the
patriotic self-devotion of a member of the Royal Aca-
demy. The country, then, owed it to the institution to
which he belonged to make a suitable return in patron-
age and in money's worth for the invaluable gift which
he had bestowed upon it. The finest building that
could be found would be but a poor acknowledgment
for the munificence of a Turner, and other nations would
be glad to place his bequest, if they porseesed it, in a
fitting receptacle. So great was Turner's public spirit,
when he had painted a picture which be thought worthy
of the nation, and with which the nation had become
familiar, he resisted all a tempo to buy it. He was
willing, indeed, to produce a triff re, t picture, but no-
thing could induce him to part with the first. So rich
was his genius that his mere drawings and pencillings
were perfect models for the student. Indeed, it bad
been wittily remarked of Turner that, although a great
artist, there was one thing, and only one, which he
could not draw,—viz., his own will. (Laughter
Turner's testamentary dispositions have given is to
_r•lei
little dispute as to their meaning ; and he (1:i
Leonard,) had laboured long to construe Tarr. 6,12;e it
but his labour had been in vain. He satislfid Di
etate it
as a lawyer and a man—and he
execution
according to its legal import, and
bwoalsd,lyit awnyaseechaepreatTlethaotf,
boebinsgcureearrati;,:he
•
int-ntione. (Cheers.)
prenence on this coca
guests who henour 113 withdigish,d men cif letters to
sion are some of thoseo
f the .ister arts have been in-
om the profegoore testator's own
poetic character, sometimes
bted,
scnne,t" truth of their representations. (Hear,
for the Ouch lag
rl ustrativ f incidente from the eke
Pieturee.
writers have of 1 wur
8
f well-known livinggf
heTarh)e PRESIDENT thehrost
at
art
ate 'Nears formed
that beg- to proposethinto i°
"thestu exemplifying
ee
ant
he
our extkitations,
'relatiou to wh oh I alude. It is therefore with feeling
of especial ackno nledgment, as well as in consonance
with the public voice, lth
of Mr. Dickens and Mr. Thitekeray." (Cheers.)
Mr. DicKEiss—Following the order of your toast, I
have to take the first part in the duet to be performed
in acknowmiguaent of the c)inpliment you have paid to
- ea for the eheiarnd fr.idt—Among the