The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-25 00:00:00

ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCiETY.

The annuli meeting oe'this society was held yes-
terday at Burlington-house, the President, Sir R.
Murchison, in the chair, who detailed to a numerous
audience the progress of the society during the past
year, and co3cluded by investing two most distin-
guished geographers with the medals awarded them
by the learned body over whom he presided. Pro-
fessor Packe, of the United States, and Capt. Collin-
son, of Arctic fatne, were the individuals thus hon-
oured, the former beinz represented by the Ameri-
can Minister, Mr. Dallas. In the evening about
120 of the members attended the dinner at the
Freemasons' Tavern, Sir R. Murchison again pre-
siding, and being supported by the Swedish Am-
bassadur, Mr. W. Gladstone, M.P., Colonel Sykes,
M.P., the E trl of Sheffield, Sir J. Back, General
Monteith, Dr. Shea, the Rev. Dr. Worthington,
Mr. Gruneisen, S.._ _

T in proposing the usual loyal
toasts,he CIl
dwelt upon the in er.,,st talcei bscytahecePs, driannee
Consort in the progress of arts acd sciences,
cited as an instance the circuinstAnce that a few
days after D:. Livingstone's arrival in England his
Royal Highness reque-ted that distinguish-A travel-
ler to wait upon him and to narrate to himself and
his royal family the story of his travels in Africa.
Mr. GLADSTONE is responding to the toast of the
"Universiti s and the progz ees of 0 )mparative
Geography," remarked that universities wore no
longer as they were formerly, the sole repertories of
knowledge. Other bodies, such as that with which
most present were emnecteJ, were in the field
searching in all quarters, and even publishing. ew
facts, but between these bodies and-the universities
there
hood. was a deep feeling of sympathy and brother-

The health of Sir R. MURCHISON was most en-
thusiastically drunk, and that distinguished philo-
sopher, in returning thanks, ob-ervecl that he was
now eniering upon the seventh year of office, the
present being the third in succes,ion as President
of the society, and however arduous the duties,
which they undoubtedly were, he regarded them as
a labour of love, and hip hearty efforts would not
be want ng to advance the progress of the society.
Some other toasts having been drunk the coin-
pany sopara..ed.

A HOLY " SPUNGE."—The Calcutta PhCeniac announces
the death of. an extraordinary impostor called To Sain
The man was believed so holy that he was allowed to
wander about at large, and feed with as little opposition
as the Brahmin bulls. Every morning he went out frcaa
his house with a large lag which be filled with grain and
spices 'from the various shops in the bazaar, taking he e
' and there a handful. None of the bunneahs ever inter-
fered. The man, it was supposed, could work miracles,
and was reputed to sleep at night hung by the heel to one
of the rafters of his hut. We are not toll who let him
clown when he succeeded in liarigri himself.
FIRE AT CHARLTON-WHARF, KENT.—On Saturday
morning a fire took piece on the premises termed Chart-,
ton wharf, the property of Sir T. Wilson and the Messrs.
Hoare, the brewers, but let to Mr. W. Ayler, the
rope manufacturer. The total amount of loss is va-
rionly estimated, but the following is the efficial report
by Mr. Superintendent Braid wood :—" Saturday, May
22, seven o'clock a.m.—A fire broke out in the premises
termed Charlton-wharf, situate at Challtor, in Kent, in
the occupation of Mr. W. Ayler, rope-maker. The land-
lords are Sir Thomas Wilson and Messrs. Hoare, the
brewers. The etcck was insured in the Pl-coaix Fire-
office
the furniture was insured in the Sun, and the
cl;ffluice 'ncg
ealne
tdrd
aire rathp_ehLUthnsiofinr.s
was. 'excatil
i'gwniassherdecebiyvepdolpiceer
te cause of fire unknown. A brick
building used as l:
r
oourte hroouosie s,
of a boutrops 70
groundsfeet longbyu
andctt i
03: feet wide, burnt
away, aud furniture damaged by water Aid removal,"