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

ROYAL GEJGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of 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 pak
year, and concluded 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 fame, were the individuals thus hon-
oured, the former being represented by the Ameri-
can Minister, Mr. Dallas. In the evening abaut
120 of the members attended the dinner at the
Freemasons' Tavern, Sir R Murchison again pre-
siding, and being supported by the Swedish Am-
bassador, Mr. W. Gladstone, M.P., Colonel Sykeq,
M.P., the Etrl of Sheffield, Sir J. Back, General
Monteith, D Shea, the Ray. Dr. Worthington,
Mr. Gruneisen, (Lc.

The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the usual loyal
toasts, dwelt upon the interest taken by the Prince
Consort in the progress of arts and sciences, and
cited as an instance the ciroumstance that a fow
days after Dr. Livingstone's arrival in England his
Royal Highness requested that distinguished 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 tout of the
" Universitis and the progress of Comparative
Geography," remarked that universities were no
longer as they were formerly, the sole repertorie ; of
knowledge. Other bodies, such as that with which
moat present were connected, were in the field
searching in all quarters, and even publishing new
facts, but between those bodies and the universities
there was a deep Boling of sympathy and brother-
hood.

The health of Sir R. MURCHISON was most en-
thusiastically chunk, and that distinguished philo-
sopher, in returning thanks, observed that he was
now entering upon the seventh year of office, the
present being the third in succession as President
of the society, and however arduous the duties,
which they undoubtedly were, ho regarded them as
a labour of love, and his hearty efforts would not
be want.ng to advance the progress of the society.
Some other toasts having been drunk the com
pany separated.

A HOLT " SPIINGE."—The Calcutta Platen'
the death of an extraordinary impostor called li`tintouSam
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 frcm
his house with a large tag which he filled with grain and
spices from the various shops in the bazaar, taking he •
aod there a handful. None of the bunneahs ever inter-
fered. The man, it was supposed, could work miracles,
an I was reputed to sleep at night hung by the heel to one
of the rafters of his hut. We are not told who let him
do .vn when be succeedr d in banging himself.
FIRE AT CHARLTON-WHARF, KENT.-00 Saturday
morning a tire took
place on the premises termed Charl-
ton-wharf, the property of Sir T. Wilson and Fhb Messrs.
Hoare, the brewers, but let to Mr. W. Ayler, the
r ipe manufacturer. The total amount of loss is va-
riously estimated, but the following is the cficial 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 Charltor, in Kent, in
the occupation of Mr. W. Ayler, rope-maker. The land-
lords are Sir Thomas Wilson and Messrs. Hoare, the
brewers. The stock was insured in the Phoiloix Fire-
office; the furniture was insured in the Sun, and the
buildiugs in the Unioir. The ' call' was received per
electric telegraph ; the fire was extinguished by police
and firemen. TI e cause of fire unknown. A brick
buildinget used as storehouses, about 70 feet long and 30
f wide, burnt out roof of rope grounds by cutting
away, aad furniture damaged by water Wld removal."