The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-18 00:00:00

was sorry to find that they were now reducing the
number of volunteer companies and taking away
the pay of the officers. He hoped, however,
such a change would not be carried into
effect; for he thought if there was ever a
time when they were called upon to keep them-
selves prepared for any emergency now was the
time. (Hear, hear.) He hoped the subject to which
he had just adverted would attract the notice of
those who had the power to bring it under the con-
sideration of the Government. He did not know
so good a militia law as that of Canada ; he knew
it was working well, and he hoped it would con-
tinue to do so ; but if the province were deprived
of the means of keeping up the force by any change
with respect to the Ordnance lands he should very
much deplore the result. The hon. baronet apolo-
gised for taking the liberty of stating those few
facts, and was cheered on resuming his seat.
The meeting, which was also addressed by Mr.
Perceval and Mr. Jobson, did not terminate until
nearly 11 o'clock.

ARTISTS' GENERAL BENEVOLENT
INSTITUTION.

On Saturday the 44th annual festival of the sup-
porters and friends of this institution was celebrated
at the Freemasons' Tavern, Great Queen-street ;
Viscount Hardinge in the chair. His lordship was
supported on the occasion by an unusually large
number of the more eminent members of the pro-
fession, and patrons of the fine arts ; and among
those present we observed Sir Charles Eastlake,
Sir Walter James, Sir Edwin Landseer, Sir Charles
Barry, Mr. Elmore, R.A. Mr. Frith, R.A. Mr.
Roberts, R.A., Mr. Foley, R.A., Mr. Creswick,' R.A.
Mr. Sidney Cooper, R.A., Mr. Egg, R.A., Mr.
Philip, A.R.A., Mr. Frank Stone, A.R.A., Mr.
Weekes, A.R.A., Mr. Hurlstone, Mr. J. Dillon,
Mr. Greene, Mr. Day, and numerous others. The
association was instituted in 1814, and is under the
immediate patronage of her Majesty, and the ob-
jects of the association are the affording assistance
to widows and orphans, and the relief of decayed
artists. Since the establishment of the association
not less than 1,620 donations have been granted by
the society, the aggregate of which amounted to a
sum of rather more than £20,000. During the past
year the operations of the society had extended to
73 cases, including sculptors, historical painters,
enamel painters, landscape painers, engravers, and
the widows and orphans of artists in every depart-
ment. The income of the society from all sources
amounted for the year to £1,959, and the expendi-
ture, including £1,075 for donations and relief, to
£1,314, leaving a balance applicable for what
is termed the " Christmas distribution," of £645
The funds of the society are separated, one, avail-
able for the assistance of the members being called
the Artists' Annuity Fund; the other, applicable to
the relief of the widows and children of members,
being the Artists' Benevolent Fund. The two funds
are, however, for the objects of the association
united, but the society has adopted the sound prin-
ciple that it does not afford relief to any artist,
however great his merits, or unfortunate his cir-
cumstances, who is not a member of the association,
nor to the widows or families of any who have not
that claim upon its resources. The association has
upon its various anniversaries had the privilege of
having its claims advocated by the most distin-
guished men of the age, and the late Duke of Kent
was the first chairman at the anniversary dinners.
On the present occasion Lord Hardinge, as we have
stated, was the president.
After the usual loyal and national toasts had
been disposed of,
The noble CHAIRMAN, in proposing the toast of
"Prosperity to the Artists' Benevolent Institution,"
observed that, however industrious the artist might
be, and however persevering might be his efforts
to achieve success in his profession, he might still
be deficient in one or two particulars, and might
fail at the moment when success appeared within
his grasp. It might and did frequently happen
that even when success had been achieved, and the
artist believed that he was on the road to obtain-
ing competency for himself and his family, that
he was suddenly afflicted with loss of sight, dis-
ease, or sickness in any one of its varied forms,
which dashed from him all the cherished hopes of
acquiring that competence to which it had been his
ambition to attain. (Hear, hear.) He had heard
too,—he could not say how far the report was cor-
rect,—that photography had most materially affected
the position of the miniature painter, and this con-
stituted an additional claim upon the funds of the
association and the liberality of the profession. It
was most gratifying to find that since the establish-
ment of the association upwards of £20,000 had
been distributed in relieving artists in every branch
of the fine arts. (Cheers.) It was a peculiar and
highly creditable feature of this association that its
expense, compared with the relief afforded, was so
small. The small expenses of the manag.mout uf
the institution was a point deserving of peculiar
notice. Exclusive of the expenses connected with
the annual festival—which, however, was a source
of a considerable share of the income of the society
--the annual expenses did not amount to more than
£l6O, or not more than 8 per cent. upon the amount
distributed. As compared with other associations
of a similar character the percentage of expenses of
this society contrasted in a most favourable manner.
It was a matter of congratulation not only that the
society was managed economically, but also that it
was conducted efficiently. Great credit was due to
Sir C. Eastlake, the president, and to Mr. Roper,
the secretary of the association, for the manner in
which its affairs were conducted. His lordship
concluded by proposing the toast, which was drunk
with great enthusiasm.
Sir C. EASTLAKE proposed " The Hetlth of the
noble Chairman," who had always evinced great
interest in the progress of art, and win also pos-
sessed great fondness for the pursuit, as well as
great facility of production. (Cheers.)
The toast was drunk most enthusiastically.
Sir WALTER JAMES proposed the toast of " Sir
Charles Eastlake and the Royal Academy."
Sir CHARLES EASTLAKE, in returning thanks,
expressed a hope that in the new house which was
to be provided for the Royal Academy they would
be able to afford greatly increased accommodation
to works of art. Wherever they went the Royal
Academy would, however, take with them their
attachment to the cause of art, and world always
continue most favourably disposed towards the
Artists' Benevolent Association,

The Secretary announced the list of suiscriptions
for the evening to amount to upwards of £5OO.

The usual routine toasts followed, and the even-
ing passed off most pleasantly. The reusical ar-
rangements were under the direction of M 7. Lockey,
and the vocal music was performed by Mi. Loekey,
assisted by Miss Banks, Mrs. Lockey, Mr Francis,
Mr. Land, and Mr. Winn. The selection was very
good, and we cannot forbear specially noticing Mrs.
Lockey's charming singing of a new ballad by
Hime, " True love never dies," which is admirably
adapted to Mrs. Lockey's beautiful contra:to voice.
The dinner and wines gave great satisfaction, and
were supplied with that liberality and taste which
distinguish the cuisine of the Freemasons' Tavern.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENag•

PORTSMOUTH.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was
held on Thursday at the offices in Great. George-
street—Mr. R. D. Mangles in the chair.
The advertisement convening the meeting having
been read, the report was laid before the shareholders
and adopted. A special meeting was the held to
consider the bill authorising the leasing of the line
to the South-Western Company.
The Solicitor having read the heads of tle bill,
The CHAIRMAN stated that before putting the
resolution approving the bill he must be allowed to
make a few observations with reference to the cir-
cular issued by Mr. Locke and other gentlemen
soliciting proxies against the bill. He felt himself
bound in honour and the true interests of the com-
pany to uphold the agreement entered into with
the South-Western Company, and he could not but
feel that they would materially jeopardise the inte-
rests of this company were the shareholders to
adopt the views of Mr. Locke and his friend% He
admitted that Mr. Locke was perfectly justified in
the course he had taken, he having all through
opposed the agreement ; but he considered those
who voted for the agreement on the 29th of Nov.
and the 31st March, as well as those who stopped
away from the meetings and allowed the resolu-
tions to be passed, were bound to uphold the deci-
sion then come to. He would remind them that
this bill did not bind them to any special arrange-
ment with the South-Western Company, but only
authorised them to enter into some arrangement,
which, if entered into would have to come befoic
them for consideration at another meeting. The
only difference was this, that whereas it required 6
majority consisting of three-fourths of the share-
holders voting to sanction the bill, a majority of
three-fifths would be sufficient to ratify the ar-
rangement ; and he put it to Mr. Locke whether

it was worth while; for the sake of the trifling
advantage it would give the proprietors, thus to
throw out the bill, and thereby break off their
arrangements with the South-Western Company.
He confessed that he looked with alarm on any
proceeding which should have such an effect ; and.
the Brighton and South-Western Companies hav-
ing quarrelled in consequence of this arrangement,
the latter company might seize the opportunity
of treating with them and renewing their arrange-
ments with the Brighton Company. When their
debentures were renewed upon more favourable
terms than the interest they bore at present, as
they would be when they were ccnnected with the