The Sun.
London, England, 1835-05-21 00:00:00

LONDON MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.

Last night the Eleventh Anniversary of this excellent Insti-
tution was held in the Great Room in Southampton-buildings.
The numbers present could not have been less than from 1,000
to 1,200. Among the company we observed a number of
elegantly dressed ladies. On the platform were, Sir Francis
Burdett, M. P. ; Mr. Hume, M. P. ; Mr. D. W. Harvey,
M. P. ; Mr. Tennyson, M. P. ; Col. Leith Hay; M. P. ;
Mr. Pease, M. P. ; -Mr. Tooke, M. P.: Mr. Basil Mon-
tague, and others.

Dr.
BIRKBECK was called to the Chair.
The CHAIRMAN commenced the business of the evening by
observing that another year had passed away, and by congra.
tulating the members of the Institution on the progress it had
continued to make. Their success was certain. Edacation
was now progressing every where ; and all the opposition
which the advocates of education had formerly to encounter
was now at an end. The number of their members was 1,112,
while the members of the Mechanics' Institution in Manches-
ter were 1,232, and in Liverpool, 1,206.
Sir F. BURDETT then rose amidst loud cheering, and moved
the following, namely :
" That in the actnal condition, in the already manifested results,
and in the future promise of the London Mechanics' Institution,
this meeting finds abundant matter for warm congratulation, with
all those enlightened men who saw and taught that the surest means
of bettering a community, were to attempt the improvement of the
elements which compose it, by giving to every individual the oppor-
tunity of acquiring, at the easiest cost to himself, more knowledge,
more wisdom, and a better training of action and of thought,
than had, by previous institutions, been within his reach, and who
sought the attainment of their ends by the foundation and support
of establishments like this, now so flourishing and so productive of
good fruits."
The resolution was unanimously agreed to.
Mr. D. W. HARVEY proposed the next resolution :
" That the acquirements made by Members of the London Me-
chanics' Institution, as displayed on this and on former like occa-
sions of the anniversary of the foundation of the institution, testify
to the completeness and to the correctness of the scheme on which
it was originally organized ; and show to demonstration that it
possesses the means of furnishing to its students all those opportu-
nities of self-improvement which, when sedulously cultivated,
cannot fail to raise the individual to higher regard in his social re-
lations, and to purer satisfaction to his personal feelings."
The resolution was agreed to.
Mr. HustE moved the next resolution—
" That the London Mechanics' Institution, and all which, like it,
are actively engaged in the practical dissemination of useful know-
ledge, and of the elements of profitable art, deserve, as in this
country, in its actual state of mental development, they are sure to
secure, the kindest support and the most cordial aid of all en-
lightened men and true philanthropists."
Mr. DEPPAY moved the next resolution, as follows :

" That to all those who, from. enlarged views, from liberal senti-
ment, and from kindly feelings towards their species, have con-
duced by their countenance, their co-operation, or their pecuniary
aid, to spread and to support institutions like this, the grateful ac-
knowledgments of this meeting are due, and are now with warmth
and sincerity respectfully tendered."
The resolution was agreed to unanimously ; after which the
Meeting separated.

A regular yokel, passing through Chertsey on the
last market day, and seeing some gold fish suspended in a
glass globe in a window, looked in stupid amazement at them
for some time, and then declared it was the first time he had
ever seen red herrings alive I— Windsor Express.
THE RATHCORMAC TITHE SLAUGHTER.—III
the King's Bench, on Tuesday, the Chief Justice delivered the
judgment of the Court in this case—that the inquisitions
must be quashed, on the ground of impropriety on the part of
the coroners in taking lists from interested parties from which
to select jurors. The court should also admit the objection,
that time was not specified in the requisitions, although they
did not make it ground for granting the application on behalf of
the defendant.

THE KAFIRS.— The recent incursions of these
wild tribes upon Graham's Town, and the panic created even
at Cape,Town itself, have naturally drawn our attention to the
latest work on South Africa—Lieut. Moodie's " Ten Years
in South Africa"—a most amusing book, and particularly in-
teresting, as presenting to us a recent account of the Kafirs,
of whom it gives many curious and highly entertaining par-
ticulars. It is a capital practical work for the emigrant ;as
it relates the life of a settler during ten years in this country.
Lieutenant Moodie describer the wild sports of Africa with
great spirit.
WESTMINSTER HALL.—The repairs in the inte-
rior of this ancient structure are near completion. The
eastern window, and the gate at the entrance, present a new
face. Both the openings which led to the old Duchy of Lan-
caster Court are closed up. Instead of the rough surface
which time had made upon the walls, there is now a neat
smooth facing of Bath stone, which gives to the fabric a clean
modern appearance. When the pave is laid, and the steps
leading to the Law Courts properly raised, the Hall will be
worthy the inspection of those who admire this vestige of the
Palace of our Norman Kings. The old cornice, consisting
of portions of the armorial bearings of Edward the Confcs,-,or
and Richard the Second, which has been re-sculptured„ is
quite finished. It forms an interesting feature in the (qua-
mental work.