The Sun.
London, England, 1835-05-22 00:00:00

WESTERN DISPENSARY.

the twenty-fifth Anniversary Dinner of this excellent In-
slitution took place yesterday at the Freemasons' Tavern.
There was a very numerous and respectable attendance ; and
in the absence of Lord Bexley, who was prevented by a prior
engagement from presiding, the Chair was taken by Charles
W. Hallett, Esq., one of the Vice Presidents of the Charity.
When the cloth had been removed, and " Non nobis Do-
Illi„,°e" sung by the professional gentlemen present-
-1
Ai he" CHAIRMAN gave—" The King," three times three.
r—,God save the King." Queen." " The Princess
iViieetoria, and the rest of the Royal Family.” n His Majesty
King of the Belgians, the Patron of the Charity." " The
Army and Navy."
The CHAIR NIAN-Gentlemen, in connection with the nest
toast, it is necessary for me to offer a few observations upon
the subject of our meeting this day. Among the many noble
and charitable institutions by which this metropolis is distin-
guished before all the cities of the world, there are none that
accomplish a greater extent of good, in comparison with their
means, than Dispensaries.—( Hear.) It is true we have nume-
rous hospitals, and valuable establishments they are, and in our
°yin district we have one which is certainly an honour to the city
:4' Westminster, and reflects great credit on those concerned in
in its management. But it is impossible that the Hospitals
Can afford accommodation to all those who seek relief in so
extensive a metropolis. lam sure it will not be thought
that I am wishing to detract from the merits of Hospitals, and
Particularly the Westminster Hospital, with which I am so
Intimately connected, and in the success of which I am so
d e,ePIY interested, if I say that there are some points in
allude
Dispensaries possess advantages over Hospitals, and I
particularly to the small number of patients which tile
farmer can accommodate, in comparison with the number of
IPaatttieeL S who receive medical advice and assistance from tile
Hear, hear.) There is another advantage which
"L'is,Pensaries possess, for while the others give relief to
patients who are inmates, the Dispensaries give attendance
and relief to the sick poor at their own homes, which the Hos-
Pitals do not.—( Cheers.) There are many cases in which it
Is essential that patients should not be taken from their homes
i:"^rnany cases in which a sick husband should not be removed
r°ol the care and affection of his wife—a child from the
attention of its first nurse, its mother--or a mother from
!_er children.—(Hear.) But there are also other cases in
which the patient should have all the comforts and conveniences
or a public hospital, and not be subject to the precarious at-
tention or assistance which they can procure in their wretched
ra crowded lodgings. 'Thus these two institutions work to
same end by different means, and both have an equal claim
n the public support, and the exertions of those connected
IA them. Having said thus much of dispensaries generally,
ssanl sure I may add that the Western Dispensary is the best
its kind—( Cheering)—that its details are admirable-
-I's general management excellent—and its funds administered
Ptliciously and economically. I regret that these funds are
lmited, and that the institution at present stands in need of
4; IWe do not think it right to solicit subscriptions indivi-
ZIY from the gentlemen present who have kindly attended
to dinner, but the Secretary is in attendance, and will be glad
Meanwhile,
any subscriptions or donations that may be offered.
weanwhile, Gentlemen, I beg leave to give you " The
estern Dispensary, and may its prosperity increase with its
usefulness."—( Loud cheering.)
Ns'lr• W. EVANS begged to propose the health of a Noble-
C.," who was a sincere well-wisher of the Charity, and who
on many occasions displayed his munificence towards it.
h e regretted that circumstances which he could not controul
std prevented them from being honoured by his Grace's pre-
:nee, but he had sent them with his usual liberality a splendid
tj:riation 50/. He would give them " the health of his Grace
toe__Duke of Buceleuch. the President of the Institution."...
:teat cheering.)
10,11% Wools observed, that it was a just source of pride
gratification to Englishmen, that among the many elee-
-o,llary intitutions by which the capital of Great Britain was
binguished, there were some whose title page was engraved
I_he names of some of our nobility, and many which could
of a kingly pat ron.—( Hear, hear.) From the highest
olillmk down to the humbler, but not less valuable supporters
these institutions, all were united in endeavouring to pro-
, the objects of the charity with which- they were con-
j Vied, and to realize the wants of their poor and suffering
beeetur.en• He was about to propose
.to them the healths of
Vice_ Presidents of the Western Dispensary ; and although
;th was aware that wealth was never more honoured, or rank
344 talent more elevated, than in presiding at the anniver-
thrY dinner of a charity like the present ; still he thought
tender them their thanks, and testif, y their gratitude to those
gobleinen
who occasionally condescended to attend their anni-
Loal? meetings.—( Cheers.) They had the Right Hon.
d Bexley, Lord Henley, Lord Melville, and many other
40 lemen and Church dignitaries ; and though last, not least,
M Point of worth and efficiency, they had Mr. Charles Wm.
Cheers.) The presence of that gentleman would
ittiet,:(ent him (Mr. Wood) from dilating upon his merits, and•
hi hough he had neither Right Hon. before, no M. P. after
~.11al'ne, the friends of the charity were not less sensible of
lig,"‘ortb, nor less grateful for his exertions.—(Great cheer-
g•) He He would give them "Lord Viscount Melville, and the
her Vice-Presidents of the Institution."
vrr. HALLETT begged to return thanks on behalf of the
Itsee Presidents. He regretted that Lord Bexley had not
I:anded their dinner, but he was satisfied that nothing but
solt.YPeculiar circumstances had prevented his doing so. He
` highly flattered at having his name associated with the
ti her distnguished Vice Presidents, and he should be at all
,z'es ready to promote, by every means in his power, the
Fro_sperity and usefulness of the institution.--( Cheers.)
Mr. LINDEMAN, the Secretary, then proceeded to read the
tepgirtr oTfutohmeAssubcascorciptions received, which was loudly cheered.
EANE would take the liberty of proposing
It
ttrai toast t vvhich he was sure would be received with enthusiasm.
been justly observed that the public charities of that
izropolis exceeded those of all the other parts of great Bri-
otcr nay, ho would say that they exceeded those of all the
0 cities of the world. He thought also that the females
t...lhettir anxiety to
exceeded in the same proposition all others, in
to sympathise with the distresses and alleviate the
Bringsif of their fellow countrymen and women.—( Hear.)
evidence
had not been already fully satisfied upon that head the
of the last week would have convinced him.
;Vicar, hear.) He had lately attended a public meeting,
object of which was to relieve the wants and promote the
creationt of our fellow-countrymen in a foreign colony, and of
44e... large assemblage that filled the Hall on that occasion,
itZely five-sixths were ladies—( Loud cheering)—all taking
th "ve part in assisting by their presence and their purses
necessities of their countrymen and women, although in a
40'tant land.—( Renewed cheering.) When he found them
ehileerfully assisting to relieve those at a distance, was it
ssse,r'sing that they should come forward to promote the inte-
(A: °f a charity like that they were now met to celebrate ?
I)l4P`lause.) But a few weeks since he ( Sir T. Cochrane)
411 attended a large meeting in that room to advocate the
ttituSe. of the Westminster Hospital, another most valuable In-
Isithtl°o, and he had on that occasion expressed his sentiments
Or, respect to the present one, which he considered as a sort
ssZrollary to it. The Dispensary took up what the Hospital
Were not attend to—it provided fur the wants of those who
itsp hy the regulations inadmissible to the other. It was a
spoilt Means of opreventing the poorer classes from being thrown
Pte,
th e Hospitals, as it in a manner anticipated disease, and
taieinted by timely relief that protracted suffering which they
the Otherwise undergo.—( Hear, hear.) Whatever might be
,rnerits and claims of other institutions there was no doubt of
stisf4-111:s of the present—its object was to afford relief to real
'104:41g, for no person would fsig,n illness or neglect his
Tho and his family, for the purpose of taking medicine.
k4Ge, could be no imposition, therefcre, upon the charity,
Varita'nia was one of its great peculiarities, and of its chief ad-
debt gses• To the exertions of the ladies they were much in-
flesteu; and the least they could do was to acknowledgs the
4iv gratitude they owed to them. Ile should therefore
(Gese'ern---" The Ladies Governesses of the Institution."—
,at Cheering.)
047 CHAIRMAN, in proposing the next toast, expressed the
Ist ecation he felt in announcing the name of a gentleman
1.4
teeter he felt the highest esteem, both in his private elia-
bi,,r and in his public capacity as Treasurer of the Western
!ibirnsary......( Applause.) They were all aware haw valu-
Its 'pit Was to the interests of a public institution to have as
)It4 Tr
a gentleman so well known, and whose character
its ,
stsi.
~suffieient guarantee for the judicious appropriation of
;ohrs-4"8.--( Cheers.) That duty, he believed, could not de-
Kra UPOrl a more upright and honourable man than Mr.
the °• whose health he begged to propose.—(Continued
Il
~ert?6 )
nr,
.
At.e toast, was drank with great enthusiasm.
toasn: -e.v.ssrs returned thanks. He felt grateful for the warm
alf,r,ja which his health had been drank, and he should be
'ltsass'eles most happy to afford every assistance in his power
tios,-'s promoting the objects of the charity ; and any exer
11,of his had been amply repaid by their kindness.-( Cheers.)
insti,e CHAIRMAN said it was well known that the charitable
tio`ntinns of the metropolis were much indebted to the exer-
the Off the Clergy—they were useful not only by giving the
their pulpits, but they were also the channels of much
le bounty. Cheers.
th he Dean and_ Chapter of Westminster, and the Clergy
The united parishes."
took khe Ism Mr. JENNINGS returned thanks. The Clergy
21t1:° Merit to themselves for any exertions they had made
ea,.use of charity, for they considered it a part of their
hen tie spoke the sentiments of his reverend brethren
cif stated that the present charity had done a vast deal
V° With very limited means.—( Hear, hear.)
eatit,,next toast was " the Bishop and Clergy, who have oc-
lea,
kr. '4 advocated the cause of the C_harity.
Miish It.tsAmsoN proposed " the health of the Chairman,"
ill_was received with great cheering.
iCHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks.
kr.ii e Churchwardens of the united parishes."
..r.,,,oirry returned thanks.
'Ai; "Con, after some complimentary observations upon the
Thene Media zeal of the genemen to whom he alluded, gave
brl Officers of the Institution."
The
returned thanks.
41,:e Stewards."
aho
k.tit half-past ten the Chairman retired, and the company
,i,h3 afterwards broke up.
e4Aret° was some excellent singing during the evening, by
eiee Broadhurst, Hudson, &c. The arrangements were
—"lt, and reflected much credit upon the Stewards.
Th,

1/41.14,de Youngest daughter of the present French Am-
-4Y011,7:'.-' has °recently taken the veil. She is described to he
't he Lady of gre7,t beauty and accomplishments.
p,,aira.,,ci•es::.llll4llll,llAdlubre.i
during
of p;
rpi 0 s landed and embarked at
1835, sb),w,,,an increase,i7 as corn-
, nt PrelVe wousand
cildBto o,pril last year, of upwarus
ne Gazete.