The Sun.
London, England, 1857-06-11 00:00:00

PRIOR 4D. STAMPED 5n .]

the institution, he felt great pride in belonging to a
society, the labours of chose members were universally
known and appreciated, and who were individually the
missionaries of civilisation throughout the world. This
position could scarcely have been reached but for the in-
stitution, which attracted towards it all that mental
power and practical skill, which, when combined, con-
duced so materially to the nation's wealth and the peo-
ple's prosperity. Reverting to the toast he had the
honour to propose ; no man occupied a more prominent
position than their excellent President, and no man was
more worthy of that position. His history was that of
most of the great men of this country he had sprung
from the ranks of the people, and by his own exertions
alone, he had attained his present high reputation, and
established a fame which was indissolubly connected
with the greatest works of the present period. He gave
them the health of Mr. R. Stephenson, President, and
the Institution of Civil Engineer's, over which he so
worthily presided.
Mr. R. STEMENSON, in returning thanks, cordially
subscribed to all that had fallen from Mr. Locke, with
respect to the advantages afforded by the institution, in
bringing together men of intelligence and skill, and con-
ferring great benefit upon the profession generally, but
more especially in allaying that effervescence of feeling
engendered by professional contests, which were now
conducted in a spirit to induce mutual respect and esteem.
He regretted the absence of his friend, Mr. Brunel, with
whom he had maintained arduous struggles, which he
could now look back upon with such pleasure as almost
to desire to fight again "The Battle of the Gauges."
Mr. FIELD said, as one of the founders of the insti-
tution, and now be believed the of lent member, he well
recollected the time when their meetings were few and
small in numbers, and their ultimate success was very
problematical ; their great difficulty was to find a secre-
tary combining all the qualifications they required, be-
cause such a man would poesels engineering knowledge
and other talents which would enable him to strike out
a more profitable course. They tried many good men,
and he despaired of ever finding the proper man, but at
length Lis old friend Mr. Manby was prevailed upon to
take the position, and for the last eighteen years they
had all witnessed the success of his efforts.

The result., from so small and unpromising a begin-
ning, had astonished as much as they had gratified him.
They were row entering on a new phase of the exirtence
of the society. Mr. Manby had partially withdrawn
from the post of Secretary, with honours which he hoped
would long he enjoyed, and they had in prospect as his
successor a gentleman who was well known to them
from his long as,ociation with Mr. Manby as bis pupil,
and who appeared to be jest the person they wanted.
He begged to propose, " Success to the Institution of
Civil Engineer.-," coupling with it the name of Mr. Jae.
R:Trest, the Assi,tant-Secretary.
Mr. FORREST said, that through the kindness of his
friend Mr. Manby, he had been incidentally connected
with the instituti.n for nearly fourteen years, and by the
council he had been selected to succeed to the office
which had been so long and so ably filled as to merit the
demonstration o the day. He only hoped that when he
stepped into the position with its reeponsibilAies, he
might, by following the footsteps of his predecessor,
equally merit thvir confidence ; he should try to do so,
and with th,ir kind assistance he trus'ed to performing
the cioLies of the post so as to promote the best interests
of the society.
Mr. GLYNN begged permission to propose " Success
to the Great Eastern Steam Ship," coupling with the
toast the name of Mr. Scott Russdl.

Mr. SCOTT RUSSELL said he was undoubte,,ly proud
of being the builder of the great ship, and should feel
still prouder if she achieved the success he ventured to
anticipate. The most remarkable feature connected
with it was that a body of men should be found
who would subscribe 700,0001. for an undertak-
ing, the success of which was declared to be very proble-
matical ; that feeling would, however, be diminished
when it was know❑ that three-fourths of the shares in
the under eking were held by members and associates of
the Institution of Civil En,ineers. That fact alone spoke
volumes for the safety of the structure. Mr. Brunel,
who must be called the father of the project, Lad desired
to have the smallest ship capable of taking its own fuel
to Australia and back, and conveying such a cargo of
goods and passengers as should bo remunerative. Calcu-
lation showed the actual dimensions to be necessary, and
the system of con ular constructon adopted at the Britannia
Bridge afforded the strength of these vastly increased pro.
pertions, which Lad at first surpri-ed even English
engineers, with their habit of regarding everything as
possible. The size did not, however, astonish even the
merchants, who contemplated finding cargoes for
without trouble. It would be a proud day both for
Mr. Brunel, (whose absence ho regretted), and for him,
when the "Great Eastern" was committed to her proper
element. The ship was a specimen of what the com-
bined qualities of mea could produce, and it impressed
upon all beholders the ad%antages of such union as the
institution afforded the means of encouraging. United
they could do almost anything, and their efforts must
benefit their country, and be conducive to their own
good.
Tire Chairman then quitted the chair, and every one
retired early, well satisfied with the proceedings of the
day.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

ASCOT RACES- WE DNESDA Y.

The Heath presented that dreary appearance
characteristic of all race-courses on a wet day. The
few spectators who lined the-course opposite the
Grand Stand " kicked their heels about" the sod-
den grass with a kind of listless indifference to the
proceedings, and exposed themselves to the heavy
showers that fell at quick intervals with a resigna-
tion which showed that before setting out they bad
been bent upon pursuing sport under difficulties.
' Few carriages were to be seen, and they had no
lady occupants, the gentlemen inside them hud-
dling close together, scarcely emerging from their
shelter to see the horses as they shot past them.
At times, when the rain descended- more heavily
than usual, the Grand Stand enclosure appeared
deserted, and at other times, when only slight
showers were falling, it showed a perfect forest of
umbrelias, or, as it was remarked, it appeared as if
mushrooms of enormous size had suddenly sprung
up there during the pelting rain. Thunder, too,
occasionally burst in loud claps or rumbled in the
distance, but a bright gleam of sunshine now and
then relieved the general gloom, and the dark
clouds occasionally broke, revealing bright patches
of a deep blue sky. Just as thesport was concluded
the rain ceased, and when we quitted the Heath
the sun was shining brightly, lighting up gaily the
surrounding landscape.
The racing was most interesting, and was tho-
roughly enjoyed by the dreadnought turfites, who,
regardless of wind and weather, will congregate
together. The Wednesday, although it is popu-
larly considered an " off" day, furnishes certainly.
the " prettiest" racing of the week ; the appear-
ance of the competitors for a Hunt Cup as they de-
scended the hill on the New Mile being particu-
larly striking and picturesue. The triumph of Lord
Londesborough caused general gratification, and
the trophy which he gained by the prowess of his
filly Bonheur is worthy of his sideboard. It is a
candelabrum, standing about 2i feet high, of pure
and simple design, having branches for six lights,
which can be moved, and the stem and upper part
used as a stand for flowers. The stem rises from a
rocky base, on which are represented in high relief,
on one side, tivo fallow deer and a recumbent doe.
This cup, which is very appropriate in its details,
is from the design of Mr. Thomas Brown
The admirable patience with which young Ray-
nor rode the winner was deservedly noticed ; nor
must we omit to re-echo the terms of c numenda-

tion which were occasioned by the excellent start
effe3ted by Mr. Edward Hibburd, who was act-
ing for his biother, who is, unfortunately, inca-
pacitated, by severe indisposition, from discharging
his usual duties. By the way, the Vase which was
woes yesterday by Mr. Howard's Arsenal was ma-
nufactured at the establishment of Messrs. Garrard,
Panton-street, Haymarka. It is designed and
modelled by Mr. Cutterill, who has accomplished
the task committel to his hands in a most admir-
able manner. The Vase, or rather " Cup)" is a
capacious tankard of bright silver, capable of con-
ta-ning upwards of a gallon. This buge flagon bas
a lid or cover, on which is repres,inted with great
truth and spirit the contest of a boar, brought to
bay, with two ferocious dogs.
The sport was decided as follows :
The Coronation Stakes, of 100 sore each, half ft, fer
3-yr-olds fillies B,t 71b. One mile. 14 subs.
(Fordham) 1
Lord Exeter's Beechnut,' 8 71)
Lord Portsmouth's Ayacanors, Bst 71b (A. Day) 2
Betting-5 to 2on Ayacanora.
They alternately led for the first half-mile, when
Beechnut took up the running, carried it on the end,
winning easily by a length.
The Windsor Castle Stakes of 10 sovs each, with 100
added, for 3-yr-olds ; colts, B,t 7tb •, fillies, B.t 31b.
Certain winners extra. One mile. 23 subs.
Baron Rothschild 's Sydney, 9st (D. Hughes) 1
Mr. R. Sherwood's Fright, Bst 111b...(R. Sherwood) 2
Mr. M. Dennett's Zaidee, Bst 710 (Fordham) 3
Betting-6 to 4on Zaidee ;2to 1 agst Sydney ;8 to
1 agst Fright.
Fright lad to the distance, where Sydney headed him,
winning in an easy manner by half a length. ZAidee was
beaten at the distance, and was polled up opposite the
S and.
The Royal Hunt Cop, a piece of plate value 200 sovs by
subscriptions of 10 sovs each, with 100 added, for all
ages. New Mile. 46 subs.
Lord Londesborough's Rosa Bonheur, by Touchstone,
3 yrs, 5,4 101 b (Rayner) 1
Lrrrd de Mauley's Cotswold, 4 yrs, Os 71b ..(J. Land) 2
Mr. Alexander's Humbug, 3 yrs, 54 41b (Perry) 3
The falowing also ran :—The Early Bird, Flacrow,
Artillery, Polmoodie, Theodora, Kestrel, Manganese,