The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-21 00:00:00

.ROI.AL FREE HOSPITAL.

The anniversary festival of this institution was
celebrated at the Freemasons' Tavern on Tuesday
evening, under the presidency of the Right Hon.
the Lord Mayor—Mr, Sheriff Abbiss, Mr. Sheriff ,
Lusk, Mr. Alderman Rose, Dr. Marsden, Dr. Tier- .
man' Dr. Hassell, Dr. O'Connor, Mr. E. Halswell,
Mr. Weedon Cooke, Mr. W. Hill, Mr. Gant, Mr.
A. Marsden, Mr. B. Head, Mr. George Moore, Mr. i
Morgan J. O'Connell, Mr. J. Robinson, Mr. H.
Harris, the Rev. J. B. Owen, and nearly 200 other '
friends of the institution, being present.
The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been
duly honoured,
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the toast of the
evening—" Prosperity to the Royal Free Hospital"
—stated that he was sure the very numerous com-
pany by whom he was surrounded proved that it
would be unnecessary for him to say anything in its
recommendation; indeed, that numerous company
showed by their attendance that they had come pro-
pared to do their duty, and it would be impertinent
on his part to tell them what that duty was. If,
however, he could say anything to stimulate them
in support of this institution—if he could in any
way awaken the feelings of not only this company,
but could make his voice heard throughout the me-
tropolis, he would indeed have a most pleasing and
glorious duty to perform, for he held that this in-
stitution must be one of the proudest in the metro-
polis in the eyes of all true philanthropists. Indeed.
he looked upon this hospital as the very essence of
philanthropy, the very embodiment of true charity.
It held out no advantages to its subscribers by way
of recommendations.. The poor broken-down dis-
eased man, woman, or child had only to present
themselves at its portals, and. so far as the accom-
modation of the hospital would afford they were
sure to receive the most kind and generous aid
without their ever being asked from whence
they came or who recommended them. He
had witnessed the good the institution bad
performed, and he was glad to see the progress
it had made. He recollected hearing of it when
it was in Grenville-street—it then came into
Gray's-inn-lane, as a next-door neighbour of his
own, and be could bear his testimony to the admi-
rable arrangements of the institution, and the great
benefits it had conferred upon the poor and distressed
community of the metropolis. He would not fur-
ther detain them, feeling assured they were pre-
pared liberally to support the institution, but would '
at once propose to them, "Prosperity to the Royal
Free Hospital." (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN next proposed "The House
Committee," coupled with the name of Mr. George
Moore, who acknowledged the compliment, and
stated that during the past year they had afforded
relief to 38,976 out-patients, and 1,125 in-patients,
making an aggregate of 40,101 ; and the hospital
could accommodate doable the number of in-patients
at present if they had the funds. The institution
had passed through great difficulties, and he was
happy to state that before the erid of the year they
had legacies to come in which he was glad to say
would clear them of debt; and he trusted he should
live to see the time when the design of the bene-
volent founder of the institution (Dr. Marsden)
would be fully carried out; the time when they
would have 500 beds for the accommodation of the
in-patients, which he was sure would not be one
too many for the claims upon them.
The Rev. J. B. ()wale proposed "The health of
the Chairman," which was most rapturously re-
ceived, and briefly responded to.
A variety of other toast followed, including "The
Founder of the Hospital (Dr. Marsden)," "The
Medical Officers," " The Treasurer (Mr. E. Master-
man)," &c.
In the course of the evening the secretary an-
nounced subscriptions amounting to upwards of
£4,000, including various bequests, one of which,
the residue of the proeerty of the late MrDrinkald,
the payment of which to the hospital has lately
been ordered by a decree of the Court of Chancery
—amounts to about £2,000.