The Sun.
London, England, 1844-04-16 00:00:00

ROYAL COMMISSION OF FINE

ARTS.

Her Majesty's Commissioners hereby give notice, that the
exhibition of decorative works, sent in according to notices
issued by the Commissioners, will open at No. 20, Xing-
street, St. James's-street, on Monday next, the 22d of Apra.
During the first fortnight the Exhibition will be open
(from nine o'clock till dusk) to visitors paying one shilling;
afterwards, for a period hereafter to be fixed, the public will
be admitted gratis, except on Saturdays, on which day the
Exhibition will be open from eleven till dusk to visitors
paying one shilling. Catalogue, 6d.

The Exhibition will be closed on Levee days.
C. L. EASTLAKE, 'Sec.'

CALEDONIAN ASYLUM.

A meeting of the friends and supporters of this
benevolent Institution was held this day at the
Freemasons' Tavern, Great Queen-street, for the
purpose of expressing the sense which the Society
entertains of the eminent services rendered to the
Institution, during the last twenty-one years, by the
Rev. John Lees. Amongst the gentlemen present
were Sir George Rose, P. M. Stewart, Esq., M.P.,
The Chisholm, C. Sutherland, Esq., Lord James
Stuart, W. Crawford, Esq., &c. There were also
several ladies present.
Lord James Stuart, one of the Directors took
the Chair, and called upon
Mr. P. M. STEWART, who proposed the first resolu-
tion' which was to the effect, "That this meeting has
heard with great regret of the resignation of the
Rev. John Lees, A.M., who for upwards of twenty
one years has filled the office of Secretary and Super-
intendent of the Caledonian Asylum to the entire
satisfaction of the Directors, and to the great advan-
tage of the Institution ; which, under his zealous and
unremitting care, has attained its present high state of
efficiency and usefulness." The Hon. Gentleman bore
testimony to the great and disinterested services of
Mr. Lees to the Institution. Twenty-one years ago
it was proposed to provide a residence and office for
the secretary, at an expense of 401. a year ; but Mr.
Lees would not allow that expense to be incurred
upon his account.—(Hear, hear.) On another occa-
sion, when it was proposed, owing to the increasing
number of the pupils in the schools, to appoint an
assistant teacher, at a salary of 401. or 50/. a year,
Mr. Lees would not listen to a proposition which
would impose such an additional burden on the
Institution, but suggested the appointment of one of
the advanced pupils to perform the required duties, at
an expense of about 101. a year.--(llear, hear) The
Hon. Member dwelt at some length upon the inva-
riable zeal and usefulness manifested by the Rev.
Gentleman throughout his whole period of office, and
concluded by moving the resolution, which was se-
conded by
General Sir FITZROY MACLEAN, and carried with
applause.
THE CiiisnoLm proposed the next resolution, which
was to the effect that the meeting considered that some
public testimonial should be presented to the Rev.
Mr. Lees, expressive of the high sense which was
entertained by the friends of the Institution for his
unremitting attention and devotion to the interests of
the Institution for upwards of twenty-one years.
Mr. LINDSAY seconded the resolution, which was
passed unanimously. •
Mr. C. SUTHERLAND proposed the next resolution,
which was seconded by Mr. CRAWFORD and carried
unanimously. It was to this effect, that a subscrip-
tion be fOrthwith opened for the purpose of carrying
the previous resolution into effect, and that a Com-
mittee be appointed for the purpose of conducting
such subscriptions. The Committee to consist of the
following gentlemen :—Lord James Stuart, The Chis-
holm, Sir G. Rose, P. M. Stewart, Esq., M. P., .P.
Sutherland, Esq , W. Simpson, Esq., W. Crawford,
Esq., and Douglas, Esq.
Mr. David Macrae was appointed Honorary Se-
cretary.
TUE CHIsuoLM then moved a vote of thanks to the
Chairman, who, in acknowledging the compliment,
said that he would always be ready to come forward
on any occasion when he could promote the interests
of the Caledonian Asylum. He had felt it parti-
cularly his duty to attend on this occasion to bear
testimony to the merits of Mr. Lees. •
The meeting then separated.