The Sun.
London, England, 1850-07-11 00:00:00

THURSDAY

•
littion, it Ivo..21(1 I e unnniznensiv adopted, and thit
they shAf,,:l ba enahlod to Frociaini to i.he proi:le, by
the enthulasin with which it was [-)ssed, that the
tesltinic:,,ial, whatever it inight hAd ben
deservcd.--(Cties cf " H r, he;-!,,r," r,n(l loud eiiel.s.)
The Mn. G-aim-ran then c,-Thelu,lvd by ra:pvizz, the
first resolution, which watil—
' Trait V:is intetin27, rece4nising tho
nieritorifins, and disiotere,,ted exerti,ins tf George
All ad EA., to eifcct the t.lbolition of tli.e
an:l delcoralisiiig, system of iwramor.l buihd,
consider him eminently entitled to the gratitude and
thanks of the friends of sanitary teforrn and moral 1111.•
proyement, end would express their readiness and desire
to co-opera© in a gcneral effort to ren;l,,r that gentle-
man sorre suiteUlo rooluotial of his useful a.id suceessfal
labours."

Sir CIIA3. ALDIS, 'M.D., seconded the resolution. Ike
was happy, he said, to have the opportunity of sa3 ing
a few words in praise of Mr. Walker. Ho had known
hi:n many years, and had met him professionally
under many circumstances. He knew that he had
been always arduous and indefatigable in his
efforts to prevent those evils, which to prevent were
far better and easier than to cure. In many _cases he
had laboured, as he (Sir C. Aldis) knew, to the
detriment of his own health. He had met him in
many of the moat noxious and unhealthy
localities of the town, always labouring in
the ()Teat cause of sanitary reform in those localities
which it was a shame and disgrace to the metropolis '
not to have removed long befdre this. But a stir was
now making in the matter, which he considered
never would have been done but for the resolution
and enthusiasm of Mr. Walker—that enthusiasm of
which the Noble Chairman had so justly that
without it no great object could be got which was
worth the keeping. Scarcely anything had been
known to be done before Mr. Walker set forward in

the great undertaking. He (ir6.—Aldis) trusted that
something would now be done which would prevent
Mr. Walker, who, to his knowledge, had spent his
money and injured his health in the prosecution of
his labours in this cause—he cordially hoped
that something would be done to reward him,
that some memorial would he presented to him ex-
pressive of the feelings of all friends of sanitary re-
form. OF what kind that should ba would pro-
bably be settled hereafter. He could only express his
warm feelings of cordial co-operation in this object,
and knowing the real extent of the labours of Mr.
Walker in this matter, he was perfectly rowdy to do
anything to forward the design of the present
meeting. .

The 'OI.IAIRMAN, in putting the resolution, said that
he was glad to see in the room so large a number of
gentlemen of eminence belonging to that profession
to which Mr. Walker belongedr--the medical pro-
fession. He trusted that before the meeting was
over they would be favoured with the opinions of the
gentlemen of that profession in the room, as what-
ever fall from them upon that subject would have
great weight, and must have a great effect wherever
they were heard.—(Hear, hear.)
The resolution was then put and carried unani-
mously.
Mr. GEORGE THOMPSON, M.P., said that before
the second resolution was put he might observe that
it bad naturally occurred to the gentlemen who had
originated the present meeting to consider the nature
of the testimonial that should be offered to the accept-
ance of Mr. Walker. In the first instance a public
dinner suggested itself, but upon consideration and
after-thought it appeared hazardous to make that the
form in which the respect and admiration of his
friends should be exhibited to Mr. Walker. If such
a meeting should be held it would be necessary to fix
a certain time for it, and some early day, in order to
secure the attendance of gentlemen who would other-
wise be out of town. To get up such a meeting, too,
would iinpcse a considerable amount of arduous la-
bour upon the gentlemen connected with it, and also
' considerable expense, while it was thought that many
gentlemen who would come to the dinner would pre-
fer their money being spent in a different manner.
In addition, he believed that he knew enough of Mr.
Walker to be able to say, that that would not be
the most acceptable tribute of respect that could be
paid to 'rim. He rather shunned than courted
public observation ; and he had said often that the
most difficult task which he had had to perform had
been to .acknowledge the expression of thanks offered
him for any services which he bad rendered to the
cause of sanieary reform. He was assured that if
their testimonial should take that shape they would
be doing a violence to the known feelings of a number
of gentlemen who, though they might give one
guinea for their dinner-ticket, might not feel them.
s Ayes warranted in giving a second guinea
for any further object. If they should agree
to open a subscription list to receive sub-
scriptions from the friends and :admirers of Mr.
Walker, they would not be limited to any particular
time or day on which to close their efforts. They
would also afford an opportunity to his friends in
the provinces to testify their respect, which a public
dinner would not give them, and he might observe
here that Mr. Walker was far better known and ap-
preciated in many of the provincial towns than in this
great Leviathan city—(Hear, hear)—where a man
might labour for many years unknown and unnoticed.
They would also secure the services of those who
were able to enlighten and sway public opinion in
the provinces. He was sure they might reckon on
very great support in the provincial towns—(Hear,
hear)—and no plan he thought would be advisable
which precluded their assistance.—(Cheers.) The
opinions of the first originators of this meeting pointed
them rather to some substantial piece of plate, which
Mr. Walker might leave behind him to his descene
dents, as a testimony of the admiration and respect
in which he was held by the warmest friends of sani-
tary reform in the present day.—(Cheers.) lle
hoped that if this plan were adopted some future op-
portunity might be afforded of gathering together all
the friends of Mr. Walker upon the occasion of pre-
senting the testimonial to him. He had been per-
mitted to enjoy the friendship of that gentleman for
some considerable time, and he had always placed
him first amongst those gentlemen who had
devoted themselves to the production, and the work-
ing out of some great and beneficent object. The
Noble Chairman had justly referred to the great sacri-
fices made by that gentleman in the cause to which he
had devoted himself, but it was necessary to
understand properly the circumstances in which he
had been placed to estimate fully those sacrifices.
They ell knew that he had sacrificed fifteen years of
labour to this object; and he (Mr, G. Thompson)
could safely say, that he had never once visited him
in his whole life when be had not found him en-
gagedhadoftionntlhieeephrosstercuuatciowniothf
ttibl
eis
ltihreeraatlitwyo:kit,hawndhiehhe
mheehhtadofapthpreohprobialtd
eeeh w
end he
o hnate
an
ithi to
view.t h e advance-
atnhcee-
s 0
were the least of his sacrifices. The time which he
different circumstances, had
had given to this great ohject would, with hisofohre himself
other
o h
character
thanstieo
of his.
.
pro-
fessional talents and abilities, have leced.h'n • r
hep
There o a olusor
ml
ha e y
for a reformer was others.dOi
formers who were not gifted in anifaotetnlinte;il
speaking for himself; he could sasynereetot greatestnleaerhend t‘Nt
tae(pre-
requisitesihsreeegua
gehe-with that quality, yet he could say that Mr. Walker
had throughout his whole career displayed that qua •
lay. Though he had had meny difficulties to contend
with, though Lis statements had been contradicted
and submitted to the most searching ordeal, yet his
whole conduct in every circumstance had been found to
be marked with the utmost teinparance and moderation.
He knew no man who more freely exercised his tit-
lentst without money and without price to all who
came within the mach of his benevolent sympathies.
When they took into consideration his private virtues,
and the many claims which he had established by his
public lebours on their gratitude and respect, he felt
assured that every gentleman present, would enter
most warmly into the object they hal in view. As
far as he himself was concerned, he should feel very
happy, as a hewer of wood and drawar of water, to
manifest his admitation and profound respect fix such
a reformer as Mr. Walker had been. That gentle-
man had had to encounter a stubborn opposition ;
his motives were questioned, his facts were
ditputed, he had strong and powerful com-
binations against him, but, nevertheless, from
accomplishment of
morning till night, sustained and supported
by a knowledge of the purity of his motives and the
importance of the object he had in view, he continued
thatto
ehj devoteee his
Thet. beat
bare Welker • but the o-
in the case of _tit,
gratitudeenergies to
of theclmeecrchomme t
was
ex-
emplified
those who had borne the burden and heat of the day
might be disregarded in high places, lat them show
that the public were not unmindful of those to whom
honour was due. The Hon. Gentleman concluded
by expressing a hope that they would give Mr.
Walker something more durable and lasting than the
evanescent applause cf an after-dinner assembly.
Dr. Rem then proposed the second resolution,
which was that a subscription be opened for the pur-
pose of presenting a suitable and substantial testi-
monial to George Alfred Walker, Esq., recording
and perpetuating the sense entertained by the sub-
scribers of leis private virtues and his exertions as a
public benefactor. He never attended a meeting with
a more heartfelt conviction ef the justice of the cause
which had called them together, as he considered it he should testify
i an act of public duty thatto Mr.
I Walker the manner in which they appreciated his
(Hear.)
er rto
to consider
o
I services,hi e
rto rpus which,a in
disinterested
his
had been of the most
kind._
Itilr. B.
nßo.ttie
CABBELL,i M.P., seconded the resolution.
time This was
Mr. Walker had or had not been nedecide whether
glected by the
Government and the Board of -alth • All he could
say on that subject VS3s, that the general rule at pre-
sent
man who di
.dhis
seemed to be, that every •duty
in a straightforwarded
manner was
ut
neglected by the
powers that be.— (Hear, hear.) b, although Mr.
Walker had been so, he was sure the country would
, I at once recognise his claim, and award him the merit

E VENIN&,

Lis des.rve(l.-- (11-ar, hedr.) He hog
ho bad p rrorvied a really gig work in st,ctec'i-
inrr ini T)lltti,l, stop to the pnctiee of ititntr.l!tal
iLterm;.'nt.F, whioh was Fe revolting thA it 6t'45
m.-.V7 rof p.-,tc,i,;nalent to every iodivi.loal hat the
:'.ad be- n 31lowod to continue so long.
1111 M. J. IVILLrAm.,, 2d.P., moved that a committee
be v.pnointed ;.",j tae such st-ps as might be necessary
t() riveeff.yJt. Ow ferogoiog resclution,. tha
and 1; inn llli addrces which
deli; ?red he would not tree oil their time by
entering into the merits of Mr. Walker. He was so
well known that. the less he sail in moving the next
msclution the bettcr.. Nothing should be wanting
'.on his part to convince Mr. Walker that he entirely
participated in his laudable exrtions, and was ready
and willing to P.-rye him in every possible manner,
Mr. GzEstN, in seconding the resolution, said he
thought they should be able to raise a much batter
memorial to Mr. Walker than any that could be
raised by tha Gornment---(1-.1esr, bean)—and in-
stead of talking about a purse of gold, he (Mr. Geesin)
for himself should like to see M. Walker placed in a
freehold house. with all the necessary appendages.
The resolution was then put and carried unani-
mously.

Mr. B. B. CABBELL, AI.P. , nnv A that Mr. George
Thompson, be requested to act as honorary
secretary until the committee appointed a paid secre-
tory, and that they should be empowered to do so.
With respect to the subscriptions, he would recom-
mend that they should be all paid into the hands of a
b.inlier.—(ifear, hear.) He would therefore move—
" That an account be opened at Coutts's bank under
the head of the Walker Testimonial, and that no moneys
be withdrawn without the sanc:iou of t be managing com-
mittee and the signature of the treasurer."

GEESIN seconded the resolution, which was

carried.

Mr. B. B. CABBELL, M.P., moved that the Chair.
man, Lord Dudley Stuart, be requested to aecepl
the office of treasurer.

Mr. J. A. SMITH seconLd the resolution, which
was carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN said, out of deference to the wishes
of the meeting, he would agree to accept the dace cf
treasurer.

Mr. C. LUSIIINGTON then, in a complimentary
speech, proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairmar,
which was seconded by Mr. B. B. Cabbell.
Lord DUDLEY STUART acknowledged the compli-
ment, and expressed himself unaffectedly gratified at
having been called upon to preside at a meeting to
promote such an excellent and praiseworthy object.
The meeting then separated
The following subscriptions were announced at the
close of the meeting :
Lard D. Stuart ... ... ...

B. B. Cabbell, Esq., M.P.
W. A. Mackinnon Esq. rieT.P.

... £lO 10 0
... 10 10 0
10 10 0
•5 5 0
... 5 5 0
... 5 5 0
... 5 5 0
... 3 3 0
... 3 3 0
▪2 2 0
2 2 0
2 2 0
... 2 2 0
... 2 2 0
... 1 1 0
1 1 0
1 1 0

C. Lushington, Etq., Ai P.

Dr. E. Johnsen
Dr. Parker

Dr. A. L. Fisher ~
Dr. Churchill Watson

George Thompson, M.P.
13._Abrabam, Esq.

Mr. Parker

I)uckwnrtb Nelson, Esq.
Dr. J. C. Atkinson ...

John Windu, Esq.

Sir C. Aldis

J. A. Smith, Esq., surgeon
R. Johnson, Esq.
Dillon, Esq.

Samuel Wa)d, Esq., F.R.C.S.
W. GeeEin, Esq. ...

1 1 0
1 1 0
1 1 0

ESTABLISHMENT FOR GENTLE-

WOMEN DURING ILLNES.

A most respcctablo meeting of the subscribers to this
very intereiting association was yesterday held at the
Queen's C-Jl,ge, Harley-street, fur the purpose of har-
ing submitted to it a report of the progress hitherto
made by the managers of the association. The Earl of
C,..rlisle presided on the eeession.

The Tier. W. SPRING RICE, the hoe, secretary, read
the report of the managers, front which it appeared that
the liberal assiqance which I ad been afforded to the en
de:taking had been such as to induce, the ccmmittee to
take premises suitable, upon a small scale, for the purpose
of the institution, for a period of three and a half years,
at No. 8, Chandoa- street, Cavendish-square. The total
amount of subscriptions already received exceeded 2,0001,
the balance in the hands of the bankers amounting to
4034 The number of patients admitted since the opening
of the institution had been thirteen, of whom six were at
present inmates of the establishment, The services of a
meat efficient medical staff had been obtained, the phyti
cians being Dr. Watson, Dr. Ferguson, Dr. 11. B. Jones,
and Dr. Weber; surgeons B. Travers, Esq, C. Hawkins,
Esq., and W. Bowman, Ref.; Mr. Hawksley, of Mar-
garet-street, having been appointed the general practi-
tioner. The Rev. C. Baring, cf All Saints, had also
consented to act as honorary chaplain to the institution.
The success of the institution had been fully equal to
the moat sanguine expectations of its fmnders, and the
committee statedthat their further inquiries had confirmed
them in the belief that the institution would be the means
of affording relief hitherto unattainable in many most
distressing cases, the helplessness and increasing 'lumber
of which was attributable not to the fault or improvi-
dence, but rather to the circumstances and sex of the
sufferers; and they most earnestly entreated the gene-
rous sympathy and additional cooperation no less from
the powerful and affluent than from the middle classes
throughout-the country. The report baying been read,
The Noble CHAIRMAN rose and said—l believe I take
the chair upon this occasion by right, inasmuch as I
have the high honour of being the president of this so•
ciety; and I can assure you, with perfect truth, that I '
look upon the post which you have been pleased to as-
sign me as one of great honour—and for this reason,
heause I am willing to believe that the committee
which made that selection have been pleased to attri-
bute to me sentiments congenial with their own.—(Heir,
hear.) There are no topics which appear more obvious,
I had almost said more common-place, than those con
meted with the precarious and transitory nature of
human existence, and it seems to ma that, in tte circum-
stances which are immediately around us, there arc events
which enforce those lessons and warnings in connexion
with thwe topics with peculiar force'and solemnity. Fcr
upon whom have we not seen the sudden stroke descend?
Within the short space of a fortnight from this hour we
have seen it successively fall upon: that form of manli•
ness and comeliness—upon one in the brilliant enjoy-
ment of all that high station can impart to its possessor—
upon oue full of nigh capabilities and patriotic aspira-
tions, so long conspicuous in the public arena, the object
of a nveion's homage and' a nation's sorrow; and even
now it has fallen upon that open-hearted and gkntle
Prince who has so awn appealed on behalf of charities
like this.—(Hear.) These reiterated blows suggest to
us the thought, and even the very trot-di, of that truth-
breuthinv and immortal stareza—

"The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that beauty, all that wealth 'ere gave,
Await alike the inevitable hour:
The paths of glory lead but to the grave."
I have touchcd for a moment upon these topics. I
have done so to put it to those among you who may not
recently have had to shudder at the call of death within
your own homes—who may Mill be able to share in
the opulence and luxury of this great metropolis—who
are still in the health, vigour, and glow cf your bodily
frame—or, what is better still, in the enjoyment of
the affections and gladness which cluster round
_

the domestic hearth ; and I put it to you, and whattl
want you to put to your own minds, is, whether you
can more decently or more appropriately show your
sense of the benefits and blessings which you still
enjoy, and your recogni.ion of the hand from which they
flaw, than by comf prang and relieving your more ex-
posed and unfriended sisters in the dark and untrod
paths of our common life.—(Hear, hear.) Now, what is
the institution with which we are now c ,ncerned? It is
termed an " Establishment for Gentlewomen during ill-
ness." I can easily imagine that, at' the first bearing of
that title, it may be thought that there is something in
it which sounds a little I:ke fastidiousness enl finicking.
I do not, however, think that your benevolent efforts
are open to any such assertion as that. I think you
have estimated most correctly that a previous ac-
quaintance with brighter hopes and sofier hours, with
sympathies and friends who have vanished and gone,
only tends to make privation more biter, pain more
irritating, isolation more depressing, and despondency
more benumbing, than they would have been without
such antecedents. I remember that it is very truly and
touchingly said, by perhaps the most pathetic of our
tragic writers, when he wishes to add the last aggrava-
tion to the despair of the character which he has pro-
duced upon the scene—
" There's not a wretch that lives on Common charity,
But's happier far than L"
And he gives you the reason:—
"For I have known the luscious sweets of plenty,
Every night have slept with soft content about my head,
And never woke but to a joyous morning."
That report, however, which has been rem], with the
simple statement of the cases of distress that have been
alleviated, is, however, far more persuasive and concen-
trating than even the tuneful moral of Gray or the
tender force of Otway. I doubt not but that many
of the gentle forms which I now see' before me have
been in the habit of carrying hope and comfort across
the threshhold of the humblest cottage near their country
homes, or have even shed their light and radiatice in
many of the dim alleys of this hugh metropolis. Charity,
to use a common illustration of the time, does not
run upon the narrow but upon the broad gauge;
it is not monopolized by any one class of
recipients ; neither is it concentrated upon any
one mode of action. If charity does not shrink
from pouring balm into the Wounds of tha low-
liest sons and daughters of misery, those who are
furthe:t removed from our owls scale in society, so
it ought not to neglect those who have been plaeed in
a position next to, or even in your own, but who are now
in a condition to which sudden reverse of fortune may
reduce even yourselves.-(Hear.) I cannot forbear from
congratulating the society upon the composition both of
its committee and of its staff—that you have succeeded
in obtaining the services and experience of those medi-
cal officers for which the richest capital in the world is
contending without your walls and of a clergyman who
brings the resources of a highly-cultivated mind ai,d re-
fined intellect to the discharge of his ministerial duties.
—(Hear.) With -such officers and such assistance, I feel
a confident reliance that you will not suffer this society
to fail or to languish, but that under your continued and
increasing encouragement it will be able to extend its
status and enlarge its borders..--(Hear.)
The Bishop of OXFOIID moved the adoption of the
report.

W. BOIS-3IAX, Ev:q., surgeon in ordinary to the in-