The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-31 00:00:00

I therefore, sit down, by expressing how highly gra-
' t fied he was at the manner in which his health and
that of his brother Directors had been drank.
Song, by Mr. Hawkins—" The spot where I was
horn."
The CHAIRMAN said—lt was now with great
pleasure that he introduced to their notice a
toast—it was "The Health of their Actuary,
Mr. Jones." In doing so, with their permission, he
would briefly explain the circumstances which led to
the introduction of Mr. Jones as the actuary of that
Society. The Directors were looking round to find a
gentleman to fill that important situation ; and, in
order to obtain one with the necessary qualifications,
advertisements were inserted in the public newspapers.
The result was a wonderful number of applications,
and, amongst them, one from Mr. Jones. He (the
Chairman) was one of the committee appointed to
receive applications, and examine testimonials, and
in that committee there was but one opinion that the
testimonials of that gentleman were pre-eminently
above those of any other. The committee, therefore,
came to the unanimous decision, that he was the most
fit party to undertake the duties of the office of
actuary. That duty he had discharged with the
greatest ability and energy. His talents were of the
highest order, and always at the disposal of the Direc-
tors. He (the Chairman) was always pleased
to say that that gentleman enjoyed the un-
bounded support and confidence of the board.
He would not occupy their time any further, but
call upon them to join with him in drinking the
health of Mr. Jones.—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. JONES said he could not help feeling much
gratified at the very kind and handsome manner in
which their Chairman had made reference to his
abilities. He could only assure them that his
desire, on all occasions, had been to for-
ward, in the best manner, the objects of the
society. When they were not in so good a
position as they were now, he had stood by the Chair-
man, at the risk of losing his position, in defence of
their rights and interests, and he was pleased that
ciscumstances now showed the policy of the course
then taken. After the able and flattering address
of their Chairman in explanation of the affairs of the
society, he had little to say. Still tootle point he would
make reference. From his position he was enabled to
say the bonus to the Proprietors would be very consider-
able ; in fact, the position of their affairs was far better
than it had ever been before. If they had accomplished
the great end--a good bonus—with all the difficulties
they had to contend against ; if the vessel had sailed
so well under adverse winds, what might they not
accomplish with the winds in their favour?—(Cheers.)
It was the source of great satisfaction to him to think
that he stood so high with the Chairman and Board of
Directors, and that a new Board of Directors ;
and it was to him, too, a cause of much pleasure to
think that he commanded the respect of so wealthy
and influential a body as the gentlemen by whom he
was surrounded—(Hear, hear)—gentlemen who re-
presented in en eminent degree the wealth and in-
fluence of this great nation. If they wanted any
evidence of the wealth and public spirit of the
commercial travellers, they had amply given it that
day in the steps taken to establish a school.—(Loud
cheers.) While that institution was understood to be
entirely distinct from the assurance society, he need
not say that the members of the latter ought to give
it every assistance in their power. They ought to be
the first to give it their support, and that he was sure
they would fully and effectually render.—(Loud
cheers.) In fact, they had given an evidence of that
already. He would conclude by thanking them most
kindly for the honour they had done him in drinking
his health.—(Loud cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN, in the absence of Mr. Wilson,
who had been deputed for the purpose, proposed the
next toast, " The auditors, solicitors and medical
officers of the society." The sincere thanks of all
were due to them for the valuable assistance they had
rendered the institution. To the auditors they were
indebted for the careful examination into their finan-
cial affairs, by which they were placed in possession
of most excellent accounts ; to the medical officers, for
the great ability displayed in the selection of lives to
be assured ' • and to their worthy solicitors for the
discretion they had evinced in keeping them out of
litigation, and c.msequently of expense.—(Cheers.)
He hoped the company would excuse his joining
the names of these gentlemen together in the present
toast, as they ought, had the evening not been so ad-
vanced, have been given separately. Without further
comment, he would propose the healths of the audi-
tors, medical officers, and solicitors of the society.—
(Loud cheers.) The toast was drunk with all the
honours, and amidst great applause.
Comic song, by Mr. Hatton—" There was a little
man dressed all in green."
Mr. STOCRDALE (one of the auditors) responded to
the toast. It gave him great pleasure to possess that
opportunity of returning thanks on behalf of the
auditors of the society. He did so, and he believed
he spoke their sentiments when he said that, however
much their labours might be enlarged by the increase
of applications, they did not care so long as it led to
the extension and prosperity of the society.—(Loud
cheers.) He was well satisfied that the new year
would bring with it an increase of business, and he
knew the feelings of the two auditors so well as to
say, if it did so, it would give them, independent of any
extra exertion, the greatest pleasure and gratification.
The affairs of that society required industry and
vigilance in the auditors, and should their increasing
business require that more time and labour should be
devoted than had hitherto been, he should be most
willing to devote that extra time and labour to it, so
as to have the work efficiently done.—(Cheers.)
They would not require any more observations from
him. He could only say, that in his humble capacity
of an auditor of the society, he returned his most
sincere thanks. On looking around him he recog-
nised many old associates, as well as many that were
new to the institution, and he could assure them that
by the exhibition of industry and perseverance on
their part, before the next annual meet-
ing took place, such additions would be made
to their numbers, as would prove to the world that
the commercial travellers of this country were really a
powerful and influential body of men.—(Cheers.)
For himself and brother auditor, he would say nothing
should be wanting on their part to forward the in-
terests of the society. He had nothing further to
add but the declaration that they would do their duty
if the members of the institution did theirs.—(Loud
cheers.) With regard to the solicitors, he would say
they had fought well for the society's interests ; and
the attention of the medical officers had been careful
and undivided to its affairs. It therefore afforded
him much pleasure in returning sincere thanks on
their part, as well as for himself and brother auditor.
Song, by Mr. Machin—" Down among the dead
men."

Mr. MOORE said that he had now the pleasing
duty to propose "The health of the Vice-Presidents,
and be felt proud in being allowed to do so in that
convivial company.
They were gentlemen who had
paid great attention to the' iffairs of the society, of
much perseverance, capacious intellect, and undoubted
benevolence.—(Cheers.) The previous speakers had
so fully explained the affairs of the society, in con•
nexion with its
officers, that all that he could do
was, to propose " The Healths of the Vice-Presidents,
Mr. Brooks, Mr. Millidge, and Mr. Roberts, and long
life to them."—(Loud cheers.)
The toast was
drunk with great applause, and with
all the honours.
Mr. BROOKS responded. He thanked them for the
flattering compliment paid to his brother vice-pre-
sidents and himself in tbe kind and handsome manner
in which their names had been received. For
himself, he felt not only deeply complimented,
but, he must say,, pleased and gratified in
no ordinary
degree, in sitting under so able and
efficient a chairman.—(Cheers.) He considered it
was the proudest moment of his life, the becoming a
member of such a society. It was the first time he
had been there. being placed under SO good and, and it was the source of no ordinary
gratification hrs
valuable a chairman ; so much more so when asso-
ciated with men of intellect, and 'worth such as those
they had connected his name with, and such were, he
was proud to say, those engaged in commercial
whom he saw around him.—(Cheers.) If
sincere friends, or even foes, in the world,
he could not wish a greater gratification to the one,
pursuits, had any
or punishment to the other, than being present that
night and witnessing that scene. Their ship,
as had been told them, was going steadily
forward, it was sailing well, and there was every in-
dication of its soon reaching the haven of complete
success.—(Loud cheers.) It would be imprudent on
his part to say more, after so much had been said. It
was but necessary for him to repeat that which every
one present was deeply interested in—the prosperity
of the National Mercantile Assurance Association.—
(Hear, hear.) In the name of the vice. presidents he
concluded by returning them his sincere thanks.
Song, Mr. Hatton—Mock Italian bravura.
Mr. LAWSON rose to propose a toast. He was sure
that every one who had partaken of the delightful
entertainment provided for them must have felt grate-
ful ; and if any additional proof were wanting to
show what their commercial friends could do, that
proof had been furnished in the present festive board.
Peeling much gratified and pleased at the entertain-
ment provided, and of course with those who had so
amply attended to their wants, he proposed the
lsliedaelrtehdoifnvtihdeiousstewtoards. Though
mentionany iotnemii.gnhet be n-
onnecxoion
with the toast, still he could not avoid naming Mr.
M'eu! 1
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ce eurns .)
OHe gave, therefore, " The
health ch and the stewards."
o A (
The toast was drunk with loud and- general ap-
plause.
Mr. M'CuLLocri said he was exceedingly pleased
at the manner in which the toast had been received
by the meeting. He knew of no class that better
understood what a good dinner was than the com-
mercial travellers. Among the stewards the point sug-
gested was, what sort of a dinner should they