The Sun.
London, England, 1826-03-18 00:00:00

BENEVOLENT SOCIETY OF ST. PATRICK.

Yesterday the forty-third Anniversary of this
Society was celebrated at the Freemasons' Tavern, Great Queen
stcet. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cr.AnENc!:.presid-
eilNati appeared throughout thb evening nd he a 4 2nd
spirits—pticlfreas‘ed with his compihny, whixw no less de.'
lighted with their illustrious Waltman. S'fhe greateit hilarity
and good feeling characterized the social hour, in which honest
John Bull clasped the hand of his convivial brother Pat—the
harmony of fraternal union was undisturbed by a single dis-
cordant tone.

When the cloth was removed, a solemn Benedictus was sung
with great ability by ,Messrs. Goulden, Fitzwilliom, Atkins,
Pyne, Broadhurst, Taylor, Bailey, and \kiwis, the profes-
sional Gentlemen who attended. Mr. llawes presided at the
Piano Forte.

His Royal Highness in rising to .propose the health of the
King anticipated the delight with -which the toast would be
received by Irishmen.—(Loud cheers.)—The Society, he said,
dated its existence front the year 17d1, and since that period,
his Majesty had been its steady, -friend, whether as Prince or
Wales, Prince Regent, or King of Great Britain up to the
present hour. He had contributed to its funds no less a-sum
than 3,255/., and within the preceding three hours, his Royal
Highness had received an additional contribution from his Ma-
jesty of 103/. for the benefit of the Charity.—(Reiterated Ap-
plause.)—The health of the King was then drank with raptu-
rous enthusiasm, four dines four.
Lord Dant‘LLY highly eulogised the Illustrious individual
who occupied the Chair ; and after dilating at some length upon
the merits which endeared him to every Irish heart, he pro-
posed the health of the Earl of Munster.
This toast was received with the same burst-of feeling, which
followed the announcement of the preceding one.
His ROYAL ronxEss returned thanks. He had great
pleasure, he said, in filling the Chair at a meeting of Irishmen
assembled for a benevolent purpose on St. Patrick's Day. Ile
cordially concurred in the sentiments expressed by his Noble
Friend, and looked upon England and Ireland as one country,
; associated in the indissoluble bond of brotherly affection.—
; (Applause.)--It was peculiarly gratifying to him to content-
plat: the national character of the sister country. A high-
minded people, by thinking well of themselves, taught others
to join in their feeling. In his professional career it had fallen
to his lot many years since to visit Ireland, and young; as he
then was—unexperienced as he might have been—the'hospi-
table reception with which he met from the amiable people on
whose shores he arrived, had left an impression on his mind
which no length of time could ever efface.---(Loud and conti-
nued cheering.)
The next toast proposed by his Royal Highness was—" The
Benevolent Society of St. _Patrick." Of all the charitable In-
stitutions in the Metropolis, without disparagement to others,
he most regarded National Societies, whose objects were most
important, as being directed to the education of youth, so as to
secure the minds of the rising generation from debasement by
inspiring a sense of national dignity. The Irish character was
strongly marked by warmth of heart, and since the Union every
day brought additional proof how completely it chimed with
that of England„ For hospitality and for valour the Irish
people were not to be surpassed ; anti in all die relations of life
their conduct was such, that the more they were known the
better they were liked.—(Applause.)
His ROYAL HIGHNESS next announced the health of the
Marquis Wellesley.—(Great applause.)—P or the last forty-nine
years he had known that distinguished personage ; and during
that period the best energies of his powerful mind were con-
stantly employed for his country's good.—(Hear, hear, hear I)
—His military achievements had done high honour to the
British name to India, and in that remote region he had exalted
and confirmed the British power. ;Of politics his Royal High-
ness would not speak ; they were not assembled on that fesuve
occasion to discuss such a topic.—(Applause.)—He had only to
say, that he bore the most unqualified testimony to the great
merits of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. •
The Toast was enthusiastically drank three times three,
amidst loud cheers.

Mr. BLAKE returned thanks on the part of the Marquis
Wellcaley.
The Illustrious CHAIRMAN pretliced the announcement' of
the Duke of Wellington's health, with an eloquent eulogium
on his character. then alluded, with much effect upon the
feelings of his auditory, to two period's of his (Irace's lite. On
the morning of the 2d of December, 1787, when his Royal
Highness arrived in Ireland, his Grace lied, for the first time,
joined the 48th Regiment as ft Lieutenant, and cormnanded the
guard which
,attended his. Noyal Highness. He_ was then but
an humble Lieutenant, and his Royal Highness had never seen
him after till he sat at the table of the late Queen Charlotte and
his present Majesty as Duke of Wellington. Where, said his
Royal Highness--m what country but Great Britain, could
such opportunity of advancement be afforded to talent—where
could merit, however conspicuous, attain so distinguished an
elevation ?,—(llear, hear !) •
Sir A. ILinNAhn returned thinks on the part of his Grace
the Duke of Wellington.
Mr. BAINBRIDOE, the Treasurer of the Satiety, made a
statement of its funds, on the -improved condition of which he
was happy to congratulate the friends of the Charity.
The health of the Marquis of Hastings having been drank,
General Sir J. DOXI.E returned thanks, as the friend of the
Noble Marquis, of whom he spoke in the most laudatory terms,
relating several interesting Instances of his benevolent character.
pro Lord ARNLEY, in a strain of the MOO refined panegyric,
posed he health oof" Iler Royal Highness the Duchess ot.
Clarence.".

The toast was received with cheers, and never was a bumper
quaffed with greater exultation.
His Nora F. 1-11011NESS returned thanks.
Earl IJLESSZNGTON proposed, " the health of the Bishop of
Derry."
The Rev. J. L. Caosuir, as a Curate of his Lordship's
diocese, returned thanks. Bis Lordship, he said, took care
to provide for poor Curates, to whose gratitude he wax well en.
titled ; and he (Mr. Crosbie) had often done justice to his
Lordship's venison.
His Rorai. HIGHNESS appealed to the gallantry of the
Irish nation, which he assured himself would receive with en-
thusiasm the toast which he wits about to announce in "the
health of the Marchioness of Downshire."
The reception of the toast fully justified the anticipation.
" The health of the Commissioners of Education" having
been drank, Mr. BLAKE returned thanks.
In proposing " the health of the Presidents," the Royal
Duke highly eulogised the character of his Noble Friend Earl
Darnley.
returned Ihe
The Noble Earl returned thanks.
then
tha
nhealthao
brieft ie Stewardsd wasadddrreasnsk. , filer dwlals
heardaEl.
with great respect and attention, and repeatedly cheered.
In the course of the evening the children of St. Patrick's
school were introduced, and led round the room. Their ap-
pearance and demeanour were truly gratifying, and quite cre-
ditable to those in whose charge they are placed.
At half-past eleven his Royal Highness retired, amidst the
plaudits of the whole company, who rose with the most defe.
rential respect when he quitted the Chair.

SOCIETY FOR TIIE RELIEF OF DISTRESSEI)
Winows.—The second anniversary meeting of this praise-
worthy institution was held yesterday at Willis's Rooms, St.
James's, the Right Hon. the Earl of RocksavAGE in the
chair, supported by several eminent persons, and a highly re-
spectable assembly, in which we noticed several ladies of rank.
The object ot the Meeting is to relieve widows in the first month
of their widowhood, by. affording pecuniary grants, obtaining
respectable situations, and apprenticing and otherwise provid-
ing for the offspring ; also in paying small debts to prevent
seizure of goods, &c. 111 widows had been provided for during
the past year. The subscriptions amounted to 3131., and the
expenditure to 3201. The Meeting, after being addressed at
some length, adjourned.

NIURDER AT BIIOMLEY.—AII Inquest was yes=
terday held at the Itose and Crown, Bromley, on the body of
a poor Irish labourer, named Dennis Sullivan. The evidence
was contradictory and reluctant on the part of some of the
witnesses, but enough was clearly elicited to slim, that on
Saturday night the deceased was suddenly attacked, when
walking near his dwelling, at Bromley, by another Insiiiran,
named Dennis Canby, who repeated hisAilows in a most brutal
manner. It further appeared, that two other Irishmen, via.
Florence Carthy and Florence Bryant were in company with
Denis Carthy, at the time of the outrage. The Jury brought
in a verdict of" Murder" against these three men, of whom
Florence and Denis Carthy are in custody, but Bryant 11AS ab-
smided.

One of the sohlters of the 89th regiment, stated
in our list Number as being engaged in an affray with some
countrymen near Dover, died on Wednesday in consequent e
of an injury received in the scuffle. An Inquest sat on the
body yesterday morning, which was adjourned to the evening,
the resultof which was not known when the post left.—(Kentish
Gazette.)