The Sun.
London, England, 1828-05-30 00:00:00

on its present gratifying station, with the pro:poet of its
rising steadily in the estimation of a benevolent public.
In all ages the wish to alleviate the distresses of the un-
fortunate has been a prominent feature in the character of
mankind, but in no period of ancient or modern history
has it been so conspicuously and usefully exhibited as in
the present era, and in no part of the Globe as in this
great Metropolis, where Charitable Institutions meet the
eye of the beneficent in all directions; and to Licensed
Victuallers particularly it is a cause of no small gratifica-
tion to know, that few Institutions have greater claims to
the kind feeling and good opinion of the charitable world,
or effect more real good, without ostentation, than those
• emanating from and mainly supported by their own body,
viz.:—" The Licensed Victuallers' Society," and " The
Licensed Victuallers' School."
Out of the funds of the Society they afford relief in
weekly stipends of from 3s. to 7A. to upwards of ISO of
their fellow-tradesmen, and to some others, with large fa-
milies, who have drank deeply of the bitter cup of human
miser•.

In the School 120 children of both sexes, the offspring
of unfortunate Licensed Victuallers, are wholly clothed,
maintained, and educated ; and since its establishment
some hundreds of children have, by the fostering care and
attention of its supporters and managers, been rescued
from the otherwise inevitable consequence of the misfor-
tunes of their parents, and become reputable members of
society.
The list of unhappy claimants partaking of the bounty
of the " Licensed Victuallers' Society" presents the follow-
ing distressing result, viz. :-
11 persons from the age of 80 to 90 years.
54.
60 to 70
50 and upwards, under the age of 60
years, some of whom have children.
. Great indeed must be the fund which could effectually be
applied in removing the quantum of human, misery thus
depicted,—of fearful amount, when it is recollected that it
is compOsed of persons in this Metropolis, connected only
with one particular branch of trade. But as the contri-
butors to the funds of that society are exclusively Licensed
Victuallers, a result so much to be wished for has, from
such a source, been long found to be unattainable, and an Asy-
lum such as that which you are now assembled to celebrate the
Institution of, was loudly called for, and became matter of
paramount consideration with many individuals connected
with the trade, unpretending in themselves, but sincere in
their wishes, and 'unceasing in their exertions, to wipe the,
tear of sorrow from the cheeks of some at least of their
aged and less fortunate brethren.
At length a public Meeting of the Trade was, held on
the 22d of February, 182, when resolutions were unani-
mously gassed, to raise a fund by donations, to be applied
in building an Asylum; and the proceedings of this day—
s proud one to Licensed Victuallers—warrant the conclu-
sion—that by their own exertions, aided by the benevo-
lence of those friends of humanity who never suffer the
sacred cause of charity to lack support—this great work
of duty will ere long be happily accomplished. Nor is
the merit of it claimed exclusively by its humble pro-
moters, for it is a just tribute due to, and they are happy
in this opportunity of paying it, by stating that to the
promptitude with which their views were universally met
by the Ale and Porter Brewers, Distillers, Rectifiers, and
Wine Merchants of the Metropolis, and others connected
with the business of the Licensed Victualler, and to the
munificent manner in which they contributed to the Fund,
must be ascribed the ultimate success of the Institution.
While the Governors of the Institution, however, are
happy in its present successful position, they deem it a ne-
cessary part of their duty to present to your notice their
wishes regarding it, and the exact state of their funds.
They have purchased six acres of freehold land; the
plan of the intended building comprises 100 separate
dwellings, to consist of a centre (containing 43 houses)
and two wings. Their present operations are confined to
the building of the centre, and for which they have con-
tracted to pay til,lBo/.,--a sum considerably greater than
the present assets. Their anxious desire is to see the whole

superstructure speedily completed ; for even then it will
be seen, on reference to the statement of the Pensioners on
the funds of the Licensed Victuallers' Society, that a large
portion of kuman misery will still exist, which can be
only partially alleviated.
The total amount of receipts since the formation of the
Institution to the 27th May, including 2501. for interest
and profit and loss on Exchequer Bills, is—A:BB24 16 0
And the total expenditure

Leaving a net surplus of only £62so 0 0

applicable to the building, and incidental expenditure of
the Institution.
Much therefore remains to be accomplished, but the Go-
vernors rely with much confidence that in appealing to yo❑
and the friends of philanthropy generally, to aid them in
their benevolent undertaking, they will not appeal without
effect, and they fervently hope thereby to have the means
of rescuing a large portion of their unhappy fellow crea-
tures from their present degrading state of misery and
wretchedness.
The Governors have no doubt it will afford you satis-
faction to know, that having effected the purchase of the
land on which the Asylum is erecting on reasonable terms,
they will have remaining on hand about two acres beyond
what will be required for the building ; and from the in-
creasing population of the surrounding neighbourhood they
look with great confidence to that surplus land for raising
a permanent fund of same consequence in aid of the In-
stitution.

The reading of the report having concluded,
The CHAIRMAN gave the " the Army and NaVy."
Glee—" Bacchus, the God of the Vine."

The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the next toast,
ob-
served that no building would be secure without a
skilful architect and masons. The number of the Hon.
Craft of Freemasons, who attended the laying the
first stone of the Institution, this day, was the best
security that could be given for the solidity of that
erection. There was one amongst them to whom
the Licensed Victuallers' Institution was particularly
indebted, and who was the organ of communication
between the Committee and his Royal Highness
the Duke of Sussex, he meant Mr. Ramsbottom,
who had this day favoured them with his
company. After passing a high culogium on
Mr. Ramsbottom's public and private character, the
Chairman concluded by proposing " the health of Mr.
Ramsbottom, M.P., and the Fraternity of Free and
Accepted Maser's of England, and thanks to those
who had attended to promote the object of the In-
stitution." This toast was received with the loudest
applr.use.

When the applause had in some degree subsided,
Mr. RAIISBOTTOM rose to return thanks, and re-
quested those who belonged to the fraternity to
stand with him whilst he returned thanks for the
compliment they received. He said that the
object, and the only object of Freemasonry,
was charity. The Grand Lodge and the .frdternity
were ever ready to lend their assistance to charity;
and he thought the brethren had proved
themselves loyal subjects of the Gran,l
'Master
this day in the handsome manner in which
they had mustered to receive him. As an allusion
had been made to the Royal Chairman, he might be allow-
ed to say that he manifested the greatest alaeritywhen cal-
led upon to become the patron of this Institution, and said
that if it was desired he should preside he should do so.
It was against the direct recommendation of his Physicians
but serious indisposition prevented him from
that he had attended this day to lay the first stone, and
nothing
presiding this day in the chair, so ably and worthily
tilled by his Honourable Friend (Mr. Uarclay). As
lie was on his legs he would 44 advantage of the pri-
vilege allowed him p proposing a toast, and seeing the
worthy gerouer for Westminster present, he did so with
Ow greater pleasure. Lie had to propose " The health of
the enlightened, indefatigable, and independent MendKcs
for Westminster, and may they long continue t 0.4.;) their
duty in the honourable and indemdent manner they bad
hitherto done." This texA was received with acclamation.
Mr. 110;,'Ii0V4 then returned thanks. He • had, be
said, attended that Meeting by the invitation of ti,le Gover-
Dori of the Institution, and if any additional honour could
have been conferred upon him,, it would have lie,it:the
manner in which lie had been, spoken of by his Honourahle
Friend near him. He always thought it the tNts of a
public man to communicate with his fellow citizens as
often as necessity required, and in the present instance,
he for one, felt a peetetiar pleasure in doing so, for a
more reseecteble meeting he never attended, Indeed,
the peculiar characteristic of that Society more than
any other, was indePendence. 'ho word independence was
characteristic of those who devoted the superfluities with
Which Providence had blessed them towards relieving the
wants of others. N 9 community in the world he was afraid
to say, and yet be felt proud to say it too, could boast of such
philinthroPy as that of the Licensed Victuallers' Associ-
ation. They were both in the habit of seeing and
mixing with all classes of Society, and it could not be
denied that they were always amongst the most willingand
the most liberal todiffuse blessings such as were in their power
to bestow amongst the general brotherhood of mankind.