The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-21 00:00:00

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THE LATE ATHENIEU

Every day brings forth the most .*,..1.17=a1un
of the interest which this great meeting as `tuft
sally created, not only in this country, but also on
the continent. The London and provincial, as also
the Scotch and Irish papers, have almost without ex-
ception given reports of the proceedings at considerable
length, and have nearly all accompanied them with
laudatory comments. Most of the leading French jour-
nals have mentioned the meeting in terms of the warmest
commendation ; amongst others Le Commerce, which
after a very lucid resume of the benefits which such
institutions -are calculated to confer on the commu-
nity, strongly urges the establishment of an Athe-
neum at Paris and the principal towns of France.
We may expect to see the example generally fol-
lowed in this country. Letters couched in the most
congratulatory terms, upon the success of the
soirée and the flourishing condition of the Athe-
nueum, have, we understand, been received in
large numbers from many literary institutions in
various parts of England and Scotland, and from
numerous distinguished individuals throughout the
country. We are also gratified to learn that in many
instances these flattering communications have been
accompanied by some very substantial tokens—speak-
ing. volumes for the good effects resulting from such
periodical gathering. Amongst some liberal donations
received by the Directors subsequent to the soiree,from
parties at a distance, we may enumerate one from
Montague Gore, Esq., M.P. for Barnstaple, who has sent
Edmund Burke's Correspondence, from 1744 to 1797 ;
edited by Earl Fitzwilliam and Sir Richard Bourke ;
just published, in 4 vols. exquisitely bound, with a
most complimentary note; 51. from the iuy. James
Hildyard, of London, per Mr. D'lsraeli; and last,
though by no means least in interest, a valuabla
commercial work from Monsieur Coffy, of Paris,
written by that gentleman, who in a most interesting
communication writes, that having seen from Mr. D'ls-
raeli's speech (upon which he bestows a well-merited
eulogium) that the library was deficient in commercial
works, "he has much pleasure in forwarding a con-.
tribution, an example which he hopes to see exten-
sively followed, and by which means the desideratum
of having, in a commercial town like Manchester, ac-
cess to the best and most authentic works on trade
and commerce, will speedily be attained."
We are glad to hear that the Directors of the
Athenaeum, anxious to testify their feelings of grati-
tude to Mr. D'lsraeli and the principal guests of the
soiree, convened a special meeting of the Board last
week, at which, a cordial vote of thanks was unani-
mously passed to Mr. D'lsraeli, for the important ser-
vices rendered by him to the Athenaeum. The Directors
also, at the same meeting, elected that gentleman
a life member of the Institution. A similar compli-
ment was conferred upon Lord John Manners, M.P.,
the Hon. George Sydney Smythe, M.P., Thomas M.
Gibson, Esq., M.P.,Rowland Esq., and S. C.
Hall, Esq. Mr. sraeli has sent a very handsome
letter in acknowledgment to Messrs. E. Watkin and
P. Berlyn, from which the following extract may in-
terest our readers :

" I have great pleasure in acknowledging the re-
ceipt of the resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Athenaeum, which has made me a life member of
that institution. lam very much honoured by this
expression of their confidence, and very much grati-
fied by the terms in which it has been conveyed to
me. It is satisfactory to find that the effect of the
meeting, not only in Manchester, but throughout the
country, and indeed on the Continent, has been such
as to assure you that your toil and zeal have not been
thrown away."
The Hon.., Mr. Smythe thus acknowledges the
honour in a letter addressed to Mr. P. Berlyn :
" Harley-street, London, Oct. 16, 1844.
" My dear Sir,—Will you be good enough to con-
vey to the Directors of the Manchester Athenaeum my
most grateful thanks for the honour which they have
conferred upon me? I never shall forget the sympathy,
the kindness, the hospitality, with which I was
entertained at Manchester, and this last distinction is
the more flattering and welcome, that it is connected
with so many agreeable reminiscences. Pray remem-
ber me most cordially to Mr. Watkin, and always
believe me, dear Mr. 13erlyn,
" Yours most sincerely,
" GEORGE SYDNEY SMYTHE."
Suitable replies have also been received from the
other gentlemen, for which we have not room at
present.—Manchester Guardian.

FLIGHT OF A POOR-LAW UNION OFFICER.—rt 1$
with regret that we learn that Mr. Richard Lowe, for-
merly of this city, but who for nearly five years has filled
the situation of collector of the rates for the townships of
Stourbridge and Cradley, in the Stourbridge Union, last
week suddenly absconded from his trust, and, as there is
reason to believe, has taken his departure fur Ames ia,
leaving a considerable deficiency in his accounts.
seems that Mr. Lowe quitted home on Tuesday se'nnight,
for Halesowen, to prepare the account of the different
hamlets in that parish for the audit, to be held on the
day following, informing his wife he should not return
on Tuesday night, as he had business to transact at Bir-
mingham, but should return on Wednesday. On that
day he did not attend the audit, as was his duty, iiLlt he
had left every document ready for the purpose. Not re-
turning home at night, his wife became alarmed at his
absence, naturally supposing some accident had befallen
him. As he did not return ou Thursday, it was thought
desirable to send to Birmingham to make inquiries, and
Mr. Bristow, a brother officer, proceeded thither. Be-
fore his return a partial examination of Mr. Lowe's ac-
counts was made by Mr. Simkiss, the auditor of the
union, and it was soon discovered that la the township
of Cradley he had received considerable sums of money,
which he had not paid over to the account of the
union, thus furnishing a reason for his absence. Mr.
Bristow, on reaching Birmingham, made diligent in--
quiries, and after much trouble ascertained that Mr.
Lowe had taken tea at the Crown Inn, Carr's-lane, and •
left about eleven o'clock on Tuesday night, saying he
was going to Halesowen. Mr. Bristow then proceeded
to the railway station, and found that a person answer-
ing Mr. Lowe's description had left on Tuesday night
by the mail train for Liverpool. On Friday morning
Mrs. Lowe received a letter from her husband, dated
Liverpool, but containing no information as to what
course he intended to pursue; Mrs. Lowe immediately
started for Worcester, to endeavour to induce one of her
husband's sureties, both of whom reside in this city, to
accompany her to Liverpool in search of her husband;
but it was a fruitless search, as on Saturday an unsealed
note was received, written in pencil on a scrap of paper
torn from a memorandum-book, and without a date, as
follows:—" I have sailed this morning, and will write as
soon as I can.—R. L." It bore the Liverpool post-mark -
of the 10th inst. It thus appears that he left on Friday,
and it is probable that nothing more will be heard of
him till be reaches his destination. An universal feeling
of sympathy is manifested for the situation of his wife
and fuur children, who are thus unexpectedly aban-
doned by their natural protector.— Worcester Herald.
WILL or LORD KEANE' G.C.B.—The will of Lord
Keane has just been proved in Doctors' Commons. His
Lordship by this instrument gives to his wife, Charlotte
Maria, his mansion, carriages, wine, several articles of
plate, and the sum of 10,0001. To his daughter Char-
lotte, 5,4001. He observes :—" As my son, Edward
Arthur Wellington Keane, is entitled to a pension of
2,0001. a year from Government, I consider him suffi-
ciently provided for, and bequeath him my Ghuznee
sword." To his son George Keane he gives " the sword-
given me by the King of Caubul, and the Lahore match-
locks and artillery models brought from India." To his
son Hussey Fane Keane, his " Cutch sword and Sind°
rifle." Ile observes :—" My collar, ribbon, and badge
of the Order of the Bath will have to be given up to the
Herald's-office, but ray other stars are my own property;
and I bequeath them to my wife." He gives to his sons
a bond of Lord Vivian for 10,0001. To his executors
he gives 2,0001 to purchase a company in one of her
Majesty's regiments for his son John, and direetti them
to apply an additional 2,0001: for his benefit till such
company is obtained. Te his " faithful servant, Richard
Hyman, MC The remainder of his property is be-
queathed to his wife and two sons, Hussey and George
Keane. The executors appointed are Ronald Macdo-
nald, Esq., George Keane, Esq., and Charles Hopkin-
son, Esq. (the banker). The property is sworn under
45,0001. The will bears date July, 1844.
DEATH OF A PAUPER IN THE ACT Or REMOVAL.—

Mr. Baker, sen., on Saturday last, held an inquest at the
Cumberland's Head, City-road, on the body of Mary Ann
Gathcard, aged 35, a sempstress. It appeared from the
evidence, that illness had rendered deceased incapable
of working, and reduced her to a state of great'destitu-
tion. Her malady of course increased, and though
she had been at first medically treated by the parish
surgeon, she received little benefit, and it was resolved
on Thursday afternoon last to remove her to the in-
firmary of St. Luke's Workhouse. She was accordingely
removed thither in a cab, and as they were ta2unaguhar:
into the sick ward, she expired. Verdict— Ntrl
death."
nd b
It is fully believed that in_et? ne
euevni
seiet ooff
nag-
' jesty's aquatic excursions, a
of the French, that certain p
t
e
the loyal Navy ; but at sroonmtothtioonns will
otfakthe
the officers
rest upon conjecture. I ill robabl be several weeks
"v
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ttah
et
claimssome toifm
those
the Boar
ler
before thdeyo,farAedgmazireatticty to d
who have been recommended for advancement.— United
Service Gazette.
Foon FOR CATTLE.—The Lords Commissioners of
the Treasury have given permission for upwards of 20
tons of the Lotus nut to be admitted without payment of
any duty for Earl Spencer, which he is about to imp"ort
for the purpose of the article being tried as an experi-
ment as food for cattle, which is expected to arrive in
the sloop Peace, T. Bidwell, master, and will be denonii-
Dated by the Portuguese name Alfaroba.

- - ----- ---..
COLONIAL MisEziEs.—A Barbadian journalist puts
prominently forward, among his " leaders," this pithy
and pathetic paragraph:—" The want of rain is now, wo
believe, pretty generally felt by our country friends.
The dust n the city is exceedingly troublesome to mer-
chants and householders. Tho heat unfits us for any-
thing like mental labour."
The kindness of Vice-Admiral La Susse in issuing
cards of admission, through the Consul at this port, for
viewing the splendid ship Gomer, was rewarded by some
thoroughly English individuals breaking both the glasse3
over the portraits of the King and Queen of the French
in the state saloon.—Hampshire Advertiser.
The High Sheriff and magistrates for the county
' of Hertford have conferred the appointment of governor
to the Gaol and House of Correction of that county on
Mr. Samuel Hatchard, deputy-governor of the Peniten-
tiary, Milbank.