The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-21 00:00:00

ASYLUM fgr AGED and DECAYED

!FREEMASONS.
The ninth anniversary. festival, in aid of the Rinds of
this Institution, took place on Wednesday night, at the
Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen-street. - At six o'clock
a hundred and thirty , gentlemen, the majority being
members of " the craft,' sat down to an excellent dinner,
under the able presidency of the Hon. Colonel Anson,
li.P. The gallery was graced by the presence of a num-
ber of ladies, who were also entertained at a collation in
a room contiguous thereto. After the usual loyal toasts
had been disposed of,
The CHAIRMAN rose to propose what both he and
the company must consider the toast of the evening—
namely, " Prosperity to the Asylum for Aged and
Decayed Freemasons."—(Loud cheers.) In proposing
this toast, he wished to be allowed to make a few re-
marks. He should not have presumed to fill the chair
on the present occasion but for the kindness of
those gentlemen who had urged him to do so. Ile had
thought that be was not the most proper person to
explain the merits of this Institution—with which fact
he had himself so recently become acquainted. It was
to the kindness of those gentlemen who had invited hint
to fill the chair, that the fact of his being in that posi-
tion must be attributed, and not to any merits of his own.
—(Cheers,) He felt, however, much indebted to them
for having introduced him to the knowledge of an Insti-
tution which had for its object the provision of comforts
for the declining years of those who had neither tilt!
power nor the means of obtaining it for themselve,—
(Cheers.) The originators of the Institution had hid to
contend with difficulties of no ordinary character ; and
to less ardent and less generous supporters those difficul-
ties might have appeared insurmountable—(Cheers)—
but he trusted now that the day would soon arrive when.
difficulties would no longer exist. The other charities
had received and deserved high praise, but charity did
not always stop at one particular point ; indeed, it had
'no limits in the breasts of the truly benevolent.—
(Cheers.) The charitable institutions of' this country
excited the admiration of every foreigner who visited
us, and was it not natural that so ancient a body as the
Freemasons were, and so distinguished for their exec.
Lions tions in the cause of benevolence, should be anxious tor
the foundation of an asylum for, the decayed members of
a brotherhood which united the inhabitants of every
.cfulirintheeranpaeretivneernytcoobusnetz•
observations —(Loudhecheers.)character
After
Institution, the lion. Chairman concluded by promising
it all the support in his power for the future, and gave
the tout, which was drunk with three times throe and
much enthusiasm.

The healths of the Hon. Chairman, of Dr. Crncefix,
the Treasurer, and of the Stewards, were subsequently
given, and dqlyhononred.
From the report, which was read by Dr. Crucefix, it
appeared that the funds of the Institution had now
advanced to the sum of 3,6001., which, with the sum of
4001. collected during the evening, raised their total
amount to 4,oool.—the amount which,' in the original
project of the Asylum, it was agreed must be obtained
before the building of the Asylum should be com-
menced ; and this desirable goal .having been reached,
it is expected the erection of the edifice will shortly be
commenced.
Among the company, we noticed the Rev. Dr. Knapp.
the Rev. Dr. Slade, the Rev. S. Ramsey, Brothers W.
Shaw,. .T Lan., G. Philipe, Robert Bell," W. Eccles, J. L.
Stevens, J. C. Fourdrinier, T. Pryer, Z. Watkins, and
-M. Sangster.
1 The announcement of Brother Benjamin Bead Cabbeli,
its 'the Chairman for the ensuing year, was warmly
welcomed.

hearmollyoenrs,
The musical arrangements were of character
. of
unusual excitement. Among the professional ladies
and gentlemen present were Mrs. Chatfield, the Misses
Turner, Mrs. Seguin, Signor For:moan, Signor Einiiisni,
isle4egrlinath3eiren.:lo;nnentUcrif
Signor Brizzi. Signor
wpas
Mr. Jolly, Mr. Crouch, and Mr. Kingal?ury,
The evening
and good fellowship, and it was not until latelour that
the company dispersed.

Tils CUSTOMS .FRAUDS.--. 8. great many of the
Culstoms officers have been subpoenaed on the part of th•
ci.art, to give evidence at the trials in the Court of the Ex-
chequer against Candy and Deane, for participation in the
recent frauds on the revenue. The absence of so many offi-
cers from duty during the present pressure of business, has
'caused very great inconvenience to the department, and the
Board of Customs have deemed it necessary to require the of-
ficial attendance of some of the principal officers of the Land-
ing Department who were on leave of absence.
DEATH WHILE BATIIING.—On Tuesday evening
Mr. Higgs held an Invest at the Crown, Green-street.
Leicester-square, on view of the body of William Sadler
Forsdiek, aged nineteen. Brook Foredick, of No. 10%,
Church-street, Battersea (deceased's brother), stated the'
between four and five o'clock on Friday morning lay. be
and deceased, and a young man named Ponden, !wet out
in n boat on the river, near Battersea Church, to bathe.
Having got into the middle of the river, Ponden un-
dressed and
jumped out of the boat into the water. De-
ceased followed him. He and Ponden were both good
swimmers. When deceased jumped into the water liw
rose and began swimming, but suddenly appeared to be
struggling in the water and sinking. Witness called out,
to Ponden that deceased was sinking, and Ponden ;ex_
mecliately swam to deceased's assistance, but •befflee he
could reach him deceased had sunk. Witness dirk not go
into the water himself at all. It seemed t 4 'him as if
deceased had suddenly been seized with emmp, but be
had never bathed in an open stream before. The tide
was running very strong at the time. Deceased might.
have been frightened. Deceased was apprenticed to it
pawnbroker. His father is a miller, residing at •81.4er.
sea. • George Ponden, of Church-street, Battery c
roborated the evidence. He was about thirty yr: "
seeas d
Ards'ti°r°
deceased when he sank. The body of de .
rott anger-
found on Monday afternoon last, floatine• e
ford-market pier. It was immediately
T--_eyea to St,
(Martin's Workhouse.—Yerdiet, "
Accidentally drowuedr
while bathing."
aterloo banquet in The
2411'the tZ:eount of the W
'''73": of Wednesday, the Duke Ai' Wellington is stated to hays
tpen the health of Colonel Macdonald. It 'should have-
been•Lieuteuant-Geuero §k James Ataedenell. •
•