The Sun.
London, England, 1827-05-18 00:00:00

THE DINNER.

After the ceremonial of laying the first stone of
the new Caledonian Asylum had been gone through,
a great part of the assistants in the ceremony ad-
journed to the Freemasons' Tavern, where they par-
took of an excellent 'dinner.
His Royal Highness the Duke of SUSSEX took
the Chair, supported on his right by Lord Saltoun,
Sir John Campbell, &c. &c. on his left by Lord
Dundas and other persons of distinction.
The company were entertained during dinner by
Highland airs on the bagpipe, played by Geo. Clark,
who, after being wounded atthec'elOrated battle of
Vimiera, cheered on his regiment to the charge by
his martial music, when he could no longer stand.
Gow's. band and another also delighted the comPany,

alternately.
After the cloth was withdrawn Non Nobis Donijne
was chaunted in excellent style by Messrs. Pyne,
Broadhurst, Fitzwilliam, and Chapman.
The Illustrious CHAIRMAN, in proposing the first
toast, said loyalty and gratitude both required this

mark of their attachment to the King—Loyalty as
he was the first Magistrate in the State ; gratitude
as he was the Patron of this Institution. He then
gave, as a-toast—" The King, God bless him, with
three times three," drank with the greatest enthu—
siasm, after which the National Anthem of " God
save the King" was sung by the professional Gen-
tlemen present, the whr)le company joining in chorus.
The ROYAL CHAIRMAN said, that he was assured

.he next toast would he received with that respect

that was due to departed merit. They had met to
celebrate the anniversary of an Institution, the inte-
rests of which had been faithfully, warmly, and re-
gularly promoted by some Members of the Royal
Family. Those members had now gone to meet the
reward which human creatures Coal not expect in
this sublunary world. He Was satisfied the meeting
anticipated that he was about to propose the memo-
ries of those dear relatives of his, who were dead,
but had not been forgotten. The spirits.of those

illustrious individualS now hovered over the assem-
bly, and should excite every person present, in the
Scotch phriur, to put his shoulder's to' the wheel,
and endeavour to forward the interests of the

Institution. The Chairman concluded by pro-
posing the memories of their Royal High-
nesses, the Dukes of York and Kent, which were
drunk in solemn silence.

The next toast which the Illustrious CHAIRMAN
proposed Was, " the health of his Royal Highness
the Nike of Clarence and St. Andrew's, Lord High
Admiral of Englancb" and in'dOing so, he could de-
clare that no one felt more warmly for the interests of
this institution than the Duke of St. Andrew's.
'He had acted most faithfully and zealously as Pre-
sident of the Scottish Hospital, and he felt, as
indeed all the Royal Family must do, most anxious
for the prosperity and interest of every integral part
of the British Empire, especially for those of Scot-
land, with which their own was so intimately con-
nected.

The toast was then drunk with three times three
and much applause.—Song, Rule Britannia.
The Illustrious CHAIRMAN next proposed the
health of their Royal Highnesses the Patronesses of
this Institution, and in proposing the health
of those illustrious ladies, he trusted they
would, by their example, make an Institution
which was really useful, fashionable also. He
had no doubt that they had considerable influence
over the Scottish ladies of their acquaintance, and
that they would be enabled, through that, to make
this excellent charity as fashionable as it was useful.
Drunk with enthusiasm. Air—" Gramachree Molly."
Glee, four voices, " Awake, Eolian Lyre."
Lord SALTOUN said he had the permission of the
Chair to propose the next toast. He need not say
what benefits his Royal Highness, the Chairman, had
bestowed on this Institution. He (Lord S.) was old
enough to remember the infancy of this Institution,and
he remembered meeting his Royal Highness in 1815,
when a magnificent collection was made, principally
through the exertions of his Royal Highness, which
placed this Institution, for the first time, on
a permanent footing. His Royal Highness added
much to all the obligations which the Institution
owed him by his exertions this day in laying the first
stone of an edifice, which he (Lord S.) hoped would
last as long as the union between the two countries.
In conclusion he would observe that it was in peace
we were most forcibly called upon to support the
orphans and families of those who had fallen in war.
(Hear.)—The Noble Lord then proposed the health
of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, which
was received with loud and repeated plaudits.
His ROYAL HIGHNESS rose to acknowledge the
distinguished honour that had been conferred upon
him, and to return thanks both to the Noble Lord
who had proposed his health, and who on
this occasion he would take the liberty of
calling his Noble Friend, and to the company
who had so warmly received it, and
which had been extremely gratifying to his heart.
The company would, however, allow him to say
that he was well repaid for his humble ex-
ertions in seeing himself surrounded and supported
as he was • on the present occasion, not forgetting
the interesting occasion he had witnessed this
morning. Looking at the phalanx of noble, distin-
guished, wealthy, and independent characters
by which he was surrounded, he could .not
but feel that the honour was conferred on him,
and that he did not confer lustre on them.
It was characteristic -of the Scotch, that when-
ever the character. of - the nation, its honour,
and loyalty was concerned, .there, was only one
stroll& feeling evinced by every individual hay-

ing a drop of Scotch blood in his veins. It was
not for the Illustrious Speaker to go back into
former times, but he always liked to look back. to
history, and upon doing that he could see much to re-
dound to the honour and admiration of the Scotch.
Here he could not but reflect on the character of
Flora McDonald," and which he always did with the
greatest satisfaction, nor could he ever forget the
time at which a song was introduced, part of which
was—" If Geordie bad come helpless over, he
would have been assisted just in the same
way."—(Great applause.)—The present occa-
sion brought to his recollection what was
called in Lunnun " parish business." This In-
stitution was for the purpose of affording assistance
to the children of those who were not entitled to paro-
chial relief, and he felt perfectly satisfied that the contri-
butions that would be entered into this night, would
forward the most sanguine expectation of the cha-
ritable intention.

Their object now was, that the number of boys
should be increased; and also that they should ob-
tain a more salubrious air for the advantage of the
children's health. To erect the new building and
furnish it would require about 2,0001. ; to meet this
they required about 5,0001.; and as they had for-
merly advanced 10,0001. upon speculation, they
might well b• called on to advance half of that
sum on a certainty. They had parted with
their old premises at more than they cost
them, and, therefore, they could not be charged
with want of attention to the interests of the
Society. He had the pleasure of addressing
officers of the army and navy, and mercantile
men whom he was most happy at all times
to meet ; and if he could not get any thing out
of their pockets in behalf of so excellent an Institu-
tion as this, he must consider himself as a very bad
pleader indeed. He had now made an appeal to their
hearts, and he would by-and-bye endeavour to fish
their affections towards this Institution out of their
pockets.—(Laughter and applause.)
His ROYAL HIGHNESS then gave as a toast, " Suc-
cess to the Caledonian Asylum, and may it never
want a protector."—Drank with enthusiasm.

The children of the Institution, for we must
truly designate them so, were then paraded
round the room, preceded by Will Clark, playing
" The Campbells are comin'." They were dressed
in tartan, and wore, as usual, the kilt, and the florid
glow of youth and health was on every countenance.
The company admired them greatly.

His ROYAL HIGHNESS observed, that 'after the
procession which they had just seen, he would leave
the boys to speak for themselves. They were the
children of soldiers, sailors, and marines, and in after
life they would return their grateful thanks to their
benefactors for the relief which was now afforded
them. There ought to be no invidious comparisons
betwee►► the Army and Navy. Both had done well
for their country, and the only emulation was and
should be, which service could do most to forward
the interests of the country. In conclusion,
his Royal Highness proposed the Army and Navy
of Great Britain.—(Cheers.)---Air, " Scots Wha
Ha e," by Mr. Broadhurst.

His 'Royal Highness again begged to call the
attention of the meeting to the objects of the So-
ciety. The principal claim which the Highland
Society had on public attention was, that it had
given birth to the present Institution. He should
therefore give the " Highland Society of London,"
with three times three.,
This toast was received with great applause.
The CHAIRMAN said he wished to call it to their
recollection that the Highland Society of London was
the parent of this Institution, and therefore it
became him as Chairman, to propose the
health of the Members of the Highland Society
of London," which was drunk with three times
three, and great applause.
Mr. LONGLANDS, the Secretary to the Highland
Society of London, in thanking the illus-
trious Chairman for the last toast, said that
be was deputed to do so as a humble member
of the Highland Society of London, and, could assure
the Meeting,that they participated in all the feelings
of the present Meeting, towards the success and
prosperity of the Caledonian Asylum. As long as
it should exist, the Highland Society would be one of
the warmest friends of this Institution, and in proof
of that they had subscribed 1004 towards the build-
ing fund, in addition to ten guineas given annually.
Lord SALTOUN, as President of the Highland So-
ciety, also returned thanks.

Mr. LEES, the Secretary, then proceeded to read
the report, from which it appeared that his
Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex subscribed 50
guineas, Lord Dundas, twenty-five guineas, Lord
Saltoun, fifty guineas, Lord Darnley, ten guineas,
Samuel Farquarson, Esq. fifty guineas, &c.
The hilarity of the evening was kept up to a
late hour.