The Sun.
London, England, 1827-06-05 00:00:00

SOCrßrir OF ARTS.

The seventy-fifth annual distribution of the
prizes granted by the Society, took place yester-
day, in the King's Theatre, in the Haymarket.
The internal arrangements for the occasion were
nearly the same as those which have prevailed
at former anniversaries. The stage was brought
forward beyond the orchestra, by means of a
platform, in order to place those who were to
perform in the ceremonies of the day in a more
conspicuous situation. Very near the extremity
of the stage so advanced, a table and chair were
placed for the President, his Royal Highness
the Duke of Sussex. Behind the chair, at some
considerable distance, the candidates for the
various rewards took their places as usual. The
boxes, pit, and gallery were thrown open to the
public ; the condition of admittance being only
a ticket, which any person might have obtained
on application to the Secretary. A select party
of the band of the Foot Guards enlivened the
scene by music at intervals.
At one o'clock his Royal Highness took the
chair; the band,played " God save the King."
The theatre now presented a very brilliant ap-
pearance. The various chandeliers were lighted ;
the boxes were literally filled, chiefly with ladies ;
the pit .and galleries presented the same crowded
scene. The whole company rose to de homage
to the National Anthem, as the Royal President
entered the theatre. The coup (rail at this mo-
ment was highly imposing.
The Duke of Sussrx, on taking the Chair,
said that he was happy to see so large an as-
sembly collected together, to witness the 75th
anniversary of this annual ceremony. Ho was
sure that the longer the Society continued to
exist, the more manifest would become the in-
terest and utility of its objects. He would not
waste their time by any further observations, but
'all on the Secretary to read the Report.
The Report was then read by Mr. Aikin, the
Secretary—but not one word of it was heard by
any, except, indeed, a very small portion of the
audience. It is a most unaccountable peculia-
rity of almost all public bodies in this country,
which carry on their proceedings before large
audiences, that the persons they select for the
reading of their documents are, from age or want
of compass in their voice, or some other physi-
cal failing, incapable of being heard 10 yards
beyond the position they occupy.
The Report having been read, the candidates
were then called seriatim to receive from the hands
of the It oval President the several prizes to which
they had been declared entitled. In the early
stage of the ceremony, some of the Candidates
on receiving the prizes took occasion to return
thanks—as the Duke of Sussex had, according
to custom, accompanied the delivery of the prize
by some suitable complimentary expression.
It will be seen by the list, that no inconsider-
able portions of the improvements which called
for the approbation of the Society, are those that
may be regarded as of a very useful description.
Those in mechanics, particularly, attracted the ad-
miration of the company—as the nature and uses
of them were demonstrated in a familiar way by
models, assisted by the explanations of the respec-
tive artists. The Candidates who received prizes
for performances in the polite tuts, were chiefly
young ladies, some of them were children. Their
appearance created a great deal of interest, and oc-
casionally applause, as did also that of the boys
who were called to receive their well-merited
meed of approbation.
IN AGRICULTURE.

To P. Green, Esq., Crookham, Berke, for hia waggon
for conveying live lambs to market, the Silver Ceres Medal.
To Mr. W. Thorold, Great Melton, Norfolk, for his
machine for slicing turnips, the Silver Ceres Medal.
'f o W. Wither•, jun. Esq., Holt, Norfolk, for his expo-
rinaents on the effect of manure on young plantations of
forest trees, the large Silver Medal.
To W. Long, Esq. Preshaw House, near Alton, Ilants,
for planting 195 acres with forest trees, tho Gold Ceres
Medal.
To C. C. Western, Esq. M.P. Felix Hall, Kslvedon,
Essex, fin• his long Anglo-merino wool, the Gold Cerro
Medal.
To Mr. C. Poppy, jun. Witnesliam, near Ipswich, for
his method of protecting turnips front the By, the Gold
Ceres Medal.