The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-17 00:00:00

REVENUE FOR TEMPERANCE
SOCIETIES.

It is in contemplation, we understand, to raise a large
annual revenue, for the promotion of Temperance.
Societies, by a plan to be brought forward by Mr.
Buckingham, at the Great Anniversary Meeting at
Exeter Hall; to-morrow, by making it a condition of
membership to the New Temperance Association, pro-
posed to be formed by a Union of all the Metropolitan
Societies in one :-Ist. That each member shall esti-
mate the pecuniary saving in his own annual expendi-
ture, effected by his abstaining from the use of spirits,
wine, and beer. 2d. That he shall then agree to retain
one-half of that saving for his own immediate and pre-
sent benefit, and devote the other half in two equal parts,
one to the insurance of a legacy for his family, or for the
Temperance Union, at his pleasure, in the United King-
dom Total Abstinence Life Association, and the other,
if residing in London, to an annual contribution to the
funds'of the Metropolitan Temperance Association ; or
if residing in the country, to the particular local Society
to which the paying member may belong.
It is estimated, by Mr. Buckingham, who is the ori-
ginator of this proposal, that persons in the middle class
of life would save at least 201. a-year by this change in
their habits ; in the more opulent class 501. ; and even
100/. a-year, would be saved to many families, while in
the very humblest ranks 51. a year would be the lowest
average, as this is less than three pence per day. The
whole number of persons belonging to the various Tem-
perance Societies in Great Britain is now upwards of
5,000,000, and if one pound per annum, or less than
one-fourth, of the money saved by abstaining, even
among the lowest classes, were thus contributed, it
would raise a revenue of 5,000,0001. sterling ! This
amount would far surpass the whole sum raised for all
the Benevolent Societies in the kingdom, though it
would still be only one-tenth of what is spent every year
in Great Britain and Ireland alone in intoxicating drinks.
The amount of this has been proved, by Parliamentary
documents, to be more than 50,000,0001. a year ; a sum
which exceeds the whole revenue of the United King-
dom from all sources combined, tsand which proves that
it is not so much from want of Wealth, as from its mis-
appropriation, that so much distresis is felt ; for if this
50,000,0001. were abstracted from 'the expenditure in
spirits, wine, and beer (which are admitted by the first
medical authorities to be wholly unnecessary to persons
in health—and productive of innumerable evils by the
abuses to which they lead), and the same sum were ex-
pended in an increased consumption of wholesome food,
clothing, furniture, and education, all our agricultural
and manufacturing labourers might be fully employed—
profitable trade revived—disease and crime decreased—
and no Income-tax nor any other impost be required to
make up our financial deficiency.. .

• STR-AWBERRY HILL SALE.
NINETEENTH DAY.
- Yesterday's sale realised exceedingly good prices, the
mil total being 1,3001. Amongst the principal lotssolkl
may be mentioned the following
A portrait of Oliver Cromwell's mother, copied from.
the original picture at Ilinchinbrook, was knocked down.
to Mr. Forster at 8/. Bs.
Lot 32. The large blue and white oriental china cis-.
tern, on pedestal, far famed as the vase in which Horace
Walpole's cat was drowned, which gave occasion to Mr.
Gray, the poet, to write his well-known ode, beginning—
" 'Twas on this lofty vase's side,
Where China's gayest art has dyed
The azure flowers that blow,
Demurest of the tabby kind,
The pensive Selina reclined,
Gazed on the lake below."
There was a very spirited competition for this lot, which
finally ended in being knocked down to Mr. Sell for the
small sum of 421
Lot 35. An antique Greek marble vase, exquisit?ly
sculptured in high relief, with Greek inscription, 63
inches high, bought by Mr. Rodd, for 22/. Is.
Lot 41. A magnificent ormolu 14-day clock, of larg-e
size, by Julien le Roy, with bronze figure of a femalit
reading, on pedestal, richly mounted-421. Strong.
The " lions " of the collection were the singularly cu-
rious and beautiful hunting horn, finely enamelled on
one side in colours, representing allegorical figures, on
the other in chiaro 'scum, with the history of St. Hubert.
It is of the rare Limoges enamel, and perfectly unique ;
bought by Webb, for 1411. 15s.
Lot 54. A pair of incomparable old dark blue oriental
china beakers, richly decorated with leaves and flowers,
on gilt stands, together 42 inches high-551. 13s. Strong.
Lot 55. A pair of ice pails, of the old Chelsea china,
of elegant form, and delicately painted with flowers-61.
61..165. fid. Colnaghi.
Lot 56. A splendid solid ebony table, most elaborately
and boldly carved, &c.-521. lOs. Sell.
Lot 57. A ditto, perfectly similar—Mi. Emanuel.
Lot 60. A Vauxhall plate pier glass, largest size of
that manufacture ; enclosed at the top is the portrait
of George Walpoe, third Earl of Orford-131. 2s. 6d.
Forster.
The next lot we have to notice is the truly gorgeous
armour of Francis 1., King of France. It is of steel,
inlaid with gold, and enriched with bas reliefs of bat-
tles and heating subjects, in the finest taste, most elabo-
rate in design, and endless in workmanship •, this un-
doubted work of Benvenuto Cellini, which has so long
adorned the gallery of Strawberry Hill, may be pro-
nounced matchless, and presents a noble picture of the
grandeur of the days of tournament, as well as an im-
periz,hable monument of the power of this renowned
artist. We could not learn if this suite of armour was
bought by the French Government, as it was expected it
would be ; all we know is, that it was purchased by Mr.
Pratt for 3201. ss.
Lot 96. A highly interesting antique painting in
fresco. For a particular account of this curious work
of art see " Middleton's Germana." Knocked down at
71. 7s. ; with which lot we shall conclude our notice of
the sale for Whit-Monday.