The Sun.
London, England, 1842-07-11 00:00:00

II- •
wp.

THE SUN, LONDO

• cellent health—he lived in the bosom of his family, and
was surrounded by excellent neighbours, and there
wanted but one thing to complete his happiness, which
was that he might frequently see his old friends around
him, talk over old times with them, and that they might
enjoy with him the comforts of Ingress Abbey. He
begged once more most sincerely to return his grateful
and hearty thanks to all present for the honour which
they had conferred upon him." The worthy Chairman
then sat down amid loud and long-continued cheers.
W. HILLS, Esq., the Vice-President cf the Fishmon-
geu and Poulterers' Society, next rose and addressed the
-Chiarman as follows :—" My task, Sir, is a humble one
in comparison with that which has been so well dis-
charged by my friend Sir James Duke. He has ex-
pressed to you in language which I cannot emulate; the
sense which the world generally entertains of your public
conduct in the important sphere in which your course
has been run. I appear on behalf of a more contracted
circle. lam deputed by a single company—by a single
charitable association—to express to you that sorrow
which all good men must feel at the secession from public
life of one who has been illustrious even among the
good ; and communicate to you their gratitude for
favours continuously received, and efforts which have
ever been found most strenuous when the necessity for
them has been most urgent. The Fishmongers' and
Poulterers' Society has, Sir, flourished under your aus-
pices. Many are the widows—many the orphans—whose
hour of misfortune has been lightened by the zeal with
which you have aided those funds to which alone they
could look for help. A decision which we cannot mur-
mur at, although we cannot but lament it, has with-
drawn you from public life altogether, and has deprived
us of your efficient aid as our President. It is as a slight
and unworthy testimony of the sentiments with which your
conduct in that office has inspired us towards you, that
the following address has been voted by the Society—
an address which it is, I can most unfeignedly say, one
of the greatest honours which has fallen to my lot to
be deputed to present to you. I will read the address."
Mr. Hills then read the following Address :
" Society for providing an Asylum and Relief for aged
and infirm Fishmongers and Poulterers, and their
Wives or WEows, atso occasional Relief to their ne-
cessitous orphans.
" At a Special and General Meeting of the Committee
of the above Society, especially convened,
"It was resolved unanimously—
" That the Committee having received from James
Harmer, Esq., the first President of the Institution, his
determination to retire from that office, cannot acknow-
ledge such an intimation without expressing their most
sincere regret at losing the advantage of the active
benevolence of so good a man. They would, therefore,
convey to him, in the strongest language of which they
are capable, their gratitude for the ability with which be
has presided over their annual festivity ; for the munifi-
cent generosity with which he has aided their funds, and
for the interest he has at all times taken in this, as in every
Society whereby the interests of humanity have been
forwarded, and the woes of the afflicted lessened. In
bowing to his expressed and earnest wish to retire alto-
gether from public life, they receive with delight his
consent still to remain one of their patrons ; and they
beg unanimously and most earnestly, to tender him their
heartfelt hopes, that in the retirement of domestic life
he may enjoy that tranquillity and happiness which his
uniform charity towards his fellow-creatures so justly
entitle him to.

(By order of the Committee)
" WILLIAM HILLS, V. P., Chairman.
"R. C. GOODMAN,
" GEO. SPRIGGINS. Hon. Secretaries.
"AND. FORESTER, Assist. Secretary.
Mr. HILLs continued :—" With the hope with which
this address concludes, I, Sir, most fervently concur.
MAy the evening of that life, which has bee* so bene-
' ficial to others, be tranquil and happy to yoit. On the
part of those for whom I appear here, I can say, we re-
sign your presiding influence with a poignant regret:
and I trust I may be permitted to say for myself, that it
is with no light grief that I renounce the active assist-
ance of my most honoured and most valued friend, in a
sphere of usefulness in which we have so often laboured
together, and with such happy results. Accept, Sir, our
gratitude, and our affectionate farewell."
The CHAIRMAN said that he acknowledged with grati-
tude the compliment which had just been paid him, and
he thanked Mr. W. Hills for the flattering terms in
which he had presented the address. In early life he
(the Chairman) had needed assistance, and he should bo
wanting in that gratitude which he owed to Divine Pro-
vidence, if he aid not feel fur the poor and friendless.
He assured the deputation, that he should always feel an
interest in the welfttre of their excellent institution.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed the Lord Mayor and
Corporation of the City of London. coupled with the
name of Alderman Thomas Wood.
Alderman T. WOOD acknowledged the compliment.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed the health of Sir James
Duke, and coupled with it the Ward of Farringdon
Without.

Sir J. DUKE briefly returned thanks.
Mr. Broadhurst then sung, in his usual excellent style,
one of Moore's Irish Melodies, the commencement of which
was peculiarly appropriate :
" And doth not a meeting like this make amends
For all the long years I've been wandering away,
To see thus aronnd me m}► youth's early friends,
As smiling and kind as in that happy day ?
Though haply o'er some of your brows, as o'er mine,
The snowfall of Time may be stealing—what then ?
Like Alps in the sunset, thus lighted by wine,
We'll wear the gay tinge of youth's roses again."
Mr. Alderman JourrsoN proposed " the health of Miss
Emma Chaplin, and the Ladies," which was drunk with
the usual honours.

The CHAIRMAN then gave "the health of Mr. Blacket,'
who, in a very appropriate speech, acknowledged the corn.

The band continued playing, at intervals, during the
above proceedings, and at seven o'clock the Chairman
left his seat, and the company shortly afterwards re-
turned home, highly gratified with the proceedings of
the day and the princely entertainment which their
worthy host had provided for them.