Star.
London, England, 1830-03-18 00:00:00

TO A SNOW-DROP,

Wee, pallid dower, 1;-1. droop* head,
Scarce lift aboon thy grassy bed,—
While twilight's balmy dews are shed
Upon thy leaves,
Almost I deem, as here I tread,
Thou silent grieves',

Sweet emblem thou o' pensive woe,
For thee in vain the sunbeams glow,
They fall upon thy crest o' snow,
But wake no sheen,
,%nd play tintentediosnd, as though
They ne'er had been,

Dear to tke sight, thou bonny gem!
Sae gracefte bending o'er thy stem,
In Spring's bright wreathed diadem

Of a' beside—
.
7'itort p.tt'.t the gaudy rose to shame,
Ar.d lily's pride;

While, Ile the charm o' trodtzt worth,
Thou show'st thy spotless mantle forth,
And we re *aft, unsmiling mirth
Thou till's( thy plice,
At:' e,l:ctl'Nt o'cr thy wee spot of earth
A heavenly grace

BENEVOLENT-SOCIETY OF ST. PATRICK.

The forty-seventh anniversary of this institution, so
well known to our readers, took place yesterday at the Freema-
sons' Tavem.--The Right Hon. ROBERT PEEL in the Chair.
He was supported on the right by the Duke of Wellington,
and on the left by the Secretary fur Ireland, Lord L. Gower,
whom Mr. Peel, in the course of the evening, announced as
President for the next anniversary. The Duke did nut arriv
till dinner was nearly over, having gone to the London 'l'a-
vern in a mistake, supposing no doubt that since the - great
measure" of last year was carried, St. Patrick had a cover
laid for him in the heart of the metropolis. %Vhst answer his Glace
received did not appear, probably that the " patron Sale t was not
known there these 300 years at least." However that may be, his
Grace was found, about seven o'clock, by one of the active;
Steward's, groping his way into Freemasons' Hall, and on his enter-
ing the room, he was received with the most enthusiastic thse-s.—
On proposing his Majesty's health, Mr. Peel observed, that aimilsr
all the cares of State and the high functions which his Majesty dis-
charged, he did not require to be reminded of the approach 10 this
festival. The Right Hon. Secretary stated that he had that morn-
ing received a direct communication from his Majesty, express.
sivc of his anxiety for the welfare of the Society, and authorising
him to announce his usual subscription, which, said Mr. Peel.
makes the amount of his Majesty's contribution to the funds of this
institution, approximate to nearly 4,0001. The other toasts usual
on theseoccasions, were each introduced with appropriate remarks,
among which, when proposing the prosperity of the Society, the
Right Honourable Gentleman observed, that it would be affectation
in him to attempt to conceal from the company, that this was
the first opportunity the friends of the charity had of meeting
together with their best feelings perfectly unembarrassed by
any other consideration than good will to each other and us .
tional benevolence. He then alluded to the measure of last Ses-
sion, which had conferred such a happiness both on Protestant
and Catholic. On the latter by freeing him from that feeling of
inferiority with which he met, even in the walks of charity, his
fellow-countryman; and on the former, by freeing him front the
" fetters of an unnatural and statutable superiority." When pro.
posing the health of the Duke of Wellington, he said, that in the
presence of that illustrious individual, of whose noble simplicity and
modesty he was well aware, he could not say snore than that 1.1.
were too near the splendour of his patriotic achievements to be
able justly to appreciate them. But he had no doubt that poste-
rity would look upon his glorious career in the West of Europe
with no less admiration and gratitude, than it beheld the monuments
of his fame in the eastern world or beneath a nsid-day sky. Lord
Darnley's health was proposed, as an old supporter of the charity.
He returned thanks, and proposed Mr. O'Connell, who under ap.
parent emotion, said that a noble load had drawn upon him unea.
pettedly, and " the draft was of such value, that he confessed himselt
incapable of honouring it." He went on to state how inatle.
quote his powers were to express his feelings on the occasion,
at the same time he could not refrain from endeavouring " to
pour out a nation's feeling for a nation's liberality," which
he certainly did do in terms more concise and suited to the
occasion that we expected to hear from him. He said that the esti-
mation in which the liberty of his country was that evening held,
taught him to believe that even intemperance in the struggle for so
desirable an object was pardonable. After Mr. Peel and some other
distinguished guests had retired, about half-past ten o'clock Mr.
O'Connell was unanimously called upon to take the Chair. Ile did
so, and immediately, without sitting down, adverted to the conduct
of the Right Hon. Gentleman who had so efficiently discharged the
duty during the previous part of the evening. Important results
had frequently followed trivial incidents; and he was certain
that evening's entertainment would be productive of good
effects in " Universal Ireland, from the Giant's Causeway to Cape
Clear." He concluded by proposing to them the health of Mr. Peel,
which coming from him, he hoped they would do honour to for the
second time, and thereby testify how sensible they were of the great
services of that gentleman to our common country. The toast was
drunk with acclamation, after which Mr. O'Connell retired, though
cotnestly entreated to remain. Mr. Peel'i health had been in the
first instance proposed by the Duke of Wellington, who alluded to
the sacrifices he had made in the discharge of an imperative duty to
his country last year. For himself he had no other claim to the
praises bestowed on him by the right honourable gentleman,
and so kindly responded to by the company, than the coincidence of
important events in the history of his country, and his zeal in his
Majesty's service, and wishes to serve his countrymen. The health
of the President of the Royal Academy was proposed In the course
of the evening, and Mr. Slice renamed thanks in a very sensible
speech. He said that though absent from his native country
for forty years, he felt those filial bonds of attachment which
never could be checked or destroyed, as sensibly silkier; and while
always avowing himself an Irishman, it would -be his constant
endeavour not to tarnish the fame of his country, though he
might not be able to add to its glory. The amount of the
subscription was announced, in the course of the evening, to be
1,318/. and other sums were afterwards received, but we did not hoer
the total amount. There was the usual attendance of professional
gentlemen in the musical department, who, with the splendid array
of beauty and fashion in the galleries, which were crowded with
ladies, added to the pleasure and hilarity of the entertainment.—
Among the company, besides those already mentioned, were Lord
Arthur Hill, Robert Dawson, M.P. and several other persons of din.
tinction. Mr. Peel's subscription was 100 guineas, the Duke of
Wellington's 50, in addition to the sum of 5761. which he has
already from time to time given the Institution.

PROGRESS OP IMPROVEMENT.—Mr. Littleton, in
presenting a Petition, the other evening, from a place in the Star".
fordshire Potteries, signed by 9,000 persons, statad that there was
not one mark's matt (a man unable to write) amongst all the peti.
tioners. A few years ago more than half of the population of that
district were mark's men. ••

THE LATE Ft RE.—The Committee for relieving the
distressed sufferers at the late fire at the English Opera House met
again yesterday evening. Ir. Tuvarrow in the Chair. The
whole of the receipts were announced at 1451. 15s. 3d. including the
receipts from the performance at the Coburg Theatre. Fifty.thre:
applkations had been made, tea of which had been • rejected.
Thanks were returned to M. Cloup and Mr. Davidge for their kind
services. The Committee meet again on Thursday next for the
last time.

SMITHFIEL,
CAVTLIt AT

,D, IslAacr It.
1 MAILIM :

Beasts.. 471
Sheep and Lambs 5,540
Beef ss 6d to 41 Od
Mutton --Ss Id 4s Od
Lamb ..... Gs Od Os 01

Calves l3O
Pip
Veal . ...... Ss Otl to ei 04
Pork 4s 01 Ss 04

nay (per load). £2 101. to £5 ss. Clow, .C 3 154. to £5 lOs
Straw, £2 es. su £2 141..

,
NEW FARRINGDON MARKET, Hawn If.
Prices per IL to the con,umer :
Baer—Finest Roasting, 6&d. Ditto Bulling, 41d. Equal
quantity of each, 51d. Rump Steaks. 9d. Beef Steaks, 64, Rump
of Beef, 641. Warman Mt:nun—leg, 74. to 7d. Haunch, 6ld.
Saddle. 6d. Shooldrr, Sid. Neil', Sad. Ragan, 4d. Veal.— Leg,
7d. Fillet, Bed. Reim, Old. Loin, aid. Shoulder, 6d. Pon,
SO. to 7d. . * .•
NEWGATE ACID LEADENHAT.L, Mann 111.
There was a full supply at these snarkekk to-day.
By the Chterne.—Per atone of Ohs.
Beef : its td to So lid I Veal ....... .. S. '4ltl to di Od
Mottos
ST. JAMES'S EV AT.MARKET, kdaaoWlf:
clot* Heavy Lowland Meadow Hay, Al as. to .42.*55.. Until
saw Mtn; Alfa. to i 3 ifs. Phu Meadovr art 4 Rye Gran
Hay, 44 ea to on Os. Clover. 43 t4s. to AS Si. (ha
Straw, At M. AM. , a se. to di lac pat
load of Merlon. . , • . .

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