The Sun.
London, England, 1842-12-30 00:00:00

.been admitted by him having dropped, he believed the
result of his observation would tend to dispel an im-
pression that the lives of commercial men were more
uncertain than those of other elasses.—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then proposed " The healths of
_ .

the Legal Officers of the Institution."
J. S. NEWnON, Esq., returned thanks. He was
particularly gratified at receiving such a tribute of
respect at the hands of such an intelligent company.
It was particularly gratifying to si professional man,
who was exposed to all manner of calumnies and pre-
judices in the minds of the vulgar. The amalgama-
tion that had taken place in the two Societies had
given. the National Mercantile Association a solidity
which otherwise it would have taken years to accom-
plish.—(Cheers.)
Mr. YOUNG felt proud of being able to say that he
was as old a traveller as many of themselves, and as
such he had a toast to propose for their consideration
and approval. That toast was one with which was
connected with much that redounded to the credit of the
character of this country—" The Mercantile Travel-
lers of Great Britain."—(Cheers) He was sorry that
he had not been informed at an earlier period of the
clay that such a toast was to be allotted to him ; he
had been told on the previous day that his name was
to be associated on the present occasion with the toast
of the Press, and for that he should be happy if
called on to return thanks; but lie had not been
told that lie was this evening to propbse such
a toast as that of the "Mercantile Travellers of
Great Britain." He might well hesitate in under-
taking such a toast, including, as it did, all that was
associated with the character of England for com-
mercial enterprise. But still lie did not despair of
doing justice to it, in a' straightThrward and unam-
bitious rranner.—(Cheers.) Enterprise had ever been
the motto of The Sun—(Cheers)—and "go a-head"
was the motto of the English commercial traveller.—
(Cheers and laughter.) Animated by such a common'
principle, then, they met on equal terms, and as such
he hailed them as fellow-brethren.—(Loud cheers.)
They did the best they could for themselves, and in
so doing, did their best to benefit those friends who
derived advantage from their exertions. That had
always been his motto ; for he would scorn to de-
rive the :benefit of a single farthing, if he hurt his
neighbour to the extent of half that amount.—(Hear,
hear.) The enterprise of English commercial tra-
vellers was proverbial; it might be -expr(ffiscd in the
words of the poet :
" Far as the breeze can bear the billows' foam,
Survey our empire, and behold our home."

English enterprise winged its way into all corners and
regions of the earth, and the result was the prosperity
and glory of the nation.—(Chees.) That was their
especial honour ; they were there the representatives
of the ingenuity and the enterprise of the calculating,
hardworking, and determined perseverance which en-
abled England to surpass all mother. :nations. But
the immediate purpose of their assembling was not
for the benefit merely of themselves, but of their
posterity. They represented the intelligence, the
working spirit, the indomitable perseverance and the
knowledge of business—in short, the enterprise, of the
kingdom. The toast he had been asked to propose
was one of immeasurable interest, as it comprehended
the mercantile interest of England, and that was the
mercantile greatness of the world.—(llear, hear, and
cheers.) Within the last few years the Character of
the whole body of travellers was improved. A more
provident feeling had sprung up. 'They now felt that
they did not live only for themselves, but for their
families and posterity. They now also felt the neces-
sity of a connecting bond, and they had, therefore,
founded a Society based upon genuine principles—
that of mutual assistance.—(Cheers.) Like all pro-
vident men, they looked forward to a rainy day, and,
to make assurance doubly sure, they provided for the
day to come. It was said by idle people. that Providence
took all mankind under its wing; but the true providence
was to take care of themselves, and Providence would be
sure to help them.—(Cheers.) In fact, Providence
left lazy people to take care of themselves---(Laughter)
—but to the man who exerted himself and did

his best, Providence was always at hand.—
(Cheers.) Acting on this principle, they had
founded a Society which was a comfort for the present,
and a sure reliance for the future.--(hear, hear.)
Each of them had gone many a long journey, and re-
turned home to the happy bosom of their families—
but there was a journey yet to come=

" That undiscovered bourne
From whence no traveller returns---
for which this very praiseworthy Society was es-
tablished.—(Cheers.) This feeling was, in his humble
opinion, enough. to insure its complete success.—
(Hear, hear.) n In fact, their success was. placed
beyond doubt from the number of policies which they
had.. issued. up to the present time-7--one thousand and
thirty—a number, as their very intelligent Secretary
stated quite :sufficient to work with a good profit;
but he had no doubt that in a few years their poli-
cies, instead of one thousand and thirty, would amount
to thirty thousand.—(Cheers.) And the reason was
obviousmen who looked to their own business
were. sure to see it well done. • Self-interest
was the salt of the world, as self-preservation
was the first law of nature.—(Cheers.) And they
had gone
whatn is g
eto thefoood f.o
untttr ol
i n•ilte isead—Natu re—who taught
us tiu
that
good for another ; and
so they, had made a stock-purse for future demands.
(Ikar, hear.) There was another Society similar
to theirs—a very .respectable Society indeed—but
there was this remarkable difference between them
that the object of the one was charity—the other in-
dependence.—(Cheers.) It was said that charity
covered a multitude of sins—but the proud bearing of
independence was to avoid their commission.—(Cheers.)
That was the grand principle of their Association—
they united to do good, and to encourage each other
• doing all the good in their power. That was truly
It mutual association, founded in virtue—for vice
is not mutual, its very elements are discordant, for no
two vicious people ever agree in the long run.—
(Cheers and laughter.) As to the other Society,
their object was good, and he did not see why there
should be any or jealousy between them—the
world was wide enough for them both—and he thought
they would best serve the cause of charity by shaking
hands on the altar of benevolence.—(Cheers.) One
word more, and he would conclude. They were all
men of business, and in their travels kept a
sharp look out for orders. Taking a leaf out
of their ' book, he, too, would take • advan-
tage of a good opportunity, and do a mutual
benefit.—(Hear, hear.) He ‘would not, like many of
their customers, confine himself to one description of
goods, but he would embrace the whole circle of com-
merce—he would give a general commission to them all,
and so prevent jealousy—he would ask every traveller
to become a reporter for The Sun.—(Laughter.) By
that additional duty they would benefit him, and
serve to enlighten the world—by making
" Quick observation, with extensive view,
".Report all news from China to Peru."

—(Cheers and laughter.) lie thanked them for their
courtesy, and would conclude by wishing success to
the Mercantile Travellers of the United Kingdom.—

(Cheers.)
The healths of the Stewards and Vice-Presidents
were then given, and acknowledged, and the Chair-
man left the chair, to which Mr. Stokes was unani-
mously called. Several toasts and healths followed,
among which were, the " Liberty of the Press and
Mr. Murdo Young," the healths of Mr. Cuffley,
Mr. Stockdale, Mr. Bailey, and other gentlemen,
and the hilarity of the evening was kept up till a late
hour. The whole of the proceedings passed off with
the greatest conviviality.

Last week an employe of the Custom-house at
Dunkirk, having need of a little sand, went and
took some from the bottom of the wall of the
Belvidere. Some boys who were playing on the
rampart above, seeing the man stoop (limn,
imagined that he was hiding money, and, as soon
as he was gone, hastened down to turn over
the sand. 'They had notttraked long with their
hands when they perceived two little feet stick-
ing up. Frightened at the discovery, they ran away,
but some other persons in passing saw the feet, and
drew out the body of a newly born child; the head
was fractured in various places, and suspicion was ex-
cited against a girl who had left her home one or two
approach, threw
days before. Orders were given to arrest her, but she,
on seeing a soldier and policeman
herself into the sea. The soldier saved her, and she
is at present in custody.-

it is proposed to erect, by •subscription,
--NVe have heard that
a magnificent
moljnOußmpenEt DVIW'AhiRCDh SshaflEll"Ecol.mmemorate the distin-
guished s:rvices of the late General Lord Edward
Somerset: We have much pleasure in making this
communication, as we are convinced that in the
Gloucester,cownintlelc,the undertaking will
which his Lordship was so
be hailed with great satisfaction,.and will be generally
and cordially supported.—Bath Chronicle.
county
long
intimately
APPALLING ACCIDENT IN OXFORD-STREET.—YeS-,
terday the following melancholy accident occurred
James Banfield, a waggoner (who resides at No. 12,
King-street, Golden-square, and has a wife and seven
children), arrived at Mr. Ward's timber-yard, Ox-
ford-street, with a timber-carriage laden with deal
planks. In removing the iron chain by which they
were secured on the carriage it suddenly gave way,
and the deals slipped off, knocking the unfortunate
man down, and falling on him. Assistance was im-
mediately rendered, and the poor sufferer as quickly
as possible extricated—presenting a shocking spec-
tacle, the bones of the left leg and right thigh being
dreadfully fractured. He was immediately removed
on a police stretcher to Middlesex Hospital, where, on
his admission, he was instantly attended to ; and it
was found necessary immediately to amputate the leg ;
the fractures of the thigh were afterwards reduced.
From the injuries on the head and body, however, but
I slight hopes of his recovery are entertained, •