Star.
London, England, 1823-11-17 00:00:00

PUBLIC DINNER Tp DR. CHALMERS.

Tae OAT a Public Dinner was given to Dr. Cts A 'Arens,
m Glasgow, on his resigning the Ministry of St. John's,
:when upwards of SOU Gentlemen of the first respecta-
bility, talents, and wealth, met at the Assembly-rooms
M that city. More would have attended could accom-
modation have been:obtained. At five o'clock the corn-
anV.sat down to an elegant dinner, the Honourable the
LORD Pitovosr in the Chair, and JAM RS Dwltic, Esq.,
Croupier. After the cloth was removed, the following
loyal and patriotic toasts were given from the Chair :
The .liing•—Duke of York.—Lord Alelville and the Navy.—
lbe !musk Constitution, under which this nation has so long en-
joyed ro many blessings.—The Imperial Parliament.
The Loan PROVOST rose, and spoke as follows :
::.When I was first called upon to have the honour to
fill this Chair, I felt that it would be more consistent
with my wishes, that it had been occupied by a Gen-
tleman of the same congregation over which the Rev.
pcxtur has presided. As it is, however, I have here
only to give my testimony, in a private capacity, to the
splendid talents and great worth of the distinguished
individual who is the occasion of the Meeting, and, as
Chief Magistrate of this City, I may also be permitted
to express the public sense of the great advantages de-
-I;yed from his instructions as a Minister, as well as his
esample as a man. I shall not expatiate on the great
benefit received from his unrivalled pulpit eloquence
and exertions employed in the noblest of causes. The
present numerous and highly respectable meeting of
the citizens of Glasgow shews how much we all join in
expressing satisfaction at his presence amongst us en
this occasion, and our warmest hopes for the success of
his fondest expectations of unalloyed happiness among

scenes endeared to him from the recollections of his ,
only youth.—His Lordship concluded an animated
speech by proposing the health of the Rev. Gentleman, ,
with all the honours, which being drank accordingly,
Dr. CHALMERS lose amidst excessive cheering, and
with all his characteristic energy spoke nearly as follows:
trdly never felt more at a loss how to acquit myself
than I do at this moment after the.high marks of appro.
baion and distingstishing honour that have been con-
ferred on me. I acknowledge that these look some-
thing like the expressions, when complimentary speech
is followed by complimentary reply, but could I demon-
grate one-tenth part of what I • feel, and find ade-
quate language to express my feelings on this occa-
sion, you would find what I uttered really to overtop
all compliment. All here have treated me with indul-
gence I could hardly have looked fur. Whatever differ-
ence there may be in the opinions with regard to my
departure from this city, I -am evidently the voluntary
mover in that business, and however strong the reasons
may appear to myself, it is impossible to give them
with altogether so full a conviction to the consciences
of others. How Ought Ito feel all the graciousness and
goodwill that is thus reflected back again,when he, who
inflicted a shock upon all, finds the shock to have so
little diminished the kindness of all—the friendship
winch has remained unskaithed heaps coals of fire
upon any head, and, in the view of such a process of
action, I feel how math you have excelled me.—
lhave been indeed left to struggle with all the delicacy
of such a treatment, 'and I do feel that this assurance
will give me comfort in the change of life, such as I
deem essential to my continued existence and bsefulness
in this world. It is not any congregation in the limits
of Scotland, for which I would have parted with St.
)ohn't: nothing but another profession; nothing '
short of an object 'so great, that my manner of lite
must be totally changed by it, nothing in earth short
of such an object, could have torn me away from
my congregation in Glasgow. There is one topic
• ihich I crave the attention of this numerous
and respectable Assembly. Since I was first intro-
duced to the profit and luxury of fellowship here, I
have only had occasional intercourse with the higher
classes of society. I may almost say, that I have been
takes from the one extremity of society to the other,
when I become an object of attention to an Assembly
so distinguished in rank, knowledge, and affluence.—
' ere is a definition which I have often heard, that ex-
plain; the true status of a Clergyman in society. He is a
canna no rank, an 1 yet of every rank. One day he is
welcOme and in high favour with the distinguished of
the land, and another day he walks among, and mingles
withahe society which inhabits the humb:estof its cottages.
A Clergyman may be considered as A nondescript in
heraldry, and most employed in the most healthful
bodrpolitic. It is true his, direct business is loftier.—
His lessons prepare for death. His Church is the school
for immortality ; but, not to overlook his other func-
tions, he is an amphibious being, moving equally in the
elements of the rich and the poor, and filling up, with
the piety and peacefulness of his intercourse and com-
munion, that gap between them, which might else
have lightened, with the flashes of their mutual hatred,
dissensions and defiance ; stimulating goodness on
the one hand and gratitude on the other, and thus
contributing more than it is in the powqr of any other
man to do to the peace and order of the human fa-
mily. I have ever had the highest iegard for the
.high;minded Magistracy of Glasgow, and rare and oc-
casional as my intercourse with them has compitia-
tively been, it has ever been my pleasure to maintain it.
I had somehow formed a preconception by which, as is
frequent in such cases, I did grievous injustice; but still
there is no doubt of the fact, that I had associated a
stockjobbing palti loess with the management of the af-
fairs of a Borough. Now I :Irak to the sense of all pre-
sent, when I say how utterly at antipodes was all this
with the whole municipal style and character of the Ma-
gistrates of Glasgow. From the moment of my getting
in contact with theta, never was our intercourse without
the feeling that I breathed in the atmosphere of high-
minded and honourable men. Theirs has indeed been a
course as nobly fearless as enlightened and patriotic. "Sans
peer, et sans reproche" is one of the olden mottoes of chi-
...ally, the sentiment of which I have ever held in the
highest esteem; and here, in busy play of the passions
and interest of a Modern liorough, have I found the
most striking eiremplification of it. The Reverend Doc-
tor concluded a speech, of which the above is but a
feeble outline, by proposing as a toast, " The Magistrates
and Town Council of Glasgow, with all the honours:
After this toast had been drank, the LORD PROVOST
rase and returned thanks.
Mr. JAS. EWING rose to propose "the Congregation
and Parish of St. John's''.--a toast immediately con-
netted with the health of his Reverend Friend's, and in
which he felt the deepest interest. He eulogized, in she
highest terms, the zeal and talents of Dr. Chalmers.
Baillie PARIMS moused thanks on behalf of the
Corpotation. He concluded with proposing "The
Church of Scotland."
Toe Rev. Mr. CL AON returned thanks on behalf of
his Christian brethren, and expressed a hope that the

situation left vacant by the worthy Dr. would be ably
and speedily filled up,
The next toasts were, ge The Ministers of Glasgow,"
which was acknowledged by the Rev. Mr. Sstyrit, of
St George's. " The Members of the Council and Cha'pel'
of St. John's," for which the Rev. Mr. SOMMERVILLE
returned thanks. 44 Mr. MONTEITH, of Carstairs," who
returned thanks for the honour done him, and'proposed
as a toast, " The City of Glasgow and its Suburbs."
The toast was followed by an appropriate song
" l'he health of Joust MAXWELL, Esq. M.P." This
Gentleman returned thanks in a neat speech, as did Mr.
Hume PAUL for the next toast, " The Elders and Dea-
coos of St. John's." This toast having beeis drank with
all the honours, lie concluded with proposing as a
toast, " The University of St. Andrews." This toast
having been drank with all the honours,
Dr. CHALMERS said,—l cannot hear my name asso-
ciated as a new Professor with the University of St. An-
drew's, without bearing my warmest testimony to that
profession to which I have so long been inclined. Not
a word is necessary to press such a copipany as the pre-
sent rightly to appreciate the work of Christian instruc-
tion. If second in importarice to any, it must be to the
office of him who is at my right hand (Dr. M'Gill),
who deals in embryo with the Ministers of a future ge-
neration, and who is labouring to secure the future
spiritual health of many petishes, by providing a
wholesome spiritual aliment for generations yet un-
born. Ile can rejoice that he leaves a light behind
him which shall shine when he is sleeping in the
dust. It is his province to smooth the road to any
young aspiring disciples, and to exclude that deadly
and infidel well-spring, which has found its way
into the sacred precincts, and poured an effusion of
deleterious mixture into ,the very fountain heads of
religion. I cannot sit down without one allusion. I must
confess I am a little amused to hear, as I sometimes do,
the venerable University, of which I am now a member,
talked of as little better than a decayed gentlewoman,who
had nothing but the high origin of her family to bear
her up under the decline of her fortune; and as if, in
fact, she had nothing to set her off, except grey ruins and
venerable recollections like the said old Lady, who dis-
plays some venerable relic of her better days, some
brocade for example, in which her great grandmother
had appeared at Court, who has some obealete china
and other vestiges of antique grandeur fully spread out
upon her mantle-piece. Now we are not just in these
circumstances, for within late years her students have
increased threefold, and she has all the glories of her
antiquity to boot. The Rev. Doctor concluded with
proposing, with all the honours, " Dr. M.Gill, and the
University of St. Andrews' youngest sister, the Univer-
sity of Glasgow."
Professor M‘Gorr. returned thanks in an eloquent
speech ; in which he paid a high compliment to John
Knox, to whom Scotland, he said, still owed a monu-
ment—" Yes ! a monument for that gYeat, that useful,
that calumniated man! to whom we owe everything
valuable in our civil and religious rights, and all those
glorious institutions which distinguish us among the
nations : the effect which such a man may produce in
such a situation cannot be at once wholly anticipated."
The Rev. Doctor concluded by proposing as a toast,
"The Sons of the Clergy," with all the honours.
Harm MON milt, Esq. M.P. of Carstairs, proposed
" The health of- the Lord Provost."

The LORD Pnovorr, in reply, said he hoped he had
always, and would always employ the best of his hum-
ble abilities in the conscientious discharge of the duties
of the station lie had been honoured to fill. His Lord.
ship then proposed as a tout, " The able and faithful
Ministers of the Church of Scotland who are settled in
England, with all the honours."
Mr.. Invitto rose amidst much cheering. So soon
AS I heard that my friend, the Rev. Doctor, who was to
be honoured in a manner in which fcarcely any Scotch-
man, and certainly not any Clergyman had been ho-
noured before, I resolved to tarry among my friends an-
other week, having altered my arrangements for re-
turning to the scene and duties of my present situation.
All the honour I had contemplated for myself in so
doing,was merely that involved in being one at this meet-
ing ; to be a plebeian in this camp, appears to me to be
equal honour as to be head, eye, and soul on occasions.
On the part of that portion of the Church to which I
belong, I have to express the sentiments of thanks which
they derived from your favour. Their function, which
I think more important than that of all, is certainly one
to which more than ordinary and common Christian
labours, zeal, and assiduity must be brought in aid;
there maybe heraldic titles of a Church, but where I
live we are but few in number, of which, whatever may
be the cause, yet by reason thereof infidelity bath dealt
more of her poison and of her adverse influences, and
hath led more away. We are now come to this place
to take farewell of him whom we love so dearly. His
spirit and example are about to be removed to ano-
ther sphere, whet e they are to direct the paths of human
learning to divine truth. Of his removal, there is this
one advantage, that it will be now seen, whether that
system, for strengthening and deepening Christianity in
parishes is to stand by itself, or must fall to the ground,
when bereft of him who lent his spirit and his mighty,
energies to the execution of its purposes. The call of
Paovinesee hath drawn him from companying and
inspiring that band of brothers, upon whom now de-
volves the sacred duty of shewing themselves not less
vigilant, not less laborious than they did, when he
seemed to cast his spirit and his principles into each of
their manifold exertions. It will be now seen, by the
result, whether it be of Goo, or whether it be of man,
for if, by collapse or fall, a failure should take place,
then no man can say more for it. The Reverend Gen-
tleman concluded, by proposing as a toast, " The in-
terests and comforts of the Poor." The next toast given
from the Chair, was, " The Presbytery of Glasgow,"
with all the honours.
Dr. Dawata returned thanks.
The health: of the Rev.Dr..M‘Gtu. and Mr. EWING,
the Croupier, were drank, and thanks returned by the
parties. Dr. CHALMERS also returned thanks for the
next toast, " The health of Mrs. CstaLatans and the
Ladies of St. John's."
The Loan PROVOST nest proposed as a toast—
" Health to Professor Chess, and prosperity to the rising
literature of America."
The Paorasson returned thanks in -a very animated
speech, in the course of whiCh be said—" Who that con-
templates the history of the United States, does not per-
ceive that my country is greatly indebted to Scotland
for the habits, and opinions, and character of her citi-
zens, and for the genius of her institutions? Many of
her early inhaSitants, indeed, were Scotchmen. But
what is more, many of these, .eminent for their piety
and their learning, taught in our seminaries, and im-
pressed their own character on their pupils. To men-
! non but a single instance, the memory of Wither-

_

spoon is embalmed in every American heart. The
traveller pauses amidst the . shades of Prince-towns.
College.. He retires into the church-yard. He "tan&
at the foot of. the grave where Witherspoon sleeps by
the side of Finlay, and Davies, and Edwards, and the
other men of kindred spirit, who, in their day,
presided and taught, in that College ; and while he
thinks of his distinguished atidrand services, he blesses
the land that gave him birth, and the University that
trained him for so much usefulness. There is another
fact that cannot be overlooked. Though 'much in the
economy of most of the American Universities has
been derived from the English, yet the greater part of the
text-books in modern literature and science are the pro-
ductions of Scottish genius and Scottish erudition. Could
I throw open to you this evening the chambers of our
students, you would see them studying your philolo-
gists, your mathematicians, your historians, your rhe-
to-icians, your philosophers in the various departments
of matter and of mind and of morals, your economists,
your physicians, and your divines. I need not say
that your poets hare familiarised to them the ro-
mantic scenery of this land of chivalrous deed;;
and, together with other causes, have increased the
thirst for_ drinking deep at the fountain of ancient song.
But it is not to the venet able walls of your antique edi-
fices, nor to your castles that look down from your'cliffs,
nor to the streams that roll through your wallies of death-
less renown, nor to your mountain torrents, nor to your
charming lakes with all their poetic associations, nor to
all the elevating and picturesque scenery of your High-
lands that we look with the liveliest emotion. There is
a loftier and a more charming range of objects. It is to
intellectual and moral qualities and cultivation, that
we look with a profound respect and a livelier interest.
I utter the sentiments of the great body of zealous and
efficient friends of literature and science, from the
Mississippi to the Kennebec, and from the Atlantic
to Niagara. If I might be permitted to speak in their
name, I would say, we hesitate not to aver (in delight-.
ful accordance with what I have had the happiness,
on this occasion, to hear so eloquently expressed) that the
interests of science are the interests of religion ; that the
walks of the one should ever be gladdened with the
fragrance of the other ; and that the highest scientific
elevation on which an immortal can stand, is that which
enables him to survey the sacredness of his obligations
and the grandeur of his destiny. Surely Christianity,
in all its simplicity and loveliness, shrinks not from in-
vestigation; and nothing can be more manifest than
that truth has nothing to fear, but much to hope for,
from a mind that has long been disciplined in Bacon's phi-
losophy, and purified and enlightened by the spirit of
Hot whose word is truth. Under these impressions,
my Lord, the appointment at St. Andrew's has, beyond
the Atlantic, been contemplated with much gratification,
as boding well for the interests of learning and of man.
Several other toasts were proposed and drank, when
Dr. CHALMERS took his leave about eleven o'clock, and
the company separated. ,

NAVAL lATELLIGENCE.

DISTRIBUTION OP PRIZE-MONEY.

The Alceste and Belle Porde, for a French brig of war, on the
27th inst. at No. 10, Lyon's Inn, Strand, and recalled them—The
Harlequin, for Le Role, on the 19th inst. at No. 74, Fore-street,
Plymouth-Dock, and recalled there.
Captain Lord J. Towtansx° is appointed to the Ll'lltT frigate at
Chatham, for foreign service; Lieutenant R. Crams' (son of R. B.
Canna, Esq. of Western Cottage, Freshwater, Isle of Wight), also
to that ship ; and Lieutenant J. W. Yount, to the Mature.
The Arnizaars, convict depot, commanded by Lieutenant Hata,
will sail from Portsmouth next week, with 300 convicts, to be em-
ployed in the Naval Works at Bermuda.
Arrived at Portsmouth on Saturday, the PHAETON frigate, Cap-
tain Homy E. P. STOOL; from Vera Cruz and the klavannah, having
left the last named place on the 28th of September, with Dr. MAC.
tar, a Gentleman who had been deputed by his Majesty's Govern-
meat to execute an important mission with-the existing Government
of Mexico, which, we understand, he has most satisfactorily effected.
Dr. Macßae landed at seven P.m. and set off for the Foreign Office.
We learn by her that a French fleet of five sailor the line, two large
raster, and eight large frigates, under the command of Admiral
Beaman, was lying at Martinique and Guadeloupe. What object
they have in view had not appeared; it is not asserted that they
have any troops on board, but it is known that the garrisons of these
two islands are very numerous. The THRACIAN was at the Ha-
vannah. The narrate left Jamaica so long ago as the 25th of June.
She has brought dispatches from Government, and three millions of
dollars, and a quantity of cochineal on merchants account. She
brings accounts that piracy and slave-trading are still practised with
impunity at the Havannab, and will continue to be so while Cuba
remains in its present state. The Jamaica merchant. are all vio-
lently indignant against the proposed measure of emancipation, and
West India property is depreciating every day. Should we (says
our most respectable informant) have entered into a commircial
treaty with the Mexican Government, and at the same time obtain
possession of the island of Cuba, or even a favourable treaty with
its inhabitants, the West India Islands will hardly be worth culti-
vating. The merchants, under this belief, are disposing of their
property wherever they can find purchasers.
The brig Bud, Asaterr, arrived at Boston from Port-au-Prince,
was boarded on the outward passage, on the 9th of August, by a
boat from the English cutter Rainbow, twenty-three days from
Charleston for Turk's Island. Captain Assort gives the following
particulars :—The Captain came in the boat and reported that they
were famishing for want of water; that he had Colonel Low, of
the British Army, Lady, and family( and several other passengers
on board. He said it was really distressing to hear the complaint
of the young children, and to witness the anxiety and distress of the
mother and others relative to their situation. Two or three days
before he saw me he thought he had a good supply of water, when
to his astonishment he found that the rats had eaten through the
casks, and that they were almost entirely empty. I supplied them
with as much water and other necessaries as I could spare. A
black boy who came in the boat' as he came upon deck, flew to the
water-cask, exclaiming—" 0 masa! Oh Goa ! How hungry me be
for water."—New York Paper.
FALMOUTH, Nov. 15.—Wind N.E.—Sailed the Liberty,: PITH,
for St. Michael's ; Stanmer packet, for Lisbon ; and Linnet, David
Walter, Reliance, Ossian, Charles, Dart, and New Bragataa, for
London. Arrived off the port, the Mary Ann, Lawn, from Picton
in thirty-six days. •
Pavan:no, Nov. 13.—Arrived the Partridge, Reynard, and Pro-
Ivideoce tenders, from various services. Remain, the SYSILLR, for
the Mediterranean ; and the Hunan, for South America. The
Goma is taken into dock.
Nortatsza 15.—Wind E.—Arrived the Mercury, from
Oporto; Redlighetoch, FLRT from Seville, sailed 25th September,
having lost the greater part Of her sails and rigging, and the vessel
nearly lightened one foot, from the continual pumping up of her
cargo, cousising of olive oil. Off the port, the Indus, Wateino, for
Quebec.
Poierssiourn, Nov. 16.—Wind S.E.—Arrived the Margaret,
CH Ranee, from Riga; and Harmony, Voss, from 'Memel. Sailed
the Argo, Mit.t.aa. for Bourdeaux ; and Thetis, for Memel.
Duo, Nov. 16.—Wind N.N.W.—Sailed his Majesty's sloop
%Vaasa', Captain Coins, having under her convoy the Emma
yacht, with Sir Watiarse Cusrus, Bart. on board, for the !Medi-
terranean. Sailed also, the Harmohy, CURRIt slid Sir Edward-
Hamilton, Newaticv, for Jamaica; Zephyr, Aaaowswerti, for Hon
duras • Cane Grove, Tutatson, for St. Vincent's • and the Joseph,
---, for the West Indies. Arrived and sailed for the River, the
Governor Harcourt, Wasox, from Demerara; Peter Mb, Caarw,
from Antwerp; Henry, hlAisizAun, from Quebec; and Elpedili4C,
Blows, from Teraeriffe.
CUSTOM-HOUSE, NOVEMBER 15.
Sinn Errata° leweees--The Ferdinand, from Stettin; Union,
and Ruby, from Malaga ; Argo, from Petersburgh ; Twee Gems-
ters, from Louvain; and Lively! from Harlingen.
Canasta] Ourwaans—liewaW, Prince George, and Augustus
Ct.aar, for Jamaica; New Albino, for Malta; Bombay Merchant,
for Bombay ; Edward, fdr Eisineur ; Glutton, for Honduras ; Su-
sannah, for Naples; Vrow Margaretta, and Prince of Orange, for.
, Rotterdam ; Wary. fee Genoa ; Neptaue, fur Ostend k and Ilan.
fie, for &errs Loam