Star.
London, England, 1826-05-08 00:00:00

ARTISTS' BENEVOLENT FUND.

. The Anniversary Meeting of the Patrons and Fr: rds
of this meritorious Institution was held, on Banntl,ty
last, at the Freemasons Tavern: the Right Honourable
FRIDUICK ROBINION, Chancellor of the Rachel:per,
in the Chair. The attendance on this occasion was very
numerous.

The dinner having been concluded, and Nen isshia, Domino, exe-
cuted by the Protesaional Gentlemen present,
The CHAIRMAN said his Majesty, whose health he
was about to propose, had, from the first formation bf
this Institution, favoured it with his countenance and
protection.--(Hear.)—Those who knew that his Ma-
jesty had a taste to admire the beauty, and a udgment
to appreciate the merits of works of art—those who
' knew that his Majesty had

—... a hand
9 Open as day to melting dinky,"
could not be surprised that he had extended his bounty
to an institution the object of which was to provide for
the necessities of such protestors of the art, or the offspt ing
of such profess-its, as might happen to suffer under the
visitation of distress. Hi, Maiesty had recently, out of
his very limited means, subscribed for the relief of that
awful distress, which lie (the Ch tirin.in) lamented to
say, continued to Abet the .manufacturing districts.
His Majesty had not, however, overlooked the claims
of the Artists' Benevolent Fund ; and although the
hundred guineas which he (the Chairman) now held in
hi, hand, would go bat a very short way indeed in al-
laying the distress which prevailed in the north of Eng-
land, yet lie believed that it might do much in relieving
from want, nay—in rescuing from destruction—the
deserving widow or helpless children of some merito-
rious but unfortunate artists; and he was sure that such
charitable bounty would be received by those deserving
objects with as much sincerity of feeling, with as great
a warmth of gratitude, as could enter the heart of the
widow, or of the starving artisan. The Right Hou.
Gentleman concluded by proposing
" The health of his Most Gracious Majesty King George the
Fourth." The most enthusiastic applause followed this toast.
" Gad save the King," was then sung by the performeri.
The CHAIRMAN said, he could noi propose the health
of his Royal Highness the Duke of York, and the rest
of the Royal Family, without remarking, that there was
not a single Charity, in the dominions of his Majesty,
which had not received the countenance and support of
some branch of the Royal Family.
" The Army and Navy" was then proposed and drunk.
Sir Joni Swum ass proposed " The Health of their distinguished
Chairman."

The CHAIRMAN rose to return thanks. If he had
felt gratified by the honour conferred on him, on the
part of those wise were interested in the Society, by a
proposition that he should preside on the present oc-
casion, he might with equal truth say, that he was
overpowered by the manner in which they had re-
ceived him. It had been his lot to be called to the
public office he now held under the Crown, in times
' peculiarly favourable to the progress of the Fine Arts.
Escaped from the difficulties and impoverishments of
a long and expensive war; escaped from the inconve-
niences and distresses which were the consequences of
this war ; the period at which, by the King's command,
he entered the situation he now held, was one when
an opportunity presented itself for the Government
to take the arts under its fostering care. And he could
say with perfect truth, that he never witnessed in Par-
liament a proposition received with more unqualified
support than that which came from him of raising an
establishment at the national expense, as a Royal and
National Gallery. The Parliament felt the connection
which existed between whatever was noble in the human
heart, and the successful prosecution pf the Fine Arts.
To him it was a most gratifying circumstance, and he
hoped his posterity would not forget, that it Was his lot
to propose that Parliament should embalk In that
honourable career. He was animated to the exertion,
by knowing that these from whom he had sprung were
patrons of the Arts. He begged leave to 4, drink all
their health:, with all his heart and soul* _

The CHAIRMAN cow proposed " Sir Thomas Lawrence, and the
Members of the Royal Academy."
Sir ThowAs Lamaism returned thanks, and begged leave to
give" The Royal Hibernian Academy."
" The Earl of Aberdeen and the British Institution" wet neat
proposed, and drank.
The Cisaitassex then proposed the health of the late Chairman,
the Right Hes. Robert Peel—(Loud applause).
0 Prosperity to the Artists' Benevolent Fund." Desalt With
enthusiastic applause.
The CHAIRMAN observed, that though Joint Stock CompaMes
were out of fashion, and most properly so, yet he hoped they moll
drink " The Joint Stuck or Annuity Fund, and may its merits
become universally known."
The CHAsaamsi proposed the health of Sir J. Swinburie, who
returned thanks.

" The Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Committee,"
were then drank with loud applause.
The Quirinal, said, there was an Institution with similar ob-
jects to the present, whose success be considered they were hosod
to pledge—" The Artists' General Benevolent Fund.
Mr. Sara said there was another quarter in which
their acknowledgments were due, namely, for the pre-
sence of two of the noblest poets who ever graced Eng-
land. Without further preface, then, be would propose
do the healths of Messrs. Moore and Campbell."
Mr. MOORS said, he felt how small his claims were
to the distinction with which he had been honoured. If
a knowledge of the Arts were necessary to entitle him
to that distinction, he possessed it not ; fur he was one
of those urn who were uniniated in its mysteties, and
who, like certain sects, were eonteat to yield a blind
adoration—but, like those too, his homage was not the
less ardent and sincere on that account--(Applause.)
Still he admired the Arts, and saw no reason why he
should sot be permitted to do so with as much sincerity
as the man who, ignorant of astronomy, was delighted
by a sun-rise or a starry firmament— (Applause.)
Mr. CAMPINE& returned thanks- His distinguished friend was
more eloquent, but could not ►e a more ardent admirer of the Arts,
nor more sincere in his wishes for the prosperity of Ike Institution,
than hirnself—(Applanse).
" The Ladies" was the next toast ; after which the Chairman
retired, ►ut the conviviality was kept up for some time Imager.

The New York Papers to the Lids sit. have been re-
ceived at the North and South American Coffee.houre•
The only intelligence of any interest which they coo-
-1 tain is a report from Carthagena, that Callao had soi-
-1 rendered to the Patriots. This event is said t 'ive
taken place on the 23d of January, and it is added that
General RODIL was making preparations to embark for
Europe. A great degree of doubt is, however, thrown
lon this statement by the silence of later accounts from
place. nearer the fortress in question.
The Old Bailey Sessions begin on Thursday. The
calendar, it is understood, is light when compared with
that of the last Sessions. The number of prisoners for
trial, it is expected, will not much exceed two hundred,
and the cases are not of a very aggravated description.
That dreadful disease the small. poi is raging at St.
fees, and within the last few days thirteen persons bast
al!en victims to its direful effects.