Star.
London, England, 1820-05-02 00:00:00

REFUGE FOR THE DESTMUTE.

The Anniversary Dinner of this Institution took
place yesterday, at the City of Lon Jon Tavern, the
lien. 11. G. BEN NETT, in the Chair ; and between .200
and 800 Gentleman were present. It had been
announced that his Royal Highness the Duke of
YORK wculd take the Chair, hut, after waiting a con-
siderable tittle beyond the appointed hour, the Stew-
ards entered the room with Mr. BENNETT and a num-
Ira. of other Gentlemen, and the company. sat down
to dinner. After the cloth had been removed, the
Non Nobis sung, and the health of the &No and
Royal Family had been drank,
Mr. BENNETT rose, and said, he felt great regret
in having to state, that their illustrious President, his
Royal Highness the Duke of York, hail been prevented
om attending by indisposition, and it had, in con-
sequence, fallen to his lot to propose to them to
drink--., The health of his Royal Highness, and
prosperity to the Refuge for the Destitute." The first
part of the toast he was sure would be drank with
pleasure, if not enthusiasm. His Royal Highness
had, from the very beginning of the Institution, been
its patron and supporter ; its staunch and zealous
friend ; And he knew that nothing but indisposition
had deprived them of his presence on this occasion;
because he knew that no one was more anxious for its
entire success—(Applozse). With respect to the se-
cond part of the toast he had proposed, he had no
doubt it also would meet their cordial approbation.
He would take upon himself to say, that there was
no one Institution in existence which called so
strongly for the support of every mind, because none
were more generally useful—(Lead applause).—
The Honourable Gentleman then read an lbstract of
the Report of the Committee, by which it appeared
that seventy-nine males, and fifty-nine females, had
been rescued from vice and misery, and returned to
society with 44 renewed hearts and amended lives."
Most of these persons were criminals, discharged
from the different jails of the Metropolis at the expi-
ration of their respective imprisonments, in a state of
utter destitution; and it further appeared* that since
the first establishment of the Institution, in 180$, nó
less than 1250 of these deplorable objects have. re-

ceivid similar benefit. The Ilevisor-Ade Catlett:ran'
regretted their means were still so 'circumscribed
that they were compelled le turn many from their
doors; and he appealed, in eloquent terms, to the
benevolence of the persons present. In conclusion,
he gave—
" The health of Ms Royal Highness the Duke of Your., and
prosperity to the Refuge for the Destitute," which was drank
with three times three.
The Rev. Mr. CROSBY, Secretary and Chaplain to
the Institution, then read two letters, one from his
Royal Highness, stating the caute of his absence,
and desiring tho his name might be pur down for
his usual donation of fifty guineas; and the ether
from the Earl of Liverpool, lamenting that public
business prevented his being present, and inclosing a
subscription of £5O.
Mr. PROTHEROE proposed the health of their Chair-
man, the Hon. Henry Grey Bennett, and it was drank
with three times three, and long-continued applause.
Mr. BEN NETT returned thanks,iind assured the com-
pany that nothing was more grateful to him than the
approbation of his fellow-citizens.
"Prosperity to the Mendicity Society" being given,
Mr. HARBORD returned thanks; and

Mr. Room N (Hon. Secretary of that Society) stated,
that he was deputed by their CoMmittee to pay over
a donation of L:5O from the funds of the Mendicity
Society, to those of the Refuge for the Destitute.—
It might, he said4ppear singular for one Charity to
transfer its funds to another, but they were desirous
of availing themselves of the instrumentality of the
present Institution, in furtherance of the object they
themselves had in view.

The business of theevening was diversified by some
excellent songs from the musical Gentlemen present;
.and the Duke of Gluucester's band attel.deci in the
orchestra.