Star.
London, England, 1828-02-18 00:00:00

ADMIRALTY COURT, Fn. 16.

This was the fourth Sessions in the present Term. No
Court was, howefer, held, the patent for the appoint-
ment of the 'new Judge not beieg complete, and the
authority of the Surrogates to sit in the interim being
doubtful:

This forenoon an explosion took place in the shop of
Mr. FoRrESQUE, gun•maker, Piccadilly, which shattered
several panes of glass, and destroyed the entire front of
the window, and set several parts of the shop in flames,
which, however, were soon subdued by the workmen
on the yremises. Tne accident was cAused by some
percussion gunpowder suddenly igniting by the blow
of a hammer. Fortunately no person was injured,
although several persons were in the shop.

SEAMEN'S HOSPITAL SOCIETY.
The Seventh Anniversary Dinner of ill filesitit,On's
Hospital Society' took place on Saturday, at the Lon-
don Tavern.

At half past six o'clock, his 'Royal Highness the
Duke of CLARENCE took the Chair. He was supported
on the right by Lord MANNERS, and on the left by
'Lord ELLINBORORON, with several other Noblemen and
Members of the Committee.
The company was very numerous, amounting to
nearly three hundred.
Several distinguished vocal performers, under the
direction of Mr. Broadhurst, were also in attendance.
Immediately after the removal of the cloth, the usual
Anthem---.lVon nohisdontine situ sung.
The ROYAL Doze, in risinig to give the health of his
Majesty, said that he was going to propose a toast in
which he felt satisfied that all who were present would
mike, for he believed that his Royal Brother had gained
the good wishes of all his subjects. He felt on this oc-
casion that it was due from hint to state, that, since the
commencement of this Institution, his Majesty had regu-
larly contributed the annual sum of one hundred pounds;
that he bad witnessed, with feelings of the most gratify.
ing nature, its continued success, and the great blessings
which flowed from it.not to British seamen alone, but
to seamen of every nation and clime. He felt satisfied
that his Majesty would continue to give the Society his
zealous and cordial support.
The health of his Majesty was then drank with the usual honours.
" Goa save the King" immediately followed.
Lord ELLassostovois said, that io rising to proposei
the health of the Illustriotia Personage who had done
them the honour of presiding on the occasion, he did
not do so simply of one who filled the most elevatid
situation in the British dominions, with all the zeal and
ability which were necessary for so important a trust,
but of one who bad ever blended the character of an
English seaman with the accomplishments of an English
Gentleman—of one who had ever shewa himself the
friend of the distressed, and the supporter of every In-
stitution having for its object the relief of suffering
humanity. The Noble Lord concluded by proposing
the health of the Lord High Admiral of England, which
was received with the greatest enthusiasm.
The ROYAL DUKE said, that be felt sincerely grateful
at the manner in which his name had been received—
the British navy had been ever dear to him; and if any
part of the Noble Lord's speech had gratified him more
than another, it was that wherein he had honoured him
with the title of the British seaman, and the no less de-
sirable character of the English Gentleman. He could
I look back with feelings of pleasure to the time when, a
boy of fourteen, he had heal placed by his father in the
Navy, there to seek his own fortune, and to look for that
fame to which every British seaman should aspire; and
he must ever look back with gratitude on that father
who had thus given him an opportunity of obtaining
an insight into the character of those to whom England
owed much of her glory. And if, in the course of his
education among English seamen, be had attained the
h;gh distinct'on of being accounted one of them, it was
an honour at which he had ever aimed with zealous
emulation—if, in addition to this, be had established the
character of an English Gentleman, this too was a source
of the highest gratification.
His Royal Highness, after a few more observations, proposed
" The health of the Royal Family," which was drank with three
times three, and a Song—" Now the bright morning star."
The next toast was—" The Army and Nary"—three times three.
Song—"Jtule Britannia."

the Illustrious CHAIRMAN, in proposing to di ink—
" Success to the I list itution," dwelt at considerable length
on its nature and the great objects which it contem-
plated. Seven years, he said, bad now elapsed since the
establishment of a " Seamen's Hospital Society" in Lon•
don. It continued to have for its great object, as at its
commencement, the restoration to health and to the ter.
vice of their country, seamen of all nations, who were dis.
a►led by sickness or disease from continuing to promote
her prosperity. It was stated in Coe Repost, that in the
year 1821, when the Society was first established, in con-
sequence of the low state of their funds they were pre-
vented from giving admission to mote than 413 pa-
tients. Succeeding years had added much to the num-
ber, and the Committee, during the past year, were
enabled, through the liberal subscription, of its benefac-
tors, to extend medical aid and relief to 2,736 seamen
of all nations. He hoped, therefore, it would be seen
that this institution was worthy of the support of
those who could commiserate the afflicted and dis-
tressed, when suffering humanity called forth every
charitable feeling which belonged to man, and be felt
confident that that support which for many years they
had experienced, would be still extended with increasing
liberality. There was no class of men on the earth
so subject to the vicissitudes of life as seamen, who
while seeking for the honour and advancement of their
country, had forsaken their homes and all that rendered
life agreeable. Ther fore, when sickness prevented them
from using those faculties for the prosperity cf their
country, it became those especially who bad derived
benefit firm their labours to come forward in the sup-
port fso important, so noble an institution ; and here
he would call upon the British merchants, whose duty
and interest it was to unite their zealous endeavours in
striving to promote its future and more extended benefit.
" Seems to dm Seamen's Hospital" was then drank with throe
times three, with loud acclamations. Sorg, by Mr. flawsuasv,
" The anchor's weighed."
The Bova& Duca then proposed, " Lord Viscount Melville,
President of the lustitution," three times ans. Song, by Mr.
Tavecia, " New Inventions."

On the healths of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity
House being drat k, Capt. Woommoaa returned thanks.
Lord Toastuorow, after pronouncing a warm eulo.
gium on the distinguished character of the Duchess of
Clarence, proposed her Royal Highness's health, *hid
was drank with acclamation.
The ROYAL CHAIRMAN returned his sincere thanks
for the honour conferred upon his wife, and entreated the
Meeting to believe that his Royal Highness felt deeply
interested in the welfare of the Society—(Applause).
On the healths of the Committee of Management being drunk,
Captain Barna:4 R.N. Chairman of the Committee,
addressed the company to the following effect :—I am
requested by the Committee of Management to return
our best thanks to your Royal Highness and the Gentle.
men present, for the honour we Wave received; and it is
with very great pleasure that on tbitseventh Anniversary
of the Institution we can again assure those who have
so benevolently supported it, that our most sanguine ex-
pectations of the misery it would relieve have been inure
than realized. The Report which I hold in my hand
will shew, that instead of SOO (which was the greatest
number originally calculated on) ao less than 11,736
seamen have, during the last year, been cured and re-
stored to :heir country; and I think I do not overstate
the case when I say that at least a fourth of these would
either have perished, or, at all events, have become
unfit for further service at lea, if this Institution for
their relief had not existed. We have to repeat our
warmest thanks for the continued assistance we have
received from the depatintent over which our illustrious
Vice Patron presides, vitro bas done us the honour to
take the chair here this day:—an assistance without which
the funds of the Hospital would have been inadequate to

its support, ndtwithstanding the care and economy with
which they have been administered by mar Superinten%
dant, Lieut. MlCrery, and our Surgeon, Mr. Arnot, to
whose merits, as well as those of ourChaplaits, Mr..lonet,
and our Visiting Ph y sicians, lirs.Mackinnon and Roberts,
we are happy to have an opportunity of bearing this pub-
lic testin eny. The Rep tt to which I have Ailedy re'
ferred will shell the present state of the foe& of the
Charity: It will be sbeh how much good ha's been
accomplished at a very small expense. The liberal do.
nations collected at . the last Anniversary Dinner;
2 (amobnting to above ,00014 have enabled us to defray
the espenses of the past year without breaking in on our
little capital, and we confidently hope that the success
whikh has hithetto attended oar efforts; will encourage
Out friend to continue and increase their support—a
support which has beets most gratefully received by the
odor sufferers to whom it has been extended, and which
cannot fail to produce the best effect: on their minds;
by attaching than snore firmly and faithfully to the
Ouvernrisent and the country; which thus relieves their
distresses—(Much cheering).
A loig list of subscriptions was read by the Secre-
tary', amongst uhich were distinguished those of the'
Corporation bf the Trinity House. 5001. the Elder
Brethren of Trinity House. 1001. the Hone Exit lndisi
CompatiY, 100 guineas, and 1001. from a Lady at, Bath:
The Company separated 'blot half-past eleven o'clock.
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