Star.
London, England, 1818-08-29 00:00:00

AfTPIONAL BENEVOLENT INS'fIZT

Yesterday a very numerous Meeting of the
bers and friends of'this society was held in 1
sons -hall, Great Queen-street. Before two
the room and galleries were-filled, the great
rite Of the company consisting of ladies.
'Between two and three o'clock, a gentian.%
nounced that the Duke and Duchess of Kt r
were to be present at the opening of the
had been detained longer than they had expect
another institution, which they had honouret
their presence, at N'llitechapell Their Royal
nesses had, however, sent notice that they •woul,
no time, as soon as the business was over, in cc
to this meeting ; their arrival might therefi
looked for ever( moment.
After three ocloc'd the Duke and Duchess
arrived, The Dnke immediately, took the chair.
'Do..lterrs, attended by several ladies, sat on •
The Dtike of Ke3n• said his first duty in nil'
chair was to apologize for having been so
yond the time appointed for opening the meet
The delay in his arrival was owing to his havir
to attend a meeting connected with the instir
a great school in one of the extremities of
tropolis. As they were late in beginning the 1
he hoped that dispatch would be used in circler
through it as speedily as possible. Having ..
counted for his ahsence, it was proper he shout
some account of the origin and objects of the
tution. It was founded in 1812, in •conseqr
the want of such an establishnient which was
every humane mind ; for it appeared .extrar
that when there were 'so many and suck holt'
.instances in this country of charitable•institut
the benefit of the lower classes, that nothing
'same kind had been thought of for the middle
rank of society. It was surely most desirable thr
viduals who had moved in • somewhat of
sphere should be protected against extreme
There could be no greater objects of conmai
than distressed persons who once had lived in a
circumstances. It never could be his wish to
ciate other institutions,, nor could he be supr
do so in advocating the claims of this, which
to him inferior to none in utility. When he
at a meeting of the friends of this establishan
years ago, there were only 16 cases which
• tamed relief. He then expressed a hope ti
next he should have the honour of presidi.
meeting of the institution, the number would
crease) to at least 60. Unfortunately that w
realized ; but he was happy to say, 1: appeal
.42 individuals had received relief from the
the Society. When, however, he looked rots..
• and saw so numerous and respectable a mectin)
could not help being convinced, that before the
was cleared, a collection would be obtained
would make a most important accession to the
of the Institution. He was particularly glad
so many Ladies present, and he wished to i 7
on their minds, that it was only necessary
to use their influence with their friends and .__
to render this Institution one of the most fiourishi
in the kingdom in point of funds, and one wh;-'
der good Government, would be capable
infinite good. The Society had• two objects
was to give a permanent annual relief .to
objects ; the. other, to relieve persons labouring
temporary embarrassments by small loans—l
individuals from sinking under difficulties wJ
timely assistance they might overcome, and
serve their station and usefulness in society. .
he highly approved of the latter object, ht
it not prudent to proceed in it id the Rreseir
the Society. With him it was a maxim, th,
better to do one thing well than two indi.
He would therefore advise that the execution
second object should not be ,persisted in. -
the Institution . should confine itself to
object of giving ' perinanent relief as far
means might afford to-worthy individual
Institution was formerly patronized by a
whose memorrliadsbeen endeared to all v.')
him, and on whose virtues it was mince(
him to dwell—he meant the late Thine(
lo:te of Wales. Sincethe arrival of the 1)
Kent in this country, application had beet
her to fill the place of their deceased patrol
had yielded to this application, and he col
dently assure the meeting, that she would fit
endeavours to promote the interest of the 1
He must observe, however, that had tht.
consulted her health, she would not have com 4
for several days; but having promised to :
at this and another Meeting, and stimulated
desire she always felt of doing good, she
not to be absent. The Report which the
had to read would shew the state of the I
the Institution. Its the mean time, he
that he had taken pains to asceraain'tat
ment was clear and explicit. I-le woulsi. 7
sible that the accounts should be placed on
broad and open footing, so that nu subscril
have occasion. to say that these was any
concealment practised, or that they were
norant of the application of the funds the:
There might be complaints as to the adm,
of relief ; but it was to be considered, th;
fulness of the Society was very much limi
state of its funds. There might be a tnistin
ment in the choice of objects; but be was
that no improper preference was intentim
He, and he hoped all connected with the
would gladly receive any information, if gin
and not anonymously. Ile had received
mous letter, advising him not to give hi!
tine Institution, until he WaS fully acquaint
disposal of its funds. lie doubted not that
was,•sent with a good intention; but the ..
which 'the infbrmation was given he regarded
sidious. Ile .welof fipinion, that any person •
infoin laden:to vle ought to come forward 1
openly tke individual who wrote chic

: ....: