The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-03-04 00:00:00

DINNER OF THE AYCIENT BRITON'S SOCIETY

This society celebrated, inn convivial manner, the an-
niversary of the day, by -partaking of a substantial and
excellent dinner, at the house of Mr. Levi Williams, in
Williamson-street. The company was numerous and
filled the spacious room above stairs to repletion.
Amongst them were many of our most respectable towns-
men, natives of, or connected with the Principality. The
room was tastefully decorated with flags, emblematic of
the history and nationality of Wales. and also by ever-
greens and other ornaments. In the temporary absence
of Mr. Alderman Griffith. who lad promised to preside.
but was for some time dslayed by unavoidable business,
Ellis Jones, Etq., was called to the chair. On the viands
being disposed of, the toast of " the queen" was given,
most appropriately introduced—as were all the subsequent
toasts—by the chairman. This was followed by the
national anthem in Welsh.
The following toasts followed—all of which were re-
ceived with equal enthusiasm :-.=" The Prince of Wales,
and the rest of the Royal Family"—song " St. David's
Day ."—" Sir Robert Peel and her Majesty's Ministers"
—" kale Britannia;"—" The Army and Navy, and long
life to theiDuke of Wellikton"—" Hearts of Oak," on
the harp;—" The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese."

The Rev. Mr. JAMES, of St. iiiary's, Kirkdale, re-
turned thanks in the Welsh language, which elicited un-
bounded applause, but as we are in no degree con7ersant
with that tongue we regret that we cannot supply even an
outline. The next toast was " Sir W.;:itkin William Wynn,
Bart.',—Air—" Sir Watkin's march." Then came " John
Roberts, Esq., the Chairman of the Ancient Britons'
Society." He,returned thanks in an animated manner in
Welah. The health of the then chairman, Mr. Ellis
Jones was then drunk, and ably responded to.
About this time Mr. Alderman Griffith entered the
room, was received with the loudest ehe,rs, and was in-
ducted into the chair. His health was proposed, and
drunk with great enthusiasm, and he acknowledged the
compliment in Welsh, explaining the cause of his I,:te-
ness, in a manner which elicited thegreatest approbation.
He afterwards introduced in a few pertinent and well-
wordedoemarks, " Wham Bulkeley Hughes, Es.q., and
the:rest of the members for the Welsh boroughs,' drunk
with great applause, and followed by the Song of " Ar ei
mad es ill Rydydren an gyrenen," given in a tasteful
manner.

Mr. THOXAS 1-lUGII;KE gave the health of the present
" Mayor Mr, Lawrence, the first tradesman who had at-
tained that distinguished office." This was received with
great Approbation.
The CUMRMAN acknowledged the toast in a brief
but forcible-.address. He said, in effect, that the last
speaker had remarked that the present mayor was the
first tradesman who had arrived at that dignity, and be
could with equal truth state that he was the first Welsh-
man who had become a councillor in the, borough.
(Cheers.) He lamented that amongst so many of his
countrymen who were inhabitants of the town—in all
amounting to perhaps forty thousand—so comparatively
few of that number should be present with them, or join
in their objects on St. David's Day. He felt assured,
however, that a better spirit -would arise amongst them,
and that many of them, who happened to have been long in
Liverpool, would not continue to say that they were not
altogether Welshmen, but " Dicky Sams," would rally
round them in the :rue spirit of ancient Britons. Though
he was the first Welshman who had obtained a Rat in the
council, he yet hoped to see many of his countrymen in
the same position ; be hoped to see more enthusiasm
amongst them, for these stations were open to all who
put themselves honourably forward. He disavowed hay-
ing any merit equal to those around him, and all who
aimed at the distinction might attain the same honour.
lie again thanked them for the kind manner in which
they had drunk his health.

The previous chairman, (Mr. Ellis,) who appears: to be
an especial favourite with his countrymen, mule some
facetious remarks in Webb, which we understood to be
complimentary to the chairman, and this was followed by
a fine Welsh air on the harp, with variations, by Mr.
P
Edward Jones, a professional player of much talent.
In proposing the health of the members of the Society,
the chairman remarked OD fI)P f
the Welsh Cho.