The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-15
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
ALBION.

fthere be any societies existing in our midst
which commend themselves TO the counte'
ance and support of all true eAmericans-Ame-
Ticans who appreciate the fact that, as our
country was born of foreigners, so Its future
glory, IN great degree depends upon the char
acter of that constant tide of emigration low
ing to our shores-they are the various
societies for receiving. encouraging, and aiding
the poor immigrant as he lands a stranger
here as well as askeeping alive the remembrances
OF the olden lands, and feelings of fra
ternity among their absent children. Phila-
delphia has some three or four Of these organi-
Zations, all fourishtng, and numbering as
members some of the most respected and sub
sisntial of our citizens we have the Hiber-
mia Society, the st. q orge Society, the Scots
Society, the Welsh Society, the Italian society;
in fine, societies of almost all the nationalities
upon the globe. The good which these have
accomplished and are now accomplishing IN
their peculiar sphere, may be untold, but not
the less extensive. They perform their work
in a quiet, unobtrusive, kindly way, and thou.
sand OF foreigners, who now rank among our
most wealthy and reputable citizens, candldly
acknowledge that they owe TO them their hrst
help In ascending the ladder of success since
these facts are indubitabe, the societies acquire
prominent and important place in our pOliti-
cal economy, and their annual reunions are
made occasions OF general interest
We'll, last evening, one of them, the Albion
Society, celebrated It's annual meeting ana
dinner at Augusiin's, No ll05 Walnut street.
IL Is needless to say that the time was one of
mirth, coTdiallty, and yet improvement. The
room was tastefully decorated with looping
festOOns OF the hags OF the TWO natlons-the
with the American stars and stripes. The at
tendance was full. Everybody appeared In the
best possible humor, and had evidently come
with the intention of making the most of tue
socla gathering. Frederick Fairthorne. Esq.
for slx years past the president of the society,
occupied the chair. Previous to taking their
places at the table, the regular business Of the
year was transacted. a report was presented
exhibiting an unusually favorable condition of
the society, and then, as any ono could have
foretold, Mr.. Fairthorne was again unani-
officer.
AT half-past o'clock the members and in
Vited guests took their places, and the banquet
was opened. First, the customary blessing was
pronounced by the Rev. George Dana Board
man, ID. D.. and then everybody, hungry and
thirsty, obeyed Shakespeare's s Injunction, and
Aner the cloth had been removed the Pres-
dent read communications received from his
Honor Mayor McMichae, James Welsford
Esq. the former president of the society, X,
CORVALLIS, editor OF the New York Albion,
and other Invited guests, regretting their iu-
ability to be present, and expressing the most
society. All these letters were most kind, and
only proved the estimation in which all right
minded persons hold societies similar to the
one TO which they were sent
Among the invited guests present were her
Britannia MFiesty's Consul TO this port VIM.
II. kortIight, ESQ, Major. General Robert q.
Patterson, President of the Hibernia Society;
James Allen, ESQ President of the ST. George
Society Charles MacalesteT. Esq, President of
the Scots Society; Horatio Gates Jones, Esq,
president OF the Welsh Society; their Honors
Judges Hare and Brewster; and several others
ON the conclusion Of the reading of the
letters the first regular toast OF the evening,
The Queen" was proposed 1t was responded
20 by the entire society singing the time
honored hymn, "Got Save the Queen" Profess
'"~ Thunder aidiug the singing with piano
s1tlc 5ea,,,nan,,. '~''haUnIted
TheseconI lGas[-'lihe presIpsn.....
5tates - was responded to by tue singing Of our
national anthem. The star Spangled Banner"
aided on the piano by Professor Pearce.
the Third t6ast-"The Donors and BenefactUrs
of the Albion Socieeyi we hold them ir grateful
remembrance," was drank in silence-as was
The fourth toast, "Her Mojesty's representa-
tIVes in this country was responded TO by her
Mojesty's Consul In Philadelphia, william II.
Kortright Esq, who spoke most eloquently
and feelngly. He alluded TO the slncet 9 @ senLl,
ments of Kindness ana sympathy Whlch ne
knew her Majesty entertained towards the
United states Whatever may be the StdtuS OF
the relation subssting between the diPlom9S
of he two countries, whatever may be the rela'
tive feelings held by the members OF the ,houseS
of Parliament on the one hand, ana
he was certain that not only the Queen,
but also the members Of the royal
family were heartily i'm favor of removing all
obstructions TO the most friendly intercourse
between Great Britain and America. He spoke
very warmly upon this especial subject,
NECESSARY oficiai caution and reserve he might
modified before IL was despatched to
onIy onis GUSaS SecauSSe "E sue found SS the first @
Transcript might exaspcrate the United States
unjust Mr. Kortright was 80 emphatic In these
remarks, and elucidated Them so clearly anu
strongly, that he left no douOt OF their truth
upon the minds OF his hearers He a.so related
several incidents TO prove the kindly feelings
the Queen has towards all Americans, Among
Others he mentioned the following
u chanced that at q ievee given by her Ma
iesty, an American gentleman attended Ia
plain dress, having either forgotten or neglected
10 array himself IN the customary court attire.
He was notified that he had transgressed the
laws of etiquette, and requested TO leave the
saloon, This he did, but soon after, the Queen,
hearing OF the occurrence, had him at once sent
after and brough back, saying at the time that
she was pleased to meet an American ciIlzen
In any dress he chose TO wear,
II was the opinion OF the company that In the
diplomatic letter to which Mr.. kortright re.
feTred, he had alluded to the Mason ana SUdell
affair, and his explanation of IL was most satls-
factory and gratifying We congratulate the
siuz. rs OF philadelphia in having In their midst,
as Inc representative of the British Govern
men', gentleman as able, courteous anu wen
Informed as Mr.. Korlright d., -. ,.
BIRTH" was then responded To by the vice.
President of the Society, VIM. Elilott. lie
stated In his opening remarks that, tnougn ne
had for q long time been rehluent OF Inl5
country, he had lately paid visit Of two years
10 the land OF his birth and the scenes OF MS
early youth, He regretted exceeding the manner
in which Americans visited England. Asarule
OomparativeIy speaking, they spent ntteen
u onths in Manchester, twenty mouIhs Ia Blr,
rningham, year and half In London ana
then across me Oaannel 10 spen1 nNe & ye"ts ,ha t
there were many things for tne travellers 70
imire in Paris, he was sorry that lhey pald so
tie attention tol the green heIds ana pretty
vi ages o. Merry Euglnnd. He spoke very
toucning yofthe beauties OF the land OF his olrthi
said that IL was the country In which 70 ENJOY
the fruits Of well gotten means-and then
1ocoseiy continued that he hadi however, Iouhu
that human nature was the same IN all places
fhat while a. Was the almighty dollar In Anne