The New York herald., 1868-05-24
ENGLAND.
DisraeIi on Literature, Ancient aud Odern--
The Premier at the Royal Literary Fund
Dinner-Queen Victoria an Anih0ress.

The Premier at the Royal Literary Fund
Dinner-Qucen Victoria as an Aniioress.
From the London News, April II
The annual dinner of the Royal Literary Fund was
held last evening at Freemasons Hall, Mr. Disraeli
in the chair. The right honorable gentleman was
much cheered. The company was large consisting
of 3l7 gentlemen and 1876 ladies, the latter however,
occupying the galleries and ends Of the hail. There
were present Earl Stanhope, the President OF the
society; Earl Beauchamp, NJ. Van de Weyer, Lord
John Manners, NJ. p; Lord H. g. LennoX, Mp;
Lord Royston, NJ. p. Lord Sidmouth. Lord Ravens
worth, Lord Colchester, LORD Fitzwalter, Lord
Houghton Bishop of Rochester, Sir John Pakington,
sir Stafford Northcote Mr. Davies, Mr.. Theodore
Martin, Dr. Forbes WinsiOw, Mr.. Temple q c.; Rev.
Or. Binney, Mr.. Grunelsen Mr. spottswoode, Mr..
Beckwood, Mr. Bohn, Mr.. Spaldlng, Mr.. Rivington,
Mr.. Chapman, Mr.. Bentley, &c.
The CHAIRMAN, in giving the Queen, said pro,
society Of Engshmen with feelings of respectful
c0rdlaty, but In this society, the assembly OF the
Literary Fund.- 1t is received with feelings of peculiar
enthusiasm, because it is the toast OF one who
for many years has been our munifcent patron. In
proposing her Majesty's health this year cannot for
get that since last had the honor OF dining with the
Literary Fund her Majesty has inscribed her name in
the memorable list of royal authors. (Cheers.) Her
Majesty has experienced the fortune which has not
always been the fate of royal or even of authors OF
another description, for she has found thousands
and hundreds of thousands OF readers for her vol
umes. (Cheers And 1t is not surprising, since
those who have read those pages must find that in
them they recognize the touch of nature that makes
The CHAIRMAN, in giving ''rhe Prince and Princess
of Wales and the rest of the royal family said:-The
royal family peculiarly connected with this ins
tuition; his royai Hgness the Prince Of Wales has
deigned to fill the chair which now occupy, and in
that he only followed the example of his ilustrous
fatner-a prince who did more for the refinement OF
the tastes Of this country than any prince that has
nOurshed since the DAYS OF the Medic. (Cheerso
The CHAIRMAN rose to propose the toast OF the
evening. He said:-One of the most illustriOus of
my predecessors in the seat which now occupy re-
GREETED that when he had to approach the most in
I'M feat bQ
he had TO touch upon subject which for more than
three quarters of century had been treated by the
most ilustriOuS and eminent men In this country,
and therefore he drew the very sound inference that
there was no novelty OF treatment of which 1t was
capable, and no new sug gestiOn which could poss
bly, arise. myselfmust admit the soundness of that
observation but in nv own experience have pam
ful recollection that the difficulty has increased and
the disadvantage is aggravated, because l cannot
forget that this is not the first time that have had
The high honor Of sitting in this chair and that there
is upon record my inadequate attempt to vim
dcate the constitution Of this society, and to
advocate the support of its fortunes. (Cheers)
But, alas on the present occasion there is an
quacy to the onlce which l. am now Attempting
to funl. came to this assembly like one who
from the heat OF combat to repair to the pure
flow OF some pellucid stream to sake the thirst of
battle. Cheers and laugbter.l 1t Is an effort for me
which / have now to fulfil. II indeed had fol-
lowed my own impulses ! should have declined
the honor which once felt should be so proud TO
enjoy. But must trust this occasion to your
indulgence for my desultory observations; and feel
| only be sustained at this moment by that
which Will ever endure. namely, my sympathy for
the good old cause. (Cheers.l That observation Of
my predecessor TO which | have referred reminds
me at this moment that the Literary Fund Is an
ancient institution. But though an ancient insttu-
ton, is not an obsolete one, when may easily be
proved by contrasting the present assembly with the
first dinner which held in this metropolis
TO commemorate the foundation OF the insttu-
tion Perhaps during the seventy or eighty years
that elapsed since that time some of the greatest
events that have ever occurred in the experience of
men have happened. 1t Is possible that within
could he comprised and the great changes
which have taken place In the fortunes OF
humanity have also affected during the interval the
position of the author. Al The time the Literary FUND
was founded the nan OF letters had escaped from
the patronage OF mobiles, and had taken refuge in the
more substantial protection OF the bookseller.
Q.aughter.) But the great production OF our time,
thar great creation thai is rapidly developing, read
ing public did not then exist. The influence Of that
great incident had had considerable effect upon the
position of author. IL opened up the great area
of lite AIRY sympathy which al the time Of the founda
ton OF the institution doubt did not exist. In
stead Of the Grub street OF Queen Anne's time lit
erary men have now founded compact and well or
gdn,Zed and honorable prolession and we know well
there are many oil letters VINO, exercising their
professional power, have realized incomes that may
match with those which the learned professions that
have long been admitted to an honorable post only
produced. But II would he a great mistake TO sup
pose that because this great change ana to certain
has occurred that there Is no longer any necessity
or reduced necessity, for the exercise OF its offices,
and for the active exercise OF its capacity. On
the country in the first place we must recolect that
the very increase Of men of literary sympathy has
increased the number of asprans for the fame and
success of literature. Bat there Is always something
for to recoeci hey yODG that. The author has, Us
we must ever remember, peculiar organization.
lie Is being formed with "a ptedisp0stion which
with him h Irresistible, the bent of which he cannot
in any way avoid, whether II directs bhn to the ab-
struse researches oI eruGton or Induces him TO
mount into the fervid and turbulent atmosphere Of
Imagination. We know that the life ana career Of
such men cannot toe regulated by the ordinary rules
Of prudence which wisely and properly are expected
TO regulate the conduct OF ordinary men. (Cheers.)
say, them that 1t was suggestion beautiful in feel
ing and profound In thought that contemplated that
when such characters required assstance when they
wanted aid and consolation and succor, should not
have TO appeal to those common feelings or common
charity which influence us all In our relations with
our common fellow men, but that they should
find an institution which, like a generous
and sympathizng friend, should minister to
all their wants, and Mt the same time ap-
preciate their pursuits and their idiosyncracies.
(Cheers.l That was the obeci of the Literary Fund,
SO that instead Of the patron, they found an IN
stitution which, instead Of expecting gratitude
were honored and rewarded by his accepting the M
pathising offering he received tCheers.) | have
sometimes asked myself what Is the that there
Is general sympathy with the literary characters
character so peculiar in its organization. ani In is
results often one which is not calculated 10 command
the sympathies Of the worldS How ~ 10 that even
among those who are little ettered there Is are
spect for authors2 believe 1t IL because there Is
instinct In man that society is greatly indebted to
literature. (CheersD And If you ask yourselves for
a moment what society woud be without books,
think YOU may comprehend the feel ng and arrive at
conception OF its origin. without books the dis
coveries Of science, the inventions of art the grand
pedigree Of noble precedens OF the intellectual de.
veiopment Of man would have record; none of
those maxms and household words that illustrate
and adorn and animate the true life would exist
none of those imaginary characters, as they
called. but which are really much more vital and
substantial than half our acquaintance. who mix
with all our daily life, represent and illustrate
feelings often give US counsel, and occasionally
cause merriment, would move among u.s. there
would he no Hanlets, no Don Quxotes, no Fastafrs.
Therefore can easily conceive that mankind, even
those who are unlettercd insnctively feel they
to the cultivated record the impulses of inventions
and the discoveries Of truth. You VIII this very
markedly when you observe how much the test Of
the condition and mind OF a country IL the state OF
Its literature. If you look TO the great empires OF
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., Babylon, and even Egypt-in the
consciousness of men Mey are really nothing more
Than mere phdnt0D,s. We are aware of their names,
we know they possessed power which no longer
exists, that they perhaps ndulged I'm mysteries
which may never be penetrated: out thev hdUe no
effect upon orr dctire tihe; they DO not mould our