The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-15
THE ALBION SOCIETY.
The Anniversary Meetina-The TOasts and
Speeches.

Speeches. ~
The fourteenth anniversary OF the Albion
Society," society of English residents of
this city, for the relief of Englshmen
in distress-was celebrated on Monday evening
by most excellent dinner at Augustins, in
Walnut street. The elegancies of the table were
only equalled by the wit, humor, and enthusi-
asm of the party and 1t affords us a great deal
of pleasure to state that this dinner was one of
the most successful ever given by the albion"
already famous for its unbounded charities and
excellent dinners.
The worthy President, Frederick Fairthorne,
Esq, occupied the chair with his accustomed
grace and dignity. Her Majestys Consul
Charles E. X. Kortright, Esq, on his right,
and General Patterson, of the Hibernia Society,
on his left. Surrounding him were Chief Justice
Thompson, of the Supreme Court, Judge
Hare, James Allen, Esq, of the st. Georges
Society Charles Manchester, Esq, of the st.
Andrews Society, and other invited guests.
After thorough justice had been done to the
delicacies of the table, the President called the
gentlemen to order, and among the first of the
intellectual duties, letter was read from Ed
ward Thornton, Esq, G., B., her Majestys Minis
ter at Washington, regretting his inability to be
present. expressing his warm sympathy for the
benevolent object of the society," and enclosing
a check. This letter had so much merit in it
that it was received with great applause. let
ter full of announcement was also received
from William Wesford Esq, now of New York,
the former President of the Albion. Attorney
General Brewster also expressed by letter his
inability to be present.
The first toast of the evening was then an
nounced, "lhe Queen" which was drunk stand
ing, the national anthem of God Save the
Queen" following with very great enthusiasm.
The second toast, THE President of the United
States" was also drunk standing, and "The
Star-Spangled Banner" sung in thorough John
Bull style. The next, being the third toast,
"The Donors and Benetactors of the Albion
Society,"" was drunk standing and in silence.
The fourth sentiment on the list was, Her
Maiesty's Representatives in the United States
Charles E. X. Kortright, Esq, her Majesty's
Consul, responded to'this toast
Mr.. Kortrght stated that it was with pleasure
he rose to respond to this sentiment, especially
as he beheld body of gentlemen who, whatever
their intimate social and commercial relations
with this great country, still preserve fond re-
gard and attachment to the sovereign and peo-
pie of the country to which they owe their
origin.
In the common intercourse of nations, cir
cumstances will arise tending to disturb the har-
mony and peaceful relations which it is so de-
sirable should exist between countries like
England and the United States, owning as they
do, one common origin; but when such ques-
tions arise and are met in spirit of mutual for
bearance and goodwill, the clouds which seem
to lower DER our heads soon become sunshine
under the genial influence of patriotism and
statesmanshlp and eventually become buried in
the deep bosom of the ocean OF diplomacy and
politics.
The Consul referred to the Alabama ques-
ton" which has been SO much discussed and
like Socrates at the end of his long career, all
we can say is ''that we know nothing;" but this
yexed question, in the Consul's view, would
eventually be settled on the basis of truth, ius-
tice, and international law. lie could not go
quite so far as the Prime Minister of England
who recently stated at he.Lord Mayors dinner,
that we could not quarrel with the nation of
George Peabody Such questions are not settled
by tie act of any single individual but it is the
result of the public spirit OF those countries
where the difficulty unhappily exists. While on
the subject OF George Peabody, the Consul paid
a handsome tribute to the manifold charities of
that great phianthropist, commenting upon
the manner in which those charities had been
responded TO by the Queen and people
OF England; referring TO The offer of n
baronetcy; the graceful gift of the
Queens miniature-conveyed In letter that
only aoOmda could writes the unyeiling of his
statue under the auspices OF the Prince of
! Wales; the penultimate honors at Westminster
Abbey; the mournful funeral procession now
vending its way across the ocean, and especially
the anxious desire of the Queen TO descend from
her throne-not from her dignity-and whisper
into the dying ears of the great phllanthropist
few words of comfort and ere his spirit
should depart to those realms of bliss where he
now enjoys the fruits OF his noble deeds on
earth.
! Mr.. Kortright concluded most impressive
} speech with the following sentiment, which was
! drunk with great epthusiasm:-''That peace
harmony and good will may ever subsist be-
| tween Great Britain and the United States"
Professors Thunder and Pierce, and Messrs
Blakely, McDonOugh, and Fisher followed with