New-York tribune., 1902-10-20

from France and planted mulberry trees In large
gardens where silkworms could he fed on home
grown leaves. The descendants Of these Weav-
ers were rich and prosperous in the days of
George Ill and they lived in fine old houses with
oak panelled rooms and high lattced windows
close under the caves where they could nave
light for working their looms. There as
many as a dozen Huguenot churches in the East
End Of London during the Georgian reigns, and
when the beautiful Spitalhelds church was built
with ts lofty spire, its bell early after sunrise
and again ~ curfew was the signal for thou
sands of industrious weavers 70 begin or end
their lahors for the day. The industry has dis
appeared. the houses have fallen into decay. and
the gardens are neglected. Spitalhelds has lost
its French aspect and been converted into
swarming ghetto In order 70 ind distinct
trace OF the Huguenot community. which had
so honorable a history in the East End, one
must go farther out in Hackney and visit
the French Protestant Hospital near Victoria
Park. IL is a beautiful modern structure de-
signed in imitation of oldtime French cha
teau. and il stands in spacious. well kept
grounds which offer a marked contrast 10 the
ordinary East End environment The insttu-
tion owes its origin 10 a bequest made by
French Huguenot refugee two centuries ago
and 10 liberal contributions from weavers and
merchants in London. Work begun near
Peerless Pool. in the northern suburbs. where a
hospital for poor French Protestants and their
descendants was opened. and long known
affectionately among the refugees as La Provi-
dence." When the growth Of suburban London
rendered the old site ineligible the second build
ing was constructed forty years ago and is now
the refuge OF about sixty aged pensioners Of
Huguenot descent.
The court dinners of this admirably managed
institution are quaint and interesting from the
tenacity with which the governor and the di-
rectors have clung 10 the customs and formulas
Of the eighteenth century. The toasts are in
variably in French. and have been repeated
without variation for nearly two centuries no
deputy governor caring 10 take the responsible
ity for ordering a new departure. When the
dinner has ended two loving cups produced
by the steward. who explains that each has been
prepared under the direction of the secretary.
The deputy governor at challenges the
secretary 20 reveal what the cups contain. and
this answer is returned: The choicest wine OF
France commemorating our Huguenot ances-
tors fortified with spirit the spirit of admira-
ton for their faith and courage. and sweetened
by sympathy with the poor and aged among
their descendants. II is left sir, for you 10 add
the cordial a cordial welcome. 70 the guests as
senbled at your table" The deputy governor
at once invites ,he directors and their guests TO
drink to the memory Of the Huguenot founders
Of the corporation. and offers a warm welcome
from their successors in the management of the
hospital. The ceremony is completed when
cups have gone around the tables. three stand
ing at once TO present and accept them and 10
protect the drinker from attack from behind.
These dinners. conducted al the expense of the
directors in the beautiful rooms Of this pictuI-
esque chateau in the heart Of the East End are
among the brightest and most homelike public
functions in connection with London charities,
and with the quaint phcasing and the courtesles
and graoes Of the odtime French toast list
there is a delicate eighteenth century aroma of
peace. fellowship and good will. Inf