Year: 1869

GN1IhiNO


~~~~>~~~~~-~~o~~>~>~~~~-


The Royal Literary Fund-Its Origin-Royal
Patrons Benefits - How Administered
COmmendabIe Observation-Disclosures Cell
ebratiOn-Guests Present-Reverdy John.
sOn-Charles Sumner the Coming Man.


LONDON, May Z, 1859.


Among the innumerable public dinners that an
nually take place In London at this season of the
year, that Of the Royal Literary Fund always ng-
ures prominently, for 1t invariably brings together
In brilliant galaxy the most distinguished men Of
the literary world, and is generally presided over by
some remarkable person IN the POLITICAL literary
or social world. Not unfrequently royalty itself
gives dignity to the occasion by taking the chair,
and the present Prince Of Wales made his debut IN
public life by officiating at the anniversary OF 1854
Before speaking Of the dinner OF yesterday 1t may
be Interesting say word two OF the history OF
8hs literary institution. Its origin dates from the
year 1773 when it was proposed to a small club OF
literary that used assemble for literary and
scientific discussion at tavern still existng in the
west end OF London. 1t is fact OF no small inte.
rest to every American that on this occasion
che club was presided over by no less a person
than the ilustrlous BENJAMIN Franklin He ap-
proved highly Of the benevolent purpose of succor
ing the distress OF literary men, who Of all other
CLASSES. stood the oftenest In need Of pecuniary
nef but with his practical mind he expressed doubts
Of the success Of the undertaking. He said to the
pr0posers Of the movement that with all his energy
and enthusiasm ne feared the anvil would wear out
the hammer" Franklin doubled that the sympa-
thies OF commercial country like England could be
awakened for the wants Of q mere literary class,
who ought to be able to support themselves seek
some other calling. Years elapsed without making
any progress towards obtaining q fund and its
founder repeatedly recalled the trite phrase OF
lxI
scholar of London was arrested for small debt, and
was so mortified by his disgrace that he died soon
AFTER heart broken in prison. This shocking incl
dent touched the feelings Of the literary and scientific
world, and from that moment the EFFORTS to raise
fund to provide against such sad contingencies gave
promise OF success. II was not however until 1903
that the Literary Fund became established fact,
for in that yearto his lasting honor be 1t recorded
the Prince Of Wales OF that day afterwards George
w. became its patron, and began his NUM-
fcence by presenting to the institution q
house for Its meetings, &C., and continued
his benefactons 70 the close OF his life, his gifts In
money alone amounting to $500. HIS example
has been initiated by all his successors, and
Queen Victoria has made annual donation Of 100
guneas ever since 1888. These marks OF royal sym-
patty for the intellectual class have not been lost
on the nobility ana others, and consequently the
Royal Literary Fund is at the present day of the
most ourishlng OF the eleemosynary institutions Of
the metropolis. II renders constant assistance to
INDECENT authors, and its charities administered
IN secret None but certain Of its officers know who
the recipients OF ITS bounty, and thus the natural
pride OF the unfortunate Atteratew Is spared the
pain OF any publicity. Had this noble society. with
Its present means, existed in the time of dear over
Goldsmith he would not have been forced to beg OF
his neignbor In an adjoining garret the favor OF
handful oil Goals on "a sharp winters day.


Now for the anniversary dinner OF yesterday.
LORD Stanley was IN the chair. His name Is familiar
to American OF late He Of the FIRST states
men OF the day. was recently Secretary the Foreign
his father, the Earl OF Derby, late Prime Minister
still lives Here Is striking Instance Of hereditary
tau, talent IT, -, On his night sat keyerdy Johnson chief
OF India Their swarthy compilations and gorgeous
Oriental costumes made them conspicuous objects.
England In the centre represented by her aristo-
cracy, who lead by force OF intellect and not by
acres on side the United States, the eldest born
OF Engand's constitutional liberty; and on the other
India the victim OF Engand's superior civilization.
The dinner was graced by field marshals admirals,
eembed In homage to literature. when will New
York initiate thiss The task OF drawing out our
sx-Mnlster was assigned TO a venerable dplomatist
Lord Stratford de Redclre, once Minister 10 the
United states II recollect rightly, but then known
as Ambassador to Constantnopie. He fought with
such vRor and abili against the ntrigues OF Rus
sla to undermine the "sck man" OF Turkey that he
obtained great popularity aud peerage lie made
the parting speech 70 our superseded Minister, and
was very complimentary TO the United States. This
Nestor OF diplomacy Is some eighty years and odd,
but the force OF his gesture revealed the resolution
OF his character. When Reyerdy johnson arose
there was great burst OF cheering, which
touched him acutely. lie knew that exception
had been taken 70 his orat0rical pranks In
England as well as at home; that many condemned
matte secrets prematurey. lie felt also that he rose
Tor the last time TO address an eminent body OF Eng
lishmep, superseded and discredited Minister. The
loud tokens of sympathy and good feeling that were
heartily manifested on all sides affected him visby
and totally prevented him making as erective
speech usual.


The appearance, manner and ability Of Reverdy
Johnson have conclliated all VINO have encountered
him In social life; but his numerous speeches have
given him more notoriety and popularity IN England
HIS overthrow at home cannot be fairly attributed,
a. time will show, to his speechmaking here, or even
70 the inadequacy OF the treaty he made under In
structons from the state Department. II Is
pretv certain that the Senate meant to give


parting Kick to the dynasty OF Andy the
FIRST aud more especially was Il aimed at
tne retreating form OF the sage of Auburn
sumner ,s mas turned the hostility OF the Senate TO
splendid advantage for he has sprung into a renown
In England that throws all our public men utterly
into the shade. People here have forgotten Grant
and Sh. rman, and seem 10 think that President and
Congress are all covering at the feet OF Sumner the
Jupiter Tonans OF the hour The Times aays that
he, more than any other man, brought on the late
civil war, and having got through with that now
turns his attention to another OF still more fearful
character. In short John Bull Is settling into the
put Sumner forward 70 precipitate a war with Eng
land that will secure them II successful the markets
pi the world. Some here think, and Bright among
them, that Sumner IA aiming at the Presidency Al
all events, sumner has dsianced all his contempo-
yaries the political world at home and be Is not