# ADDRESS
TO
THE GOVERNORS
OF
The Saint Ann's Society Schools,
Spoken by one of the Boys,
AT THE
ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL,
2nd July, 1829.

As anxious children long estrang'd from home
See with delight the wish'd vacation come—
With hearts high beating, forward bound to meet
Their lov'd Protectors, and each Friend to greet,—
So we to-night renew our humble lays,
And hail the Patrons of our infant days.

Friends of the friendless ! ye whose constant care
Prevents our wants, and makes us what we are,
Deep in whose hearts the stream of mercy rose,
And still in ampler tide increasing flows;
If, when we most our gratitude should speak,
Our tongues seem powerless, our accents weak,
'Tis that the good your bounteous cares impart
Leaves us untutor'd in the ways of art;
No studied eloquence our verse can raise;
But *Nature* speaks—and *best* can speak—your praise.

O may the Pow'r that rules yon world above
Repay your blessings with its endless love!
And may the work now raising* at your hand
As on a rock be built, and ever stand—
That when this present race is pass'd away,
And after ages live their mortal day,
Like a proud beacon it may shine afar,
At once their glory and their guiding star!
So shall your aid bid future troubles cease,
And sorrows yet unborn assuage to peace.

Nor vain this hope, when such a vast array
Of gen'rous Patrons throng this joyous day;
When he, who wields so well the civic sword,
As our good genius crowns the festal board.
Bless'd with such Friends, protected from on high!
While England lives, St. Ann's can never die.

* The New Asylum at Brixton, for the completion of which the liberal Contributions of the Benevolent are on this day in particular most earnestly solicited. Subscribers to the Building Fund will be entitled to vote at the Elections, and to every other privilege of the Institution.