Carlisle Patriot, 19 Jun 1824 - Cumberland Benevolent Institution

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 19 Jun 1824   (p. 3, col. 4)

 

CUMBERLAND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

 

The Anniversary Meeting of this laudable Institution was celebrated on the 9th instant, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, Strand, when a numerous and fashionable company attended: among whom were Sir James, GRAHAM, Bart. M. P.; the Hon. Col. LOWTHER; Sir Philip MUSGRAVE, Bart.; John LOWTHER, Esq. M. P. for Cumberland; Sir John SEWELL; John H. LOWTHER, Esq. M. P.; Colonel DALRYMPLE, M. P.; W. W. C. WILSON, Esq. M. P.; T. H. GRAHAM, Esq. High Sheriff of the county; Capt. Chas. GRAHAM, R. N.; and many other personages of distinction.

 

At about six o'clock the company say down to an excellent entertainment, Sir James GRAHAM, Bart. in the Chair.

 

During the dinner a military band, stationed in the music gallery, played some delightful airs and tunes; and, after the cloth was removed, Non Nobis Domine was sung, in superior style, by Messrs. GIBBON, JOLLEY, COLLIER, and PHILIPS; after which "The King,", with various other loyal, national, and local toasts, were given by the Chairman.

 

The Secretary's Report represented the Institution to be in a most flourishing condition, and its prosperity daily increasing. The Institution, it appeared, originated with the Stewards of the Old Cumberland Society, in the year 1813; but notwithstanding the increasing efforts of a few benevolent individuals, it languished, from various unpropitious causes, until the year 1819, when it acquired the patronage of the Nobility and Gentry connected with the county, which gave it a new impulse, and the rules and regulations had since been revised, and adapted both to the granting of relief to the infirm and destitute, and to the education and support of poor children. Previous to the year 1819 (at which time the total amount of the funds did not exceed £1,500 three per cents.) and up to the commencement of the year 1821, the funds of the Institution were solely appropriated to the relief of destitute and distressed natives of the county of Cumberland, but their subsequent increasing prosperity enabled the Committee during the last year to accomplish the object so long desired, of clothing, educating, and supporting poor children, born of Cumberland parents. Two boys and two girls have already been admitted to and now partake of the benefits of the Institution, which, since its establishment, has relieved 120 persons, and 15 others are at present solely dependent upon the Charity for support. But although they had done so much, yet there was more to be done; so many calls have been made upon the funds that many applications had been rejected, and it was feared that many poor children were bereft of moral and religious education, which might qualify them for useful members of society, and enable them to support their poor and distressed parents. The benefits dispensed by the Institution are confined to the relief of the indigent natives of Cumberland and their widows, residing in the metropolis or within the bills of mortality, and their children.

 

In the course of the evening a most gratifying spectacle was witnessed by the company. The children who are the objects of the Society were introduced into the room, round which they marched in procession, to slow music, and their clean and healthy appearance rendered them objects of peculiar interest. Several of the aged and infirm persons relieved by the Institution were also in the room during this period.

 

The senior boy of the establishment, TODHUNTER, delivered the following address, written by Mr. J. H. SMYTH, late of Carlisle, with ability and applause:—

 

          Without instruction, light, religious fire,

          That bids us to a higher lot aspire,

          Like weeds within creation's garden plac'd,

          Whose rank luxuriance makes the world a waste,

          We should live blots upon the face of earth,

          And be in death as wretched as in birth.

          If in maturer years we have to bless

          The care that made our infant suff'rings less—

          The nurture that first fann'd the latent flame,

          That renders man more worthy of his name—

          Th' example set of Charity, the gem

          Outshining all in Virtue's diadem—

          The care is yours, the instruction comes from you;

          Yours is the fair and bright example too.

          If, from the childish band you now behold

           (When o'er our heads some other years have roll'd),

          Should rise a warrior, patriot, or a bard—

          Be yours the honour, yours the high reward,

          The Soldier's laurels at your feet be thrown,

          The patriot's zeal be modell'd on your own;

          In ev'ry note the future bard may sing,

          May inspiration take from you its spring—

          And of the others, that unknown to fame,

          Acquire an honest, not illustrious name,

          Still may the pulse of every breast beat true

          To gratitude, our native soil, and you.

          Farewell—and know that childhood's simple pray'r

          At Morn and Eve shall rise upon the air;

          To call down blessings on the hearts that feel

          And live, not for their own, but others weal.

          The Hearts of those to whom our Love extends,

          As all but fathers—almost more than friends—

          And may kind Providence with bounteous hand,

          Still guard the generous Sons of Cumberland.

 

On their leaving the room, the health of the Chairman was proposed by the Honourable Colonel LOWTHER, in a neat speech, and received with immense cheering.

 

Sir J. GRAHAM rose to return thanks. He said he was strongly attached to the Institution, to which he would be ever ready to contribute his support while nature allowed him strength or legs to walk with. He felt assured that every Cumberland man must feel a strong interest in favour of so noble an Institution, and his desire was to see it raised to prosperity.

 

The toasts of the Members for Cumberland and Appleby were given, followed by "Prosperity to the Cumberland Institution," which was received with considerable applause.

 

Mr. GIBBON here sung "Whistle and I'll come to thee my Lad," in a style which extracted bursts of approbation from the company.

 

Several eloquent speeches were delivered by various Gentlemen present in the course of the evening, and appealed to the benevolent feelings of the assembly in support of the Institution; and we are highly gratified in announcing that the contribution amounted to nearly £300, which we, however, trust will receive considerable addition, as the Society have now nine children on the establishment, four having been elected that day.

 

Sir James GRAHAM, retired amidst the most applauding acknowledgments of his services in the chair, about 10 o'clock, when Joseph TODD, Esq. was unanimously called to fill the same, who succeeded in agreeably detaining the company to a late hour.—The conduct of the Stewards is deserving of the warmest commendation; and from the appointment of Sir P. MUSGRAVE, Bart. as chairman, and the judicious selection of the Stewards for the next anniversary, we entertain great hopes of the same, if not more beneficial, results.