The patrons of the Scottish Hospital dined together on Monday,
St. Andrew's Day, at the London Tavern ; the Duke of Gordon in the chair. About 150 gentleman were present. There were several
vocal and instrumental performers engaged to add to the pleasure of the meeting ; and among them a Highland bagpiper. On proposing the health of the Princess Victoria, the Duke of Gordon said— He had read with regret during his abode on the Continent, some misrepre- sentations which had been made in the newspapers concerning what he -had said on a former occasion with respect to her Royal Highness: he was sure the editors of those papers had erred from not understanding what he had really said. He had in the early part of his life been the friend and companion of his late Royal Highness the Duke of Kent ; and he had watched over the pros- perity of the Princess Victoria with the greatest solicitude; and he hoped she would be spared for many years to preside over the destinies of England.
The health of Sir Peter Laurie was drunk ; and the worthy Knight,
who nevct er seems to lose an opportunity of "having his say" spoke to this effe He exhorted the company to be liberal in their contributions It had been said that Englishmen abused their native country but never quitted it, whilst Scotchmen praised theirs, but never returned to it when once away. He must confess he had no wish to change his present quarters ; be found himself, like many other of his countrymen, so pleasantly situated in London, that there he should remain : but whilst he was an inhabitant of London, he did not forget that he was a native of Scotland ; and he hoped that such was the case with all others of his countrymen. A Newcastle gnndstone and a Scotehmina were to be found everywhere; but he was certain where a Seotchnaan was found, he was found to act with integrity and honour. The subscriptions amounted to nearly 3001.; and the announcement 0f this sum, says the Tunes reporter, "was received with loud and long shouts of applause." The company seem to have been astounded by excess of liberality : but it does not appear to us that it was very extra- ordinary, the subscriptions averaging less than 'A from each person present.
A considerable number of shareholders in steam.packets, and others connected with steam-navigation, held a meeting on Thursday, at the London Tavern ; and, after some discussion, appointed a Committee to draw up a plan for regulating the navigation of the Thames.
The Tories of Finsbury held a meeting on Saturday, and formed a Conservative Society, with Lord Mahon for President. His Lord- ship attended the meeting, and delivered two speeches. There was a good deal of oratory from other gentlemen, whose names are "unknown to fame."
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