A public meeting of the members of the Association for
obtaining Free Access to the National Monuments, whether deposited in cattle- ekes or other public buildings, throughout the United Kingdom, was held on Saturday afternoon, at the Thatched House Tavern, St. Junea'a Street, for the purpose of considering the suggestions of the Committee appointed in December last, as to the propriety of forming themselves into a permanent society, with a view to the ultimate attainment of the object which they had in view. Among the com- pany present, were Mr. H. T. Hope, Mr. Hume, Mr. H. Broadwood, Mr. T. Wyse, and Mr. R. M. Milees. Mr. Hume having been called to the chair, said that those who had read the correspondence which had taken place between the Secretary of State for tbe Home Department and the official gentlemen connected with the Tower, St. Paul's, and Westminster Abbey, would see that Lord John Russell was as anxious as any one could be to promote by all the means in his power the success of the object which they had in view ; but that his Lordship saw difficulties in the way which he feared it would not be easy to remove. He was sorry to say that the exertions of the Com- mittee bad now been stopped. They had, it was true, succeeded to some little extent at St. Paul's ; but at Westminster Abbey they had been stopped in limine. The Royal Academy, too, had left them nothing to hope ; for they refused to make even the smallest con- cession. After a lengthened discussion, a permanent Society was formed. The Duke of Sussex has consented to take upon himself the office of President.
A meeting was held at the Thatched House Tavern, on Monday, for the purpose of forming a permanent committee to carry into effect the proposal for erecting a monument to the memory of Nelson. Amongst those present, were Admirals Fleming, Sir Thomas Hardy, and Sir Thomas Troubridge, Captain Dickenson, Captain Jones, arid Captain Codrington. Admiral SirGeorgeCockburn took the chair, and described the object of the meeting. He stated that be had received a number of names of influence to form an excellent committee. Mr. Scott read the list ; which contained the names of the Dukes of Sussex, Cam- bridge, Buccleucb, and Hamilton, besides a large number of the nobi- lity and gentry. Among the latter were Mr. Spring Rice and Sir Robert Peel. After the names of Lord Byron, Sir James Shaw, and others, had been added, the committee was appointed, and the meeting adjourned.
The twenty-second anniversary of the formation of the Covent Garden Theatrical Fund was celebrated on Wednesday, by the usual dinner, at the Freemason's Tavern ; the Marquis of Clunricarde acting as chairman. Mr. Bartley, the Secretary, stated, that the amount paid in donations and annuities in 1837 was 1,610/. Donations from the Queen of 1001., from the Dutchess of Kent of 50/. and Miss Bun:lett Coutts of 50/. were announced.
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