the successful candidates for the Gild premiums. If any thing were wanting to show what benefits may be expected in time, from the judicious distribution of such premiums, not to the individuals only to whom they are awarded, but to the community at large, it would be found in the simple mention of those hitherto so much neglected districts of our old town, in which the candidates reside. Where is it that those laudable habits of order and cleanliness have been so assiduously cultivated? In the broad and airy streets, and more spacious mansions to the north side of the Castle?-No; but in the underground tenements of Lothian Street, in the Cowgate, in the Old Assembly Close, in Carrubber's Close, and like places.* And who, think you, has made good her claim to one of those premiums?-A poor and aged blind woman, who plays upon a hand-organ in front, I believe, of the Physician's Hall,-Rose M'Cormick! (Great cheering.) Yes; more cheers for the honoured name of Rose M'Cormick. tinued cheering.) (The Bishop here produced one of the Gild certificates destined for the successful candidates, in addition to the lot of furniture at their option, and explained its nature. They were handsomely framed and glazed, and would of themselves prove no mean ornament to any humble dwelling.†) In alluding to the praise given in the certificate to (Con * Localities in the old town of Edinburgh which are any thing but favourable to the cultivation of cleanliness.--Ed. + See Plate at the end of the Appendix. the goodwife of the house, the Bishop observed that this was but just, since it was evident that the principal merit of such premiums must necessarily rest with the female head of the family. And here, continued he, I beg to call your special attention to one particular feature in the proceedings of The Holy Gild. We hear every day of some new system brought forward, with a view to the regeneration of society; and we see the male and female votaries of each, parading the public streets, like so many recruiting parties for public sympathy. I wish not to cast any invidious reflection upon any of them; but this I will say, that if it be of importance to society, that the male portion of the community be sober and industrious, it is surely equally important, if not more so, that women should never depart from that retiring modesty, which alone can ensure to them the respect, the veneration, and the love, which so naturally belong to the female portion of society. (Loud applause.) I confess, I have never been able to bring myself to think that these processions of women can lead to good. (Cheers.) I hold that it is degrading the sacredness of home, thus to drag forward that individual of the family, around whom should entwine all its dearest and tenderest feelings, and make her a public spectacle through the streets of a city. (Great cheering.) This, I trust, you will never see in The Holy Gild of St Joseph. There are already belonging to it many women, who share in its every success, and rejoice in its every festivity; but they shall never, I trust, be seen out of that place which Providence has allotted to them; theirs, as these certificates so appropriately express it, theirs shall be the praise of the valiant woman, who looked well to the paths of her house, and eat not her bread in idleness. The Bishop, after giving to the unsuccessful competitors the praise that was due to them for their laudable exertions, and enumerating the different classes of houses to which the premiums had been awarded, all of which were under L.7 rent, concluded by naming the individuals to whom the premiums were to be given; and proposed "The health of the successful competitors.' The names were as follows: Mr and Mrs MULLAN, Old Assembly Close. Mr and Mrs DONNELLY, Cowgate. Mr and Mrs CARTEY, Lothian Street. Widow JARDINE, Carubber's Close. Widow MACCORMICK, Carubber's Close. Mr and Mrs HONEYSETT, 11 Amphion Place. This toast was drunk with loud and continued cheers, followed by "HOME, SWEET HOME," beautifully harmonised, and sung with great effect. The CHAPLAIN of the GILD, the Rev. Mr MACDONALD, then rose and said-In rising to return thanks on the part of the successful candidates, whose health has been so ably and eloquently proposed by Bishop Gillis, and so kindly responded to by the gentlemen present, I could wish that this duty had been entrusted to one more able to do it justice. (Applause.) Having visited the houses of the different competitors, I can bear testimony to the interest and anxiety manifested by each in endeavouring to make good their claim to the society's premiums. What I then saw, tells me more powerfully than words can express, what the feelings of the individuals must be, who have now carried off the premiums of the Gild; and were I to say that I cannot command language in which to depict to the meeting their gratitude for those premiums, I would only be endeavouring to convey to your minds, a just idea of the esteem in which they are held. (Applause.) The true feelings of the heart are here, which it requires after all but simple language to explain. Accept, then, on the part of the successful candidates the warmest thanks for the honour you have done them in drinking their healths, as well as for the useful and valuable presents you have just bestowed on them. These will occupy the first place in their houses, they will be objects on which the eye will ever rest with pleasure, and they will be handed down by them with honest pride to their children, as not the least interesting, nor the least precious, portion of their modest inheritance. With this I would conclude, but I cannot do so without endeavouring to convey to Bishop Gillis the sincere gratitude we feel for him as members of The Holy Gild of St Joseph, and for the new token of his lordship's affection, which we have this night received. (Great applause.) I know I am incompetent to thank his 66 lordship in a manner at all worthy of one for whom we entertain such deep feelings of attachment; but, (turning to the chair,) since your lordship has been pleased to explain the purposes for which you have given us the "BOOK OF HONOUR," you may rest assured that our first endeavour and earnest study shall be, to hold and keep up the noble character which you have this night stamped upon it, when you announced that its pages are to be illuminated by names the most distinguished in the land for science, and literature, and moral worth. (Great applause.) We congratulate you from the bottom of our hearts on the success which already marks the progress of The Holy Gild of St Joseph. The Catholics of Edinburgh have indeed reason to be indebted to Bishop Gillis for the many proofs of zeal which he has already shown in the cause of religion, and the poor. Look at St Mary's Church-look at St Margaret's Convent, and forget not Milton House, the home, sweet home, of the helpless orphan. (Loud applause.) But, after these establishments, none of your lordship's labours have stronger claims upon our gratitude than the Holy Gild of St Joseph. And why? Because in it are to be found many essential means by which the glory of God may be advanced, and the happiness of mankind generally secured; for by this Gild, is broken down that wall of brass, which so long separated the poor from the rich; and by it we are all combined into one family, in harmony and peace. (Applause.) |