my cunning devices of accepting, resigning and resuming office now expire by their own limitation, (or rather will do on ST. GEORGE's Day,) I feel persuaded that the melancholy I betrayed at the opening of my remarks will be well accounted for; and that you will not begrudge an effort to console and sustain me at this the closing period of my official career. As a toast allow me to give :

'THE SONS OF ST. NICHOLAS AND THE SONS OF ST. GEORGE: Formidable competitors; but in so glorious a competition each will do his uttermost, and yet rejoice to see himself outstripped.'' Three loud and hearty cheers were given by the Society as soon as Mr. FOWLER had resumed his seat. Mr. JAMES REYBURN, President of the Friendly Sons of Saint PATRICK' Society, remarked in effect that his brother of Saint GEORGE had rendered it an act of temerity in him to attempt a speech; he would the rather pass at once to his toast, which was received with much applause, and which we subjoin:

'THE FESTIVAL DAYS OF SANTA-CLAUS AND NEW-YEAR: Dutch in origin, Dutch in observance ; long may the descendants of Dutchmen enjoy their annual return.'

Hon. MOSES H. GRINNELL, President of the 'New-England Society,' on rising to reply to the toast to the 'Sister Societies,' said that 'He accepted with gratitude the assurance of the 'sovereign protection' of Saint NICHOLAS; and, as became a 'loyal tributary,' was ready to take the oath of fealty. To be sure, the Pilgrim Fathers were apt to receive the first homage of the New-England heart; yet with all possible respect for those renowned worthies, and real deference to their sterling virtues, he was disposed to concede a paramount allegiance to ST. NICHOLAS. 'This, Mr. PRESIDENT, may appear rather strange, on the part of the representative of the 'New-England Society;' but the truth is, I owe a slight grudge to the Pilgrim Fathers for their hanging my progenitors, the Quakers. I have never been quite able to perceive that this was the best way to illustrate their devotion to religious liberty. If I recollect rightly, too, Mr. PRESIDENT, while the colonies of New-England were fining and flogging the Quakers, and driving them right and left from their borders, your benignant Saint was throwing wide his doors to receive and shelter the fugitives. On this account, Mr. PRESIDENT, although always ready to claim all due honor to the Society which I represent, I am less disposed to dispute the sovereign authority asserted for your benevolent Saint in the toast which you have read, to the sister societies. With a feeling of heart-felt gratitude to the Saint for his benignant protection of my Quaker forefathers, I beg leave to give you as a toast:

THE GENUINE OLD STOCK OF NEW-YORK: While the city holds out the assurance of welcome and the rewards of enterprise to the intrusive Yankee, he will ever acknowledge in the blood of the HUGUENOT and the KNICKERBOCKERS the rightful lords of the inheritance.'

The past and present Presidents of the ST. DAVID'S Society,' DAVID C. COLDEN, Esq., and Mr. EDWARDS, gave each a toast, prefaced by appropriate remarks, but we regret that neither of these were among the papers of the Secretary, nor have we at a late hour been able to obtain them. We are compelled therefore to leave them unrecorded, as well as the very brief remarks and toast of the representative of the St. ANDREW's Society, which were not sent to the President. Mr. L. LECLERC, President of the French Benevolent Society,' rose and addressed the chair:

'MR. PRESIDENT: As a Frenchman, and in the name of the French Benevolent Society, which I represent here, I thank you for your welcome; and let me say, it is under the influence of fraternizing recollections that I rise to respond to the toast offered to our sister societies. Hollanders and Frenchmen, Mr. PRESIDENT and gentlemen, were both natives of one continent, and for centuries united by the bonds of a national alliance. Here, on this side of the Atlantic, in the last century, when your sires were engaged in asserting their rights of self-government, many Frenchmen gave a

helping hand to the great work of a nation's birth. More recently, when France was at war with all Europe, her first alliance was with Holland; and NAPOLEON was proud of numbering as part of his Imperial Guard a regiment of Chasseurs à Cheval, composed almost entirely of Hollanders. As after a storm comes a calm, so after war comes peace, and with it the happiness of nations. For thirty years the peace of Europe has not been broken; and to its duration may we attribute the advancement of civilization and refinement. On this continent the blessings of a lasting peace of thirty years also gladden the eye of the beholder. An entire people having bravely fought and won the great Battle of Independence, settle down to the more moral though scarcely less active business of ameliorating their social condition. The secret of their prosperity is in their energy, and the liberality of their institutions places them in the front rank of nations. In conclusion, Sir, allow me to offer as a toast:

"THE CITIZENS OF NEW-YORK: The progressive enterprise of their commerce, and their extended hospitality to natives of all countries, have changed the once contracted New-Amsterdam into the present Empire City.'

The representative of Holland, resident at this capital, spoke nearly as follows, in introducing his toast to the company :

'I THANK You, Mr. PRESIDENT, for the honor that has been done me. I had hoped that my much esteemed friend, H. M. Charge d'Affaires at Washington, would have been present this evening, to be the interpreter of the interest which our KING takes in whatever concerns this most respectable Society. He requested me to express to you his regret, and to say that he has been prevented by unavoidable circumstances from availing himself of your kind invitation. It is a matter, Sir, of no small gratification to us, to see from year to year the long-standing friendship existing between you and the land of my birth not only fostered but increased. Nor can it well be otherwise; many of you claim the same descent; many visit the land of your forefathers, their birth-places and tombs ; and the impressions they carry home cannot but renew their good feelings. These impressions were eloquently depicted by the Reverend Doctor DEWITT a few evenings ago, in a discourse deliv. ered before the members of your Society and others. Were other proofs wanting of the friendly feelings of this community toward my country men, I have only to refer to the flattering and munificent reception of the officers of His Majesty's squadron that so recently visited this port. Never before were more gratifying and cordial attentions bestowed on foreign officers; and I cannot but again thank His Honor the Mayor and the council of this great city for their promotion of it; and particularly to one of your late presidents, Mr. EGBERT BENSON, the worthy alderman who so justly boasts of the pure Dutch blood that runs in his veins; blood not inferior to that of any native-boru. Let us hope, Mr. PRESIDENT, that the commercial intercouse between the two countries may likewise inSome late regulations may promote this end. We require it on both sides. At present this country, so bountifully blessed by PROVIDENCE, Supplies ours in some measure with the staff of life; whereas only eight or nine years ago, nearly fifty of our largest merchantmen arrived at this port from Holland, laden with the same necessary articles. I give you Sir, as a toast:

crease.

COMMERCE AND NAVIGATION:' Essential to the welfare of both countries, may they prosper for their mutual advantage.'

The venerable FRESIDENT next arose, and indulged the Society with an extended speech, marked with the characteristic features of his eloquence; and which, the longer it was continued, seemed only the more loudly to be applauded. He concluded with the following sentiment; a fitting pendant to the reflections upon the state of the times which he had conveyed to his hearers:

'THE CLERGY: Their presence is always welcome at the festal board: they teach the lesson of Peace on earth and Good-will toward men.'

To the sentiment proposed by the PRESIDENT, Rev. Dr. VERMILYE, one of the chaplains, replied that, in the name of his colleagues, he sincerely thanked the PRESIDENT and gentlemen for the kind terms in which he had proposed, and the cordial manner in which they had received the sentiment just offered. It was the peculiar lustre of our holy religion, that while it gave glory to God in the highest, it was a religion of Peace on earth and good-will among men.' Its claims to divinity were by this, among other peculiarities, distinctly authenticated; and the highest honor which could be conferred on a mortal, was to be allowed to minister at its altars; the most

becoming prayer we could frame for social man was, that its benign and peaceful spirit might speedily pervade the entire globe. Dr. VERMILYE observed that he had not intended to make a speech, for indeed he had far rather listen and enjoy. He would therefore, with the leave of the PRESIDENT, make over his right and title to the attention of the company to an esteemed friend at his side, who had much more claim to represent the clergy than himself, being as he believed the oldest settled pastor in the neighborhood of this city; and whose superior qualifications none would be disposed to question, when once they had listened to the mellifluent outpourings of his recondite learning. He therefore called on the Rev. Dr. SCHOONMAKER, of Jamaica, (L. I.,) as the worthy representative of the true Dutch dominie. Being thus invited, the highly-esteemed and reverend gentlemen referred to responded in the subjoined remarkable words:

'Or dese plechte gelegentheyt, wanneer wy wederom versamelt zyn om eere en eerbiet tebetoonen ann SANTA-CLAUS, de heilige Patroon en Beschermer van ons Vaderlandt vergun my de vryheit, Mynheer PRESIDENT, en hooggeachte vrienden om een korte aenspraek te doen, en eene sentiment te geven in de Nederduytsche tael, de moeder tael van ons Vaderlandt; Dese vryheit versoek en begeer ick temeer, om dat het gesecht is (en wy kunnenhet niet well verlochenen) dat SANTA-CLAUS grotelyks toegenegen is tot oude costuymen en gewoontens beide in Burgerlycke en Kerkelycke dingen, dat hy niet opheeft met niewigheden, en bysonder wort het geseght dat hy grootelyks toegenegen is tot de Nederduytsche tael, insoverre dat het enkel geklank daervan is als de feynste musick in zyn ooren, en dat het gehoorvan dese tael hem altydt weite pass maekt, en dat hy gewoon is supplianten te verhooren, wanneer zy haer versoek hem voordragen, in de Nederduytsche tael, maer dat hy gewoon is dickmaels zyn ooren toetesluyten, en supplianten te weigeren wanneer zy hem versoeken en addresseren in de Engelsche of in eenige andere Uytheemsche tael.

'Maer vooraleer ick myn sentiment u opdrage begeer ick dese gelegentheit waertenemen om de geerde Besorgers deser geselschap hertelyk tedanken voor de eere en vriendschap my beweesen in dat zy my so dickmaels genodicht hebben om een gast te zyn met dese aensienelycke vergaderinge; Edogh, schoon het mogelyko is dat ick meer verplecht ben voor dese eere aen de hoogachtinge en eerbiet die zy dragen aen SANTA-CLAUS (wiens tael myn moeder tael is, en voor wien ick de hoogste ontsach gehadt hem van myn vroegste jeugt af) dan aen eenige personeele waerdigheit de spreeker besit, nogtans kan ick van herte seggen dat ick dese gelegentheeden genoten heb met de grootsche vermaek en plysier, en sal deselve niet licht vergeeten.

Nu wil ick ulieden niet langer ophouden maer versoek de volgende sentiment te geven:

'De geachte Besorgres desER GESELDSCHAP: De rycke en substantiale spyse ons voorgeset is een blyke en gedachtenisse van waere Duytsche goetgunstigheyt.'

Which being interpreted, for the benefit of the ignorant 'outside barbarians' who may peruse these proceedings, reads as follows:

THE ESTEEMED STEWARDS OF ST. NICHOLAS SOCIETY: The rich and substantial viands provided on this festive occasion are highly indicative and commemorative of true Dutch hospitality.'

Mr. L. GAYLORD CLARK, the EDITOR hereof, being commissioned by his brotherstewards to say a few words in reply to this toast, observed in effect, that he was glad to be called upon his feet by a brief and characteristic speech in the mother-tongue. He was sure that his associates, whose cheerful services had been truly a labor of love,' would deem the high compliment conveyed by the toast all the more flattering for its being expressed in the good old vernacular. He paid a deserved compliment to the pure, quiet and peaceable character of the ancient inhabitants of New-Amsterdam. They minded their own business, and let other people's alone. They feared no invasion, for they lived in innocence, and were without offence' in the eyes of foreign powers. The only official record of any thing like a preparation to repel assault which he had seen, was given in a volume containing the proceedings of certain old Burgomasters and Schepens, of happy memory, recently translated at the expense of the city, and now in the custody of his friend Mr. VALENTINE at the City-Hall; wherein

it was ordered by their High Mightinesses that a sum of money should be given BALTUS Vanderheyden to keep the pigs from rooting away the 'fortifications' of Fort Amsterdam! After a few more remarks, not especially noteworthy in this place, the 'OLD KNICK.' offered the following sentiment:

THE SIMPLICITY, PEACEABLENess and PuritY OF THE OLD DUTCH CHARACTER: May they find constant emulators in their descendants.'

The PRESIDENT here observed that there was a venerable friend present from NewJersey; who, previous to his removal, had long resided among us, and was so known to us in connection with the literature of both States, as to prevent our abandoning our claim to him as a New-Yorker, and whom he now called upon to favor us with a toast. Whereupon, Hon. W. A. DUER, late President of Columbia College, rose and said that he would not affect to misunderstand the PRESIDENT, especially as he had called him his 'friend,' and as, by complimenting him with the epithet of 'venerable,' he understood him to mean his old friend. He could, in his turn assure the more venerable President, that he was indeed his 'old' and fast friend;' and that he did not by any means relinquish, on his part, his claim as a New-Yorker; although he was proud to say he had an equal claim upon New-Jersey. His mother was a Jersey-woman; was married in that State, and continued there some time afterward; but removed to New-York in less than half a year before his birth. (Laughter.) He was not aware of having said any thing to excite risibility, in the statement of this simple fact, which in these days of emigration is perhaps not an uncommon one. But while asserting his claim upon both States, he must declare, that although he had returned in the body to the land of his origin, the land of his birth had its full share of his affections. He was indeed under farther obligations to it than to that of his birth. He owed to it, beside his professional education, some public trusts of honor and importance. He therefore felt bound to preserve his connection with it by meeting his old friends annually at this festival; and indeed his young friends too; for there were so many of them present on this occasion, that it seemed to him a family party. As he cast his eyes down the tables in front of him, he saw many of his own boys at each of them; and not one among them of whom he was not proud. Not that he assumed to himself the honor of their production; that belonged to the institution over which he had formerly presided, and which could exhibit many jewels like those of the Roman matron. There were yet other ties to connect him not only with the city but with the State of New-York. He had resided many years at Albany, the headquarters of the KNICKERBOCKERS, and had there formed many friendships among the genuine Sons of ST. NICHOLAS; above all, with one now no more, whose eulogy he should not be so rash as to attempt, after that pronounced at his death by a reverend friend at the other end of the table, Rev. Dr. VERMILYE. He should merely propose as a toast:

THE MEMORY OF STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER: the Soldier, the Gentleman, and the Christian : the fruits of his heritage may be withheld, but the tribute due to his virtues will be paid, according to the terms of his original grant, as long as the grass grows and water runs.''

་

Dr. JOHN W. FRANCIS, senior medical counsellor of the society, now responded to a 'loud call,' and remarked as follows:

'MAY it please your HIGH MIGHTINESS: I address you, venerable Sir, as the PRESIDENT of the ST. NICHOLAS Society, and with all due deference present the annual report touching the physical condition of its members during the past year. Since our last anniversary, changes have taken place in the list of our officers; and I find our medical department boasts of new individuals who have been chosen by the decision of an election. I rejoice to find our ranks filled up by the distinguished men whom your wisdom has decided upon; and I could have hoped that, inasmuch as I had so often

presented a medical report of the state of the association, that some other member of the medical board would this evening have discharged the trust. But my excellent friend Dr. HOBART it seems is not yet prepared, as he modestly affirms, so that I am compelled again to address you. In doing so, Mr. PRESIDENT, I am led in the first place to remark, with no affected grief, that the past year has become memorable in our annals by the loss of our tried and excellent friend and adviser, the Senior Consulting Physician, Dr. Hugh M. McCLEAN. He who attended the first meeting of our KNICKERBOCKER Society, on its first organization at Washington Hall; who has been present, with one exception, at all our anniversaries; who took such interest in our benevolent designs, and rejoiced so much at our success, is now no more. How forcibly am I reminded of the language of the sacred volume: 'Two shall be in the field, the one shall be taken and the other left.' I am left; and I feel it to be my duty to offer to you all a passing tribute to our friend's memory. Dr. McLEAN was most intimately known by our vast population, and widely esteemed for his professional attainments and practical skill, his kind and courteous demeanor, his elevated honor, and his most disinterested benevolence and humanity. He was a KNICKERBOCKER, a native of the city of NewYork; was a private pupil of the late eminent Dr. JOHN R. B. RODGERS; received his collegiate medical education under the faculty of physic of Columbia College, when that institution boasted of BAYLEY, POST, HOSACK, MITCHELL, HAMERSLEY and RODGERS, as its professors. Many years after, he was vested with the honorary degree of M. D. by the Rutgers medical faculty of this city. He entered upon the practice of the healing art before he had arrived at the age of twenty-one years, and discharged its responsible trusts for a period of just fifty years. It would be gratifying to speak here of the early career of our departed friend; when in the prime of manhood he entered as a candidate for popular favor in the social circle; when to the ornate he added the gratifications of a literary taste and the especial acquaintance of literary men. This would include his intimacy with that early club among our KNICKERBOCKERS called The Drone, whose mental effusions sometimes appeared in the New-York Magazine,' the only surviving members of whom I believe are the law-reporter, WM. JOHNSON, and the venerable Dr. SAMUEL MILLER, now of Princeton. We should also have to dwell upon his close association in his Philadelphia visits, with JOSEPH DENNIE, at the time he started into new existence with the Port-Folio, when the celebrated NATHANIEL CHAPMAN, then full of literary ardor, JUDGE PETERS and others were of that choice sample of refined taste and classical impulse; but there is a season for all things, and we must trespass no longer. Dr. MCLEAN was the first physician of the City Dispensary at the time of its establishment. During the visitations of the yellow fever, from 1795 to 1822, he adhered closely to his duties, and encountered the pestilence at all times and under all circumstances, with a determined self-devotion to the interests of humanity. His ample observations on the nature of this disorder led him to the fixed conviction that yellow fever was a disease, sui generis, of foreign origin, introduced among us mainly by shipping, and capable, under peculiar combinations of causes, of being propagated by its original specific venom. During the prevalence of the Asiatic cholera in 1832 and in 1834, he was no less firmly at his post, and sedulous in the exercise of his duties as one of the medical counsel of this city. His professional integrity and courtesy toward his fellow members exhibited an example worthy of the imitation of all. In the liberal exercise of a lucrative art, without the hope or desire of pecuni returns, he had scarcely an equal. His benevolence and humanity were of the widest extent, and were the natural characteristics of an enlightened mind and a sympathizing heart. Few of the profession were more richly stored with medical reading. He was replete in the history of the science; and to the refinement of a general student added a minute acquaintance with the results of professional knowledge, which modern investigation has so largely set forth. Nor was he indifferent to the acquisition of a cultivated taste in the fine arts; in music, he was a dexterous performer on several instruments; and he composed several productions of much harmony and feeling. In his whole demeanor he commanded that confidence which decision of character universally inspires. A short anecdote will bear me out in this declaration. It was mainly through him that that astonishing delusion for the cure of the yellow fever of 1799, the Metallic Tractors, which was urged by its inventor, ELISHA PERKINS, as an effective remedy for destroying the horrors of the pestilence, was abandoned by an afflicted people, whose dreadful apprehensions often led them to become the victims of the most absurd and fatal practices by the illiterate and designing. Fortunate indeed would it be for human life if delusion in nostrums was rife only in season of great pestilence. PERKINS, the inventor, (like another MESMER, and others of our own day,) believed, or fancied he believed, that yellow fever would surrender its potency to the application of his tractors: the faithful MCLEAN, amidst the distractions of a suffering and dying population, assured them of the absurdity of the nostrum ; and though the charlatanry of PERKINS had gained some proselytes, his own personal affliction by the VOL. XXIX. 12