DISCUSSION AT THE TOWN HALL. 
I am willing, by a small donation to the 
establishment in the Chitpore Road, to 
afford to Dr. Brett some assistance in his 
commendable attempt to give medical and 
surgical relief to the poorer classes of the 
inhabitants of Calcutta. 
I see nothing in his plan, beyond the 
activity of his own personal exertions to 
distinguish it from that of other institutions 
established or projected for the same 
purposes ; and until the information which I 
hope shortly to see collected in regard to 
them shall be fully before me, I would not 
pledge my opinion further than I have al- 
ready done upon the objects of this kind to 
which support may be most advantageously 
given.’* 
Mr. Brett believed it was an acknow- 
ledged principle of the Government not to 
interfere with such establishments, but leave 
them in the hands of the public. The object 
was therefore to lay before the meeting 
documents proving the utility of the hos- 
pital, and to seek the public sanction. 
The chairman desired the prospectus to 
be read. 
Mr. Corbyn rose and said that, when Mr. 
’ Brett first instituted his hospital, he had 
taken the same views of the subject 
as those alluded to by Mr. Drummond, 
that it would interfere with the plan of 
the projected fever hospital ; but when he 
visited the hospital, and saw the immense 
extent of good done, and the popularity 
it had attained among the native com- 
munity, his sentiments were altogether 
changed, nor did he hesitate to say 
that it would be cruel to the afflicted 
poor to shut the doors of such an in- 
stitution where so many had obtained 
relief; when he fMr. Corbyn) remem- 
bered the slow pace with which the Fe- 
ver Committee moved, he thought it would 
be cruel to wait for any measures from 
them. He hoped however, when that com- 
mittee witnessed the great public bene- 
fit derived from this hospital, the confidence 
of the people in it, and the transcendant abi- 
lities of Mr. Brett, they would be the 
first to step forward to bring it within 
679 
their plan and give it their support. When 
Mr. Corbyn considered that the only support - 
ersof the hospital were two benevolent indivi- 
duals, Goui’mohun Dsy and Mr. Manuk, whom 
he had the happiness to see at the meeting, 
he dreaded lest this valuable institution should 
cease for want of contributions, and it was 
therefore the imperative duty of those 
present to use every exertion in their power 
to obtain public comitenance and sup - 
port. 
Mr. Brett disclaimed all intention of 
interfering with other institutions. There 
was an immense field of good and much 
had already been done. Would the public 
now listen to the calls of the aifiicted 
and come forward with its support. He 
(Mr. Brett) considered that the most effec- 
tual mode of proceeding was that of shew- 
ing the' extent of benefit to be derived, by 
actual experiment, as was demonstrated in 
this instance, and then to call upon the 
benevolent public for its support ? 
would be delighted if the Fever Hos- 
pital Committee would take up the institu - 
tion ; all he wished was that, as the hospital 
embraced all the objects "which the Fever 
Hospital Committee had in view, and more , 
and as it was established on the only prin- 
ciples which were calculated to insure the 
confidence of the natives, that the Fever 
Hospital Committee should call it their own 
and adopt it. It was not Ms hospital but 
the public’s. He totally disclaimed all 
personal interest in the affair. Mr. 
Brett was fully aware of the bene- 
volent intentions of Lord Auckland, as con- 
veyed by Dr. Drummond : he knew also that 
the present meeting, and Dr. Drummond' 
amongst the rest, were unanimous in one 
object, viz. benevolence. He also was. 
aware of the Archdeacon*s good intention, 
in having the subject brought before the Dis- 
trict Charitable Committee, but still he 
sought this opportunity for obtaining the- 
public sancfioii and support to his efforts . 
Rev. Mr. Boaz observed it was lamentable 
to witness the opposition with which genius 
had to contend, but that it would always 
ultimately gain its ascendency, and triumph. 
