The Express.
London, England, 1860-07-23 00:00:00

ROYAL DRAMATIC COLLEOR.

On Saturday the second file and fancy fair in aid
of the funds of thi establishment was held, the 1001114 on
this cession being the Crystal Palms, which for many ma-
nce was found to be more popular than distant and dreary
Maybury. The programme of the ethertainmeate did not
differ much from ita predecessor ; there were stalls pre-
sided over by most of the principal actresses of the day,
rotted which thronged crowds of starers and wonderers,
yielding but • small per mintage of purchasers. There were
knockern.downs" in the back regions under the galleries,
and " Aunt Sillies "in the alleys. There wee • peep-show
kept by Mr. Toole, in which wu literally nothing, save an
injunaelion not to let any friend know what you had mess,
bat at which while you were impotently gas*, yon were
haniagned by the proprietor with a very funny Maims,
dory of what you were supposed to be seeing. In the
grenade there was • " taut of mystery " into wide
we did not penetrate, but which seemed to afford more
amusement to the bystanders than to those who entered it ;
there was • " Cheap John" cart, • Punch and Jody
show, he.
In the coons of the afternoon Mr. Benjamin Webster,
Master of the Oellege, delivered the following eddied,
which had been written teeth* ellaidenlpy Mr. HAM Beni
11e Laded who displays his art as glass,
C m
what dem at first a dusky mad
Of tints and outlines—'tall the light shines through,
A ad brings its latent beauty into view :
Then glow the colours, then the forms appear,
And what was dark before, grows bright and clew.
Thus, too, the post wbo the stage essays,
And trusts his fame to audiences and plays,
Prepares • picture into which he throws
Wit, knowledge, humour, all the traits his muss
Can gather out of life, from sternest pandas.
Down to field practice, and the last new fashion.
But when 'ti. done, and every scene is wrought
With finest skill in character and plot,
It waits the light that shall its depths Mame,
And all is dim until the actors oome.
They to its fable vital action give,
Quicken its words, and make its figures live ;
Through them the mosses start from the silent peso,
And with their breathing movements fill the stage.
Ti. in their name we have come here to-day,
To honour both—the Player and the Play.
The Drama needs no helping hand ; 'tis sure
Through all Time's shifts and changes to endure.
Not so the player; when his prise. Is o'er,
He sinks neglected, and is seen no more.
You, who your drama's credit justly cherish,
Will not consent to see the actor perish,
Remembering what you owe him for the nights
Of innocent pleasure, and of grave delights
His art has yielded you ; how his owe ease
He sacrificed in the desire to please ;
Wore laughter on his face, when private grief
Was eating at his heart—and found the chief
Reward for all his struggles, toils, and ulna,
Not in the smiles of fortune, but in yours.
You will not fail him in his boor of need,
When his grey hairs, and want, far succour plead,
But with • liberal hand, and offering meet,
Will nine for his old age a calm retreat;
Where, cad for life, he may play out his part
In quiet trust, and with • grateful heart.

After the recitation of the 'Adrift there was a oaseart
in which Madame Catherine Haves, Madame Louisa
Vinning, Madame F. Lead., Mr. Harrison, Mr. Bentley,
M. Jules Lefort, and Mr. Augustus Brabant took put
There were about thirteen thousand parsons present, and
the various arrangements nailer the ahls direction of Marna
Sauna, Jerwoul, and Churchill pm so much satiafastion,
that it is intended to repeat the /Ire this day.