The Express.
London, England, 1861-07-22 00:00:00

DRAMATIC COLLEGE FANCY FAIR.

On Saturday the annual file and fancy fair in
aid of the funds of the Dramatic College were held in the
Crystal Palace, and the usual crowd assembled to stare at
the mean and anneals' in their ordinary dresses, and to
purchase nicknacks at extravapun prices, in order to say
that they had had the privilege of speaking to the fair
vendors. Quarunque 'nolo—rem, would be a far better
motto for the managers of the College than many of the not
too apposite Shakesperian quotations with which the booths
and stalls were decorated. Money they are determined
to make, and, dishonesty excepted, they do not seen, to be
particular what coons they adopt towards its acquisition.
There may be some, earnestly loving the theatrical profes-
sion and jealous of ire honour, who may feel that the break-
ing down of the barrier which has hitherto separated the
dramatic artist from the general public was not desirable,
and that the social status of the actor, which, owing to at-
tacks from without and dimensions within, it has always
been so difficult to preserve, was not likely to be improved
by a series of clowning' and buffoonery which, after the first
laughter bursts bare passed away, leave the mind filled with
a certain sense of degradation of both mummers and au-
dience. But though the taste of the programme might be
questionable the manner in which it was carried out was
most praiseworthy ; both ladies and gentlemen exerted
themselves with untiring perseverance, and we are glad to
learn that their efforts were, as they deserved to be, most
thoroughly successful.
The stalls for the Manacles were ranged, as usual, at one
end of the centre transept, and were this year presided over
by Mn. and Miss Stirling, Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mrs.
I Frank Matthews, Mrs. Alfred Mellon, Miss Sedgwick, Mrs.
Charles Young, Mn. Fitzwilliana, Miss Oliver, Miss Simms,
Miss Button, Miss Kelly, Miss Thorne, Miss Josephs, Mies
Canon, he. Trade seemed very brisk throughout the day ;
sad, so far as we coeld karts, the ladies doing most busiuess
were Mn. Mellon and Mrs. Charles Mathews, the last-
mentioned beiug assisted by her husband, whose glib rola-
bility and pinata,' wit were et no mean assistance in dispos-
ing of her wares. In the immediate neighbourhood were •
post-office, when Mies Hudspeth, fora consideration, deli.
vend autograph letters from many well-known sod some
utterly inglorious characters, and • hermit's cave, the mya
eons of which were presided over by Misr Johnstone. A
capital Punch, under the supervision of Mr. Clark, of the
Haymarket, • Cheap Jack, and a Tent of Mystery, received
a fair share of patronage, sod to show how greet was the
excitement noosed by the sight of the popular octets, we
may say that we raw • large crowd following little Mr.
Clark, of the Strand, who bore • tray full of clay pipes,
while Mr. Frank Matthews bore aloft a huge Aunt Sally,
and that we beard our portly and perspiring matron urging
herdaughter to " Go and push in among the crowd, Sarah ;
moose 'era well, and you'll get • look at Mrs. Mathus."
The amusement throughout the day wee continuous sad
eonintennitteat. There wee • concert., la which Mr. mid
, Mrs. Woke, Mr. Swift, sad Mr. liantley took part, sad
which was cwedneted by Mom. Benedict, Menne, mad
Alfred Mellen, the het of whom oratributed • new end spark-
' ling quadrille. Mr. Webster thee recited en aereetki writ
ten by Mr. Staunton, and at three o'clock the ismoset-
nem, whisk bad been fitted up internally as • theatee end