The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-03-11 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRICAL FUND.

The Niuth public Anniversary of this excellent charity was cele-
brated yesterday at the Freemasons' Tavern. Soon after six o'clock
His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the President of the So-
ciety entered the room, accompanied by the Alarquis of Hertford,
the ilarquia of Iluntly, Lord Nugent, Sir George Warrender,
Hart. 31. P., Sir William Congreve, Ban. /11. P., Sir Charles
Flower, Ban., Sir Richard Birnie, Mr. Calcraft, 31. P., Mr. Rich-
ard Martin, M. P., and Captain Forbes. Nearly 300 Gentle-
men sat down to a sumptuous dinner. The galleries were graced
by an assemblage of ladies, consisting principally of the actresses
of the Covent-garden establishment. The orchestra was filled by a
band of greet skill and ability, who, front time to time, enlivened
the evening with a variety of popular, lively, and pathetic airs.
Behind the chair was a kind of canopy, under which was a bunt of
Shakspeare. An inscription encircled it, stating the name of the j
charity, and below that was the following motto from our immortal
dramatist : •, He hath a tear for pity, and a hand open ►s day for
meltilig chanty."
The cloth having been removed, " Prnedietur zit Dens" was!
sung in admirable voice by the professional vocalists who gave
their assistance on this occasion.

The health of theKini,tcePatron of the Society, was then drunk
with four times four rounds of applause; after which the national
anthem was sung with unrivalled effect, two of tae verses being led
by Mr. Sinclair in his highest style.
'The Royal Family' was then proposed with the customary
honours, and received with applause; after which came " The
Army and Navy."
Air—" Rule Britannia."

" The Covent:(lardersThestrical Fund" was then drunk amidst
considerable cheering.
Song—" The Soldier's Gratitude," by Mr. Sinclair.
The Marquis of HERTFORD then ruse to propose the health of
their Illustrious President, whose unchanging kindness to the So-
dety had induced hint to take the Chair at nine NUCCOOIiTe anniver-
saries in that room. The Noble bud said he felt that the Society
owed a large debt of gratitude to his Royal Highness, which they
would be glad of an opportunity of acknowledging. (Applause.)
It would be imputing to them a forgetfulness of their duty to en-
large on the merits of his Royal Highness, and he should therefore
content himself with proposing the health of their Illustrious Presi-
dent. ( A pplause.)
The toast wan received with loud cheers, and drunk with general
enthusiasm.

His ROYAL MOH NESS said, it gave him the greatest pleasure
to witness the growth and prosperity of the Society, the objects of
which must be dear to every Englishman ; and to none, he be-
lieved he might with truth pure than, dearer than to himself. He
congratulated them on the numerous aftd respectable body assem-
bled to celebrate their anniversary on the present occasion. His
Noble Friend had reminded him, that this was the ninth anniver-
wary at which he had presided. Ile was gratified that he had been
instrumental in contributing to the success of the Society; and he
wished them to be satisfied that he would in future continue to ex.
anise the same regard to their welfare. (Cheers.) In conclusion,
his Royal llighnesaadverted to the prosperity of the fund ; and re-
peated the expression of the pleasure it had afforded him, to learn
that so useful and excellent a charity had already met with so
liberal an acknowledgment of its merits from the British public,
who, indeed, were never slow in patronizing institutions of such
a nature.

_
When the applause which followed his Royal Highness's address
had subsided, Mr. Broedhurst sang the finely expressive ballad of
" John Anderson my Joe," in a style of tenderness and melody not
to be excelled. No performance throughout the evening diffused
more general delight-
The next toast was " The Vice-Presidents," which was wel.
caned with considerable applause.
The Marquis of HUNTLY rose to return thanks fur the honour
conferred upon himself and his colleagues. Exclusive of the pica-
' sure he felt in contributing. his aid to the success of such an insti.
tution, he assured them it gave him no little satisfaction to find
himself seated at a festive table with so agreeable a company of
jovial fellows (cheers) ; especially when his gratification was en.
hanced by a glimpse behind the curtain at so brilliant a bevy of
beauties as he then saw assembled in the galleries. ( Loud cheers.)
His gallantry would not allow him to conclude without proposing a
toast in which he was certain every gentleman would join with as
much fervour as he felt in suggesting it. The Noble Marquis
then proposed " The Ladies," which was received with the
wannest manifestation, of the approbation of the Society.
Mr. T. Cooke then executed on the piano-forte a mock Italian
air, accompanied with his voice. The exquisite absurdity of the
parody excited much merriment.
The health of the Treasurer of the Fund, John Fawcett, Esq.
was then given from the Chair, and warmly received by the cont.
111;. FAWCETT expressed the gratitude he felt for the handsome
return made by the company for the services he had been able to
render the charity. He believed that very erroneous notions pre.
trailed generally. with respect to the ability of performers to provide
for their declining yeah. The public heard of the large salaries
which some of them received, and it was inferred hastily that they
ought not to be overtaken by distress. Ile was anxious, therefore,l
to avail himself of that opportunity of vindicating them from the
pernicious effects of this mistaken reasoning. Performers in gene.'
red wive not the improvident, thoughtless, and extravagant race of
men they were considered to be. Suppose the salary of an actor was
12 guineas a week. It was estimated that he enjoyed an income of
624 guineas a year; but no calculation could lie more erroneous. In
the tint place, he received his salary only during the theatrical sea.
sin, which would reduce his gross income to somewhat less than
WO guineas a year, out of which he had to defray a great number
of expenses arising from his pro/mien, which could be conceived
only by those who belonged to It. Having thus endeavoured to
correct an opinion which he knew operated to their prejudice, he
could not refrain (rims congratulating them on the growth and
prospects of the institution. Its benefits could be thorough-1
ly understood only by those who had taken an active part
in distributing the charity. The profession of • player was
unlike every other,—when old age overtook him, he could not
fall back on the generosity with which the public rewarded
those who spent their lives in other branches of the public service.
The moment the approach of age withered the talents of the pec.
former, he found himself alone and abandoned, in a world which
would be to him cheerless and desolate indeed, if the theatrical
fund did not exist to succour and relieve him. (Cheers.) It was
gratifying also to them to reflect, as it must be satisfactory to the
subscribers to know, that more of the benefactions were applied to
the objects for which they were given in that society, than perhaps
in any other in existence. (Cheers.) No officer received any as.
lary or allowance, not even the secretary, whose duty was so oner-
ous and difficult to discharge. (Cheers). The worthy treasurer
then alluded to the general prospects of the society, which he de.
elated to be in a highly flourishing state. He had not forgotten
the patronage the stage had enjoyed from the most virtuous King
who had ever been seated on the British throne. It now was
honoured with the gracious regard of our present illustrious Sore.,
reign, whom he prayed Cod to bless and preserve. He also ad.
vetted to the condescension which had induced the Royal President'
.sgain to confer the benefit of his attendance upon them, and con.'
eluded with expressing his confidence that under such auspices the
stage must flourish, and its decayed votaries be secured Irons the
reach of distress. (Cheers.)
"The Proprietors of Covent-garden Theatre" was the next toast.
Captain k oases returned thanks, in a neat and expressive
spew.h.
Mr. Mathews then, by deire of the (:hair, gave a new, witty,
and appropriate song, in favour of the charity; afrer which
the collection was commenced from the company, While it was
and
proceeding the !widths of the Committee and Stewards was drunk,

Mr. PATES, in behalf of his colleagues, returned thanks, in iMi.
tattoo of the manner of a popular performer.
Mr. Fawc b:TT then announced the amount of the benefactions
received ; His Majesty had transmitted his annual donation of 100
guineas (cheers). Their illustrious Chairman had repeated his
annual gift of SO guineas (cheers). His (trace the Duke of Bed.
ford, who was unfortunately absent through ill-health, but who
had proved himself one of their warmest friends, had also given his
usual handsome benefaction. Mrs. Coitus had sent SOL for herself
and 201. for a daughter, making in the whole 70 pounds (Cheers).
It would weary the company to go through the list of subscriptions.
He would content himself with stating generally the result. )klove
the dinner there had been received a sum exceeding 3UOI. Since
the dinner the collection at the table was upwards of 0001. The
total amount (as we understood the worthy Treasurer), including
the receipts from every quarter since the last anniversary, was
1,4501. (Cheers.) This was a most gratifying statement, he was
sure, as it exceeded in amount any previous year's receipts, and
therefore held out the best promise that the benefits of the charity
would be insured, not only to the present race of perlomiers, but to
their successors.

" The Drury Lane Theatrical Fund" was then given.
Mr. CALC RAFT returned thanks, as, he believed, the only metn-
bee of that fund present. Ile assured them he felt equally anxious
for the success of both, and trusted the only rivalry between them
would be as to which should best fulfil the object toe which it was
instituted.

" The memory of the late Mr. Coutts," and several other toasts,
were drunk, suitable to the occasion, in gratitude to past services.
or in anticipation of future; and a rich variety of vocal music
throur,hout the evening, afforded altogether one of the highest series
of enJoyments of which we ever partook. It semis invidious
to particularize any where all were so well executed, but we cannot
refrain from mentioning " The Death of Nelson," by Sinclair;
" Green grow the rashes, 0," by Broadhurst; and a beautiful
Scotch air by 31iss Paton, sung in her must admirable style front
the gallery. Several excellent glees were also perfumed with per-
fect precision and the finest effect.
The more sensual entertainments of the evening were in an equal
style of superiority. The wines were exceedingly good, and the
arrangements of the dinner altogether highly creditable to the
parties concerned.
When his ROYAL HIGHNESS left the Chair,
31r. KiellAßD MARTIN was called to it, and the conviviality
of the evening prolonged fora coosiderable period.

PROGRESS OF " THE FANCY" IN SCOTLAND.-011 Tues-
day evening a pugilistic contest took place in Bruntsfield Links,
between a brass founder and a hostler, both natives of England, for
a sum, it was said, of ten guineas. After six rounds, in the course
of which the hostler got one of his teeth knocked out, the man of
metal proved victorious. The hostler, however, having demurred
about the payment of the forfeit, his spirited antagonist, who is a
man of short stature, said he would give him a few rounds more for
his money next evening. At the appointed hour, half-past five on
Wednesday, the brass-founder accordingly came to the place in a
hackney coach, attended by his wife, who, from carrying a bottle,
probably meant to act as bottleholder. In the same vehicle arrived
also the second, with some friends of either sex. After waiting an
hour, the party left the ground, the hostler having given out that he
would not fight any where but ea the sands of Leith.—Cakdonian
Mercury.