The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-04-08 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRICAL FUND DINNER.

was row ready and anxious to repeat in the fullest and most nequa.
idled term, of approbation. (Ilear, hear.)
Mr. KEAN, an Treasurer of the fond. then proceeded to read the
several donations. Amongst the list of names we noticed that of
his Majesty, 1051 ; the Ihikoof York ros guineas ; Mn.s Coates,
r. 21. Ilk.; the Marquis of l.ansilown 101. ; the Marquis of Staf-
ford I& ; Lord Essex 101; the Chancellor of the Exchequer 101;
H. Seymour, EN. 101. • 11 iwkins, Esq. 101., Ate. he.—the
whole amounting to 1.2401., which the Treasurer announce(' to ex.
ceed by 2001. the collection Of any former year. This announce..
most was received latish great applause, as was also the name of
an American gentleman, whose name we multi not learn, and who
contributed 201. to the fund. We also understood the Tremmrer
to announce at the head of the hat • legacy of 3001. bequeathed to
the charity by Mrs. Reid.
The Ituke of ]'oat nest gave, " Success to the American
Stage." ( A pplause.)
31r. Percy, in returning thanks, said that the character of the
American stage was so rapidly rising in estimation, as would en-
title its members shanty to take their place amorigra the artist, ..f
the day. (Hear.) Its present eminence and success were mainly
attributable to the employment of thane who were most dentin.
'Milted for dramatic talent in this country, and as far as lay in his
power he had endeavoured to effectuate that object. 'lentils4 the
purposes of instruction and amusement which were thereby attained,
a more important object was effected, namely, that hy the coin.
mon admiration of the same talent, that friendship and attachment
would he cemented between England and America, which it was
the interest of the two countries to cherish and maintain.
(Immense clicerins.)
The Duke of II oar next gave—
" The memory of Mr Garrick."
" The memory of Mr. Kimble."
The Ihske of Yowl,: begged to propose the health of a Lady,
whose talent had been long the ornament of the stage, and who,
in her department of dramatic talent, was not inferior to either of
the names he had just isientioned---
" Mn. Sirldonn.

Yesterday a more numerous and brilliant assemblage than we
have whitewall on any former anniversary, met together at the
ErVC1711.10•11. Tavern, to commemorate this festival. At a few
minutes after six o'clock the Duke of York was introduced by the
stewards. His Royal Highness was suppated on his right by the I
Marquis of Cliffiniondeley, and on his left by Mr. caked', 31. p.,
Lord Shrewsbury and several Members of both Houses of Puha-
ment were present. The grand hall of the Frectitiouns"tavern
wan superbly titled up fur the occasion. Immediately Over the
chair was placed a very correct likeness of his Majesty, in tianspa-
wog • on either side was placed a bust of Shalom:are and of
Gawick, on pedestals. This was surmounted by an admirable re-
prowsitatimi, in transparency, of Sir J. Reynolds's cekbrated
picture of the 'tragic and Comic Muse contendicg for their respec-
tive claims to the genius of thwack. the founder of the institution.
The number present must have considerably exceeded three hun-
dred. Indeed we do not remember on any former occasion to have
seen so thronged an attendance at the celebration of any festival at
the FreCIIIA4OIIII4. Tavern. Opposite the picture of Ins Majesty
was placed • likeness, though not an equally correct one, of his
Royal Highness the Duke in York.
'the galleries, which band very ample accommodation, were
thronged with an assemblage of very beautiful women, amongst
whom we recognised sonae of the popular actresses of Drury-lene,
Lod who " glanced light from their eyes," which shod nut the least
pleasing irradiation over the gay festivities of the night. The din-
ner was send up in the usual style of excellence of the Free-
masons' Tavern, and every circumstance connected with the feed-
eity contributed to promote its interests and popularity.
On the removal of the cloth, the musical gentlemen. Messrs.
linen, T. (Ooke, Fiowilliam, Broadhurst, Re. who attended in
strong mutat on the sealskin, sang New N.M. positoe, after
which,
The Duke of Volta gave " The King"—Four times four.
" The Army"—Song--O lee.
" The Navy"—" Rule Britannia."
The Cuter Banos of Scotland next rose to propose a toast.
which be was sure would be received with the unmet satisfaction
by any chile of his Majesty's subjects, and he was satiafied by none
awn than by the company at present assembled, on whom his Royal
Highness had such strong and peculiar claims of gratitude. Hear.)
From those who were the einem of the bounty of this Institution,
his Royal ilighness bed a daily and an hourly blessing for the pa-
tronage which he extended towards it. Nor was it this Institution
alone that enjoyed the advantages of his Royal Highness's pa-
erosive: it wail extended, he might soy, to almost all the ineti-
whose and charitable establiahments of the metropolis. (Hear.)
fits Royal highness had a heart to fed, end a hand open as day
to relieve the wants of the destitute. He was aware nothing which
he could add would be available no increase the respect which the
present company entertained towards him, or to augment the en.
,thouutic feeling wlth which they were disposed to toast his health.
He would conclude by proposing his Royal Highness the Duke of
York.
" The Duke of York."—(Three times three.) This toast was
received with the liveliest mainfestations of respect anti enthusiasm.
The bake of Vona, in returning thanks, said that he felt great
eatisfactioo at meeting so numerous s. d brilliant an assemblage as
be had now the please', of seeing before him. It was true that this
'isnot the first tune that he had had an opportunity of meeting the ,
friends of this Institution, but on no former occasion did he see
them muster SO numerously. Mese, hear.) He hoped that the
incite** cf numbers would correspond to the increase of the funds
and interests of the institution, and was sure that those whit con-
tributed to its funds would ICCI themselves amply repaid by the
self-satisfaction they world feel at having contributed to the relief
et those who stood in need of their aid and services. (Cheers.)
The Duke of Toga next proposed the health of " 3lr. Kean,
and success to the Drury-lane theatrical Fund."
Mr. K t:ax rose, sod in returning dislike spoke to the following
effect t--" In rising to address your Royal Highness anti this
very brilliant assembly, I feel • diffidence, which is, however,
grass I y overcome by the acknowledged condescension of your Royal
Hight es, and the experience this Society have lung hid of your
bring a sincetc friend to the child of adversity. (Hear, hear,
hear.) This knowledge gives We • confidence in addressing
you to which I would not otherwise presume ; it is not I, hut
the cause, that speaks. (('heers.) That cause is one to which
those who contribute, contribute to 'gate the 'ideates of
the unfortunate, and to dry the tear of real calamity. I
ant the more ',odious of addressing a tew observations to you on
the present occasion, am I sin on the eve of quitting my country,
(Loud cries rat " No, no !" in which his Royal Highness joined,)
and necessarily the situation which I have the honour to hold in
this institution. Anti the first uhaerviiiion 1 sin anxious to olh.v is,
that of congratulation for the advantages we have experieured from
the patronage of Ills Royal Highness, which has raised oar funds
from a state of penury to one of comparative prosperity. The yew
1818 was the first in which we hot 'he honour of hie presiding

p▪
resence, and (nen that moment our iulvaneement has not only been
progressive but rapid. I perfectly well recollect bow dreary was
then the prospect before us : the scanty annuities we then were able
to allow the claimants on our funds were necessarily minced from
twenty to ten per cent.; we heard complaints without the meats of
relieving them ; we could only join Our tears with the tears of our
brethren lot distress, and unite with them in the acclamations of de-
spair. !tut the patronage of his Royal Highness came
at a feetunate moment ; it turned the current of prosperity in their
lunar; and, like the sun bursting through the gloom of desola-
tion, el ispelkil the vapours and restored use day (Immense cheering).
To whatever part of the world I may Ire wafted, I chill ever clue-
nth, and hear in grattul remembrance, the elects of his bene-
ficent patronage over this institution. It is not that he has been
th: protector of this or that theatre, but that he has been to the na-
tional drains a patron ; and, what is inure valuable still, to its mem-
bers in distress a friend. (Applause.) For these services he
will receive a more precious reward and consolation than any praise
that I can bestow, in the tears of gratitude of those whom his
bounty has relieved, which shall be to him a passport to " that
bourne" where such deeds are recognised and rewanfed. To the
public, to whom " the unhappy never plead in vain," this insti-
tutem is deeply indebted : their bounty has enabled us to incase,
at a larger rate even than by 6 per cent. the gratuities which the insti-
tution bestows, and this. too, at a time the, the slumber of claim.
ants has been considerably augmented. 'l'he present company will
bear in mind, that with an increase of chums a corresponding
inarase of resources is necessary; aid indeed I am sanguine
enough to hope, that, from the growing augmentation of bounties.
this institution, at no distant day, will be able to give to the
veterans of the drama a full half of what they enjoyed whilst in
actual service. I cannot forbear from alluding to the marked deft.
✓ieirey of contributions 1/71 the part of niy brothers of the stage. They
erathly have been waning; and as a stimuli'', to induce them to
support this valuable institution, I would refer them to a gloomy
catalogue of bunts who at one moment basked in the sunshine
t; prosperity and public favour, and at the next would have been
hurled into the abyss of misery, without a roof to shelter them,
were it not for the beeeliemit mil of this excellent and MUM useful
fatal. (APPlauee.) That is not the situation of its who are here
10414 y, but It might become so. (Applause.) The subscription of
an intlividaal is trifling; but the aggregate of the subscriptions,
coi out injuring those of greater, greatly and effectually contri-
butes to relieve thaw of lesser fortune. I need not bold forth a
brighter example of imitation than the distinguiahal founder of this
fund (Mr. Clarrick), who was not more apt to represent •' conic

ninth" or " than he was ever ;early to extend a gene-
rous hand to the unfortunate, and anxious to place a Inuitatiom to
their distresses. " The emending angel" has registered his good
deeds in the mansions of tint blessed, and the members of his pro-
(maims owe to his memory en everlasting gratitude.—Mr. keno,
atter a few other etunplimentary allusinns to the me y of Mr.
liarrielt, concluded a wiry hellbent address, amidst the loud and
general appobation of the company.
" The Vice-Presidents."
Thanks were returned, on their part, by the senior Vice-President.
The Committee of ttry-.ane.
Dlr. Crit.c•A r T. in returning thanks on behalf of the Commit-
tee of Drury.lane, felt that his duty was confined within a very
sorrow limit. Indeed, after the beautiful and eloquent address of
his triend (Mr. Kean), winch as to elegance of coniposition and
manner of delier-e was not to he exceeded, plot only oat the stage,
het, he would raid, in any ri-watbly of the world, it would be un-
ranlonable in him to trespass for any time upon their attention. It
ass true, as bud been stated by his honourable friend, that the
limber of claimants had inert-tied ; but it was also satisfactory to
Heti• that the resources of th • institution hail increased pillow-
tunably. Ilia duty, an Chairman of the Committee, was tri-
vial and inconsiderable. It was however gratifying to reflect
seen and to acknowledge the extensive and liberal patronage
'hie!, this theatre harl received. Indeed, with the exercise of
tech talent on the part of die performers, and he would add, with
tie exertion of much reel, the manager might fairly calculate on the
aninuance of such patronage. ( Bray, hear.) It was impossible
(*any person to speak ore the present subject without adverting to
Ns Naval lligimees, who was sit distinguished and liberal a patron
((the national drama. His Royal Highness was not the partial
%end of one establishment, but the general patron of both, snit
I* (Mr. Calera()) felt an equal anxiety for the prosps•rity of both,
al an opial desire to promote their respective interests, for
interns's:and fair competition was, in his opinion, always beneficial.
'/o topic had been alluded to by his Honourable Friend ( Mr.
'vein) to which he 'no desirous of alluding, namely, the announce-
R.mt in his intended departure from this country ; (hear, hear ;)
...„thst announcement filled them all. he vats sure, with great ilissntis.
'oho And uneasiness and no person, he could assure thent, with
Plater uncanniest and regret than himself. He hoped he did not
to in persevere in that intention, hut if he did mean to pera:ivere.
"'trusted hie absence would he only temperary, and that lie would
1"" return tit his native country. ( A pplauae.) l le ( Mr. I 'ineraq)
5514 safely same him, that. on hi, return, he would be hailed with
'u none cordial greetings ti .1 jormis welcome that awaited him on
,
'Ur (l'heers.) As Chairman of the loury-lane Com-
'ilvre. that his presence and his services were duly appreciated,
.rte that his high mime viii not only 'sustained but enhanced in
,''firOmil opinion. (Applause.) Theis testimony, which he he
borne to the merits- and t'alents of his Honourable Friend, he

The Duke of Volts. with the permission of the company, would
propose the health of another lady, who, although she had retired,
he was sure, to her own satisfaction and happiness, had neverthe-
less carried with her the regret of the present company and of the
public, at the withdrawal of those admirable talents from the na-
tional drama, which they were all wont so much to admire.
" Mrs. Becher." ( Applause. )
Mr. CAI.CaArT, after having expatiated on the advantages MI
competition in the national drama, disclaimed a preterence of the
interests of one establishment over another, and enforced the pro-
priety of every man to contribute to the relief of the unfortunate
I wherever the unfortunate were to be found, proposed—" Success to
the Covent-garden Theatrical Fond."
" The " a health to all good lasses."
After this toast, the ladies retired, and his Royal Highness
having proposed a few additional complimentary toasts, withdrew
amidst the loud anti congratulatory plaudita of the company. Ilia
Royal Highness presided, during the day, with great affability and
address. lie frequently took occsaion in the course of the evening
to express the satisfaction with which he had watched the pro-
gramme improvement of the Institution. arid the pleasure he should
ever feel In promoting its interests. On his Royal Highness va-
cating the chair, there was a loud call for " Mr. Kean," but
that gentlenian hail retired at the same time as the Duke of York.
this absence created considerable disappointment in the company,
arid, after a short delay, the chair was taken by Mr. Ironmonger,
proprietor of Drury-lane, under whose presidency the harmony of
the entertainment was admirably continued and preserved to an ad-
vaneed hour of the night.
Mmes. Wallack, Cooper, Hattie, Fitzwilliam, and several other
perfortnera,lofficimell as stewards during the evening, and discharged
their ministerial duties most efficiently and attentively.

mournfulness. She was sunken in her event, and feared the Ines do rot reproach you—may GOll Almighty bless you rind make you
of the esteem of all the world. She even envied a deformed and happy ! allay he, in his great goodness, forgive me ! I promised
hall-idiot girl, who came into the cottage to beg a little milk. She, to meet you this night at the fountain ; I have kept my tryst-111
also, could not sleep : but, oh, how different was her sleeplessness you seek, paw will find en there."
from his! I The truth Hashed across hint in a moment ;he rushed back to
For above two months, every evening, or nearly an, beheld the the fuuntain--the unfortunate was indeed there !
yoneg prince and the young peasant toeyther at the finintain. Henri !
was tot yet hackneyed in the ways of women and the world, and
preeeedrin did not render him triumphant or neglectful. And whey,
afterwards, he did acquire that worldly experience, bought at so
dear a price—the freshness, if not the fervency of the been— who
can believe that the attachments which then swayed him "tote to be
compared to the young affection he bore to tine simple, sincere, and ,
confiding peasant ? There could he no love of courtly splendour, no ;
motives of interest or ambition to operate on her—there could be no
suspicion of them with him. All was teal and trusting in the af-
fection of both. They drank for the first time in love's cup. and
the sweetness of the draught was not alloyed by any of the bitter
ingredients which those who drain it are nearly sure to find. They
tasted during this tend as much happinees as ran co-exist with
the conscimenees of error on both aides, and of degradation Oa one.
But it OA not last—when did it, when will it, ever ?
Fluerette's father had never been in the habit of watching the
ermines of his daughter; arid, if she now stayed rather later in the
garden than withal, it attracted no notice, or, at least, no suspicion.
Nut so the Prince's tutor. Old La fiaucherie was well venial in
human nature, and the sudden and violent addiction of his pupil
to gardening, led hint to suspect that there was in the doe sonic
other amide*. besides Pomona. Accordingly, one day lie made the
garden the scene of his evening walk, and the appearance of the
mortal Potnoila was quite sufficient to enable hint to make up his
opinion on the subject. I hate said that La (laucherie had cond.
derahle knowledge of human nature; he, therefore, was fully
aware dint any remonstrances he could make to hi. pupil, would
have about the name effect " as if he were ve heartily and earn-
estly to entreat a moth not to fly into a candle.' The next day, he
accordingly told the Prince that, on the following morning, they
were to set out for Pau, and from thence proceed to Bayonne,
I where the French Court at that time was.
To say that Henri was pleased at this would be doing him in-
! justice; to say he was sorry, would be more than the truth. Ilia
I were mixed feelings, in a case where there always ought to be, but
waver was, nor will be, immingled regret. 'to a young mind,
burning with enterprise and ambition, and not averse (rims plea-
sure, the announcement that he was at once to go forth into the
world, and that world a Court, and than Court the nu • t brilliant
and powerful of the time, conveyed a feeling of hope and gladness
which, I ant afraid, was far Irons being equally counterbalanced by
the regret which he really ltd experience of parting front fleurette.
Still it would be lees than justice, if.' did not say that that regret
WU a considerable alloy to the guides expectations of the future
hero of Ivry. And, at the moment when he was to take leave of
her, I question whether, fiat at that instant, he would not have
givers up all to remain. " You leave me," site slid," you leave
me, and then you are lost to me for ever. It is vain to expect that,
in the midst of the Cann, you should continue to love me, a poor
lonely creature, who is fur away. It is vain to expect it, and Ido
not expect it; and yet it will wring my heart to think that you do
sot love me. Your love is all I have in the world—if I hew it, I
Nee everything ;"—and she wept bitterly as she hung upon his
neck. These things are, I believe, always said in substance, what-
ever may be the weeds, by a woman at the moment of separation.
But trite as they may on that account be considered, they are to me
inexpressibly touching nevertheless. It is the truth of these fears
which makes them affecting laegrading and painful as it may be
to eimens it, out of an hundred eases there are not two in which the
prophecy is not accomplished. I ant far from saying that all part-
o% is necessarily followed by inconstancy ; but a parting like this,
where the lover is very young, and has been a favoured true—when
he is to g .
o into the world kir the finit time, and his qualities, alike.
Anil his defects, fit him to shine in that world, and to love it ; when
she who Is left has yielded up the loot and strongest hold over her
lover'. heart.--the power of inspiring hope; when she has nothing
to give as reward, and nothing to withhold as punishment; above
all, when the parting is for a long and indefinite period—then
alas ! and alas ! for her heart, and hope, and happiness—she has no
chance, indeed !
Bend said what are equally the imivered parting words of men,
but which arc not in the least touching, because they are not true.
Ile tried to persuade her that her feats were vain—he promised, he
swore, eternal love. She neither swore nor promised, but she kept
the peonies, and the oath which he Inger. He was to leave the
ensile early in the morning, but earlier still they Irene together at the
fountain. It was now the rising sun which shone upon it, but its
beanie of increasing brightness were to diem far mote saddening
than its waning light had been of old. " You are going, Henri,"
she said, " you will have novelty, and motion, and change to cheer
your spirits and diesipate your sorrow. But I shall remain—l shall
every day see again and again the places which you have made so dear
to me by being in them with me—l shall have every thing to renund
me of past heppiness, and present pain. Pear, dear Henri, do not
forget me,—if you do," and she lowered hervoke as she spoke, "if
you do, Henri, I shall die." At that moment his vow of unceasing
affection was a tnse one, for it Was made in the spirit of truth ;—at
that moment, the tears which he shed were as heart-gushing as
her own. " And this fountain," she added, looking upon its loved
waters, " this fountain-1 shall be always there—when you are
away, or when you are near me, it will be still the same—eoe will
always find 111 C there." These were her last words, and he remem-
bered the expression siterwarde.
" West ever at Court, Shepherd ?" "No, truly." " Then
thou art damned." Methinks, one of Meister Toechstone's wit
might have known better, and said. " Thou art dunned it thou
hail." Alas ! how the Court or the world (for the Court was the
only world then) mars the young feelings! And what does it give
in their many Pity, that what given an edge to the Wit should
take it from the heart I For my own part, I het rather that the
the

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FRENCH PAPER&

one were a Gale less pilisited, itionitted That other were aimed
to remain keen. But Henri, as 1 have before said, was_ in every

Yestenlay we received the journals of Monday, with the
Etude dated TuLadas ; the following are extracts:-
IFront the Etoile.)