The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-03-12 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRICAL FUND.

For the purpose of increasing this• Fund, which,
hitherto, has received no public assistance. except
from a triennial benefit, the Master, Trustees,
and Committee, determined to pursue the plan
adopted by the Managers of the Covent-garden
Fund, ■nd to institute a public dinner, to be COIs.
tinned annually. The first dinner took place
yesterday, at the City of London Tavern;
His Royal Highness the DUKE of YORK in the Chair,
Supported by the Karl of &sex sod Lord Doti-ann.
Shia Royal Highness was ushered into the room,
about seven o'clock, by the Stewards—the hand
stationed in the gallery striking up God save the
King! He was accompinied by the Earl of Yar-
mouth, Lord Holland, Lord Montfort, Sir John .
Silvester, Hart. Pascoe Grellfell, Esq. J. H. Massey
Dawson, Esq. John Dent, Esq. the Hon. Douglas
Kinintird, Richard Wilson, Esq. &c. &c.
During d er, the Duke of York's baud per-
formed many fine pieces of music—amongst which
we particularly distinguished several selections from
Moe +Ws opera of Giovn*ei.
After d. r, Non Nobis Dwaine was executed
by a large body of vocalists, amongst whom we re-
cognised Messrs. Broadhurst, Pyne, G. Smith, J.
Smith, and Spray. The musical department was
ably conducted lay Mr. T. Cooks, assisted by Mr.
Taylor. of Covent-I/squirm
The usual toasts of The King—the Prince lie-
gent—the Queen. and the rest of the Hord Family
—the dray—coca the nary—were drunk with en-
thusiasm.
The Earl of EMEX proposed " The health of
his &oiled Highness the Duke of York," which was •
received will, bond cheering.
The Doke of Yoae, in returning thanks for the
honour lint had been done to him, on this occa-
sion, expressed the great pleasure he felt at seeing
►o numerous and respectable a company assembled;
and, he was sure, they could not have assembled iu
a better cause. Amongst the various Charities
with which this metropolis abounded, none came
more home to their feelings than the present.—
Every Euglishinsui must feel a pride in nurturing
and encouraging the genius of his own country—
and they could not effect that object better than by
affording a comfortable retreat to those who had
' passed their best years in the service of the public.
—(Cheering.)—He should not detain the Com-
; pony longer, assembled as trig were for a convivial,
as well as is charitable purpose, but would propose—

" Seeress to the Tlicttrieel Feud of Drury-lane, and their
worthy Minter, Alr. Kees."

'lshii 101114 was received with long-continued sp.
plause. When the cheering had subsided—
Mr. KEAN rose,- and spoke to the following
effect :—'4 The generous which your
Royal Highness has been pleased to express, with
reference to the Drury-lane Fund—assisted as it has
been by the plaudits of this kind company—induces
one to undertake a task, to the just performance of
which, notwithstanding all your kindness, I am
inadequate. In the name of my brother actors, sub.
scribers to this Fund, which, by your presence, your
Royal Highness will this day greatly assist—in the
absence of those whose prayers fur your welfare
arise from the retreat or poverty and from the bed of
sickness—in the same of those unfortunate persons,
who may, hereafter, be indebted for relief to the
Drury-lane Fund—allow me to attempt to express
the thauks which the►r beasts must necessarily feel,
but to expressiwhich, with the force and feeling the
occasion calls fur, demands lumen intiiiitely
greater than those which 1 possess.
" As Master and Treasurer of the Drury-lane
Fund, it is necessary that I should make some oh-
serrations as to the nature of that banditti ))))) and
the particular causes which occasioned this meet-
ing. 'Hits duty 1 will endeavour to discharge.
But, amongst the many circumstances which prove

how little fitted I am for the task assigned t tar,
there is one that I must particularly allude to—l
mean the 'presence of a Gemlemon, whose know-
ledge of the Drury-lane Fund must enable him
to speak of it with inure correctness than I can do
—whose eminent abilities did honour to his pro-
fes►loll—whose private virtues lent a grace to
the Institution, and *boor name added a lustre
to it.--((.real opplasse.)--1 allude to my
immediate and most respected predecessor, Mr.
John Bit tttt ister—a gentleman, whose long profes-
sional career ous constantly smirked by public fa-
vour and by private rateeni—(tipploese)--e gentle-
man whose retirestsent Goon the stage, though it
demised every actor of a brother did not withdraw
from him a friead.—Hit contributions to the
Drury-lace Fund must rank foremost amongst
the most useful and disinterested acts of his life.—
To myself. it is a itartictilar source of regret, that
any circumstance should have operated to occasion
sue to lowered I . But, placed in this situation,
I ant called on to offer some history of the nature of
our Institution. The name by which our Institu-
tion is not uncommonly, or improperly known, tit
once declares its topsider and chief benefactors.
It was his happiness, ten years after he first set
this plait on foot, which was in 1766, to receive
from Parliament its eanction, establishing this as
a Corporate Body. From him, as Patentee of
Drury-lane Theatre, the fund derived the greatest
advantage. He generously devoted one night in
the Neilson, to its benefit—and his lust will re-
corded hit posthumous liberality. Up to his death,
prosperity attended the Institution—and, after
his decease, his spirit seemed to hover around that
fabric which he bad reared—nod, in aid of it, his
Executors placed 4,000/. in the llamas of the Trus-
tees. The' fund progressively increased till 1793.
Our records then "hew a dreary and barren waste of
20 years. Not only were no bequests made during
that time, but our receipt* fell lamentably short of
the claims that were made on the Fund. So much
so. that the melancholy task devolved upon those
who administered the Fund of decreasing, in a ratio
of 10 sad even per cent. the pittance which had
previously been the solace of mist•ry and wretched-
ness., iii 181.4 aid 1815 prosperity again, shone
ou us—isod, fay the kind permission of the Com-
mittee of Lhury-larie, a betivhi was *Valli lest"ted
to, which enabled us to restore to our anotietatsta
that-which we had Wog withheld trout them.—
(Applouse.)
•' Having made this statement, it is now my
duty to express to your Royal Hightiess the deep
• Generally kaowu as "GARRICK'S Fuse." 4

obligations I feel for your presence on this occasloc. '
Allow me to say, that this day will stand proudly
distinguished amongst the numerous records of the
City of London. Great are her charities—wealthy
and respectable are her cititens—and it must
fill them with sentiment* of the most gratifying
nature, to reflect, that they have ever found, in
your Royal nig'mesa, a champion in the cause of
virtue—a guide in the-pursuit of every thing good
and es • ble.—(Cheers.)--The list of our patrons
on this occasion is already brittle the world—
our possess amount to 3201. per annum.—
and 1 need scarcely say that is a sum manifestly
inadequate to meet the claim, which the decay of
our brethren may expose the Fund to. lam con.
viticed, that, were our records known by the public,
they would afford the best commentary on the state
of the Institution—and the best rethota for support-
ing it. Our records disclose a long list of hopes
deitroyed, of expectations disappointed ! There is
not ti page of it that would not draw a tear of pity
Irons the most obdurate—that would not afford to
the moralist a lesson worthy of the deepest con-
aideration.—(Apploure.)—All the varieties of dis-
tress which the poet has painted are there to be
found :
w Ambition Mir shall tempt to rise,
Then whirl the wretch from high,
To hitter scorn a sacrifice
And grinning infamy;
The stings of falseNiod those 'hall try,
And hard Unkindness sliced eye,
That murk! the tear it fureit
And keen Remorse, wish blood defied,
Aud moody Madness laiighing
Amid severest woe." •
(Cheering.)—The poet might have found in our
brief chronicle' many realizations of this last sad
description. Permit me to express my gratitude to
your Royal Highness for your appearance here this
day—and to apologise to the company, fur having
detained them so long. , 1 have now only to hope,
that the Master's defects will not prove the So.
ciety's misfortune.'.'—(Cheering)
The Duke of VAILIE then proposed " The health
of the late Master, Mr. John Bannister."--(Ap-
plause.)
Mr. BANNISTER—" I beg leave most gratefully
to acknowledge the honour conferred oil me by
your
.Royal Highness and this Noble Company.
After passing the best, I may add, the happiest
part of my life, on the stage, I feel interested
for those with whom .1 lived so long in habits
of friendship. It gives me the highest satiafac-
tion to wet this illuistrious and sp:endid as-
semblage Mr so praiseworthy an occasion.—
In reply to the compliment so handsomely bestow-
ed on me by my friend, I beg leavelo observe,
that, 011 quitting the stage, I felt peculiarly
gratified in resigning the situation of Master
in favour of Mr. Kean—whose exquisite and ori-
gittul talvnt, joined to his well-known goodness
of !mini... will enable him to do the most essential
services to his distressed bretbrgn..—(App.tause.)—
If any tiling_ like regret has arisen in the breast of
the Master, Wens the idea that the patronage of the
Drury-lane Fund is less than that of Covent-garden,
the illustrious presence which now presides over
our meeting will banish that painful thought, and
enable him to enfant), in his owu peculiar manner—
" Now is the winter of our discontent ,
1, ALide glorious summer by this sau of YORK !"
(Thunders of applause.)
The Duke of YORK proposed " The Health of
the Vice-Presidents."
Lord 110I.LAND, in returning thanks, observed,
that it wus unitecesaary fur him to say ally thing
on the moliv..s which had occasioned their assem-
bling together that day. After what they had heard
so beautifully delivered by Mr. Keats, he could nut
add a 'tingle word with respect to the Institution—
except that it was an Institution calculated to raise
the character of the British Stage, and by that
means to be advantageous to the country in general.
To prove that it was calculated to exalt the Stage,
it was only necessary to state, that it was founded
by Mr. Garrick, and was that day supported by
Mr. Keau.—(Appinase.)—To chew that it would
rsise the character of the country in general, he
bud only to state, that an 'lllustrious Duke was in
the Chair, who felt deeply interested in the wel-
•fare of the community, and most auxisus to pro-
mote its happiness.—(Applause.)
The healths ofthe Committee—of Mrs. Garrick—
and of the male and female performers of Drury-
lane Theatre—were drunk with great applause.
The memory of Mr. Sheridan—Success to the Co-
vent-garden Fund—the health of the Duke of
Bedford—and prosperity to the City of London—
were also duly honoured.
In the course of the evening, the company were
entertained with • variety of songs, glees, and
catches. Amongst these, a glee, composed . fur
the occasion, by Mr. J. W. Ritooes, attracted
paiticulur notice. It was worthy of the applause
it received. A song, written, and swig, by 31r. T.
01801 N—which, like all his compositions, was—
" Armed with light points, antitheses, and puns,"

was much applauded.—,Mr. Webb, so celebrated
fur his Irish. songs.. executed Paddu Carry with
great humour, unil no leas vocal excelleuce. A
mock Italian song, by Mr. Taylor—and a bur-
le.que Italian %cella by Mr. T. Cooke, in which
his parody of Naldi was admirable—excited uni-
versal bursts of laughter. Mr. l'yne'a execution
of Doke Domani, and Mr. Spray'. performance of
Sir J. Stevenson's celebrated air of " Faithless
Emma," were delightful efforts.
Ili the course of the evening, Mr. KEAN, as
Master of the Institution, stated, that the aubsciip-
lions amounted to nearly 1,000/.

The Duchess tdloßK ;elect party last
evening.
Yesterday the Duchess of CUMBERLAND W:IN
better of her cold ; her Royal Iligbiless did not
leave the house.

The Mince of HESSE I-10MBOURO spent Tumidly
evening with the Duke and Duchess of CUMBER-
LAND. Yesterday his Serene Highness rode on horse-
back, attended by Baron ORAGNTEN. Ills Serene:
Highness received visits from the Earl of A amt.
DEEN. Sir CULLEN SMITH, Count MUNSTER,
mid Mr. Haut uTON. In the evetting lire Serene
Highness honoured the Itlerquisand Marchioness of
?4TAFFORD With his presence, accompanied by
Baron ORAOHTEN.

King CHARLES IV. of Spin propotes to vivit
bi• brother the King of NAPLES, in April. The
tw•o brothers Kure not seen filth uthtr these ii:ty
yearv.

WINDSOR. Manot 11.

On Monday Lord ARDEN left the Castle fat
London.

The weather proving cold, her MAJESTY has oot
left the Castle for tw•o days past.
Yesterday Lady .TURN THYNNE arrived at the
Goole, Gila visit to herMAJEsTY and the PRINCESSES.
This morning the weallier !troi•ins. tine, the
QUEEN and Princesses AUGUSTA 1.11111 ELIZABETH,
attended by a Ludy in Waiting. took an airing in a
coach awl lour on the Maidenhead road, and return-
ed to the Castle to dinner.

The floods here are very high, but we are happy
to state that they ure dispersing. It is a very 'mini
sight to see the country covered with water, fron►
Maidenhead Bridge to Staines, and nothing to br
been but trees and hedge*. • • •

lIGNE CIRCUIT.

ESSEX ASSIZES.-CHELMSFORD.

On Tuesday the Lent Assizes for this county commeneed,
before Mr. Baron GRAHAM, on the Cruwu Sidi, and Ur.
Byron Wools, on the Civil Side.

CIVIL stns.
TURNER r. GIFFIN AND WILSON.

Thia was at. action for false imprisonment, the Mfentlants
having maliciously, and without any reasonable or probable
cause, charged the Plaintiff with feloniously killing a fallow
deer, in II:61111111i Forest, whereby he was apprehended anti
detained in custody fur the space of twelve hunts.
The case was this:—The Plaintiff was bailiff to a gentle-
man, named Elaey, residing in Chigwiell-row, on the bur.
tiers of flainault Forest; the Defendant, Wilsou, %as
one of the under keepers of that forest, and the other
Defeudant was au assistant-keeper. On Sunday, 11w 141 h
tif Deceinber last, a fallow deer had been shut ii. the
forest by two persona, and the body 4.f the /Miltd
was carried away, and hid by them. In about a we.k
afterwards the Defendant, ((((( lodged an information
against the Plaintiff, and another tumuli roamed %V....dfine,
as being concerned in that transaction, mid the other De-
k ktidant positively swore time he saw the ifl' and 11'00.I.
flue shout the deer, carry it away, and slit' it. Upon this in-
formation the Plaintiff was apprehended. tinder a warraut
granted by a Magistrate 'maned Layton, but Woodtine has
never since been heard of, The Plaintiff was imp, mimed
the whole of the following night, and next morning, being
Sunday, he was liberated by the Magistrate, ilium his mas-
ter's undertaking for his appearance. Oil the Monday
the matter was itiveoigated, and the Plaintiff proved, lb a
lie was not present at the lime the deer was supposed to
have been been shot by him; lie was consequently
dis-
charged, and he vow brought the present action. There was
an omit that the Defendants lied any nialitiona motive in
the part they had acted.
Mr. GURNEY coateudell, that in order to entitle the
Plaintiff to a verdict, they Inuit be satisfied that the De-
fendants had acted front malicious ntolives--bitt ns all the
evidence in the case negatived that supposition, his clients
were entitled to a verdict.

Thr Jiscv, after nmrideiiuE abont a gustier of an lintn,
found a venlict fur the Defeathula.