The National Register.
London, England, 1818-03-15 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE FUND MEETING.

415

On Wednesday a numerous and most respectable
company of Gentlemen met at the City of Loudon
vent, and dined together, his Royal Highness the
Duke of York in the Chair ; supported by the Earl of
Essex, Lord Holland, &e. &c. The object of the
Meeting was to countenance and supoort the Theatrical
Fund of Drury Lane Theatre, originally instituted by
Mr. Garrick, and the Members of which were incur-
prated by Act of ParlLlinent. We arc prevented by
the overflow of important matter, from entering into a
detail of the proceedings, which were most gratifying
:from the genemus spirit of benevolence that w' mani.
rested, and most delightful trout the•Teeelies that were
delivered, as well as front the excellence of the musical
treat. Mr. Kean, as Master and 1 reic-urer of the
Fund, explained its nature and its plLsent state. ire:
did this em an Address of the mint graceful ,ca
sive eloquence. Indeed we do nut remember to have
heard a speech more apt to the purpose, or more taste-
ful, both in the eemposiLion and delivery. It was
etidently drawn from hint also on the instant, as the
Royal Duke coupled his name unexpectedly with that
of tile Fund they were assembled to support. Mr. Kean
paid elegant and respectful compliments to his Royal
Highness---and to the numerous company who had ho-
Jawed the Corporation "ith their presence ; and he
concluded with bearing his warm testimony of praise to
the admirable manner in which his excellent friend and
predecessor, Mr. Bannister, as Master mid Treasurer a
the. Fund, had exerted his high talents in its support.

Mr. Bannister's health .wa.idrank with acclamations,
•and in .a .short speech he returned thanks. Ile had
spent the pleasantest years cf his life on the stag c, and
in quitting it, he had felt sincere pleasure in resigning
into the hands of Mr. Kean the placa which hs had so
luug held in the conduct of the Fund. lie admired
the talents of Mr. Kean, which were truly original ;
and though that Gentleman had with reason deplored
the &lien condition of the Fund, he was surehe might
now, from the experience of that day, exclaim with
his usual emphusis.—
.. Now is the winter of our diseowents
" Mule glorious summer by the Sun of York"
The day was spent with the utmost conviviality, and
the subscription amounted to 10001.

IMPROMPTU,
On bearing that the Admission of a celebrated Critic, named
" PETt.a." was stopped at Drury !Aim, by Order of My.
,P. Moony.

" Have they," cried Tom, withsouse surprise,
Thrust Peter from the *lour?
Frani Drury's Scenes, ir they are win,
They'll thrust one Peter4f*re."

• One clumgein -the Admiralty has, we We've,' been
.long settled, _and report now speaks of another. It is
rumoured-that both Vice Admirals-Sir 'Joseph Yorke
and Sir George Hope are. to retire.; and that Rear Ad..
moral Sir George Cockburn and Sir Gerry Hotham are
•to be their successors. The appointment of Sir George
Cockburn to the Admiralty is an appointment that
meets with universal approbation.
.Friday, the 6th inst. Mr. St. George .wasdispatched
. to-Swdden, with the Prince Regentivautswer to. the
letters notifying the death of KingtCharle6.2Clll., Se
also with new credentials for Lord Strangferd, as Mi.
nister to the present King, Charles John. Mr. Eng..
strum, the Swedish Charge d'Affaires, has taken the
oath of alleiiimice to the new King.ofnll the Swedes
and Norwegtans.at present in London.
Near 20,0001. has bean sobseribed in aid of the views
1 of • the• Society fur promoting the enlargement and
building of Churches and Chapels ; among the sub•
scribers are, the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church,
Oxford, for 10001. ; the Bishop of Durham 5001. ;
Rev. C. Dawbeny, Archdeacon of Sarum, 5001. ;
Hoare, Esq. 3001. ; Duke of Northumberland, 5001;
and the Countess Dowager of Rosse, 5001.
The Bishop of Oxford will hold, the course of
the ensuing summer, the Visitations and Confirmations
in the Diocese of Durham, fot the Prelate of that Sec.
His Lordship will also • consecrate the new churches
and chapels erected by ~the• Cuveraurs.ef Greenwieh
Haspitail, in Northumberland, ,under thevi..ct, cf; Par.
Bement -fur the division of the .I'..ectely of ...iar.oubtirn.
A number of. the . French specimens of Vienna per.
celaine have lately been received by the Ambassador,
as presents Nut. the Enipetur to the Queen and the
Prince Regent, which have been exhibaed to a select
few of the fashionuble world, at the hotir.e of Prince
Fsteehazy. They will form a splcudid addition to
the 'Royal China I?cpeskuries at Frogmore and Brigh.
ton. Some of the specimens were intended for the
late Princess Charlotte ; and, we undeustand, some
difficulty has .occurred in point of Court diquettc, how
they are new to be disposed of.
In the will of the late Wm. Kennedy Cmufurd, of
(Teton, i). dated 7th 1814., and proved at
Doctors' Cain:eons on the sth inst. is =Mined ale.
gacy in the •fhllowing words :
ewe to the Chaim:llot of the It xelequer. in trust,: for the na-
tion. Cie scm of one hundred pounds. anti hope every man wilj
contribute in proportion to his property.'
The effects arc sworn under 14,0001. John Tale
sop, luercha*,:of Briatql,.ia the ea„Autos,