The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-22 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—The document read by Mr. Tom Taylor, at the
last meeting of the Sbakspere Committee, signed by him-
self, Mr. Theodore Martin, and Mr. Shirley Brooks, appears
to me to be but a modified reiteration of a plan proposed by
me years since, when a very young man ; I cannot, there-
fore resist again placing before the public the plan in ques-
tion.

The proposition was originally made in 1848 ; and dis-
cussed in two pamphlets, written by me, entitled "A House
for Shakspere. A proposition for the consideration of the
nation." The first pamphlet (a reprint from an article in
" Hood's Magazine ") was published by Mr. Hurst, of King
William-street, Strand, and tho second, six months after-
wards, by Mr. Mitchell. of Red Lion-court, Fleet-street.

The plan was warmly and cordially approved by many
eminent literary men, from some of whose communications
I extract the following opinions
SIR EDWARD BIILWER LYTTON, BART., 111.1).—" I
thank you much for your able and interesting pamphlet. I
think it would indeed be a most desirable object to obtain a
theatre strictly appropriated to the Higher Drama, Your
exertions cannot but do good."
CRAIILES DICKENS—" That such a theatre as you de-
scribe would be but worthy of this nation, and would not
stand low upon the list of its instructors, I have no kind of
doubt. I wish I could cherish a stronger faith than I have,
in the probability of its establishment on a rational footing
within fifty years."

'WILLIAM HOWITT—" I thing yours is a grand plan for
a House for Shakspere,' and what ought to be carried

out."

'ESTLAND MinsTox—"l cordially sympathise with
its spirit and its purp)se, and trust that an object so desir-
able and at the same time so feasible will be retained in the
minds of those who hive the power to realise it."

CHARLES MACKA(—" I cordially approve of your sug-
gestion, and entirely concur in the reasoning by which you
support it." . _ _

SIIERIDIN KNO`LES—" I have perused your paper.
I admire the argum,,,n.t, and wish that it may be turned to
account."

CHARLES KEMBIE—" I read it with great pleasure ; and
at the conclusion heaved a sigh, that so much enthusiasms
should be doomed t) disappointment."

R. H. HORNE—S Such a proposition ought to come to
something, and wi 1."
JOHN A, HERAJD—" I do feel an interest in your ' pro-
position,' and shoild be glad to be a labourer in such a
work,"

Wm. B. MacC,BE—" I have read with much interest
your essay—' A Rouse for Shakspere.' I think the pro-
position container in it excellent, but inopportune."
The pamphlets were favourably reviewed at the time, and
notices appeared in the following publications, as well as
in many others :—" The Westminster and Foreign Quar-
terly Review," `The Literary Gazette," "Douglas Jer-
rold's Weekly sews," " The Morning Herald," " Tho
Sunday Times," " The Court Journal," " The Advertiser,"
" The Sun," " r..'he Atlas," and " The New York Literary
World." The 3 were issued at the time that means were
being taken to fecure to the nation, by purchase, the house
in which Shakspere was born. The times were then, how-
ever, so thoroughly "out of joint," that the Az); was neces-
sarily temporarily abandoned.

1. That the committee formed for the purpose of pre-
serving to the nation the house in which our "poet of all
time" had birch, having satisfactorily effected that object,
should not dis3olve.

2. That it being generally acknowledged that the human
mind receives most quickly, and retains most durabl), irn-
pressions made by dramatic representation, the importance
and expediency is suggested of purchasing
by national sub-
scription on the part of and for the people some theatre
where the works of Shakspere, the "world's greatest moral
teacher," may be constantly4performed.
3, That the said theatre should be open at such reason-
able charges ss shall be within the reach of all.
4. That the most able manager and best working com-
pany be engaged, and constantly retained; and that only
ono five •act drama shall be performed in the course of one
evening. _ _

5. That the Goiternment for the time being, or any other
body of men agreed upon, shall hold the said theatre in
trust for the nation, appointing a committee for the manage-
ment of the same.

6. That the said theatre shall be made to act as a great
and true dramatic school • at which, alike, the poet and the
performer, the creator and embodier (in-the highest walks
of the dramatic and histrionic arts), shall receive their
diplomas., thus fostering and sustaining living talent.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM WILSON,
11, Royal Exchange., Jan. 19, 1864.

tOLNEY-HATCH CHRISTMAS PARTY.—Yester-
day evening the managers of the Colney-hatch
Asylum gave their annual treat to the inmates of this ex-
cellent institution, On former occasions we have described
so tally the incidents of these entertainments that it is hardly
necessary to say more near than that this Christmas party
was, as usual, a great ,ticcogs. Of the 1,900 inmates of
the asylum, ahont tOO male and female, were permitted
to take part ill the festivities, and to them were added at
least 300 visitors, who mingled freely in the crowd, and
helped to promote the itotitions solemnity of the occasion.
The amusements provided by the visiting committee were
Numerous, but though the Nigger Minstrels were loudly
applauded, the troupe of Chinese jugglers and contor-
tionists were by fsr the greatest favourites. The great
dining hall of lha Asylum was the chief scene of the sports.
At one 'eta was erected a temporary stage on which the
vest;'Jus troupes engaged kept up a constant succession of
amusements. In the remainder there was ample space for
dancing, aad, to tell the truth, if the committee had engaged
two or three quadrille bands, one to succeed the other, so
as to keep up a continual succession of dance music, per-
baps they would best have consulied the general taste.
With or without partners the patients never seemed tired of
whirling round the room either to the polka or waltz mea-
sures. It was gratifying to remark how all present seemed
to enjoy themselves, the patients quite as much as the visi-
tors, and in the complete success of the party the officials
who thus endeavour to enliven the dreary life of their un-
fortunate charges have their chief reward.
CIVIL SERVICE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS. The
distribution of the numerous prizes s hot for by the mem-
bers of this corps will be distribt44 this evening at five
o'clock iu Weatrninder