The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-01 00:00:00

ROYAL DRAMATIC COLLEGE,

Yesterday afternoon the annual general meeting
of life governors, annual subscribers, and ordinary
subscribers to this fund was held at the Nev Adelphi
Theatre, to receive the annual report, and to elect
two male and three female pensioners.
Mr. BENJAMIN WEBSTER, who presided, baid he
was happy to inform them that they progressed so
favourably in the formation of the institution—
they had progressed so far that they might say
that they were treading on velvet, at all events
they were treading on very good Kidderminster.
If fortune favoured them in the future as it had in
the past, they would bs able to fill the whole of the
residences in the next year, and also to increase
the allowance to the inmates; Thera were 20 resi-
dences, tied all the furniture was paid for, which
was a great thing in any institution. The inmates
received 10s. a week, which was as much as the
present resources of the college would admit.
The inmates had coals, candles, and all medical
assistance that was necessary. In this respect they
were in ad vance of many institutions of much longer
standing. They had a noble building, with pictures,
and the nucleus of a very good library. Still this
had been attacked, like many other beneficial insti-
tutions, Some unblushing person had circulated
a rumour that the promoters of the college had re-
ceived £35,000, whereas the sum received had been
less than £17,500, and more than half of that had
been received from the fancy fair. As there would
be another fair in July, he trusted that the college
might egdu be fortunate, (Hear, hear.) Miss Brad-
don had given a house, while another had offered to
complete the residences of the governor and
governesses. They had started a fund for a school,
and the Provost of Eaton had consented to serve
on the committee. (Hear, hear.) All around the
college the clergy had exhibited the greatest
interest in if-. Referring to the death of Mr. T.
P. Cooke, the chairman read the terms of his
bequest, which provided, inter alia, for an annual
entertainment on the 23d of April, which was
Shakspere's birthday and his own.
Mr. ANSON, the secretary, then read the report,
of which the following are the principal portions :
" Since the last annual meeting the college has
lost the services of its warm-hearted friend, the
late Mr. T. P. Cooke. That gentleman for some

time occupied the office of deputy-master, from
which he retired only because failing health de-
manded it. But though he ceased to be deputy
master, he never ceased to attend the meetings of
the council, or to take part in the proceedings
while his state of health permitted him to do so ;
and when his medical attendants had expressed a
desire that he should only be seen by the members
of his family, he requested the presence of Mr.
Webster, the master of the college, that he might
be informed of its progress, and that he might make
known his bequest of £3,000, and the manner in
which he wished it to be employed. In their
last report the council expressed their regret that
they had found it necessary to terminate their con-
eec:ion with Mr. Wm. Webbe, who had been em-
ployed as architect. Though Mr Webbe, when
sending in his certificates of amounts due to the
builder, had always asked for and received his com-
mission, the council thought it advisable to enter
into a careful investigation of the terms of his en-
gagement, to see whether anything remained due to
him. All they imigined he could reasonably claim
was tendered, and something more ; but nevertheless
Mr Webbe sent in a claim of £2,629 6s 11d, and
intimated his intention to enforce it if not forthwith
paid. Of course nosuch demand could be entertained,
and at length the matter was submitted for the ver-
dict of a jury ; but the judge, thinking it a case for
reference, the council reluctantly consented, and the
result was an award of £104175, in addition to £36 ls
paid into court. It is one of the misfortunes of
English law that the costs are not apportioned in

accordance with the supposed erro:s of the respec

tive parties, and in consequence the council had to
pay the taxed costs of Mr Webbe, as well as those
of the defence; therefore, though the arbitrator by
his award cleansed Mr Webbe was in error to the
extent of £2,524 9s 13d, and the council only to
£lO4 173, he required piyment from the college
funds of £2lO 153 4d as Mr Webbe's costs, end £lB7
6s Bd, the costs of the awarc:. The fancy fete and
fair at the Crystal Palace, the ball at Willis's
Rooms, and the recent benefit at the Theatre Royal
Drury-lane, produced the usual profit, and the
council have, in the names of those on whose Lsehalf
they labour, expressed their acknowledgments to all
who have assisted them. As the buildings for the
pensioners have been completed, and as it may
reasonably be hoped that those who have laboured
in the cause will continue to exert themselves, or

that others not less useful will eucceed them, the
council are of opinion that five additional pensioners
—viz., three females and two males—should be
elected, thus making in the whole six female and
six male pensioners. It will now be your duty to
elect six gentlemen to become members of the coun-
cil for a period of four years. The following are

those who retire from office, all of whom are re-
eligible, viz. :—Messre. J. B. Buckstone, William
Cullenford, Frank Matthews, Robert Bell, G. B.
Childs, and W. R. Sams."
Appended to the report was a balance-sheet, which
showed that the receipts for the year ending April
30, 1861, had been £2,632 4s. 11d. There was a
balance at Messrs. Coutts' of £426 2s. 7d., and in
the secretary's hauds a balance of £94 2s. ld.
The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the r, port.
Mr. BILLINGS (the architect), in seconding it,
thought that it was necessary when vacancies
occurred that new blood should be infused into
the committee. He thought that some of the resi-
dences at the college might be let until they were
filled. He was almost tempted to make an offer
himself, that he might be allowed to b 3 amongst
such pleasant people. He had almost begun life
as a theatrical himself; his first speculation being
a theatrical one which turned out very successful.
In Charles Kemble's time he had the run of every

theatre in London, both before and behind the
scenes, and he became so disgusted that he deter-
termined never to go to a theatre again without
paying. (Cheers and laughter.)

The CHAIRMAN—And I think I have heard you
say that you enjoyed it all the better.

Mr. BILLINGS—Yes, sir, I have, (Laughter.)
After some discussion on matters of account, the
report was unanimously adopted, and the retiring
wardens were re-elected.
The meeting then proceeded to elect the pen-
sioners.

DETERMINED S UICID E.—Yesterday William
Brown, about 55 years of age, foreman to Messrs.
Gordon and Son, wine merchants, 1, Argyle-place, Regent-
street, committed suicide under the following circumstances.
It appears that the cellar not being opened as usual in the
morning, it was supposed that the deceased might have for-
gotten the key, of which ho had charge, and returned to
his home to fetch it. As the day wore on, and deceased
did not make his appearance, a messenger was sent to Cam-
berwell, where he had been residing, when his wife stated
that he had left home as usual in the morning. On the
messenger returning Messrs. Gordon ordered a strict search
of the cellar to be made, and, after some time, the deceased's
body was Lund in a water-butt in the cellar, it having evi-
dently baen there some hours. There is little doubt that
the deceased had premeditated the rash act, for in his
pocket was found a razor. The deceased had been in the
employ of Messrs. Gordon for above twenty-five years, and
of late it had been noticed that his mind showed symptoms
of being affected. The body was removed to St. James's
workhouse to await an inquest.
HOROLOGICAL PRODUCTIONS.—" Ranged around the
base of the clock were the watches which Mr. Benson ex-
hibited, and which have been universally admired for the
beauty and elegance of the designs engraved upon them.
The movements are of the finest quality which the art of
horology is at present capable of producing."—lllustrated
London News, Nov. 8, ME!. Chronometer, duplex, lever,
horizontal, repeaters, centre seconds, keyless, split seconds,
and every description of watch, adopted to all climates.
Benson's illustrated pamphlet, free by post for two stamps,
contains a short history of horology, with prices, and enables
th, se who live in any part of the world to select a watch or
clock. Prize medal and honourable mention, c'asses 33 and
15. J. W. Benson, Ludgate-hill, watch and clo k maker by
special warrant of appointment to ILII.II. the Prince of
Wales. Nstatolished 170,