The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-22 00:00:00

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relating one instance connected with it. A meritorious
actor and an excellent. man, a member ora favourite
metropolitan thetre, and who has often in this room
shared our festivities, was taken with an illness which
prevented him following his profession and earning a
living. His • medical attendants assured him that any
eicitemtnt or exertion would be atal, and he was o
dered to live in quiet retirement. Fortunately he was
a member of this fund—he nad subscribed to it the re.
quired seven years, which qualified him to 'claim its
benefits ; and although the gross amount of his subscrip.
tion during that term was not much over 301., he is now
in the enjoyment of an annuity of 601. a year. Nor do
we, gentlemen, allow that sum to be the limit of his in-
come--as we grow richer it will be increased, added to
which any annuitant is permitted to hold property to the
full amount he receives from us ; we, therefore, repu-
diate the words, as they run in the programme of one,
at least, of the great funds, "for the relief of the indi-
gent actor." (Loud cheers.) No, gentlemen, we do not
wound their feelings in that way—we look upon the an-
nuity given to our members as their just right, pur-
chased by their prudence, 'their punctuality in their pay-
ments; their savings, and augmented by your generosity.
And we hope that we shall always experience and de-
serve that generosity, even though our benevolence be
confined to our brother and sister actors—for we are no
sham philanthropists—We do not let our, sympathies go
over the sea,. while want and helplessness are to be found
in our own land No, gentlemen, we turn our backs
upon ladies with , missions. (Cheers and laughter.)
I assure you there is not a Mrs. Jellyby amongst
us ; and that, while suffering and sorrow are to be
found at our own doors, we shall give our first
attention there before we fall into a frenzy of feeling
for the unknown inhabitants of Borrioobolagha. And
here allow me to conclude an anecdote commenced by
your worthy chairman. I have heard from my excel-
lent friend, Mr. Jelin Barnett, the celebrated musical
composer, of the worthy divine referred to ; and I have
been further informed that at one time be had not 60,
but 200 pairs of slippers in his museum. Had he been
a Mussulman he might have found a use for them—
(laughter)--but not being so, he sent them up to London
and sold them for his own personal behuof 'and profit.
(Loud cheers, ,and :laughter.) To refer once more, gen-
tlemen, to our charter. I wish to bring to your remem-
brance our first treasurer, the late excellent Mr. Elton,
whose sad fate, has always been so deeply deplored, . , •
who was one of the most ardent o torsOf thii •
-His-aunt. was -so .strongly With.4lfie- necess y '
of this institution that she made a promise to give it a
legacy. That lady is now dead ; she kept her promise ;
and I have just received her bequest of 2001. The
lady's name was Mrs. Elizabeth Drew ; and I feel no
little gratification in assuring you that, while she re-
membered us, she did not forget poor Elton's children.
(Cheers.) But for our charter, gentlemen, this sum -
might have been lest to us. (Cheers.) But it is not ;
for I have it—though, I am sorry to add, with one
alloy, the deduction of the legacy duty of 10 per cent.
I am convinced that our worthy chairman, in his place
in Parliament, will one day think of that duty.
(Laughter.) Pardon me if I now venture to reply
to the kind allusion made by our worthy chairman to
the new position in the drama that I am about to
occupy. I can only say, as regards the Haymarket
Theatre, it shall be my strong endeavour to maintain
the high character which that house has always borne,
from the days of Foote and George Colman to those
of Mr. Webster. I assure you I have no belief in those
dreary, cant words, "the decline of the drama"—(cheers)
—and which, after all, are mostly uttered by those who
come in with orders. (Laughter.) lam firmly con-
vinced of the buoyancy, the vitality of the drama,
when proper means are used to attract the public ; and
though fluctuation must be expected in every pursuit,
yet in this lam sanguine enough to think that, with
right energy, ultimate success may be attained. I com-
menced my dramatic life a mere boy, and on the lowest
steps of the ladder ; as I ascended I found each step
firm and sustaining, and now that I am about to plant
my foot on the last and highest step, it would be hard,
indeed, if that should give way beneath me. But I don't -
think it will. (Cheers.) To those who may consider
me too trusting, I can only reply,. that no desponding
or timid man should ever embark in a public enterprise.
(Cheers.) Now, gentlemen, let me hope you will do
your best this evening for those who have passed a long
life in striving to amuse and instruct you ; and, thanking
our steadfast trusteee, Mr. Charles Dickens, for his con-
stant presence here, and assistance on every occasion—
thanking you for the patience with which you have lis-
tened to me—l leave the collecting committee to proceed
to their %duties, feeling convinced you will not forget
what I know
.you consider to be your own. (Cheers.)
The following subscriptions were then announced
amongst others, in the first list, by Mr. Cullenford, the
secretary :—Her Majesty, 1001., her annual donation ;
the chairman, Mr. H. F. Berkeley, 101. 10s. ; the Duke
of Devonshire, 101. 10s. ; the Earl Fitzhardinge, 51.55.;
Benjamin Webster, 51. ss. ; Madame Celeste, 51. ss. ;
Mr. Manby, 51. ss. ; Mr. Charles Kean, Si. ss. Mr.
Theodore Martin, 21.25. ; Mrs. Martin (late Miss Helen
Faucit), 51. ss. ; Mr. Creswick, Si. 55., &c. The total
amount of the first subscription paper was upwards of
3051., and that amount was afterwards increased.

THE NAVAL ENGINEERS' CLUB.-PRESENTA-
TION OF A TEA-SERVICE TO MR. BAKER.

A meeting of naval engineers has been held at the
Naval Engineers' Club, Portland House, Portsea, to
present Thomas P. Baker, Esq., R.N., inspector of
machinery, her Majesty's yacht Victoria and Albert,
" with a mark of the respect and esteem in which he is
held by his brother officers."
_ _

The Chairman (Mr. Marshall) introduced the subject
by adverting to the resolutions passed at a previous meet-
ing, when it was resolved, " That a piece of plate, or
some other testimonial, be presented to Thos. P. Baker,
Esq., R.N., inspector of machinery afloat, expressive of
the high opinion in which he is held by the chief and
assistant engineers of the Royal navy, particularly as a
mark of estimation for his undeviating steadiness and
rectitude of conduct during his lengthened period of ser-
vice under the various changes that have accompanied
the progressive rise of engineering in her Majesty's
navy." He then addressed Mr. Baker, and in present-
ing him with a silver tea service, expressed a hope that
he might be spared for years to enjoy the cup which
cheers but not inebriates, and that his children, in view-
ing the mark of the esteem in which their father was
held, might be incited to emulate him, and.by consistent
exertion raise themselves to a position proportionally
elevated above their present as he had done over his
former condition.

Mr. Baker, in an appropriate reply, said—l have now
served in the engineering branch of the navy upwards of
27 years, and every year not only attaches me more to
my profession, but to those who are enlisted in its ranks.
In so doing a period you may easily conceive I have
seen many and great changes, both in engineering and
in engineers—these changes, I am rejoiced to say, are
not only advantageous to the public, but to the body as
a class. The young engineer officers have now a wide
field open to them, and I trust soon to see by their
united efforts this field considerably extended. A recent
order given by the Admiralty, enabling the chief en-
gineers to go through a course of studies at the Naval
College, ought to be felt ,by every one, from the senior
to th junior engineer in the navy, -as a boon of no
ordinary character—and I trust this boon will be so

far extended, that the juniors will also—be able to
participate in its great advantages. I hold that legis-
lating for our future chief engineers of the Royal navy
will be of the greatest public benefit. I am quite
sure it will be highly gratifying to you all, as well
as to myself individually, to learn that every disposi-
tion on the part of the profess•rs at the Royal Naval
College is evinced to render all the assistance in their
power to bring you forward in those branches of science

which are so essentially necessary in order that you may be
able to blend your valuable experience with theory ; and
hence I trust (I am quite sure the Government hope so
too) a public good will ultimately arise. It would take
too much time for me now to explain the good that must
necessarily flow from naval engiinlnkte
know-
ledge of theoretical mechanics, with a view to that know-
ledge being blended with experience. Great prejudices,
I think I may truly say, have existed, and still exist
(but not to the the same extent), in the minds of many
of our superior officers ; these prejudices, I am glad to
say, arc fast being removed. I must again be allowed
to refer to the order already spoken of. Their lordships
e their
sciencex lresa iol
ymy 1
nti
unassisted, nh a
neean oat i.
officersoA
Acrd
taldinamdt
iatngyhreeyya attainingotu d
thereforea liffil, cbtu difficulty musttytohhffeoerare
th e bem
officers,e branchesexperi-
enced o
falso look upon this great boon in the manner their lordships intended
it ; and I do trust not one will be found so little inte-
rested‘oinndifice thankfully mhidnisoienlgf,
so)or at
to
ptrmit
hiiii
ef the class as a body, that will not (when improvement
the offer.
le service will
fetursoll'ytlhl
And I would here, if I may be ,l
a.. owed ,•
however far behind you might be in the , exhort you all,
of science, not to allow it for one mo
nient to act as a check,
or in any way prevent ypur off •
dates for these very valuable
offering yourselves as candi-
the old adage :—" It is never instructions. Remember
no hesitation in too late to learn." I have
affirming that much of fection of the marine
steam-engine is fairly due to the
naval and mercantile engineers. They have not, how-
ever, hitherto shared in the credit of the progressivemanow
improvements alluded
fairly hope the day h tor,ivaednd
hlat think
ewnegmeeyr will
honestly receive the reaws aarrd due tot his suggestions. There
is one thing more for which I must beg to be allowed
to trespass on your time a little longer, and that must be
on the subject of the Naval Engineers' Club. It must
be gratifying to us all, to me individually, I feel rejoiced
beyond measure, to be able to reply to this mark ofdesi
teem from the clubhouse of the naval engineers, an
trust you will all assist freely in maintaining
Is
on the
estab-
lishment in such a manner as will reflectcredit
for me to revert to the
class. It would be uselesshe fact of our having such
good that must arise from t
brings us fresh proofs
an establishment ; every day
would beg to call your attention
of its usefulness. I
it alone will be
to the list of honorary members ;
have
been met
sufficient at once to show how well we
executive and other officers of the navy and army,
by the
ofreading over that list will be
and I am sure the fact
equally gratifying you .
to all. I feel quite convinced
that in ten years hence the engineers will have cause to
be proud of having started such an establishmeat ; and
if the junior branches would avail themselves more of its
comforts, they would not only become attached to it,
but would be strenuous supporters of the principles i
advocates. I now conclude, sincerely wishing that yo
may all once in your lives experience the pleasure I now
feel, either in this or in some other manner equally
agreeable.
This beautiful tea-service was designed and manufac
tured by C. E. Surithers, sen.. silversmith, of Port , the pattern being after the Italian, and of sea-
a most chaste
design. On each article was beautifully engraved the
following inscription :—" Presented to Thomas P.
Ba-
ker,
-Esq., Inspector of Machinery, R.Nby
, y his brother
officers, as a tribute of their esteem" •
aaecvcinegpt a