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

GENERAL THEA TRICA L FUND FESTIVA L.

The fourteenth anniversary dinner of this excellent
institution took place last evening at the London Tavern ;
he Hon. F. H. Berkeley, M.P., in the chair. The
room was filled by a company of gentlemen connected
with the drama, either as members, or patrons and ad-
mirers of the art. After the usual loyal toasts—the
Army and Navy having been responded to by Mr. T. P.
Cooke

The CHAIRMAN proposed that of the evening, " Pros-
perity to the General Theatrical Fund." This was the
fourteenth anniversary of the institution, and he con-
gratulated its members upon its healthy and promising
condition, which, if the profession continued their exer-
tions, would go on increasing from year to year. The
honourable gentleman proceeded to combat the opposi-
tion which the drama was exposed to at the hands of
ministers of many religious sects, and cited several in-
stances of the kind, particularly the case of a clergyman
in the west of England, who had received not less than
fifty pairs of worked'slippers from the ladies of his con-
gregation, as memorials of his efforts to put down stage
plays and stage players. There was, however, a coun-
terbalancing influence to this in the example of her
Majesty, who for several years back had been en-
couraging the national drama, not only by introducing
it at a private theatre at Windsor Castle, but by fre-
quently patronising the best London houses, and by
lately buying a portable theatre for the Royal children
to act in. The honourable gentleman concluded by
proposing the prosperity of the institution.

Mr. CiAnLis DICKENS, in a humorous speech, then
proposed the health of the chairman, who duly replied,
and proposed that of Mr. Buckstone, the treasurer of the
association.

Mr. J. B. BIICKSTONE rose amidst loud cheers, and
said—Gentlemen, in returning thanks for the toast you I
have just given, am happy to say that my brief address
to you this evening will consist of everything that is
prosperous and pleasant as relates to the condition of the
General Theatrical Fund. In the first place, it is most
gratifying to us, and complimentary not only to our
society, but to the stage, that every year we find gentle-
men of high standing in the literary, political, and dra-
matic world to preside over us on this festive occasion,
not amongst the least of those who have so honoured and
helped us is our worthy chairman of this evening.
Besides his own warm attachment to the drama, he is one
of the members of a noble family that have always been
amongst the foremost to patronise our art in the most
substantial way ; for on referring to the list, gentlemen,
of the annual subscribers to our fund, you will find the
name of Earl Fitzhardinge standing in the most liberal
position ; and while we possess such noble patrons, and
such genuine well-wishers as oar excellent chairman, and
his noble brother, neither our fund not the drama need
ever despair. (Cheers.) It is necessary, gentlemen, as
there may be many present who are not quite acquainted
with our objects and intentions, that I should not only ex-
plain them, but give a full account of our position at this
moment. The General Theatrical Fund was established
13 years ago, for the purpose of affording relief and grant-
ing annuities to every member of the drama in the United
Kingdom, and to all who gained a livelihood on the stage,
admitting such professors as pantomimists, dancers, and
proLipters, that the more exclusive funds of the two
great theatres did not recognise. Slowly, but surely,
success attended all the exertions of the originators of
our institution, till we became of such -importance, and
gained such firm friends, that we were enabled to make
this annual appeal to the liberality of the public.
Her most gracious Majesty's attention then became di-
rected to us, and with that kindness and generosity for
which she is as mu3h distinguished as for the unaffected
dignity and gracewith which she adorns her royal sta-
tion, presented us with an annual donation of one hun-
dred pounds. To be incorporated by charter was our
nes ambition, and which, I am happy to say, had been
completely achieved ; while, thanks to the considerateees
liberality of our solicitor, Mr. Jerwood, and th e
gene-
rosity of Mr. Hindmarsh, the barrister, veho,tothehonour of the legal profession, refused the feesfeel bound
to which
unt it lne de
v,
eand
againfo rt which
the skindnesstage t
nw e all
hine
grwifitit entitled,
ingly of a lawyer--(cheers and lauotht speak
there-
fore,disparag-
ingly
gentlemen, to the skilful er)—thanks, and
4ich we had fallen, the entire expense
hands into
e
having only amounted to 350/ , whileexpense of our charter
evening be considerably over. 7 our capital will this
,000/.
virtue of our charter we are (Cheers.) BY
capital out to gleater now enabled to place that
advantage than we have hitherto
done, and find ourselves
able to ask one
another, What is
the best to do with our
money ? (Cheers.) A. 0 doubt,
with our many friends ' question that I have n
the city, will
here in the heart of
soon be most satisfactorily answered ; while, to shbw
how much we are deserving of your attention, it is my
duty to inform you that we have already eight annui-
tants, three of whom are in receipt of 601. per annum ;
that during the past year we have paid a large amount
of money towards the expenses of the funeral of
deceased members, or returned half the amount of
their subscription to their survivors, according to our
rules ;, and no more striking proof can
institution than inI give you,
gentlemen, of the excellence of our

' relating one instance connected with it. A meritorious
actor and an excellent man, a member of a favourite
metropolitan theatre, 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
excitement or exertion would be atal, and he 'was oy
dered to live in quiet retirement. Fortunately he was
a member of this fund—he nad subscribed to it the re.
hq
ouni re efidt a sevend
ayl
te ah
rsoUgthithcehgrciousasiffiamedounhitmof hist° caluabimscriip.tB
tion during
.that term was not much over 301., he is now
wine,thgeonetinjeoroymen,enatiloofwanthaantnaunintyl
to
of
h6eo/t.hao year.ihn 0
fNhofar
indo.
whiche'lne— aaanywane nglawannt. richer
epreirmit weitedbo increased,hol proera&dteodtht
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 unknikWO 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. John Barnett, the celebrated musical
composer, of the worthy divine referred to ; and I have
been further informed that at one time he 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 behoof 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, and
who was one of the most ardent originators of this fund.
His aunt was so strongly impressed with the necessity
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 lost to us. (Cheeri.) 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.) I am 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 I am 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 he 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 oecasion—
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, 51.594
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. BASER.

A meeting of naval engineers has been held at the
Naval Engineers' Club, Porthind House, Portdea,"Co
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 as 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 propertionallY
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 1 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 the 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 professors at the Royal Naval
College is evinced to render all the assistance in their
power to bring yon 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 engineers having a 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, are fast being removed. I must again be allowed
to refer to the order already spoken of. Their lordships
intendedttle
expressly mention that great difficulty must be experi-
enced by these officers in attaining to those branches of
science unassisted, and they therefore offer the means at
theuponandthisinte-
rested
service will
permit
(whenl lyd
e accept the offer.
ma
onybee
te chlaimss
dasoi ang body,so) at
thaot n will iltlhnaon
allowed
however far behind you mightbe in the necessary necessary , exhort yranchou al
es
l,
An
es
allowif
it
for momentew to act as a check,
b
or in any way prevent your offering
yourselves as candi-
dates for these very valuable instructions. Remember
the old adage :—" It is never too late to learn." I have
no hesitation in affirming that much of the present per-
fection of the marine steam y due to the
naval and mercantile en 'nee-enginThe iesyfahiarvle not, how-
ever, hitherto shared ingithersCredit of the progressive
improvements alluded to, and I think we may now
day fairly hope the
---- has arrived that each engineer will
honestly receive the reward due to 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 be gratifying to us all, to me individually,
this mark of beyond measure, to be able to reply tol
.rs,
and I
es-
teem from the clubhouse of the
maintaining
estab-
lishmenttrust you will all assist freely in
as will reflect credit on the
in such a
ineanunseerless for me to revert to the
class. It would .
b from the fact of our having such
good that must arise
emery day brings us fresh proofs
of its usefulness. I w
an establishment ;
every day brings us fresh proofs
of its usefulness. I would beg to call your attention
to the list of honorar
members ; - be
y
sufficient at once to show how well we have been met
t ve and other officers of the navy and army,
by the "e" ti 'e f t of reading, over that list will be
and I am sure the ac
cfyine• equally gra.l ~_
• to you all. I fe‘.l quite convinced
the engineers will have cause to
that in ten years hence
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 thepleasure 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. Smithers, sen., silversmith, of Portsea,
the pattern being after the Italian, and of a most chaste
design. On each article was • beautifully engraved the
following inscription :—" Presented -tp Thomas P. Ba-
ker, Esq., Inspector of Machinery, R, Nby his
L officers, as a tribute of their esteem:l