The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-11 00:00:00

ROYAL GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND,

Yesterday the anniversary festival in aid of the funds
,of this comparatively recently established but most de-
servedly successful and prosperous institution took place
at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate•street. Mr. R. M.
Milnes, M.P., occupied the chair, and the general com-
pany mustered 160. The assemblage of ladies in all parts
of the room appropriated to them was very numerous.
'The musical arrangements—which were of an unusually
;attractive character, were under the surveillance of Mr.
'U craze.

The CHA.IrtmAN having proposed the usual loyal toasts,
gave " the Army and Navy," coupling with the two pro-
lessions the names of Col. Mansfield and Mr. T. P. Cooke.
Colonel -MANSFIELD returned thanks for the army, and
loner a formal one, as it
used to be, but at pre.,ent gave occasion for the embodi-
snent and expression of the genuine enthusiasm of the
nation from one end to the other.
Mr. T. P. CooE, who was received with the most en-
thusiastic cheering, said that he might safely leave the
t3ervice—hoth naval and military--to speak for them-
iselves. They had not, it was true, opened their mouths
as yet, but when they did so it would be in a language
',intelligible and satisfactory to England and to the
'world.

The next toast was " The Members of Parliament
present," which was eloquently responded to by Mr. G.
Vernon, M.P.

The CHAIRMAN then proposed in eloquent terms the
t oast of the evening, " Prosperity to the General Thea-
trical Fund," and made a most effective and touching
appeal on behalf of the institution.
Mr. BUCKSTONE, who was received with long-con-
tinued cheering, proceeded to corroborate the appeal of
the chairman. He said—Gentlemen, it has often been
any pleasant duty to acknowledge the toast you have
ust honoured with so much enthusiasm, but seldom
have I risen for that purpose with such feelings of hope
and exultation as I possess at this moment, for the spe-
c ial reason that, in returning thanks and giving an
account of the General Theatrical Fund, I have only
bo tell you of its increasing prosperity, and its grow-
ing usefulness, and the recognition it now meets with
firom every member of the theatrical. profession and
every lover of the drama. That it is recognised by
&very lover of the drama I have only to refer you to the
distinguished list of gentlemen who have occupied the
chair on these occasions, and for the last nine years.
Literary men, statesmen, dramatists, and our leading
actors have, during that time, generously appeared here
bo encourage us and our cause with their presence, and
teo exert their eloquence in our behalf; and though last,
nof least, ought we not to be proud of our excellent
chairman this evening ?—a gentleman of high standing
in the senate—a poet—a man of letters and of influence,
and who kindly puts aside matters of greater moment to
attend here and plead the cause of our fund, thus show.-
hag, by the countenance given to it by him, that it in-
deed merits the consideration and the patronage of
the first talents and the first gentlemen in the country.
It is now but a " thrice-told tale" to explain the pur-
poses of our fund—indeed, as this is the ninth anni-
vesary of our festival—its objects have been set forth
thrice three times—so that with our " thrice to thine
and thrice to thine," we have happily arrived at the
"thrice again, that makes up nine," though I will
not add, with Macbeth's witches—" Peace—the charm's '
wound up," for I fervently hope that the charm of
this annual meeting may continue for nine times
nine, and for a longer period than that, while its
objects, its intentions, and its influences continue as
they are. Still, as there may be some present who have
yet to know the particulars of our institution, I shall
briefly state that it was founded for the purpose of afford-
ing relief and granting annuities to actors of every de•
nomination, and of every theatre in England, when
age or infirmity shall prevent them following their pro-
fession. All actors, singers, dancers, pantomimists,
and prompters, are eligible for admission, and to claim
the benefits of our fund, according to its rules ; and at
II this moment we number the large amount of 131 sub-
scribers, producing us an annual income of 5251. Your
generosity, gentlemen, at these festivals, has materially
assisted us, while, from the benevolence of yearly sub-
scribers, headed by the magnificent donation of her most
gracious Majesty, our present capital amounts to nearly
8,0001 For some time previously, and during the past
year, we have paid seven annuities of front 301. to
601. and 901., while we have returned money to the
survivors of deceased members, forwarded sums for
funeral expenses, and voted donations in sad and
special cases, and which cases, were you to know
of them, you would not only approve of our libe-
rality, but be doubly generous this evening, so that
we should be enabled to do the like again. To
prove to you, gentlemen, with what confidence we are
regarded by old members of the stage, I have now to
state to you that the Edinburgh fund, which has ex-
isted many years, and now numbers but a limited list
of subscribers 'and annuitants, with a capital of 3,0001.,
is about to become incorporated with the General Thea-
trical Fund, which will receive its existing subscribers,
and guarantee all present and future annuities. It was
at a dinner in celebration of the anniversary of the
Edinburgh Fund, and when the guests had assembled,
as we are at this moment, that Sir Walter Scott con-
fessed himself to be the writer of the Waverley Novels.
When proposing success to the fund, and the health of
Mr. Mackay, the treasurer, and the famous representa-
tive of Bailie Nicol Jarvie, the avowal was made, and
with that famous bailie I Lye been in correspondence
respecting the amalgamation. The Norwich Theatrical
Fund, also with a capital of 3,0001., and a limited num-
ber of subscribers and annuitants, is about to be asso-
ciated with us—negotiations to that effect having been
carried on for some time, and which are now likely to
be soon completed. And now, gentlemen, I have to
mention another sum which is about to be added to
our capital, and respecting which a short narrative
may not be uninteresting. Many years ago, in my
" green and salad youth," it may be in the memory
of several of the oldest inhabitants of this metropolis,
that I was an actor at the Royal Coburg Theatre. At
that time many members of the company established a
fund ; the amount of subscription was very trifling, but
trifling as it was the salaries we received were not suf-
ficiont to enable us to be very punctual in our payments.
I will confess what mine was, and I was then a principal
performer—or I will make the confession as an anec-
dote. Terry and Yates were then the managers of the
Adelphi Theatre, and as I had produced a successful
drama there, they were disposed to secure my services
as an actor. On stating their wish and their offer to
the then worthy manager of the Coburg, he was perfectly
astounded that I should entertain the most remote idea
of leaving him. " What will you do there, sir, said he ?
What can you do : What will become of you ? No, my
dear boy," he benevolently added, "remain with me,
and as long as ever you live you shall have your 30s. a
week ; what can you wish fur more ?" Well, gentle.
men, I was a subscriber to this fund, a sum was collected,
and trustees appointed, and everything done that was
regular ; but whether it might be in addition to the
smallness of our salaries that our transpontine habits at
that time were more reckless and expensive than those of
the actors of the same locality at the present day, or, it
might be, that we were young and careless, with the
world before us, and never dreaming of having grey
hairs or bald heads, except those we wore when in the
exercise of our professional duties, but after a short time
all the subscribers became defaulters, and I was amongst
them. One of the trustees—and now the only surviving
one (Mr. T. P. Cooke)—retained possession of the amount
actually collected, and for many years it has been in his
charge, and he has not known what to do with it. Still,
faithful steward as he has been, he placed it out at in-
terest, and though the sum originally was but 801., it
has now increased to 1931. Legal assistance has been
called on to indemnify Mr. Cuoke, and that amount
will now be placed to the account of the general thea-
trical fund ; thus, gentlemen, with 6,2001. added to our
existing capital of nearly S,OOO/., and with what we
know you will give us this evening, we may safely calcu-
late that before many clays pass over our heads our
total amount of funds will much exceed the important
suns of 14,0001. Still, gentlemen, with increasing suc-
cessll we incur increasing liabilities, and withourand
subscribers it will need the nicest calculation 3
care to meet all the claims that will come upon us. What
we shall now require will be an eligible investment of
our capital, for we are not so fond of Government stock
as to refuse to place our money where it will be quite
as safe, and yield greater advantages,uof
tie andi twhrifety and
do not
look to pay our annuities solely
infinitesimal doses of interest givent by the old lady of
Threadneedle-street. As I have declared, gentlemen,
the prosperity of our fund, and the recognition it meets
with,
I have yet toprove to you its usefulness, and
which I can pleasantly show by the emulation it has
excited over the Atlantic. A General Theatrical Fund
based upon ours, with the same rules, and on the same
liberal principles, has been established in New York,
and where its members and patrons aro on this day
celebrating their annual festival—that fund, I am
happy to say, is equally prosperous with our own,
and I cannot give you a stronger instance of the warm
and generous feelings of the gentlemen who support
that fund than in relating a circumstance that took
place at their last annual dinner, twelve months ago.
At the close of the festivities, and after two thousand
dollars bad been subscribed, the treasurer, on giving
an account of the position of the fund, stated that
thirteen hundred dollars were required before, by the
laws of the state, they could be enabled to grant an-
nuities ; and lie hoped, with the capital they then pos-
sessed, that iu a year or so they should hold the requi-
site amount—thirteen hundred dollars were wanting to
enable them to commence business. The gentlemen pre-
sent were too impatient to wait the year or so ; a sudden
commotion was observed in the hall ; the stewards
were unusually busy ; several gentlemen were observed
to be performing rapid acts of penmanship ; when it
was announced that thirteen glorious fellows at that
table had subscribed one hundred dollars each. Two
others, who had not written fast enough, implored to be
admitted with two hundred dollars more, and the sum
required was paid down then and there. " The glorious
thirteen" has been a standing toast ever since ; and if
this is not a fine instance of the generous and impul-
sive go-a-headiveness of Yankee spirit, I don't know
what is, and I am only too happy to relate the circum-
stance at this moment, as I know there are several Ame-
rican gentlemen who have come here this evening to
honour a4cl serve tie by their promo. now,

' gentlemen, having given a full account of our pre-
sent condition, I leave our cause in your handse; I:,A. i.)
~ K.,
And when the stewards shall stand by your side, I kn0w...„... l'-241
\
I can leave it with confidence to your pencils. At the' !.Tb..,
same time I feel that I cannot conclude my address to ~-.Ar!.\.,W.
you this evening in a more appropriate way, . and in acNSti,,%l7
manner more likely to act upon your charitable im-`4,. i:
pulses, than in quoting some lines once written by our ,_4: lii
poet-chairman : . -,•4 h ,'
• tc, ,
" When poverty, with mien of shame, "-- ''''';''' Z.ll "
The sense of pity seems to touch,— v. a S •
Or, bolder, makes the simple claim,
Thatl we have nothing—you have much
Believe not either man, nor book,
That bids you close the opening hand,
And with reproving speech and look
Your first and free intent withstand."
"The Bar and Mr. E. James," " Tbe Modern Drama
and Mr. W. Wallack," "The Strangers present and Mr.
A. Smith," having been proposed, and duly honoured,
Mr. Tom TAYLOR proposed "The Health of the Chair-
man," who acknowledged the compliment in eloquent
terms.

Several other toasts having been proposed and re-
sponded to, the company separated.
The subscriptions announced during the evening
amounted to about Z;00/.

SEIZURE OF 8114 G. 11. SEfIIOUR'S
PROPERTY AT ST. PETERSBUIiG.

We fear there is no doubt of the melancholy and
• ridiculous fact, that his Imperial Majesty the Emperor
of all the Russias has seized and appropriated Sir H.
' G. Seymour's property at St. Petersburg. As the per-
sons and property of ambassadors and others concerned
in the political intercourse of nations have ever been
held sacred, such an act as that reported must raise the
gravest suspicions as to the sanity of our antagonist.
Everybody will remember the extravagances of the Em-
peror Paul on a like occasion. That eccentric personage,
after venting his spite against the English, nationally
and individually, in all sorts of ways, declared war, and
at once, without the usual warning, seized all the mer-
chants' ships then in the Neva, and, when two of them
had managed to effect their escape, revenged himself
upon them by burning all the rest. Whether that will
be the fate of Sir G. H. Seymour's house and goods,
or on what pretence they have been seized, contrary to
the law and practice of the whole civilised world, we
have yet to learn. There is something so inconceivably
petty in such an act, and so contrary to the customs,
not only of " gentlemen," but even emperors, and all
civilised beings, that one naturally tries to escape from
believing it, by supposing some process of Russian law
with which Englishmen may be excusably unacquainted.
It looks, however, very like an act of revenge
for the publicity given to the Secret Correspond-
ence and confidential communications of the Em.
peror. But such a revenge must recoil on its
author, and the too eager expectant of a " sick man's"
property has not mended his case by pouncing on the
goods and chattels of a departing ambassador. Possibly
the Czar may think to pick up some papers that may
edify the world as much as the last little disclosure. It
may be only a " temporary occupation," or perhaps the
Emperor seeks a " material guarantee" for the future
silence of the British Minister on the subject of his in-
terviews. Whatever the motive, or colour, or form, or
pretence, it is a most pitiful proceeding. Europe will
only see in it one more instance of habitual appropria-
tion. The regular practitioner in this line takes nothing
amiss that comes in his way, and will pocket with equal
pleasure a few thousand pounds or a cotton pocket-hand-
kerchief; and the Emperor, with the like professional
spirit, can turn turn from the occupation of provinces to
the seizure of tables and chairs, and such other heavy
goods as Sir G. H. Seymour could not easily carry away
with him. Certainly this is bringing home to us the
dangerous character of our neighbourhood. Sometimes
it is whispered in a theatre, "'fake care of your pockets."
That is the condition of Europe just now. " There is a
pickpocket among us." Sir G. H. Seymour has been
hustled and robbed. The articles are indeed of very
little value—more valuable to the owner than they could
be to an Emperor ; but when men are making war on
the whole human race, they no more care for the value
of the booty than a sportsman does for the worth of the
poor beasts, birds, or fishes he is so anxious to bag.
The promptitude of the operation shows, beyond a
doubt, that the Emperor was prepared to act on the
contingency. Such a man is never taken by surprise.
He knows what to do with an unguarded house as
well as with a falling empire. In mercantile phrase,
the Minister's departure bad already been discounted,
and the Emperor enjoyed the property in anticipation.
In this case there was nobody to consult, and, happily,
no one to divide the spoil with. Nor, again, were
there any embarrassing alternatives. The imperial
housebreaker has not been under the painful necessity of
laying down beforehand what be would not permit on
the part of those whom he suspected of competition for
the prize. He has been under no occasion to explain,
" I will not permit the goods to be carried away. I
will not permit the house to be sold ; nor can I permit
it to be occupied by a tenant. One thing only will
permit,—viz., that I may take it and its contents for as
long a term as I think proper." The Emperor has been
permitted on this occasion to go through all these alter-
natives in the privacy of his own mind, and this " secret
correspondence" of an imperial housebreaker will never
see th© light. But, on the other hand, there is no dis-
guise. There could be no pretence of political necessity,
no fear of a dangerous neighbour. The Emperor ap-
pears to have laid his hands on the property without
more ado than if he had found a purse on the roadside
and pocketed it. But we beg the Emperor's pardon.
We said that he made no public preparation for the
seizure. He did make a preparation, and that was his
usual one. He informed the world some time since,
of course on the word of' a gentleman, that the property
of Englishmen would be sacred at St:Petersburg. Those
unfortunate Englishmen who still choose to remain within
reach of the imperial talons will know what is meant by
sanctity when it is promised by an Emperor. In this
country these matters are left to the universal rules of
international law, interpreted by our authorities. In
Russia to this security is added the " word of an Em-
peror," and the value of that additional security may be
seen in this instance.—Times.