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

GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND FESTIVAL.

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- CHAIEMA.N 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. CHARLES 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. BUCKSTONE rose amidst loud cheers and
said—Gentlemen, in returning thanks for the toast you
have just given, I 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 Bit, 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 our excellent chairman, and
his noble brother, neither our fund nor 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, thA I'should not only ex-
plain them, but give a full account of our position at this
moment. The General Theatricalnind 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
prompters, 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 much distinguished as for the unaffected
dignity and grace with 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
nez ambition, and which, I am happy to say, has been
completely achieved.; while, thanks to the considerate
liberality of our solicitor, Mr. Jerwood, and the gene-
rosity of Mr. Hindmarsh, the barrister, who,
h e honour
was
entitled,
t itthl
ed ,
the legal
ci l profession,tor which
ichkindness
ref used w
thee a
feesllfeel tot
which
ol
bound
in gratitude never again on the stage to speak dispar.ag.
ingly of a lawyer—(cheers and laughtev—thanks, there-
fore, gentlemen, to the skilful and
which we had fallen, the entire ex
having only amounted to 350/ thanks,
hands into
7,00 e our capital will this
rwaedvarae
tn
, whilp"" of our charter
evening be considerably over.
cavir:iutale oofnotutrochgtareatetre 0/. (Cheers.) By
done, and find ourselves inwtnbheaow enabled to place that
moneyabl e to
lask(Conheeearnso.)theri geenvtihaabnle we have
ohfittotge
at is the best to do with our
soon be most Satisfactorilyhere in will
questionf answered that I. havewh n, o doubt,
the heart of the city,
dutyt to inform you that weg haveoy ile to show
ants, three of whom are in receipt of 601. per annum ;
that during the past year we have paid a large amount
yourrreaatdiyention it is my
of money towards the expenses
rules
gentlemen,; an
deceased members, or returned half the amount of
their subscription to their survivors, according to our
you,
of the funeral eraanlnuoif.
proofour incsatintultiogin gyve
an
ofnothemeoxrcee .lsletrnckeinogf