The Sun.
London, England, 1825-03-19 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRICAL FUND.

The Anniversary Dinner, to commemorate the
foundling of this Institution, was holden yesterday at the Free-
masons"laYern. His Royal Highness the Duke of YORK
entered the room soon after half-past six, supported by Lord
Morley, Lord Wm. Lennox, Mr. R. Colburn, M.P., Mr. M.
Dawson, M.P., Mr. Hyng, %1.P., Mr. Calcraft, M.P., and
other Gentlemen.

An excellent dinner having been dispatched, and Non Nobis
Domine sung, the health of" The King" was drank with fer-
vent applause, and the national anthem fbllowed in fine style
by nearly all the vocal strength of the Theatre, and the sup-
porters of its Fund.

The usual toasts, " The Royal Family,"—" Army and
Navy," &c. were given in the usual manner.
Lord AI Ont. EY, in rising to propose the health of their Royal
Chairman, said that his Royal Highness only attended Meet-
ings of this nature occasionally; he might, by possibility, be in..
duced to do so by a variety of motives—such as curiosity, the
change of scene, or many others ; but when they found him
ever ready and constant in his desire to promote by his presence
such objects as that for which they were now assembled, it could
he from one motive only, and that must be the charitable and
benevolent feelings which were so deeply seated in his heart.—
(Applause.)—When they remembered too that their illustrious
Prince did not come there after spending his days in recreation
and amusement, but after zealously discharging the duties of a
most important office, they must be still more firmly convinced
that nothing but the unmixed desire of doing so much good
could actuate his conduct. This applied to the general protec-
tion and support which his Royal Highness afforded to cha-
ritable institutions ; but in attending to this particular estab-
lishment, there might be some further inducement in the gra-
titude which he and all of them must feel for the many hours of
pleasure and amusement they had derived from the exertions of
that profession to which it belonged. Ills Royal Highness
would also feel that it was intimately connected with the arts
and literature of the country ; the support of which had always
been the care of the most distinguished Princes. He was sure it
was superfluous in him to say one word as an inducement for
drinking the toast with fervour and delight.—(Great cheering.)
The toast was then drank with three times three, and
continuedlong-
applause.
His ROYAL. Mom; Ess then briefly returned thanks, and
said, there was no duty which he performed with more heartfelt
satisfaction than that of being; present on this occasion. He
wished every success to the "Institution, and hoped that the
Report and the subscription of the day would shew its pros-
perity to be as great as he wished to see it.—(Great applause.)
(flee—" flail Star of Brunswick."

The next toast was, " The Drury-Lane Theatrical Fund,
and its Master, Mr. Kean."--Three times three, and loud
applause.
Mr. KEAN returned thanks, and explained the situation and
object of the Charity. He began by acknowledging the great
services which his Royal Highness had rendered to the esta-
blishment, and said that it was indebted to him fbr its pre-
sent flourishing condition. A miserable defalcation had left
the Fund wholly inadequate to its object, when his Royal
Highness came amongst them and dispensed the sun-beams
of charity through the gloom of wretchedness and despair.
—He then took a review of the origin and progress of the
Charity, and stated some new regulations by which the
Widows of Free Subscribers were to have a benefit in the
Fund. This, however, depended upon the benevolence of
its supporters, and upon the collection to be made that
day. Ile was sorry to observe that his brother actors did
not come forward to support the Establishment with the
alacrity he was anxious to see. Upon his return, however,
he sincerely hoped to find that they were all become members.
He then returned the grateful acknowledgements of the Com-
mittee to their Royal Chairman and benefactor. For himself,
many years might elapse before he should again be present at
their anniversary, and he therefore the more ardently tendered
his eternal gratitude to the same illustrious quarter; and not
only for himself, but in the name of the happy twelve who bad
been rendered so by the benefactions of his Royal Highness.-
-Mr. Kean proceeded to give a detail of the advantages which
had resulted from the creation of the Institution, originating from
absolute necessity : in one instance, in particular, he mentioned
the only son of Reddish, an actor of suflicient talent to be
ranked as a rival, and the only rival, of the immortal Garrick.
This orphan in 1778, his father having died in a state of mental
derangement in York Asylum, was brought up, and received a
classical education, entirely from the funds of this Society,
which at that period were extremely limited. He now had the
satisfaction of addressing them under more favourable auspices :
the wives and children of deceased members of this Fund now
claimed their bounty, and it had been determined to adopt the
following new regulations :—" The widow of a deceased mem-
ber to receive half the annual allowance which the husband en-
joyed at the time of his decease ; and such moiety not to be
less than 201. per annum. To each child, the sum of 101. per
annum, until he or she should arrive at the age of 14 years,
then to receive the sum of 201. ; and if an orphan 201. per
annum, instead of 101. per annum."—(Great applause.)
The Subscription of the day was afterwards announced to
amount to 1,2201. _ _ _

" The Gentlemen of the Drury Lane Committee" were next
drank, and Mr. CALCRAFT returned thanks.
The next toast was, " The Drury Lane Theatrical Fnad,
and Mr. Elliston."

Mr. EttisTorr, in returning thanks, adverted to the diffi-
cultic in which his management of the theatre commenced, and
the large expellees which had necessarily been incurred, as
well by the proprietors as by him privately. The success with
which he had met these difficulties was to be attributed to
the generosity of his creditors and to his own industry.—
(Applause.)—Adverting. to his management, he said there
were occasional breezes In the Theatre—(A laugh)—but they
never lasted long, and were upon the whole beneficial to the
Theatrical constitution.—(lkud laughter.)—Depending upon
the kind support of the public, he would only say, that if suc-
cess followed as it had gone 'sefore, he should be content.—
(Applause.)
The other toasts were—" The Covent Garden Theatrical
Fund," " The Stewards," and " The Ladies." The last was
drank with even more than usual animation ; partly, perhaps,
owing to the period of the evening, and still more in compli-
ment to the large number of elegantly dressed women who
filled the galleries.
The music of the evening formed a treat of itself. The glee
singing was done, as we have before stated, by a large body of
the Corps Operatic belonging to the Theatre, and occasional
comic songs were introduced by Mr. T. Cooke, Mr. Harley, and
Mr. Fitzwilliaw.
But the harmony of the occasion received a still greater sup-
port in the exertions of Miss Graddon and Miss Cooke, Mr.
Braham' Mr. Sappio, and the instrumental performances of
Messrs. Nicholson and Platt.
Miss Graddon sung a Scotch air with remarkable sweetness,
and was loudly encored. Messrs. Braham and Sapio, greatly
to their honour, came from the Covent Garden Oratorio between
their several performances there ; and their exertions were pro-
perly appreciated. Braham sang " Scots wha ha'e," and
Sapio " Let us haste to Kelvin Grove." Both were encored.
At a little before eleven, his Royal Highness retired amidst
the grateful plaudits of the whole room. Every body appeared
to be delighted by the manner in which the whole had gone off,