The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-23 00:00:00

make others speak than to speak himself.—(Laughter.)
He had himself dealt so much in fiction that he
felt well nigh overwhelmed with reality.—(Renewed
laughter.) He received the high and flattering
eulogium whieh Mr. Kean had bestowed upon him
very much as ho would a misdirected letter which had
come to the wrong place.—(Laughter.) While he felt
himself quite incompetent to do adequate justice to the
compliment which they had paid him, he should best ex-
press his sense of it by endeavouring to produce some-
thing that might be still more worthy their approbation
than the Wife's Secret.—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said—Gentlemen, I have to propose
the professional ladies and gentlemen who have so
kindly given their services, and who have so materially
contributed to the enjoyment of the evening. Our best
thanks are due, to all ; and to Mr. Balfe in particular
we are deeply indebted for the trouble he has taken, in
superintending the musical arrangements, and for the ad-
mirable effect they have produced under his skilful gui-
dance.—(Cheers.) We have all of us a right to be
proud of our countryman. As conductor of music
in her Majesty's Theatre, in which his great
talents are universally acknowledged, the position
of Mr. Balfe is one most honourable to him, and
gratifying to every member of the profes •
sion. It is in itself a sterling evidence of the high
estimation in which he is held by his contemporaries.
His beautiful compositions are before the world in in-
creasing popularity, whether in the private saloon, the
public theatre, or the crowded concert-room,—(Cheers.)
Mr. BALFE returned thanks. He regretted to state that
he had just received a letter from Sims Reeves, stating
that he was unavoidably detained at Exeter-hall and could
not be present at the festival, as he had wished; and he
regretted also that Mr. F. Lablache was singing at a con-
cert atGreenwich,which precluded his being present at the
anniversary of the General Theatrical Fund. As for
himself, he (Mr. Balfe) did not wish to detain them
wi h a speech; but he would sing them a song—(Loud
cheers)—albeit it was four or five years since he sung
any, and his voice, like Bob Acres' courage—(Laughter)
—had oozed out at his arms in conducting her Majesty's
Theatre.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Balfe sung a bealitiful Italian air, accompany-
ing himself on the piano, with consummate skill, and
was encored to the very echo.
The CHAlRMAN—Gentlemen, we are now arrived
at the concluding toast on the list, which as a matter of
gallantry might have claimed an earlier place—but being
reserved till now, will afford us the opportunity, to
which all here will readily respond, of winding up the
proceedings of the evening with marked enthusiasm.—
(Cheers.) Gentlemen, I request an overflowing bumper
to that beautiful and better half of the creation, without
whom in truth, thereal world and our mimic representation
of it would be a cheerless desert," Stale, flat, and unpro-
fitable."—(Cheers.) Would that I bad the power of
utterance to give vent to the crowding thoughts and
glowing feelings that so rapidly present themselves upon
this thecae. I will, therefore, at once propose the
" Health of the Ladies," coupling with the toast this
appropriate passage, equally true as impressive, from one
of our most celebrated poets—
" In joyous youth what soul hath never known
Thought, feeling, taste, harmonious to its own ?
Who hath not paused while Beauty's pensive eye
Ask'd from his heart the homage of a sigh ?
Who hath not own'd, with rapture-smitten frame,
The power of grace, the magic of a name?
And say, without our hopes, without our fears,
Without the home that plighted love endears?
Without the smile from partial beauty won,
Oh! what were man ?—a world without a sun.
Till Hymen brought his love-delighted hour,
There dwelt no joy in Eden's rosy bower!
The world was saa ! —the garden was a wild,
And man, the hermit, sigh'd—till woman smiled."

—(Great cheering.)
The assembly separated about half past eleven o'clock.
We feel much pleasure in recording the great obliga-
tions we, for our part, owe to Mr. Worrell, of the Adelphi
Theatre (one of the stewards of the dinner), for the
marked urbanity and courtesy he evinced towards the
representatives of tbe press during the whole evening.
The subscriptions during the evening amounted to 5001.
Mr. Toole officiated as toastmaster with his usual
address.