The Sun.
London, England, 1823-05-19 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRLCAL FUND.

On Saturday the Anniversary of this charity
was celebrated at the Freemasons' Tavern, in a very splendid
manner. All the galleries of the ball, in which the company
to the number of 270 dined, were crowded with Ladies in full
dret. At halfpast six o'clock. the Marquis of Hereford en-
tered the room, accompanied by Lord Fife, Sir John Doyle,
Mr. Ca'craft, Mr. Kean, Alderman Cox, and several other
Gentlemen. It was then announced by the Marquis of Hert-
ford that his Royal Highness the Duke of York was unable to
take the chair, in consequence of the opinion of his physicians,
that he should for some time abstain from participating in con-
vivialities.

The Marquis of HE KT roll n was then called to the Chair.
After the healthy of the King, the Duke of York, and the
Duke of Clarence, had been drank, and appropriate glees exe.
cuted in a very brilliant manner, the " health of Aid Marquis
of Hertford" was proposed by
Mr. CALCRAFT, who stated that their Noble. Chairman was
distinguished for the promptness and liberality with which he
relieved all cases of theatrical distress submi►ted to his examina-
tion.

The company showed their sense of this fact by cheering the
the toast for a length of time.
The Noble Cum ttarari„in returning thanks, said that he
had been called unexpectedly to be a first-rate performer in the
charitable drama about to be acted in that room, and he hoped
that the ardour of his feelings, and the anxiety which he felt
upon making so aspiring an attempt, would not operate
to his prejudice in this first-rate character. Ile knew, in-
deed, that he could place every reliance upon the indulgence
of the enlightened audience around him, and he shoUld there-
fore proceed in the performance without any further preface.—
( A pplau se.)
The next toast was—" The Drury-lane Theatrical Fund,
and its worthy master, Mr. Kean," who, Mr. Calcraft declared,
was not only the present prop of Drury lane Theatre, but was
actually the cause of its present existence.
Mr. KEAN returned thanks. lie had, he laid, for the sixth
time, to offer the thanks ofthe Directorsof the institution; and the
grateful claimants upon it, to that ,generous public who were ever
ready to afford to " houseless heads and unfed sides" shelter and
protection. The fund had, under the protection of the Duke of
York, amassed a capital of 10,136/., which not only enabled the
Directors to secure the necessaries oflife for ten helpless brethren,
but left a surplus of 2001. a-year, which could be applied to their
comforts. ThisCwas acting in conformity with the wishes of the
immortal founder, Mr. Garrick, whose name would endure in
the histrionic art, while_the foundation of the fund raised an eter-
nal monument to his benevolence. Mr. Kean concluded by an
allusion to the family of the deceased promptor at Drury-lane,
and appealed for them to the public, with a feeling which did
great honour to him, and Was enthusiastically applauded. lie
then announced the subscriptions, amongst which were the
following Majesty, 100 guineas ; the Duke of York, 50
guineas; the Marquis of Hertford 50 pounds, &c.
The health of the Vice-President was then drank.
Lord FIFE observed, that a greater extent of professional
knowledge was never displayed than at present exhibited itself
in the Drury-lane company.
Mr. CALCHAFT then Faye the health of Mr. Elliston, who
was, he said, prevented from being present by illness. No one
would go farther to promote the objects of Oe institution.' In
fact, Mr. Elliston had done his utmost for the establishment.
The applause that attended this, and a very, warm panegyric
upon the manager of Dtury, was of the most sober description.
The CHAIRMAN then gave the health of Mr. Calcraft.
Mr. CAM:RAFT, in returning thanks, described the flourish.
ing condition of the theatre, which enjoyed a degree of success
altogether unparalleled.

A—prize cup was then presented to Mr. Welch by the Gen-
tlemen of the Amateur Glee Club, fur the glee called, " The
Death and Renovation of Bacchus," which they considered the
most splendid composition within he last ten years.
The company then were delighted with some excellent songs
from Miss Povey and Miss Forde, who sat in the gallery, and
with the uncommonly brilliant execution and fine voice of a toy
named Edmonds, a pupil of Mr. T. Cooke. • ,0
Mr. Braham, Mr. T. Cooke, and Mr. Webb, also contd..
buted much to the evening's entertainment.
Upwards of 1,1004 were subscribed.