The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-31 00:00:00

SUN,

GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND.
The large room at th• London Tavera was crowded on
Monday evening to inconvenience, on the occasion of the
second anniversary dinner of this institution. Mr.
Macready, notwithstanding his recent illness, from
which he was still suffering, was able to take the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, after the preliminary toasts, pro-
posed. " Those two great national theatres, that con-
tained so many excellent actors—the two Houses of
Parliament.'
The CHAIRMAN then proposed " Success to the In-
stitution." Although this duty should have devolved
on their treasurer, Mr. Buckstone, still, for the sake of
old associations, he trusted ho might advance a few
arguments. He regretted the want of that eloquence
which distinguished so many around him, still the facts
he should adduce would speak for themselves: The in-
stitution was calculated in all its arrangements to insure
to actors habits of regular life, economy, stability of cha-
racter, and to elevate the character of the English stage.
Since its infancy, in 1839, the institution had granted
annuities to four aged performers, rescuing them
from utter want, and had this year been enabled
to add to their comforts by increasing their little
pittance. More than this, the institution pre-
sented the only asylum for the decayed actor. The two
patent theatres were in possession of institutions which
at their foundation answered all the purposes required
by the eminent men who had originated them. But
how were circumstances altered now ! Covent-garden
was lost to the drama, and even at Drury-lane no per-
former had a chance of remaining long enough to claim
any benefit from its funds. The door was here shut on
dradaatic industry at once, and for drama. Should the
patent theatres ever reinstate the drama on their boards,
would their funds suffice for the needs of the aged and
impoverished actor? No. Constant change of manage-
ment led to constant change of performers, and at
Drury-lane the performer must have been for three con-
secutive years on its boards, and for two at Covent
garde's, before he could be admitted to either institution;
and even then the deposit was so large in proportion to
the salary that many were obliged to incur debt in order
to pay it. He knew himself one of the best comic actors
who, from a conscientious dread of debt, declined sub-
scribing to the fund. In the present institution there were
no obstacles to admission ; the fees were on the most
moderate scale ; all ages were admitted, whilst actors
past 40 were excluded under the old arrangements ; and
should a member of the present institution withdraw,
he received back half of the premium which he had
paid. Could, then, any one deny the superior claims of
an institution which opened its doors to every age and
every position, even to the performers at the larger
theatres, who, without its aid, would be left under the
shadow of their powerful protectors, without hope and
without resource? It was important to call their atten-
tion to another point. In a short time the Drury-lane
and Covent-garden institutions would absolutely be left
without annuitants, for there was no hope that these
theatres would ever again be restored to the drama.
Since 1843 no member had been added to the Covent-
garden Society, nor could be by the laws of the theatre
till 1855. He mentioned these facts, not to discourage
those institutions, but because they ceased to be effec-
tual. Without the present fund, than, where can the
comedian whose buoyant spirit brings laughter to every
cheek—e here can the tragedian, whose words draw
tears which it does the heart good to shed—
where can those look for shelter ? The artists
•,f the Haymarket, Adelphi, Lyceum, whose
,alents would insure success on any stage in
the world, would have no refuge for age but the
workhouse, that last baiting-place on the road of
life. The chairman concluded by giving the health of
Buckstone and the general Theatrical Fund.

Mr. BIICKSTONE said that a speech from him at that
moment would be the farce after tho tragedy. lie con.
4ratulated the company on the assistance they derived
torn the presence of their Chairman. The present do-
nations proved that their temple of benevolence was
founded on a rock of ages. The English drama was under
3 cloud, but it would yet rear its head above French plays
and Italian operas, the only foreign invasion to which
:he English natkn would ever submit. They should
trust to the future, and dine where they could. For many
years attempts had been made to form a general institu-
tion like the present, which had all been unsuccessful till
the decline of the patent theatres. The general fund
had, in eight years, invested nearly 4,0004 This fund
would greatly increase, as it would be long before any
annuitant could have a claim upon it. Its advantages
were extended to dancers, pantomimists, and even that
most valuable officer, the prompter, a man whose voice
they had all heard, sometimes too often, even he, when
ho had blown his last whistle, might jump on the deck
of comparative independence. Lle (Mr. Buckstoae)
would nut attempt to be pathetic. Their Chairman had
nobly fulfilled that part of his duty, but their hearts
were warmed with cheerful conviviality. They saw at
the social board thoap whom they had seen so often on
public hoards ; and what he saw around him convinced
him that the English stage possessed warm and efficient
friends—that it had within it the essence of immortality,
and would last as long as Shakspere, art, and nature,
should endure.

Mr. DICKENS then rose and delivered a very effective
speech, which was loudly applauded; and he concluded
with a brilliant eulogium on Mr. Macready, whose health
he proposed.
Mr. MACREADY said, that were he even in better
health he should find great difficulty in acknowledging
their kindness—his experience in public speaking con-
sisting almost altogether in responding to cordial wel-
comes, but he found that practice did not make perfect,
and at each effort his difficulties were increased.
" The Stewards" and " The Ladies" followed, and the
chairman left the room about eleven.

The stewards, Messrs. Saville, Lyon, Hughes, and
Worrell, were very active and attentive to their friends,
and to the ladies in particular, who honoured the fund
festival with their presence.
Among the donations were, 1001. from her Majesty,
101. from the Duke of Devonshire, and from the Chair-
man; 51. from Lords Fitzhardinge and Ellesmere, and
Mes,rs. H. Twiss, Farren, Lumley, and Cooke. The sum
total announced amounted to 3691.