The Sun.
London, England, 1824-03-11 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRICAL FUND.

The Ninth public Anniversary of this PNcellont
charity was celebrated yesterday at the Freemasons' Tavern.—
Soon after six o'clock his Royal Highness the Duke of K,
the President of the Society, entered the room, accompanied by
the Marquis of licrtforcl,theMarquisofHuntly, Lord Nugent,
Sir George Warrender, Bart., M.P., Sir William ('ongreve,
Bart., M.P., Sir Charles Flower, Bart— Sir Richard Birnie,
Mr. Calcraft, M.P. Mr. Richard Martin, %1.P., and Captain
Forbes. Nearly 301) Gentlemen sat down to a sumptuous
dinner. The galleries were graced by an assemblage of Ladies,
consisting principally of the actresses of the Covent-garden
establishment. The orchestra was filled by a hand of great
skill and ability, who, from time to time, enlivened the evening
with a variety of popular, lively, and pathetic airs. Behind
the Chair was a kind of canopy, under which was a bust of
Shakspitare. An inscription encircled it, stating the name of
the charity, and below that was the following motto from our
immortal dramatist :—" Ile bath a tear for pity, and a hand
open as day for inching charity."
The cloth having been removed, "Benedictus sit Deus" was
sung in admirable voice by the professional vocalists, who gave
their assistance on this occasion.

The health of the King, the patron of the Society, was then
drank with tour times four rounds of applause ; after which the
national anthem was sung with unrivalled effect, two of the
verses being led by Mr. Sinclair in his highest style.
•• The Royal Family" was then proposed with the custo-
mary honours, and received with applause; after which came
•"rhe Army and Navy."
Air—•• Rule Britannia."

"'The Covent-Garden Theatrical Fund" was then drank
amidst considerable cheering.
Son—" The Soldier's Gratitude," by Mr. Sinclair.
The Marquis of HERTFORD then rose to propose the health
of their Illustrious President, whose unchanging kindness to
the Society had induced him to take the Chair at nine succes-
sive anniversaries in that room. The Noble Lord acid he felt
that the Society owed a large debt of gratitude to his Royal
Highness, which they would be glad of an opportunity of ac-
knowledging.—(Applause.)—lt would be imputing to them a
forgetfulness of their duty to enlarge on the merits of his
Royal Highness, and he should therefore content himself
with proposing the health of their Illustrious President.—
( Applause.)
The toast was received with loud cheers, and drank with
general enthusiasm.
Isis Roree limetxEss said, it gave him the greatest plea-
sure to witness the growth and prosperity of the Society, the
objects of which must be dear to every Englishman ; lust' to
none, he believed he might with truth assure them, dearer than
to himself. He congratulated them on the numerous and re-
spectable body assembled to celebrate their anniversary on the
present occasiom Ilis Noble Friend had reminded him, that
this was the ninth anniversary at which he had presided. He
was gratified that he had been instrumental in contributing to
the success•of the Society ; and he wished them to be satisfied
sr
leiggal regard to
„s
that he would in future continue to exercise the am
e E
their welfare.—(Cheers.)—ln conclusion, his Royal
adverted to the prosperity of the fund ; and repeated the ex-
pression of the pleasure it bad afForded him, to learn that so
useful and excellent a charity had already met with so liberal
an acknowledgment of its merits from the-British public, who,
inde a
were never slow in patronising iustitutios of such a
nature.
11 tun the applause which followed his Royal Highness's
ness and melody not to he excelled. No performance :
idyder
be sael
llad subsided,
asaof,,oMr.
John
And.
eßoysrolai dmhyst r
Jose,"
sange,r the
in
a stylefinely xpe
of
s-
e tender_r
through-
out the evening diffused more general delight.
The next toast was " The Vice-Presidents," which was Wel-
. corned with considerable applause.
The
conferred Marquis
LT rose to return thanks for the
honour oufpoitilulisini:sself and his colleagues. Exclusive
of the pleasure he felt in contributing his aid to the success of
such an institution, he assured them it gave bins no little satis-
faction to find himself seated at a festive table with so agree-
able
a company
of jovial fellows—(Cheers)—especially when
his gratification was enhanced by a glimpse behind the curtain
at so brilliant a bevy of beauties as he then saw assembled in
the galleriee._(Loud cheers.)—His gallantry would not allow
him to conclude without proposing A toast in which he was cer-
tain every Gentleman would join with as much fervour us he
felt in suggesting it. The Noble Marquis t!izn proposed,
" The Ladies," which was received with the warmest mani-
festations of the approbation of the Society.
Mr. T. Cooke then executed on the piano-forte a mock Ittilan
air, accompanied with his voice. The exquisite absurdity of
the parody excited notch merriment.
The health of the Treaeurer of the Fund, John Fawcett, Esq.
was then given from the Chair, and warmly received by the
company.

Mr. FAWCETT expressed the gratitude he felt for the hand-
some return made by the company for the services he had.
been able to render the Charity. lie believed that very erro-
neous notions prevailed generally with respect to the ability
of performers to provide for their declining years. The pub-
lic heard of the large salaries which some of them received,
and it was inferred hastily that they ought not to be over-
taken by distress. He was anxious, therefore, to avail him-
self of that opportunity of vindicating them from the perni-
cious effects of this mistaken reasoning. Performers in general
were not the improvident, thoughtless, and extravagant race of
men they were considered to be. Suppose the salary of an actor
was 12 guineas a week. It was estimated that he enjoyed en
income of 624 guineas a year; but no calculation could be more
erroneous. In the first place, he received his salary only during
the theatrical season, which would reduce his gross income to
somewhat less than 400 guineas a year, out of which he had to
defray a great number of expencea arising from his profession,
which would be conceived only by those who belonged to it.—
Having thus endeavoured to correct an opinion which he
knew operated to their prejudice, he could not refrain
from congratulating them on the growth and prospects of
the Institution. Its benefits could be thoroughly under-
stood only by those who had taken an active part in distri-
buting the charity. The profession of a player was unlike
every other,—when old age overtook him, he could not
fall back on the generosity with which the public rewarded
those who spent their lives in other branches of the public ser-
f vice. The moment the approach of age withered the talents
j of the performer, he found himself alone and abandoned, in
a world which would be to him cheerless and desolate in-
deed, if the theatrical fund did not exist to succour and relieve
him.—(Cheers.)--It was gratifying also to them to reflect, as
it must be satisfactory to the subscribers to know, that more cf
the benefactions were applied to the objects for which !hey were
given in that society, than perhaps in any other in existence.—
(Cheers.)—No officer received any salary or allowance, not even
the secretary, whose duty was so onerous and difficult to ells-
charge.—(Cheers.)—The worthy Treasurer then alluded to
the general prospects of the Society, which he declared to be
in a highly flourishing state. He had not forgotten the patron-

age the stage had enjoyed from the most virtuous King
who had ever been seated on the British throne. It was now
honoured with the gracious re;ard of our present illustrious
:!;overeign, whom he prayed God to bless and .preserve. lie
also adverted to the condescension which had induced the Royal
President again to confer the benefit of his attendance upon
them, and concluded with expressing his confidence that under
such auspices the stage must flourish, and its decayed votaries
be secured front the reach of distresS ._(Cheers.)
" The Proprietors of Covent-garden Theatre" was the next

Captain FORBES returned thanks, in a neat and expressive
speech.
Mr. Mathews then, by desire of the Chair, gave a new, witty,
and appropriate song, in favour of the charity ; after which the
collection was commenced from the company. 'While it was
proceeding the healths of the Committee and Stewards was
drank, and

Mr. YATES, in behalf of his colleagues, returned thanks, in
imitation of the manlier of a popular performer.
Mr. rawc Eler then announced the amount of the benefac-
tions received ; His Majesty had transmitted his annual dona-
tion of 100 guineas.—(Cheers.)—Their illustrious Chairman
had repeated his annual gift of 50 guineas.—(Cheers.)—Ilia
(race the Duke of Bedford, who was unfortunately absent
through ill-health, but who had proved himself one of their
warmest friends, had also given his usual handsome benefac-
tion. Mrs. Coutts had sent 501; for herself and 20!. for a
daughter, making in the whole 701.—(Cheers.)—It would
weary the company to go through the list of subscriptions. He
would content himself with stating generally the result. Before.
the dinner there had been received a sum exceeding 3001.
Since the thinner the collection at the table was upwards of 6001.
—The total amount (as we understood the worthy Treasurer),
including the receipts from every quarter since the last
anni-
versary,
was 1,450/.—(Cheers.)—This was a .most gratifying
statement, lie was sure, as it exceeded in amount any previous
year's receipts, and therefore held out the best promise that the
benefits of the charity would be insured, not only to the present
race of performers, but to their successors.
" The Drury-Lane Theatrical Fund" was then given.
Mr. CaLcitarT returned thanks, as, he believed, the only
member of that fund present. Ile assured them he felt equally
anxious for the success of both, and trusted the only rivalry
between them would be as to which should best fulfil the object
for which it was instituted.
" The me.nory of the late Mr. Coutts," and several other
toasts, were drank, suitable to the occasion, in gratitude to
past services, or in anticipation of future ; and a rich 'variety or
Yoe 1 music throughout the evening afforded altogether one of
the highest series of enjoyments of which we ever partook. It
seems invidious to particularize any where :11 were so well exe-
clted, but we cannot refrain from mentioning " The. Death
of Nelson," by Sinclair ; `.Green grow the rushes, 0," by
Broadhurst; and a beautiful jcot ch air by Miss Paton, swag
in • her most admirable style from the r allery. Several ex-
cellent vim were also performed with pet feet precision and the
finest effect.

The more sensual entertainments Of the evening were in an
equal style of superiority. The wines were exceedingly good,
a!:d the arrangements of the dinner alts gether highly creditable
t) the parties concerned.
Nlrliun his Royal Highness left the Chair,
.IJr. IticisAnD MAirrlw Was cAlled tCr it, and the convi-
viality of the evering prolonged for a considerable period.