The Sun.
London, England, 1833-03-21 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRICAL FUND

DINNER.

The Sixteenth Anniversary Dinner of this laudable
Institution took place yesterday evening at the Free-
masons' Hall, and the attendance on the occasion
was unusually numerous. His Royal Highness the
Duke of SUSSEX was, through indisposition, unable
to officiate as Chairman, but his office was ably
filled by Lord CLANRICARDE. The room was de-
corated in the usual appropriate style, and the gallery
was filled with Ladies, among whom were the
vocalists who had tendered their services on the
occasion. The cloth being removed,
The Noble CHAIRMAN proposed, in succession,
"The King," "The Queen," "The Royal Family,"
" Armv," and " The Navy," each of which
was received with enthusiastic applause, and followed
by appropriate songs. The principal toasts which
succeeded these were, " Prosperity to the Drury.
Lane Theatrical Fund," " The Vice• Presidents, '
" The Noble Chairman," and " The Ladies." The
principal speakers were Lord CLANRICARDE, the
Duke of St. ALBAN'S, and Mr. HARLEY, the latter
of whom spoke as follows:
May it please your Lordship, my Lords and Gentlemen,
If it be true that good wine needs no bush, a good cause
needs no!llq ence. This may, perhaps, account for my
brethren assigning to me the honourable task of addressing
you upon these interesting anniversaries. In eloquence I
yield to all ; in sincerity and devotion to their interests to
none .

" When I said I should die a bachelor," cries lienedick,
"I did not think I should live till I was married." May
I not offer a similar apology, that, when Thalia won me
with her smiles, little thought I ever to ask Melpomene for
r tears? Let me, however, gain credit when I declare
that though, as an actor, my highest ambition is to lose
all personal identity in the variety of character I am called
to represent, in this assembly, and on this occasion, I desire
to represent myself, to throw off the cap and mask, the
symbols of those exhilarating moments when your laughter
and merriment are my most valued reward, and return you
my hear: felt thanks for past favours, and appeal to your
sympathy for their continuance ; to record what extensive
good your liberal patronage has effected, and what it will
still effect ; to explain in whose behalf it is solicited, and
how it is applied. I may be allowed to exult that suc-
cess, unexampled and brilliant, has crowned each appeal
that your indulgence has permitted me to make, without
any imputation of vanity for my poor endeavours, but
simply as a member of that profession, which, from the
fir-t dawn of civilization, has been deemed of national im-
portance both by prince and people ; a profession that
gives glace to art and energy to language ; that, by the
cunning of the scene exhibits vice in all its native defor-
mity, and makes virtue " stick fiery off indeed."
For as ex maple is the strongest manner of enforcing pre-
c,pt, so the stare, rightly conducted, is the best picture
of nature, the most rational scheme that human wit has
formed to dissipate with innocence the cares of life, and
to give the leisure hours of business and instructive recrea-
tion.

The institution of this Fund by David Garrick would
set the seal of immortality upon his Lame, independent of
those high talents that were the wonder and delight of his
own time, and are the theme of an admiring posterity.
Caressed by the great and idolised by the public, he
looked back with fond regard on that profession to which
he owed his wealth, popul airy, and station in society, and,
reflecting how very few like himself could ascend to the
topmost step in the Temple of Fame—how fewer still,
when arrived at that height, could maintain their position
with temper and dignity—he devised a plan by which the
inequalities of genius and the contingencies of fortune might

in part be provided for, and the dramatic veteran in adversity
find a shelter and a home. Such were the feelings of
ancient fellowship that warmed the bosom of that im-
mortal man, whose admirable art never drew more tears
than his still more admirable philanthropy has wiped away.
Sacred be his memory for this labour of love! May we,
though with less ability, yet with equal zeal, pursue the
same course ; and, when that duty shall devolve on our
successors, may it be their happiness to plead for objects
as deserving as those for whom I now plead ; to address
patrons as generous as those it is this day my Fride and
privilege to address.
The prosperity of this Fund is a splendid proof of the
high estimation in which the drama is held by those that
rank, education, and enlightened principles quality to be
its auditors and judges. As yet frigid philosophy has not
reduced man's existence to one dull round of sad realities,
but some magical drops are distilled in the cup to make
the bitter draught of life go down. To ignorance and fa-
naticism we make no appeal. To the one we leave those
gross excitements that it will in vain seek in the polished
scenes of legitimate comedy; to the other, " that man
delights not, nor woman neither," we resign not the glo-
rious visions of the divine Shakspeare ; the high-toned
sentiments, the noble enthusiasm, the gracious humanity
that make the soul tremble, and the tears start, in the
works of that mighty enchanter ! but its own gloom and
hypocrisy , a goodly heritage ; and for which let it give
God thanks, and make no boast of it. But we do appeal
to the taste and right feeling of this assembly. You have
applauded the well graced actor in his meridian ; let your
silent and more grateful approbation follow him into his
retirement, gild with soft sun'hine his declining day, and
by reason of age and infirmity, Endless must needs re-
linquish his sack, may your bounty still afford him a
friendly cup to hob and nab over Jack Falstaff s.
For to see decrepitude mock itself, and the fire of youth
illcounterfeited by tottering age, would be a sorry sight !
The erect term, firm step, and " big manly voice" may,
by consummate art, ape the feebleness, the " childish
treble," of superannuated dotage. But how shall winter
cast off its snows, and assume the freshness, the vigour, the

joyousness of spring? The actor claims no exemption
trorn the infirmities of nature—age " fills our bones with

aches and makes us roar," aye, as loud as we have the
merriest of our audience. We may call up spirits, but will
they come when we do call to them? When prudence
whispers " Retire," let not hard necessity drag the unwil-
ling veteran to the scene, to exhibit a niournful contrast to
his former triumphs, when health animated his frame, and
intelligence sat upon his brow; when he gave to Comedy
its gayety and whims, and realised, by his dignity and
pathos, the dark and mysterious grandeur of the Tragic
Muse.

Be assured the same spirit that prompts your benevolence
guides its distribution. Actors are a band of brothers,
united by kindred tastes and sympathies, striving together
in the generous race, not in rivalry, but emulation of your
applause. To have outlived health and prosperity may
well shake the firmest heart; but to be exhibited to the
the public gazii, would inevitably subdue it. While, there-
fore, we dispense your *moray, p•rmit us to dispense it in
secret; reassuring you that every bi other thus relieved has
contributed his ortion to the general stock of harmless
pleasure, whether ta make the lungs of his audience crow
like chanticleer, or send his hearers weeping to their beds.
It were, perhaps, difficult to find an excuse for those
who neglect to avail themselves of this invaluable institu-
tion. Yet there are cases of such neglect that have power-
ful claims, not on our pity only, hut relief. To meet the
exigencies of sudden calamity, a moderate sum has been
spar ed from the general fund, and applied to the urgent
necessities of non-subscribers and their families with the
happiest , ffect. We hope for your approval of tois salu ary
measure, seeing that our regular annuitants, whose inte-
rests alone could be affected, have hailed this opportunity
of showing that the naisfortunea of their less provident
brethren have not been forgotten in their own.
Let me add, that, while we smooth the veteran's passage
to the grave, we bold out a helping band to his widow
and children. Sad would be his reflections when the last
scene of lite's eventful drama draws to a close were this
act of justice and humanity denied. By this, bereavement
loses ha•f its sorrows, and the unprotected find a refuge
trom those snares that beset at every turn their youth and
inexperience.
This Institution has had the honour to receive the espe-
cial patronage of three successive Kings. Again it is my
proud duty to record the princely bounty of his Majesty,
the value of which is enhanced by the kind and conde-
scending terms in which lie is pleased to express his Royal
solicitude for its prosperity, and for the welfare of his
worn-out servants, who, amid the many cares that belong
to his high station, still hold a place in his heart. To our
most gracious Sovereign and the august partner of his
throne, what more appropriate language can I apply than
that of the poet for all time?—
" May they live
Longer than I have time to tell their years!
Ever beloved and loving may their rule be!
And, when old Time shall lead them to their end,
Goodness and they fill up one monument."
The presence of your Lordship forbids the expression of
much th .t our gratitude dictates and would fain declare
upon this occasion of your presiding at our festive board,
where charity is the object and the end. For your mu-
nificence we tender you our heartfelt thanks ; for your
having graced this festival with your zeal and eloquence,
if there he anything more expressive than thanks, tout we
would also tender you. The stage with such patrons
cannot but prosper ; the stage that`gave Sheridan to co-
wady and Shakspeare to the world !
Mr. Price made a speech, in which he ascribed
his failure, while director of Drury-lane, solely to