The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-18 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PLYMOUTH, APRIL 16.—NAVAL APPRENTICES.—There
are now on board the San Josef 200 boys, who are ap-
prenticed to the Naval service, and who a short time
since were beating the streets. These boys are taken
great care of, and Captain Sir Henry Leeks takes very
considerable interest in promoting both their comfort
and their education. The boys have the middle deck of
the San Josef for their use, and have a good supply
of mess utensils, which are kept in excellent order ;
and schoolmasters have been appointed for their educa-
tion; personal chastisement is seldom resorted to; and
when neees:ity requires it, it is only under the direct
sanction of the gallant captain. For their encourage-
ment a system of rewards has been established—
chiefly distinctive grades, which is found to promote
a spirit of emulation. A vessel is appropriated for
their exercise in nautical duties. Each boy is provided
with a small musket, and on Thursdays, whenever the
weather is favourable, they land under the Obelisk at
Mount Edgcurnbe, and are put through a variety of ex-
ercises and evolutions, which they accomplish with great
alacrity and precision. The success of the boys is
spoken of as being very satisfactory. An excellent
code of regulations has been drawn up by Sir Henry
Leeke, which he has caused to be printed and posted
around the ship. These set forth the occupations of
every hour, and the most minute details of duty are '
clearly stated. The system of apprenticeship, by which
600 boys are now being regularly educated for the ser-
vice in three of our largest naval ports, is one that is
likely to be of immense benefit to the service. It will
give us a class of men who have a higher tone of morals
and no doubt prove a nursery for good seamen.
SHIPS IN HARBOUR.—San Josef, Caledonia, Agin-
, court, Nautilus, Seagull, Diligence, Confiance.

GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND.—The annual festival
took place last evening at the London Tavern, where a
large number of gentlemen sat down to dinner. The
chair was occupied by Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, Bart.,
supported by Mr. Charles Dickens and other gentlemen.
The usual loyal toasts having been drunk, Captain
Chappell acknowledged the health of the army and navy,
observing that he regretted the honourable gentleman
(Mr. C. Dickens), on the right of the chairman, had not
brought his friend " Captain Cuttle" to do honour to the
toast. The chairman, in proposing " Prosperity to the
General Theatrical Fund,' observed that the institution
combined virtue and charity with the principle of inde-
pendence; for it encouraged the members of the profes-
sion to provide for others, while at the same tinte it as-
sisted them in providing for themselves in the hour of
need. After remarking upon the contrast afforded by
the public and private life of an actor—in the one
case playing the monarch and wearing the
diadem, m hile in the other he was often reduced to
a painful state of dependence—the chairman ebservedthe
upon the enthusiasm which he said cared
actor through all his misfortunes, and wk inh ge-
nerally preserved him—except in old age—from appealing
fallenpealing
to the public for relief. He then reverted to the
ame_
state of our national drama, and recommendedt
ne
itm or
ial
wouldto mtehe with a
et
Queen upon
hearty
et the
ssubject,ponse. femelri.ngßsnuerke that
s to
property amounted to 4,0001., and that as treasurer of the institution, then staatt
tively. In the
dress he
course of a humourous and c
hers enjoyed annuities of 30/h.
rraeestpe
chairman, observing that
efcolatrh satgietds vme setmed.
passed a high eulogy on the c
they
as money was their great object
Money
p
resent upon that
in having the author of
proposed the health of the
gentleman who
to that of the g
chairman, joining his regret
~ ouecrightictoafdeel happy
that " Captain
congratulate i d ob se r vionng,
occasion. Mr. Dickens thenoenay.y,
had returned thanks for
that although not
sentpr doubtless " make a note of it."
the gallant captain would Cuttle" was not
to
rteesisv
eththeemi;
i acclamatien, and was followed
Toetoast wascomp drments to the directors, Messrs. Worrell,
by similar 1 sze to the treasurer, secretary, and
Saville, Hugh,s, '' by Mr. Brewster,
who a eal on behalfof
made,
eornniiitee. The latter was proposed
made an eloquent Pr the d
in a subscription amounting to between 3501. and
institu-
tion. This, and other appeals subsequently
resulted
4001. The vocalists rendered gratuitous service upon
the occasion, and amongst them were Miss Dolby, the
Misses Williams, the Misses Pyne, and Miss M.
O'Connor.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has received 201.
from "G. IL" The same will be paid into the Ex-
chequer.
Father Mathew will sail from Liverpool for New
York on the 21st instant. The Reverend Gentleman
goes in the new packet-ship The New. World.