The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-03 00:00:00

business and occupy the forsaken pulpits of those
gentlemen who on a Sunday evening tread our
boards. Preaching in theatres has its supporters, no
doubt, and may do good ; but that is a matter of
opinion which, like the hieroglyphic in the almanac,
must be " left to time and the curious to decipher."
But this I know, there have been sermons in thea-
tres long before this day, sermons that for terrific
pictures of the consequences of crime and sin—for
the most .sublime and elevating philosophy and
argument, for Christian teaching and pure morality,
and expressed with a power and wonderful beauty
of language far beyond the reach of any Sunday
evening lecturer—have never been equalled, because
the preacher was Sla?,kpere, he who found

" Tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything."

Now, gentlemen, as honorary treasurer of this fund,
and also as an honorary rifleman—(laughter)—l
must proceed to endeavour to rifle your pockets.
Her most gracious Majesty has not forgotten us ;
we are again in receipt of her annual donation of
100 guineas—(cheers)—being the thirteenth of the
same amount she has given us. She is indeed the
actor's friend. Everything kind and good, every-
thing generous and tolerant, she can do to encou-
rage our art is continually being done by her ; and
I never took an oath with more sincerity in my
life than when, as a member of the St. George's
Rifle Volunteers, I swore to defend her and
her heirs against all her enemies. (Loud
cheers.) Gentlemen, you will, I am sure, follow
her Majesty's excellent example to-night; for
though I have told you of our prosperity, yet we
Shall soon have many claims upon us, for most of
us have felt or seen the consequences of prosperity.
Many a thriving gentleman present may remember
that when he had but a small income his wants
were small ; but, as he became prosperous, his re-
quirements increased. Instead of apartments he
began to think of a house. That obtained, a wife
followed, and we know the consequences of that
step—often a large or a small family. Then came
those necessities—boots, shoes, bonnets, and crino-
line. (Laughter.) Formerly a cab or an omnibus
contended him, but prosperity lifts him into a
brougham, and he than finds that he has quite
enough to do with his money. This is our position,
gentlemen : although our income is large our family
is increasing every year, and our wants will soon
be doubled. Therefore, pray, gentlemen, be liberal
to-night, and do your best to assist us to support
our very large and very helpless family. I plead
for those who have passed their lives in amusing
and instructing the public, and for those who have
many excellent qualities and generous natures. To
prove this I need only refer to the great assembly
at Covent-garden on Thursday night last, where the
unity and liberality of the actors were so remarkable
and the result so greatly successful. I hope that,
having shown we are worthy of your support this
evening, you will give substantial and convincing
evidence that you acknowledge the truth of what
I have said, and that my appeal has not been made
in vain. (Cheers.)
The toast of " The Dramatic College and the
Drama" was then given.
Mr. B. WEBSTER, in reply, stated that one of the
Royal Family would, in one week from that time,
lay the foundation-stone of the buildings, and that
six pensioners had been elected to partake of the
benefits of the institution.

The SECRETARY read the iist of subscriptions for
the evening, which amounted to nearly £4OO.
Some other toasts followed and the company
separated.
From the financial statement of the year ending
February 20, 1860, it appears that the receipts have
amounted to £1,382 15s. 7d., and the expenditure
to £1,061 2s. 2-L-d., leaving a balance of £321
13s. 40.

THE DYEING AND BLEACHING
JP ORES REGULATION BIL L.

The success of this bill is naturally regarded with
very great satisfaction by the operative bleachers
and dyers, amongst whom, as we learn from the
Manchester Examiner, the following address has
been circulated by the members of the Operative
Bleachers' Short-time Committee, sitting at
Bolton