The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-13 00:00:00

DULWIOH COLLEGE.

Meeting This Day.

A meeting of the members of the theatrical profession,
eonVenecl by B. Webster, E4q., was held this morning
at the Theatre Royal Alelphi, to take into considera-
tion the necossity of immediately presenting a memorial
to the Charity Cotnmissioners, praying that, in the re-
•i,,ion of the funds of the above munificent endowment,
the claims of the members of the dramatic profession
may be considered, as contained in Mr. Web-
ster's recent letter to the Times, namely :—" That
ens actor and actress as in-door pensioners ; one actor
and actress as out-door pensioners ; four children of
actors and actresses be placed upon the foundation of
the upper sellool ; and four children of actors and
actresses upon the foundation of the lower school ;"
Mr. C. Dickens in the chair.

There was a large assemblage present. Among those
on the stage were Sir J. Paxton, M.P., Mr. Webster,
Mr. R Bell, Mr. Vining, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Home, Mr.
Stuart, Mr. Gir,vood, Mr. A. Smith, Mr. Bartley, Mr.
T. P. Cooke, Mr. Phelps, Mr. Meadows, Mr. Keeley,
Mr. M. Lemon, Mr. Evans (Bradbury and Evan.), Dr.
J. Wakley, Mr. E. T. Se-14h, Mr. R. Roxhy, Mr. J.
Deane, Mr. CuHanford, Mr. A. Wigan, Mr. W. Bennett,
&c.
The Cl/LH:MAN, in commencing :the business of the
meeting, said the ideas associated with the Dulwich Col-
lege were probably of the most vague description, that
of a picture gallery, 'surrounded with a beautiful garden,
and peopled with musty old men dressed in black, of the
name of Alleyn, with a snug thing or two of which they
would like to be partakers. It became thorn, in coaling
here, to look closely into the foundation of Dulwich C
lege, and see if ithad any connection with the stage. Alleyn
lived in the times of a man who had done the estate good
service, ono WM. Shakeepere. (Cheers.) The hon.
gentleman recounted his family connections, his mother,
brother, and other members of kis family being actors.
He at one time had the Rose and Fortune Theatres, be-
sides having a large share in the Blackfriar's Theatre,
supposed to have been purchased for Shakespere.
He was also one of the appointed masters of
the King's Games. Having amassed a large for-
tune Alleyn retired in 166 ti, and settled at Dulwich,
where he founded this college. Titers was a diabolical
anecdote connected with him, which he would relate ;
that on one occas'en Alleyn played the Devi), and, to
his surprise, ho alterw trtis found a real one in the house,
which so terrified him that, in expiation of his sins, he
founded God's Gift, or Dulwich College. (Laughter.)
After discussing 4e I lea of the absurdity of this, or that
Alleyn ever played tie iTtevil. He said he was convinced
it was not probable ; for in the list of his wardrobe no
such suit as would become a devil was enumerated, but
there was one of an " angel's." (Laughter.) In found
ins this college Alleyn had earned particular parishes as
the recipients of his bounty, and it was remarkable that
at that time most of the theatres were situated in those
parishes, around which the reformers resided. He alluded
to many circumstances showing Alleyn's charitable die-
pesitinn and the assistance he had given to distressed
performers, to show that there eould be no doubt he
intended actors to be benefitted by him. In reperusing
last night the detailsof Alleyn's life, hefelt uncomfortable
at his restricting the benefits to single men, but it was
that they should be comforted in their own age and not
from any dislike to the fair sex, for he found that Alleyn
had a wife wheel he used to call by the endearing name of
" Mouse," and when that grizzley cat, our common foe,
despatched her, he provided himself with another
" mouse" with all convenient speed. (Laughter.) After
some remarks in laudation of Mr. Webster's efforts in
furtherance of the object he had in view, and his readi-
ness t, sveist those in distress, he called on that gentle-
man to widrese the meeting.
Mr .WensnEn, who was received with great applause,
said it had always been his wish /to obtain some of
the benefits of this college for the members of the pro•
fession. He bad found great difficulties attende I it,
hut he bad lived in hap. awl truste.l be should not die
in despair of obtaining his object. Lord Brougham hail,
however, stirred up the country relative to charity com-
missions, and he (Mr. Webster) had taken advantage of
it. He reminds(' them that Canning was the son of an
actress and Sheridan tvae connected with the profession,
and he had no doubt that, with the releantages of edu-
cation, many of the descendants of the profession might
still hold a high position in the State. Since the ap-
pearance of his letter in the public prints he had received
a letter from Mr. Thomas Hare, secretary to the coin-
missieners, stating that he should be happy to bring the
subject under the notice of the commissioners, and asked
what he had to propose to them. He replied to Mr. Hare,
asking for one-fourth of certain fends being put
aside for the profession, to which that gentleman
replied that he thought it a modest claim, and he hardly
saw how it amid be refused. (Hear.) The hon. gen-
.. denten haring acknowledged the assietence he had re-
ceived iu this movement from the press, said he had
waited on the Chief Cotnnaissicner, and took with him
memorials front the itheatree of London and the pro-
vinces, signed by flower is of-1,700. He then found rou-
tine inte fired, and the commissioners club' not embody
it in their report, but recommended it for its modesty
and justice. Failing then he had no ether course than
to memorialise the Home Settee a-y, sad afterhimP. r 'es
rnent. It was then decided that this meeting shook' he
called, and Mr. Dickens aareed to take the chair. (Hear.)
Tocir estate numbers 1,145 acres, which, according to
Mr. Barry's estimate, was worth 1,0001. per acre, or
1,145.0001. The Crystal Palace had taken a 1,:s•
of 75 acres at 3,0001. per annum. The estate
eai reckoned to be worth 50,000/. a year, hut it did
not now pro..iu mu 8,0001. per annum. Surely if this
was properly managed there was enough for all, and
a little to spare for t hat he asked. To the disgrace
of the managers of the college, in 1343 the tombstone
of Edward Alleyn was found in the skittle alley of the
Halfnmon, Dulwich, and the gentleman who made the
discovery bad cared on them to remove it, but, accord-
ing to the repor's, dated 1844, it find not been done. It
was from being childless that Alleyn founded this college,
or " God's Get."
Mr Kenny moved the first reeo.ntion.
" That this meeting has before it the following Proposi-
tion made by Mr. B. Webster to the Commissioners of
Charities ;--"fliat one Actor and Actress, as in-door pen-
sioners ; the t one Actor and Actress as out-door pensioners;
that four children of Actors and Actresses be placed upon
the foundation of the Upper School ; that four children of
Actors and Actresses upon the foundation of the Lower
School ; and that the selection of the most deserving claitu-
ants be made by the comelittee of the Drury Lane, Covent
Garden General Theatrical Fitted, and General Dramatic,
Equestiieu, end Musical Sick Fund Association, as mest
likely to be acquainted with the merits of the applicants.'
And that this meeting' is of opinion that such proposition
involves a just, reasonable, sod moderate recog,nitioa of
the claims of poor players to participate in the great ex-
tension of Dulwich Cullego proposed by the said Commis-
wieners."
Everything that could be said on the qnestion had been
said, and therefore lie would content hini,elf by merely
proposing the resolution. (Cheers.)
Mr. BUCICSTON3 seconded the resolution amidst much
applause from the amusing character of his address.
"He bad dined with the fellows, &e, of Dulwich
College, and A jolly set of fellows they were," and all he
wished was that pmr actors miglat hereafter becomes
partakers of that jolly fare. (Laughter.) He thought
Mr. Webster bad been very modest in his demand, and
he (Mr. Buckstone) was happy to find that modesty was
still a characteristic of the actors.
Mr. KINTIM spoke of the gross mismanagement of the
college by the misappropriation of funds.
Mr. FAMIRII objected to the resolution, which was
like "robbing Peter to pay Paul," to which he would
never consent, being one who owed everything to Ed-
ward Alleys. (Disapprobation.) The hon. gentleman
Caine prepared with a bundle of documents to prove his
statement, but on being very properly reminded by the
chairman that he must confine his remarks to the reso-
lution, he retired after reading his amendment.
Mr. Priteror, from the body of the house, seconded
the emenduaout, which, however, was rejected, and the
original resolution was carried.
Mr. HARLEY proposed the next resolution in all sin-
cerity and seriuusneas—(laughter)—which was as fol-

loves :
"2.—That a 'memorial be presented to the Right Hon.
the Secretary of State for the Home Department, praying
that Mr. NVebtter's proposition, already appended by the
Commissioners of Charity to their Report, with their re-
commendation i❑ its favour, be embodied as part of any
Act of Parliament that may be prepared for carrying into
effect the recommendations of the Conunienioners of
Charities in reference to Dulwich College.'

Mr. PHELPS seconded the resolution, which was car-
ried unanimously.
Mr. It. BELL moved the next resolution, which was
the adoption of a memorial in accordance with the terms
of the first resolution. lie truly eulogised the conduct
of Mr. Webster for the interest he had taken in this sub-
ject, and remarked Oleic were many coincidences pre-
sented in the lives of Edward Alleyn and Benjamin
Webster. This subject could not have fallen into
better hands than that of Mr. Webster to ensure suc-
cess. No portion of Mr. Webster's career would reflect
greater honour on him hereafter than the part he had
taken in that day's proceedings. (Cheers.) The hon.
gentleman then proposed tkat the memorial be pre-
sented to the Secretary of State by Mr. Webster, Mr.
C. Kean, Mr. Phelps, Mr. Buckstone, and Mr. Wigan.
Mr. ALBERT SMITH seconded the resolution, in a
humorous speech, bearing his testimony to the zeal
which Mr. Webster had shown in obtaining the
objsct they all had at heart.
i fair. T. P. Cooas moved the following resolution.:—

" The appointment of a committe' to communicate with
members of Parliament known to be interested in the
drama or dramatis literature, entreating them to support
the object of this meeting, when the introduction of any
act of Parliament on the subject of Dulwich College shall
afford them an opportunity."
Sir J. PAXTON seconded the resolution, and in the
course of his address said he felt great interest in this
movement, and much pleasure in having been the
humble in.trument of increasing the income of this col.
lege from 501. per annum to 8,0001. per annum by the
erection of the Sydenham Crystal Palace.
The resolution wai carried unanimously.
Mr. CRESWICE moved the following resolution,

- - -
"That tko thanks of this Meeting are cordially tendered
to the conductors of the public journals for their generous
advocacy of the claims of the actor to participate in some
of the advantages derivable from Dulwich College."

Mr. WIGAN seconded the resolution, which was car-
ried unanimously.
Thanks were then voted to the cbairman, and the
meeting separated,