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

DULWICH COLLEGE.

Meeting This Day.

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The resolution was carried unanimously.
4r. CRESWICK moved the following resolution,

A meeting of the members of the theatrical profession,
convened by B. Webster, Esq., was held this morning
at the Theatre Royal Adelphi, to take into considera-
tion the necessity of immediately presenting a memorial
to the Charity Commissioners, praying that, in the re-
vision 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
oae actor and actress as in-door pensioners ; one actor
and actress as out-door pensioners ; four children o
actors and actresses be placed upon the foundation of
the upper school ; and four children of actors and
actresses upon the foundation of the lower school ;"
Mr. C. Dickens in the chair.

There Wal a large assemblage present. Among those
on the stage wera Sir J. Paxton, M.P., Mr. Webster,
Me. R. Bell, Mr. Vining, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Home, Mr.
Stuart, Mr. Girwood, 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. Smith, Mr. R. Roxby, Mr. J.
Deane, Mr. Cullenford, Mr. A. Wigan, Mr. W. Bennett,
&c.

The CHAIRMAN, in commencing ;the business of the
meeting, said the ideas associated with the Dulwich Col-
lege were probably of the meet 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 them, in coming
here, to look closely into the foundafien of Dal wich C
lege, and see if ithad any connection with the stage. Alleyn
lived in the times of a man who had done the estate pod
service, one Win. Shakespere. (Cheers.) The hon.
gentleman recounted his family connections, his mother,
brother, and other members of his family being actors.
He at oue time hal the Rose and Fortune Theatres, be-
sides having a large share in the Blacbfriar's Theatre,
supposed to have been purchased for Shakespere.
He was also one of the. appointed masters of
the King's Genie!. Heving amassed a large for-
tune Adeyit retired in 1566, and settled at Dulwich,
where he founded this college. There was a diabolical
anecdote connected with this, which he would relate ;
that on one occasion Alleyn played the Devil, and, to
his surprise, lie afterwards 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 the idea of the absurdity of this, or that
Alleyn ever played the Devil. 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
ing this college Alleyn had named 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 dis-
pesition and the assistance he had given to distressed
performers, to show that there could be no doubt he
intended actors to be benefitted by him. In reperusing
last night the details of Alleyn'slife, he felt 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 Alley"
had a wife who he used to call by the endearing naive of
" Mouse," and when that grizzley cat, our common foe,
despatched her, he provided himself with another
" mouse'' with all convenient speed. (Laughter.) After
souse remarks in laudation of Mr. Webster's efforts in
furtherance of the object he had in view, and his readi-
ness t assist those in distres', he called on that gentle-
man to address the meeting.
Mr .WEBSTER, who was received with great applause,
said it had always been his wish Eto obtain some oi
the benefits of this college for the members of the pro-
fession. He bad found great difficulties attended it,
hut he had lived in hope and trusted be should not (lie
in despair of obtaining his object. Lord Brougham had,
however, stirred up the country relative to charity com-
missions, and he (Mr. Webster) had taken advantage of
it. He reminded them that Cannirg was the son of an
actress and Sheridan was connected with the profession,
and he had no doubt that, with the advantages of edu-
cation, ninny 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 com-
missioners, stating that he should he happy to bring the
subject under the notice of the commissioners, and asked
what he had to propose to them. He replied to Mr.llare,
asking for one-fourth of certain funds being put
aside for the profession, to which that gentleman
replied that he tho aght it a modest claim, and he hardly
saw how it c sold be refused. (Hear.) The hon. gen-
tleman having acknowle Iged the assistance he had re-
ceived in this movement from the press, said he had
waited on the Chief Commissioner, and took with him
memorials from the ;theatres of London and the pro-
vinces, signed by upwards of 1,700. He then found rou-
tine interfered, and the cotunioncrs could not embody
it in their report, but recommended it for its mcde:,,ty
and justice. Failing then he had no ether course than
to memorialise the Rome Seers a y, and a'ter him P. r 'E-
ment. It was then decided that this tnoting shoidd bp
c died, and Mr. Dickens aereed to take the chair. (Hear.)
Their estate numbers 1,145 acres, which, according to
nr. Barry's estimate, was worth 1,0001. per acre. or
1,145 0001. The Crystal Palace had taken a les)
of 75 acres at 3;000/. per annum. The estate
was reckoned to be worth 50,0001. a year, but it did
not now produee 8,000/. per annum. Surely if this
was properly managed there was enough for all, and
a little to spare for Ni hat he asked. To the disgrace
of the matiaeere of the college, in 1843 the tombstone
of Edward Alleyn was found in the skittle alley-of the
ffelfinoon, Dulwich, and the gentleman who made the
discovery had called on theni to remove it, but, accord-
ing to the reports, dated 1844, it had not been done. It
was from being childless that Alleyn founded this coPeg,,
or " God's Gilt."
Mr KEELEY moved the first resolution.

" That this meeting has before it tho following proposi-
tion made by Mr. B. Wobstor to the Commissioners of
Charities :--` That one Actor and Actress, as in-door pen-
sionors ; that 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 tho most deserving claim-
ants be made by the committee of the Drury Lane; Covent
Garden General Theatrical Fund, and ' General Dramatic,
Equestrian, and Musical Sick Fund Association, as most
likely to be acquainted with the merits of the applicants.'
And that this mooting ss of opinion that such proposition
involves a just, reasonable, and moderate recognition of
the claims of poor players to participate in the groat ex-
tension of Dulwich College proposJl by the said Commis-
sioners."

Everything that could b 3 said on the question ha I been
said, and therefore ho would content himself by merely
proposing the resolution. (Chrism)
Mr. BUCISTONE seconded the resolution amidst much
applause from the amusing charcter of his address.
"lie had dined with the fellows, &e., of Dulwich
College, and a jolly set of fellows they were," and all he
wished was that pOor actors might hereafter become
partakers of that jolly fare. (Laughter.) He thought
'Mr. Webster had been very modest in his demand, and
he (Mr. Buckstone) was happy to find that modesty was
still a characteristic of the actors.

Mr. KINTRE spoke of the gross mismanagement of the
college by the misappropriation of funds.
Mr. FARMER objected to the reAolution, which was
like "robbing Peter to pay Paul," to which he would
never consent, being ono who owed everything to Ed-
ward Alleys. (Diasapprobation.) The hon. gentleman
came prepared with a bundle of documents to prove ht.
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. PHILLIPS, from the body of the house, seconded
the amendment, which, however, was rejected, and the
original resolution was carried.
Mr. HARLEY proposed the next resolution in all sin-
cerity and seriousness—(laughter)—which was as fol-
lows :

" 2.—That a memorial b 3 presented to the Right Hon.
the Secretary of State for the Home Department, prayiv
that Mr. Web3tei's proposition, already appended by the
Commissioners of Charity to their Report, with their re-
commendation in its favour, be embodied as part of any
Act of Parliament that may be prepared for carrying into
effect the recommendations of the Commissioners of
Charities iu reference to Dulwich College.

. .
Mr. PHELPS seconded the resolution, which was car-
ried unanimously.
Mr. R. BELL moved the next resolution, which was
the adoption of a, memorial in accordance with the terms
of the first resolution. He truly eulogised the conduct
of Mr. Webster for the interest he had taken in this sub-
ject, and remarked there were many coincidences pre-
waited in the lives of Edward Alleyn and Benjamin
Webster. Tilis 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 uflect
greater honour on him hereafter than the part he had
taken in that day's proceedings. (Cheers.) The 11On.
gentleman then proposed that the memorial he pre-
Rented 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
humourous speech, bearing his testimony to the zeal
which Mr. Webster had shown in obtaining
.the
object they all had at heart.
Mr. T. P. COOKE moved the following resolution :

" Tho appointment of a committe4 to communicate with
members of Parliament known to bo interested in the
drama or dramatic "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 he raid he felt great interest in this
movement, and much pleasure in having been the
humble instrument of increasing the income of this col-
lege from 50/. per annum to 3,000/. per annum by the
erection of the Sydenhaui Crystal Palace.

"That the thanks of this Meeting are cordially tendered
to the conductors of thqpublic 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.
TPanice were then voted to the chairman, and the
meeting separated.