The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-30 00:00:00

Elk ..

good and worth seeing—(cheers)—and, in announcing►
this queenly donation, I will end my discourse with the
aphorism, that as charity covers a multitude of sins,
come, then, and according to thy means do likewise.
(Cheers.)

Mr. CHARLES DICKENS, who was received with mach
applause, next rose and said—ln oar theatrical expe-
rience as playgoers we are all equally accustomed to
predict by csrtain little signs and portents on the stage
what is going to happen there. When the young lady,
an admiral's daughter, is left alone to indulge in a abort
soliloquy, when certain smart spirit rappings are heard
to proceed immediately from beneath her feet, we fore-
tell that a song is impending. (Laughter.) When two
gentlemen enter, for whom, by a happy coincidence, two
chairs, and no more, are in -waiting, we augur a conver-
cation, and that it will assume a retrospective biographi-
cal character. (Laughter.) When any of the per-
formers who belong to the seafaring or marauding pro-
fessions are observed to arm themselves with very small
swords to which are attached very large hilts, we pre-
dict that the affair will end in a combat. (Laughter.)
Carrying out the association of ideas it may have oc-
curred to some that when I asked my old friend in the
chair to allow me to propose a toast I had him in my
eye; and I have him now on my lips. (Laughter and
applause.) The duties of a trustee of the Theatrical
Fund, an office which I hold, are not so frequent or so
great as its privileges. He is in fact a mere walking
gentleman—(laughter)—with the melancholy difference
that he has no one to love. (Laughter.) If this advan-
tage could be ad led to his character it would be one of
a more agreeable nature than it is, and his forlorn posi-
tion would be greatly improved. (Laughter.) His duty
is to call every half year at the bankers, when he signs
his name in a large greasy inconvenient book, to certain
documents of which he knows nothing, and then he de•
livers it to the property man and exits anywhere.
(Laughter.) He, however, has many privileges.
It is one of his privileges to watch the steady
growth of an institution in which be takes great
interest ; it is one of his privileges to bear
his teetieeony to the prudence, the goodness, the
solid-trial and the excellence of a class of persons who
have been too long depreciated, and whose virtues are
too niuch denied, out of the depths of an ignorant and
stupid eupersti-ion. (Hear, hear.) And lastly, it is one of
his privileges sometimes to be called on to propose the
health of the chairman at the annual dinnersof the in-
stitution, when that chairman is one for whose genius he
entertains the warmest admiration and whom he respects
as a friend, and as one woo does honour to literature
and in whom literature is honoured. (Loud cheers,) I
say when that is the case, he feels that this last privi-
lege is a great and high one. (Loud cheers.) From the
earliest days of this institution I have ventured to im-
press on its managers that they would consult its credit
and success by choosing its chairman as often as possible
within the circle of literature and the arts—(hear, hear)
—and I will venture to say that no similar institution
has shown itself as having been presided over by so many
remarkable and distinguished men. (Hear, bear.) lam
sure, however, that it never has had, and that it never
will have, simply because it cannot have, a greater lustre
cast upon it than by the presence of the noble English
writer who fills the chair to-night. (Great cheering.) It
is not far me at this time and in this place to take on
myself to flutter before you the well-thumbed pages of
Mr. Thackeray's books, and to tell you to observe how
full they are of wit and wisdom, how out-speaking and
bow devoid of fear or favour ; but I will take leave to
remark, in paying my clue homage and respect to them,
to say that it is fitting that such a writer and such an
institution should be brought together. (Hear.) Every
writer of fiction, although he may not adopt the dramatic
form, writes in effect for the stage. He may never mite
plays, but the truth and passion which are in him must
be more or less reflected in the great mirror which he
holtls up to nature. Actors, managers, and authors are all
represented in this compan ;t, and it may be supposed that
they all have studied the deep wants of the human heart
in many theatres ; but none of them could have studied
its ieysterioue workings in any theatre to greater advent.
tare than in the bright and airy pages of " Vanity Fair."
(Hear.) To this skilful showman, who has so often de-
lighted us, and who has charmed us again to-night, we
have now to wish God speed, and that he may continue
for many years to exercise his potent art. To him fill
a bumper toast, and fervently utter, God bless him I
Ctieers.)

The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks, and expressed
his gratification at the terms in which he ha I been spoken
of by his friend, Mr. Dickens, as well as at the circum-
stance that two literary gentlemen could be found who
entertained such sentiments towards each other as they
did. (Cheers.)

Several other toasts followed ; and the contributions,
including 100 guineas from the Queen, reached 4001.

The musical entertainments, as usual on this occasion,
were of a high order. Many of our ableet vocalists at-
tenrlid ; Madame Rudersdorff, in particular, excited
great applause by the admirable manner in which she
sang " 'T Aas withi❑ a mile o' E4inbro' town." Miss
Poole a'so sang very beautifully, as did several other
vocali te.

The direction of the music was confided to Mr. Lovell
Phi:lips.

CountrytVlarkets.

COLCHESTER- MARCR 27.

A short supply of wheat, with a slow sale, at is per
qr. reduction. Malting barleys in good demand, and last
week's rates maintained. Beans rather dearer, and peas
as before.

Prices to-daywere as follow :—Wheat, white, 46a to 501
red, 42s to 465; barley, 36s to 43s ; oats, 24s to 28s ; beano,
liazagan, 31s to ; middle and small, 36s to 40s; peas,
white, 40s to 42s ; grey, 40s to 425.

Official Statement of the. Quantities of Corn, Ste
in the port of London, from the following pi
March 22 to March 27, both inclusive.

~ received
)rts, from