The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-31 00:00:00

'RUSSIA AND THE CONFERENCE.

BERLIN, May 30.
Prussia has accepted the proposed Conference
at Paris.

The reply of the Prussian Government was de-
spatched on Monday last, the same day upon which
the identical letters of invitation from the Powers
were delivered at Berlin.

A Ministerial Council was held to-day, at which
the King presided. The Council lasted several
hours.

The Crown Prince of Prussia has arrived here.

KIEL, May 30.
A fray has took place here between the Austrian
and Prussian troops in the Schutzenhof. No deaths
occurred.

An official inqury has been instituted.

Royal Dramatic College.

The annual meeting of the above institute was
held yesterday on the stage of the Adelphi Theatre;
Mr. B. Webster in the chair. There was a numerous
attendance of the profession, and amongst others
Miss Sarah Booth was present. This lady is nearly
90 years of age, and was a favourite with the play-
goers of the early part of the present century.
Mr. ANSON, the secretary, read the report, which

was as follows :
"Fortunately for dramatic art, the royal family of the
present day give to the theatres their constant patronage ;
and it is with pleasure the council refer to the gracious
kindness of the Prince of Wales in attending at the college
on the sth of June last, formally to open the central hall,
and thus to associate himself with his lamented father, in
completing a work for which the members of the theatrical
profession will ever feel grateful. It will be recollected that
the late Mr. T. P. Cooke bequeathed to the college £3,000
Government Stock, and that the interest of £2,000 was to
be appropriated from timo to time as a prize for the best
national or nautical drama. In answer .to advertisements,

23 dramas were presented, which, under the terms of the

will, had to be placed in the hands of some competent per-
son, who was to choose six, and from the six so obtained
the council was to select one. Mr. J. Palgravo Simpson
generously undertook the labour, and the prizo was awarded
to Mr. A. R. Slous. The next duty of the council was to
offer the drama for representation, and proposals are now
under consideration. The anniversary of the birthday of
the late Mr. T. P. Cooke, which was also the anniversary
of the birthday of our great dramatist, Shakspere, was cele-
brated in the central_ hall of the college on the 23d April
last, and the interest of the remaining sum of £l,OOO be-
queathed by Mr. T. P. Cooke was disposed of in the manner
required. The stained glass windows referred to in the last
report have been supplied by the gentlemen who promised
them, and are acknowledged to have greatly added to the
beauty of the central hall. The council have to thank many
liberal donors for contributions to the central hall, and the '
funds of this institution, which have been duly acknow-
ledged. It is gratifying to the council to be able to report
that the inmates of the college continue to enjoy the bless-
ings of health and comfort to an extent greater than per-
sons of advanced age usually experience, 'and that their ex-
pression of gratitude to their friends who have benevolently
provided for their declining days are frequent and sincere.
Since the last annual meeting a vacancy at the college has
occurred by the death of Mr. Eugene Macarthy, which will
have to be supplied by election from the candidates, due
notice of which will be given. An account of the receipts
and payments of the past year and a balance sheet will be
Printed for distribution among the subscribers at the meet-
ing. The exertions of the council, and the ready and willing
assistance afforded them by all branches of the profession,
caused the fancy fair of last year to be one of unusual bril-
liancy and profit. This gratifying result has enabled the
council to add considerably to the funds of the college.
This popular entertainment will be repeated, with addi-
tional attractions, on the 7th and 9th July next."

The financial statement showed the total receipts
of the year to be £5,046 6s. 9d., including £2,835
income from the Dramatic College fete at the Crys-
tal Palace in July last. After deducting for expen-
diture, a balance is left on the year of £725.
The CHAIRMAN said he was happy to meet the
subscribers at the close of another successful year.
All connected with the college gave th9ir services
gratuitously as a labour of love, and he was happy
to be able to announce the deep interest taken in the
college by the Prince of Wales. Being indisposed
he would not further detain the meeting, but con-
cluded by moving the adoption of the report.
Mr. POWELL seconded the resolution, which was
agreed to unanimously.

The other resolutions, which were of a formal
character, giving votes of thanks to the wardens,
council, and other officers, were spoken to by Messrs.
T. R. Anderson, Toole, Reddish, Stuart, May,
Gruneisen, Mr. A. Wigan, and others, and the pro-
ceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the
chairman for his many services to the college.

Foreign Mail Packet List.

MAILS DUE.

Australia and New Zealand, via Southampton.., Junel9.
Ditto, via Marseilles June 13.
Brazil and Cape Verde, by British packet ...... .. • •June 4.
Ditto, by French packet Jane 2L
Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St Helena..—Jane 22.
China, Penang. and Singapore. via Soathampton June
Ditto, via Marseilles June 13
Falkland Islands .... .. ..........
.. June 3.
Gibraltar, via Southampton .....
.......... ..Juno 3
India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via SouthamPWn.:.
Ditto, via Marseilles ..................•..... 13.
India (Bombay), via Southampton. .......
......... yunnue
Ditto, via liarseilles .•
Malta, Egypt, and Aden,
............. June 28.
DM( -ia Mareeilles ...........
....Juno 13
...................... ..... June 3.

;o, v..
,auritius, via Southampton ........... t .......
Ditto. via igarseilie.f. ...................... . • • • June 7.
, by Bri-
Newfoundland .......................... ... , June 7.
Portugal. ............................. .
unitDedit,abtyesprainvdataßsehaipshtoNoLritshboAnra..e.rica
tish packet ........................
Ditto. by United States pa.cluit, via Southamp!
Cork
Ditto, oy Canadian packet, via Londonderry . J eun 14.
ton ...... . • .
Madeira,(exc eapntdi3Taterallasfre
and
ivespDt
ilc:,ottoo,a,btovsroiatCACafrica,
~June 1.
Vest Indies and Pacific • „June 10.

H . .................. June 13
C
Honduras)
......................... June 28
B
Uvieaxi3 New Y ork. ........................... June 28
Beuarhbrau and
Bermuda, via via
... . ............ .June O.

At Ascot on Tuesday the Princess of Wales wore
a silk dress of pink and white in medium-sized checks, a
white_ lace. shawl, and a pink bonnet—sufficiently small to
be fashionable, and yet large enough to be a bonnet and
not merely a bit of lace—with pink ribbon; and a bouquet
of lilies of tho Ta/ley drooping from the top.