The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-23 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

The close of th.e dramatic season on Saturday
evening was marked by the benefit of Mr. F. B.
Chatterton, the able and spirited lessee. The pro-
gramme was indeed a full one, embracing all the
artists of the establishment, with a great number of
the most popular actors and actresses of the day in
their leading and most popular assumptions. The
unexplained absence of Mr. Barry Sullivan occa-
sioned the omission of the selections from " Richard
III." and "As You Like IL" It may almost go
without saying that the house was crowded, and
that the utmost good humour prevailed throughout
the audience. The address delivered by Mr. Chat-
terton was brief and to the purpose. It sas couched
in the following words :
"Ladies and Gentlemen,—This evening will terminate
the second autumn season that I have had the honour
to preside over this theatre. Governed by past expe-
rience, I have produced the works of standard authors,
including Shakspere, Byron, Sheridan, Goethe, and others.
To give effect to the representation of those plays 1 en-
gaged the best artists 1 could command. Encouraged by
the success which attended my labours as a public caterer
at Easter last, it was my intention to have given an enter-
tainment at Easter next, but in consequence of the cala-
mitous fire and destruction of her Majesty's Theatre, I
have been induced, upon receiving an equitable considera-
tion, to allow Italian Opera—for one season only—to take
the position of the English Drama in this our national
theatre. (Cheers.)

" Now, ladies and gentlemen, I appear before you in the
unfavourable position of an apologist, in consequence of
the non-appearance of Barry Sullivan, who is engaged to
me up to this evening inclusive, and whose non-appear-
anc I am quite at a loss to account for.

"I must also crave your indulgence on behalf of Air.
11. Sinclair and Mr. Harcourt, who are unexpectedly called
upon to appear before you in consequence of the sudden
illness of Mr. Edmund Phelps.
" Now, ladies and gentlemen, in the name of the ladies
and gentlemen of my company and myself, allow me to
bid you, until September next, respectfully farewell.
(Immense applause.)

fIHE VOLUMEERS.

3D LONDON RIFLES.

On Saturday evening the members of this corps,
together with many of their friends, assembled at
the Guildhall, for the purpose of witnessing the pre-
sentation of a testimonial to Lieutenant-Colonel
Richards, on his retirement from the regiment.

Colonel LAURIE, in presenting the testimonial—a
massive silver inkstand, in the form of a regimental
and two kettledrums, and bearing an appropriate
inscription—said that he had to express the regret
which both officers and men felt at the retirement of
Colonel Richards from the command of their regi-
ment; and, as an evidence of their good feeling
towards Lim, he, as the representative of the regi-
ment, had to haul to him a small present, as a
token of their sincere regard and in grateful ac-
knowledgment of his exertions in the formation of
the regiment, and his zeal and agility in promoting
its welfare and efficiency. He was sure that
Colonel Richards, in common with every member
of the corps, regretted that the press of other busi-
ness compelled him to relinquish the position he had
so long and efficiently held, more especially as in a
great measure it was to his exertions that the volun-
teer movement owed its success.

Mr. LARDNESS having briefly addressed Colonel
Richards, expressing regret at his retirement and
many good wishes for his future,
Colonel RICEIARDS said that it needed nothing to
convince him of the good feeling and kindness of
the corps towards him, but, at the same time, be
felt a pride in accepting that testimony of their
cordial feeling. It was a great comfort to him
whilst compelled to leave the corps, to know that
in Colonel Laurie he left an able successor. TheY
could none of them regret more than he did the
necessity for his retirement, but since he had been
connected with the regiment he trusted he had done
the volunteer service some good. Though he had
left them he still devoted his pen as much as possible
on all occasions to the service of the volunteers. It
was a great, he might say wonderful, force, but far
from perfect, or being what a very little would make
it, if that little were done. Lore Ranelagh had been
most cruelly misrepresented when he was made to
say the volunteers were a sham, for he had done
everything in his power for the welfare of the move-
ment. Every honest man and true volunteer knew
well what Lord Ranelagh meant. He meant that
the force wanted a better organisation, and that that
which at present existed might in some respects be
called a sham. He (Colonel Richards) did not
think they needed a commissariat with the volun-
teers, as such a thing would not be necessary in this,
their own country, nor did they want a system of
telegraphs of their own, but he wanted to see the
force thoroughly organised, so that on any day at
moment's notice, they could be called into action/
and be furnished with everything requisite, se
as to prevent that inconvenience and confusion
which must inevitably arise if they were called
out in their present state. Those were Lord
Ranelagh's views, and he hoped they would be
carried out, as the volunteers would then be 85
efficient an army as any in the world. It was not
of the volunteer force generally he wished to speak,
but of that regiment which was so dear to
A fter complimenting the corps upon its efficiency and
the manner in which the men had alway conducted
themselves in the ranks, he offered a few words o,
cl
parting advice to both officers and men. He asked
the officers to remember the mixed element with
which they had to deal ; to be gentle with the men
of whom they had charge, not to attempt to be too
strict, but at the same time to carry out the disci
pline of the regiment. It was a difficult force t°
command, but he had always found the task easy'
and he would also say, " Do not trouble your coal:
inanding officer with too many courts of inquiry' t
The men he asked to obey their officers, to be silent
in the ranks, and never to lift their rifles, whether
in shooting or snapping a cap, without thinking
that they were aiming at the heart of an eivutt'
who would reach their throats if they did not shoo,
,
him down. In conclusion, he said that the best te'
timony they could give him of their goodwill to-
wards him was to remain a regiment, and let .11
see them march by, so
.thati.he might be able-to
" There goes the dear old :Id London with wl°llt
I have passed so many happy hours." The gallie33
colonel resumed his seat amidst loud and prolonged
cheering.

tae f,,

The statue of Napoleon 1., one of the CUP a
d'ceuvres of Canova, which under the reign of Jerome st°°
in the Salle des Etats, Westphalia, has been found in 0-
hay-loft of the garrison at Cassel. In 1812 it had he 1
thrown down and broken. As soon as this discovery
to the knowledge of the French consul at Frankfort,
hastened to apply to the Prussian authorities, claiml"
these mutilated parte.