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

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

The close of the 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 It." 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 was 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 Shakepere, Byron, Sheridan, Goethe, and others.
To give effect to the representation of these 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 beL alf of Mr.
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.)

THE VO.LUNMERS.

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 him, he, as the representative of the regi-
ment, had to han l 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 ability 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 sue 2.eSS.

Mr. LARDNESS having briefly addressed Colonel
Richards, expressing regret at his retirement and
many good wishes for his future,
Colonel RICHARDS said that it needed nothing to
convince him of the good feeling and kindness of
the corps towards him, but, at the same time, he
felt a pride in accepting that testimony of their
cordial feeling. It was a great comfort to big'
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 knee
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 thief
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 fig
moment's notice, they could be called into action,
and be furnished with everything requisite, s°
as to prevent that inconvenience and confusien.
which must inevitably arise if they were called
out in their present state. Those were Lora
Ranelagh's views, and he hoped they would be
carried out, as the volunteers would then bo ati
efficient an army as any in the world. It was De
of the volunteer force generally he wished to spank'
but of that regiment which was so dear to bile,'
A fter complimenting the corps upon its efficiency 0';
the manner in which the men had alway conducted
themselves in the ranks, he offered a few words 19.`
parting advice to both officers and men. He askedthe 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 teo
,
strict, but at the same time to carry out the dis%
pline of the regiment. It was a difficult force /
command, but he had always found the task easy'
and he would also say, " Do not trouble your 011,,
manding officer with too many courts of inclui.rto
The tnen he asked to obey their officers, to be Pe
in the ranks, and never to lift their rifles, whether
°• g
in shooting or snapping a cap, without think
that they were aiming at the heart of an en's!"4;
who would reach their throats if they did not OW;
him down. In conclusion, he said that the best, ti'y
ial
titnony they could give him of their goodwilLL
wards him was to remain a regiment, and let 1;,),
see them march by, so that he might be able t°,,0,0
" There goes the dear old 3d Loudon with will pt
I have passel so many hanny hours." TIC ga
colonel resumed his seat amidst loud and prelee'

cheering.
f„
The statue of Napoleon I. one of the dles:l
d'oeuvres of Canova, which under the reign of Jeronw 5,4
in the Salle des Etats, Westphalia, has been iounduili a
hay-loft of the garrison at Cassel. In 1812 it 113 a "L3e
thrown down and broken. As soon as this discoverY Tie
to the knowledge of tho French consul at Fraukfor.t7,lo6
hastened to apply to the Prussian authorities, 0181113
these mutilated parts.