The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-13 00:00:00

THE BALFE TESTIMONIAL.

The testimonial presented to M. W. Balfe, Esq., on
the stage of Drury lane Theatre, on the occasion of his
benefit, December 7, 1844, consists of the following
pieces of plate, manufactured by Messrs. Gass and Sons,
166, Regent-street :—Kettle on stand, with lamp ; a nl-
ver, cake basket, coffee-pot, tea-pot, sugar basin with
tongs; two dozen spoons, cream ewer, milk jug, and
butter cooler, all richly chased, with raised bouquets of
flowers, and clusters of fruit. The kettle and the salver
both bear inscriptions—that on the kettle is as follows:
" PRESENTED TO MR. M. W. BALFE,
The composer of eleven successful Operas in London,
By a few of his numerous friends and admirers,
On the night of the hundredth performance of his popu-
lar Opera,
TILE BOHEMIAN GIRL,'
At the

Theatre Royal Drury-lane, 13th November, 1844."
On the salver is inscribed—

" THIS SALVER,
Together with a
•
TEA SERVICE, KETTLE, BASKET, &c.,
Was presented to
MR. M. W. BALFE,
By a few friends, as a small testimony of their admiration
of his talents and genius as a composer,
On the night of the hundredth performance of his popu-
lar Opera,
THE BOHEMIAN GIRL,'
At the Theatre Royal Drury-lane,
November 13, 1844.
SIR HENRY WEBBE, Bart., President.

11. J. ST. LEGER, Esq.., Honorary Secretary."

SCHOOL FOR THE INDIGENT BLIND.—A General
Court of the corporation of the School for the Indigent
Blind was held yesterday, at the London Coffee-house,
for the purpose of receiving the general and financial
report, and on other general business. S. H. Sterry,
Esq., presided. It appeared that during the last quarter
the amount received was upwards of 5,0001., from which
deducting the current expenditure, a balance of 6501., re-
mained in the banker's hands. The report of the past
year showed the funded stock of the corporation to be
65,7281. 17s. 7d., the receipts for donations and subscrip-
tions, dividends on stock, &c., amounted to 11,189/. ss.
lld. The noble building having been much beautified
and materially enlarged, is now capable of containing an
additional number of pupils ; and therefore in addition
to the present number of 68 males and 70 females, the
Committee have determined that 18 (10 additional) shall
be admitted at the election in March. Thomas Keith,
Esq., for a donation of 5004, was elected an honorary
life member ; and after thanks had been awarded to the
chairman, secretary, and other officers, the court broke up.
The Ipswich steeple chase, which had been post-
poned since the spring in consequence of the fatal acci
dent to Lord William llill, under whose auspices it had
been got up, came off on Thursday, between Bramford
and Clayd.on, on the grounds of Mr. George Morgan.
The course was four miles in length, and contained forty
leaps. Owing to the frost, the ground was very hard,
and considerable delay in the start took place. The com-
pany was very numerous. The sweepstakes of ten sove-
reigns each were won by 011iver's Vanguard, beating
Mr. W. Lamb's Faith and three others. As a feat of
daring horsemanship, the race between the two favou-
rites has scarcely a parallel. The last leap measured
thirty feet, and was reckoned a most extraordinary
achievement. The match for 30/., between Mr. Theo-
bald's l'ine-apple and Mr. Oswald's Yellow Dwarf, was
won by the foriner, after a tremendous struggle by a
neck. The sweepstakes of 31. each, with 201. added,
were won by Mr. Jex's No Go, beating Mr. Wayman, s
The Buck and two others. In taking a rasping fence on
one of the hills, No Go fell, 011iver, his rider, being un •
dorneath. The docile animal is represented as having
been quiet as a lamb, until a signal was made by his
rider, when the horse got up, and 011iver having re-
mounted, soon passed his competitors, and making the
remaining leaps with great dexterity, won easily.—Busy
Post.