The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-03 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

The season closed on Friday, when Mr. Bunn delivered
the following address
Ladies and Gentlemen—There are two reasons for in-
truding myself on this occasion—one is, that having on a
recent instance done me the honour to summon me before
you in a peculiarly gratifying manner, I am, like the rest of
the world, too fond of a good thing to part with it very readily ;
the other is, that I think it much better to render an ac-
count of myself than to entrust it to any other, however elo-
quent the substitute may be. This evening terminates an
arduous and a long season ' • and having in my hand a pro-
gramme of the promises held out to you at its commence-
ment, I am in a position to state that those promises have
been fulfilled, at least twice over, and I have but one promise
more to make, which is, that my speech shall not be as long
as my season. I stated my intention of producing two new
operas, and two new ballets, with the aid of- the best talent I
could procure ; whereas we have produced four grand operas,
and five ballets, besides the Christmas pantomime, and nu-
merous revivals. We have introduced to your protection
some of the most distinguished artistes to be found—many
principal ones of our own ' fair island,' and many from other
lands, assured that your generosity would at all times be ex-
tended to talent wherever it might be obtained.
"That generosity has enabled me, after many years of
management, to solve a question mooted long ago, whether
the national theatres could ever be made a source of profit.
I directed them both a few years since— something on the
principle of a man riding two -horses at one time. Between
ourselves they threw me ; but I got up again on one of them,
and, with boundless thanks for your goodness, I have won
the race.

" It does not become me to enter upon an argument,
taken up by others, respecting the peculiar character of the
entertainments whieh have formed one principal source of
attraction. To those who may object them, I can only reply
that the voice of public opinion has been my sole guide, and
that voice has spoken loudly in my favour; and that, more-
over, there is the other theatre in ant of a tenant, and nu-
merous performers anxious to be engaged in it. For myself,
I have but to say that my humble exertions to merit your
approbation have been seconded by those of the Committee
who preside over the destinies of this theatre, in a manner
at once honourable, generous, and full of feeling—by the
performers, who, without any reluctance, have laboured
cheerfully and loyally—and by the best directed energies of
all concerned, and that through their agency we conclude
to-night a season unparalleled in success for at least twenty
years.
" What more can I, what more need I say ? Why nothing,
but In the name of those respective parties, most sincerely to
thank you, and for myself, to assure you that my gratitude will
only end with my life."
THE BUNN TESTIMONIAL.
The piece of plate presented to Alfred Bunn, Esq., at
Drury-lane Theatre on the 29th ult., may be inspected at
the manufacturers', Catchpole and Williams, 1204 Regent-
street, during the week.—June 3, 1844.

LYCEUM THEATRE.—The following distinguished
persons have visited this theatre during the week :—Her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of
Brunswick, Earl and Countess Bruce, Marquis of Bland-
ford, Countess Dunmore, Lord Fitzgerald, Lord Dillon,
Lady Duff, Lord Mountcharles, Lord Eliot, Lady Sourer-
set, Baroness Ahlefeldt, Sir James Graham and family,
Sir Loftus and Lady Otway, Sir Sydney Herbert, Vis-
count Emeiyn, Lady Curtis and family, Mr. Henry and
Lady Meux, Lord Bateman, Lord Folkestone, Lord
Gardner, Lord A. Lennox, SiF C. East, Mr. and Mrs.
Trelawney, Hop. Mrs. Vesey, Hon. W, Ashley, the
Swedish Minister, Colonel Daniel, Baron Hugel,
Ricardo, Esq., Baron Roller, Sir Robert Cunliffe,
04vendish, Colonel Dixon, Captain Clarke, Mr.
Glegg, Mr. mid Mrs. Biddulph, Mr. and Mrs. S. Cox,
Littledale, Esq., Sir WPlsiam Medlycott and family,
Colonel Conyers, Ste.
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