The Sun.
London, England, 1844-07-23 00:00:00

Yesterday the annual meeting of the Proprietors of
this theatre was held in the saloon. A large number of
Proprietors were present, and the. Earl of Glengall was
voted to the Chair. The Noble Earl was supported by
Major Naylor, Captain Spencer, Captain Grover, Mr.
Ramsbottom, M.P. ; Mr. Benjamin Bond Cabbell, Mr.
Gregory, Mr. George Robins, Mr. Grenfell, and other
gentlemen.
The CHAIRMAN, after some introductory remarks,
called on the Secretary, Mr. Dunn, to read the report.
It was as follows :
" After the failure of the last lesseeship, and the heavy
loises which thereby immediately fell, not only on Mr.
Macready, as stated by himself, but through him also
on the Company of Proprietors during the two years
when the theatre was managed by that gentleman (a
failure which necessarily deprived the Committee of the
means of meeting engagements which they would will-
ingly have kept with the various parties connected with
this property), it is cheering to turn to the success which
has attended the efforts of the present management
during the past season.
"'The Committee have, therefore, the satisfaction to
announce to the assembly, that almost all. the difficultie's
under which the property laboured last year have dis-
appeared, and that the debts owing at that period, if not
altogether discharged, are, at least, placed in such a
train of liquidation, as that no doubt is entertained by
the Committee of their being shortly extinguished, as
far, at least, as the annual current expenses are coticerned.
" It has, however, been no ordinary task to bring
about this favourable result under the present state of
Public taste, and at a period when every species of
Die,..rical property and enterprise have declined so much
in value ah 2 public estimation. Nevertheless the lessee
has, throughout e season, so managed, as effectually to
meet the supposed alteZAtion in the theatrical taste of
the times.

" Mr. Bunn has, therefore, of neeea ity directed his
main efforts so as to render music and native talent, as
far as possible, subservient to the purpose of s,3euring
the applause of the public. This he has ultiMatei7
achieved, but in order fully to accomplish his object be
has been also obliged to resort to the costly assistance of
some celebrated artistes which the Continent could supply.
" The Committee have to state that the conditions sti-
pulated to be performed by the lessee under the agree-
ment with the Committee have been strictly fulfilled, and
the reports from the several departments throughout the
theatre represent the value of the stock as having been
kept up to a corresponding amount with the period at
which Mr. Bunn commenced his undertaking. An in-
ventory of the furniture, fixtures, and scenery, of the
theatre has been made by Mr. Beazley, the architect ;
the advantage of which is so obvious, and the document
on reference to it will, upon that point, speak for itself.
At the same time, the larger sum of money which was
allowed Mr. Macready from the funds of the proprietory
during the last lesseeship, in addition to his own outlay
upon his stage management, ought, the Committee
thinks, to have left the theatre in a much better working
condition than it was found to be by Mr. Bunn, when he
entered upon the theatre at the close of Mr. Macready's
management.
" The Committee have now to call the attention of
the assembly to the annual statement of the accounts,
which have been regularly audited by Major Naylor.
The favourable result of the last season has induced
the Committee to conclude an' agreement for a fur-
ther term of three years with Mr. Bunn, determinable,

at the option of either party, at the end of the first; and
they trust that, with the renewed exertions of the les-
see, a still more favourable season may be anticipated
in that which is to come."

The--financial statement appended to the report gives
the gross amount of the receipts of the year at 4,960/.
4s. ; the expenditure less by 596/. It was further
stated that the Proprietors had paid the Renters' trus-
tees the sum of 1,2851 at the rate of 51 per night (243
nights) in conformity with the agreement made in 1841.
_
report having been confirmed,

Mr. GEORGE ROBINS moved a ibte-bf. thanks two the'
Sub-Committee of the last year., .To their c'xertions
were the Proprietors iiidekted thittlfe house kid! been
opened ltt,Jll. Who. they saw 'that Covent-garden
Theatre c-o'fild not gr4t a tenant at any price, and re-
flected that Drury-lane had been fortunate in obtaining
a tenant who had paid every penny of his rent, he (Mr.
Robins) thought the thanks of the Proprietory were
eminently due to the gentlemen of the Sub-Committee.
Mr. Bunn had been secured for a term of three years
longer—a circumstance which added to the obligations
already incurred on the part of the Proprietors to the
Sub-Committee. So bright a prospect had not presented
itself for many years.—(Hear, hear.)
Captain GROVER had much pleasure in seconding the
resolution, which was carried by acclamation.
The Earl of GLENGALL, in returning thanks, was
desirous of making one or two remarks on the present
position of affairs. The report had doubtless been in a
very high degree satisfactory to the Proprietary, and
he thought Mr. Bunn deserved all the eulogiuui that
could be passed on him.—(Cheers.) It would be remem-
bered that last year they were in a most perilous position.
The theatre had been given up to them in a most un-
expected manner, and had placed the Proprietors in a
most serious predicament. The arrangements made
with the late lessee rendered the fulfilment of it
on his part a matter of honour. All the facts,
however, connected with the sudden termination
of his connexion with the theatre had been
placed before the public, who would judge of the merits
of the case in a fair and impartial manner. When that
circumstance occurred, London had to be searched from
one end to the other for a tenant, and, after the lapse of
some time, Mr. Bunn undertook the lesseeship. At that
time not an actor was engaged, nor had one single ar-
rangement been made for the commencement of the
season. Difficulties were, eventually, surmounted, and
the public at once showed their appreciation of Mr.
Bunn's management, for, during the last season, a larger
number of persons had visited the theatre than during
any season since the palmy days of Kean.—(Cheers.)
Considerable sums of money had, consequently, been re-
ceived by the lessee) but as his arrangements at the
outset had to be rapidly formed, his expenses had been
greater than in all probability they would be during the
next year. With all his success, therefore, only the
minimum amount of rent agreed upon had been paid.
The Noble Earl, in conclusion, expressed a hope that the
Proprietors and Renters would be placed on a more equit-
able footing. Under the present arrangement, a great
disproportion existed, but it was to be hoped that, by the
exertions of Mr. Robins and other gentlemen, some other
arrangement might be effected.—(Hear, hear.)
On this subject a long discussion took place, after which
Mr. SAMUEL WELLS, the Common Councilman, re-
quested permission to propose a resolution. They had
met that day under somewhat more joyous circum-
stances than usual, attributable, he believed, to Mr.
Bunn's admirable management of the theatre. With the
permission of the assembly he (Mr. Wells) would move
the following resolution :—" That the cordial thanks of

the Proprietors be given to Alfred Bunn, Esq., `for the
great judgment, unwearied perseverance, and disinte-
rested zeal he has displayed in the management of the
theatre."

Mr. RiummoTTom, M.P., fully concurred in the ob-
servations which had fallen from Mr. Wells, and in the
resolution he had proposed. He would second it heartily.
A Sub-Committee having been--Oosen, thanks were
voted to the Noble Chairman, who'briefly acknowledged
the compliment. Thanks were also voted to Major
Naylor for auditing the accounts. The name of the
Duke of Leinster was added to the general Committee,
and the meeting then dispersed.

HORRIBLE CHARGE AGAINST A CLERGYMAN.—
Considerable excitement has prevailed in Stockport (and
particularly amongst the congregation worshipping at St.
I'eter's church) during the last week, in consequence of a
report being currently, circulated that the Rev. R. H. Cres-
well, incumbent of St. Peter's church, had been guilty of a
most horrible and unnatural offence. This report, we are
sorry to say, is not without foundation, the rev. delinquent
having been apprehended on the charge under a warrant
issued by the sitting magistrates on Wednesday last. Cir-
cumstances attendin,, the charge having previously come to
the knowledge of Mr. Sadler, superintendent of police, he
instituted inquiries into the circumstances from a youth
named James Booth, about fifteen years of age, a servant of
Mr. Cresswell's, from the clerk of the church, and other per-
sons, who corroborated the statement made by Booth, and
left no doubt in the superintendent's mind of the truth of the
ewarrant.
r rin
a n t.
report. He accordingly represented the circumstances to the
town clerk, who made them known to the magistrates on
Wednesday, who the
hisfor
appearance however, thereupon granted a warrant for Mr. Cress-
well's
w el l' s apprehension.
company
Mr. Cresswell being ill in bed, and Mr. Downs, his surgeon,
certifying that he was labouring under an affection of the
brain, and not in a fit state to be removed, police-officer Wal-
ters was left in the house to take charge of him. Subse-
quently,na tSht . Pl
Peter'siceO ffin
church,cether Walters, went to the parsonage-
house same
and afternoon
executed Mtr. h. Sadler,
on Wednesday next. Mr. Cresswell, we understand, -has a
wife and seven children, who reside with him at the parson-
age.—Times.
to bail
answerto
the amount
charge of la,to oOt
h/ wasaccepted
Court-house
age.—Times.
It appears from a local paper, that Mr. Locke and
Mr. Chaplin " are al this moment engaged in examining into
the facilities and requirements of the line of country, with a
view to the extension of the Basingstoke and Salisbury
branch to Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Yeovil, &c , embracing
the county of Dorset to Dorchester and the .coast. We are
(adds our contemporary), moreover, authorised to state that
a line will be immediately carried out from Bishopstoke to
Chichester, via Portsmouth, by which means a'continuous
communication will be established with Brighton and the
south-eastern parts ofEngland."
INCENBIARISIII.—[FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]-1
saw some remarks in The Sun of Saturday on the subject of
incendiarism amongst the farmers' property. There is
one practice carried on upon every farm which cannot be too
stile-bodied carried
single
g men mer sfrhoamvet
w longen beteonfihift
y the
per
e habitt. olfe
as
much deprecated, and so long as it is persisted in, fires, as
the only means of revenge within the labourers' power, will be
payingthan
they
spay married men with families for the same labour.
This is net done by stealth ; the farmers defend the practice
in public, while the hungry, strong fellows of eighteen to
twenty or three-and-twenty, have both sense and fading to
see the injustice, and both they and their companions are
filled with burning indignation.

FLAG I'EOMOTION IN TILE ROYAL NAvy.—On a casual re-
ference to the navy lists of 1841 and 1844, we find that there
is exactly the same number of flag-officers in the list as
there was in 1841, previous to the November promotion in
/honour of the birth of the Prince of Wales. The numbers
"stand thus

September, 1841. July, 1844.
Admirals
.28 I Admirals. 37
Vice-Admirals

Rear• Admirals

94

•
175 J 175
Thus it will be seen that a number, amounting to that of
the whole of the Captains promoted in 1841 (40) have died
since that time. • The Admiral of the Fleet was a Post Cap-
tem in 1780, and the junior flag-officer on the list attained
the rank of Captain in 1807—the former 64 years, and the
latter nearly 37 years since.
In Harbour—Excellent, Victory, Camperdown, Fearleis,
Echo, and Rodney.
In Dock—Victoria and Albert, Prince Regent, Queen,
Wanderer, &C.

At Spithead--Collingvrood.
DEvom.ouT, JULY 19.—The flag of Admiral Sir David
Commander-in-Chief; was shifted on Satur-
day from the Sylph to the St. Vincent, 120, Captain Rowl7,
until the return of the Caledonia, when the St. Vincent will
return to Portsmouth, and equip for flag service in the Medi-
terranean.

The Firefly steam-vessel, Captain W. F. Beechy, arrived
from Woolwich on Monday : she received two months' ad -
vance wages, and sailed on Tuesday for surveying service on
the coast of Ireland.

The Superb, 80, was docked on Tuesday, to have her copper
examined, prior to going into ordinary.
Captain Brandreth, ILE., paid an official visit to this yard
this week, and consequently the works of the new steam basin
will shortly be commenced.

In Harb-our—San Josef and Confiance.
In Dock—Kent, Ranger, and Actteon.
In the Sound—St. Vincent.
SHEERNESS, JULY 19.—The Monarch, 84, and Herald, 26,
are to be brought forward for commissien forthwith. •
The Ocean, 80, Captain Peter Fisher, flag-ship, pro tem., of
Vice-Admiral Sir J. C. White, Commander-in• Chief, was
paid six months' advance on Thursday.
The Amazon, 44, only wants her masts aboard to be ready
fur the pendant.
. _

The Speedwell, tender to the Blazer, is in dock having her
bottom cleaned and coppered, the marine glue with which
she was sized about four months since having proved a failure
as a substitute for copper in keeping clean and free from
animal and vegetable excrescences the bottoms of the vessels
to which it has been applied.
Captain Superintendent Peter Fisher went on survey on
Wednesday.
The Vernon, 50, is repairing in dock.
In Harbour—Ocean and Africain.
In the Basin—Amazon, Vulture, and Crocodile.

In Dock—Vernon, Monartb, Herald, and Cameleon.
At the Nore—Apollo.

APPOINTMENTS.

Captain—John Bowker (1811) to Greenwich Hospital,
vice root,' deceased.
Lieutenanta-4. G. Raymond (1828) to the commalid of
,the Medusi; vice Phillipps, retirekfrimn ill-health ; J. F;
Arnold to tfiejictory ; Benjamin Dixon to the Ocean ; W.
Pretyrnan to command the Comet ; B. J. Wilson to be agent
in Mail Packet service.

Masters—C. Bellamy to the Queen; John Burdwood to
the Eurydice.
Mates—G. Bellis to the Resistance.

Chaplain—Rev. H. W. Taylor to the Imaum.
Second Blasters—Henry Hill, of the Gleaner, to the Flamer ;
Samuel Braddon to the Comet.
Clerk in Charge—John Macdonall to the Comet.
Assistant-Surgeon—G. Everest (additional) to the Victory
for service at Haslar hospital.
Master's Assistant—J. A. Saunders to the Queen.
Midshipmen—R. Rawlins (supernumerary), and Messrs.
Boileau, Christian, Peel, Tyler, Bying, and Jones, from the
Queen to the Victory.
Naval Cadets—H. E. G. Earle to the Porcupine; H. Far-
rington to the Carysfoot.

ROYAL MARINES.
Promotions—To be Captains—First Lieutenant P. T. AL
Payne, of the Chatham division, to the Plymouth division,
vice Brevet-major Mends, deceased.—To be First Lieutenant.
—Second Lieutenant George Drury, of the Portsmouth,
division, to the Chatham division, vice Payne. Second.
Lieutenant—J. W. Collman to the Artillery Companies of
the corps.

IRELAND.
LORD HEYTESBURY.

DUBLIN, JULY 20.—The following communication has been,
received by the Lord Mayor from Mr. Pennefather, the chief
clerk in the Secretary's office :
" Dublin Castle, July 19, 1844.
"My Lord,—l have the honour, by command of the Lords
Justices, to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a communi;
cation which I have this day received from Col. Bowles,'
Comptroller of the Household to Lord Heytesbury, and to •
acquaint your Lordship that early intimation of his Lord-
ship's arrival at Kingstown shall be forwarded to you, and
also at the hour at which his Lordship may be expected to.
arrive in the city of Dublin, on the 26th inst.—l have the ho-,-
nour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's obedient humble servant,
"RICHARD PENNEFATHER.
"Right Hon. the Lord Mayor."
The letter of Col. Bowles is subjoined :
"Castle, Dublin, July 19, 1844.
" Sir —I have the honour to acquaint you, that I have this'
morning received from Lord Heytesbury an intimation of hiss
intention to embark at Liverpool on Thursday evening, the--
25th inst., and he may therefore be expected to reach Dublin:
early on the 26th inst.—l have, &c.,
"The Under-Secretary:" " G. BOWLES.

THE MUNICIPAL DECLARATION.
A second supplementary list has been signed, containing-
considerably more than one hundred names of members of .
various corporations. The original declaration—that truly
important demonstration of public opinion, resulting from •
the State trials and the incarceration of Mr. O'Connell—is
now signed by upwards of four hundred and fifty elected re-
presentatives
of the people in the cities and towns of Ireland. ,
The following startling interrogatories appear in the Dublin
Evening Post of this afternoon :—" Is it possible, after the
Corporation desiring a copy of the report of the Commis-
sioners on the subject, for the information of the citizens at
large, that a contract for thirteen years, to commence two
years hence, has been entered into for lighting the city of
Dublin, with the old Company, and at the old and enormous
rate of charge? Is it, we repeat, possible that the Govern-
ment can have perpetrated so monstrous a job, in favour of
an English Company, leaving the citizens of Dublin, who
are to pay for it, utterly ignorant of their proceedings? W.
trust that Lord Eliot will at once be questioned on this sub-
ject in the House of Commons."
MURDER OF LORD NORBURY.

. _
Peter Dolan, labourer, aged 35, charged with the murder
of Lord .Norbury, was put upon his trial on Thursday. There .
were eleven Protestants and one Quaker on the jury.
The, chief witnesses were an approver named Day, and his
wife, but the testimony of the former on the table differed r
materially from the informations which he swore before-
Captain Vignoles. On the table he swore that he saw Dolan;
and knew him immediately the shot was fired, whilst in the -
first instance he deposed that he never saw him until he was
attracted by the shot.
The approver's wife was brought forward to prove the
conspiracy.
Amongst the witnesses for the defence was Peter Day, a
brother
,pf the approver, who impugned his charActer, and
stated tliat he himself had subscribed towards defraying the
expenses of Dolan's defence.
At a quarter to twelve his Lordship' (Judge Crampton)
charged the jury, who, after an absence of half an hour, re- I
turned a verdict of Not Guilty.
Lord and Lady Charleville cat upon the bench during the
trial, and remained till the announcement of the verdict,
which seemed to be received with surprise by the Noble Lord
and some members of the squirearchy of the county.
Dolan and Gill (the latter charged with the conspiracy)
were then discharged ; the charge against both resting cattle
same testimony.
There was a large crowd of country people in the streets,
even at that advanced hour, who hailed the result with sup-
pressed -'
cheers. This trial has given great satisfaction to the -
people, who, without a single exception, believed Dobn and •
Gill to be perfectly innocent. This mysterious murder is as '
little likely to be brought to light now as ever. Rumours
are afloat against an individual, whose wife is stated to have
been on too intimate terms with the unfortunate deceased,
but regarding whom it would not be fair to state further ,
than that he is not in the grade of the peasantry. Be the
perpetrator who he may, the mystery in which the murder is
shrouded, proves that but one person has been engaged in it.
TRIAL OF OGLE.
Ogle, the policeman' charged with attempting to suborn a
man named Thomas Johnson, to swear: that he had begn '
sworn in a Ribbonman, by a person named Dl'Laughlin, 1
lying at the time in Tullamore gaol, charged with having
had Ribbon documents in his possession, was acquitted on
Thursday at these (the King's County) assizes. 'There was 2
another indictment against him for instigating a woman
named Bridget Mullany, to set fire to a house, and to swear
against certain parties as the perpetrators. The Crown 1
withdrew this charge, although at the time the informations
were sworn against Ogle, the evidence against him was ex-
ceedingly strong.

How TO SERVE A POOR FRIEND.—If your friend is ;.
in want, don't carry him to the tavern where you treat
yourself as well as him, and entail upon him a thirst and an
headache next morning. To treat a poor wretch with a s.
bottle of burgundy, or fill his snuff-box, is like giving a pair
of ruffles to a man• without a shirt to his back. Put some-
thing in his pocket.—Tom Brown.
USE or THE FLESH BAUSH.—How many are they
who keep a number of grooms to curry their horses, who
would add ten years to :their comfortable existence, if they
would employ one of them to curry themselves with a flesh
brush night and morning!—Sinclair's Cockof Health.