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 hest 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 md, 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 brothers, respecting the peculiar character of the
entertainments which 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 want of* tenant, and nu-
merous perforniers 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 laboed
cheerfully and loyally=and,by the best directed energies Of
all concerned, and that throug,h their agency we conclude
to-night. a season unparalleled. in success for at least twenty
years.
" What more can 1, 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
THE BUNN TESTIMONIAL'.
The piece of plate presented to Alfred. Bunn, Esq., at.
Drury-lane Theatre on the 29th ult., may bi inspected at
the manufacturers, Catchpole. and Williams, 1204 Regent-
street, during the weeke—June 3, 1844.
•

,
LYCEUM Timeiiep.—The following distinguished
persons have visited this theatre.during the week :—ller
Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of
Brunswick, Earl and Countess Bruce, Marqois of Bland-
ford, Countess Dunmore, Lord Fitzgerald, Lord Dillon,:
Lady Duff, Lord Mountcharles, Lord Eliot, Lady Somer
set, Baroness Ahleteldt, Sir James Graham and family,
Sir Loftus and Lady Otway, Sir Sydney-Ilerbert, Vis-•
count Emelyn, Lady
Curtis and family, Mr. Henry and.
Lady Meux, Lord Bateman, Lord Fdlkestone, Lord
Gardner, Lord A. Lennox, Sir C. East, Mr. and Mr's.'
Trelawney, Hon. Mrs. Vevey, 'Hon. W. Ashley, the
Swedish Minister,' Colonel Daniel, Baron Hugel,
Ricardo, Esq., Baron Koller, Sir Robert Cunliffe,
lion. F. Cavendish, Colonel Dixon, Captain Clarke, Mr.
GlegF, Mr. and Mrs. Biddulpb, Mr. and Mrs. S. Cox,.
Littledale, Eaq., Sir William Medlycott" and family,
Colonel Conyers, &c.
Dom
yEthe executors
or Suave'.
—1
definitively
rnitirviteizi
arranged'
a his late Royal 'Highness, that the collection of books
THE
i at LillenzgAtithrd
contained in the late Lkike's library shall be submitted
to public compe • tition The sale will commence early in
June.
terday in some
Public prayers were offered up yes ,
of the Roman Catholic, chapels of the metropolis, for
the welfare of Mr. O'Connell and his felloW Osman,.