The Sun.
London, England, 1818-01-31 00:00:00

Mt DUKE OF YORK

took' fhe`Chair a little befOre seven o'clock. As
lie entered the room, the hand sftiiek ilp " Om/
-sare the King." His Royal Trighnrss )ras whered
'into the room by the Stewards—and Was Accom-
panied by the 'following Noblemtn and 'Gentle-

men :

Lards Essex, Holland, PCtersliain, Varmonth, tO*ther,
Twrrineon, and W. Lennox—Gen GWvon—Messrs. Drum-
mond Farrell, Massey Dawson, Pascoe Grenfell, George Col-
man, the 'younger, Henry Harris, Dent, Sir George
Dein, Sir Jolin Sylveiter (the Recorder of London), Sir W.
eh:Merton-, Sir L. St. George Sketlington,
Dinner having beerreoncluded-,--
/Von nobis Domine was admirably snag. Mr.
Taylor, of Covent-Garden Theatre, 'conduCted the
trinsical part of tare entertainment, and conducted
it must ably-. Amongst the vocal corps tee ob-
served-, Mr. T. Cooke, Mr. Durtiset-, 14;. vans.,
Mr. Leese, Mr. J. Isaacs, and Mr. 'Finney.
The following toasts were then given from the
Chair :

Toast—" The King—God bless .him?*
Sing—" God save the King."
Toast—" The Prince Regent."
Glee—" Hail ! star of Brunswick."
Toast—" The (Inert)."
t;lee—" When order in this land commenced.'
Toast—" The Army."
Glee—" Flow merrily we lire."
Toast—" The Navy."
" Emic Britannia," sung in parts—prineipni
singers, Mr. T. Cooke, Mt. Taylor, Mr. Evans,
and Mr. Lrete.

Lord Hou.aten now rose and said, be was sure
the. Gentlemen present would excuse hint for in-
terfering, for a few minutes, with their convivia-
lity, when they learned the reason which induced
him to rise. His object Was, to propose to the
respectable body then assembled, in the shape of
a toast, a health which would enable them to ex-
press those feelings, which, it was easy to he
'perceived, beat high in the heart of every Gen-
tleman present. The toast lie was about to pro-
pose could not be pia from the Chair. If it could,
he should have been silent on this occasion. His
object in rising was, to propose the health of the
Illustrious Individual who filled the Chair—and,
he was sure, that This was the most compendious
Ar 4y of expressing.his own pleasure at seeing the
Royal Duke in the Chair, at the same-time that
it was the easiest mode of giving to others an
opportunity of expressing their satisfaction on so
auspicious an event. Many motives must induce
the Gentlemen present to rejoice, when they saw
the Chair thus filled—bot he. would not dwell
upon them, because the individual to whom they
related was present. The exalted rook—the il-
lustrious character-.--the well-known sirtues of
their Royal Chairman—were topics highly worthy
of attention ; but he was sure that he Avotild
offend the delicacy of that Illti&trions Personage,
if be touched upon them—and, actuated -by that
feeling, -he should abstain, It was, however, a
satisfaction to find that his .Royal Highness. was.
so far recovered froM his late accident as to be
able to attend on the present day.--(Apnlanse.)—
To those who were acquainted with his Royal
Highness, as he had the honour to be, it could
not be a matter of surprise, that an accident,
which deprived his Royal Highness of his usual
amusements —of Lis customary recreations
seas not sufficient, although severe, to prevent
him front standing forward as the advocate of
twice-blessed Charity !---(Applause.)--He should
now beg leave to say a few, and a very few, words
on the Institution, which the present assembly
were called on to support—and on that body of
mcn, at whose request, on this occasion, so im-
portant to them, his Royal Highness had been
pleased to take the Chair. With respect to this
Institution, as far as its origin was concerned, his
Lordship could say very little—hut, with its ge-
neral object and scope he was well acquainted—
and all those who hearth hit», were, he believed,
equally well acquainted with them, and approved
of them as much as he did. His Lordship's
knowledge of the persons professiOnally connected
with the Stage, arose front accident. Two indi-
viduals, now departed, and the memory of both
of whom he cherished, and ever should cherish,
next his heart, occasioned his acquaintance with
that body, for the helpless members of which the
present Fund was intended. One of those indi-
viduals, the late Mr. Sheridan—w ho was an orna-
ment of the Drama—who was ao ornament of the
Senate—who was an ornament of civil society—
whose mind was as enlightened as his feelings
were kind and liberal—whose talents were great,
but whose charity was infinite—(Hear !)—IIe it
was, who first hrought,him acquainted with actors.
At a later period, in consequence of his situa-
tion, as one of the Committee of Drury-lane
Theatre, he became more intimately acquainted
with the character and conduct of the principal
actors in this great metropolis ; and, in the situa-
tion which he held, lie had a fair opportunity of
marking their manners. What was the result of
his observation ? He found them liononrahle.
their dealings--kind, affectionate, and friendly to
one another—and liberal in their sentiments to-
wards
all mankind—(Hear, bear!)—He felt great-
ly delighted at seeing his Royal Highness present
on this occasion—not only because -he was the
root and support of this promising tree—hot be-
cause he was at the head of that • profession, of
which honour was the very essence.—(Hear,
hear !)—The Noble Lord concluded by proposing
The health of his Royal Highness the Duke of
York, with (hire times three.

The Duke of Yoan returned thanks in a few
woids. He expressed the great pleasure he felt
at seeing so numerous a company assembled on
this benevolent occasion. The ilea, that every
Shilling subscribed this day went t t) 'alleviate the
dislresses of sonic of those %vile) hid rendered onr
lively hours more pleasant, or who had soodied
the keen feelings that stung us in our less happy
moments, would impart pleasure to all !hove who
assisted the Fund,iauwever trifling their donation

might be.
giving—
" Success to the Thratrie3l Fond."
Song—•. blow! ! hon Winter's Wind!'
Toa,t—" Lord Holland, and the esidents."
The Earl retitt tied thanks.
Son:;—Mr. Evans—" T:trry awhile with me, triv Lore
toast—" The health of Mr. Fawcett, the Treasurer of the
Institution."—.(Great Applaose.),,
Mr. FAWCETT rose and spoke as.foltows
In -rising to
_return .our Illu.trintis Chairman
thanks for his gracious condescension in propos-
ing as a toast my health, it May, I tear, be expect-
ed of me to say something in behalt of our
tution—.l say, I fear it may, hecanse, having had
occasion of ten to speak on this sobject, the little
infort»ation my limited abilities hare enable?, me
airord, is now exhausted ; and I cannot recur
to the history of the ri3c and prot:ress of .this ex-
cellent establishment, without being thon,ght (at
least by those who have been -present on former
occasions) tiresome and tautological. But when
1 look round site, and perceive many exalted and
respectable characters, whose good feeling to-
wards the helpless part of my profession has in-
duced them, for the first time, to be present to-
day, I must throw myself on the candour of- our
old patrons, and implore their patience whilst
1 address myself more particularly to our new ones.
I hare strong reasons for thinking, that the
precise nature of this Institution is by no means
generally understood. I could. wish, therefore,
if 1 had the power to explain in a few words its
great utility, and to show how it operates-for the
protection. of the Actor, so. as to deserve:oe as
sistance of the Public.

His noyhi !rig co:;cluara by

It is Ho Institution formed for the put pose of
sheltering the aged and infit m performer from the
last nhyss of human misery formed %kb the in-
tention, also, of rescuing hint from the painful
task of intruding himself before that Public. (he
once may have delighted) when iefirmitv _presses
heavy upon him, when his. mind- and body are
bending under a load of natural decay (and per-
haps before he is sans eves, sans teeth, sans-,every
thing), afford him a little, leisure to collect his
scattered thoughts, and breathe,-in goiet,.a.sbort
prayer before•the curtain falls upon him for eier.
Age and infirmity, wheo potntrayed with talent
on the stage, create sympathy orderision, in pro-
portion as the character represented is virtuous or
flagitious; but they would cease to give the least,
gratification, indeed would be no longer tolerated,.
or endured by a pritish audience, if they suspected
the afflicted actor before them was really suffering
under the pressure of either. It naturally follows,
then, that young men, or at least Well in the vi-
gonr of life, must perform the aged characters ;
and it a 3 naturally follows, , that .the aged actor
must retire. Retire! retire is easily said ; and if
any gentleman can give to the veteran- who has
never had it in his power to hoard a shilling, a
satisfactory explanation of that word, retire,- he.
will be tinder a lasting obligation to him. That
there are many who have passed most respectably
through a theatrical life, appearing and conduct-.
ing themselves like gentlemen, on very slender
means, is a.. fact that is notorious. .This is the.
character our Fond is most calculated to protect—
'tis he who cannot dig—to beg he is ashamed.
It would be.the climax of buui taste. to distress•
the feelings of this company, by.dwelling.upun.
the unparalleled misery that has befallen my aged
brethern, when the Theatres could :no longer re-
tain them in their service ; to enlarge on-tliese
facts must excite sympathy, but it would cast R.
gloom over the enjoymetit of the slay, that would
be very foreign to toy inclination; 1 shall, there--
fore, content myself by declaring, the melancholy
case too often occurs, and shall leave it to your
imaginations to conjecture what that man's-situa-
tion must be,. who, having passed the greater
part of his lite on the stage, unused to business,_
or employment of any other kind, when he finds
himself suddenly, with no other warning than his
infirmities, cast upon the world, to groan out a
miserable existence without hope or shelter but

in the grave.
If this company admit the claim of such a-one
to their sympathy, what will they not allow to
the female part .of our fraternity ) 1t is a cruel
and a vulgar prejudice to asix.rse the moral cha-
racter of the English Actress.- No females in
early Hie are so exposed to temptation, and when
they do. deviate ft oin the path of rectitude, the
publicity of their calling makes that notosions
which, in another, might pass unobserved.
But, I am proud to say of them, collectively,
they are good wives, good Mothers, and ex-cel•
lent members of society—and I think you will
admit I am borne Out in the opinion, when •I
call to your recollection the noble and highly
respectable.marriarjs that have been made frOm
the Stage. And there are, I thank God, living
proofs of my assert.ion,.in the wives of Noble Men
and Gentlemen, taken front the Stage,: who, by
their private worth, have become ornaments to the
exalted stations to which they have been raised. If,
in the remembrance of all of us, the Stage has fur-
nished suds characters for private life, I take leave
to assume many. more might .be.found,--but
cannot be expected all should be -fortunate,,smit
may be wished those who are not so could-find
allesiation in. this Enact. Eor, though no man
can he a more strenuous advocate for them titan
I am,- yet candour compels me to admit one fault
they do possess—a fault that many of them live
to deplore—a sin of which they are sure to he
drieNed—and which they know, by the example
of their predecessors, is visited by the heaviest
penalty; the sin to which I allude is that of grow-
ing old. In this sin they. continue to indulge,
not withstanding all its consequences ; but, as eha-
rim y covers a Multitude of other, sins, so, 1 hope,
this charity will cover theirs. ..
One more case (with your permission) I would
Wish to state, berme I close the catalogue of woes
that this Ftilld is calculated id soften, if not alto-
gether relieve. The case I would wish to press
upon your particular consideratiou is that of either
actor or actress, who, in ti e very ',him of life, by
some mental or bodily infirmity, is .suddenly de-
prived of all power to follow this. uncertain pro-
fession=--for insignificant as some persons (nay
please to think the actor, he must possess every
faculty in full vigour, or fall to rise no more. By
tde person; last described the importance and
varue of this Fund is telt with a warmth ot grati-
tude not in my power to express—and, indeed, in-
adequate as I am,- I can give but a faint idea of
heir feelings, or of the prodigious import an;e of

tO tic re,retab:lly and st—,:ll-doing of
ilie• ,‘.4t

L'PhiA spe,ch ,vas received with the mast entbtr-
Qi;iitie applAim• 3 .
mr. fI. and the Proprietors of Covent-
Garden Them re."

Mr. I-lAd in tr•ltrilinv: thanks. said, the
Proprietors of Covent-Garden Theatre would feel
very happy if, in the most remote degree,. they
Could claim the merit of having assisted the Then-
rtical Fond. Ile hoped it would long continue
to flourish—he trusted it would proSper more and
more every year. It was his wish that it should
proeerd in the inverse ratio of his speech.—
Langhter.)—That vvonld be very brief, and lie
trusted the Theatrical Fund would be most eaten.
,ive. tie should conclude by giving the health of
a Gentle.nan,. who, as an author and a manager,
had giveo the grea(est delight to the whole Hritish
public. flaying said this, he hardly need mention
the frame of " George Cohnan the Younger."—
(Ulcers.)

Mr. CoLmAN.—" Public speaking is totally out
of my hands. I have some share also of that dif-
fidence which imy Brother Manager, Mr. Harris,
feels—and which all Gentlemen, appertaining to
the stage, are proverbially possessed of.—(Laugh-
ter.)—My speech shall therefore he as short as
the shortest thing I can recollect—it shall he
as short as—a summer season in the Llaymaiket
Theatre.—(Laughter.)—Aftepfthis, Gentlemen, I
:shall-fay no more, btu expressty gratitude for
the honour you have done me, by drinking, in re-
'torn, all your bealtlis.7—(Applause.)
- Toast.. process to the British Drama."
Son—Mr. Emery—" York, you're wanteft."
This song was originally sung by Mr. Inert i
at his benefit—and, of course, related a good deal
to himself. The following appropriate veins were
last'night. introduced •

."
At this big room I next look'd in,
Where Gentlefolks were drinking,
At that I'm sure I can work
With any man, I'm thinking.
BM Charity's the horsiness here,
So off I quickly jannted—
Me poor means would do no gomt,
iTwas Royal York was wanted:"
An encore followed this compliment.
Toast--r" Mr. Young, and the Gentlemen of the Com-
mittee."

Mir. YOUNG returned thanks.
Toast—" Pfuspeuity tot Unrry-Lane Theatre."
DENT, one of the Drury-lane Committee,
in returning thanks, observed, that the prosperity
of both Theatres depended on an union .of senti-
ment—not a mercenary, hut a friendly union—=
which, while it beneficed tire two Theatres, would
tend essentially to the improvement of public
amusements.

At. twelve o'clock the illustrious Chairman
withdrew—and the Company departed, highly de-
lighted with

" The feast of reason and the flow of soul,"

which they bath uninterrupedly enjoyed during
the evening.
Mr. Fawctrr, before the 'keeling broke up,
stated the amount of the subscription to be up-
wards of 1,0001.

DISPOSAL, of the DIsntESsED SEAMBN.

Yesterday.a very nuturrous Meeting of the Gen-
tletann;wlio ;hav,c been 4ctivtly employed in, dis-
pensing relit f.t9 the distressed tsi7amenwith whom
the Metropolis was a few dnys ago crowded, took
p
lace at the, King's Head lo the Poultry, for the
purpose of discussing. the question of the ultimate
dispo,,al of those claimants upon the puhlic bono-
ty; and of deliberating upon ,other niatter con-
nected with the efforts of the Committee.

Tile LORD MAYOR, on taking the Chair, and
{waling the statement of the advantages which
?tare already resulto frOm the plans adopted by
the Committee, declared that his mast sanguine
expectations had been exceeded, and that he and
Ilk brother Magistrates felt in the circumstance
of the great quantity of disagreeable daily employ-
ment that had been since its commencement taken
uff their hands, the utmost confidence of success.

Ile rejoiced
:to have this opportunity of declaring
what he knew would go forth to the public, to
whom the intelligence was due, that the Conirnittee
had the .higliest claims upon their gratitude, and
that within a very short time numbers of the af-
flicting objects in'the streets of London would be
disposed of beyond the probability of a relapse
into that unhappy condition.
CApHill ER AN LAND, previously to the com-
mencement of the discussion upon the specific ob-
ject at the Meeting, mentioned that some seamen
who had pensions of 111. and 16./. a year, were
found begging in the streets ; those certainly
were not entitled to participate in that which was
intended for the relief of the distressed ; Ott the
contrary, they merited punishment, which he
trusted the Lord Mayor was authotized to inflict.
The Lotto Mavort repeated the assurance he

ad made before, of a determination to render all

the assistance in his power, by the apprehension
of such mendicants, and thellisposal of them ac-
cording to law.

Captain FRANKLAND said,- it was supposed by
some that the cause-of his complaint originated
in;the want of vigilance upon the part of the po-
lice-officers, and perhaps in the want of integrity
manifested in taking bribes to permit the solicit-
ing of charity.
The LORD MAYOR said, he hail suspected that
an understanding of that kind existed between
some of the Police Officers and the begging sea-
men. lie hail told the former that he would in-
stantly suspend any person guil►y of such base
conduct ; and he assured the Committee that no-
thing should change that intention. -
• The object of the Meeting was then brought
forward.

Mr. LYALL objected to the principle upon
which applications were made to the Coulmittee
for a-supply of men, upon the ground that an op-.
port unity was thus given CO sub,litnte seamen who
were beggars, and had no characters, hi the room
of those %vho.e conduct tTa4 irreproachable. This
was evidently the case, if it appeared that there
was a yedmwafirl seamen. Tittle wa.t, he-
,ides, anuthr. r. very important objection. namely,
that of making the candidates lor employment
pass through pauperism and mendicity h. fore they
were supplied with all oeCasinn for industry.—
This system would have the effect of counter-
acting the object -of. the Register-spice,
was noW in progress, and which was established
for the investigation of ,the characters Of appli-
cants for it needed no a .gument to prove that

'Cue pra'c'tiee a giving etriplry'rren lhote '4.11;f4.
had no character- was inconsistent ti 1.1" t
regniring an indisputable reierence.
The yneral sentiment .was against the obscrlA•
tious of Mr.
The Stc ETA Y oketred, that there r•1;,1 not
appear riPpe.r hint to he grolind either tor sil`le`.l,.
in;; the integrlt) of tlsi(te pObr fellows, 11'
giving them the name of beggars. • The C"nl:
Ildttee had done nothing to confirm that
tion, which had, lie thought, been erroneou'l,
applied. Their wants proceeded, it way prt"...l
generally knoWn, from unafoidable cit-rumitaoce"„.
'They were not VOL rants ; the Committee
called upon to prevent them frimibeing made s":i
and it %vas a tact that they %vete generally to"
good character. n. ',e eScitt prospect was cel
tainly a pleasing one, for it presented the area''')
)
of restoring those who were qualified to get. I.'l,
the former comfort and independence of I"'
condition. lie (lid not think there was a red,'".:
(fancy of seamen ; bat there were, it, would Is!
unjust that those upon whose interests the Co,oj.
mittee was employed should suffer for the geocill
body.--(Applause.)
The Statement laid before the Meeting com Pry
beaded the following important facts
There are now in the river six ship; for. t"
use of the healthy seamen, -and one hospital Abir.
They are capable of receiving 1400 men.
One'tliousand and forty-one have been a!re3':)'
receiverl on board. •
One hundred and ninety-seven of those 41'.
been disposed of effectually, sonicin nitkb*at>
service and others in the 110vy.
There are in attendance upon the sick., a 1.711,3:0 r
cian, It sturgeon, and two assistant-surgeons, °
by the Committee.
One physician, Dr. Rankin, of the East -11
Company's service, attends gratuitously.
There are now on hoard 859, all of Iv"ii!'
with the exception. of about 10, have been bo‘..
ing in the navy.
The men certainly fit for service do not 101040
to less than 500.
Ilut four deaths hare taken place since the 'l4°
were fitted out for the itet-prion- of the melt'.
About 120 have been cured-of:the itch. 1.11`1:'
applicants for relief whom it was intpossild°:'':
accommodate at the commencement and dario',-
Out prodigious influx of seamen in the sli4v,t
workhouse,.and other places,. were supplied
threepence each and a fourth of a quartern luau
every day.
Orders have been given for several days flail 07
the officer of the Abundance rec. icing-Oil'
take all seamen who apply on board for -e019•1-
oat ion.
Mere is a 'regulation which was adopted.
prileutly.when:The plan was proposed.,
pe,rsou, who,had an inteetio.us disease should, Oc‘ • ,
admitted amongst those poor. fellows, %% hose P".
verty subjected them to trials enough.
duct adopted by the Committee, upon ft!/trim"
that were grounds for apprehensions. of
',just, is to give ..an,adettu,ate provision.to
eased, and exclude him from all intercourse ‘e34'l
those who Would in all probability be great
•
terers by the communication.
in the ((count hid lrefott the Con`ll7l4'. tee.€_; -, -;nrella
seamen were not forgotten. it tzs statetl.t3l;.'
there were 5.9' for, igoers, besides those.
who atutrunred to 43 ; there tuns affil t4ll3lll''-
etrtirs' declaration,- that holc wire), cnidit not
provided ships, and %rho were riot very ftf'
cepta,ble in their own countries as claimants urwi .
public stupport, in consequence of haring fOogilrf
for England, should be cons4dereti -the tig.bt
Englishmen.
There appeared in a Sunday Paper a letter, in
which • the conduct of the Committee wk., 817

tacked. That letter was noticed upon this OeT
,sion, and declared to, be a most.gross falseboffl
It related to the application of a black man f)'';
relief, Avhich it asserted was denied, and cOuti`,r,
some comments upon the crnelf v. stated as lia'
accompanied that denial. There appeared a Yrri
general feeling of indignatiou amongst thee. Coll"
!puttee against the author of the mis-statemeot.,
Whatever attacks they might be subject io froo
misapprehen;sinn oa the pant of (niters., or err",'
upon theirs, they congratulated themselves
the undeniable fact, that they were instrumea"v
to the relief-Of many poor fellows, who,veret,'''
almost sa'ely over the wint.er,and would have or'
portunities very Soon of serving themselves. After
all necessary investigation, those who were tio'
able to re-enter the service should be sew ion,"
yn the event of the refusal of Government to ta!s4
them under its immediate protection. The opini,"'
of many was, that all of those who are able "
engage in active service %rill- be disposed of in 51
weeks.

Mr. LTALL repeate(l his objection to the
and asked shether those seamen were pro‘ideuc
or careful?

Captain Fr big,: LAND admitted that seamen %vela
in the lhabit of losing, their money on coming IP-
I o port.

the Lour) Miami begged that no distinction;
should be thawn between those who were inset:'
vice and- those who wet e not. It could answ‘r
no good purpose.
Mr. LY ALL said, he was not thinking of distinc-
tions ; Ise merely meant that those men shoula
not he eno,tyed to the prejudice of ,ot hers.
A Resolution was passed, signifying that the
iimhbrr stated above "ere received on board tiro
slutrs fitted op for the purpose, and appointio4
the rith of- February the last day of admission,'
except to those who labour under bodily defect 0.. r
infirmity.
It mis also deerminell to apply to the Mini-
rah y to grant relief to such of the seamen as +Nem;
unfit for service ; and a Select Committee w:"
appointed to consider those several Resolution,*
and t eport thereon.
It was likewise resolved, that it should be 11“'
duty of a Special Committee to consider the oto z
proper means of employ;ng the Seamen while (,0
board the rtreption amps.
Thanks having beet] %wed to tLe Lord Mayor '
the Meeting separated.

The expenevs attending the plan ,amount
upwards or. 8001. a weeli•.

LONDON: Printed by J. C.IIISTA IRS, of No. 29, (;re"
Ornmod-street, Qocen•square; 'and published by W• A.
SCItIPpS, of N. 7, South Molten-sheet, at 'Puts
(Nice, No. II'?. Strand; where Advettisementb. °Heist
Letter), &e, xiust addecsced.