Star.
London, England, 1830-04-26 00:00:00

ARTISTS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

Saturday the anniversary of the foundation of this Institution
was celebrated by a dinner at the Freemasons' Tavern. The Earl
of Aberdeen was to have taken the Chair, but, being unavoidably
prevented. his place was most ably supplied by Lord Grantham,
who throughout the evening exhibited a degree of cheerfulness,
animation, and zeal for the interests of the charity, which delighted
the respectable company over which he presided. On proposing
the King's health the noble Chairman stated, that shortly before he
came to the dinner he had been infomted, by a very high authority,
that His Majesty's health was decidedly improving. This annun-
ciation was received with great applause, and the toast was drank
with four times four.

Upon giving " The Army and Navy," his Lordship remarked,
that the toast should find peculiar favour amongst an assemblage of
artists, who were furnished with noble subjects for the exercise of
their talents by the gallant exertions of our heroes in the field and on
the ocean.

The health of Mr. Shee and the Royal Academy was drunk with
great applause.
Mr. SDEE returned thanks, and after passing a just eulogy on the
celebrated man whom he has succeeded as President of the Royal
Academy, pledged himself to use every exertion in his power,
whilst he retained his situation, to advance the interests of the art.
The memory of Sir THOMAS LAWRENCE was drunk in silence.
Various other toasts were drunk in the course of the evening, which
was rendered the more agreeable by the exertions of 31r. BROAD.
HURST and other vocalists. The subscription raised in the room
amounted to 6381.

EXHIBITION OF WATER-COLOUR
PICTURES.

The Twenty-sixtb Exhibition of this Society, in Pall-mall East,
WWI opened for private view on Saturday. The room ass exceed-
ingly crowded by persons of the highest distinction. Among the
company were the Dukes of Norfolk and Argyll, the Marquis and
Marchioness of Aylesbury, and the Marchioness of Stafford ; Earls
Brownlow, Carlisle, Dartmouth, Digby, EMMY, Grey, Gower, and
Surrey; Lords Durham, Farnborough, Grantham, and De Tabley ;
the Bishops of London and Winchester, and the Prince Esterhazy,
and the Foreign Ambassadors.
There are nearly 400 pictures in the present collection, which is one
of the most interesting that the Society have yet displayed. Copley
Fielding has no fewer than 45, the principal of which were sold in
the course of the day. Gartincau has 22, itobson 43, De Wint 18,
Barrett 14, very choice productions. Front has eight remarkably
atttactive subjects —No. 58. " View of the Ducal Palace, Venice,'
for clearness, breadth, and harmony of colour, might almost pass
muster for a Canalctti. Miss E. Sharpe has several of the
highest order of merit in the art; many of them were marked
" Sold" before the day was over.—No. 6. " Child on the Cliff,"
with the agonized mother enticing her unconscious Infant
from the edge of the precipice, is exceedingly interesting.-
127. " Girl with a Harp ;" 211. " Scene in the Vicar of Wake-
field ;" and 225. "Girl with a letter," by the same talented
artist, are charming productions. There are several by G. Cuter.
mole, chiefly scenes of midnight baronial revelry, in which, to the
graces of a very free and correct pencil, a consummate knowledge of
the mysteries of light and shade is added.-49. " Lower Desks of
the Ship Enchantress, In his Majesty's Preventive Service," by W.
Hunt, is an admirable example of the breadth and vigour of which
this branch of the art is susceptible.-103. " The Squire," J. F.
Lewis, the personification of a country Squire after a hard day's
sport, enjoying the mental retrospect of his exploits in company
with a couple of favourite hounds by the parlour fireside. —l6O.
" Interior," by the same hand, is also worthy of attention.--
315, 318, 327, and 333, four subjects to illustrate the following
lines, by Stcphanoff, are exceedingly good
" in peace love tunes the shepherd's reed:
In war he mounts the warrior's steed ;
In balls in gay attire is seen ;
In hamlets, dances on the green."
353. " Rembrandt and his Model," by the same, is a superior per-
formance.—From the crowded state of the room it was impossible
to notice in detail the works of.all the artists whose fame and per.
formances constitute a double claim upon the pen of criticism.

COMMEMORATION OF SHAKESPEARE.

SECOND DAY.

STRATIVID-11POW-AVON, Saturday night.
The public breakfast, which took place this morning, was fol.
lowed by a concert in the Town-hall. In the evening there was a
public display of fire-works in the Rother market, and the amuse.
meets of the day concluded with a masquerade. Great (Resat's.
faction has been expressed against the manner in which the chancel
of the Church of the Holy Trinity, where Shakspeare's remains and
monument are placed, is closed to the public. No entrance is now
to be obtained without " filthy lucre." Even the windows are co.
vered with canvas, to prevent the poor, but enthusiastic devotee to
" Shakspeare's shrine" from obtaining a glance at the resting-place
of the bard.

Just previous to this account leaving, trumpeters. in heraldic
dresses, were proclaiming that the following Address to his Ma.
jesty was lying for the signatures of the inhabitants and visitors :

TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
Sire,—We, your Majesty's most dutiful and:loyal subject., the
Mayor, Aldermen, capital burgesses, and others, inhabitants and
visitors of the borough of Stratford-upon-Avon, deeply sensible of
the manifold blessings we, in common with all our fellow-country.
men, enjoy under your Majesty'■ paternal rule, humbly beg leave
to approach your throne, with sentiments of the most unfeigned
gratitude for the signal mark of royal favour and condescension
which your Majesty has lately bestowed upon the birth-place of
Shakspeare, in becoming the patron of the Shakapearian Club, and
of the festivities in honour of this day, under its supetintendence.
In joining in that universal tribute:of loyalty and affection which
the annual return of this day always calls forth from a grateful
people, the recollection that your Majesty is now, by the blessing of
Providence, recovering front indisposition, will give a zest to the
festivities of your subjects, which could only be increased by your
Majesty's perfect restoration to health.
lAce;pt,most gracious' Sire, the assurance of our loyal ar.d faithful
attachment to your Majesty's sacred person and government; our
ardent wishes, united with our fervent prayers, that a gracious and
all-powerful Providence may restore to your Majesty the inestimable
blessings of health ; and grant that your Majesty may long continue
to reign with glory and happiness in the hearts of a free, brave, and
affectionate people.'
The above address has already received the signature of the Mayor,
Corporation, and upwards of lull persons in the town, within a very
short time. It will remain until the conclusion of the festival, when
it will be presentee: to his Alajesty by deputation.

Mr. KEAN has made proposals for Drury-lane Theatre,
and is sanguine in his expectations of becoming the Lessee-
VAUXHALL GARDE'S s.—The Proprietors of these
Gardens arc engaged in preparing for the ensuing season. Concerts
on a superior scale are to be occasionally performed in the Grand
Saloon ; and the cmusements will be arranged so that sufficient time
will be Afforded for the company to promenade, as was the custom
in former days, to the great delight of all well.drersed Beaux and
Belles.

DE URI- LANE TH AT It E.-HCRTi Quatre, reduced
into two acts, was performed on Saturday. Miss STEPHENS ap-
peared in her character of Louisan, to which she gave great interest,
and sang the whole of her songs very sweetly. WALLACE as Henri,
and EMMEN as Moustache, were equally efficient in those charac-
ters. Madame VEST en went through her part with good effect, and
no disturbance interrupted the entertainments of the evening.
KING'S THEATRE.—Madame LA LAN DE made her
third appearance on Saturday in It Piruta, and though in raise.
qucnce of evident indisposition she was unable to exert herself with
the same effect as on the former occasions, she went through the part
successfully, and was much applauded throughout. DoxzELLI
was never heard to finer advantage than in this Opera ; the part
seems peculiarly adapted to his style, and affords frequent oppor-
tunities for the most effective display of his magnificent vocal power.
He was loudly encored in his conchiding aria. The choruses were
given in better style than on the first night, especially that very
striking composition Viva Vista. The house was fully and fashion-
ably attended.
MADAME VEST RIB AND MR. A N DERSON...-.11 id
said that ANDERSON is the chosen favourite of the sister of VES-
TED!, and that this lady, who has been always so very aristocratic
in her attachments, is mortally wounded by the degradation of such
a plebeian alliance, and spares no opportunity of exnressing, by
ward and deed, her abhorrence of the cause of her chagrin. If this
be so, the public have still less to do with tke question than ever.
Mit. FA wc Err.—Friday the principal performers of
Covent-garden Theatre held a Meeting, for determining the best
means of rendering Mr. Faweett'a retirement from the stage as gra-
tifying to his feelings as possible. 3lr. Charles Kemble was unam.
mously called to the chair. After a good deal of discussion on the
best means of doing honour to the retiring veteran, it was resolved
that the gentlemen present should form a committee, fur the pur.
pose of assisting Mr. Fawcett to make the last night of his appear-
ance as brilliant as his professional talent and .pr.vate worth have
been conspicuous. That as Miss Fanny liCanbk and Mr. Ma-
thews had already volunteered their services on the occasion. appli.
cation should be made to other distinguished members of the pro-
fession, to assist in varying the entertainments. Sir 0. Smart and
Mr. Bartley were appointed to communicate with Mr. 'rawest' on
the subject, and the Meeting adjeuened to Tuesday.

IMPROMPTU

Written by a Gentleman presort at • dinner party, a: which the
Marquis of BLANDFORD publicly stated that Ministers bad lost
the confidence of the country.

'Tis said they've lost, by its abuse,
Out confidence; but I'd be glad
To know how they could ever lose
What none among ►hem ever had!
Age.

MEDICO-BOTANICAL SOCIET T.

The Anniversary Dinner of the Medico-Botanical So-
ciety took place at the Thatched House on Saturday, Earl STAN-
HOPE, the l'resident, in the Chair, supported by many of the most
distinguished members of the different departments of medical
science. After the Dinner, the Noble President gave the health of
the King, the Patron of the Society ; then follow,d the toasts usu.
ally given on all festive occasions. The health, of the Foreign So.'
vereigns who had forwarded the objects of the Society were then
drunk. The Noble EARL next proposed the Foreign Ministers,
who had on so many occasions honoured the Society by their pre-
sence.—Mr. Toilets, the Minister from Buenos Ayres, returned
thnnks in a neat and elegant speech.
The Noble PRESIDENT prefaced the health of the President
and Royal College of Physicians with the expression of his respect
for that learned body, and the regret that he felt that they were de-
prived the honour of Sir Henry Halford's presence, in consequence
of his having received his Majesty's commands to go to Windsor;
and his Lordship read to the meeting a letter which he had received
from the highly-taloned President of the College, for whose Mend,
ship he entertained the highest value.—Dr. RovreLL, one of the
Censors of the College of Physicians, returned thanks in the name
of that body, and felt assured they would always appreciate the
active exertions of the Society for the improvement of Medical
Science,

The Noble Eat! observed that the next health would he received
with the enthusiasm it merited ; he meant the Director-Oeneral of
the Army Medical Board, who had before presided over them. In his
presence he felt the utmost delicacy in speaking of him in the terms
he merited, but he knew how deeply sensible the Society was of his
uniform kindness, and of the high professional talent which he pos.
weasel.—Sir JADES MACGREGOR, in a very short but comptcken-
sive address, expressed his sense of the feeling that was entertained'
for him ; he had always been happy to promote the excellent objects
of the Society, and nothing could give him greater pleasure than
when he resigned the honourable office which had been conferred on
him, to find it was filled by a nobleman, whose zeal and talent he 'I
would not now venture to eulogize, but which was too conspicuous
to be allowed to pass in complete silence.
The Noble PRESIDENT next expatiated upon the beneficial I,
effects already produced by the Society, the attention there had been
paid to botanical knowledge in countries where it had before passed
unnoticed. The medical science would reap the greatest advantages
from the success of the Society, and he hoped it would now be ren-
dered worthy the character it was anxious to obtain, by tl,e unrc.
mitting exertions of its members To the Professors the Society
was much indebted, and he hoped they would continue to met it the
respect they had gained. Dr.Witurixo, in his own name, and that
of his brother Professor, returned thanks, and, in a very able and
judicious speech, professed his anxious wish to prosecute the silence
he had undertaken with zeal and assiduity.
Several other toasts were then proposed and drank, and, on the
noble Earl quitting the chair, Dr. Sigtnond was unanimously called
on to fill it. He said that it gave htm the greatest pleasure, as it
afforded him an opportunity of proposing the health of that die-
tinguished Nobleman who had just left them, and for whom he,
in common with every member of the Society, entertained the
deepest respect and esteem. In whatever point of view he saw
him, it was with admiration for his talents and respect for
those amiable qualities which rendered him so much beloved
by all who had the honour to know him., Of the high opi-
nion entertained of him by the country at large he would
say nothing ; it was to his presence amongst them he could only
allude, and it was a source of unmingled pleasure to them all when
his Lordship came amongst them. He hoped to see many indi-
viduals, illustrious by their rank and tatent, following his Lord.
ship's example ; wearied with the exhausted themes of political
discussion, they might seek with satisfaction the lovelier paths of
science, and join those societies which promise to promote the best
feelings of our nature. The meeting separated, highly pleased
with the convivial and intellectual treat that had been afforded
them.