The Sun.
London, England, 1827-02-26 00:00:00

THEATRICAL FUND DINNER.

rt Ant Annual Dinner of the Edinburgh Theatrical Fund
wts held yesterday in-the Assembly Rooms--Sir Walter Scott in
t r Cbiir, and near whom sat the!Eari of Fife, Lnrd Meadow-
b,,nk, Sir John Hope ,of Pinkie, Bart., Admiral Adam, Baron
Clerk Rattsiy; Gilbert Innes, Esq., James Walker, Esq., Robert
Dundat, Esq., Alexander Smith, Esq. &c.
- The cloth being removed, " Non.tiobis Domine" was sang by
Mears. Thorne, Swift, Collyer, and Hartley ; after which the
following-toasts were given from the chair
The King"—all the honours.
" The Duke of Clarence and the Royal Family."
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the next toast, which he wished
to .be drank in solemn silence, said it was to the memory of a re-
gretted Prince, whom we had lately lost. He proposed to drink
to the memory. f his late Royal Highness the Duke of York.--
Drank in solemn silence.

The Chairman then requested that gentlemen would fill a bum-
per as full as it would hold, while he would say only a few words.
He was in the habit of bearing speeches, and he knew the feeling
with which long ones were regarded. He was sure that it was
perfectly unnecessary for him to enter into any vindication of the
dramatic art, which they had come here to support. This, how-
ever, he considered to be the proper time and proper occasion for
him.to say a few word's on that love of representation which was
an innate feeling_in human nature. It was the first amusement
that the child had—it grew greater as he grew up ; and, even ir,
the decline of life, nothing amused so much as when a common
tale is well told. The first thing a child does is to ape his school-
master, by flogging a chair. It was an enjoyment natural to hu-
manity. It was implanted in our very nature, to take pleasure
from such representations at proper times and on proper occa-
sions. In all ages the theatrical art had kept pace with the
improvement of mankind, and with the progress of let-
ters and the fine arts. As he has advanced from the
ruder stages of society, the lore of dramatic representa,
tions has increased, and all works of this nature have
been improved, in character and in structure. They had
only to turn their eyes to the history of ancient Greece, although
he-did not pretend to be very deeply versed in ancient history.—
Its first tragic poet commanded a body of troops at the battle of
Marathon. The second and next, were men who shook Athens
with their discourses, as their theatrical works shook the theatre
itself. If they turned to France in the time of Louis the Four-
teenth, that era is the classical history of that country, they
would find that it was referred to by all Frenchmen as the golden
age of the drama there. And also in England in the time of
Queen Elizabeth, the drama began to mingle deeply and wisely
in the general politics of Europe, not only not receiving laws
from others, but giving laws to the world, and vindicating the
rights of mankind--(Cheers.) There have been various times
when the dramatic'art subsequently fell into disrepute. Its pro-
fessors have been stigmatised ; and laws have been passed against
them, less dishonourable to them than to the statesmen by whom
they were passed, and to the legislators by whom they were adopted.
(Loud Cheers.)—The performers are in a particular manner en-
titled to the support or regard, when in old age or distress, of
those who had partaken of the amusements of those places which
they render an ornament to'society. Their art was of a peculiarly
delicate and precarious nature. They had to serve a long appren-
ticeshiy. It was very long before even the first-rate geniuses could
acquire the mechanical knowledge of the stage-business. They
must languish long in obscurity before they can avail themselves of
their natural talents; and after that, they have but a short space
of time, • during which they, are fortunate if they can provide
the means of comfort in the decline of life. That comes late,
and lasts but a short time ; after which they are left dependent.
TLsir limbs fail—their teeth are loosened—their voice is lost—
and they are left, after giving happiness to others, in a most
disconsole'e state. The public were liberal and generous
their protection. It was a sad thing
to those tleOrviog
to be dependent on the favour, or, he might say, in plain
terms, on the caprice, of the public; and this more particularly
for a class of persons of whOnt extreme prudence is not the charac-
ter. There were another class of e.ufferers, naturally and necee-
sarily connected with the theatre, without whom it was impos-
sible to go on. The sailors have a saying, every man cannot be
a boatswain. If there must be persons to act Hamlet, there
must also be people to act Laertes, the King, Rosenerantz, and
Guildenstern, otherwise a drama cannot go on. If even Garrick
himself were to rise from the dead, he could not act Hamlet alone.
—There must be generals, colonels, commanding-officers, and
subalterns. But what are the private soldiers to do? Many
have mistaken their own talents, and have beets driven in early
?oath to try the stage, to which they are not competent.—He
werold know what to say to the poet and the artist. He would
.ay ttot it was foolish, and he would recommend to the poet to
become a scribe, and the artist to paint sign-posts.---(Loud laugh-
ter.)—But you could not send the player adrift, for if he can-
slot play Illn.:Tet, he must play Guildenstern. Where there are
many labourers,
wages must be low, and no man in such a situa-
tion can decently sill: Dort a wife and family, and cave something
of his income for old ;qr.:. What is this man to do in latter life?
Are oil to cast him off like
an old hinge, or a piece of useless ma-
y, .
chinerv, which has done its wcn:k? To a person who had contri-
buted to our amusement, this won,: be unkind, ungrateful, and
unchristian. He had little more to say, except that he sincerely
hoped that the collection to-day, from the b :unbeT of respectable
z
gentlemen present, would meet the views enteru ned by the pa-
trons. It was ungrateful and unkind, that those who bad sacra-
Seed their youth to our amusement should not receive the rels-ard
due tp them, but should be reduced to hard fare in their old age,
We cannot think of poor Falstaff going to bed without his cup of
sack, or Macbeth fed on bones as marrowless as those of Banquo.
—(Loud cheers and laughter.)—As be believed they were all as
fond of the dramatic art as he was in his younger days, he would
propcse that they should drink " The Theatrical Fund," with
three ti' es three.

Mr. Iles.oce: rose on behalf of his brethren to return their
thee:: for the toast just drank. To him this was the proudest
:v
of. hislife,,to have the honour, at the first Theatrical Fund
d'euer in his native land, to address so brilliant an assemblage of
tie rank and talent of
hie native city ; and inspired with confi-
dence, he exulted that he was born between the Cross and the
Lk enbooths .—( Cheers.
)—,,rje concluded by tending to the meet-
ing, in the name of his brethhen and sisters, their unfeigned
thanks for their liberal support, and begged to propose the health
of the Patrons of the Edinburgh Theatri:al Fund.—(Cheers).
Lord MEADOWEANX begged to return the thanks of the patrons i
for the honours now conferred on them. As a testimony of the
feelings with which he rose, he begged to propose a health, which
he was sure, in an assembly of Scotsmen, would be received, not
with an ordinary feeling of delight, but with rapture and enthu-
eia.sm. He knew that it would be painful to hie feelings if he
we .•e to speak to him in the terms which his heart prompted ; and
that /le had sheltered himself under his native modesty from the
applause which he deserved ; but it was gratifying at last to know
clouds were now dispelled, and that the Great Unknown
that these
—the inight:v magician—(
here the room literally rung with ap-
whirs continued for some minutes)—the minstrel of
plauses,
our country, who .had conjured up, not the phantoms of departed
ages,
revealed before the eyes and affec-
tions but realities, neew stands
of his country. in his presence it would ill become him, as
it would be displeasing to I.!iat distinguished person, to say, if he
were able, what every man muet feel who recollects the enjoyment
he has had from the great efforts Pf his mind and genius. It had
been left for him, by his writings, to give his country an impe-
rishable name. He had done more for his country, by illumie
nating its annals, by illustrating the deeds of its warriors and
etateemen, than any man that ever existed, gr was produced,
within its territory. He has opened up the Pecni4r beauties of
this country to the eyes of foreigners. He has exhibited the deeds
of those uatriots and statesmen to whom we owe the freedom we
now enjoy. He would give the health of Sir Walter Scott, which
was drank with enthusiastic cheering.
Sir WALTER SCOTT certainly did not think that, in conning
here to-day, he would have the task of acknowledging, before 300
gentlemen, a secret which, considering that it was communicated
to more than 20 people, was remarkably well kept. He was now
before the bar of his country, and might be understood to be on
trial before Lord Meadowbank as as offender ; yet he was sure that
every impartial jury would bring in a verdict of Not Proven. He
did not now think it uesessary to enter into the reasons of his long
silence. Perhaps lee might save acted from caprice. He had now
to say, however, that the merits of these works, if they had any,
and their faults, were entirely imputable to himself.—(Long and
loud cheering.)--He was afraid to think on wk."' be hail done.—
" Look on't again I dare not." He had thus far unbeesemed him-
self, and he knew that it would be reported to the public. He Gant
when he said that he was the author, that he was the total and un-
divided author. With the exception of quotations,
there was not a
single word that was not derived from himself, or suggested in
;he course of his reading. The wand was now broken ar4
the rod buried. You will allow me further to say, with Pros-
pero, your breath has tilled my sails, and to crave one
single toast in the capacity of the author of these novels; and he
would dedicate a bumper to the health of one who has represented
11 of those characters, of which he had endeavoured to give the
skeleton, with a degree of liveliness which rendered him grate_
ful. He would propose the health of his friend Bailie Nicol Jarvie,
—(loud.pplause)—and he was sure, that when the author of
Waverley," and 4, Rob Roy," drinks to Nicol Jarvie, it would
nv received .with that degree of applause to which that gentleman
e,es Always been accustomed, and that they would take cars gri;

on the present occasion it should be raonialous !---(Long and
vehement applause.)
Mr. lkacicaY, who here spoke with great humour in the cha-
racter of Bailie Jarvie.—My conscience ! My worthy father the
deacon could not have believed that his son could hae had sic a
compliment paid to him by the Great Unknown.
Sir WALTER SCOTT—Not unknown now, Mr. Bailie.

Mr. MActcAv—He had been long identified with the Bailie,
and he was vain of the cognomen which he had now worn
for_ eight years, and he questioned if any of his brethren in the
Council had given such universal satisfaction. (Loud laughter
and applause.) Before he sat down, he begged to propose " the
Lord Provost and the City of Edinburgh."
Sir WALrEtt Sco-rr apologized for the absence of the Lord
Provost, who had gone to London on public business.
Tune—" Within a mile of Edinburgh town."
Sir WALTER SCOTT gave, " The Duke of Wellington and the
army." Glee---" How merrily we live."
" Lord Melville and the Navy, that fought till they left nobody
to fight with, like an arch sportsman who clears all and goes after
the game."
Mr. PAT. RORERTSON.—They had heard this evening a toast
which had been received with intense delight ; which will be pub-
lished in every newspaper, and will be hailed with joy by all
Europe. He had one toast assigned him which he bad great
pleasure in giving. He was sure that the stage had in all ages a
great effect upon the morals and manners of the people. He
would conclude with reciting a few words from Shakespeare, in
a spirit not of contradiction to those stern moralists, who disliked
the theatre, but of meekness ; " Good, my lord, will you see the
players well bestowed ; do you hear ; let them be well used, for
they are the abstract and brief chronicles of the time." He then
gave Mrs. Henry Siddons, and success to the Theatre-Royal of
Edinburgh.

Mr. ML:satAy.—Gentlemen, I rise to return thanks for the
honour you have done Mrs. Siddons, in doing which, I am some-
what difficulted, from the extreme delicacy which attends a
brother's expatiating upon a sister's claims to honours publicly
paid—(hear, hear)—yet, gentlemen, your kindness emboldens
me to say, that were I to give utterance to all a brother's
feelings, I should not exaggerate those claims—(loud ap-
plause.) I therefore, Gentlemen, thank you most cordially
for the honour you have done her, and shall now request
permission to make an observation on the establishment of
the Edinburgh Theatrical Fund.—Mr. Mackay has done
Mrs. Henry Siddons and myself the honour to ascribe the
establishment to us ; bat no, Gentlemen, it owes its origin to a
higher source—the publication of the novel of Rob Roy—the
unprecedented success of the opera adapted from that popular
production.—(Hear, hear.)—l therefore hope, that, in future
years, when the aged and infirm actor derives relief from this
fund, he will, ha the language of the gallant Highlander, " Cast
his eye to good old Scotland, and not forget Rob Roy."—(Loud
applause.) _ _ _

- Sir WALTER SCOTT here stated, that Mrs. Siddons wanted the
means but not the will of beginning the Theatrical Fund. He
concluded by giving the health of Mr. Murray, which was drank
with three times three.

Mr. MURRAY—Gentlemen, I wish I could believe that, in any
degree, I merited the compliments with which it has pleased Sir
Walter Scott to preface the proposal of my health, or the very
flattering mariner in which you have done me the honour to re-
ceive it. When, upon the death of my dear brother, the late
Mr. Siddons, it was proposed that I should undertake the ma-
nagement of the Edinburgh Theatre, I confess I drew back,
doubting my capability to free it from the load of debt and diffi-
culty with which it was surrounded. In this state of anxiety I
solicited the advice of one who had ever honoured me with his
kindest regard, and whose name no member of my profession can
pronounce without feelings of the deepest respect and gratitude—
! allude to the late Mr. John Kemble.—(Great applause.)—To
him I applied ; and with the repetition of his advice I shall cease
to transgress upon your time.—(llear, hear !)—" My dear
William, fear not, integrity and assiduity must prove an
overmatch for all difficulty, and though I approve your not in-
dulging a vain confidence in your own ability, and viewing with
respectful apprehension the judgment of the audience you have to
act before, yet be assured that judgment will ever be tempered by
the feeling that you are acting for the widow and the fatherless."
—(Loud applause. )—Gentlemen, those words have never passed
from my mind ; and I feel convinced that you have pardoned my
many many errors, from the feeling that I was striving for the
widow and the fatherless.—(Long and enthusiastic applause fol-
lowed Mr. Murray's address.)
Sir WA 'Ata Scorr gave the health of the Stewards.

Mr. VANDINHOIT.—Mr. President and Gentlemen,—ln the
name of the Stewards, I most respectfully and cordially thank you,
for the honour you have done us, which greatly overpays our
poor endeavours.—(Applause.)
Mr. J. CAY gave the University of Edinburgh.
Lord MEADOWBANK, after a suitable eulogium, gave the
Earl of Fife, which was drunk with three times three.
Earl Figs expressed his high gratification at the honour con-
ferred on him. He concluded with giving the health of the Com-
pany of Edinburgh.
Mr. Jowxe was truly grateful for their kindness ; and he now
experienced, in appearing before them, all the terrors which he
felt when he beheld himself announced in the hills as a young gen-
tleman who had never before appeared on any stage. After ex-
pressing gratitude to the Professional Society of Musicians, who
had deferred their Concert to oblige them, he proposed to drink
to their prosperity.
Sir WALTER SCOTT gave—" Colonel Fraser and the other
°Maas of the 7th Hussars."

Captain pROADHEAD returned thanks, and apologised for the
absence of Colonel Fraser.
Mr. PAT. Roup.T3ox proposed " the health of Mr. Jeffrey,"
whose absence was owing to indisposition.
Mr. J. MAcoNocnir gave " the health of Mrs. Siddons, sen.
—the most distinguished ornament of the stage."

Sir W. SCOTT said, that if any thing could reconcile him to
old age, it was the reflection that he had seen the rising as well
as the setting sun of Mrs. Siddons. He remembered well their
breakfasting near to the theatres—waiting the whole day—the
crushing at the doors at six o'clock—and their going in and
counting their fingers till seven o'clock. But the very first step—
the very first word which she uttered, was sufficient to overpay
him for all his labours. The house was literally electrified ; and
it wee only from witnessing the effects of her genius, that he could
guess to what a pitch theatrical excellence could be carried.
Those young fellow:: who have only seen the setting sun ofsthis
diatingoi,l:ed performer, 144iitiful and serene as that was, must
give us 414 fellows, who have seen its rise, leave to hold onr heads
a little higher.
Mr. DI:NDAS gave " The memory of Home, tlq author of
Douglas."
3lr. MACKAY here announced that the subscription for the
night amounted to 2801. ; and he expressed gratitude for this
substantial proof of their kindness.
Mr. MAcKAY here entertained the company with a pathetic
song.
Sir W. SCOTT apologized for having so long forgotten their na-
tive land. He would now give Scotland—the Land of Cakes.—
He would give every river, every loch, every hill, from Tweed to
Johnnien Groat's house—every lass in her cottage and countess in
her castle ; and may her sons stand by her, as their fathers did be-
fore them, and he who should not drink a bumper to his toast,
may he never drink whiskey more.
Sir W. SCOTT here gave Lord Meadowbank, who returned
Mr. U. G. BELL said, that he should not have ventured to in-
trude b;nisei? !Jpon the attention of the assembly, did he not feel
confident, that the ..east he begged to have the honour to pro-
pose, would make ameLde for the very imperfect manner in
which he might express his sentiments regarding it. It had been
said, that notwithstanding the mental suprepacy pf the present
age, notwithstanding that the page of our history was :tinkled
with names destiod 41so for the page of immortality,—
that the genius of Shakspeare was extinct, and the fountain of
his inspiration dried up. It might be that these observations
were unfortunately correct, or it might be that we were bewil-
dered with a name, not disappointed of the reality,—for though
Shakspeare had brought a Hamlet, an Othello, and a Macbeth,
an Ariel, a Juliet, and a Rosalind, upon the stage, were there
not authors living who had brought as varied, as exquisitely paint-
ed, and as undying a range of characters into our hearts ? The
shape of the mere mould into which genius poured its golden trea-
sures was surely a matter of little moment—let it be called a tragedy,
a comedy, or a Waverly novel. But even among the dramatic authors
of the present day, he was unwilling to allow that there was a great
-^d palpable decline from the glory of preceding ages, and his
toast ttictitie wwou9\ildl4benaorht ,imt outprese inntdeninysiinstg
ethitehetrruuthpoonf
ettrhe meritshheappsr,opno-
propo-
sition.
of our distinguished countrywoman, whose genius gave birth
to " De Montfort," or of the younger, but, perhaps,
less inspired autho7stheoFfose‘a‘tiT.,,h-eNoVrVespers
he ofoulPuargleormopoo;u"
or of that other female yen, rendered so deservedly celebrated by
the recent tragedy of
the talents, already so well known, either of a Croly, a Byron, a
Shiel, a Coleridge, or a Maturin. But there was one name to
which he was sure the Chairman would forgive him for venturing
to eall his attention. lie was sure that the Chairman, and many
who heard him, already anticipated that the works to which he
alluded was that of the author of " Virginius," " Caius Grac-
clips; and' William Tell." When he mentioned the name of

Mr. Knowles, he pronounced his eulogy, and it would be super-
fluous to attempt to enhance its force. He begged to have the
honour of proposing the health of James Sheridan Knowles.
Sir W. Scorr—Gentlemen, I crave a bumper all over. The
last toast reminds me of a neglect of duty. Unaccustomed to a
public duty of this kind, errors in conducting the ceremonial of it
may be excused, and omissions pardoned. Perhaps I have made
one or two omissions in the course of the evening, for which I
trust you will grant me your pardon and indulgence. One thing
in particular I have omitted, and I would now wish to make
amends for it by a libation of reverence and respect to the me-
mory of Shakespeare. He was a man of universal genius, and
from a period soon after his own era to the present day, he has
been universally idolized. When I come to his honoured name, I
am like the sick man who hung up his crutches at the shrine, and
was obliged to confess that he did not walk better than before. It is
indeed difficult, gentlemen, to compare him to any other individual.
The only one to whom I can at all compare him, is the wonderful
Arabian dervise, who dived into the body of each, and in the way
become familiar with the thoughts and secrets of their hearts. He
was a man of obscure origin, and as a player, limited in his ac-
quirements. But he was born evidently with a universal genius.
His eyes glanced at all the varied aspects of life, and his fancy
pourtrayed with equal talents the King on the throne, and the
clown who crackles his chesnuts at a Christmas fire. Whatever
note he takes, he strikes it just and true, and awakens a corre-
sponding cord in our own bosoms. Gentlemen, I propose " the
memory of William Shakespeare."
Glee, " Lightly tread his Hallowed Ground."
. .

After the glee, Sir Walter rose, and begged to propose as a toast
the health of a lady, whose living merit is not little honourable to
Scotland. In her private character she (he begged leave to say)
is as remarkable as in a public sense she is for her genius. In
short, he would in one word name—" Joanna Baillie."

This health being drank, Mr. Thorne was called for a song,
and sung, with great taste and feeling, " The Anchor's weighed."
W. Mmizizs, Esq. Advocate, rose to propose the health of a
gentleman for many years connected at intervals with the dramatic
art in Scotland. He would wish, in the first place, to drink his
health as an astor ; but he was not less estimable in domestic life,
and as a private gentleman; and when he announced him as one whom
the Chairman had honoured with his friendship, he was sure that
all present would cordially join him in drinking " The health of
Mr. Terry."
Sir W. Scarr said, he would gratify himself by proposing the
health of an honourable person, the Lord Chief Baron, whom
England has sent to us, and connecting with it that of his " yoke-
fellow on the bench," as Shakspeare says, Mr. Baron Clerk—The
Court of Exchequer.
Mr. Baron CLERK regretted the absence of his learned brother.
We have heard this night the confession of a distinguished indi-
vidual, and far be it from us to suppose, that it is like the confes-
sion of the culprit—his last. We have heard the confession of the
Unknown, may we not yet have heard his last words.
Sir WALTER Scow—There is one who ought to be remem-
bered on this occasion. He is indeed well entitled to our great-
ful recollection—one, in short, to whom the drama in this city
owes much.—The memory of Allan Ramsay.
Mr. JAMES M'CONNOCHIE said that he had had two bets, one
of which is to go the fund. Sir Walter regretted they could not
both go.
Mr. Murray, on being requested, sung " 'Twas merry in the
ball," and at the conclusion was greeted with repeated rounds of
applause.
Mr. JoNEs—One omission, I conceive, has been made. The
cause of the Fund has been ably advocated, but it is still suscep-
tible, in my opinion, of an additional charm—
Without the smile from partial beauty won,
Oh, what were man ?—a world without a sun !
And there would not be a darker spot in poetry than would be
the corner in Shakspeare-square, if, like its fellow, the Register
Office, the Theatre were deserted by the *dies. They are, in
fact, our most attractive stars. " The Patronesses of the Theatre
—the Ladies of the city of Edinburgh." This toast I ask leave
to drink with all the honours which conviviality can confer.
Mr. PATRICK ROBERTSON.—I feel that lam about to tread on
ticklish ground. The talk is of a new theatre, and a bill may be
presented for its erection, saving always, and provided the ex-
pences be defrayed and carried through, provided always it be not
opposed. Bereford Park, or some such place might be selected,
provided always, due notice was given, and so we might have a
playhouse as it were, by possibility. But wherever the new
theatre may be erected, I trust we shall meet the Old Company.
I am no advocate of the Lord Provost, neither am I the advocate
of Mr. Cockburn. But reserving considerations of the interest of
both parties, there should be advertisements placarded on the
parish kirk doors, hereby intimating that the citizens of Edin-
burgh intend to erect in this city, for the better accommodation
of the Old Company, a new theatre site unknown.—(Great
laughter.)

Sir WALTER SCOTT—Wherever the new theatre is built, I hope
it will not be large. There are two errors which we commonly
commit—the one arising from our pride, the other from our po-
verty. If there are twelve plans, it is odds but the largest, with-
out any regard to comfort, or an eye to the probable expence, is
adopted. There was the College projected on this scale, and un-
dertaken in the same manner, and who shall see the end of it ? It
has been building all my life, and may probably last during the lives
of my children's children. Let it not be said, when we commence
a new theatre, as was said on the occasion of laying the foundation
stone of a certain building, " Behold the endless work begun."—
Play-going folks should attend somewhat to convenience. The
new theatre should, in the first place, be such as may be finished in
IS months or two years ; and, in the second place, it should be
one in which we can hear our old friends with comfort. It is
better that a theatre should be crowded now and then, than to
hare a► large theatre with benches continually empty, to the dis-
couragement of the actors, and the discomfort of the spectators.—
(Applause.)—He then rose, and commenting in flattering terms
on the genius of Mackenzie, and his private worth, proposed
" The health of Henry Mackenzie, E.g."
Immediately afterwards he said : Gentlemen—lt is now wear-
ing late, and I shall request permission to retire. Like Partridge
I may say, " non sum quails eram." At my time of day, I can
agree with Lord Ogilvie as to his rheumatism and say, " There's
a twinge." I hope, therefore, you will excuse me for leaving
the chair.—(The worthy Baronet then retired amidst long, loud,
and rapturous cheering.)
Mr. PAT. ROBERTSON was then called to the chair by common
acclamation.

Gentlemen—said Mr. Robertson—l take the liberty of asking
you to fill a bumper to the very brim. There is not one of us who
will not remember while he lives, being present at this day's fes-
tival, and the declaration made this night by the gentleman who
has just left the chair. That declaration has rent the veil from
the features of the Great UnknOwn—a name which must now
merge in the name of the Great Known. It will be henceforth
coupled with the name of Scott, which will become familiar like
a household word. We have heard the confession from his own
immortal lip—(cheering)7—and we cannot dwell with too much
or too fervent praise on the merits of one of the greatest men
which Scotland has produced.
mr.. JAMES Hoer:, (son of the Lord President), after an eulo-
gium on the rising genius of Scotland, proposed " The health of
Mr. J. G. Lockhart, the son-in-law of Sir W. Scott."
After which several other toasts were given, and Mr. Robert-
son left the room about half-past eleven. A few choice spirits,
however, rallied round Captain Broadhead of the ith Hussars, who
was called-to the chair, and the festivity was prolonged till an early
hour this morning.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

LISBON-WAR-OFFICE, FEE. 7, 1827.

Extract from the official communication received to-day at this
Office:—

General Stubbs writes from Oporto the 4th, detailing the pru-
dent measures he had taken to defend Oporto, and praising the
Commander of the Corps, and various Officers who powerfully se-
conded him.

The Marquis d'Angeja writes from his head-quarters at Braga
on the 3d, as follows :—" To-day I effected my junction with
the Count de Villa Mr, and we marched from Lexa to Gui-
marens, where the Viscount d'Azenha, Baron de Villa Ponca,
and some soldiers (cavalry) had retreated at two o'clock in the af-
ternoon, not committing any excesses towards the inhabitants there ;
I was informed that the Rebels occupied Braga, having pushed to
Santo Tirco a column, composed of some infantry, 80 horse, and
4 pieces of artillery. For this reason, I ordered General Milho
to remain for to-day at Guimarens, while I proceeded to Braga,
accompanied by the division of the Count de Villa Flor, which
was composed of all the battalions of Cazadores, the 16th Re-
giment of Foot, and the squadrons of the Ist, 3d, 4th, and 11th
Regiments of Horse, General Minho having the command of all
the Infantry of the Line. The rebels began to retreat from Braga
this morning. The Marquis and Marchioness of Chaves left it at
two o'clock. Their picquets remained till night, and I then en-
tered the City, the enemy's whole force having retreated in the di-
rection of the Porte de Prado, which they passed, followed by my
advanced Guards, which are on the left bank of the Cavado, which
river is defended by three pieces of cannon, placed against the
bridge. I have determined to force that passage to-morrow, pur-
suing the rebels, who, according to all appearance, are endeavour-
ing to retreat, by way of Lindozo, to Gallic!a. The tranquillity
of the province has not been considerably interrupted, notwith-

standing the very criminal conduct of the Chambers of Braga, Gni-
marens, and some others. As soon as I have obtained necessary
documents, I will send them to your Excellency."
The General of Lower Beira writes from Guards, on the 3d,
that the whole of that province was tranquil.