Star.
London, England, 1828-03-29 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRICAL FUND.

The Annual Dinner cat this excellent Cherity took
place yesterday. at the Freemasons' Tavern, Great
Queen-street, and was attended by a company nu-
merous and respectable in the extreme. A short time
prior to the hour of dining, it was ascertained that his
• Royal Highness the Doke of CLARINCK (who had for
some days been much indisposed) had yielded to the
request and advice of his Physicians, and debarred him-
self the gratification of attending. Lord NoRMANBI
was then called to the Chair.
On the removal of the cloth, Non Nu/is was excellently dimmed
by Mr. T. Cooke, Leete, Goulden, Hawes, Webb, Parry and Son,
C. G. Smith, frioerilUans, Terrance. Elliott, Sm.: after which—
Lord NOMIANBY explained that the indisposition of
the Duke of CLARENCIC had prevented him (tom taking
the Chair, and it was not till they had all assembled there
that it was distinctly known his Royal Highness could
not attend. After a few observations on the patronage
his &Weary had shown to the Fund, be concluded by
proposing
" The King," with four times four—drunk amidst continued
cheering.
*The Royal Family," was the next toast, after which,
Wu Love sung from the Gallery the pretty Ballad, MOO ! no,
we never mention her."—(Bocoredl. Her fine deep tones pro-
duced a delightful effect in this spacious Hall.
The Noble CHAIRMAN, in a complimentary speech,
then proposed the health of his Royal Highness the
Duke of Clarence, at the same timeexpiessing a hope that
his present indisposition would be speedily terminated.
Glee—" The Lord of the Main."
Sir JOSIPH Yoitxi, as An Officer of the Navy, re-
turned thanks for the favour shown to that body; he
said he was no speaker, and was hardly able to splice
two ends of a speech together, but he would promise
them to do better the nest time.
Song. Visaa—As Paddy Carey."
The Duke of Sr. ALBANS then proposed the health
of Lord Norrnanhy.
Lord Noamatrav returned thanks for the handsome
manner in which his health had been proposed and
drunk by the company. He then remarked upon the
uncertain tenure upon which Actors held their exist-
ence and dep?ndence for support—no profession was so
precarious. When he compared the profession of an Actor
with others, he must acknowledge it peculiarly hard.
The Artist could lay aside his pencil when he felt
weary and depressed, but the Actor was often obliged
to raise the smile on others, whilst he was himself suf-
fering the pangs of an aching heart. He c4nt.luded
by proposing, in a very complimentary manner, the
health of Mr. Harley, and success to the Drury-lane
Theati is 41 Fund.
Mr. H altttY rose and stated, that the flattering par-
tiality of his brethren had that day conferred upon him
the honour of addressing the Meeting, and to acknow-
ledge the sentiments which his Lordship had been
pleased to express with reference to the Drury-lane
Theattical Fund. He felt that he was about discharging
a duty which would call for poss-eis infinitely superior
to those he possessed. In treating of a subjett so me
lancholy as the misfortunes to which actors were liable,
and pointing out to the Meeting how much their bene-
volence had contributed to alleviate it, he should be
found to lack somewhat of that gravity with which
their late talented Master, Kean, had been wont to
address them; and he trusted that their different walks
in 'he profession would be his apology, this being his first
appearance in that new and arduous character. Alter
'Wing the establishment and the incorporation of the
fund by the great David Garrick, and the decrease of
its funds between the years 1792 and 1818, and that
their late lamented benefactor, his koyal Highness the
Duke of York, stepped forward to their relief, and in-
spired them with confidence, he said:—•• There might
be those who, beholding some spirited and gifted actors
in advanced years still delighting the public by
their performance of youthful characters, exuberating
in gaiety and spirit, may suppose that old age does
not visit Actors with the same infirmities that it
does their audiences ; but as it is true they do really
grow old, it is happy for them that means are pro-
vided by the generosity of their brother actors and
the public to mile with comfort; the aid for which
they solicited was to solace those who, in their happier
days, have so often solaced them. Amongst the many
debts of gratitude they had to pay, the first was to the
Sovereign and Members of the Royal Family. His Ma-
jesty had that day laid them under a new obligation, and
that bounty:which was as boundless as the sea, had again
flowed to gladden the hearts of those whose morning and
evening prayer was,Gon bless theKingr He then returned
thanks for the splendid patronage that evening received,,
and to the Noble Chairman for having consented to
take the helm of their bark of charity. He concluded
his speech amidst the universal plaudits of the complier.
It was delivered in a gentlemanly and eloquent manner,.
and deserved the applause it met with.
fling, Frenwssuara-0 What are mortals made ot."
The CHAIRMAN gave the health of the Vice•Psesi-
dents, and •

Lord DUNDAS IN idly returned thanks.

Mr. Brabant hating entered the fOOlll, FUND the Ora.
torio at Covent• Garden, there was a unanimous call on
him for a song, with which he complied; and gave"
" Here's a health to the King, GOD bless him," in the
MOH magnificent
stile.
The list of subscriptions was read by the Secretary, who said
they amounted to a larger sum than bad been the case at any former
Intim! for some dine, namery-1,4671. in which were inclmiod the
.felkeirkrg domations—His Majesty, 100 guineas; the -Duke of
Ciatusee; DO guineas; the Dashes of Clarence. 10 guineas; the
Duke el Busse:, SS guineas; the Duke of Bedford, 50 guineas;
the. Dachas of St. Alban's, SOL the Marquis of Stafford, 101. the
Earl of We, 101. the Earl of Riaez, 101. Lord Dundee, 20 guineas;
Lord Mespeth, 101. the Earl of Culls, 101. Rut Gower, 101.
Lard Nounanby, Hi. Mr Joseph Torte. Si: the Right Hon. limp
Lamb, 10 &Moms ; Lord Valium. 101. Mr. Price, sto :Moos% de.
The CHAIRMAN thought there was not amosg the
Patrons of the Institution one more deserving of their
thanks than she whom he was about to name, the
Duchess of St. Albans, whose health, he felt assured,
they M ould toast io a full bumper. .
The Duke of ST. ALBANS returned thanks.
The nest toast was, 44 The health of Mr. Price, and
spccess to Drurplaae."
Mr. Paws returned thanks for the kindness lie bad

now receivea,which was only a continuance of what hi
bad already met with from the British public. He had
great satisfaction in informing them, that the Theatre
bad never been more triumphantly successful than
during the present season. He should be deficient of
gratitude to the British public, if he left any means
untried for contributing to their amusement and re-
creation—(Hear).
After a few other toasts, the CHAIRMAN, aceone..
panted by the distinguished guests around him, departed.

Mr. King, the landlord of the Compasses, Sidney
street, near Mile End gate, while in the act of brushing
some part of his dress on Thuisday, fell down and as-
pired immediately.
A writ for electing a Brugess to serve in the present
Parliament for the borough of Old-Sarum. in the county
of Wilts, in the MOM of Mr. j. ALLIAKDRIN who has
accepted the us wardship of the Chiltern Hundreds,
issued yesterday morning from Use Ctowaisirsce.