Star.
London, England, 1820-03-23 00:00:00

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no *ay alarmed while they passed, in I had no occasion to be
alarmed. I saw none drunk or riotous. lam not a Reformer..
I never gave a penny to the concern, no: did I ever see Mr.
Hunt in my iife; unless I see himin this Cann, and yet I don't
him* hinl. I felt no alsrm for Manchester by any means.
Mr. Serjeant Huttoce.—Well, then, you have tad the plea-
sure of seeing Mr. Hunt by coming to York.
Mary Lees said, she resided at Middleton, and had five chil-
dren. her husband Was a plumber and glazier. Recollected
the procession passing her house on the 16th August. She was
then standing +with her children at the door, and was afterwards
assisting the mistress of the public-house opposite in filling liquor ,
for a great many who called as they passed. They all seemed
quiet and cheerful. They paid for what they got. These people
came from Rochdale, with a great number of women, both
young and old. I heard them drink several toasts, and among I
the, rest " Goo save the King," which, though not a common
toast, is made use of by the country people. 1 saw many of the
people return in the evening, while I was again called upon to
assist arthe public-house. 11:ey many of them burst into tears,
and others remained silent.

Cross-examined.—" GOD save the King" was not a common
toast. " Hunt for ever!" was often heard ; but she did not
know whether this was good or bad.
In answer to questions from the Court, she said she MT !Mid-
dleton women go with the procession, and return back again in
the evening. She did not know whether tkey were relatives of
the men who went, but they (the women) were perms of good
character.—Two other witnesses were examined.

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRICAL FUND.

The fifth Anniversary Public Dinner of this Fund,
was held yesterday, at the Freemasons' Tavern.—
His Royal Highness the Duke of YORK took the
Chair, supported on his right by the Marquis of
ANGLESEY. Lord YARMOVTII, &c. and on the left by
his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex. About 3011 Z
person sat down to a most sumptuoas dinner. The,
gallery was crowded with fashionable female:.
After the removal of the cloth, Non nobis Do-
twine was sung in excellent style. The health of his
MAJESTY was drank with three times three, followed
with the loudest applause," GOD save the king."
The following toasts were drank :
" The Royal Family," three times three.—. Song from the
Opera of Guy Nonliving, accournied on the piano-forte, by
Mr. Bishop.
" The Army anathe Navy," three times three.—" Buie Bri-.
tennis," by Mr. Broadhurst.
His Royal Highness the Duke of SUSSEX then
rose, and said, he had to propose on behalf of him-
self and the other Vice- Presidents, the health of their
illustrious Chairman—(Applause). In proposing this
toast, his Royal Highness congratulated that Royal
individual and the friends of the Institution, on the
number and respectability of the assemblage whom
he had the honour to address. Ile also congratu-
lated them on the presence and patronage of his
Royal Highness, who, for the fifth time, had condescen-
ded to fill the office of their Chairman ; and he be-
lieved that the result of so much condescension would
be as gratifying to his own heart as it could be to
the friends of the Fund. Again, when they recollec-
ted that his Royal Highness was now removed so
much nearer the Throne, they must feel doubly gra-
tified by his presence that night —(Appla use). 'The
patronage which his Majesty was graciously pleased
to continue to ahis Institution, must prove a strong
assurance of its future success. And the notification
of the grounds upon which this protection was af-
forded, would prove, he trusted, a salutary lecture to
the Managers of our Metropolitan Theatres, and in-
sinuate to them that it was to the talents and accom-
plishments of legitimate Actors, and not to ele-
phants and buffoonery, that the taste.of the country
was to be accommodated—Opp/dun). The protec-
tion thus extended to the Gentlemen of the Stage
went further—for by countenancing a well-regulated
Drama, they encouraged morality, and thus secured
a great public benefit. He should again acknow-
ledge, on his account, and that of the other Vice-
Presidents, the renewed obligation which the Royal
Chairman conferred upon them, by presiding upon
this festive occasion ; and he trusted, that the senti-
ments of gratitude which he thus feebly expressed,
would meet the sympathy of every one present. His
Royal Highness then proposed the health of the il-
lustrious Chairman, the Duke of York, amidst loud
applOuse.
The Royal CHAIRMAN thanked the Meeting for
the honour they had done him. It was with the ut-
most satisfaction that he witnessed so large and so
respectable a body around him, considering that some
of those who were most solicitous for the prosperity
of the Institution, were unavoidably absent. The
Institution was one in which every Englishman ought
to take an interest: however, its merits had been so often
expatiated.on, and would be brought to their consi-
deration so much more ably by their worthy Trea-
surer, that he would content himself by drinking,
with a due sense of the honour they had done him,
the health of the company—( Appla use).
Song—" The Nightingale Club," by Mr. Matthews.
The Royal CHAIRMAN then gave the health of Mr.
Fawcett, which was drank with three times three.
Mr. FAWCETT then came forward, and after a few
prefatory remarks, addressed the Meeting, in a grace-
ful and energetic manner, in the following words:
" This Fund was originally established by a few of the lead-
ing Actors at Covent-Garden Theatre, with the laudable inten-
tion of supporting their Aged Brethren, their Widows, and
Children : anti,- as may be readily supposed, it was many years
before a sufficient sum was invested to afford the least prospect
of fulfilling the end desired. This was an interval of painful
suspense and struggle ; for the promised good, being of neces-
sity at considerable distance, the guardians of the Charity had
perpetually to contend with the importunities of the too san-
guine; and the distresses of unfortunate persons, whose mise-
ries they had net the means to alleviate. During all this time,
the leading Actors of Covent-Garden Theatre set a noble ex-
ample of disinterested generosity, by subscribing most liberally
towards the griming Fund. I say noble and disinterested. be-'
cause they were never likely to derive the least advantage Irons
it, save the advantage which every man derives, when he places.
his head upon his pillow. after having done a benevolent action.
This example stimulated the lowest Performer in the Theatre,
and the trifling contributions of the poorest were carefully col-
lected, and safely deposited, in the names of Trustees, where
they were ultimately to produce an interest, which was to he
applied to the wants of the most distressed. But, alas! these
persons COO soon became ungovernably impatient ; and those
who by casualties were disabled from following their profession,'
demanded, with a loud voice, a return for their cimuibution,
forgetful that if the principal was once invaded all future advan-
tage must cease. These importunities were resisted for some
time with steady 'firmness, and temporary relief, accompanied
by well-timed remonstrance aad explanation, had a desirable ef-
fect but as law cannot restrain the necessitous, so reason fails
in its endeavours also ; for these petsons too soon returned to the
charge, till weary with continual solicitations, stunned by the
clamours of unreasonable individuals, and indeed not a little
alarmed lest they should be suspected of some unworthy per-
sonal motive for withholding the long-promised annuities, the
Committee, in a fatal moment of perplexity, (and, indeed,
long before the amount of the capital could in any way justify
such a measure) were prevailed on to afford permanent annuities.
This otre false step entailed on the liand years 'of distress and
poverty, and at length, as might have been anticipated, occa-
sioned alarming symptoms of decay ; for the claimants increased
so attach faster than the funds augmented, that there scouted no

longer the least probibility of satisfying their demands; and tin '
only alternative that suggested itself to the guardians of the Cha-
rity, to get relieved from thq unthankful labour they had volun-
teered, was at once to divide the clinel amongst those clamor-
taus claimants, and thus for ever get rid oiS all trouble arid re"
snoonbility. Happily a better .ferone tonk place of this deseotn•
dency, and the bright prospect that nun ne noes in:elf is a p:ocf
(if any were wantine, that when a feW oven liok tnemselves to-
gether, for the horn me and charitable pi.' pose of nervinoa large
community; they should not suffer the ,atcert of the unworthy, cr
the clamours of the inn:anent, to deter them from the rigid line of
conscientious re.ctitede.—instead, thareforn, of suffering despair
to overturn this fabric, which hed peen ranted for the shelter of
'aged Actors and Actrenes, in the last merneins of their distress;
the few of my colfirade; who had hurt and heed jenied me in
my feeble endeavours to se.pport this tetternig canine, now re-
doubled their efforts, and the bent idea then lira preseated it-
self, of throwing otinolves and our di-el-enc.& at the feet of his
Royal 'nehmen, our illustrious Chairman, and imploring his
proiectian. It it not for me, in the prenne of his !toy,' High.-
ness, to give w. ay to my overchsreed Innings ef gratitude, by
deseaniing on the' gracious manner in which he listened to eer
request. It li,auld he impotently pr ountptimus In se liumble
an individual as myself to attriopt to panegyrize our iliustrioin
Chairman, out a point so universally acknowledged as his era-
cious cendescennan and humanity ; but as an historical fact,
Connected with the thread of my narrative, I am bound to state,
that to hi; illustrious patronage and support this Fund owes its
preservation—not only its preservation, but its renovation, and
an increase which has enabled us to relieve and save from utter
despair all casts of extreme distress which have fallen upon our
unnotunate. brethren tenoning to this Establishment, since his
Royal Higlusess first cast a splendour on our cause, by taking
the Chair oil this Anniversary.—With these satisfactory pre-
suits and cheerful prospect., I am aware it may he asked, what
more we want? and why, if or, are so prosperous' do we con-
tinue to require an increase to our stuck? To this I respectfully
answer, experience has might us the necessity of strengthenirn.
our capital, until it has obtained a stability which will enable it
to endure the increased pressure of accumulated distress, etel
also to place it, for the future, out of the reach of erne profz..-2
*and, which, in a moment of despair, might again attempt its
v uns* tion. Indeed, one of our laws how forbids sena a measere;
foe t enacts, that whenever the annuities =mint to more
than the interest of money invested, the claimants' saiperd
shall be reduced, till they are so lowered as to mart the eneile-
gency. Se far we have ourselves prescribed and pr. Bused a
remedy for the dreaded evil; hut, Breves; know', even this
remedy is in itself a disease too painful for ceettetonition.—
)`,sr I am sure it will be readily admittesl by c•.ry feeP.:•g mind,
that after a poor person lino by hard ecenetny, taugitt :I:Tnifil to
live upon a slender income, so low Fer!!4! as .'.."0 or 12.50 per
annum (and some of our's, I am sorry :o say, arc obliged to be
even below this), I say, when every privation has been tesonni
to which penurious ingenuity can suegest, to citable a slistressed
object to exist upon a mixerable pittance, it is shocking to hue
Inanity to be obliged to renuce this modicum, and tell the aged
and resigned claimant, that a crust muss satisfy hjm fur the en-
suing quarter, but the luxury of cheese must be dispensed with,
till the Fund is in a more flourishing state. For some years 1 have
now received these, my invalided coin:odes, myself, and have
had a luxurious reward for my anxiety on their account, in
being able to pay them their aennities, and contemplate their
grateful faces. lint if the task waa to be iinposen on me, of
communicating to these retest:a the lonenbreaking tidings that
their '• little should be less," I own 1 shoeld shriek from the
cdminission, and must relinquish the post 1 have hitherto filled
with my best endeavours, and resign it to any One te hose nerves
were stronger, and whose feelings would be less affected by the
suffetings of those veterans than mine would be. T'uiink Goo;
I hope and trust that no such enmity is inevitable, and I only
state it because it is possible, and to shew the necessity of keep+
lug our stock in a proper state to meet the pressing wants of our
increased claims. nt this moment we are upon the very edge!
of our whole annual income ; the present year has produced ue
four new clainrints, the amount of whose joint incomes will be
L'2oo per annum. • I meet only state this fact, to shew the nel
cessity of exertion. To those liberal Donors who have already
contributed so generously, we offer our best gratitude; and
assure them, as well as any other kind friend who may intend
to support this Charity, that-no part of their donations are wasted
upon unnecessary Deicers, or squandered upon overpaid indi-
viduals : every thing is done for this Fund gratuitously, so that
the smallest contribution goes to the service of the cLintant in.
stautly. Many of these having been Actors and Actreaseo
whom, in their youth, may have afforded nou main &nein, nevi
past then': labour, and as Shahspeare says, in the' nixfh see,
when the big voice, turning againnowards childish treble, pipes
and whistles in the sound, feebly make their exit front the Stage
of the Theatre, blessing your names, in silence, for assisting :hint
to make i suiet exit from the Stage of Life."
The delivery of this speech was interrupted by fre •
quent plaudits.
Toast—" Prosperity to the Covent• Garden Thea••
trical Fund," drank with three tirnes three. •
The health of " His Royal Highness the Duke of
Sussex, and the Vice •Presidents," was drank with
three times three.
His ROYAL HIGHNESS then returned thanks in !!i's
own name and in that of the Vice Presidents. Ile
assured the Meeting he felt warmly interested in the
prosperity of the cause which they met to celebrate.
He exhorted them to reflect upon the old advice of '' a
long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether ;" and
said, that if the Public would only manifest the spirit
of this homely recommendation, in their exertions
towards the prosperity of this laudable Institution-,
the Vice-Presidents would not fail to lend all the
assistance in their power. They might also calculate
upon the continuance of the patronage of their illus-
trious Commander-in-Chief in the Chair—Opplausel.
• The Subscription Books, which were circulated
round the tables during the evening, were now filled
I. up, and
Mr. Fawcurr came forward, and etated, that not'
withstanding the Elections, and other disagreeable
events, had withdrawn a number of their friends that
evening, it was with the utmost satisfaction he an-
nounced to them, that the subscriptions lust received
amounted to upwars of One Thousand Pounds.
Song, by Mr. T. COOKE.
The health of the Committee tithe Fund was then
drank, wil three times three.
Mr. Maritews returned thanks, and stated, that
the duty of doing so devolved upon him, in conse-
quence of the absence of Alr. Charles Kenible, on ac-
count of indisposition, on whose talents, accomplish-
ments, and manners, he bestowed the warmest eulogy.
He would not attempt to occupy. their attention km!,
particularly after the eloquent addresses which they
had heard from the Chair, and from their worthy
Treasurer, Mr. Fawcett, whose conduct as a friend,
and whose exertions as a supporter of that Institution,
deserved the sincerest expressions of gratitude. Ile
would conclude by thanking the Meeting for the ho-
nour they had done him.
Mr. FawcErr then proposed the health of 3lr. an,l
Mrs. Coats, who, he said, had liberally contribined
to their Institution no less a sum than about E9OO
in all. Drank with three times three.
Mr. BROADHURST sang " ithn Alderson my Joe,"
with inimitable sweetness, and was enthusiastically
encored.—" The Proprietors of Covent Garden Thea-
tre" having been drank,
Mr. FAWCETT returned thank'. The Proplietors of
Covent Garden Theati e, he observed, had Leen in the
beginning hostile to their Institution ; but as soon as
its merits were explaint.d to them, they became hi
" Prosperity to
most liberal patrons, and gave the use of the Theatre,
whenever it would be tilought necessary, for a benefit.
appropriate toasts were given, and the evening was
rt 1;-yLa la
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ilic
atih
Fund."etl gav gave,
the
Other
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Drury-Lane
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oasscd with the utmost conviviality.