The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-18

American Dramatic Fund Association,
AT THE
Asst OR HOUSE,
LAST EVENING.

abundance, and admirable good order which dis
tingush the munifcent hosts of the Astor House.
The musical part of the entertainment was under
the management of Mr.. Geo. Loder, and was
Quoted with the finest taste and most distinguished
ability. About two hundred gentlemen sat down
at the tables.
The chair was occupied by D. C. GOLDEN, Esq, Prosi-
dent Of the Manhattan Gas Company. Amongst the
invited guests who occupied the seats at the principal
table, observed General Norris Of the LIST
Division Of the New Y ork State Militia; Col Ward
Judge Advocate; Col Stebbins, Of the 18th Regt NJ Y
State Militia; Captain Castle Of the Scottish Guard
Philip Hone, Esq., the recently appointed Naval Office
Of this Port; N. N. Noah, Esq, Thos H. Hambln Esq,
Professor Hows, the author Of the unexcsptonable
Shakespeare" and Mr.. Ryder, Of West Point
At the head Of the centre table the rosy bengnant
face orr W. Blake Esq, the indefatigabe manager Of
the Broadway theatre was shining in the centre
of brilliant coteris Of distinguished and liberal pa
irons and supporters Of the drama, amongst whom
noticed Mr. Quartermaster Rogers, Counsellor Brady
and Doctor POWELL the celebrated oculist. All along
the tables might have been Of the most
distinguished of the New York and itera emil
nent in many departments Of scence and professional
"skill" together with almost all the eminent TRACE
dams comedians, vocasts and dramasts Of this great
metropolis, not forgetting sundry eminent praction
srs at "the bar"
The d.eora tions Of the room which were, b,ieye
under the superintendent of the classic taste Of Mr.
John Smith, late Of the Park theatre in unexcep-
tionablc taste Immediately behind the chairman had
been placed the famous statey Of Shakespeare, which,
till lately occupied the niche in front Of Old Drury
and which had been nicely whitewsshsd "for this night
only"
The CHAIRMAN pronounced a brief shaksperian
energy to the good things spread before
cloth had been removed
The CHAIRMAN and said Custom has made II
festivals Of the benevolent societies city to pre-
face the regular and toasts Of the evening" by an
objects Of the institution whose festival 1t may happen
to calling the attention Of the audience to Its inte
Of rs ina
from, by the kind consideration Of the members Of
festival can therefore, depart from an established
will agree with me- that, for ct least, It will be
custom As much honored in the breach as in tho OBJ
servance Npplause) But to the member, Of the
Dramatic Fund Association beg leave to say,in the
language Of the learr ed and venerable Dogberry,
nearly" uSushter and .pplause) Our friends must lust
excuse my tediousness while take advantage Of this
the first opportunity Of your being assembled together
BY being selected the President Of association
Be assured that, although accepted the situation with
and objects of the institution It from want Of
sympathy with its benevolent and useful purposes
fesson and the public 1t viii be to me rrstiacation
H. in return for the honor You have conferred upon
and for this evidence Of your confidence and regard
] can, by any effort Of mine, contribute to establish
to encourage and to support the American Dramatic
Fund Association. (Applause) Gentlemen, please fll
up for the fret regular toast =
:. The President Of the United States"
Drank with enthusiastic applause. Ausie-Han
At this none emit q beautiful woman who stood
among the group OF ladies in the behind the
sharmans seat pullsd aside one Of the light muslin
curtains which hung from the ceiling, and, tapping
against Of the chandeliers, in . ment 1t in
blaze. With great press Of mind Of the wait
msdately The other curtains were then also pulled
down thus revealing In all their loneliness the charm
ing crowd Of spectators, whose sudden appearance
the signal for loud burst Of genuine admiration
and applause
Then came the second toast
1.-THE Army and Navy Of the United Statcs.n
Drank with loud applause.
Hardly had the nne music Of the band died away,
when the Chairman, with alarming rapioity, called
"The Cityof New York" Loud applause.
Then came the fourth regular toast
Mr. HAMBLIN rose to respond to this toast and was
greeted with long and enthusiastic applause. He said
Having been nineteen years before this communitya
the oldest theatre in the city, he felt 1t to be his duty to
respond to the last toast. He delighted too to
have favorable opportunity to express himself
the present occasion; for before him gentlemen
Of the highest standing and respecability whom we
know have on many occasions exerted their influence
in support Of the drama. And with such influence,
what may not hope for the cause OF the drama!
delighted said he to have this opportunity Of say
ing few words the first anniversary dinner for the
benefit Of the American Dramatic Fund Association
Enthusiastic applaus) For thirty-two years past
say, that was more embarrassed In my life than
the present occasion, to find words with which
to express what feel. Yet have one great consola
ton this occasion for have long yearned for, and
long prayed for the establishment Of dramatic fund
in this glorious land Of the free and home Of the
brave. Loud appause) And now, gentlemen, said
he in reference to the drama 1t has been asserted
by many persons, and by some influential news
papers, that the drama is dead | did not think sol
but that has been in rapid decline for number Of
years past, | will freely admit But what have been
the Of this declne' With the permission Of the
company will mention one and think the principal
one them and that is the starring system Great APP
pause Yes for number Of past 1t has been the
70 invite an audience 10 see some great actor,
parts Of the play have been disrcgarded except that
which the bright particular star of the evening to
perform (Applause) Again, in great many instances
the star would carry off with him one half Of the net
receipts Of the night leaving the other half to be d.
vded between the manager, the actors and the other
classes Of persons attached to the drama There in
large and well regulated theatres upwards Of hun
drcd persons employed, all Of whom have to be paid
hence, II young young woman Is DESTROYS Of at
tanning the position of star as soon as they are capa
bic Of taking second rate part they claim to be an
nounced star in order to get the privileges OF
star Another reason for the decline of the drama
that the attention of the public is too much directed to
what caos the appointments OF the stage. Oaugh-
ter) IL has become necessary within few years to
furnish what not at all expecteda quarter OF CEN
fury ago For instance the audiences of the present
day require real drapery augnter) real fire. and yar
other realities. (Laughter) Now gentlemen, said
he If it necessary to have real dapery and real fire.
and other real things IL ~ much to have real
water real thunder and lightning Tremendous laugh
teri This you know cannot have In conclusion,
he said he would submit therefore whether IL would
20 back to the times when could listen
good actors with proper scenery than TO to the
theatre witness exhibitions Of chairs sofas carpets
and upholstery. Applause)
Then came the next regular toast
~ he Press.n
Drank with great applause.
Major Moan called from the foot of the table
and the [ hartman rc-eehong the call, after
4" A little coy, reluctant amorous delay"
the old gentleman to respond to the toast lie
s.aI a fha all
he press the play itself the critic who sat impor
ant in the pit the prompters whistle, and often, he
tmieht add his mug Of ale. Ucngtheucd applause.)
The oracular diction Of the press player and
&c, alike Locked with the koenest interest applause
He congratulated the dramatic profession in having
taken The initiative in the establishment of the
FUND.- They who fat before the curtain could not
imagine the pain, trouble and distress behind the
| tain Many no. IN regal robes, went through
his part on the stage with dignity and spirit went
home supp,rltfs TO bcd' He held that the players
we've be regarded infants in the eye cf the law for