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

say the stewards Of the festival disappointedin
seeing the gentlemen here who announced to re-
Pond TO three or four Of the regular toasts Prescott
Hall, Esq, DR.. John w. Francis Theodore Sedgwick,
Esq ana other gentlemen were expected to attend;
but some on account Of indispostion and
account Of urgent business nts could not
sttend This was subject Of regret and they would
eumstances, by giving additional music (Appnuse1
Then came the ninth regular toast
1.-THE Charitable Institutions of New York;
Mr. JoHN M'KEoH was called upon, and referred to
the early formation Of the Dramatic Fund Association
and regretted that the Legislature Of his native State
hesated about granting act OF incorporation to It
They ready and willing to incorporate all other
benevolent institutions, but when this association ap
the ragacity and sound sense Of the majority OF that
body the act eventually passed He then referred
to the other charitable institutions OF New York. and
hoped that the Dramatic Association would BIO allowed
place among them; and in conclusion, paid tribute
| to the merits and virtues of Edwin Forrest, Esq.
Mr. COLDER the president, during temporary pause,
said that from the remarks which had been made, 1t
might be supposed that the Association not
firm foundation He could however, them that
1t was and an evidence Of the favorable auspices
under which it has commenced he would say that tho
collections this evening amounted to upwards OF Ave
This announcement was received with enthusiastic
applause After few reflections on the genius Of the
| immortal dramatist, the president proposed
Glee-" Thou soft flowing Avon.n Sung in most ex-
JOHN Wv bpnrs' ESQ o wa, loudly called FOR and
at length responded. He said he came express
engagement that he to be called upon to speak
In fact, as the chairman knew he oamc here as no
had gone elsewhere, with "a "proviso" Great laugh
ter) He could not decline to come, however, for
he was this association founded for most
noble purposeone that commended itself to the heart
OF every He could not, therefore, help taking
interest IN it, hence his here this even
ing. Actors, he said are proverbialy improvident,
and we who witness their performances know not Gifted
OF their necessities Often while the actor is performing
part that shakes his audience with laughter his heart
may be wrung with the most poignant anguish. IL
was worthy Of New York to have such an association
this and to foster it, He about to conclude but
requested to say something in reference to the
subject Of the preceding toast and in accordance with
peare Although it might appear arrogant in him to
speak OF war in presence OF Hannibal Qaughter) he
begged leave to differ with his amiable friend (Mr.
Hambn), who said that the drama declining. 1t
true to be sure that that gentleman had said
the starring system the milky way Of the theatrical
thunder and lightning, had been prsudcia yet there
were hopes Of better day That very night they had
"Resl Drapery and Real Fire-The modern improve
ments on the drop curtain, which reveal the beauty
behind the scenes.n
This capital hit was received with the most enthu-
.iastic applause and Of laughter The toast
drank with nine cheers, and one cheer more
Then the last regular toast to which the Chair
man remarked the last spoken had made SO feicteus
prelude:
1.-The Ladesn Drank with tremendous enthusiasm
Here's . health to all good Lassss."
The list Of regular toasts having been finished, tho
voluntary ones came in order The 6rst proposed
by Mr. Lockwood, who prefased 1t by few appropriate
remarks
1.-THE health Of Philip Hone Esq.-Th patron and
friend Of the drama and Of everything liberal benevo
lent, and charitable"
Drank with all the honors
| Mr. Hosr returned his sincere thanks. He did not
know how to express himself but he acknowledged the
the dramatic art If he had not procluded himself by
an memorable law which he had laid down for himself
he would with pleasure dsecsnt on the extraordinary
inspirations Of Shakespeare and would also give his
of the Of the age who long be-
fore this have left this for another and happier stage
and writings Of Shakespeare. He also spoke at some
that it would meet with at least much favor SINH
lar institutions do in the Old World. And why should
II not be supported! Shall mon who have spent their
life in contributing to the amusement and enghtcn-
men Of the public sha they be forgotten, and allowed
to 20 down to the silent tomb unregretted and unearsd
for He concluded by saying that the drama, under
proper regulations the handmade Of morality; and
that II II be not supported by the respectable portion
Of the-community ii will descend into the hands OF
those who will divert 1t from its proper sphere He
as a toast
"The stagc-A beautiful and fragrant garden which,
by bad management, may become garden Of no1ious
Received with much enthusiasm, and drank with
| all the honors.
| Among the volunteer toasts, was one in honor
Mrs Fanny Kemble Butler which was drank with great
| enthusiasm.
The CHAIRMAN sated that Mrs B uter had contributed
three hundred dollars to the fund for the relief Of the
family of the late T.. Simpson Esq-an announcs mont
which was followed by loud applause.
very poetical toast in honor ofthe Astor House its
hosts its breakfasts it's dinners its suppcrs its wines
and its scgars not forgetting the boot blacks by Gen
George p Morris, having been drank with enthusiasm,
Mr.. JOHN BRorGHAM was called upon from all parts
Of the and with vvacity
and humor. He sad Gentlemen, I'm in predics-
| ment-in what is technically termed "afxn laugh
ter Did you take considerable deal Of pains in
endeayorng to concoct something extremely nice, II
the contingencies Of the evening so fell out thalyou
should be called to return thanks! daughter
| That is my position at this moment. confess |
had a sert Of suspicion that would be called upon
4 I,. ~,av
| ly set diligently to work, and concocted alvery
admirable grafton, and, what is more, committed
| Qaughter), for now, when want it, it is IN
tetus, can for the life Of me- imagine what has
it is not here Whether it is that my memory
| considered itself bound to hold my Grafton in
strict custody, know not-eaving that point to the
legal gentlemen, Of whom we have fair sprinkling
here aughter) it may have been that the worthy
secretary himself took particular pains to impress
upon the aforesaid memory the duty of retaining that
grafton in particularly safe place at all events
have said it Is not here although assure you it
very good Grafton. Laughier) Nothing is left for
me but to send my amagnation to look after this alb
sQuatulated grafton, although fear that it Is
those things which the more they grabbed attc
the more they not to be grabbed However
your worthy sccretary-you must excuse me for usns
the expletive, for that believe Is the property o
e tha .ne Pcb pr
belongs to your secretary just as the term ener
getic " belongs to all managers who are all ener,
getic and the term indefatigaben belongs to all
stage ma nagers who have been from time mmenorial
all ndefagable (roars of laughter)-your worthy Sc
cretnry then, to the come xion must
well he in the hope of finding rags Of his
grafton on the hedge, thing somewhat doubtful The
worthy secretary need not the proud
| which he experiences, in witnessing the public appro-
baton thus bestowed association to which he had
given his humble aid Some persons doubted the sue
| cess of the experiment ! never did. When my I'M
| fortunate and suffering country was striker by
the sore plague of famine, recalled to mind
| the fact that your noble ships, laden with
| your DEMONSTRATING corn had been waited across
the Atlantic followed by tho blessings Of thousands Of
benevolent hearts awakening their arrival one uni
versa absorbing feeling of gratitude in the bosom Of
| the Irish people. Npplause) knew that our appeal
would be made in vain, and felt certain that you
would respond to it in the same noble and generous
spirit The scene before tonight proves that my
| expectations not without foundation. (,enewed
spplause) Gentlemen, must confess that little
| bit of my speech Uaughter) There IL nothing like
being honest in these things. More laughter) Cen
tcmcn your worthy Secretary does not know what to
say next. will say, however simply that present
the American Dramatic Fund Association, perfect in