The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-11


The American nramatic Fund Association celebrated
its Sixth anniversary b. festival at the Aston House
| last evening.
The association formed for the parpose OF raising
fund for the support Of aged and distressed actors 1t
rs chartered company, with capital Of 81 e56 with
an Income Of 50 6o0 there Is but pensioner upon
e iund The Increase IN the fund during the past year
hh neen sos asSfpeared the Treasurers report The
huoer OF members two hundred twenty
inc festival Yesterday commenced with very fine
dinner at the Astor House at which about one hundred
i persons sat down at seven o'clock
Among the company We noticed but few actors None
Of the managers present We believe that the fol-
lowing list includes all the members OF the profession
who particpaied:-Mr Blake OF wallacks theatre Mr.
c. Pope OF the Broadway theatre; Mr. weryss of the
Bowery theatre Mr., Rea Mr.. Bernard and Mr.. Lyster
of Waack's theatre; Mr.. Andrews, of the Museum Mr.
Fleming, of the National theatre, Boston.
The table adorned with representations confec-
tonery, of King Lear, FaIstaG, shakspeares house,
etc. ETC.
The Chair occupied by the President Of the Assoc-
alton, Mr.. Stebbens, supported by the trustees.
After the cloth had been removed, "Non Nobis' was
sung by Mrs Brown and Messrs. Lyster, Tordol Rea,
! Carbon and Brown.
| The Chair announced the first regular toast
! Tho President of the United States
| The sentiment drank the company standing, and
" Han columbia" was played.
| The second regular toast:-
The State and City Government. of New Things
done well and with care exempt themselves from fear.
Glee-Mynheer Won Dunk--by the Vocal Club
The third regular toast-
The Army and Navy of the United Proudly and
wide our standard flies Music Yankee Doodle"
captain LEVY, q. s. NJ responded He returned his
hanks for the honor done to the United Service He
was not man Of words but a of war and gave
be s s he bis energy
Drank with three cheers, and the band played the
Star Spangled Banner"
The fourth regular toast
Prosperity to the American Drsmatc Fund.
The PRESIDENT said that he felt i. neces sary for
him to few words by way Of introduction. He was
happy to be able say that the fund was now so firmly
established that it tend to elevate the profession ia
an altitude which nothing else could do The prominent
clause in the charerwas the charity clause but the
fund was really annuity and trust company and as
such it must be successful. He should not make the
usual call upon the sympahies Of the audience It was
piled by the patrons of the drzaGB but it is here
after to the profession alone that the fund must
portunity to raise great fund than the actors.
On the first anniversary Of this society it had
on the third seventy FIVE on the fourth one hundred
and eighteen; on the fifth, one hundred and eighty
eight on the sixth about two hundred and twenty fve
The capital twenty three thousand the income about
thousand dollars There hundred managers
in the United States and it is supposed that there
four thousand connected with the profession and
if proper exertons made they could be induced to
come into the association and its income might be easily
raised times tho present amount Then they could
have building for library and reading ROOM the nu-
cleus of which has already been established The
citation could then be of benefit to the profession
There is great opportunity for the actors 70 do ali this
and they fail will not be owing to the remissness Of
the patrons 4 the stage but to the neglect Of the actors
themselves 'Mr. stebbins gave in conclusion
The American Dramatic Fund Associstion-The past and
present history Of the institution is known The future
things fame that do this city" [Grea cheeringl
Mr.. John Van Buren's health drank, and he
sponded He paid tribute to the memory of several
persons who had been at the FIRST festival Of the
association He delighted to hear from the Chair Of
the prosperity of the association He considered that
the fact that theatrical exhibitions had been prominent
This association formed to protect those who
adopted the stage as profession and thereby removed
themselves from all other pursuits Few persons were
of the annoyances and universities incident upon
actors e To alleviate these miseries this associa
ton was formed and should have the sympathy and
the aid of the humane the refined and the phanthropc
Such is the case in Great Britain, and it should be
here. Mr. Van Buren, closed by giving the
Health and speedy return Of James I. Brady.
Three cheers given, and the band played polka
Miss c. Hinert sung ballad.
Mr.. WNYss, Treasurer, was next called up. He made
statement Of the affairs Of the association which Is
Of the Hsymarket theatre, London, enclosing dona-
ton of $50 also letter from Mr. Jenny of London, en-
closing f5.
The sixth regular toast
Shakespeare and the Drama.
Mr.. PARKR GOODWIN responded
Miss c. Hidert sang the ballad, FL 2ingara."
& n al IL snsan sna
it hath power Music-W.lt1,Jullien
II.
York managers had not given their countenance to the
dinner, and his sentiment was check for s2b
Madame Pozzoni sang the ballad-"Within Mile of
Edinboro, Town"
The seventh regular toast
st.gets will aGhIowisags iss beneficial in
life Liz E let us s css1lsha
The ActorOn the stage he ministers to amusement
and instruction in the world he friend and fellow
After the seventh toast, Mr.. VAN BURN said he re-
GREETED that many eminent in the were
notp a II. Burton
and Mr. Forrest should have been here because their
presence would have given the society higher stand
in the opinion Of those not eminent in the drama
He glad however that person was here, who has
long had high position in the profession He referred
Mr.. BLAKE responded. He gave a brief sketch Of the
progress the association and thanked the audience
assured them that they had the thanks of the profession
The stars not here because no two stars could
n ea the o f hs
well as actors Mr.. Blake read letter from Rev.
n Beecher sympsthizing with the charitable object
of Mr. Walack sent check for $50. Mr.. Les
terend Mr.. G. walack sent donations.
Mr.. Walack's health was then drunk.
Mr. BLAME gave the health Of the President OF the As
ISOLATION, which was drunk with enthusiasm
The PRESIDENT briefly returned thanks
Literature Science and ArtMay their advantages DO
realized their made and their worth OK
LUTHER r. MARSH, Esq responded reference to the
drama ne said that there good or great gift that
could not be perverted but the drama was no more ha
BILE to the charge than any other Of the great gifts He
continued, in speech remarkable for eloquence and
beauty to defend the DRAMA and to eulogze Its sup
porters and authors.
The health Of Major sprarue U s. A., given, and
that gallant officer responded and gave
Continued and prosperity to the American ORA
matte 7 und Association.
Woman-Ali that dare ask Of heaven-amazng bright
purity and truthcterna joy and everlasting love-
Mr.. FLEMING responded and gave the health OF Judge
DAILY, who had previously retired. 80
Mr.. BLAKE gave the health Of Mr. John Brougham which
drank with all the honors.
Mr.. March gave the health OF Messrs. Coleman and
Stetson, propretors Of the Astor House.
The Secretary reported that the receipts OF the even
ing, from donations, amounted TO neatly $500.
The company soon after separated
ANY errors in this report must be accredited TO mis-
management on the part Of the Committee OF arrange
ments not the innccuracy Of the reporters No seats
could be found by them in the vicinity OF the CHAIR,
although persons connected wi h the weekly press, and
who reports assigned to the seats usually
iven to daily reporters. None Of the usual facilities
were afforded to the last named individuals.