The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-07

Ola Gu 'ho Io'h OF April, AZ the Fe~masons Tavern,
Cfea queen street, unoer tho presidency Of Mr. Charles
Mathews About 200 gentlemen Fat down, at half past
TX O'Clock to very sumptuous dinner, and subsequent
y age addition wa made 10 the company by the pre-
eDce Of LADIES' who occupied elevated posons ~ both
When the cloth removed, and handsome dessert
had been placed upon the table, the business Of the even
ing coDmslced.
ged might not be received formal and nsoes~
fay preiaoe TO the business OF tho evening Her Msjes
y as the special psropess and friend Of this Fund.- had
not only gwen Der constant personal attendance at
most OF the Metropolitan theatres. but had thrown
open her own palaces TO the drama and its profess
Eors. (Hsnr, h,ar) He had the further pleasure Of
Informing the assembly that he bad received from her
Majesty her annual munncen, doDaiop OF ono hundred
Kuineas Cheers He proposed the hea To Of her most
gracious Majesty the Queen the religious lady and
The best womsn thai s. the throne Of tnese ma
The Toast having been drank up,tanding with three
times three, was followed BY the National Anthem.
.e shS h next gave bs Roy Hshness the Prince
iani,y not forgetting " The title Prince OF Prussia
The Charm an proposed The two gallant seryicesthe
Army and Navy out confessed bis uuaaq oantaDce
botn. he had ne'er been ~ tab.o his hfe Ha
would not have oesn correct. (Langber.) And no id
not remember that he had cd iov TAR ON
the meeting as Que Of the Fleet, C.sushssr Bosn the
array and navy, however, had awsys deter
mined supporters OF tbeatrcas aod had carr he seed
o he drama lar over the globe and into the most oppo
site Of scepes
sir W FRAZER responded to the toast
MI. RANsFoAD eung naval sogg
The CHAIRMAN next the OF the evening He said
ho had ofIeo experienced feeling Of tepdaon appear
perhaps hanon the present OCCASION Tor be had only
To appear Ia cnay for the 81 tune, but
bad insisted upon his performing the part, and he had
therefore no chocefor the penalty OF refusing part
amounted to three weeks loss OF s.ary. "a ausn He
could not he had taken the part Of very short notice.
but must request the usual indulgence The difficulties
be had TO contend with great; bat he used
difficulties, and always ready face them good
(Cheers In considering why be should have
u occupy chair which, 70 occasions, had been
ned by INDUSTRIOUS men, be had co ne TO this concIupou
that been selected he purpose Of being BOT up
before the company as IN examp tut rather ming
Qaught.r) Even in that capacity be was quite willing
70 accept the position, and W act finger post
course which he could conscenaousiy declare to be
good aud right one. The objects and advantages Of the
appreciated to an extent that made it unnecessary
for him to dwell upon them. They had often been in
who was present. mannestDg his usual nteres in its az
fas and by their worthy secretary, who sAt there in
be pleased to hear that be M Mathews) had nothing 70
do with managing the funds aughter) The only thing
he had to do with them was 70 eadeavor 70 ise ell his
powers of fascination 70 swell their amount 70 induce hs
audience not only to produce the sums they had in
their right hand pockets, according to their an
that reserve fund which they had provided
powerful eloquence should touch their hearts. He did
present theirs and was therefore, more to their sym
pathy than to their duty that he wished 70 appeal While
il was dear lind sympathy that performed The sweetest
part Of the work. II not duty which compelled
pie TO contribute TO the support and comfort Of those in
Their declining days who in other and brighter times had
contributed 10 their amuse and diverted their minds
from the pressure and tumuit Of the world. No. they
WORTH and there end of duty but OF sympathy
(Hesr, hear feeling OF afiectonste interest be besv
cd produced by those who mnstered 10 the public
ement, very different from that which was felt
the ronmopf the tobaccenst any other good
,adesmen who provided the public With necessary ar
ces for lite Great generals learned judges and sIo-
queDt diyipes 10 be respected and sometimes loved
but TO the alone that kind indulgence and Affection
ate recognition was extenoed that proceeded from az
irresistible yearning towards those VII lsoled the
spirit during hours Of depression which all At times felt,
and which bad the power of readily soothing as
the actor Hence, even towards the popular author,
there did not come TO be manifested the same familiar in
terest by all classes towards the draast who came
TO be regarded and spoken Of q personal FRIEND al
though he might never have been seen of the boards in
bis fe lcheeIs) For his own part, he felt quite proud
IL in passing along the street. he heard the greengrocerE
Mathews, GAuehter.) But II was only with actors
basked in the sunshine Of the people, and appre.
ciaed by their contemporaries Unlike the suthor, tho
But alas his popularity only OF day. How ths
sympathetic feeling engsndered between the public and
glad 10 out Of Themselves were, and leave
to others even the task Of their Amusement and
want FELT therefore, that appealing TO the SYM
patty of hia audience and the attendance ON
that occasion testified that be should not appeal in van
that their help would enable m1ny to rejoice
their declining days, who by this fund provided
with the means Of securing TO themselves small Compe-
tence when their active powers longer availed for
their support. Let them, then. give their TO the
actor as bo tottered down the hill, and ssrew few
flowers in his path and by doing follow the example oe
their noble and generous hearted Queen By so DOING u
reverse the words OF Shakspea You give to him that
which not noverisheth SOU but makes him rich indeed
cloud cbeers.) he concluded by proposing Success and
prosperity to the Royal General theatrical Fdnd coupling
with the toast the name of Mr. Blackstone, the honorary
treasurer.
After song by Miss Poole,
Mr. BuCKs1oNE responded to the toast in a humorous
Az nro A.
TO congratulate themse present
and to be peasee win everything and everybody. In
the first place all would Acknowledge that they had great
TO 30 peafed with their man. {Cheers] 1t
might be the hrst time he had addressed audience
OF the boards Of theatre, or at public dinner but na
certainly gave no signs Of being novice; the contrary
he perfect in his vocation of advocate for
charity az he was allowed to DO accomplished and unri
vailed in hs old on The stage. Might his future
be as prosperous and happy his best friends could
~sh and us his nigh talents and unr.valied uds.ry
served. (Cheers.) The members OF the Fund Lad
every to congratulate themselves prospe-
state Of the institution Az the cose Of this
ing they would possess capital exceeding 0O0 ai:er
paying eleven annutsns during the Iast Year from
$50 10 600 per annum and it might be interesting to
10 know that the recipients were mostly ladies' rhe
Fond now open " all persons connected with the
profession, and ITS present number OF members Ill
It had frequently been charged against actors TIA. they
iDpro vident in their habits, cut now, all events
they were endeavoring ia aley Of ways W make pro-
visions against time Of need Aud be glad to say
that there never was time when the pubic manifested
greater dsposition than patronse the theatre 1t
Faid that money had been taken this Christmas
hct gnout tne country than at aEy former correspond
ing season. He knew that il true 30 far as HE ovn
hose was concerned. He left the fund with The audience
and hoped that they would put heir hands deeply into
their poces and parodyng the words Of the duke would
say, Up, Stewards and at EN- daughter and sbeers
Mr. Blackstone concluded by proposing the hean Of tn,
Chairman, Mr. Charles Mathews, which was drunk with
much enthusiasm and ollowedby song from Miss Eyes,
which encorod.
The CHAIRMAN ACKNOWLEDGED the compliment with much
feeling. After making some illusions his personal
aahs, which had been touched upon by Mr. Blackstone,
he said bis FRIEND tho late Douglas Jerrod said That
nc old hot despair Of seeing him (Ar Mathews walking
w Iadgete hill with 40 umbrella nnder his arm going toll
invest his money IN the Bank Of England. Hear audi
auehter He did not know hsw that might De- but bel
had certainly made one step towards tho had
bought the umbrella. Taughter He bad that day mp
pied be admitted The Royal General theatrical Fund
Which he took would provo the hes. provision be COULD
make for a rainy day. daughter and cheers He con
ciaoeo by propoeipg me Drana and associatng with
the toast the name OF Mr.. Webster.
MIR. wEprTs responded, aud dwet upon the cvilzing
ard eeva.pg influence of the profession 70 which he