The New York herald., 1870-05-30
THE DRAMA IN ENGLAND.
Speech Of the Prince Of Wales in Aid Of the
English Theatrical Fund.

Speech Of the Prince Of Wales in Aid of the
English Theatrical Fund.
The twenty-fith anniversary festival OF the Royal
General Theatrical Fund OF this charity was held
May 10 at st. James, Hall, London tie Prince OF
Wales In the chair. The company included the
Nawab Nazim OF Bengal, Prince All Prince solyman,
Lord w. Lennox Lord Alfred Paget,. the Duke of
Sutherland, Lord A. Hervey, Mr.. Blackstone, Mir,
Boucicault, DR.. w. II. Russell, Mr.. J. l.. Toole, Mr..
Ellington, DR.. Guam, Mr. Cullenford the secretary;
Mr.. C. Dickens, Jr, MIR. George Dolby Mr.. c. y.
Boys, DR.. Hastings, Mr.. Frank Knollys, Mr.. Mac.
caDe, Mr., Mackney, &c. The singers ana instru-
mentalists included Mr. George Perren, Madame
Bodda Pyne, Miss Ferrar Miss Rebecca Jewell, Miss
Marion Severn, Mr.. W. j. Fielding, Mr. J. Walker
MIR. j. Lander, Mr.. WlnterDOttom MIR. Alfred Wells
Mr.. Lazarus and others.
His ROYAL HIGnEEss, in proposing the Queens
nealn Ieniinaea his audience that hef Majesty had
always patroniZed the drama, and was pafrOness Of
this particular fund.
The PRINCE, in response to the toast for his heath
proposed by the Duke Of Sutherland said:-My old
friend who proposed this said that the Princess
and myself nave patronzed the drama. ! rejoice
that have mad the opportunity since my child.
hood OF going TO the threatre and witnessing most
excellent plays, and the performance Of perhaps
some OF the best actors that exist many OF whoui
see here this evening" Not only have the Princess
and myself derived the greatest pleasure add ause-
ment at the different theatres we have yIslted hut
we have done because 1t Is our wish to encourage
a noble profession. loud cheers,
His ROYAL hIGHSEss, in proposing prosperity to
the Royal General Theatrical Fund, said:-When |
look around he and see this numerous assembly
have no doubt that you feel deep interest in this
excellent fund.- what charity could be better than
thisY When one thinks how mach amusement and
pleasure we have all derived from going the thea
tire, does II ever occur TO US how hard is the work
and drudgery to the actors ana actresses? Does IL
ever occur TO us that at all times ana seasons what
ever may be the trouble orscKness from which they
are suffering, hey must be in their piacesy They
are forced, so TO speaA so appear belors " altlouxh
| their hearts may be verv sad, The actor who
| the nearest ana dearest relation. icheers1 Let
| US thlnk OF this, and also thag when the
| actor has passed a lie OF hard WORK wnen lie
is no more lit to act. without some help there is
nothing left nut destitulon. Would you have them
starve II is TO provide against that calamity that
TINS excellent funi was Instituted and what makes
the charity sun more merltorOus Is that the actors
tnemseives have formed It. The charity was
founded In 1889 by few London actors aud in 1853
1t was Incorporated by royal charter. Its chef OBJ
iects were to raise fand for providing annuies for
to grant temporary assistance TO the families OF de-
| ceased members. Any member OF the profession,
dancers, may be entitled to the benefits OF
| the lund on payment OF small annual sub
member has claim to the charity unless ssslg e bae
| been subscriber Tor seven years. Since the opening
OF the charity 322 members Of the profession have
been admitted TO Its benents sixty-one have, been
| granted lie pensions ranging from $50 to $50, and
general expenses have also been paid and assistance
| year was sl,3Io the expenditure, LOLA The re.
ceip!s OF leo exceeded those Of 1885, when tie
You win come forward in the most liberal maj 2Snner s.
and endeavor TO maze up the f300 which Is defceat,
and which was drawn rom the reserve fund.
(Cheers) l have great pleasure in coupling with
this toast the name Of one OF our oldest and abest OF
| actors MI. j. B. Blackstone. tCheers) have had,
the pleasure OF knowing him from my childhood
and do not hesitate TO say have often laughed and
roared at his performance. loud cheers.)
MI BUCKsToNE, who was loudly cheered, said:--
your Royal Hghness, my lords, ladies and gentle
men, IL Is wLh great pleasure that Lrlse This i'm
p0rtan OCCASION TO reply TO the toast OF the evening
Since the first dinner OF the General Theatrical Fund
IN 1886, now four and twenty years ago, we have
Deen honorcd by the presence OF many distinguished
cilarmen, elected from the ranks OF literature
and, l may say, politics. In literature our first
chairman was MIR. Charles Dickens; following him
came one inat am sorry to name as the late Mr.
Ihackeray; then Mr.. Tom Taylor Mr.. Wfkio Collins,
Mr. shirley Brooks Lord Houghton and that states
man and Eovelist, Lord Lytton, wth eminent mem
pers oi poth houses OF Parliament. Among artists
presumlng that the actor is considered be-
longing 10 art-we have had My. Macready,
MI. Charles kean, Mr.. Phelps, Mr.. Charles
Mathews, Mi. Alfred Wigan, Mr.. Bouccault
and Mr. BENJAMIN webster. From the city we have
rejoiced IN the presence of that worthy ex.Lord
mayor, sir benjamin Phillips, with Mr. stow and
other gentlemen OF position, but tonight we may
say, with the Craftsmanship Of the Prince of Wales,
we have crowned the edince.o loud cheers) That
his Royal Highess is constant and warm supporter
OF the drama Is evident from his frequent visits with
the Princess to all the London theatres, ana his
ready appreciation OF every worthy novelty; this
taste for the drama may In some measure be at,rt
buted to his early Introduction to dramatic art at
WINDSOR Caste, where, on having the honor Of ap