year, according to a special scale, provided he had been
performing three years in a theatre licensed by the Lord
Chamberlain or by the local magistrates, was eligible to receive
the benefits of the fund, but no member had a claim unless he
had been a subscriber for seven years. Should he then be
incapacitated from further work, he had the option of either
receiving a life annuity or one-half the payments made by him
while a subscriber. On his death an allowance of L10 was granted
towards defraying funeral expenses. At 60 years of age any
member was at liberty to claim an annuity if he had subscribed
to the fund for 12 years, and female members were allowed to
cease their subscriptions when 55 years old. Since the opening
of the charity 322 members of the profession had been admitted
associates. To 61 of these life pensions had been granted,
varying from L30 to L90 a year. In 1846, the first year in which
pensions were granted, the receipts amounted to L565, and the
annuities to L98. Last year the total income was L1370, and the
amount expended in pensions was L1614. The receipts of 1869
therefore exceeded those of 1846 by L805, and the pensions, &c.,
by L1516. Again, while in 1846 only seven members received
annuities, the number of annuitants had increased to 33 in 1869.
The total disbursements, however, of last year exceeded the
income by L368, and it had been found necessary therefore to
draw that sum from the reserve fund.

"These few remarks would perhaps induce those who heard him to
come forward liberally to the assistance of the charity, and to
make up the L300 which it had been necessary to draw from the
reserve fund. His Royal Highness concluded by calling upon the
company to drink 'Prosperity to the General Theatrical Fund,'
coupled with the name of one who, he was sure, they would
receive with the greatest enthusiasm, as he was one of their
oldest and ablest actors. He had known Mr. Buckstone personally
ever since his childhood, and had repeatedly laughed and roared
at his drollery and humour."

Mr. Buckstone made a very amusing and characteristic speech, but with
good sense underlying the drollery. With regard to the presence of the
Prince in the chair, he said: "That His Royal Highness is a constant and
warm supporter of the drama is evident from his frequent visits with th