e
Princess to all the London theatres, and his ready appreciation of every
worthy novelty. This taste for the drama may in some measure be
attributed to his early introduction to dramatic art at Windsor Castle,
where, on having the honour of appearing there by invitation of Her
Majesty and the lamented Prince Consort, I have frequently seen His
Royal Highness with his brothers and sisters, seated at the feet of
their father and mother, witnessing with delight the various
representations.

"The members of our fund cannot be too grateful for the kindness and
goodness of heart which have induced His Royal Highness to come here
to-night, as the calls upon his time have now become so many, and the
duties he has to perform so numerous and fatiguing, that we can only
wonder how he gets through them all. Even within these few days he has
held a levee; on Saturday last he patronized a performance at Drury-lane
in aid of the Dramatic College; then had to run away to Freemasons'-hall
to be present at the installation of the Grand Master; and now we find
him in the chair this evening; so what with _conversaziones_, laying
foundation stones, opening schools, and other calls upon his little
leisure, I think he may be looked upon as one of the hardest working men
in Her Majesty's dominions. Still, it is this ready kindness that
endears him to the nation, as the Princess, by her charming qualities,
is so firmly fixed in the heart of every Englishman and Englishwoman.

"And now, my Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, I must inform you that Her
Gracious Majesty has again sent us her handsome donation of L100; and
although, unfortunately, she does not now visit our theatres, yet she
does not forget us; and so, my Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, with such a
truly Royal example before you, I can only conclude by hoping that,
according to your generous feelings and your worldly means, you will
come and do likewise."

Lord W. Lennox proposed "The Visitors," coupling with it the health of
the Nawab Nazim of Bengal, who during his residence in England had
identified himself with the charities of this country. The Nawab had
been a liberal patron of theatrical performances, and had, he
understood, only one subject of regret in connection with our London
theatres--that the plays of Shakespeare were not more frequently
performed in them. The subscriptions of the evening amounted to L700,
including L100 from the Prince of Wales, and L50 from the Nawab Na