the amusements of the stage, however it be vilified and be the object of calumny.

The Chairman, remarking the munificent support which the King and his Royal Brothers had afforded, proposed Success to the Theatrical Funds of Covent Garden and Drury Lane Theatres.

The Church Burgesses.

The gentlemen residing at a distance who have favoured us with their company, particularly those from Rotherham.

Mr. Thomas Badger returned thanks.

The Chairman then gave the health of a most excellent and virtuous neighbour, whose hand was always open as day to melting charity.

Samuel Shore, Esq. of Meersbrook.

The Vice Presidents.

Dr. Brown returned thanks.

The Chairman proposed the health of a gentleman to whom they were much indebted for the interest he took in their concerns:

Mr. Smith.

Mr. Smith returned thanks.

Mr. S. Bramhall, the Secretary to the Society.

The Chairinan said, he should propose the memory of a gentleman, who, for many years, had taken an active part in the affairs of the town. He was a scholar, a gentleman, and a man of active benevolence. The child of his benevolence, the Sheffield General Infirmary, might witness for him. He was a warm friend and supporter of the theatre:

The late Dr. Brown.

Mr. Haxsworth and Mr. Palfreyman, the Stewards of the evening. Mr. Palfreyman, on behalf of himself and his colleague,

said, that he could assure them, that for the slight services which they had rendered, they could claim no praise. For himself, he should be happy at any time to render any service to the society.

The Town Collector and Assistants.

The Chairman proposed the memory of the great English moralist, the author of " Irene," and other dramatic works, and the friend and contemporary of the most enlightened men of his day:

The Memory of Dr. Johnson.

The Chairman gave—

The health of the leading tragedian of the Sheffield Theatre, with thanks for his company.

Mr. Mude briefly returned thanks, and expressed his gratification at again meeting the gentlemen of the Shakespeare Society.

The newly-elected Members of the Society.

Mr. Streatfield returned thanks.

Dr. Brown, in a handsome speech, proposed

The health of Mr. William Favell, of Huddersfield.

Mr. W. Favell returned thanks.

SONG "Is there a heart that never loved."

The health of Mr. John Bannister.

Mr. Smith proposed

The health of the past Presidents.

Mr. J. Rimington said, that on behalf of himself and the other gentlemen who had passed the Chair, he returned thanks for the honour done them. He had twice filled that office, and, by doing so, he had proved the interest which he took in the Society. He had attended all the Meetings but one, and on that occasion he was

absent in a distant part of the country.

He would say no more of his partiality to the Club: it was his wish and intention to be attached to it so long as it existed. He knew that the objects of their meeting were contrary to certain sour principles; but he thought he was able, at his time of life, to judge what amusements were proper for his wife, his family, and himself. When he had attended the theatre, he had left it instructed, and he did not doubt, that, on many occasions, those who attended the drama would be benefited. If he had not held this opinion, he would have been the first to have left the Society. But until sufficient arguments were used to convince him of the unlawfulness of their object, he should refuse to rely on the judgment of others, and would not surrender his own reason. He was happy to see all the past Presidents, excepting one, were present. He lamented that he was compelled to be absent in a distant part of the country; for he was one who, by his eloquence, wit, and good humour, had often delighted them; he need scarcely mention his name-Mr. Wake. Mr. Smith proposed

The health of Mr. Thomas Newbould.

Mr. Thomas Newbould returned thanks.

The worthy Chairman then took leave of the company; and expressed a wish that they might meet again, not only next year, but for many years to come.

At eleven o'clock, upon the unanimous call of the company, Mr. Luke Palfreyman took the Chair; and many speeches and songs were given, until the "prime of the night" was passed.

The dinner gave the greatest satisfaction, and the wines were generally praised. The whole arrangements reflected the highest credit on Mr. Hancock, of the Angel Inn.

NINTH ANNIVERSARY

OF THE

SHAKESPEARE CLUB,

December 5, 1827.

G. C. BROWN, M.D. IN THE CHAIR.

THE Ninth Anniversary of this Society was held on Wednesday, December 5th, 1827, at the Tontine Inn. At five o'clock, Dr. Brown, the Chairman, attended by the Vice Presidents and ninety gentlemen, entered the dining-room. The arrangements which had been made for the accommodation of the Club were of the best description. Upon entering the room, on the left was discovered a painting by Mr. Poole, representing Shakespeare seated upon a rock in the attitude of inspiration, and on the left a finished picture by the same artist, of the philosophical Hamlet. A number of other pictorial decorations were seen in the room, and amongst them a medallion of the immortal Bard, executed by Mr. Law, framed in wood, taken from the well-known yew-tree in Stratford Church-yard. Beneath the portrait of Shakespeare, the following lines (from Johnson's preface to Shakespeare) were written:

"The sand heaped by one flood is scattered by another, but the rock always continues in its place. The stream of time, which is continually washing the dissoluble fabrics of other poets, passes without injury by the adamant of Shakespeare."

And under the picture of Hamlet, the following alteration of the epitaph on Garrick:—

'Though still in death, each form the poet drew,

The actor's genius makes them breathe anew;

Though, like the bard, buried in night they lay,

Kemble and Siddons brought them into day."

At half-past six, the cloth being removed, Dr. Brown, the President, addressed the meeting. He regretted exceedingly that the choice had fallen upon himself to preside, especially when he looked round and saw so many gentlemen who had already filled the Chair with eclat. But he would repeat the words which were used by the President last year, and hoped they would "accept the will for the deed." His health had been in a bad state for the last four months, but having accepted the office of President at the last Meeting, he had been determined that nothing but actual confinement should deter him from fulfilling his engagement.

"The service and the loyalty I owe,

In doing it, pays itself."

He despised the sneers of those who would deter him from visiting the Theatre; but he would not trespass upon them with speeches in defence of his conduct; he would pass at once to the business of the evening.

Our gracious Sovereign, the patron of the liberal and fine arts, as well as an admirer of the dramatic art.

"God save the King."-Messrs. Hunt, Midford, and Sapio."

His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, and the other branches of the Royal Family.

The Chairman then said, that he requested a bumper might be filled throughout the company; he adverted to the great object of the meeting, to pay reverence and