ADDRESS AT A BENEFIT OF THE DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION, MELBOURNE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5530, 17 December 1878, Page 3

ADDRESS AT A BENEFIT OF THE DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION, MELBOURNE.

At the Academy of Music in Melbourne a benefit was given for the Dramatic Association. Mr. Coppin had obtained the use of the building for the purpose from Mr. Aarons, the new proprietor. From the Argus we learn that the performance commenced with the delivery by Mr. John Whiteman of the following address, written by himself : In this benighted Berry blighted ace, When party politics ivo all the rage: When embassies on foreign tours are bent. When • o the Isle of France Sir George is sent. When Bent, at Brighton, braves the Premier's threat. And raises walls of stone his heart to fret; When Richardson can talk for o’er an hour, and clear the House with 40-parson power ; When Oaunson. with Lis ©ver-ceaselesa tongue. Evokes the wrath of Ministerial thr>ng ; When Purves, with his pungent, pert satire. Produce* sparks of strong Poarsonian Are ; When Woods breaks out on railway- and reform, When Berry bursts into a furious storm ; When education is the favorite theme On which Sir John O'S. doth nightly dream ; When land selectors even bless the day Which gave them o’er to Longmore’s smiling sway ; When teachers swear by all that they hold good The Major as their friend has firmly stood ; When Slack defies the sheriff and his tall. And finds himself once more in Melb'-urn« Gaol ; When Andrew seeks an honest man In vain; When gas declines to e’er burn bright again ; When Presbyterians discuss on Monday How great a sin it is to wash on Sunday ; When commerce droops her wings, when trade’s depress© I, When Kelly’s murders still are unredressed; E’en In this age, these most <iegenerate days. We come before you with our motley plays. We bring ho Dodger, with his artful wiles. To win your plaudits and obtain your smiles; You’ve seen him oft upon another stage, In Legisla ive books he's earned a page. And Oppln’s name wi h Torrens* hold* Its own. While thousands thank them for tbe good they're done. We also Introduce to you to-nfght Friend Greville in the role of I'efcor White. I need not veil you how all doat on Greville, At puns and gags he Is the very devil. And cha raing Jenny Bryce will, to the life. Enact the character of Peter’s wife. South Melbourne, too, hath brought its brilliant band Of amateurs, as Shipmates they will stand. Pray greet them warmly, if but for the cause. Give them a hearty welcome and appl use. What is the cause which brings us here to night. To see your faces radiant with delight f ’Tis that of C arity, that meek-eyed maid, Of whom, you know, it often hath been said, She coverebh a multitude of sins. So for a moment, ere the p ay begins, our object here I briefly will relate ; And. fearing nothing, I at once will state, ’Tis one of Coppin's dodges— nay, don’t start. You need nob hesitate to take a art In such a dodge, when e’en our gracious Queen Is not ashnsa d to 1 t her name bo seen Heading the list of wealthy benefactors (Which England boasts) to poor decayed old actors; From Queen to Commoner, from duke to lord. Each one Is proud assistance to afford. ’Tis not so here; our wealthy millionaire Will pass him by or greet him with a stare. He's but an ao or, therefore why should he Come 'twixt the wind and our nobility? Is not Australia the actor’s home. For which he sighs when sometimes forced to roam? And who shall say *tls not a nursery For Genius ? When we look around and see So many young colonials make a name, In sc ence, music, histrionic fame; t»r if at bygone days we lake a glance, Let memory linger, as ’twere in a trance, O’er Rogers, and a bright and brilliant host Of talent, to the stage for ever lost. K r such as these may we not call upon The men of we *lth to crown what we've begun T For you have nor refused your aid to lend ; You're not ashamed to call the actor friend, You countenance the dodge which helped to raise A home to shelter in Ids latter days The worn- ut mime, whose part upon the stage Has been played out, whose number on life’s page Denotes hat all the leaves have been turned o’er; That we shall shortly look on him no more; Shall hear no more his wit and jovial fun : The last flame flickers, and the spark Is gone. You vo helped to raise a home, where free from care The veteran actor lingers calmly there Until life’s fitful fever has passed by, When he’ll sleep welt, n«*r heed man's charity.