Star. — London, England, 1810-03-20 00:00:00

I stand He had also said, that the argument had all along proceeded on the supposition that Drury ; lane was standing—Alas ! had it not been for the • COUNCIL CHAMBER, WHITEHALL. ' calamity which reduced so many innocent sufferers Mr. R. JACKSON appeared before their Lordships to poverty and misfortune, this Lombard-street as Counsel for the Trustees of Drury Lane theatre, proposition never would have been heard of.--.. against the proposed erection of a third theatre in the Why was it not preferred before, amidst all the. Metropolis, which, he contended, could not possibly mania of joint-stock, companies ? No, it was re be carried into effect malts plan proposed, without served for the day of calamity ! If it were now re the total extinction of those now established. Many jetted, Drury-lane would instantly be rebuilt ; but if i objections had been raised to the validity of the it was adopted, be could give no assurance of such patent now existing. If those objections were really a circumstance. No ; melancholy and afflicting as considered plausible, that Chamber was not the place the declaration was, he would sooner now make it where they should have been preferred ; the accuse- openly, than deceive so many wretched and expect tion ought to have been made in the Courts of Law, ing sufferers : he could give them no consolation— where the patent could have been brought by a scire he could not re-assure the creditors to the amount of facies, and the question, on due examination, tho- £3oo,ooo—he could not re-assure the orphaned and • roughly ascertained. Three reasons were now given widowed annuitants—he could not say to them, if by the subscribers against the validity of the patent ; this proposal was now acceded to, that their hopes of the first was, that it was a monopoly, and, therefore, restoration and comfort were not for ever blasted ! void ab initio : the second, that it was never intended An objection had, however, been made to the ma to operate exclusively as it now did : and the third, nagement of the present Theatres ; he, for this pur that r:any patents and licences had been since gran- pose, would not quote the galaxy of genius which ted and acted on, which plainly disproved the pecu. he might ; he would not array before their Lordships liar right assumed by the present patentees. Now, the illustrious names of Davenant, Killigrew, Booth, as to the first objection, he had to distinctly deny that Cibber, Garrick, Sheridan, and Kemble ; but he this patent partook, by any means, of that nature would ask from whom was better-management to be u hich rendered a grant for a monopoly void. Such a ' expected ? Was it from the very respectable Attorney grant, referring to matters of trade, no doubt would among the Subscribers, or - was it from the moral be invalid ; but this refer red to matter of amusement.' lobby-building architect? He saw, indeed, among The case of D'Arcy v. Allen, whichhad been brought ! the Subscribers one respected name, that of Richard against him, would have been the very case which Cumberland'; but could he preside over every de hel would have selected in support of his position partment ? Was he to be at the same time their Nes- Thit patent was certainly set aside, and why ? Not tor, their Atlas, and their Apollo ? Able as he was because the pluyinewith cards was a matter of amuse- to tune their lyre to virtue, could he at the same time ment, but because the making and vending those i invigorate all the mechanism of their establishment ? card.; wAs a flatter of trade ; and, therefore, the i Were this even possible, PROVIDENCE had almost pre grant of any monopoly in them was'illegal. The i scribed his period, and he grieved at the reflection.— present patent was not, however, a monopoly, He hoped sincerely that his age might be as protrac which could only mean the confinement of any parts- ted as his youth had been useful ; that his old days , cular branch to any particular person , but which , in mi g ht be ha ppy , honoured, and venerable ; and that 1 this case, was extended to a second theatre , thereby at len g th, when full of y ears and g lory he descended ' securing a rivalship, on the support of which the to the gave, his memory might meet what his life bread of the respective parties depended, and from had nobly earned—esteem and reverence! In paying the influence of which the public would derive an ade- this just tribute, however, he could by no means quite and rational enjoyment. The effect of this subscribe.to the intompetency of the present Patentees. I competition he need not repeat ; it was visible in the The Learned Gentleman next proceeded to, combat delight which they and their fathers had experienced the propriety of the proposal to invest 450,000 for the in witnessing the drama of the day, supported as it purpose of meeting any casual claim upon the con was by every embellishment talent and decoration I cern, and quoted as a case in point, the similar offer could produce. On this point of monopoly Mr. Jus- of the Globe Company, which had been rejected.— tice Blackstone was clear, laying it down that those He would however pass over to the moral appeal only were void which referred to manufactures, or made by his Learned Opponent ; this, in the whole which -restrained a liberty heretofore exerted. This history of the stage, had been the policy of limo liberty was by no means restricted by those patents, vators ; they invariably promised a greater respect because, before they were granted, the exhibition of to morality than their predecessors, and they hive- , theatrical amusements was an indictable offence.— riably failed in the performance. In the earlier But surely if a monopoly was sought to be exercised , agei this country was over-run, from Rome, by a at all, it was not by the present patentees, who strug-1 number of itinerants, called mimicks or mum gled through all the disadvantagesof an arduous corn- i mers ; their residence was temporary, their dialogue petition, but by the petitioners themselves, who, ' extemporaneous, and a casual, precarious subsistence, though so loud oh this point of complaint against I the utmost earnings of their exertion. Against them others, yet sought for themselves that which would the cry of immorality was raised, and the actors of give them a real monopoly, because an undivided the mysteries, or religious subjects, succeeded ; exclusive advantage—the charter of incorporation.— their object was morals, and their zeal enthusiastic, The present patent might be revoked the moment until at length, in despite of their promises and pro his clients neglected the public interest ;—they were fessions, they promulgated such horrible, prophane, aware of this, and relying on the faith which that and blasphemous principles, that they were corn patent gave them, they had gone to an immense ex- pletely silenced in the reign of Henry the Eighth, pence, in order to meet the full measure of public and experienced the fate of those they so purely su convenience. Would it not then be both unjust and perseded. Then it was our Stage assumed its pre perfidious to abrogate the assurance on which they sent form, and amid the gloomy solitude of that day, bad so honourably acted, and, without a single shew the sweet lyre of our Shakespear was heard; he rose of reason, deprive them of the fruits of their tsuly mejestic amid the darkness, luminous and inspired, laudable and well-bestowed exertions ? It had been softening the Stage with the music of his song, and rrged, that many licences and patents had been gran- circling it with the royal protection ! Soon after this ted since the date of that to his clients. After some f the present patents were granted, interfered with only discussion, indeed, the Learned Counsel had at by the licence to Steele, the preamble to which was length confessed, that none except licences were so inundated with a flow of ethics, that one would granted, but then got out of his dilemma by ar- have imagined a church instead of a theatre was its g ;sing an identity between them and patents. This was, object. Licentioustues still increased ; and Sir J. however, not true ; they were distinctly different ; Barnard brought in a Bill to Parliament for the bet one passed under much form, and under all the so- ter regulation of the Stage, which he afterwards lemnity of the Great Seal—the other Was the mere withdrew, on account of the interference of the Mi casual and temporary indulgence of an individual sub- nister. Such, from the first ages, had been the pro ordinate officer. Acting under this apprehension, fessions of morality which every succeeding genera the opposite Counsel had desired that the Great Seal tion of the Stage had made, and surely the method should be torn from their Patent, and the solemn faith in which theL o h r ld been performed could not now in on which they had acted annulled. On what : audio- duce their Lordships to credit new assertions. His rity ? Why, forsooth, on the authority of a player's learned opponenthad Om - his life among his books, account of his life, and certain annotations on Shakes- I and that accounted for is innocence as to the world; peare ! Was this the authority on which such a so - but h e feared much the elegant undress visible in the lemn instrument, given on the assurance of the i present Theatres would shock his modesty in the Crown, and with the sanction of the Great Seal, midst of his ethic building, notwithstanding all the could be annulled ? He would quote to their Lord- efforts of the moral architect. But he was proud to t ships a counter authority on the subject, to which he i stand there as the advocate of the integrity of those jioped they would pay a little more deference ; they i who at present followed the theatrical profession.— had all known the personage to whom he alluded— Good fathers and good friends, the delight of the they had seen him from his dawn, watched the in- , public abroad, and the ornament of their families at creasing splendour of his radiance, and gazed on the home, they carried with them from the stage to the full refulgence of his meridian—they had seen party , closet the noble ambition of being honest members of feelings fade away before his powers, and the first . society. In their name and characters which were names in the land ranged in proud array beneath his thus attacked—in the name of those hapless sufferers harmers. What did this man say, when the Charter . whose rub e was impending, and in the name of that of the East India Company was sought to be annul. justice which was seught to be violated, he new de led ? ' Charters are sacred, given ou the authority precated the proposed innovation, and demanded for of the Crown, and founded on the basis of the Con- his clients the right of every British subject under ac late them not, if you prefer law to anal.- cusation—the liberty of legal defence in a Court of eion." . Such was the oracle whose Justice. invoked in his justification. Patents Mr. Anise! said, that be feared he had not suffi- , iublic good, said his opponents--so did ciently explained himself with respect to the advan 'sought their Lordships to respect their tages which the Charter sought for would give the l it had been shewn that the public E applicants over the Patentees of the existing theatres. ,eted. Patents were sacred—they could In the first piece, their persons and theirest of their , only in a court of law,„ on solemn evi- property would not be responsible for their debts, and i 1, and with the interposition of all those secondly, such a body of subscribers as was proposed I :ms, without which, in this land, the : to be incorporated, would have a great advantage iglishman's head dare not be injured.— over the renters of the old Theatres in point of pro tat the population had so increased as to fit. The manner its sszlliCh the money had been ob erection of a new Theatre ; for though tained for the building of Coyent Garden and Drury of people might be.greater than in the lane, was principally by giving to every subscriber -les the Second, still from the change of of £5OO the legal interest of his money and a free :eness of hours, the number of play.going admission to the Theatre. This legal interest, bow not increased. But even allowing that ever, did not satisfy the applicants, . who wished to )1 1 had increased, and that so many new receive on their subscriptions their full share of the een built east of -Temple-bar, was not profits of the undertaking, and to secure them- those for the erection of a third Theatre rather snperior advantag,es, they wanted a charter, which • , . fan in the vicinity of those already would make them a joint stock company. Certainly it was, if, as was pretended, the ' Tire MAST= of the Ronr,s and Sir Wet. SCOTT -ion of the citizens was intended. But observed, that the application was not that the Sub . the real reason ; the proposal breathed scribers shoulci:be - p470n . . the footing of the Renters, the air of Lombard-street, to render it but of the Patentees: They wished the non-liability His Learned Friend had said, however,. of Renters, with the advantage of Proprietors. an could hear in the present Theatre ; ee Mr. ADOLPHUS appeared as Counsel for Colo- ) , ery one who was not deaf could—and so, nel Greville and Mr. Arnold, whose case lay in n en against assertion the matter must mallow compus. Near two years ago, and before NEW THEATRE. stitution—viola chy and conful shade he now were for the pu he ; and he be! authority until good was viola be abrogated c dente on oath, protecting for hair of an EnE He denied, tha warrant the er the aggregate reign of Charl habits and lay people was r the populatior streets had be 4 that a reason i in the City, tl • et ecteil Cei accoittnod,ttit this was not I too strongly t „arobabe, that , nri persoi .he said, ever, .with assertioi .• • . • the destruction of the other Theatres by fire, Mr. Greville had applied to the Ltird Chamberlain for a Licence for a new Theatre, for the performance of operas solely. As the other Theatres had the whole range of theatrical amusements, this was not consi dered as very prejudicial to their interests, and Mr. Greville obtained a promise. Mr. Arnold had also obtained a Licence for English Operas during the summer. After-this - period, the Theatres of Deury- Line and Covent Garden were burnt, and when Mr. Greville applied - for his licence, the Lord Chamberlain recommended to him to wave his claim for the present, and not take an advantage of the cala mities which had befallen the other Theatres. The same advice was given to Mr. Arnold as to Mr. Gre ville, and they were requested not to press their pre tensions Wail the other Theatres were rebuilt. Tiny felt the force of this argument, and submitted, as be came them, to the advice given by the Lord Cham- 1 berlain ; but they hhped that this conduct, which was suggested by delicacy, and respectful submission to the opinion of the Lord Chamberlain, would riot. do them any prejudice, or interfere with the priority of their claim. They hid since united their interests to those or the proprietors of Drury-lane, and the Theatre of the Lyceum was opened, and the theatri cal company kept together by their united ex ertions. He considered the claims of his clients ; were superior to those of the Applicants. Mr Greville had served his Majesty for twenty-five years, was a man of great activity of mind, good taste, and of the most respectable connections. The better class of society might then expect from such a man pro- , priety. of conduct in . managing a theatre. Mr. Ar- , nold had a sort of an hereditary claim to managing theatres. His father had, perhaps done more than any other man for the improvement of English mu- , tic, rescuing it equally from mere popular jingle, and from the affectation of Italian taste. His clients ; would be utterly ruined by the erection of the pro- -posed Theatre, as their limited licence to act operas ' only, would not be able to stand in competition with the extensive right that the new Theatre would have. Mr. Adolphus also alluded to the time when this pro ject was first proposed. It was when Drury-lane was in ashes, and the new Theatre at Covent-garden had opened under circumstances of peculiar embar rassment. Covent-garden opened in September, and it was a month after, and when the public mind was in the greatest ferment, that this application was thought of. A letter was read from Mr. Elliston, petitioning ' against the new Theatre, but expressing a wish, that if such a measure was considered proper, the patent should rather be given to persons who. were in the habit of conducting Theatres. Mr. Weeitee replied at considerable length. As the Counsel on ale other side had introduced every possible topic to make an impression on 'the feelings, it was his duty to endeavour to obviate every impro per impression of this sort. Mr. Adam had stated himself the advocate for widows and orphans—for a woman approaching the sate of viduity (Mrs. T. She ridan), and forgone of the brightest geniuses which this country has produced. All these topics it was natu ral for Counsel to urge ; and he did not say that they were not entitled to consideration ; but he thottght it hard that the applicants should be treated , as persons oppressing widows co orphans, merely for proposing the building a new Theatre. He thought this was rather unfair, especially as he had argued throughout on the supposition of-Drury-lane Theatribeing in its former state, and not on the ground of ifs - being now in ashes, with little hopes of its ever being re stored. As for the sufferings and distresses of indi viduals, be felt conitniseratics,n, whatever might have been the cause of those distresses ; but he thought the public had a right to claim proper accommoda tion, and that such a claim could not be fairly an swered by talking of the distresses of some individu als. Mr. Sheridan, in the conclusion of his peti tion, stated, that Drury-lane could not be extricated out of its embarrassments without a charter. It, therefore, did appear to Mr. Sheridan himself, that, ee a charter had many advantages over a patent. This J. Y e nt ra ' w — ky, s e e. was also perceived by the applicants, and it was on At Aberdeen, on cuss that account that they , applied for a charter instead of e- blood vessel, Mr. Stieton a patent. As to the giving a less security to t h e i r fu- of Abernethy; Su - of the Rev. _ ture creditors by obtaining a charter, he contended that they gave more ; and he would - ask whether the creditors of Drury-lane would not infinitely prefer having an incorporated fund of £50,000, (indepen dently of the house) as their security, to the sort of security they had at present ? or would it be possible; that Drury-lane should be under its present embarrass meats, if it had been opened under the circumstances which were proposed for the third theatre? As to the other advantage that was mentioned, he did not well 4 IMPORTANT DISCOVERY. • understand how they could have any. He considered "THE Advantage the Public must always derive that this was not an establishment which was liable to the common objections against incorporations, and - 2 - from regularly educated professional men directing al.nost exclodvely their studies ta one species _ _ has of malady, was nevermore he was ready to take their own instance of the Globe clearly, demonstrated than by the unexampled success which Insurance. The incorporating. a trading Company attended the administration of their new remedy, and the extraor dinary cures it has performed. For a long series of years Messrs. with a large capital, bore down all competition from I Cultgl£ and Co. Surgeons, formerly in his Majesty's service,. ban private traders, and tended to produce monopolies. This projected theatre, however, could not have that in having discovered a medicine superior to made happy in the pertieular object of their Wiwi' . ation t td V a e t t-l e ert le • effect. The *subscribers were even content that the g mercury, in the cure of that complaint; it is sufficient to observes that the alects of this remedy are diametrically opposite to those size of it should.be limited by a clause in the charter. of mercury, for though it completely eradicates everyinvesthtieglee of Mr. WARREN then replied at considerable length to the !ueviettus, i he e n o i n ts sti m ul os ti t en co l . n o fi n rn e i b ed e stages, yet doe not i n the vistas the arguments of the Counsel on the other side. He in all its natural functions, insisted on the great increase of the population of ; gestion ; thus instead of reducing a strong and vigorous await's promotes appetite, awl facilita tes di insistedLondon, and also of the playzoing population, which nee to the frightful condition that mercury does, It not on a ly w p ea rt; but restores required superior accommodation to that which was r. Number sufficient in the reign of Charles and senr esthtc It To prove this, l e i, i ns t a nces debilitated o ' n t e ut t ir k i s n n i a ts ta prinu it ' e t er ve gt s b tat , are on recent record of the superior efficacy of this ihe read an extract from Dr. Johnson's Lite of Dry- medicine, its inherent and specific virtues acting as a FerPe tual den, where it is said, that, the number of plays cm- • c..t:ective to bodily debility , wh ethe r proceeding or fro io m p an s t e h r o cess us _ posed by that great author could not save him from i of t conjugal pilneausulre ace aii e, or utieomus youth id of both sue t oreini lees tru d penury, as the manners of the times were then adverse i n n o a certain p ernicious halL. Amidst the melancholy variety d to theatres, and few brave or serious persons, who disorders which are the consequence of this solitary rice, there are valued their characters, would be seen there. Bits stone more aacting then that digressing state of debility and . unhappy sufferer broods over his misfortune, to tea argument then rested on the increase of London re. fi ciency which prevents or wubitters the matrimonial state; _ o re unhappy ashamed .lse quiring an increase of theatrical accommodation , He cited a case from Vesey, where Lord Tlnerlow lif T e oppressive. o such persons it must be a consoling refire; said, that the King might grant twenty patents fear Lon to know,. that they may now, by a new e no de theatres until he is reduced to such a state of weakness as to ren:eg s theatres if he pleased, but that the great question WAR treatment, be restored to that greatest a sl_. of all hum nbles tu a __ whether the public accommodation requited them ? str ip !,irctualea of debili deficienc u y, front w h ate ver cause arising. nly and ons constittion. Mr. Simiti DAN wished the business to stand over for as we ll a s in every spe cie s cif venereal infection, MessruiCUlrth the as _which days, in order to lay some papers beibre them, and Co. may he consulted by patients of either setW„_ . 2 e . .which he th ought would prove, that the patents did greatest secrecy, and honour , at their house, N th 107, part ie re taars te: l • gtve monopoly. He had not expected the business to their, compiaints, by letter post paid , enclosing a Bank note, the hive been argued before their Lordships, anq when Barden. Patients In the country, describing have . the neceseary medicine and advice sent to any o f . eg g lie heard on Thursday that it would come on the kingdom. • No. 197, 14arden. -next day, he drew his petition - in a consiele4le hurry, and did not state many risings • which.eaught-to.have LONDON : Printed and published b y LEVEL KENT, been stated. He had intended on Friday to plead his team , y Place, Lambeth, at the STAR 01TIC,_A, NO. 1, own cause, but changed his course in consequence of street; p ublished also at the STAR. OREM, rem ( if Call. Ile note which he had received, and he had employed Mr. Adam as his Counsel, without having had time to give him sufficient instructions. It was then observed to Mr. Sheridan that Counsel had been heard on the petitions which were presented, and that copies of any other petitions must be sent in time to•the Counsel on the other side. It was then settled that the business should come on again on Monday next. M. COOPER, widow of the late JOSEPH CoorEn, in ventor and sole proprietor of the much approved Fiie Escape, takes this opportunity of offering her sincere and grateful acknowledgments to the Nobility and Gentry at large, who have honoured. ,her late hus band with their orders for his improved Fire Escape, • and likewise that the above business is still carried on. at No. 9, High Holborn, where their fature com mands will be thankfully received, and punctually attended to.. The propriety of being providtxl with/ the above (it being the most effectual means of escape ever offered to the Public) from the worst of all hum mm calamities, Fire, will appear from the two late fatal instances which have happened, namely ? Mr. Nayes, of Aldgate, and Mr. Coe, Holies-streer, Aare-market, were several persons fell a sacrifice through having no means of escape. The following was sent to Mrs. Richardson, of Manchester, by the Rev. W. Silvester, of Sandbach, Cheshire : MADAM —Yon have long wished me to send you the case of the child I was mentioning to you ; the circumstances are as rdlow : In April last, a child ' belonging to James and Elizabeth Yates, of Brook house-Green, near Congleton, was taken exceeding* ill, owing to the cutting of its teeth. Such was the effect of the disorder, that from a very fine healthy boy about 11 months old, he was reduced to a skeleton,. and entirely taken off his feet ; he had several convul sion-fits, and his death was hourly expected. They sent for '2 surgeon, who lanced his gums, but without i any good effect. They then applied for the AMERI- I CAN SOOTHING SYRUP ; a friend gave them half a bottle ; on the first application. of which the child had immediate ease, and before the whole was used I be was perfectly restored."—The parents have since declared to the above Gentleman, that it was their firm belief this medicine was the means, in the hand of GOD, of saving their child's life.—To be had of 1 the Proprietors, J. Johnson and Co. No. 94, Newman ! street, Oxford-street ; and retail, of Golding, No. 42, Cornhill ; Mrs. Richardson, Manchester ; and by all • the principal Medicine Venders in town and country, at 2s. 9d. a bottle, for ready-money: BIRTHS. In Upper George-street, the Lady of Captain Langley, 2d Life Gttardic, of a son. On the 13th instant, the Lady of S. Buckler Lethbridge, taq. M. P. of a son. On the 16th instant, in Welbeck-street, the Lady of the Hon. 'Robert Curzon, of a son. MARRIED. Thursday, at Stonehouse, near Plymouth, Dr. Prynn, of Ply mouth Dock, to Miss Tatlock, daughter of the late Wan.Tatiock, Esq. of his Majesty's Dock-yard at Chatham. At Bath, on the 12th instant. Wm. Norcott, Esq. of Cork, to Eliza Maria, daughter of Sir James Crofton, Bart. Longford- Boum county Sligo, Ireland. La•elly, at St. James's Church, Renton Dickenson, Esq. bate of the Coldstream Regiment of Guards, to Lady Booghton. At Dorchester, Lieut. Oldfield, of the Royal Engineers, to Mbis Ardeur, of that place. DIED. Friday morning, the 16th instant, near Exeter, Hannah, the wife of Edward Harman, Esq. of Finsbury-square, aged 25 years, deep'y latucntetL—On the 24th of January last, died their only child, a !laughter, aged six months. Lately, Mrs. Catherine Douglas, daughter of General Douglas, late of Witham, Essex, Rev. Edward John Herbert, M.A. Vicar of Ledbury, Here fordshire, and of Overbury, Worcestershire; formerly of Muck ras, Killarney, Ireland, and late of Brasenose college, Oxford. Rev. Joseph Richardson, M.A. of Queen's college, Oxford, cu rate of Petworth, Sussex, and master of the grammar school aa Sht.ffield, aged 30. Rev. 16:Zen Newton, rector of -St. Peter's chapel, Stockport, ,heshire, and fellow of Brasenose college, Oxford, aged 27. Sunday se'nnight, at the house of his mother, near Ivy Bridge, ?lymouth, where he went for the benefit of his health, Captain J. Crawley, Late Commander of the Philomel brig of war. At Aberdeen, on the 20th ult. in consequence of the bursting of a blood vessel, Mr. Stieton Grant, student of divinity, son of the Rev. Mr. Grant of Abernethy, Strathspey. Saturday, at Clifton, the wife of the Rev. Francis Pelly, of Tilson, Gloucestershire. At Bath, Mary, daughter of the late Lieutenant-Colonel G. Cranford, and relict of the late T. Gilbert, Esq. of Cotton. Hall, Staffordshire, many years M. P. for Litchfield. Friday the 9tfi instant, at Wasperter in the County of War wick, James Dormer, Esq. eldest sun of the Hon. James Dormer. Saturday, at Taunton, aged 83, Captain Hyde Curtis, of the Royal Navy. This Offi;.er was present A the execution of Admi ral Byng.