The National Register. — London, England, 1818-03-29 00:00:00

VLIRCH q 9 THE DRAMA. -10^ DRURY LANE. This theatre-rz.opened on Monday, with the comedy of Join Bull, aril the afterpiece of -(*. A inagnifi. cent chandelier, illuminated by gas,' mode its debut on the occasion, and was very favourably received, as the phrase is. It is said to have cost 1,1001. All the griffin tribe have disappeared from the saloon, which now resumes its pristine simplicity. Good taste cannot f►il to rejoice at this, for unless ugliness can be deemed beauty, Chinese monstrosities must be offensive to every one who has any ideas of symmetry RA elegance at all. These vagaries, however, arc more tolerable in a theatre, than elsewhere. On Wednesday appeared Mr.-Soane's r.cw version of Rob Roy. After the story had been grasped by the rival theatre, and mangled by the minor ones, poor Drury brings up the rear, like a fat man in a foot-race. The Author, however, dialaining to tread in the. steps of his predeeessors, very sapiently alters the plot, till it is no more like the original Rob Roy than he to Hercules, nor so much. illocgresur himself is twisted into a lover, sighing for Diann Vernon, who sighs for him in return ; end just as the lady is about to be mar. -vied, by compulsion, to Rasbleigla Osbaldislonc, very opportunely steps from behind a monumer.t (an incident rendered venerable from its antiquity) and compels the poor priest to perform the ceremony for himself. Helen is introduced as the mother of Rob Rey, midis a per• feet fury, very poetically got IV of by a flash of light- , ning. The niain error of all this is, undoubtedly, tho introduction of personages with whose names we were familiar, in .new situations, and displaying qualities entirely different from those in the original work.— Whatever be the motives that may havo.oceasioned the change, it is still injudicious, for an audience is never satisfied when its old friends appear metamorphosed, or scarcely retaining any features of identity. The piece was given out for repetition amidst-consi derable opposition. . It was repeated on Thursday with very considerable curtailments, and went off better than on the preceding might. COVENT GARDEN. This theatre re-opened on Monday night,with the new musical drama. of Rob Ray Macgregor, and the Panto• mime. A few trifling alterations hawe been effected in the interior:of the house. An additional seat has been gained in the pit next the orchestra, part of which, to tnake room for the alteration, is carried under the stage--a plan which appears to place a portion of the petibrmers in a somewhat unpleasant situation. In the light which ranges along the front of the stage, gus has substituted for oil. The pieces were perform ed with great spirit, and the favourites of the public : gained their usual 'need of applause. The house was crowded, but .not in Fa great a degree as or, the first and second perfbrmances of Pwb Roy. We must not omit noticing on this occasion, the great degree of perfection which has been attained in the mode of warming and regulating the temperature of the•theatre. In no part of this large building does there exist any variation • sufficiently great to cause an unpleasant feeling. SURREY THEATRE. The chief novelty at this house, .Was a , bnrletta in two acts, founded on the admirable Romance of Sir Launcelot Greaves, in which the principal characters there described, are introduct.4l, with all the original eccentricities .and humour, - imparted to them the ingenious Author. Several excellent son*, chiefly selections from the best Irish and `coach compositions, are introduced;. and the whole vent off to the entire ratisfiiction of ii , :erowdeil audience. . The piece was followed by a. valid taelo.dmtue, entitled the Three Talismans ; which affords a beautiful all interesting exhibition of Turkish manners. The house has been newly embellished, and every thing belonging to.. it was. attractive. SADLER'S WELLS. Aquatic scenery, Grimaldi, and Laster-Monday,. are causes of. attraction too powerful to leave it a matter of surprise, tlat this theatre sliouhl. have coturactlo.ll its season to a.v...:ry crowded and contented audience. The principal performances consisted of a pantomime calitd Ele►nents, anti a deareatic romance, entitled TheGliel,r, TL former presentetian unusual variety of transforma tions, and was.euriebed also with a considerable propor tion of new and picturesque scenery. The Ohcber .s founded on Nioore's tale of the " FireWorshipper'in Lana itooklt, and showed, we think, that, to skilfv.l it would afford the matcrbls of a very• imp►;in meld-drama. The last scene of pre.:ent pi ...(c 1 a very grand effect, and compensated in some de gree for the unreasonable time which the audience was ._:ompelled to wait durirg its prep ration. A new Tragedy, by Mr. Sheil, the author of The Apimlate, is in preparation at Covent-Garden. Tilt, scene is laid in Tunis, and the plot founded on an. his .te,ical fact, the insurrection of the Christian Slays. craws out•the Whole tragic force of the theatre. THE NATIONAL ItP,GiSTEN. Mr. Ixencoox.—Letters have been received within these ti•w davi in town, which state, that he never en joyed better * health, and that his success continued to a degree unprecedented. (He cleared 15001. sterling in the first three months' performances.) Phillips has been exceedingly successful in his vocal American speculation . . ot New York. lie netted thir teen hundred and rusty pounds, anti Lad every prospect of doubling► that sum at Philadelphia. Miss Kelly has been exceedingly attractive at the Manchester Theatre, so wuch so, as to induce her to enter into other provincial engagements, which will probably detain her in the country until the opening of the English Opera House. Mrs. Charles Kemble, and her brother, Mr. Decamp, .are both engaged at the Birmingham Theatre, where, on Monday evening, they played Dr. Lenitive and Ca roline, in the Prize. The two young ladies, who are figuring in the vocal line ut the Dublin Theatre, arc, it seems, the Misses Huggins, of the English Opora House, who have dis carded their unharmonious Lame fur the inure sterling one of Hammers _ . - The Jew of galtes, about to be brou*ht forward at Drury Lane Theatre, has been altered for representa tion by Mr. S. l'enley. On Easter Sunday, the Prince Re g ent went in .state to at;end Divine .Service at the b Chapel Royal,•St. James' Palace. His Royal highness wics dressed in a Field Marshal's uniform, with the Callas and Order of the Garter. He was accompanied by the Duke of York, vho was in a sintaar uniform and Order. A short time after the arrival of the Royai Personages, a procession moved through the spacious suite of roouts, towards the Chapel, in the following Order The Pages in Waiting. The State Page. The Officers of .Arms. Purinvtants, the King's Heralds, with Garter, in their splendid Mantles, two and two. A Gentleman Usher, and a Grown, of the Privy Ghamber Faur•Eergeants at Arms, with their superb Maces, with silver chains fantod their necks, tied at cacti Humbler with white ribbon. The Lord Chamber lain. Tht Lord Stewart of the Household. The Duke of Montrose, carrying the Sword of State. His Royal Highness the Duke of York. His Royal Highness the Prince Regent. The Groom of the Stole. Lord Charles Spencer, as Ote Lord in Waiting. Sir William Lrunley, as the Groom in Waiting. 'l•he Procession wasclosed by two Lieutenants, and a Rand of Gertlemen Pensioners, in their full uniforms. When On Regent had taken his seat, the Church Service was begun by the Rev. Mr. Holmes, the Sub- Dean, and the Rev. Mr. Pridden. The Musical Ser vice, Including the Chaunt of the Psalms, the Te De um, Jubilate, &c. were performed by Messrs. Hawes, Vaughan, Sale jun. Gore, Salmon, &c. Mr. ficmhaw presided at the organ.—The Sermon was preached by the Archbishop of York, the Lord High Almoner, from the sth Chapter of Romans, and the 10th verse, from which his Grace:delivered a discourse suited to the day. At the close of the kieriron, Kent's admired Anthem, " Hear my Prayer," was svng by Master Hawes and Master Bond. The Regent and the Duke of York then deseended from the Royal Closet to the body. cf the Chapel, when the .Commuuion Service.was read, and the Sacrament adntinistered•by the Dean and Sub-Dean to the illustrious Personages. At the con clusion of which the Procession returned through the suite of State-rooms in the same order as ly,:tere de scribed. His Royal Highness the Duke •of Kent landed at Dover on Saturday week, under a salute front the bat teries, and proceeded to the York !lota', where a guard of honour -was in waiting to receive his Royal High ness, and pay him all the honours due to his distin guished rank. As soon as his Royal Highness perceivep the guard, he desired they might be withdrawn, as he *jilted to be quite private. this Royal Highness wa accompanied only by Captain .Harvey, and 13. few sex vants. The Duke of Sussex, as Grand Master of tl!e friaters nity .of Freemasons, has Apified his intention of being present et the dedication cc their new Masonic Hall, building at Bath. The - Pope has bov;ht a new chariot and eight black horso,,, at Paris, which are now on tlieirjuurney to Rome. _ _ The.Roval Couple, Prince Hombourg and the Prin cess E l iza . beth, will pass the Huneymoou at the Prince Regent's L:ettage, in Windsor Fures..--:ll;:nting Paper. • Prince Leopold retn-rns to Claremont on the 30th instant frost' Weynniutit. His Serene nighties:3 will probably visit the Continent in the course of tile summer. ROYAL HUNT.—Monday the Prince Regent's eras hlunds turned out a deer at Wingfield I'lain, which showed grest sport, takingg through the wothis by St. Leonard's-hill, and ems...eft the T ttttt nes nearly Surlcv The sprtstzter. fitol hounds UMW' throtOt Wird or::+,renewed the chasd near Nait Hill, where lie took across cue country towards U.iti.ridge, andnin witit great speed by Harrow-on-the-Ilill, and about three miles on the oth side he. was talAtn, after a long day's diversion. _ . - The Hon. Douglas Kinnaird. is again gone down to Bishop's Castle, having too much reaion to fear his interest wits 'ranting amotig the bure;earlys. 101 MEETING IV SOUTHWARK IN SUPPORT OF SIR ROBERT WILSON. On Thursday night, a numerous assemblage met at the Nag's Hesta, fur the above purpose ; George Ault, Esq. in the Chair. Mr. Hall moved the recommendatory resolutions. Mr. Weatherstone, wished to be informed respecting tle.poEticz of Sir Robert Wilson, as he had published a book concerning the poisooing;f the troops at Jaffa, by the order of liuonapartc. Mr. Hall said the book in question was opposed to him on his trial for the escape of Lavalette ; bat Sir Robert had with much manliness and candour, declared he had been deceived. Ho had written it from no cor rupt motive : and the information he then relied upon had since turned out erroneous. Sir Robert had declared himself for Parliamentary Reform . . Mr. Cooper seconded - the resolutions, which were passed. _ _ Mr Hall had omitted to state, that in a conversation with• Sir Francis Burdett, the lion. Burt. observed, he had. known Sir Robert Wilson for thirty years, and he was extremely anxious he should be a Member of the I louse of Commons, as Sir Robert w.', in favour of Par. liamentary Reform. This character he thought was suf ficient.—(Hear.)--Sir Francis also wished the Electors of the Borough would come to a resolution to retutn Sir. Robert Wilson, free of expense. Mr. Hall concluded in .moving that a deputation of five voters and a Chair mar, should wait on Sir Robert Wilson with the above Resolutions, for his acceptance, on Friday morning.— The following gentlemen were appointed accordingly : Messrs. Ault, Street, Woodward, Blacky, Mute, and Lesser. They waited upon Sir Robert on Friday, when of courie, he accepted the invitation. On Easter Monday, the Lord Mayor gave tie an nual feast at the Mansion House. The Dukes of Ynrk and Cumberland, and the Prince of Hesse I foinberg, were present, as also the Austrian, Spanish, and French Ambassadors. There was a telerabie show of ranleand fashion ; but no person of very marked dis tinction. The dinner was bandaome, and the bril liancy of the gas gave a splendour to the scene, which would have been a passport to a much less sumptuous entertainment. The dancing room . was, as usual, a scene of mere confitsion ; there was too great a crowd to admit even the semblance of a decent dance ; but, as custom requested that some such ceremony should be gone through,. a proper number of persons .svcre put upon the usual motions. The Prince Esterhaay open ed the ball with Miss Smith, the daughter of the Lord Mayor. .Three or four Bishops, were at the dinner; but-left before the ball began. In the morning the Lord Mayor proceeded from the Mansion House, to Christ church Newgate-street, in procession in the state coach, preceded by about eight. hundred of the scholars of Christ's Hospital, end fbl lowed by the Sheriffs in their state chariots, the Re corder, &c. The sermon was preached by the Bishop of Peterborough. The yearly proceedings of the Hos pital were then reported, and the procession returned to the Masion House, where a most sumptuous dinner was provided for between four and•five hundred persons in the grand.. Egyptian hall, which was fitted up in great splendour. The hall was beautifully illuminated • with gas, displayed from splendid chandeliers. The tulle.: were elegantly set mt. They consisted of four long tables and one top table, at which sat the Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, and most of the nobility..of both sexes.e-It was ornamentedavith a..beaetifal tem. ple, .about twelve feet high. supinrted on eight :mitten pillars The middle table was .ernamented with two smaller temples, with many elegant pillars. the ; aline ner consistea of the choicest dishes of the sseason ; the grand barot. of beef, which weighed above 1701bs. was placed upon a pedestal. at the bot,lom of the hall, and cut up by two carvers. In sublition to this emblem of old English itospitulity, amongst teeny other costly and rare dishes, were ten of pea tOwl.,About nine o'clock the company left the Egyptian hall, aad were furoweJ by the ladies. A little before ten the ball was opened by the Austrian Ambassador and Miss Scri:th e the Lord Mayor's daughter. Antiolgst the ei.isl e say present were:—The Diikes of York and Onnberiaell. Prince of FL see Humber i e. Prince Estechazy, Dake de San Carlos, Marquis d Osmond. eriuce and %fr. Rush, fro 3 A meriea. —The NI treipoi.esses burv, and Clanricarde anti • daughter.—Earls Shaftes bury, Vertilam, and NV.2.4i,,,i; 11.—(%)11 Wel:fumes. -,Lords Stewar, , tltn tort, and Crinheurne.—Lacy Montt:art, Count o*Naughten.—Bi shops of Leiden, under &wee. sta.tl:7lh,edliettileore.alfite'vienr 1 1 ): 1 :neett on by a wetting in ',anat. quence of a fall into tha river Cseetre-, lA. imprudence in continuing his jo....rntsy %vie:tout t;;ranging his wet clothes. An ortlinance of his Majesty King Charles J,hn, estatilislkcs in Sweden twelve ohiees in the interior, where goods arc to be visited t..) preve,it acci declare.{ thp sox:at:ale:Aims i.t all tae :Alt of !he Lary - dourfrce•