The National Register. — London, England, 1816-09-23 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE. Mr. Kean's popularity as an actor is such, that until lie appears few people seem to think that Drury-lane has actually opened. He made his entree in Sir Giles Oyer mirk on Saturday night, and was received with shouts of IrN-coutinued applause. Mr. Kean looks better than at the close of the last season ; and he plays with as much force and as ample success as ever. On his first repre sentutien of this formidable character Sir Giles was pro wainced to be his master-piece ; and the yiblic have ra tified the decision. It is impossible to conceive a sue tessim of dramatic effies more original. more. various, more just o:srl powerful, than those by which Mr. Kean winds up the crimes and punishments of this consum. Ite villain. The attention of actors and audience soemed equally wrapped up in him, as if he were the only living object beti,rc the eve ; and when he was car ried off by the attendants, all was vacancy and terror. Mrs. Knight played Lady Allieurtle with grcatpropriety, and with sufficient spirit. This lady's appearance is ex tremely interesting, her action graceful, and her judg ment sound. The Crilie followed. Mr. Harley perform ed /V, and exhibited with much gaiety, a tolerable fund of humour; but, as we ate old enough to ha' seen King in the same character, and unfortunate enough to remem ber his mode of acting it, Mr. Harley will than/ us fur not saying more.. Dowton's Sir Freifiel was equal to the best of former times. COVENT-GARDEN. Monday night was revived the Distressed Mother, for the purpose of bringing forward Mr. hlacready in the Character of Orestes. This gentleman boasts a good manly figure, a powerful voice, and a perfect knowledge of the stage. His countenance if animated, his action graceful and varied, and his performance throughout was highly applauded. Mr. M. has since repeated the charac ter; the press of temporary matter obliges us to defer a mote detailed aorount of his performance till our next. I'strraitts was sustained with great spirit anti ability by Mr. C. Kevable, and Abbott did all that maid be done far Pylades. Mrs. Glover, who made her first appear ance these Wu years at Covent Garden, in Andromache, was extremely well received, and Mrs. Egtrton obtained much applause in Hermiante. In the laughable Farce of The Sleep Walker, which Was giyen *tier the Play of Wednesday, a Mr. Connor, from Dublin, made his appearance in .Sir Pats ick Mac giiire. This Gentleman has great share of the comely good-humour and popular gaiety of his countrymen ; and he has sense enough to keep his brogue within bounds. ENGLISH OPERA. A pleasing and lively comic Opera, in two acts, called Free and Easy, was on Monday night produced at this Theatre. The story is extremely simple ; and although there is very little if any plot, the attention is not once suffered to flag. Mr. and Mrs. Courtly, a new-married couple for the sake of solitude, retire to a country-house which they had selected ; expecting, so fur from every place of amusement, to be able, without intrusion, to enjoy the pleasures of a rural life. Sir John Freeman, a wild and whimsical buck, with all his troublesome at tendants of servants, horses, and dogs, abruptly breaks in upon their repose, makes himself at home, perfectly "free and easy," anti claims his acquaintance with Mr. Courtly from his having met him once at a Lady Cracken thorp's in London. The astonished Courtly knows not in what manner to get rid of this troublesome fellow, who had already paid his addresses to his wifii in, as he con ceived, rather too polite a manner ; but he at last hits upon the expedient, through the aid and cunning of his servant Gertrude, of pretending that he anti his wife are obliged to go upon a long-standing visit to a Mrs. Mea dombank, a lady residing about 12 miles distant ; b u t even in this he is disappointed by the kind and obliging offer of Sir John, with all his retinue, to accompany him. Many other expedients were tried, and many broad hints were given ; but all was to no purpose ; the "free and easy" Gentleman was determined to stay to amuse him self at the expence of.the comfint and tranquillity of the family. Matters at last, however, are made satisfactory to all parties, by the appearance of a sister of Mr. Courtly, to whom Sir John, it seems, was engaged, and whose hand at length he obtains from his host. ROYAL COBURG TGEATRE.—The ceremony of laying the first stone of this Theatre took place yesterday se'n niiht. Mr. Alderman Goodbehere was proxy for the Prince of Coburg. The scite of the Theatre is about the centre of the New Cut, in the direct line of the Wa- • turbo bridge. - KING's 'fit EA Tr:E.—Pursuant to an order in Chancery, this valuable property was re-sold on Tuesday at the ehantbers of Sir .1. Simeon, Master in Chancery. Our itteders will recollect, that the Theatre, with all its ap pendagLi and funiit*,' was, at the last sale, purchased by Mr. Waters thrrAini of Lbout 41,000 L Mr. Tay lor was dissatisfied with this bargain, and the lord Chan cellor was induced on his reprcentations to order a re sale. On this second occasion Mr. Waters was, as lx:firre, the purc h aser or the whole, but for a much lar , er sum, I, , .iug• no leas. than 70,1.501. The contest ha ted nearly five hours ; the delay arose from the smallnca. the ad siances. ihre.! other persons bid for the property, and there were no less than :LW bidtlings ! The lee to the Clerk of a MastCr in Chancery is half-a-crown upon each bidding, so that the bidding-: !alai; have tifi4l vu alletuOw to tiles lientliAinn„, THE NATIONAL. REGISTER. 041) BAILEY. +-- Wednesday these Sessions commenced before the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, Mr. Damn Grahvu. Mr. JuAdeo / 10110 7 d, Mr. Justice Burning'', the Recorder, and several Aldermen. 'l he ('alender is heavy in number, gluiest beyond example there are VlO tams of felony, including upwards of 400 prisoners for trial. Joh* Wurree aged 41, war accused of Remelting John Millard, and feloniously talting front him Bank of England notes to the amount of 1351. and also his watch, chain, seal, Ate. The prosecutor resides at Limehouse, and is IS litneburner, a trade which necessarily required his attendance both day and night. lie had lain down to take a short nap on sonic casks in his master's yard, in the night of the 16th of July, when he was awoke by a noise, and discovered the prisoner, with four others, close to hut, who demanded his money, pressed his head among sonic lime till he was nearly chocked, and while three held his legs, the others cut MT his pockets, containing upwards of 1501. the savings of many years industry, which he always carried about him tor security. The prisoner avid another of his gang he recognized as persons who had formerly worked with him, and on the apprehension of Warren, a part of the stolen notes was found on his person. After a long trial, the prisoner.lNS found Guilty—Death. Daniel Seyers and Deseiel Martin, for stealing a wether sheep, the property of George Kelley; and Thomas Booth, for the burglary in the dwelling-house of Henry Marshall. and stealing ten razors, a amid necklace, and other articles his property, were likewise capitally convicted. Thursday. J. T. Spencer, aged id. was tried for stealing in the dwelling-house of John Blurk, a ssinsisseeter et Stepney. a "daft called the Weeping Philosopher. lrsais. of Wks, and we ober articles, value tiol. and having Inv the ad bum to get out the same. The prisoner, Spasm. was a senate in the hank and during a sale of his master's forsieure. contrived to whin the articles above specified. He was blind Guilty—Deatit, but teats. mended to mercy. 11. Payne, J. Jo. noot. and J. Levi. were entwined of two street robberies, by a mode muck of lase; renidy. one at the gamy running against If the pawn inientini lit e ver sehint. while °these tak e his winch* and MI . Mr. holes b b summing up, lamented therernist ienteesace of theme Waters, bevies, and and remarked, th a t it would be neceowsry amide: whet was the be st manner to put a stop to this ppedes of crime. Friday, W. Chamberlain, Dir.. J. lositko. L Greens/ode. Jai( Brows, and G. Draper, pleedniseverelly pay to the ismer of fence of having forged Bank of Easulsoil apse in their which subjects them to the pu n i s h ment of tompertatiso 47 111114 vers each. The Bank declining to prosecute doses airildy, tor she notes, they were acquitted of that offence. TRIAL OF JAMES TUCK --- FOR THE MURDER OF Mr. DRAPER, AT ENFIELD. Same day came on the trial of Janes Tack, landlord of the Bald-faced Stag st Enfield-chase, for the wilful murder of John Draper, summoning officer of the Court of Requests of Enfield, on the tith of At:gust last. From the long-continued examinations at the police office, and the mystery that still seemed to bang over the ease, even when the commitment of the prisoner look place, the public interest was strongly excited. The Court was crowded iss every part soon after eight o'clock. On the Bench a c observed the Duke ofSussex, Lord Montfort, Lord Yarmouth and several other characters of rank. Ilse galleries and the body of the Court were thronged with elegantly-dressed women. Indeed, so strongly was female curiosity excited on this occasion, that several ladies were contented to stand in the dock, within two or three feet of the prisoner. The yard in front of the Justice-hall was filled with an anxious multitude. So great was the inconvenience when the trial commenced, In consequence of the steps being crowded, which prevented the witnesses, who had previously been ordered out of Court, from gaining admission, when called on, without much difficulty, that it was found necessary to employ a posse of constables to clear a pas sage ; which, after a hard struggle, they effected. Each aisle of the Old Bailey, almost to the cad of the street, was filled with crowdsof persons. Soon after nine o'clock Tuck was placed at the entrance of the dock. He is a tall athletic man, his features are good and intelligent. He was dressed in a drab-coloured frock-coat, buff waistcoat, cord small cloths, and drab gaiters. Being extreme ly lame, he was indulged with a chair during his trial. He was generally remarked to hear a strong resemblance to Mr. blur kisson. Mr. Shelton, the Clerk of the Arraigns, read the two indict ments against the prisoner. The find, which charged him with the wilful murder of John I)raper, contained two counts. One set forth that the prisoner had beaten the deceased about (lie head and neck with his two hands, thereby indicting wounds and bruises, which had occasioned death. The other stated, that the prisoner with his two hands had thrown the deceased into a certain well, and caused his death by suffocation and drowning. The second Indictment charged the prisoner with feloniously taking from the person of John Draper, two 11. Bank of England notes, his property. To both indictments the prisoner, in an audible voice, pleaded " Not Guilty;" and the customary question of " How will you be triett?" having been asked, he uttered the usual response, " By God and my country !" in a very bold and firm manner. Mr. Baron Graham, Mr. Justice Holroysi, and Mr. Justice Bnrrough arrived at ten o'clock when the prisoner was imme diately put to the bar, and the trial proceeded. The pleadings were opened by Mr. Watford and the case stated by Mr. Andrews. Mr. Andrews then addressed the Jury for the prosecution, and laid before them a pis tty full oattine o f th e great body of evidence already published in the examinations before the Ma gistrates, and, again detailed in the ppresent trial. R. Thomas deposed, that he is a scJhoolmaster at Barnet. Ile knew the deceased , who was the summoning officer of the Court of Requests, at Enfield. Witness used to accompany him in putting in executions. On the nth of August they went on blindness to lk Chappel, against whom the deceased had an execution f or al all but is 31 Reynolds paid it for Cluippell, in it notes. Draper put them M a small red pocket book, in which there appeared to be a large roll, three or four hngers thick, of notes. He put the pocket-book in his breeches pocket. This was about four in the afternoon. They then went to the White Bear in Barnet, where the witness left the decemed, at seven o'clock in the evening. During the time witness was with the deceased, the ha ter paid away no money. The deceased was not drunk at that time. J. Smith deposed, that he is a hair-dresser at Enfield. He lives no where particular, but in lodgings. lie Will at Barnet on the nth of Au gust, where he saw Draper at a public-house. Draper was then a stranger to him, but he Joined his comyany. lie mw Draper have a pocket-book, but he saw no money in it. They went from there, and stopped at another public-house by the road-suk, from whence they Walt to the Bald-faced Stag,kept by Tuck. They arrived there in Dra , per's cart about eight o'clock. They went into the parlotir and had three glasses of gin and water. There were eight or ten persons in the mom. Witness knew none of them. The prisoner came in and out— Witness paid for two glasses, but did nos sue Draper pay for any. lie saw nothing particuL-tr in Draper's conduct till to o'clock, when he be came rather insulting to Robinami the Black, and wanted to bet tom till.; but he produced no notes, he only presented the pocket-book, which wits a small rest book, wrapped round with a piece of string, and appeared very full. The Maui said he would not strike the deceased; hut he would take the law of hint. Draper put his hook in his pocket twain. A little after to, witness left Drapes in the mom ; he was a going to Haddad.= ; but he returned with Draper's horse and con, which had overtaken him with no one in it. The cart was going in the 41111101* at Appel biw. When Is tamed so TWO, la fvol SEPTEMBER 23- Draper in the parlour, still in company with the Black and two or three others. Witness persuaded Phawr to go home; but he would Dar Draper. was at this time stupidly drunk, and said he would go wheelie hid another glass. lie went out to look fee the hone and cart, wises he collared the ostler they had a setae, and he threw the olden- Draper apprared a very powerful man, about 30 years of age. He' then wrestled with a haymaker, but no Mows were struck ; the hay • maker tripped hittt up once or twice. lie then wanted to fight with the haymaker. but he pushed hint off with his fist, not so as to do hint any inniry, but merely 113 his own defence. Mrs. Tuck and witne , ,s took the deceased into the parlour, and witness then left him in ti.e house, and wished him good night. Draper then named insensibly drunk. Cross-exarnined.--A drunken man might stumble into a well. It was but 20 or 30 yards from where they were wrestling, and there was a good footpath to it. When he saw the well, pet of the fence was down, and what remained was rotten and flimsy. The deceased was powerful, and ntight have made a stout rentance. lie was generally attended by a tine stout bull-bitch. Re-examiried.—Draper had lost his dog that night. After the wrest ling, there were no marks of blows on his face. W. Roberts was osda of the Bald-faced Stag, on the Sth of August. Remembers Draper coming to Tack's house the night before he vtes found in the well. Ile time babe dark. A delicate young man, like Smith, was with the deceased. The night was beautifully moonlight. Draper took witness by * cellar , not of the shirt which he had then on. Never struck Drape. Soon eke Tuck told wittier to look the the old man in the kid. bOnd lost his horse and tart. He went, but found nothing but the Meth I. the yard, ha the same close where the well M. He then west today over the barn, amegsome straw. He did not see his seesaw aspha that night. Csoes-emideog.—Sio samebed all round the_ peensime fee Draper . , The wok is o usadseild loge ear, it Meek eight feet omen The fame west stet Wok= shout de well , ter) people came to Lek at 4s bleb is a seed aster o ado ea the ems, not a pope bul l 4 s e sito mi le me ao =weighty e= si tz ha e r ilskede swaat e d i Lim. erfgioeStt or hi. means pall W. Webb was a week kir Mr. Pada. at Read& In /tape. 011 the Ode, about tssi at light, he was at the Illid.dond tag,. where he saw D,ap he the Am time. He esealst where am by the collar. and mid he wankd weeds with him. - Whims said, " My Mend; I am in wrestler." But they hod a seullis, sad Mane was hurt by Dra. per's Haig him ; but witam sever steak the deceased. He fell twice. but received so May to whom'. knowledge Seeing Draper at hip again. and Bo ding himself weak with wrestling, he the desseeed down. then got up, end went into the house. Jabs Warpoi sli s d ‘ a in b liq utrer It Rolid iliw On as te ll e g of .Tng uel o 4 f the edi of Amuse, saw Draper in the Bent parlour of the Bald-faced Stag. small. bull dog with him. men et sight months old. It wa rm s small , bull dog. Hs penuadsd to go home. Tuck's house about , duet mdes andow s a while; at last unker that of he the deceased; Draper would not ar hams for a l went away. leaving witness in die ma. While they were there Tuck was in and out of the room about his business; Draper got talking of lighting with the Black. and Segall to play tricks with him ; th e Bl ac k sa id, " F r i end. I won ' t hit your but if you strike me, I'll take the law of you." Witness saw Drape[• have a red pocket-book in his hand, but it was not open. The de.' ceased paid for no liquor, but Sri a rid for all they had: the well was about four yard s out o f the foot 1. and had an old rott en ra ili ng about it. The deceased produc e d ifs packet-book in consequence of his laying wagers : witness thought the deceased had gone home, me the company remained. drin t a i a:d singing, as before; Robinson and they left the mom about an hour after the deceased. John Holmes lives at To He was met at the Bald-fared Stag on the nth of August, when he remained till twelve at night; knew Draper well; lie was summoning Officer of the County Cont,. in the habit of collecting money, and sometimes carrying large sums about him. Draper was at Tuck% es the oth of rather in li. • spor ; a young man was with hie The is deg WA him. in a string or a chain ; it was Darr toss leo& but. he and Tuck had n o cone Minas did net t le red with any one, nor did he see him wisdom any wag. was called into the he to eettla a.maael he bad Apia Chmthabo" pugilist); Tuck was then i n t h e bar. Winn. veated Deere * epr home, and about eleven o'clock b e neheed Idea art id the .1 Mid about the same time he missed Cheek Bainiela r aid el& of the most; they were migilisra., in, is Tick's banee.. he be. keyed *el were then in teatime *haw aim aeindTnelk g heditnen sao hint at that time. He then went to see if he amid peal* Lem. pee std his cart, this was DISC ohne& eon*: ha ear me onnrard-the art and hone was gone. He retuned into the may sad said 1.• Ines mind flowers. he believed DM.* had given him the s=, kr he maim to go hone with him. He had anodes Elfie of :UMW the house about twelve o'clock. Ha ow ft* silook tea, but did not see Church. Sawdus t er lob** night. When he saw Tuck again, it we abed twelve feisdt.; Tuck might have been absent half an has ham edam's sight t but he could not see the bar. There was nothing remade& in Toek's ap pearance when he saw him for the lan time. Than were on. has over the well, of which the largest aperture was ghee a_ yard; tho ground MAC towards the head of th e well nearly a kit. Therc• lad been posts and rails round the well; but they were deeepdand boohoo down when he saw it. lie did not think that it poem mid have fallen by accident into the well. Cross-examinetL—The aperture for drawing water might be fix feet; the well was partly covered with furze; head not man to say that Tuck was out of the house during the time he Mad him from the parlour. James Peat lives; at Cockfuster, about three miles from Enfield; on the evening of the otla of August he saw Draper in Tuck's parlour, and was in his co m p an y a b out an hour; Draper went out of th e par lour alone, as if to go home; Smith went out a few minutes previous to him; seven or eight people remained behind; this was about ten o'clock; he did not see the deceased pay any money: witness remained about an hour after the deceased. in a parlour behind the bar. Cries-examiaeeL-IS. Tuck wanted to borrow 101. from the wit ness, to make a sum up, to pay her brevrtr, witness lent her 61. and he saw her have as that time a packet of It or 14 notes in her poesession. She said, she had then, with what lie had lent her, sufficient money to pay her brewer. This was about nine o'clock, berm. he missed lha. per. About 11 o'clock, 'luck asked his wife for the key of the bed room, saying he wanted to go to bed; and went 44; as u to go there. Re-exanutteil—He got five of the notes 'which he lent to Mrs. Tuck, front Mr. l'arifs house-keeper that evening. They seemed v e ry new . Samuel Robinson, (the Black), lodged at Tuck's on the nth of August; he left Drat a x sitting in the parlour with ot h er company , between 10 and at night. Witness went alone to bed. Cross-examincii—Holmes was in the MOM when he went to bed. Witness did not go out todo any one a mischief. He toldthe deceased he would rot strike bfin. H. Crouch lodged also at the house of Tuck; he saw Draper there in the parlour. The deceased went out about half past ten o'clock. Church is arrested. Cross examined..—ln the morning as they were at breakfast. they saw the deceased coming up to his horse and mart; and Tuck said, " Here's Mr. Draper a-coming, as good an old non as ever lived." Ile also said, he understood he was a moo of considerable property. but through his own misconduct on some law afthir, his relations had got it; and that he had become very poor, and lied been put in prison. Tuck shook hands with Draper through the window. There appeared to be much friendship among than, and Tuck said. •• He was sorry for the man, that be was obliged to serve a few summonses for his bread." In the evening, when the deceased came. he was 'mach in liquor, and wanted his dog to light with Tuck's. The prisoner fin quently advised the Alecosed to go away, and get . no more liquor. Witnesswent to bed with !bou l ders, and a few minutia after, they heard Tuck ga to bed also; that was about half-put i 1 o'clock. Draper had left them about half past ten. Church and Uobineon left the room to go to bed before Draper went away. C. Johnson, a servant of Mr. Troia, passed the Bud-!heed Stag nearly 12 o'clock at night on the ads of August. As he was gig WIS. kg Mt Mir '.-ar • 'Jul Vf 00 a 4 • ' , 111