The Sun. — London, England, 1802-02-25 00:00:00

STATE OP PARDIES. • tit Cat is at length let out of the bag ; ati the tilspension of abuse against His IViajesty t 's present kin tiers, is now explained and accounted fir by t he Opposition "Papers themselves, under their ex. Wlation, 'that a Coalition was negotiating between 14 r• ADDINGTON and some Gentlemen of that party, which has, by it: public conduce for the last loryears entitled itself to the confidence and applause This negotiation is stated q the country at l a r ge . t t l be now at an end ; and the recommencement of }4stilities is pompously announced, by an in :ended kialysis of the charades and conduct of the Mini. lt er-..tin analysis, which will of course demonstrate to the Public, immorality, insincerity, and self.in, terestedness in the former ; and, in the latter, in. capa c i ty, i ncons i stency , and corruption. The one W ill be proved by the general knowledge of his private life ; the other, by the total failure of all h is measures, the miserable reverses which the country has experienced since he came into power, hi versatility of sytem, and by general notoriety. The se proofs - would be irresistible ; and we shall Fait for, them. In the mean time, though always Open to conviction, we rather suspeCt that the task which these advertisers have undertaken may prove fin arduous one, The charges, whenever they may appear, will no doubt be brought forward candidly, distinftly, and explicitly: They will then admit of critical "ainination. It would be needless to anti - eipate, But) should we happen to differ from the • author of these threatened observations, which P bs siblY may not y et b e wr i tten, we w i ll f a i r l y own before,hand, that, having no personal knowledge of the Minister, we shall, with resin& to the first part of the intended charge, be obliged to rely on ge teral repo rt; the grotind, um, and to the last, on no less fallacious general result of his hitherto short ministerial career, and the universal opinion of Parliament and the has been said Much Country. during the last two months, ' " the sup' ea of new political arrangements, on which ve have cautious) and deliberately abstained from hazardi n y deal has g any sentiment, and of which a great probably been wholly unfounded, and very l ittle true, That ally necessity has existed on the part of the I) t resen tGovernme nt f or such a junCtion, we peremp. otily. deity ; and only desire to refe'r those who so pre. Postesously maintain it, to the unparallelled unani ltitY which has been exhibited by the Legislature dur ing the present Session, on two of the most im- Portant questions in particular which ever came 'under its consideration. t 13 " We are far f ro m b e i ng di spose d to d eny , t h at found amongst t h ose , w h ose past condua, though e eannot il ,approv e , we are very w illi ng tp f orget ; Ats judici° " sele4ion of wh o m co uld not fail, by an -cess ion of abilities, to prove really advantageous to the Country. Il uti if by suc h an accession, the risk is to be i ncurred of asaterial c h ange any chan ge i n t h ose pr i nc i p l es , or any in that system, (except as far as changed circumstances may require) which has proved, and must continue to be, our rock of d e . fence against Internal Commotion ; if concessions sire to be required from Mr. ADDINGTON, which 'w lnd the ould be inconsistent with his k n own opini ons , % pledges which he has given- to the Coun try, let him boldly' stand on his own ground. The Man who accepted office in February rBo 7 n never be suspened t o want _firmness :—the Go nnient w hi c h in so, short a time has rendered sucli important services to their Kin g and Country, tan never f a il to experience from both, Support, • Applause; and Confidence. Tilt THEATRE. ---The Historical Dram a of King Henry the Fourth, was represented last nigh t at Covent Garden Theatre, for the Benefit of Mr. CooKE, who appeared for the first time before u iondo n A u di ence in the charafter of Fah/id:— This charafter, we understand, he twice and twice b e f ore performed on provi , only ncial b oar d s. He was p nd forceedal in , and d . • the text i t w i th shrewdness a As Falstaff is a part in which he has had so little prattice, and as it is a part very difficult in itself, it would be unfair to examine his ading cral nicety. It may be h6wever, observed, .that he rendered the sense and the satire very eon with spicuous, and, with more pradice, the humour, we are persuaded, would be inure mellow and luxuriant. As the Play will probably be repeated, we shall re serve our observations till we ardu ous c h aratter see hiin aga i n i n t hi s much g , and doubt n ot t h at we shall be ratified with his performance. The rest of the Performers we shall notice hereafter. The Rouse was not crowded ; but, considering the wea. iher, was so well attended as to shew Coma has many friends, and retains' his hold that in favour. , . popular This e7ening, Mrs. ESTEIq, who held a respeet able rank on the London Stage, but wh o h as re _ . tired f or some years and lives privately at Edin. burgh, appears there in the character of Letitia "lardy, i n the Bahl Stratagem, for th e B ene fi t o f the Charity Workhouse of that City. There can be no doubt but the benevolent purpose would be f ully answered. socnrr. [Erroneous Statements of the ProteediogS of this society having, appeared in several of the London Papers, we are happy in laying betore our Readers the following accurate Account of what passed, which we have collected froiri the information of an intelligent Member.) THE second Monthly Meeting of this Society was held at the Shakespeare Tavern on Wednesday the 17th instant. A favourite air on the pipe, agreeably to ancient Caledonian custom, having announced dinner to be ready, the Company en tered the Shakespeare Room, when the Right Hon. Lord MACDONALD, as the President for this year, took the Chair. The table was ornamented with various charac teristic designs, particularly that of a Highlander seizing the Standard from the Officer of the In vincible Legion. The cloth having been removed, many loyal and patriotic toasts were delivered from the Chair, in the Gaelic Tongue, according to the usage of the Society. That of " the King " having been given, the popular air of " God save the King " was sung by Mr. WATLEN, in which the following Stanza, written by himself, was introduced : " Ye Sons of Scotia's la - aid, A great and Warlike Band, Detend Our Ka N G : Against all Invincibles, Tyrants and great Consuls, May you protett our Iti:Ahts, God save the KING." The health of the Queen, and the rest of the Royal Family, next followed, after which, The Duke of ATHOLE said, that he would riot interrupt the conviviality and harmony of the evening by entering 'into the detail of what passed at an open Committee of the Society held on the i3th instant, at which his Grace was called to the Chair ; he would merely state the substance of the Resolutions, which were, L That the 424, or Royal Highland Regiment had, by their heroic conduft in Egypt on the me morable 2ISt of March, 2801, nobly maintained the hereditary glory of the Caledonian name ; and that, as an, honorary testimony of the applause and admiration of the Society, a MEDAL is to be struck, with appropriate devices and inscriptions, to perpetuate their highly distinguished and gallant atchievement. 11. That one of those Medals is to be presented to every Office/. and Soldier now surviving, with the name of each inscribed, and- also to the lineal descendant of every one who fell on that day, in scribed with the name of the fallen Hero. It may be remarked, • that the love of glory is the most striking passion of the human heart. All that the Hero asks, in return for his efforts and his toils is, that his fame be celebrated ; that the glory of his name be united with the merit of his aetions. His soul swells with delight by the habitual conscious ness, that the attention of a great number of men is directed towards him. How appropriate then is the measure now proposed. It will be considered in the families of these brave men, as an inestima ble inheritance of glory, carrying down the tide of time, to ages yet unknown, the illustrious deed of that day. 111. That an elegant and charaEeristic Cup, (of the value of ioo guineas), with suitable devices, be presented to the Mess of the Regiment ; that thus, even in their convivial hours, the atchieve. ment of the 21st of March may never be for gotten. IV. That a voluntary subscription be immedi. ately opened among the Members of the Society for defraying the expences that may attend the same ; and that each Subscriber of two guineas be entitled to one silver medal ; Subscribers of five guineas, to two silver medals ; and Subscribers of ten guineas and upwards, to three silver medals. V. That a Committtee be appointed to carry the above Resolutions into immediate execution, com posed of the following Noblemen and Gentlemen, His Grace the Duke of A.THOLE, The Right Hon. the Earl ot'BREADALBANE, The Right Hon. C. F. Gitsviw.., Sir HECTOR MUNRO, K. B. Sir Joim M. MURRAY, Bart. Sir JOHN SINCL&IR, Bart. JOHN MAC ARTHUR, Esq. MACKENZIE, Esq. lour: GRANT, Esq. and The SECRETARY. The Noble Duke then observed that the final arrangement of the measures thus propcsed, was to be submitted to the consideration of the Committee just named, who would, however, be happy to re ceive the suggestions of others equally well dispos ed with themselves. These Resolutions having received the unanimous approbation of the, Society at large, his Grace drank " Success to the Subscription, and may the High_ landers stand firmly by each other." The Subscription raper was then handed round the table for the signature of the Members, all of whom signed. The Duke of MONTROSE concurred in any mark of distinction, honour, and regard, which could be conferred on the gallant ar►d meritorious 4.zd Regi ment, as no Corps in any Nation, had more uni formly distinguished itself, or refleted more ho nour on this Country by its arms and its soldier like condud, at all times and in all places. The Hon. C. F. GR EV IL LE expressed his sincere desire to promote the ,objet on which the Society wars engaged, and added, that he would use his utmost endeavours to render the execution of the tribute offered, worthy of the donors, and of those for whom it was intended. The 4.zd Regiment, as being composed of the different Highland Clans, and levied in almost all the Highland Counties, he thought peculiarly deserving the marked atten tion of the Highland Society, in which all the principal Noblemen and Gentlemen of those Clans were associated. Sir HECTOR MUNRO (Colonel of the 42d) in formed the Meeting, with regret, that General WHITELOCK having ordered an inspedion of the +2d Regiment. at Winchester, whither he himself had gone, the Society, on that account, would be deprived of the company of many of the Officers who otherwise would have been happy to have at tended. The President then called - on Mr. MAC ARTHUR, a very alive and zealous Member of the Commit tee, is read* tti Rer,olutionl, tab tiler with the flatites of the Subscribers, and the inioui)t of their respeCtive subscriptions, 17d guinea 3, of which too guineas were subscribed by 'an unknown Member, Mr, MACARTIIVIt afterwards made some animat ed observations On the subject, in substance•nearly as follows;: That Medals, in commemorating and transmitting to posterity, some grat and illus trious adion, such as • the • one now meant to be perpetuated, arc obviously of great importance*and utility to Historians ; and even when the page of History shall be destroyed, they will remain - infal lible documents, to the latest Ages, of the truth of past aaions. Medals ton, ascertain, with accuracy, the chronology of past events, when other docu ments have failed, as may be instanced in the His tories of Egypt and Syria. They elucidate some parts of the Greek and Roman History more effec tually than tradition, or even the written docu ments of authors. They are no less useful in Geography, by describing the relative situation and absolute position of cities or towns, by their vicinity to some noted pillar, river, or mountain, when Time shall have swept away such cities or towns, and " leaves not a wreck. behind." Hence Pompe . y's Pillar in the middle ground of the pro posed design, will mark the scene of Aetion, and its proximity to the ancient city of Alexandria.— With this Pillar will be associated, in the mind, the idea that true Fame resembles the descent of a pyra mid—most minute at firot, hSut 3n-cllin s to an enor mous base, which stands firm on the earth, and defies every tempest, and even the silent waste of time. But to bring the subjet home more immediately to the feelings and attention of the Society, he ob served that there was another testimony that could be presented, so flattering to the Highland race at large, and 'that would be so much cherished by the brave remains of the 42d Regiment, and their latest posterity, and which would always tend' to excite them, were it possible, to more glorious and valor. ous deeds. When in future times, and, perhaps, of great emergency, it might be necessary to call forth, into the service of their King and • Country, the descendants of these brave men, they would, in recounting the deeds of their forefathers, view them, probably, in the same light'as we do at'pre sent, the fabulous feats of ancient Chivalry, were the until of such heroic aaions not confirmed by the infallible record and tribute now proposed to be prosecuted. And well, indeed, might, the de 'scendants of these hardy Sons of the North, ex claim in the energetic language of their sublime Bard—" Ye grim ghosts of my Fathers, behold my deeds in arms ;—I may fall,—but I shall be re nowned. Where the danger threatens, I rejoice in the storm." The elevated.. sensations which these sentiments produced in the hearers, having, in some degree, subsided, the usual conviviality of the Meeting was resumed. Many charaaeristic Highland Toasts were given, preceded, however, by one, " To the memory - of the 'ever to be lamented Chief; ABER CROMBY, and the brave Men who so gloriously fell in the Battle of the zzst of March last." Sir JOHN SINCLAIR, at this moment, arose, and noticed, that a Serjeant of the 4zd Regiment, by name St wc LAIR, who had, with Major STIRLING, taken the Invincible Standard, was attending in the house, and would, if called upon, communi cate to the Society the particular incidents relative to that Capture. This he thought essentially ne cessary for .the Society to know, as several different accounts had been circulated of that event. Serjeant St NC LArtz was accordingly ushered into the Room, in the Uniform of his Regiment, at that moment when the Band were performing an appro priate piece of Music to the sentiment ju3t delivered from the Chair. He, with becoming diffidence and unatfeded simplicity of manner, 'told the particulars subjoined, giving clear and distiat answers to the several questions put to him. SUBSTANCE OF SERIEAN'T SINCLAIR's NAR RATIVE. That the 42d Regiment of Highlanders, forming the Right Wing of the British Army, having . the 28th Regiment a little on their right advanced about two hundred yards; were, on the morning of the 21st of March last, and before day-light, attacked by three bodies of French Infantry, Who, in driv ing in the Piquets, cheered and pushed on with great impetuosity.' A French Corps, bearing the name of " INVINCIBLES," soon got between the 28th Regiment and the 42d, situated as already noticed. Here the battle became warm and furious, and the French had succeeded, before day-light, in turning, or rather throwing the British Right-flank into confusion. At day-light, the body of Invin cibles, who had a little while before engaged in front, was discovered to have passed beyond the rear of the 4.zel Kegiment. This latter Corps in stantly changed its front, and attacked the Invin_ cibles with great spirit ; insomuch, that, in a very short time, the greatest part were cut to pieces.— The remainder gave way, and were driven to take refuge in an old ruin, or Castle, on the right-flank. On being followed up by the Highlanders, the re mainder of the Invincible Corps called out for mer cy, and many of them immediately surrendered. At this instant Col. ALEXANDER STEWART, Of • the 4.2 d, who was present, went to the body of the Regiment, when Major STIRLING, of the same Corps, followed by Serjeant SINCLAIR, went' p to the French Officer bearing the Invincible Standard, and desired him instantly to deliver it up with his sword. On his refusal, the Major struck him across the head with the flat of his sword, and snatched the Standard forcibly from hith ; the Frenchman then threw his sword on the groUnd, exclaiming Vive la Republique !" Serjeant SiNd t.Arr, pick ed up the sword,. and Major STIRLING delivered to him the Invincible Standard, direaing him at the same time to take care of it, and to station him self by a four-pounder field piece which had been taken by the 4.zd Regiment. At this post Serjeant SINCLAIR remained for upwards of one hour, in charge of the Colours, and proteaing the four pounder, when a body of French Cavalry (about 300) advanced in, full charge to the spot ; and the Officer, in passing, made two cuts at him, the one cut through his bonnet, and the second wounded the Serjeant in the neck, after cutting tliick,cl4l) of Bair, nc:►r Cot tiei tec - kCloth, LaVing fortunately two on that day. Stunned by the blow, and thus cur, he lay for sour.: time on .the sand in a state of insensibility, and on having recovered he found hinPtelf alone, and the French Cavalry in confusion, having been repulsed in their attack ; being still in possession of the French Officer's.sword and his own. Ile could not, however, on looking round, find either the French Standard or his bonnet.. lie therefore, in pushing- to the left, where the Regiment was en gaged, met with six Soldiers of the French Cavalry dismounted, whom he escorted as prisoners to the right of the 4.2:1 Regiment, where they were taken care of by DILLON'S Corps. While conduaing these prisoners, he perceived a Soldier of General St-tr. ART's Foreign Corps carrying into the rear the Invincible Standard, which he had picked up while Serjeant SINCLAIR lay as already noticed-. The left' wing of the French, which had been put, to the route, at this time began to rally, when Serjeant SINCLAIR, finding a wounded Soldier's musket, fired after this third attack no less than 15 . rounds. He . thinks that the right wing of the British Army was in anion a full hour after this last attack, until the French Army was completely defeated. Being asked by one Member of the Society in particular, how be escaped with so little injury from such a perilous situation I he modestly re plied, " That he had always put his trust in God, and that God alone roola Lary imminent dangers." Serjeant 'SINCLAIR is an athletic young man, about six feet high. The Serjeant having retired amidst the plaudits of ,the Company, the glass, enlivened with the song, went round'; and ,every Gentleman departed highly gratified by the proceedings of the evening. It was previously moved and agreed to, that in commemoration of..the Battle of the z st of March, the third Monthly Meeting of the Society shall be held on that'day annually ;• but falling this year on a Sunday, it will of course take place on the day following. . PRIVATE THEATRE. TO THE EDITOR. • I am a friend to the regular Drama as by Law' established: I have seen the eifeas of a Private Dilettanti Theatre in a Sister Kingdom, and I think that :ill Gentlemen, who are the genuine admirers of the'English Stage, should come' forward and stem the tide of innovation. You may call it a vulgar cry, Sir,' but I assert that if Men and Women of Fashion will come forward, and' not ,merely shew themselves for nothing, but give balls, walses, and suppers into the bargain, it.is time for the regular Theaues to look about them, _ I do not agree with pzin, that it is a subjaa only for ridicule,—l think that. these Aaors and Ac, tresses of Quality ought to be opposed ; and I, for one, .offer my services to the regular . Theatres.-- Why should Gentlemen hesitate to come forward to the support of the Stage, when a party is desirous to undermine it ? I am determined, Sir, to turn Amateur .Faaor ; but I will gratify my passion according to Law, for it shall never be said of me, that I have had scruples concerning the legality of My pursuits. These Dilettanti Actors may think it prudent to take the, opinion of Counsel on their proceedings. God forbid that I should ever be reduced to such an 'extremity. My character - through life has been so strongly marked by the ptofound obedience which I have paid to the Laws of the Land, the respea I have felt to the property of individuals, and , the sacred regard which I have always thought due to decorum, and to the - guardian tribunal of an English Public, that I never have, and I trust, I never shall have to consult acv other arbiter than my own conscience, about the propriety and purity of my :talons. No, Sir, other-Dilettanti Aaors.and A&resses may be lodged 'in round-houses with all my hcart a i-but I am for the.clear path. I am only desirous to meet these Drawcansirs fairly. They for a Private Stage—l am for the Public Theatre. If. there must be Gentlemen Aaorsal am their man : I engage' to play Captain Alacheath against them for what they dare. I hope other Gentlemen will come forward : I * hope nay. friend Captain M—, will be my Pol?y, and my friend Captain A' , Lucy; I have a very perfea -Filch in my eye, and thus we will play the Beggar's Opera against them at Drury_ lane, or Covent_garden, whenever they please.— Let it be on the same evening, and we shall sec which of the' two draw the most crowded House ; hut remember I bar late hours, for I am no friend to midnight morality.. I hereby en gage to meet them, male and female beard to beard, I with Law on -.a1.., ....a out it, as soon, "and as often, as they please. - I am ready in- Captain Macheath. I can sing all the songs very much in the amateur stilethat is, in a jovial, rumbling Way, and if I should - fail in the BraCvura, the Public I am sure will forgive me. • I wilk also attempt Bobadil, though I do not exaaly look the character, and much less like a beating either in jest or earnest ; and I think I shall be at home in, Captain Hash. I shall also understand my cue in the Recruit;ng Serjeant; but Macheath I chose for my debut. This is my plan, which I humbly offer to the two Theatres and the Public. I am for no violence ; hut if we must have Gentle men Performers, let us see which shall have the preference, those on the 'Public Theatre, or those who wish to rear their heads in private. I shall conclude with saying, that if my friends Captain • M--, and Captain A—, 'should consent to ap pear with me, it must not be objeled that they will not , makevery delicate women.—That is, true ; but I do not think they will he more preposterous; either in size, or shape, or features, than some of the most applauded heroines of modern timea, both on the Public and Private Theatres. I am, truly your's, GEORGE HANGER. The British, Feb. 24. Mrs. BILLINGTON'S Polly, on the' night of her benefir, was as exquisite as any of her former charatters. We have seldom witnessed such ats effeft in a Theatre, as that which was produced by her song " Cease your funning." !ii