The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-10-29 00:00:00

DRUR. T-:1,- .-4,Vi: THEATRE.

At Drury-lane Theatre, list night, after the performance
of Simpson and Co., in which Mr. Terry supported, with
his usual spirit and humour, the part of the principal of the
firm, and in which the only two tragic actresses of Old
Drury were (we know not why) introduced to the
audience, a new melo-drama, or "grand oriental tale of
magic," entitled The Enchanted Courser : or, The Sultan
of Curdistan, was produced, " with new scenery, deco-
rations, and dresses, and with equestrian evolutions, by
Messrs. Ducrow and his troop." As this was the first no-
velty of the season, and as it had been deemed necessary to
close the theatre on the preceding night, in order that an even-
ing rehearsal might render the management of the " scenery
and machinery" more simple, the public anticipation was at
its height. Rumour hail attributed the production to the pen
of Mr. Croly, but we are inclined to disbelieve the report,
as the new " hone piece" would not greatly add to the
Rev. Gentleman's dramatic fame. It was also reported
that the Drama was the property of Mr. W. Barrymore,
and had been only god-fathered by Mr. Croly, who added
to it a little poetry, anti a few puns. The father, whoever
he may be, has no reason to be proud of his child, fur a
piece more completely and deservedly unsuccessful we
never witnessed. It would be useless to give a detail of
the plot ; the outline is this :—Almazon, Prince of Persia
(Mr. Penley), is betrothed to the Princess or Cachemire
(Mrs. W. West.) While the Persian Court is rejoicing in
anticipation of the royal nuptials, the Enchanter Alma&
(Mr. Wallack), who, by-the-by is, as it afterwards ap-
pears, also the Sultan of Curdistan, enters with a wonder-
ful horse—a horse whose element is alike the air, the
ocean, and the earth. He demands, in exchange for the
animal, the affianced bride of the Prince, at which the
lover is very naturally enraged, and in his auger mounts the
horse of the enchanter, which bearshim instantly through the
clouds. The ei.chanter then informs the agonized father,
' that his son will never return, as lie is ignorant of the art
by which the horse is governed. 'f he Prince, however,
discovers the secret by chance, and returning, brine- with
him his bride. The enchanter contrives to steal both her
and the horse, and conveys her to his Palace of Clrdistan.
The plot is terminated by the attempt of the Prince to te-
gain the lady, and he sticceeds through the agency of
Babouc, the slave of the enchanter, assisted by the ghost
of a murdered brother of the aforesaid Sultan. The sub-
ject is taken from the Arabian Nights' Entertainments,
but it has undergone considerable alteration, with-
out any improvement. The piece has been almost, if
not altogether, " made up" by the scene painters and
the dressmiskers of the theatre, who certainly did their
ntneist for the fated inelo-drarna ; and no endeavour was
wanting on the part of NIT. Wallack (under whose direction
it was produced) to exhibit the bandy-work of Mr. Banks,
and :he Misses Smith, in the many processions that had no
other object. Any production of more than common merit
must have sueceeacd, with the advantage of such splendid
scenery and decorations, and the popular assistance of the
tramplinga of many steeds ; but the decree that so unani-
mously went forth, eonsigning to oblivion " the grand
oriental tale of magic," appeared to us a most decidedly just
on:, as it had nothing beyond this to recommend it.

The Duke of York, the Earl of Shaftesbury, and
other distinguished personages, are at present at Lutworth
Castle, the seat of his Royal Highness the Duke of
Gloucester.
Their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of York and Cla-
rence intend honouring the new Lord Mayor and
Sheriffs with their presence at dinner on the 9th of
November.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex arrived on
Tuesday at Shugborough, Staffordshire, the seat of Vis-
count Anson, on a visit to his Lordship.
The Duchess of Kent honoured Covent-garden Theatre
with her presence on Wednesday evening.
The Duke of Leinster has giver. 100/. in order to provide
for the ensuing winter fuel for the poor of Maynooth.
The Dowager Duchess of Richmond and the Ladies
Lenox arc rih:rtly expected in town from Ireland.
The Dowager and Marchioness of Donegal, and the La-
dies Chichester, have a house on the New Steins, Briehton.
L ,rd and Lady Nugent arrived on Thursday evening at
the Duke of Buckingham's, Pall-mall, front iVorthing.
The present Lord Chancellor has sat longer on the 'tench
than any Jutlge since the time of Dam' Mansfield, who
presided in the Court of King's Bench 32 years.
Sir J. Graham, Bart. M. P. arrived at Whitchiven
Castle on Saturday last, on a visit to the Earl of Lonsdale.
There is no truth in the report that Sir Wm. lemon
will retire front the representation of Cornwall at the next
Electicn.
A strong feeling has been excited in the Dublin Corpora-
tion, in consequence of the Board of Aldermen having re-
fused to grant the usual 1,0001. to the late Lord Meyer
(Alderman Smyth.)
Sir Mailed Sleek, Bart. was canvassing the Corpora-
tion of Lublin on Saturday, for their support at the next
General Election, to reprt sent this city (Dublin) in Parlia-
ment. Ile pledges to support the Protestant interest in
Church and State. Sir A. B. King, Bert. is also a canal-
date. The contest, whenever it takes place, will be a
sharp one. Two more candidates will also stare—Dublin
Journal.
A very elegant entertainment, in the true style of of
English 'hospitality, was given at Eden Hall. on Thurs-
day last, in honour of the marriage of Sir Philip Mus-
grave. Covers were laid for 350 persons; Major fladell
in the Chair; and the day was spent with the greatest joy
and hilarity.
Saes or Coss ace.—On Wednesday this respectable
Society sine to et 11111111111111 l its twentieth anniversary.
An excellent dinner was provide' at the Three Tuns,
Jewry-street. The Chairman, Mr. Condor, gave •' His
Welty," side three thine three, " Duke of York,"
" Royal Family," and various other loyal toasts. The
evening was spent with conviviality.
In Sir Richard Steele's enricspliuknee, published some
years since, in a letter to Lady Steele, be says, " We had
not, when you left us, an inch of candle, a poind of
emit, nor a bit of bread nor meat in the house; but we
do not want now."
We understand Thomas Hodgsmr, FAT intends to hunt
this I)4e of the countskt (11u11) with his fox-hounds, which
are to throw off on Friday morning, for the first time this
season, at Bentley Wood.
t Sr. Jew es's Pe etc.—A fine new iron gate was yester-
t day erected at the south end of the entrance to this Park
i front Spring Gardens : and the railing of the opposite tri-
• angular piece of gotta is in such a state of forwardness
that it will be completed in a few days.
I Upwards of 601 /. has been subscribed for the purpece of
I erecting a kennel and stables in Shrewsbury, for the ac-
centime:ado:l of the Shropshire fox-heuuds.