The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-02-23 00:00:00

KEAN IN PHILADELPHIA.

we ropy, ea)s a Boston paper of the 24th January, from
the 1",/...i./1.7,i.1 US. Grmate of Thursday last, the ful-
-10% account of Mr. Keon's reception in that city:—
. T fCt,an pt rimmed nichard last evening to the
wait roweled house we ever witnessed. On his entrance he was
perm! with a loud welcome. On the exhibition of some slight
JI,IPPTIIbaI ion, the audience cure, and waviti; their hats, gave him
several hearty cheers.
There were some expressions of disapprobation, which conti.
surd the mghout the perlorotance ; they were, however, very
sp~ht, and scarcely sufficient to be dentin-dna:al an opposition.
jiiet. was announced for Ultktto amidst the loudest acclamation.
s• The multitude in front of the theatre during the evening was
rworishinqle great. We, however, heard of no improper conduct
an their 'mi.'.
The Demorrafie Press of the same day contains the fol-
lowing commuriestion
To the Citizen. of Philadelphia.--I intended to address you
lest esening, but was inerailed on to proceed with my part rather
than to give Utte74ll3 to the feelings of gratitude which you then
aired in my :rumen.
" Fr ends slto tale an interest In my welfare. assure me that the
most unfounded s•ories hare been circulated with a view to pre.
judice you against me. For my past errors, the mo.t implacable, I
should suppoac, would be satisfied that I have suffered sufficient
punishment. The inhahitants of this city lam totally unconscious
at over haring ofnntied; hut, if I have unconsciously done so. I
most sincerely regret it. I have always borne towards this city the
kindest feelings, and the events of last night will impress still
deeper upon ley heart the respect and gratitude which at shall be
the guile and pride of niy life to manifest.
•• Philadelphia, Thursday morning.

"EDMUND KEAN."

COVEAT-GA!DE,V THEATRE.

Last night a new Oratorio was produced at this theatre,
called Veinkagieing, composed by Sir J. A. Stevenson,
1)o:. The name of Sir John Stevenson is so well
knerrit, and his works hitherto so generally appreciated,
that it is scarcely necessary to repeat them here. His
melodies, glees, and harmonized airs are fully in the Tea-
lectien edf all those who have '• music in their souls." Sir John
has now embarked in a nuldd r tired ; and we think, what-
ever din. 4( r might be supposed to attach to the under-
taking, he has come off victorious. The compoaition of an
Oratorio is no light matter, and when we see how little has
-been done since the clays of I I andel and of Haydn, we can-
sot hut suppose that the attainment of success has been
matter of considerable donbt. Beethoven certainly has
shown himself competent to the task, aid his chorus in the
Mount of (nines, descriptive of finding our Saviour, can
Lever be forgotten by those who have once heard it. In Eng-
land, the attempts at Oratot io composition have been of a
very limited nature. Of living composers, Dr. Crotch is
the only one who has attained success; his Pe/eftine is a
roble work, but, unfortunately for the public, from some
objection on the part of the Doctor to publish, it remains
In manuscript, acid has not been allowed to be performed
at either of the Theatres; the knowledge of the merit of
the work is therefore cd rained to those who have had an
oprurtunity of hearing it elsewhere. Ills " Lo, star-pal
Chiefs," is a masterpiece of composition.
Of Sir John SteVellson's overture it must be ouscrved
that it possesses little of originality, and we think it the
least effective part of his composition. The opening reci-
tative by Mr. 13ralidon, of •• the Lord Gott Omnipotent,"
was highly wrought, and formed a very beautiful intro-
ductiou to the general subject. As might be supposed, Sir
John has shown himself highly conspicuous in the
harmony of his trios, quartets, quintets, and septet;
the minor movement in " For this is our God, dis-
played great beauty, and the quintets, " Let every
thing have breath,' and " Thy way is in the sea,
were nut less effective. To the choruses we must give
our most unqualified approbation. They were highly
wrought, and ably illustrated the subject of the poetry.
01 these, " Sing unto the Lord," at tile conclusion of the
first part, and " For all the world shall worship Him," in
the seeowl, we think were tile best. We come now to the
s dos. The one assigned to Miss Paton, recitative and
t• 0 praise God," is a mast happy, we may say mas-
t: rly, composition, and the execution of it does Miss Paton
infinite credit ; we certainly have never heard a finer spe-
cimen of bravura, either as regards the composition or the
execution. In " Awake thou lute and harp" also, though
Out so masterly, Miss Paton was most happy, though the
subject did nut partake of the same scope for display as in
the former air. We tnust observe on the very judicious
use made by Sir John Stevenson of the trumpet; it has
been too much the fashion in modern music, where the
poetry made ally allusion to the instrument, for the cow-
paser to throw iii such " blasts so loud and dread," as to
destroy all pleasure otherwise derivable from the compo-
etion. We think it necessary to pay this just tribute,
because we have been threatened at another Theatre aith a
Leese affliction of the kind in the presence of some trumpet
Vowels from Constantinople or elsewhere, who, it' report
s p. ski true, possess such astonishing power on that instrument
as almost to rival the French performer, who, in an effort of
f • tusairrio, reduced his trumpet from a state of sinuosity
into that of a strai;:ht line. Mr. Phillips also had two most
powerful songs—" Thou stillest the raging of the sea,',
atol " The snares of death compassed me about".—the
latter of which was most deservedly encored. Mr. Braham
silo was very successful in " 0! Lord, how manifold are
thy works." The air, " I (lid call upon the lord," was
enchantingly executed; and in the recitative intro-
dueing it, " Bow gracious is the Lord—how merciful,"
the pronunciation of the word merciful surpassed any
itdd.ng cf tile kid we ever heard. We had almost
forgot a quartet and clid ras in the first part, "
way, 0! God, is holy," the concluding pact of which
was a superlative display of composition. Upon the
whole we cannot but congratulate the public on the
production of this Oratorio; and though it may not stand
the test of composition with the works of Handel, it at
least displays such a delightful collection of harmonies,
that tan as a whole, or as one from which selections may
be made in part, we feel assured it will rank very high
El the estimation of ail lovers of sterling composition. Sir
John Stevenson is much indebted to the performers, vocal
and instrumental. Mr. Witham had not much to do, but
what he did do was well Ilene. The weight of the piece
ill upon Miss Paton and Mr. Phillips, and ably did they
p„eforin their tasks. Miss l'aton, if possible, improves
and we think we may say the mine of Mr. Phillips.
Miss S:epliens; Madame Vestris, and Miss Love, executed
C.- parts allotted to them with great judgment and
ti •.1 ; as did Miss Farrar, Miss Cawse, Mr. llorncastle
wet Master Loogleurst. At the conclusion of the piece
the ell p'suse was genet al.
lhe 0, a torio was followed by a miscellaneous act, anti in
Cr?i': to show that they were not wearied by the oratorio,
the atidid nce eneorcd every song in it. Nliss Stephens sang
ie.!" Minstrel Roy," and we suppose in order that no jea-
lousy might he felt by the applause which had been so
favourably and justly bestowed upon the Irish bard, the
audience were favour, d with two Scotch songs, one by Mr.
Braham, of " March, match, Ettrick and Tevioniale "
and the oilier by ISl;as Pao n, " Where is the land which
Scotland surpasses?" Miss Stephens and Madame Vestris
were very successful in l's s's duet from Grizelda," Vederlo
"24 Wilton," as were Alias Farrar, Mr. Robinson, Mr.
arncastle, and Mr. Phillips, in " The Pregitiera," from
!lose in Egitto. Mr. Brukam and Miss Stephens were en-
tlusiestieally applauded in " When thy bosom heaves the
sell;" and the wholcconcluded with the "Cough and Crow"
by Master Barker, Master Longliurst, and Mr. Phillips.
Itie band was very effective under that able leader, Mr.
Mori, and the din ction of the whole was ably sustained
by Sir George Smart. The house was fashionably attended
and crowded in every part.

Mr. Mathews has had two general rehearsals of his new
i?rthcoming entertainment with music, one at the Eng-
lysh Opera-house on Monday, and the
other at his house
Lit Friday.
We regret to announce the death of Knight, the Co-
of Drury-lane Theatre, which event took place
Ticulay night, after a long illness. Professionally,
Air; Knight maintained high comic rank (always amusing,
an" [lever offensive), and privately he was respected and
"bt:e!toed by all who knew him.
Ihe Arts York Daily Advertiser has the following
artiozy for not giving the details of a chic feast :—" Sick-
ness iu the family of our reporter prevented us from ob-
TAlntar the usual account of the Corporation proceeding°
Nloaday evening." Would London readers consider
1"
14' as a good excuse for not having the arguments on the
(me,' question on their breakfast tables the morning
14 Vol bare been urgcd in halLuneut?

MONTREAL PAPERS.

PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT OF LOWER CANADA.

LIOHILATIvE COUNCIL CHAMBER. QUEBEC. JAW. 21.
This day at three We:ark Ins Excellew:y the Governor in Chia
comedown in rste to the Getnalative Council Chamber. and being
seared on the Throw-, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod
was sent down to the House of Assembly to command their at.
tendance before hi.. Ert,:eilency, and that House being corns up,
his Excellency opened the Session with the tollowing speech:—
" Gentlemen of the L^gislative Council, and Gentlemen of
the House of Assembly,
" The Provincial Parliament has seldom met under circum-
stances more ir.teresting to the country at large. or when eon.
tentinent and happiness more generally prevailed in all parts
of it

_ . _
" We see a people grateful for the blessings which Providence
has poured upon them, and sensible of the many advantages
they enjoy under their laws, lint it must at she same time be
evident to us all,that the rapidly improving state of this Pro.
vince calls for mow measures calculated to give encouragement
where a disposition to industry and enterprise is so manifest and so
general.

" It becomes my duty, therefore, to call your attention to these
as principal subjects for your inquiries in this Session. They are
more peculiarly important at this time when the Imperial Par-
liament has made so great a change in the Commercial Policy of
of the State, by opening to the Colonies an almost unlimited par-
ticipation in all the advantages of trade hitherto reserved for the
111 other Country.
" In slEtirs of such immedi tie and deep consequence to the
Province, I shall hope to receive that support and assistance which
you are well qualified to give me. and by which the country shall
feel the benefits that always result front a cordial co-operation in
the several bran rhea of the Legislature.
"Gentlemen of the Assembly,
" I shall cause to be laid heftier you the accounts of revenue and
expenditure in the last year, with a statement of other incidental
expenses of that period, the nature of which will be fully explained.
—I shall also direct the proper officers to lay bet.ore you the esti-
mate of the probable revenue and expenditure of the current year.
It will give me great satisfaction to find that the differences which
have so long subsisted iii the Legislature, on financial matters,
have been noisily removed. leering no difficulty now to prevent the
grant of these supplies whien it is my duty to ask in his Majesty's
name fie the support of his government in this provit:ce.
" Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of
the House of Assembly,
" it is my wish to call your immediate attention to those acts of
the Imperial Parliament to which I have already alluded, in order
that a respectful representation may be made on the subject of any
part of them, which, intended for the general advantage of the colo-
nies, may be found to affect in an unfavourable matinee, the parti-
cular interests of this province; and it will not be surprising if in
anew system comprehending so many, various, and even opposite
interests as are those of the British colonies, some unforestieo
grounds of objection may be found.
" Of the objects more immediately connected with the internal
state of the Province, which require your consideration, the most
importact are those which relate to the alteration and improvement
of the system of judicature, and to the adoption of measures tend-
ine to afford better security to property. The want of Register
Offices has long been felt as a most serious evil. It hat of late be-
come destructive of confidence in the transfer of property ; it must
operate as a bar to the introductioisof capital and to the purchase
of land, and is is many ways most hurtful to the improvement of
the Province.

'• I trust you will very seriously consider this evil, and again ap-
ply yourselves to devise a proper remedy.
It must be obvious that the labours and details of Government
require to be assisted in proportion to the increase of the popula-
lion, and to all the new circumstances of a young country rapidly
rising from infant powers to those of mature and vigorous strength.
It is highly desirable that every country in its most remote parts
should feel that the laws can reach the evils existing, and afford
protection, where the want of it at present cheeks the general im-
provement.

" I have formerly recommended to you, and still do strongly
recommend a more accurate subdivision of the Province into coun-
ties, townships, and parishes, with a view to distribute the Magis-
trates more equally, to regulate the militia better, and to inquire
into, and if possible assist the local interests of each county, and its
minor subdivisions separately.
" I scarcely need advert to the subject of education in this Pro-
vince. It has long occupied the public attention. and has acquired
increasing interest by the increasing desire for its inestimable ad.
vantages; neither would I think it necessary to recommend conti.
❑ued support to the long-established institutions of charity, were it
not to bring under special consideration a better system for the care
of the insane. Every feeling of humanity prompts us to compas-
sion fur these unhappy objects: and yet I regret to say that the
systematic and proper treatment of them with a view to their rc-
'tondo° to society. has not been sufficiently provided for in this
l'rovince.

" In thecourse of the Session I shall call your attention to the
state of the Roads. It is a subject most important to the improve-
ment of the country, but ...tains IPOMI detail than can be given on
this occasion.

" Among the laws which expire user this Suasion, there are
sertral of the highest consequence to the good Government of this
country ; I trust they may be renewed and made permanent, for
temporary measures in matters of such a nature cannot but be pre.
judicial where the existence of Courts of Law of any description is
made doubtful or uncertain.

_
" I recommend to you, Gentlemen, with great earnestness the
general interests of the Province. If they shall be fostered by a
wise system and a liberal policy there cannot be a doubt that the
progress of public improvement and prosperity will be greatly in.
creased, atfordti.g the best and most Krantying proof that the public
expectations and hypes have not been disappointed in the result of
your labours in this t3ession.