The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-12-06 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

In consequence of a very incorrect report of a meeting
of Mr. Elliston's creditors that appeared in a Morning
Print of yesterday, we are requested to give publicity to
the following contradiction from Mr. Robins, who presided
at the moeting

. TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS.
Covent-golden, Monday.
SlR,—Having read in the Times journal of this day a statement,
under the head o. "Affairs of the late Manager of Drury-lane
Theatre," in which my name is introduced, you must allow me. in
justice to myself, to Mr. Elliston, and to those creditors who a:-
tended the meeting in question, to assert that scarcely one syllable
of that report is correct.
It is stated that Mr. Elliston proposed to mortgage the lease and
ardrobea of the Olympic. Croydon, and Leamington Theatres, to
his creditors. This is not the tact. Mr. Elliston's sons have been
some Vests lessees of his Leamington property, upon a talc and
equitable rental : and as to the Drun•lare lease and wardrobe, so
maliciously adverted to, I believe every shareholder of the theatre
has it In bet. power to contradict that part of the statement, insp.
much as that property, by the nature of the lease from the Com-
mittee. can only be converted by Mr. Elliston to the use of stage
representation at Drury-lane. as lessee of a ready-furnished theatre:
therefore it needs no conjuration to discover that Mr. Elliston had
it not in his power to make the lease and wardrobe over t his sons,
for the purpose of cheating his creditors, as the informant of the
Three, would insinuate.
The truth is, that since Mr. Elliaton's Revere bodily affliction,
his non has been delegated to manage his affairs, by power of
attorney, in his father's name, and that he still continues so to do.
But to state that Mr. Elliston has made over the property of which
the Committee of Proprietors are the sole guardians only proves,
that there are people in the world so base as to deprive a man of
' the support of these friends whom, in the hour of adversity, he
sten& re much in used of.
Mt. Elliston has expended upwards of 30,0001. in the improve-
ment of she property, of which he is a lessee, and to such a vast
outlay, and his subsequent severe indispo►ition, is to be attributed
his precept difficulties.
It is not for the to give publicity to what may be Mr. Ellis:ores
available property a but I can boldly assert, without fear of contra-
diction. that one-fourth of the amount stated by tire itformant of
the Times, and considerably lees than the sum expended on the
improvement of the theatre, would clear Mr. Elliston from every
pecuniary difficulty, consequently his debts hays this extent, no
mon.
To conclude, the statement that a creditor refused to sign the
letter of license, and added, that it was precipitate in me to propose
it, is entirely without foundation. There were assembled creditors
to the amount of 12,1100/. and upwards, and I should do injustice
to the kind telling that prompted them all, if ! denied myself the
gratification of stating that there was not a dissentient voice.
Your very obedient Servant.
G. 11. ROBINS.