The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-20 00:00:00

DRURY- I.A YE THEATRE.

Last night a new Opera, in three acts, was produced at
this Theatre, entitled The Fall of Algiers. This Open
is made up of very slight materials, although its per.
formance was not over till eleven o'clock. Story, pin:, or
incident, it cannot beast : and in situation (as the players
term it) it is lamentably deficient. The first act ithre-
duces Ai-croon Rock wardine (Horn) to our notice, and he
detail; to Timothy Tourist (Harley), the story of his woes
—of his early marriage, and his father's displeasure.
Timothy, however, endeavours to lighten the weight of their
captivity, and determines, when liberated, upon publish-
ing an account of the treatment of slaves under the mild
government of the Algerines. Akernon's wife, Amono.a
(Miss Graddon) was also made a captive, and Orasmim
(Sapio). one of the Dry's chief officers, falls deeply is foe,
with her. He presses his suit, but in rain ; Algernon is
within his grasp, but be promises him freedom if he
resign her to the loving arms of the Algerine. Algerno,,,
like most other scenic lovers, determines rather to die than
live without his wife, and Orewnin threatens him with in.
stant death. At this critical moment the English fleet
heaves in sight, commanded by the father of A/gernea,
and the Dry consents to the liberation of all the Christiai.
captives. Orusmin, however, determines to make Amanda
his property, and refuses to obey his master's order. The
bombardment of the citadel then commences, and in a few
momenta Amanda is restored to he husband, and the Ad-
miral has the pleasure of rescuing a son, whose fate hello;
long considered as utterly hopeless. There is also a love affair
between Timothy Teterist and laurettu (Miss Stephens):
but Cogi, an old servant of the Governor's, is smitten win
her beauty, and has her placed as an attendant upon Amandc,
in the Harem, until a fitting opportunity occurs for mak-
ing her his wife. She yields a pretended consent to
his addresses, and lee, in the excess of his love, gives her
sundry jewels which be had purloined from his master.
These jewels she speedily transfers to Timothy, and ale(
his escape, by furnishing Lim with the cloak in which she
was to leave pass Ad the guard herself, on her way with.
Gobi, to take shipping for Et F.and. This, we may re-
mark, is the only solitary situ:lna tin the Opera. Terry
payed a testy old Admiral, who will not bear contradiction,
in his usual iron manner; and Harley was, what
a!ways is, humorous and active. Sapio and Horn were in
excAlent voice, and to say of .liss Stephens, and M.te
Craddon, that they sung well, is what every one who ha,
ever heard them will readily believe. Most of the tamp
were encored, and all undeservedly ; one-half of then
might be omitted, and if the opera was compressed into
two acts, it might have a chance of prolonged existence.
The dialogue is unpretending, and the music without clea-
rscter or novelty. The house was crowded, and the open
announced for repetition to-morrow. The scenery net
beautiful.

Mr. Alostyn Jones, of Fliutshire, has presented a n:or
Operatic Play to Covent-garden Theatre, in which a very
young Lady, of extraordinary vocal talent, is shortly to
make her d by,.

Ma. AIATIILWI.—(From the Lieerpoot Adrerileer of
Tuesday).—Mr. Mathews has been quite " at home" in
Liverpool tbr three nights alrtady, and each of his perfertn-
omen have been attendt d by a crowded house. His Trip
to Anicrien is planned and executed with all the extraordi-
nary gcniva and talent of the performer. He has noticed
the peculiarities of our trans-atlantic fiends, and with great
good nature briwgs them before us, as be has dove those of
our own countrymen. We know that the field tf eceettri-
city and fun in the United Seats is not an extensive as is
Old England ; and we are surprised to find that Mr.
Mathews has gleaned so much there. We «insider several
'of his representations peculiarly balmy. isrtiectlaely the
American Landlord, Jonathan W. Doubikin, the lin-
tuckian, the German Charge to the Grand Jury, and the
genuine patriotic feeling of Mr. Pennington. The French-
man at the Post-office is a very pathetic interesting tale.
The rapid changes of character in the third part of tie
entertainment area snort extraordinary display of Mr. Ma-
thews' peculiar po•wers. Weob.trve that the Trip to Am -
rice is to be n p.-a..d to-morrow evening for the last time.
We congratulate Mr. Mathews on his success at Liverpoe,
and hope to find diem " at home" on some future occasior.
CAMBRIDGE, JAN. 17.—This morning, at seven ci'VoclP
upwards of SOO of the junior Members of this Universiw,
who have kept their regular terms, assembled in their r-
epective colleges ; from whence they prom. dell, with the
Father of the College, to the Senate 'house, in order to ta-
dere° the usual examinations for the degree of B. A. wlec`i
will continue six hours in each day, until Friday nex::
and on Saturday the academical honours will be adjuigel,
and the degrees conferred.
DUBLIN MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.—A general meet-
ing of this Institution will be held at the Theatre of Ari..
Royal Arcade, this evening, at eight o'clock. Visitors with
be admitted by ticket. IVe feel very great pleasure ii
learning, that this Institution has attracted a 'hereof tha:
attention from the public to which it is so eminently en-
titled. The names of Leinster and Charlemont—names
which fill the brightest places in the short bnt brilliart
history of Ireland's glo: y, and which even in the present
day', rank first in the estimation of their country, are en-
rolled amongst the supporters of the Dublin Mechanici
Institute. We hope to see their illustrious example
speedily and generally followed by any persons of influents
or property who still remain in Irelame—Datitlits Paper.
Dr. Halloran, who once resided in this neighbourhood.
and educated the present Master of the Roils, Lord
Gifford, and who, it will be recollected, was transported for
forging a frank, kelps the Sidney Grammar School,
.tha only seminary for classical education in New South
Wales.—Exeter Paper.
If you would preserve your walls from damp, cover
than with honks of Political Economy. It is one of the
driest substances known to exist in nature.—Kreter Papr.

On Saturday a beautiful tomb of John de Sheppy,
Bishop of Rochester, was discovered in Rochester Cathe-
dral. It appears that the Bishop died in 1360, and was
buried in a niche not far from the altar rails, and over him
was ereot:d a Gothic tomb, on which there was a Cull
length figure of the Bishop in his robes and mitre. It is
in very good preservation, and was di covered by Mr. Coe-
tingham the architect, who is now employed to make esti-
mates prior to the intended restoration of this Cathedral
to its original beauty. The niche hid formerly been
bricked up, and the foundation of the tomb appearid par-
tially under the brick work, which led ►o the discovery.—
Maidstone Gazelle.

There is now living at Barton, an old lady of the name
of Faunt, who has nearly attained the great are of ins.
She was lately obliged to change her residence, and Imo'
being removed, sitting in a donkey carriage, the Fpcctatetl
were surprised at her fresh and healthy appearance. She
has lost her hearing, but in other respects enjoys her fa-
culties. She is, however, so reduced in size and weight,
that her granddaughter generally carries her to and froth
her chamber to the fireside, where she usually takes her
place only every other day, az the intermediate day she
generally indulges in bed. Though deaf, she is cheerful.
and fend of company. She has lately cut new teeth, to the
great surprise of her family.
The spinners lately employed in the factory of Messrs.
Ainsworth and Catterall, of Preston, have turned out f..r
an advance of wages, anti those of Mr. Bashed, near
Leyland, have also giver up their situations on the same
grounds.