The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-09-21 00:00:00

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COVENT-CARDEN TIIEATRE.
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The setitottion produe,ed by the ntlvanee of prices

collected a crowd at that ditrerent don's of this
l'iw-arrer lust night, 'to equal Cost of•the formek—
being ladinitted, we were happy to Mid a greater
display of female charms than on either of the pre-
cedint: nights ; thi re were many of the fair sex in

the pit, and still inure in the boxes. We regarded
it as a favOurahle circuinstance to see them ven-
turing amongst us again ; we entertained hopes that
those who are said to have redeemed us from bar-
barism, would again recall as to citilisation but
there is a pitch of rage end absurdity, upon which
even beauty can have au effect ; and this war our
(Attie insteuere upon which that rage and that -eh-
muddy every to be displayed. Ail was quiet until
the lIIIONC Collllllllellee !: bilyollf3lloZlCJll as it may
areas, with the music comiterneed the discord; a.dis-
cord, fated, for that night at least, to he permanent.
The play ado the tragedy of King Irieltard
the part of RirAord by Mr. Cook.. The house was
greatly crowded, and.' we are sor7y_to acid, the up-
roar was as general as it e have yet tvituessed it ;
that part which, upon the present, as well as upon
that immediately preceding the present occasion,
carriwil the palm, was the pit ; that was the great
scene in which the marshalled heroes displayed
their coialact. and proved the perfection of their
discs:dine. by rising and felling with the Cur.
tain.• The discord of their voices was, if possi-
ble, improved ; that is, rendered more discord-
ant ; but they, dissati•fied with the progress they
hid made, attempted to aid the excellence,
by rattling stick'., clapping hands, blowing cat-
calls, lie. lee. In adilitein to the cant of " Old
Price.," thwre were several new bills exhibited in
the pit and bows ; one comuituded them to " re-
eat the solpmatiou, every night, until abated ;".
anothwr inculcated the encnitragernent of " Native
Gemes;" each we. received with unbomided
up-
plausr. It required only the exhibition of a piper,
discouistenancing the advance, to command the
support of thio.e advocates of taste, who would wish
that its profewsors simold hose uv it. In contradic-
tion to all those naineaning hills, and to the less
pardonable abatements-of " some of the public
prints," a paper was circulated, though not in the
maw notorinao sad compictious manner, toenails{
forth a pl Mt feet, " that the average profits of the
Iwo ten reara were not six per cent." This, nue
would think. would have bweit sulfieient to repress
the tumult; aid' so it probably would, if it
had been as well known as the inn-statements to
which it was a reply. Towards the conclnsitto
of the play, trumpets amid bugle-harms made
their appearance iii the pit, which, colustfinine with
all the ioniser rounds, constituted what Milton calla
" confusion worse confouseded." Mr. C. liemble
was particularly selected by the brawlers. The
play having at leugtli reached tlw conclusion, every
testimony of reek:item appeared, for this was the
third night of their success against taste and talent.
We 'kit to kone how long the public sense Is
.to
ballots abused, mild private property injured, by
two or three hundred people, consisting principally
of idle shop-boys, clerks, and Istitagars upon the
town, who mend Mealy for the sole parpuse of
kicking up a "rah fay abusing the moderation and
forbearance of the l'ioprietars, and depriving the
public of the in:ea rational enjoyment the metro-
pulls affords, in its most refined and complete state
We do believe that many of them fancy they are only
exerciamsc the privilege of Eaglishmen. and that the
law, mid the coatorn of tile Theatre, fully warring
all the liceowe in which they todelge. That the Bleb-
eater have a right to express their approbation or dis-
approbatimi of the actor, and the play. we admit
in its fullest extent; hut even her., tam expression
ought to be regulated by the judgment, and t
praceetl from malice, welly sinister mative. In the
present cos-, the piece is not suffered to he heard,
aid the whole of the performers are condemned, en
worse; so that we are ,ant even left ass excuse for sup-
posing them io be iseiirvol by reason dud judgment.
The present outcry tenses (mtpposing it to be no nar-
row party cavil,) from one of those two causes : The
ad/slice of prices, or the engagement of Madame
Cataleni. It' it is from the former, they would
do w•• 11 to considwr how far they promote the cause,
by exrrailing their tirmey, without the advantage
of hearing the performance ; med. if the latter,
arm: her occasion would, perhaps, be more adapted.
It is curious enough to see the enemies of the Ma-
nagers of Coveet-garden Theatre tilling the house
every night, and paying their seven shillings regu-
larly, for the purpose of ruining them. As long as
they abstain from actual violence, we make no
doubt they will be welcome; fur whether tilts come
to hear others, or are determined to hear themselves,
at is all the same, if they pay equal for it.
The annunciation of the piece for to-morrow's
tepritteistation. was. as usual, inaudible, from the
noise which pery ides' the house. The rarer went
rim also in the eonitnon way, and the beautiful mu-
sic of the Thr Poor Soldier was drowsed in ac-
companying a l'ontorniare. During the first act,
the hostile party were employed in disseminating
:heard', printed on linen, canvas, end paper, which
were shnrtly afterarria slfixed, in various ways, to
almost the ...title circle of the first and second tier of
Snute ware pinned by the fair hands of
Patriotic. baler to the cushion. kindly placed
ea the trout of the Bona, to give an easy sup-

port fp their elbows; ahik others were fastened
by adventurous Mow:Ode-defying knights, w the
chandeliers. The were various--. 4 AO
hired ritifiani "No impositiipi, on she pubfie !"
Old prices for ever, never submit to Me arm!"
" &lets, or no private boxes!" and a variety
of others garnished tne pit, and lower buses.
About the end of the farce, Mr. 11untlen forgot
all the grimace of Darby, and approached the front
of the stage, lowly bowing, as if to bespeak the
attention of toe audience to were proposition ; and
imarediately, amidst loud cries of " Hear! hear!
sileiee!silence!" Mr. Keinble made his appear-
ance. Some time elapsed before the house could
be composed to silence; end nu sooner was it par-
tidily obtained, but calls of Order! order! and
Silence/ silence ! again involved it in noise and
confusion. At last, however. the Manager was
permitted to address them, and expressed himself
as follows :

Ladies sad Gentlesselo—f have to thank yea fur this
hearing. Grateful for past tannin, the Proprktors of tit.*
Theatre are anxious to do every thing possible lir their power
to fulfil the violists tithe public."

Thunder% of applause here ensued, and many of
the placards were torn down, is taken of approba-
tion. Silence being once more olvained, Mr. tiein-
ble continued—.

" Ladies sod Gentlemen-1 fret obliged to goo for giving
media oppottimity of i iptiring nnbat are yoar wialies ?"
• The House instantly relapsed Imo a tumult of
noise and confusion, greater than we had yet st
ed, and the tokens of their stetiord to be
increased. in proportion to the hopes of concession
'on the part of the Proprietors, which they had en-
tertaiiied from the appearance of Mr. 'Kew!,lr.
Mehl thi; period, several papers were thrown on
the stage, and the audience shouted " There!
there ! reed ! read ! these are err wishes ' But
Mr. Kemble. not understanding the drift of their
exclainatisms, retired, after walking several mei-
fectusl efforts to obtain a further herring. One
of the papers was alien% arida picked up, and
carried oat by Mr. 'lntylor, aml the *titres
were taken by the servants of Vit. I.llcatrt:„—.
Amidst this augmented disturbance, the farce COD•
ciiided, and loud liars t evinced the um:woken
spirit of the Old Pliet-itet. One mail produced a
bottle and glean in a side-box, and emptied the
former very rapidly in bumper toasts ; he tutu at.
tempted to launch the empty flask into the pit.
but was luckily prevented by those around him.
and driven from the boa. The aud!eir-e then re-
seated themorlcvs, as deliberately as if they expect-
ed the performance of another play. After so.ne
time spent in the ext.:eise el almost banished pa-
tience, the gentleman who spoke on Tuesday night
again came forever f, and, from the same situation,
addresee,l the hani•ve 5.6

"Genf citelans-4 took the liberty of addressino, eon,
last is *eery short speech , but the conduct that
has been port■ by she persons concreted 1J 14111 house, de
mantis, this night, a speech of on hour lent -sllentlesseo, I
witnessed a sc:tie, last night, which'enn!d iittArace n place
of pus:shwa! A hireling of this Theatre, the foremen of
the works, intended himself into the pit, where hr 10111111 rd
Mr/ individual, sad, with the as-tstauce of s • consts'ilee,
beat them oat ; after which he retterned to the pi:, the,* his
hat up io the air, and challenged say perm m la the bozo.
to tight hiss fur live guineas. Was not ult. coacherl cuuale•
mowed by the contemptuous 'Conduct of the Manager, its
cumin.; forward and nretcadiag be was ignorant of what int,
wished, at the Saute time, mots t►an s •.plscarda werweitirtat.:
hint in the face (Loud hiontos.9 The rename why you lid
not so strong a mlority the deaf nigh'', as the two last.
was occasioned by the great number of orders that were
hared by the Managess. I kaote that-there werentrcat num.
ben pest to ever:. petatiirgoare, one of clutch, althotigh
• they accepted of we tickets, came to oppose thou this
I they retoseiled, by minim; it a trick of war. limey was
also refused at t►e doors, while paper was admitted; sly
semey was refused, and use of the d.we•keopers, mum
Ealed,tl thou the rest, seknowledged they hail orders ta re-
fuse motley. But if you c iiiii ccie the muse line of coa-
-1 sleet yon have done these two nights, I will insure yun
success; nod yon will oblige a Manager M cum.• for-
ward, who will know what you waut--(.1 cry q(" ffre via!
we ") I have seen a statement, since rennin= into the
Theatre, of the Managers, ileciart.-1 that they have received
only ant per cent. for the. money, fur the last tea year...-.
Can any person believe this, when they home hoe regerd-
lees Mr. Keinble is of money, and he gave es,ooul. for
his share ,—( Load apyterw ) I have a small statement to
mike, which t 1111:1, it any ton., prove ; that the rein orate
private lames wilt pay 'woe than the interest of the money im-
pended, and defray the expense of 'Judean Catalani`a en-
gagement, whirls hail been spoken urns one came of the rise.
—But I host, if the Managers ever attempt to pollute
the board, of as English stage with Italian depravity, or
French dop;icity, they will meet with the just iudigtiotton of
a British public. (A cry If `•se. wort, no nest," accutsjots;ed
ty loud hu:zat). I hove hut one word azure to say—lf yu■
conduct yourselves platpeely, and he. p to your test, I will
wet you here tomorrow sight.'

Having conlcuded this harangue, amid thunders
of applause. another motor rose. to attempt the
prize of similar laurels. His reception was not. how-
ever, so flattering es that of his preileceossie, who,
we understand. is • clerk is the Bulk. The
people took it into their heads that he was •
foreigner, and interrupted. his first efforts with
cries of .. Nefore4stere.i—h he an IfseglitAssais.—
Wedomotunderstandhiar audeimilarexclismation..
By persevering. he at length made his design intel-
ligible, which was to depute two or three persons
to the Manager, to call him before them, and d '-
sure him that they would state their ino.ives and
wishes, without disorder. and bear him, in answer,
without interruption. Ti.. mod• of conduct being
adopted by acclamation, he wee celled en to make
the pubhc sentiments know% Se Mr. limbic Mr.

tlie Gentleman in question, the* addressed
the curtain, andealled on Mr. Kernble,iii the name
of the audience, to come forward awl hear their
e°n3lbliiiutb awl pledged their proinoie, m return,
to Sire him n patient hearing. Five Minutes
were alloweilfor the appearance of Mr. lienahle;
but as there were symptoms of hi,. approach
at nearly the expiration of that time, a Gen-
tleman, in one of the stage boxes, was desired, ns
he could communicate with persons :Iwhind the
scenes, to make the with of the audience known to
the Manager. Mr. tremble instantly came for-
ward, and, after a tedious interval °rimier, said—
" Leiner •NO GZSIVLISSII-..1 watt raspectfany to be
heroortd with your comessode"

Another burst of clamour was the conserpience
•f this unload, and the rival orators, each asserting
his right to be the mouth through which the public
mind was to be unfolded, contributed oidy to
lengthen and to heighten the contention. 'Tice
palm of victory fell upon the Clerk, and lie took
upon hiiuselfto statl, in " three words," whet the
public wanted—•r the old prices."—Mr. Kenible
then addressed the studience, am•d continual inter-
ruptions, in nearly the Ind owing words—
" Lslntrs /IMO G —el have again to return
my eckowsleriltments fur your indultgeneeingiviet a Im':
inn. The raua.' of complaint, as I now •ntlerstand, is the
rise that has taken place us the prices of admission, In the
reign of lane/of Ailey, the price• of admission to the pit was
tluce yhtthwv, and to Use ea:leries, the 1011011 e as it a taw—
s hundred year, ago. Ladies and (.rudetilea, it has been
asserted that the profiti of this Theatre, without soy id-
maws in the price, are sn♦B. lent to secure the Pi OpildOrll
1111004, fortunes 1 Jet-tote to you, on nay honour, sod I weald
out tell a lie for all that the Theatre is wortli--.(fasud 4p-
pleato)—th.it fwe the lasi ten years the Proprietors have sot
received six p,c-s, to their isioney—e,itouiry vested in • pro-
perty oft.. Bortn-ithic tiled aura:hots a nature as this is.
--eliedepeodent of this, I h ire to call 01 your random.
and liberality, ,and upan the candour, justice, and libe-
rality ..f this audience, and of my country, I fearlessly
throw myself) to c.insider the vast repent. of 1500001 is
order foliose the moat beatairal Theatre in the Vain-roe,
for the receptive of the inhibitants of the capital of flu
world! I',w is this the wily heavy disburse•nent we hare
to make. To have a wardrobe, scenery and der-prelim's,
mochas are proper easel ap, (as we term it), pieces, in • man-
ner worthy of you, are other sweets of enormous cost. It is
well knows ti you all, that the materials fur an these
ertiei.s re doulAthl, tripled, qttatintpled, and even more,
within these four or (eve years The Groh:man who ad-
dressed you teat aitbt, said, that' if the advance in the
prices was to be slay salvaatage to the Performers, it ouald
haws his Mid rine support I then call span him, sot upon
you, fur it. roe wtrilio reagrh •f ibis company are belated
me, and will testify, that th: late rise is the mice of &SEC*.
Mon has he.. the ',Ante of •dditiou to their emoluments.
It it, indkel, in-ant only for the better encouragemeol and
sr. poet pf those of our yea-union, mid I trust t►e object
a 1•. be sidfieieut to insure a cumarrelice in year opiates',
that the *mall rite is expedieut and smarmy."
Alt lye t‘ea'e the nt:rrks 'if disapprohatios. which
in:•ced themselves with. cud succeeded thts.speerh.
orator from the Hank again •ddresottd the au-
sliti:ice, nn I ase.er.rd, dolt the
,rise in the prieeii;
so far tr4:u .3.1.1ing 54. to the salary of any gctor,
iso•i•d inateriall) file expense; of their he-
He conjured the m to stick to their text, and
torn th would .be ,siretsf outs:rm.
Tate house then gr-ifittal I e cleared.