The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-12-30 00:00:00

THEATRES.

DRURY-LANE.
Hosts.': tragedy of Dentriat was last night per-
formed, and was heard by the audience in perfect
silence, unless where applause intervened. This
was a circumstance extremely pleasing to us, whose
auricular nerves, somewhat injured by the violent
uproar of the preceding esentlig, had ocareely re-
covered their natural toile. Mrs. GLOVER appear-
ed, fur the first time, PS Lady Randolph, and
exhibited a correct and sensible, if not a very
highly-finished pictore of the character. She
looked the matron, whose beauties were faded in-
deed, but not withered, by the touch of grief—
and she gave to her principal scenes, eninigh of
force, and soffit tent of feeling, always to command
the plandit•, sometimes the teals, of her audi-
tors. Mr. H. KESIBLE supported the character of
Douglas—the ingenuous, the brave, the lofty-
minded Dough's. !Its performance was very un-
most of his performances. which we
have seen, weir disfigured by this fault. In two
of his scenes, his animation mud spirit ',leased us.
We allude In his rencontre with Glenalron, and his
filial interview with his mother. •I hey are two
very importing and difVult scenes—and, .in
both, Mr. It KEP4BLE performed with mote vi-
gour, and entered inure completely into the feel-
ings which actuate the character lie represented,
than he is wont to do. The other parts of his per.
formance partook too much or frigid declainstien.
The school-buy speech, " My name is Aorriii," we
had almost said, was badly recited. Mr. H. Jotiv-
%Tom, as (Wendt:on, was very suceerafal iu IPS
taunting scene with Douglas—amid delivered his
soliloquies with the moat pointed effect. (Ild
Aorval was respectably personated by Mr. PoWEI.L.
Tip. curtain fell amidst the plainlits of the midi-

ence—and harmony prevailed in the house, u.itil
the overture to the new Noontime of Harlequin
Gad the Dandy tints was performed. But, no
1111111 C! Mils it concluded—lin gunner dill the
aath-
encr, on the of th's curt,..... hettuld the in-
terior of Itandinett•l's ssardr,,l‘p, than a stunning
uproar cormuenc-it. Mr. SP:NAG/le ty, who had
posted himself', as usual, in the stage-box, at-
tempisal to 'address the audience. But what
is one 0,04 opposed to three thousand? Al-
though,--sinslging from the irmitoiletate sire of
month which he displaed—from the violence of
gesticulation=-awl the sparks of fury that flashed
from hut eyes, which appeared almost starting from
their sockets,— there can be no doubt that he ivied
lilt lemma exertions to Le heard ; still all his efforts
were useless. He was obliged to sit down, without
effecting his object. On inquiry, we understand it
was tds wish to state, that lie had no personal
;..tt•..4lhy to Mn. BaAoßUßT—that he •+:ty se-
tit'hed '1.4111 .;.- +pwl.lY be had mode--but that,
to propitiate his good ~',it, was absolutely ne-
cessary the pantomime should he withdrawn.
During the time this cool, temperate, ow' sensible
dramatic censor was haranguing the house, the pan-
tomime was proceedir.g, amidst such yelling, bawl-
whistlitig. and thumping, at formerly distin-
guished the 0. P. contest. These horrid noises
were poured forth► in peculiar abundance, awl with
peculiar strength, when llr. BRADDUaIf aimeored
on the stage—and, strange to say, those who made
them seemed to be impelled by 11 more than stud,-
wiry degree of furor, when the unfortunate Ciotoa,
who exerted himself greatly, and manifested sur-
prising I.trength and agility, was jiurticutarly site-
crssful in any of his efforts. In one part of the pan-
tomime, it was Mr. BR4DBURY'S duty to traverse
thestage on a pair of crutches 12 or 14 feet high.
On these he approached the box where

" Eni!won's' in awful slate,
" The sage 11114Naghten sate;"

and, taking off' his chapeau, he made repeated obei.
sauces to the gentleman whom he was said to have
offended. Mr. M'NAGHTEN was not tardy so re-
turning the compliment. He rose, bowed to, and
applauded Mr. BRADBURY, most fervently. He
again attempted to address the audience—but its
vain did hr assume a pacific countenance—vainly
slid hr place his hand on his heart—the andieuce
were determined that th►re should be no monopoly
of twine, and would only allow him, in common
with others, his fair proportion. The hideous
storm which we have described, continued, with
but our short intermission, until the curtain
dropped, at about twenty minutes past ten
o'clock—the pantomitne having bees. amended, by
omitting one half of it. The liar/IFNI of peace to
which we have alluded was while Miss Tams per.
formed a solo on the flageolet. which was encored.
Very few of the audience left the theatre when
the curtain fell, and the cry of " Bradbury!"
and Manager !" was loud and determined.
This continued for twenty miuutes, when Mr.
Baxosuax apprured. Ile was greeted, on Ilia
entrauce, with groans and hisses, by one party,
with plaudits by another. But, between the noire
made by friends and foes. there was tin chance
of his bring heard. He entreated silence. by
various eloquent gestures—and at length, prof
pudor ! sank on one knee ! Humiliation avail-
ed nothing—and, although called upon to come
forward, he was obliged to depart, without be-
Mg heard. His retreat from the stage berm-
ed only to exasperate those who, when lie
was on it, would not let him speak—a tre-
mendous outcry for " the Manager!" ensued.
Before the Manager made his appearance, un orator.
of saturnine hue, and stentorian voice, addressed
the limisr from the third tier of boxes. He roared
himself hoarse, and was obliged to give over,
111 'cry abort time, to the unspeakable delight of
those who are averse to discordant sounds. He
strenuously defended Mr. B3nauaut•.v, who, lie
said, had made as ample an apology as any
man could he expected to make—and culled on
Mr. M`NAGHTAN to declare, why, if lie did slot
harbour at private spleen against that individtll, he
should not be contented with a public apology ?
Mr. M'NAGHTEN was again anxious to he heard
—but he was obliged to proceed in dumb slits,.
A Lady. from the front of the two-shilling gallery,
now preferred her humble claim to be braid. She
had the appearance of a hitter shrew—mid had,
very probably. like DEmosirtizsit.s, taken her chief
lessons of eloquence out the sea-shore—prrhaps iu
the neighbourhood of Portsmouth. She seemed to
think that action was the first, s.-cond. and !lord.
requisite, its public speaking—and moved her arms
with Itandall-like velocity. The gentkr-Ir.r always

Navy' and attention. Tile Lady kite,:la power--sad
in accents not very rental kid& for softness, declared.
" that a coustriraey existed to pia down Ohl Drury !
The Pantomime was is good pantontiine—albeit the
Dendier didn't like it ! And how should they, poor
'biog.! when it exposed all their effeminate arts !
She saw dozens of them in the boxes, with large col-
lars—hut, If they had spirit enough to strip to tight,
which she much doubted, they would he found
withont shirts." This sally created much latigloier„
and the Lady was loudly cheered. Mr. Sri:-
I'IIEN KEMBLF. now appeared. He eildeavour-
ed to procure silence--but being uoistumess-
ful in the attempt, he addressed himself first
to the individuals in front of the pit, and next to
those who were in the stave-Ilex, in which Mr.
hI'NAGATEn sat, awl stated, " That the p into-
Intineshould be withdrawn r' This declaration
fled many, and is considerahle number departed from
the house. A large body, however, still reinrined
—acid a general call for :I.lr. IlltAottuxv again re-
stoooded timing!) the house. An altercation took
place between some young sioarks in due boxes, who
insisted that Alr. lIIIADCLIRY should make an
apology for his conduct, in do-milli., out what
was denominated, a genera: cflatlenge,"dA the prr-
redilig eveniog, and a party of lilt qiends iu
the it, who asserted that lie had herb Maw°.
perly treate::. In the midst of this' dispute,
the chandelier-light was lialf.extingni4ed—the
other liglos having been before put; out.—
Great indignation was expressed ut this wet.
Shouting roil jumping on the se its of !the pit
seemed to ht the prelude to violent priateedings.
At this moment, si young blood, in the boxes, tone
up One of the choirs, which he Cams tutu the Pits
and thrust -his foot through another. He was
warned by ;t gentleman near hint, not to Pemilit is
such conduct—sad perceiving that he was marked
by two or the firemen eunneereri with the theatre,
he took the earl test (opportunity or decamping.
The climidelier was agam fully illuminated, and
the cry for Mr. BRADISUItY and the Manager WWI
stoutly persevered in. Twelve,c'clock hail heady
approached when a fresh orator OPPellred iu the Pit.
He solid, as it was growing bate, and there wra
evidently no Ise loeltirid the Perin, to answer
them. it would he better for them to depart.—
But lie hoped, in tlie fist 'dace, they would resolve
never to let Mr. ItKribliTtltY appear 011 the •13,.:e
ogoot as long as our ut them existed. This humane
proposition was received with applalli•eb by bottle,
au I, by other., with abuse and execration.
At tabors' it quarter past twelve the house was
completely cleared—and thus ends the history of,
lievr, the first Christe:4 punfooninte—a thing
meant for the entertainment of children—that was
ever formally withdrawn, in compliance with the
serious command of Wren! But, doubtless. a (11i.
tmetion will he made—and we shall he told, that
Detndics, not men, have it eight to all the honour
atteuding such a triumph.

COYENT-OARDEV.

Last night the comedy of She .Stoops to Conquer,
was performed. Before the curtain rose, Mr. AB.
aorr came forward, and requested the indulgence
of the audience on behalf of Miss FOOTE, who, lie
stated, was labouring tinder a most severe cold, but
resolved, from anxiety to discharge her duty, and
the impractleability of procuring a substitute in con-
sequence of the suddenness of the attack, to act
her part in the best manner she could. The address
was received with instant signs of compliance—and
Miss Fool% played the part for which she had
been announced, ildiss Neville, very crerlitab.y.
making allowance fur the disadvantage under which
she laboured. Mrs. DAVENPORT dreWird Mrs.
liordcastle The formidable outwork,
of the stiff, dirk, flowered silk gown and petti-
coat, looking as if a burden to carry ; the ruffles
of huge dimensions below the elbows, and the
fan of similar proportions, exactly marked the plain
country gentlewonsaiiof the old school. Her act-

ing was equally excellent and characteristic. The
old lady's vanity. so readily mortified in the first
scene withilfr husband, and tickled its that with
Railings, was pourtrayed to the life. ; anti her
alternate coaxing and scolding, fondling mitt chas-
tising her hopeful sun, were entirely hound and
m-st laughable. Miss Hrturerox's Miss lined-
castle was innocent, interesting', animated, and
arch. The passage in which, under her dis,ttin.e.
she rallies ilitsr/otc for his bashful belivviour towards
Miss Ibmicasile, possessed much of the air of light
and well-bred ridicule. Mr. LISTON remitted
Tong L urnpkin fully as amusing as he was design-
ed to ter. To the expression of his rage against
Cousin Con. for her imagined pursuit after his
amiable self, he made an ailtlitieu which set the
house in a roar—" Do you not teen follow tne to
the stable, anti (10 not you catch that cold there ?"
Mr. FAWCLTT played 1)/d ilardcusile very sews
creefully. Mr. KEsintA's representation of the
bashful lover was highly correct and ludicrous.
The vett eating address and eitle buw, the stammer-
ing pronunciation and half-averted look, the turn-
ing the hut and twirling the stick, and gazing at
the bouts., or any thing but his mistress. formed a
felicitous picture of the effect of an introduction to
a fine whirl nt on a youth of mammas, house. The
play was exceedingly well acted, and dining its
five acne left but few moments of serioueiirss to
the auditors.

The ii.rutomime unlit ofr with the .troligest marks
of ratibfacilun from a moat crowded 110114 C.

The following is a list of Briti.h ships building
and repairing :
Buildisg—ttriiaimis,i2n; Portland, GO ; Laneaster, GO ;
London, 104 ; Eclipse, 11l ; Emulous, 10; two revenue

Sailing ern ft—Certv•riss, 46; Circe, 40; Pruaerpine,
46 ; Stalirn, 46 ; Lyra, 10; Partridge 10.
lieprririttq —Fintilrnyant, 84 ; Stirling Caatle, 74; Mill-
grnve. 74 ; Kent, 80 ; 12kartinoillh, 42 ; I.yriinum, 42 ; Co-
lumbine, 16 ; Hebron, 10.

lientling.—Wintlanr Castle, 74; Superb, 70; Arab, IS ;
rrveliue cutter.

The folinwnig is given as an improved method of
preventing the bluer taste which butter has Mt this
per nd he year, hum cattle feeding on turnips,
cabbage•, leaver' or trees, Sre.
" nod two ounces of saltpetre to • quart of water, and
poi Iwo or more tpootifitla ■erording to the quantity of milk,
into a pail ; before milking, if this is done colialautty it will
prevent the Igoe of ton. spa, but it will not be cif. led if
area oar, negleried. Tbir ha■ loin proved by 'went) yearn
t apt I-it nc. , :UM if it duea loot succeed, the fit-niers mlyl I at
thy Null arises from the neglect of the dairy-