The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-04-23 00:00:00

THEATRES.

DRURY-LANE.
Ilolcroft's comedy of The Road to Ruin was performed
last night at this theatre, supported by the entire comic
strength of the hcuse, and rendered more than usually
attractive by the melancholy interest which the public must •
derive from the consciousness that they were to witness
and admire for the last time, at least in the part, .the pro-
fessional efforts of an old and deservedly respected favourite.
Mr. Munden performed Old Dornt9n, it being, to use the
language of the play-bills, his last appearance in that cha-
racter, and this season, if report speaks truth, being the
last of his appearing upon the stage. This circumstance
would of itself, independently of the intrinsic merits of
the comedy, cr the actors, induce us to think most kindly
of the night's performance. There is something in the
approaching separation of old acquaintances which must be
felt ; it cannot be overlooked; it comes home to the bosoms
of aIL Those who for years have witnessed, with pleasure
and delight, the efforts of this admired comedian, must feel
with sensible regrtt the diminution of a portion of their
rational enjoyments in his retirement ; it must also strike
them in a more forcible point of view ; it must remind them
of the approach of that power to which every thing human
owes obedience ; it must teach them, if instruction were
wanted, that the declension of spirit and of power is not
confined to the aetor,—that it must, with equal certainty
and force, reach the spectator of the mimic scene. Reflec-
tions of this nature would disarm the severity of criticism,
even if bsesbness were called for, or rebuke rendered neces-
sary; hut she choice and cast of the pbrformance were, in
our opinion, sufficient of themselves to gratify the most
fastidious. We consider the comedy to be one of the beet
of the modern school, and, notwithstanding its numerous
faults, it will answer to posterity (we believe we may use
the wor))—that which is, after all, the legitimate end
and object of comedy—as a medium and vehicle of the
modes and manners of the present times. Mr. Munden,
' in the interviews with his partner and sou, threw into
his acting all those bursts of pathos which are as natural
to comedy as they are to her sister Muse, and for which,
during his professional career, he has been so much and
' so justly admired. We do not think he could, at any
' period of his professional life, have acted with more viva-
' city, feeling, or spirit; and his retirement, if it does take
place, must be owing more to a creditable anxiety for the
I support of his well-earned reputation, than from any im-
mediate apprehension of its injury or decline. This very
circumstance may, perhaps, speak his discretion and attest
• his judgment. lie is, perhaps, aware that the actor, like
the poet, should not survive his powers, that he should hear
' the warning voice, which whispers in his ear—.
- Ne

Peccat ad exiera am redendus.._

. _
Mr. Munden may be under the eontroul of feelings like this,
and if so, though the public must suffer from his secession;
his reputation will be permanently secured, as he retires,
if he does retire, with talents unimpaired, and general
powers chilled, perhaps, but certainly not exhausted, by
the hand of Time. Mr. Elliston and Mr. Harley acted
with their usual vivacity and spirit ; and Miss tools's
performance of Sophia called down loud and merited ap-
plause. The new Pantomime followed.

COVENT-OARDEN.
The opera of Cluri,or the Maid of Milan, was performed
at this theatre, last evening, to a very crowded audience,
the majority of which was composed of juvenile visitors.
Mr. Fawcett sustained, in the most admirable manner, the
part of Rolamo, and Miss M.Tree performed, with even more
than her usual excellence, the character of Clara% It has al-
ways been her favourite one; and she appears peculiarly cal-
culated to represent the interesting and virtuous, though err-
' ing, daughter of the forlorn and hopeless old man. Her na-
tural sweetness and gentleness, added to her accurate concep-
tion of the part, always has the effect it had on her auditors
last night, of exciting their sympathy to a very high degree;
and we do not think any actress on the stage our her
in this respect. Miss Love supported with her
archness, boldness, and vivacity, the. merry Yes/lime, and
sang in excellent style the song, "Oh ! Love is a mischie-
vous boy ;" bet we cannot help condemning what we have
so frequently condemned—her continued straining after
points, and her very great anxiety to display her stage-
tricks. The Ilenter of the Alps followed; and the new
grand Egyptian romance, entitled The Spirits of the Moos,
completed the amusements of the evening. Our remarks
on this drama have been already given ; and we have
nothing further to observe tespecting it, except that the
performers sustained their parts as well as they were mi-
shit(' to do, in a piece which is " got up" for no other
purpose than the exhibition of sp'cndid scenery and mag-
nificent dress: s. The audience appeared perfectly satisfied
with the amusements of the night, and the snore juvenile
portion greeted it with continued plaudits.

A Ntusic..l Festival is contemplated to be given this year
or the next, upon a magnificent scale, in NVestminster
Abbey.
Noblet will make her first appearance at the Opera-
house next Saturday. A Monsieur Ferdinand will also
make his first appearance at that splendid theatre next
Tuesday. _

- The nuptials between Lord Francis Conyngharn and
Lady Jane Paget, we bear, are to be solemnized to-mor-
row, at St. George's, Hanover-square.
The Marquis of Stafford end family occupy the house
heretofore the Marquis IVelltsley's, on Richmond 11111,
and his Lordship finds it agree with his health better than
any other of his tesidences, which is no small gratification
to the townsfolk (es they are called), as the Noble Marquis
and Marchioness live in the proper and liberal style .f our
English nobility, dispensing comfort and happiness to all
around them. _

Sid Hussey Vivian, who had a severe fall from his horse,
and broke his collar bone, whilst hunting, is as well as
couhl expected, after such a severe accitlet•.t.