The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-11-29 00:00:00

THEATRES.

DRURY-LANE.
ThS comic opera of The Haunted forcer was
performed (for the first time this season) on S4tur-
day evening. The performance presented a rich
treat to the lovers of harmony, and a powerful con-
ceutration of vocal talent ; the play-bill coetsiatel
the names, not to mention those of other musical
performers held by the public in deserved repute,
of BRARANt, PRARMAN, Miss C•REW, Mrs.
BLAND, and Miss BYRNE. It was severe indiepo-
lion which prevented the last lads from completing
her former engagement at this theatre. lu the in-
terval she has re-appeared, and played on the Dub-
lin boards with the swine brilliant success which at-
tended her from her debut at that stage till her de-
parture. She has now obtained an engagement of
twelve nights from Mr. ELLISToN, and we doubt not
hut the cordial and enthusiastic feelings with which •
very large and fashionable audience greeted her re-
appearance on Saturday night, and the high merit*,
musical and histrionic, winch she displayed, will
lead to air retention of it. Miss BYRNE to eked
greatly improved in health, and its usual attend-
nuts—spirits sad 11111m1111011 to which lag. 10.
tired, the air of Drury-lane (notwithstanding the
effects of the fog were perceptible in the house) is
much more genial than when she before stripped Its
lirr entrance on the stage was marked by
roil% of applause repeated from all parts of the
house. The part sustained by Muss BYRNE was that
of Addis. It comprises several simple tender air.,
%loch she gave with great sweetness, delicacy,
and expression. In the third act, she introdoc-
cil the recitative and polacca, called, " The
War has ceased," composed expressly for her
be G. A. Hoosote. This was • severer trial of
lier powers, out of which she passed with new
claims to panegyric. To sing it even tolerably
requiree considerable compass and body of voice,
and powers of execution. Miss BYRNE manifested
a perfect command of these and every other requi-
bite, particularly in the concluding stanzas, and was
accompanied at the close by an unanimous and
.ap:torous burst of applause. A loud call of "En-
core" followed, and though several persons called
out, and with great truth, " the exertion is
too great." and though Miss BYRNE re-
mantled hesitating a considerable time whether
she should obey the call, the audience were
eat to be satisfied till the piece was repeated.
She also introduced the old Irish air of Kathleen
fre Akre, never before sung in public, the words a
literal translation from the Irish. Like most of the
old music of its country, the characteristics of this
song are sweetness, plaintiveness, and wildness—
qualities which in the performance Miss BYRNE
preserved most faithfully, pouring forth its artless
notes in a strain of inexpressible softness and ten-
denies.. Sim was only saved from being obliged te
sing it again be the interposition of the more con-
siderate part of the audience. But she was
encored in the duet with Edward, in the first
act, and with Lady lileanor in the third.—
Miss BYttes's acting was lively. natural, and
quite suited to her character. Her success was
brilliant in the highest degree. Miss CUBIT?, ow.
in; to the sudden indisposition of Miss CAREW,
undertook, at • very short notice, the part of Lady
Eleanor, and acquitted herself entirely to the se-
ti.Netioo of the house. Mrs. BLAND represented
Cie,* with becoming pertness and vivacity. Mr.
Ile AHASS played Lord William. We never heard him
in finer voice—never observed him produce a more
deep impression. or more sincere applause among
lii• anditore. This remark applies to all his songs
mid airs; were we to select wrens more particularly
entitled to encomium, it would perhaps be that
in the third act in which Lord William gives utter-
toner to his heroic sentiments on opening the doors
rie the Ilaueted Tower, and discovering the armour
.11 Ins father, " Spirit of my Sainted Sire." The
power of execution slid sublimity of expression
with which he gave this grand piece of music,
have scarcely ever been exceeded. It was most
rapturously encored. He introduced the favourite
duet, s' I lore thee," by Bisuoie, which was
much applauded, and the beautifully pathetic
ballad of " Slow broke the Light," which was
unatiiiirously encored. Mr. PEARMAN'S singing
ur tkartes was distinguished by sweetness and
boldness. Mr; HARLEY personated the imam-
bowls Edward with correctness and humour.

Mr. CATTIE exhibited a very ridiculous, but a
very faithful portrait of the new-created Baron
Oakland. Mr. SMITH'S and Mr. M'KEon's exer-
tions in Lewis and Robert did them great cre-
dit. and Mr. MEREDITH was a most natural repre-
sentative of the faithful old Hugo. The characters
were east with consummate judgment. The excess.
noir of the various choruses in the opera indicated
all extensive combination of harmonic faculties--
and the instrumental music was exquisite. The
performance was honoured with undivided sp.
plause.

COYENT.OAIDZN.

The musical drama of Rob Roy was performed
at this theatre on Saturday evening. After the
opening of the doors, hand-bills were circulated in
various parts of the house, announcing the and-
iltn indisposition of Mr. Ai C REA DY. The follow-
ing is a copy of the bill :

" Theatre-Royal, Covent-Gardes, Nov. 27.
'• The Public is respectfully informed that Mr. MAC-
R i•DY, after reltrersal to-day, was au severely attacked by
iiiiiiaposition, that it will be impossible fur him to appear
lists canting. To prevent a dotage of the pe►formance, Mr.
Yale has kindly undertaken the part, relying ea the indul-
gence of a generous public."

On the rising of the curtain, an apology was nude
to this effect, and Mr. YATES, on his entrance, was
received with every mark of indulgence. He per.
formed the character in a manner very creditable
to his talents. All the other parts were sustained
with their usual excellence.
The opera was succeeded by the little piece,
entitled A Short Reign anti a Merry Use, which
want off with eclat.

There is now in an orchard belonging to a Gen.
tleinsii at Rumbold's Whyke, near Chichester. an
apple tree in full luxuriance of blossom, which, in
the autumn, produced an excellent crop of frpit.
Five h.indred and fifty-two apples, of the ruasset
kind were exhibited so Thursday last at hfuldow,
by a gardener of that town, in • puns-pot ; the
largest of the fruit.did not exceed the sise of •
grape, and others were less than full•gnwW..
They were the produce of • second crop.