The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-02-05 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

1
The Tragedy of Macbeth was the performance of last
night. Mr. Kean was the representative of the ambitious
Thane, and from the feeling manifested, and the conduct
adopted by the audience, he was enabled to perform the
arduous character with almost uninterrupted tranquillity
throughout. The house was nearly filled at an early
hour ; the flag of peace appeared to be the banner under
which the entire audience was marsh+hoed, and that quiet
which has been for some nights banished from the theatre
scented, to an impartial spectator, to be perfectly re-
stored. A circumstance which took place in the pit
during the first act of the play placed the feelings of the
assembly in the most unequivocal light, and demonstrated
that the vast majority would not sutfcr the amusements of
the night to be impeded or disturbed. A critic in this part
of the house, which has been from time immemorial devoted
to the use and occupation of the critic tribe, - was so borne
away by his seal for that morality which he conceived was
offended by the recent conduct of an individual who per-
to-med upon the stage, that, forgetful of the plot of the
strains, mindless of the text of the great poet, and totally ab-
sorbed in the defence of the cause which was so dear to him,
he mistook the wounded sergeant for the legitimate object
of his tesentment, and rented bis vittuoue indignation so
boisterously, and with such little regard to the lungs and
feelings of his peaceable neighbours, that after a discussion
of a short, though decisive nature, in which those around
him endeavoured in vain to convince him of his error, and
that the individual who had incurred his resentment was
Mr. Corner, not Mr. Kean, he retired with precipitation,
and left the cause of which he was the sturdy advocate, in
the hands of those who generally repair to the theatre for
the purpose of witnessing a scenic representation. This
early interruption, and the decisive feeling manifested
by the audience in checking it, insured tranquillity
for the rest of the night. The performer himself ap-
peared to receive additional energy from the suppres-
sion of that clamour which was so lately indicative of
his unpopularity, and exerted himself to the utmost to
maintain that professional character which is consi-
dered to be totally unconnected with, and separate from,
his private conduct. It is of course unnecessary to add,
he did ample justice to the character, and in some of
the scenes his genius shone with distinguished lustre.
In the dagger and banquet scenes he was eminently suc-
cessful. We believe few persons could witness the exer-
tions of the actor in those trying parts, without regretting
the temporary interruption of his delightful powers; and the
most rigid guardian of morality may, in our opinion, be
pardoned for exclaiming with regret and sorrow, if such
were the decree of the public,
‘, Othello's occupation's gone."
Though the character did not contain many passages con-
taining allusions to past events, there were some which did
not pass quite unnoticed. When the Lady desires Mac-
beth to
" Look the innocent flower.
But be the serpent under it." _ _

many of the audience teemed to make an application by
no means favourable to the object of it. When, after the
murder of Duncan, he is expostulated with upon his- put-
tirg to death the gr•oms, he answers, with all that energy
and effect which he is so capable of communicating—
" Who could reh..ia that had a heart to lore ?'
The audience received the passage with loud and long-con-
tinued cheers ; they appeared to consider it in the light of
some apology for tit.: delinquency of which he was guilty,
and for which he has been severely puniahed, both on the
stage and off About the commencement of the fifth
act, there was some interruption given by an individual in
one of the dress-boxes, but he was quickly obliged to yield
to the almost unanimous disapprobation expressed at his
conduct. There was, in the early part of the night, a total
absence of all those matters which are generally indicative
of commotion ; there were no placards exhibited until after
half-price, and them of a modaate and deprecatory nature:
two of these came under our observation ; one appealed to
the audience, and asked it' it were not cruelty for a
multitude to assail an individual ; the other requested
the friends of Mr. Kean and the Drama to refrain
that evening from the expression of their feelings ; I
by so doing those opposed to the performer would feel
conscious of their utter weakness, and thus peace would
be restored. From all these symptoms, we venture to
assert that the waters have subsided, and peace may be
once more considered as the inmate of the theatre, at least
as far as the audience, and those who exert their abilities
for their amusement, are concerned. Mrs. Dunn appears
to have availed herself of the many hints she has received,
and played the Lady with much less rant, and proportion-
ably more effect and skill, than she was accustomed.
Upon the falling of the curtain Mr. Kean was loudly
called for, but did not make his appearance. Mr. Penley
attempted to announce the performance of this night,
but could not obtain a hearing. The new pastoral ballet
of The Romig /tot, or the Bird in the Bush, Lad not
greater attractions; and, when three promising children
(the only rational cause of whose appearance upon the
boards of the theatre can be but to serve as a puff for their
dancing masters) presented themselves, they were received
With a shout that must have startled their young senses;
they paused with one accord, and with a sagacity which, I
considering their years, redounds to their credit, they
bu-tied from the scene. and sought shelter from the
peltings of the storm. When she cry for Mr. Kean had
continued a considerable time, Mr. Youngs, who obtained
a hearing with great difficulty, stated, that he had left the
home immediately after his performance. With this de-
claration the audience were satisfied, the amusements of
tb' night were resumed, and terminated with the usual
tranquillity and good order.

The Duke of York, the Duke of Clarence, and the
Princess Sophia, visited his Majesty yesterday.
The Duke of Clarence came to town yesterday morning,
from his residence at Bushy. His Royal Highness re-
turned to Bushy st half-past four in the afternoon.
Yesterday the Marquis of Anglesea and the Earl of
Westmorland had audiences of the King.
The Cibinet Ministers bad a meeting yesterday after-
noon, at two o'clock, at the Foreign Office.
Mr. Ilurtado, the Envoy from Colombia, now occupies
the splendid establishment in Portland-place, lairthe resi-
dence of his Excellency the Spanish Ambassador. Co-
lotbbia stock is now 91, Spanish ; a short time ago
Spanish stock was SO, Colombia under 22, we believe 131.
per 100/.
Cost. CON.—A most distressing item has been lately
added to the catalogue of Crier. Cons., which, from their
frequency now-a-days, really appear to belong to transac-
tions of ordinary occurrence. The parties are in high life,
and are both nobly allied. The husband of the fair de-
linqaent, an Irish Earl, has, we understand, lately ex-
pended upwards of PO,OOO/. in improvements on his Leauti-
ful and romantic residence in the South of Ireland. The
gay I.utharto is the brother of an Irish Peer, and his
inamorata is the daughter of an ancient I'cer, the sister of
I'ecr, and the sister-in-law of a Peer. Thus the *Tilr
licks nothing of nobility or rank to render it highly
fashionable. The injured husband, with feelings of credit-
able delicacy for the station of the parties, and unwilling
to involve so many persons of distinction in the un-
pleasantness inse..rarable from a public exposure, oft red to
semis,; a trial provided the lady would return to her own
family, and leave the Hon. Gentleman for whose society
she bad deserted his protection. With this requisition the
la ly refused to comply, and notice of trial has been con-
- *.tiently served upon the fugitives, who are at present
no) turning on the Continent. The Gentleman, on receiv;
in; the notice, expressed his surprise at being singled out
by the Noble Earl, as there " were others who might be
dm laity addressed with equal, if pet more reason and
prrpriety." The trial, we understand, will certainly take
pl . e—probably in Ireland.
fur. NEW! OF /..11.1••tUkt AND F•IDION.—An un-
orniped Edition for sending in parcels, or for Town delivery, price
'IA —A stamped Edition of this Weekly Journal, for transini.sion I
by Pub. Pried D.—Published by E.D. Poncho; 7, Brydges•street,
Covent-ganlen, and to be had of all Booksellers and NeV/IlMell.--
The 36th Ne. published this day, contains, tnnorg other articles of
vest interest, the following :-1. Public Character of Mr. Hus-
View, ; 2. Elgin Marble., with a Drawing; 3. " At Boole," a
*ttt4touper.in the New (toad; 4. Pecan:wade in Hyde-nark. ard
-Sketches of me Faith/made Promenaders • S. The National Devotion
of theKnaliah, Soots, and Irish; 6. Literary Chit-chat; 7. The King
*of Porfugal's State Carriage ; 8. The Life of a Tar, No. 11; 9. Tor-
ments of the Turnpike-men lO. The present Pilgrimageto Rome;
11. Booksellers ; 13. Periodicals—the Westminster, No. V 13.
Tan, ; Reviews of Books, etc. Ise.

•
FAS II lONA LE INTELLIGSNCS.
The Duke of Norfolk entertained a distinguished party at dinner
on Thursday, at his house in St,James'a.square.
The Alarquis of Cholmondelcy had a dinner party on Thursday,
at his house in Piccadilly.
Lord Colchester had a dinner party yesterday, at his house in
Spring-gardens.
Emily Marchioness of Londonderry eoteetained an elegant circle
of fashionable' yesterday evenirg, at her house in St. James's-
sqt,rare.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury arrived on Thurs-
day, at their house in Park-place. from their seat, Hatfield.
Lord Yarborough arrived yesterday at his house in Arlington-
street, front the Isle of Wight.
Lord Nugent arrived yesterday in town, from his seat, LElleys,
Bucks.
The Earl and Countess Spencer arrived yesterday evening at their
house in St. James's-place, from their seat, Althorpe, Northamp-
tonshire.
Lard Molyneux inked yesterday at his father's, (Ls Earl of
Sefton's) in Arlington-street, from the Earl of Coverrr,i's seat,
Creme, Worcestershire.
Sir .1. Wells, Bart. left town yesterday for his seat in Sussex.
Lords Robert and Charles Manners left town yesterday, for Bel_
vole Castle.
Henry Henke', Esq. M.?. has arrived at his house, Old Palace-
yard, from his seat, hingston Hall, Dorset.
The Earl and Countess of Radnor have arrived in town, from
their scat, Longford Castle, Wiltshire.
The Earl of Carnarvon and Lady 11. Herbert have arrived in
Lower Grosvennrstreet, from their seat, High Clare. Berkshire.
The Earl and Countess Sefton, and the Ladies Molyneux, are',
expected in town on Thursday next, from Paris.
I The Earl of tiosfort has left town, for his sent in Suffolk.
Arrivals at Kirkhatn's Hotel, Lower Brook-street :—Lord
Thomas Cecil, from Ireland; —Batson, Esq. from Oxford;
sod Wm. Gale, tsq. from a tour.
Arrivals at 'Thomas's Hotel. Berkeley.square s—Henry Baring,
Esq. M.P. from Paris; and Mr. and Mrs. Armitage, trout their
seat in Yorkshire.
Arrivals at the Bath Hotel, Arlington-street :—Colonel and
Mrs. North, from the Continent; Mr. and Mrs. Corrine, from
Bath; Mr. Abrahams, from a tour; and Alaxwcll, Esq.
M.P. from a tour. (Departures:—Mr. and Mrs. Woodman, for
Essex ; and Mr.. Mrs. and Miss Turner. for Bath.
Arrivals at Blake's Hotel, Jermyn-street :—Mr., Mrs. and Miss
Nes ton, from Norfolk; Yugo. Esq.: Buller, Isq. ;
Dominic Brown, Esq. ; Hope, Esq. ; and —al elvil!e, Esq.
from Scotland.
Arrivals at Alivart'a Hotel, Lower Crook-street :—The Court-
ten of !Ramified, and Lady Louisa tireville, and family from
Richmond Hill; Col. and ISlrs. Cuffs and family from Dublin
Castle; John Childers, Esq. and Mrs. Childers and family, from
Henley-on-Thames ; Edward Foley, Esq. from his seat, Stoke
Edith Park, Herefordshire. Departure :—Sir Hedwortlt IVillimm-
son, Bart. for the North of England.

PROTESTA.VT PETITION.
•
A Protestant Petition in favour of Emancipation is now
in the course of signature, at Dublin. The following is a
copy: --
To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled.
"Rte, the undersigned Nobility, Gentry, Bankers, Merchants,
and Traders, of Dublin, being Protestants, humbly, but earnestly,
entreat that your Honourable House will be pleased to investigate,
in your wisdom, the nature and the operation of the disqualifying
laws which affect our Roman Catholic fellow-subjects, with a view
to ascertain whether, at the present period of :ime, and in the actual
circumstances of thee, realms, the repeal of such dam be not re-
commended by considerations of the truest policy, as a measure
pre-eminently calculated to strengthen the foundations, and to et-
tend the influence and the blessings of our national institutions,
political and religious, and as a measure which in its tendency to
allay the discontent inseparable from a condition of unmerited dis-
franchisement, and to combine, throu'h a community of Constitu-
tional privileges, all classes of the people, in one common sentiment
of warm unqualified attachment to the State, would powerfully
contribute to promote the concord and multiply the resources of the
Empire, and thus effectually to consolidate its strength, exalt its
glory, and perpetuate its prosperity.
" May it therefore please your Honourable House to investigate,
in your wisdom, the nature and the operation of the disqualifying
laws which affect our Roman Catholic fellow-subjects.
" And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will pray."
Among the numerous names affixed to the Petition, we observe
the following:—
The Earl of Meath, Earl of Charlemont, Lord Castlecoote, Sir
Capel Molyneux, Bart., R. W. Talbot, 7.1.1'., H. White, M.P.,
John David La Touche, Esq., banker, Thomas Finlay, Esq. ditto,
Robert Law, Esq., ditto. Benjamin Ball. Esq., ditto, together
with lawyers of professional eminence, and the great body of our
coding and most respectable merchants.