The National Register.
London, England, 1816-11-18 00:00:00

THE DR4M4.

DRUKY-LANE.

Mier the popular Comedy of The Guardians, Which
was performed on Saturday se'n2' to a crowded
Inause, a new Ballet in one act, led The Bridal of
Zephyr.and Flora, the composition of Mr. Byrne, was
represented tir the that time with the most complete
success. It is, without exception, the most tasteful and
elegant Spectacle, as a Ballet, that has yet been pro-
ducted on the English stage. l n the scenery, machinery,
asuirtisairatians, it is got up in the best styled the Pa-
Stitopl, and it was admirably performed. Mr.
Oscar 'Byrne' and Miss Smith, who personified Zephyr
and Flora, and the fascinating Fairy, Miss Gladhill,
in the character of Cupid, executed pas de hula that was
particularly admired for its novelty and grace. The
tiroapes of Loves and Sports in the train of the princi-
pal characters were beautifully disposed, and the little
'Corps of Cupids, who floated in the fine scene at the
conclusion, produced a most enchanting effect. The
whole was warmly applauded, and at the end was ho-
nonred with three distinct rounds of applause from all I
parts of the TheatTe..
COVENT-GARDEN.

A new Musical Drama, called The Slave, was, on
Tuesday night last, produced at this Theatre. The story,
is long and. complex ; the following, however, is a brief
outline of it:—
Captain Clifton (Dernset), having been in garrison at Sari-
najp, Ibis beeoe enamoured of a female slave, Zelinda (Mist
Otepliens.), who, having consehted to his wishes, has become
a mother, Wile,/ Clifton is sent to Europe with dispatches.
At the time the piece opens be is just returned with a new
Governor, sent out Zo quell an insurrection of the slaves. His
passiun remaining still unabated. he is determined to obtain
the freedom of Zrlinda, and to marry her. Dining the time
he was sweat, Zeliiitia having wandered into the woods with
her infant, an enormous serpent sprung at the child and seized
it. The screams of the terrified mother calls to her aid the
slave, at work ii: an adjoining plantation, all of whom, how.
ever, on seeing the venomous reptile, tied, with the exception
of one named Gambia (Macready), who crushed the serpent,
and preserved the child unhurt. Affection for the mother
succeed the deliverance of her infant; and the prolonged ab-
a4se6,i'vf."Ciptain C,hfton giving occasion to suspect he will
never return, Gambia is encouraged to urge Ins suit; and
*hell ea the point of suceediug, as he hopes at least, Clifton
returns amid claims his bride. Gambia, enraged and frantic
at his disappointment, wows revenge against Clifton, but is
diverted from his purpose by the tears of Zelinda. Clifton, ,
however, earned at what he styles the presumption of the
slave, urges the GovCrnor to place him in confinement. This ,
the Governor refuses to do; but, ob the contrary, urged with
the many traits of Itmitup observable in Gambia, pots a swore)
into bisrianil, and entrusts him with a principal cotton:sod LI
the eat/edifies' against the revolted negroes. The first use W.
mikes of the confidence thus placed us him is to save the Intl
Of his rival and Comanutder, Clifton, and by his subsequent
bravery he does :ouch towards die reduction of the rebellious
glare's. Clifton returns vletorions. and receives the thanks •.
•f the Governor fur his services, and, wet). ding to the custom
of the island, a privilege of giving freedom to any slave be
thinks fit. The Governor expected he would bestow this
blessing on his. intended bride Zelinda. Clifton, however,
guided by his grathUde, declines he gives freedoM to Gam-
bia, who, comma/hag his 'whims, joins the bawds of Clifton
iind• Zeliods, surd declares that his gratitude to Clifton for
maturing nun tit freedom shall ead only with his life. Soou
after this, whilst preparations are makiag at the plantation of
Mr*. Lindenberg (Mrs. Egerton), fur the marriage of Clifton
end Zelinthi, Young Luideubutigh, whose property Zelinda is,
retains from turopv, where he has been living a life of dissi-
pation, and where he has met Captain Clifton. anti plundered
bins at the gatinegtaWe at Paris, under an ussumed name :
the result is a duel, in which Ltudenburgh is vanquished, sun
conceives, in tionsequeuee, an inveterate hatred for his opt..,
poitenr,apd on his arrival at Surinam to take possession of hi '
property. he 4eaerattiaes to gratify his reveuge. He refine,
to give liberty to his sieve, Zefiuda or her child, but sends
them it a distant ptantation. He also contrives to get Clifton
arrestcAl fee it dcitt of Goo dollars „- that, by laving him in con. i
it fineoot. homey ue the better able to cdCet his purposes with
Zelinda. Gambia iir the WNW time, hearing of Clifton's Mr-
prihneusent for debt, determines to free him, and, to diet*
that purpose, sells himself to the agent of Lindenberg, and
with the price be receives, pays Ciiitun's debt, who is thee
liberated. Ltaidenhera. in the mean time, having got Zelinda
safe at his plantation, attempts to effect his brutal purpose,
when Gambia oppoitupely comes to her rescue—a scuttle en-
sues between We slave awl his master, in which Lindenberg
4 severely wounded in the breast. Zeliuda escapes to the
woods, where Gambia follows her, and preserves her child,
Lint is. liiii.self taken, owl about, to be executed by order of
Ina cruel tipster, to whom, however, Ire iutimates that lie
4.posiessed of a secret, which, if revealed, would cover big
oppressor whit infamy and disgrace: namely, that Linden'.
berg. during his irregularities, has been branded on the brining
wills the character " Thief." Lindenberg, aware that
carves this work of infam /t y about hint, ail pwviously reft
tit suffer any one.to dress the wound on his brca't, tearfuli +
discovery; and now closely questions Gambia whether he 1
has discovered the secret to any one ; he is told that Ho one
knows it, and is assured. that evert torture should nut force.
the secret, of. which be boil become possessed. from his lips ;
and, further, Gambia endettakes to cure the wound, which,
La deteurse of en unprotected female, he had ,been forced to
Snifiet. Lindenberg, overcome by the virtue of his slave, re-
petits his errors," restores 'Win to liberty, and, us a further
proof of his repentance, sends also the gift of freedom by
his hands to Z.-liiida.
'f hit is the story of TkOlave. There is au underplot, which
concerns the love of Miss Von Fraatp,. all ancient Dutch
maiden, and the attachment .of Matthew Sharpset, a needy
plaster, to her fortune; but otither this, nor the adventures
sit Pogrom, a booby Ceekoey, (Liston), and Sant Sharpset, a
keen Yorklairoilian (Duty), have any thing to do with the
piece, except as fu sas they go to enliven a story otherwise
tragical.
The Slave is, we understand,, the production of Mr.
N's pea: The story is interesting, and ,
‘ slaves, ' ' Gambia

NATIONAL

lISTER.

contrary, home of the jokes and witticisms put into the
mouths of Sam Skarpsel and Fogram, though they
make the fool laugh, cannot but make the judicious
weep; especially those whim assume the shape of na-
tional reflections. Mr. Macready did ample justice to
the character of -Gasshia—the other perfininers exerted
themselves to the utmost. The music is fir the most
part beautiful. The opening quartette is beautifully
harmonized, and was warmly encored. Miss Stephen's
song of the Mucking Bird. is a charming bravura ; and
her last sung, " Sons of Freedom," we think have sel-
dom beeu stirpassed fur tone, sensibility, and sweetness
of expression. Sinclair and Ouruset were in good voice,
particularly the latter, who sung. admirably, and in his
acting was deserving of applause. The music, which
is much of it selected, is well chosen by Bishop. The
overture is new, and was much applauded. The scenery
is beautiful, particularly a view of the sea from the
port of Surinam. A plantation and villa by moon
light. A sugar-cane plantation, and a hangingbridge.
The house was extremely full, and the peace was an-
nouncedfur repetition without a dissentient voice.

SONG—Zelinds.—Miss Stephens.
Sons of freedom ! hear illy story.
Mercy well becomes the brave,
Humanity is Britain's glory—
At), 'and pro•ect the Slave!
Erge-born daughters, who possessing
Eyes that conquer, hearts thst save;
Greet me with a sister's blessing.
(XI! pity and proteet the Slave!

The General Committee of Drury-lane Theatre met
on S►turday sennight, and proceeded to the formation
of a new Sub-Committee of Management, which is now
composed as follows :,
Its-aturrea.—The Earl of Essex, the Hon. Mr. Lambe,
Peter Moore, EN.
New M Eat a E as. —R ichard Wilson, F.,41. Edward Elliee.F.ig,
The two latter gentleman are eleotial in the places
of Lord Byron and the Hon. Douglas Kinnaird. The
former is the eminent Solicitor of Lincoln's-Inn ; the
latter is a gentleman of theatrical and literary taste,
and brother-in-law of Earl Grey.
The removal .of Lord Byron and Mr. Kinnaird, it is
supposed, will be attended with a considerable change
in the management of the Theatre. Col. Douglas, we
believe, will be appointed Auditor, in the room of Mr.
Wilson. Mr. Kinnaird has left town for Bath.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF KING'S BENCH, THURSDAY. Nov. 14.
WILLIAM ADAMS, KNT.

Mr. Sergeant nest moved for the judgment of the Conrt
upon the defendant, who at the last assizes for Sussex, before
Mr. Justice Burrough, bad been found guilty of an Absattit
upon Richard Rosier, at Briglithelmstone.
Mr. Justice Holroyd read the report of the Learned Judge
which detailed the evidence on the trial. It appeared that
en Sunday, the 27th August, 1815„ the prosecutor and the de.
resident wereon the beach at Brighton, waitiug moil a bathing-
machine was. disengaged. As soon as one was drawn oat of
the sea, and before the gentleman who ha last used it haul
dressed himself; the prosecutor (whose father was also on the
beach) got up by the wheel upon the ledge in front, asserting
that his turn was the next. Sir W. Adams, who came up just
afterwards, insisted that Wallis, the owner of it, had told iiiin
that he was to use the machine as MOO as it was vafeant, and
mounted the same place, requiring that the prosecutor should
quit it. In the midst of the altercation Wallis 'came up, hut
it did not appear in whose favour lie had derided; but the
parties continued, with AMC warmih (particularly on the
part of young Mr. Rosier), to insist that the other should
give up his claim. The defendant offered at length to bathe
with the prosecutor, who positively refused Sir W. Adams
at last said, " Will you get down, Sir, or will you not? if
you will not, I will push yon doivn i" and the prosecutor per.
•sisting, the defeadant thrust him down a height of shoot
three feet, but it was admitted no injury was sustained. This
was the nature 'of the assault; and the Learned Judge who
tried the cause added, that Mr. Serjeaot Bestoflered to prove
that Sir W. Adams first obtained the consent of Ilse owner;
but Mr. Justice Burrough held, that as the party who had
previously engaged the machine had not quitted it at the time
of the assault, Sir W. Adams was not justified in ascending to
the platform where the prosecutor stood. He recominetided
that the matter shook] proceed no further, and reprobated
the conduct of one of the plaintiff's witnesses, who had ex,
uggerated the circumstances of the assault.
Mr. Sergeant Best addressed the Court for the defendant,
stating, that his elitist had brought himself up to receive
sentence by his advice, and in consequence of a very unfair
statement of the case. which was published in a newspaper,
at the suggestion and request of the prosecutor, who had
assured the editor that it was correct and impartial.
Mr. Chitty followed on the same side.

Mr. Mare-yatt, on the other side said, that the prosecutor
had not acted muter any vindictive feeling, and would have
been content that the matter should have aeen dropped, ac-
cording to the recommendation of the Learned Judge: the
defendant had brought himself up for sentence.
Lord Ellenborinclis—What ground had Rosier for insisting
that it was his tarn : the machine was not assigned to him by
any person who had power to do so. I am at a loss to find
any thing for his right to grow out of, and he does not even
say that he came down to the beech before Sir W. Adams.
The defendant had acquired a right to the next use of the
machiee. but the young man climbs up before the party who
had just bathed had left it, and claims it his: his right is the
right of assertion, no other.
Mr. Marryatt added, that it was very natural that the
young nuns should refuse to divide the machine with the de.
fendant.
Lord Ellenberough--That offer was the most foolish part
of the business. The joint occupation proposed by the de-
fendant was ledelicate certainly. You were in good luck to
get a verdict at all; for I think, after hearing the affidavits,
_ . .
thatif I had ' uplur p

CHILIVOR'TJ

NOV EMBEft Is.

R it L

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