The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-06-01 00:00:00

IRISH COUNTY INFIRMARIES.

Mr. COOPER Mid, the in consequence of several
Ihminivilile Nl...either,. beteg of opinion that the
County [Armory Bill required further com.itler-
ation, which would make it impracticable to picot it
lilt - a law, circurnomiced aY ttie /louse was mop-
tio.ed to lie, he bit/mid therefore, though he con-
fe.eed he did not feel their scruples, relinquish any
further proceeilsogs upon this important Bill, until
oral Ile would therefore merely move,
that the Report should he now taken into farther
CO siderstion, CT the purpose of bringing up some
clauses. in order to the Bill, with the innendmento,
being reprinted. The lion. Member then moved
the further considera of the Report, mill
brought nit several (loupes, which were added to the
Bill, which was ordered to he printed, and taken
into consideration on Saturday
The Perot:toad Benefit Society Bill was read a
second time, and ordered to be committed.
The House then adjourned.

MEETING OF SUBSCRIBERS TO 771 E
OPIsRA.HOUSE.

A Meeting of Noblemen and Gentlemen was on Saturday
youvased by soleertisesneut, at the Thatcliedshobse Tavern,
St. Janares.stria, to lake into consideration the state and
ma nagessesd of the concern of the Operadsonre. Soon after
two o'clock the Farl of Aylesbury was unanimously railed
to the Chair. He proceeded to state, that a certain letter
had been "'Atom by Mr. Waters, the present Proprietor and
Manager of the Opera-home. addressed to the Sabseribers,
requiring them to pay him 301. in addition to 3001. they
paid fur a hex for flit present memo, alleging as a pretence
for his making that claim epos them that the establishment
had beets increased —bad been materially improved —and it
was his object still further to merit the encouragement of the
Subscribers; best so far from has having redeemed that pledge,
the number of performers bail been considerably I. snared this
sesame The salaries of the musicians had beers also greatly
reduced, in consequence of which, several Grilse moat eminent
performers had quitted the orchestra; and there was at pre-
sent no composer attached to the orchestra. With regard to
the Italian singers, they were reduced to tour of the male
singers, and there was not one single Italian female singer.
F.onv this it uhriuus, there roo' be au perforsnmee
of serious 4ers4. Ia fail, they could not be give. at all,
and this watin a wow► saving to the proprietor, the ea-
pease of a miaow opera twine Considerably more than that
ofa comic one. Mr. Waters, lbe manager, might have en.
gaged Madame Cam portse, bat he bad neglected so to do.
In various other respects he had acted in a way which nei.
ther kept pace with his own assurances nor the liberality of
the subscribers. With respect to the ballet, it was too con-
temptible for an nolieemed theatre—it was a disgrace to •
theatre royal. The divertisentent had been laid aside, mid
that alteration produced a very tedious suspension of ell
performance. for above half an hour. the comparlY being fee.'
fluently compelled to wait for • much longer period with.
out any thing to amuse them till the Meaner thought St
to draw sip the curtain Dancers whom Mr.. Waters had
engaged for the ballet, were inferior pet formers taken from
the minor theatres of Paris, instead of the Theatre Royal,
from whence they ought to have been selected. Five of the
pntsrital dancers of Paris had been announced by Mr
Waters to the Subscribers as having been previously engaged
by him; but they hail slot yet made their appearance, nor
was it likely they would ; nor had eny others been en-
gaged in their steed. The ballet-master of the principal
Parisian theatre had been desirous of an engagement sigh
Mr. Waters, on liberal terms this season, hat that prudent
Manager had declined, fur no other reason than because he
wished to save expense. The figure-dancers were equally
indifferent with the rest of the establishment. The bal-
lets were not Ea sip with that liberality that ought to
distinguish them, considering the splendour, in point of
'spew, with which they were supported Ley the British
public. His Lordship then proceeded tee state the anima
of the performers ashy had been announced by Mr. Widest
as having been engaged by him. It was not torwurtby
of remaik, that Ms Waters, when presenting to flit pro-
prietors the strength of his company, had added that he
intended still further to increase it. It was upon the
grouuds of such increase that he had stated the advance
as inevit ible order to remunerate him for his exertions.
'Ube Noble lard them said, that in 1811 he had the houour
to belong to • Committee to examine the *cements of the
King's Theatre, and having had stress to the books of llr.
Taylor, he had furnished himself with sonic woes of
their contents. It appeared that Madame Catalani had a
salary 42,1001 and that the other performers in that parti-
cular department, had salaries, raioliy bre rat in proportion
to their reaper-nye I dents. The sum paid at that time for
the singers was 0,835 J. The stem total for the salaries of the
dancers, who were all of first rate talents, increased the
actual expenditure of the concern to 18,7501.; a soon needy
twice the 'mould of what was paid by Mr Waters. His
Lordship said, lie would not trouble the trooling by enter-
ing into a detail of the expenses to which Mr. Waters had
put himself; it was sialicient to observe that the scale by
hich he paid the to rform ra was very inferior to cleat of
Mr Taylor, the farmer manager. It was somewhat unfor-
tunate that Mr. Waters was slot present. Hie Lordship saiJ,
Isle hail apprised Mr. Waters of th; meeting, and had expected
that he resold have attended it, for the purpose of elites i og
into 'hose explanations of his conduct, which lie could out
hut anticipate wittild be required. Mr Wsters had written
to him, requesting an interview. TIM be had IlrOutd.-
His Loidship enumerated a few of the salami of slit pre-
sent principal performers; the aggregate am t for the
augers was 5,100/ •nd for the dancers 3,20 e/. utak. ag toge-
ther 8,3001. about half *bat Mr. 'fay lor paid, when Le re- •

i
keimil fimill autodrWhokimily *LI for, lis 18iI,
amount of TrerloPs Ainseommula itlas .1•41161
was •pon the Mt of 11111.. Wrier, that the flubseriben h
cemented to pay hied. tratd berm' Mind had hem tier
at any former periodsgeo far frost himillif tleild kb used I
Weems. his ralablishamot,-he find piked it upon a ems.
perslivel9 looser wale. Rig Lordship fir three reasons was
of opinion,. reaohilloo shoulder entered ipto expresslyit
of the ripiniow of the sobseribers at the I Mot/ c:redevet pre-
ssed by %Ir. Waters.
Lord Loverilen mid, 11. rnielto sav a few words in ex-
teunatims of the conduct of Mr. Waters. Ile staled the ex-
treme .1.01:-Iilly dive was of proenring neiformers in Paris
for the Il•sglisli !Urban (Opera Ile happened t.he at Penis
whets Mr. W/liffil was lillikaVilllfiNZ ill ellglifl itillel'ii, and
hr knew that there was hut one, and lie a are !-.ate dancer,
who would listen to Mr. Waters ..0 any icroiw. That our
had entered into ill engagement, hut afterwards reinont i og,
refused to carry it into effect. pr. Waters hail applied to
the Arilmasailer for as strode to the Theatre-1141ml
C.onapandh its order to engage peiforniers, bat i.e was re.
toted Ris Lordship said, he km.* that as eminent dancer
had refused to meet, with Mr. Waters at a kill rate than
30,000 francs fur Iwo imodhs. lie had been disappointed
of engaging Madame Wiwi, and had io ronsepeence ap-
plied 1u some oilier rimers of eelehrity to . supply her
place. Two principal ir en-singers of the llatiau Opera
in
had proposals made t by Mr. Water:, and he offered
them 500/. earl.fur 1 oaths; bet they r. fused, saying,
that sum would no y their expenses. Ha Lordship
assimeri the meeting that Mr. Waters had *hewn the grealeM
readiness iii endeavouring to streagthen die •inzilig depart-
ment He had understood from him, that the year before
last he had applied to Madame Catalan., who lied refund
an engagement un any other terms than an undertaking
that she should remise 5,0001. tike hall stipotated fur 30001.
in money, sad the further sum of 1,0001. to he Monied 111
tier. His Lordship added, that so hi. knowledge Mr. Waters
had been making offers to all porta of Europe. I.npedi.
meats hail beim thrown is the way by the disputes its which
the property led hone involved. The affsirs of the Opera-
boom having been so long under litigation in the Court of
Chimney—a Court lardy in it. operationsi—might have die-
ersaraged persons from eateries into engagers/mil" with the
manager of a concern so situated. It was a tart, obvious
to Monte who were aequalsted with the state of the Italian
Opera, Host a performer who had obtained a high character
ow the Consieeni, ran the risk of Imhof it by eu•tione to
Eimlanil. Performers here could seldom get an engagement
its any other theatre. This Imposed a difficult task up.. a*
manager iii this country. tip.. the whole, he could asswery
said 111. Lordship, for ibe earnest radeavour of Mr. Waters
to procure the licit possible performers of all descriptions.
. lie was perfectly convireed he had made very harolsunse sad
liberal offers. .

I, ate

I.ord A 11011111 I observed, that what the subscribers themett
they bad reason to cuttpl.i■ of, waa, that Ilfr. Waters had
never procured the performers, his emingtatent with whom
he had made the hasis of his applieatioa to the subscribes%
fur an additional bunt for their boxes. •

Lord LOVITIMIL made some further remark, epos the
performer, to whoa be bud before referred, having repealed
of Iris eugegemeet after be bed made It. He observed, abet
in every country in•Earepe except this, the Upe►a was a go.
vernameui tautens.

Mr Fasestgegtx mid, It Arndt him from what the Noble
Lord had said, that it would he unnecessary to enter ism
the details of the conduct of Mr. Waters. The best way
would he to appoint a Committee, Who should communicate
with Mr. Waters upon the subject. It Permed to him there
had been gross misconduct on the part of Mr. Weser,. If
Mr. Waters, as she Noble Lord had stated, knew the dill-
collies be had to contend with, and that hr could not en-
gage the performers at any price whatever, he ought not, by
peeteusling he had actually engaged them, to hare induced
the Proprietors to advance their eabscription in the way
they had doge. If there was an absolute inabilii) lii pro.
core first-rate performers, it was esecemery the subscriptions
should be lowered. He thought, under all the circummanees,
that a Committee ought to he formed to cultowniiirate with
I Mr. Waives wpm the subject, to lake the whole thing into
esmaidevation, and to report ter result of their ioquiries to a
qpornil Meeting.
Lord Lowman. said; that the paper alluded to es having
been circulated hr Ilk Waters was circtilMed before the de-
parture of three people from their engagement.

Mr. FRIIIIIIMITLE remarked, that the wisole establishment
was iktleient, and couclutted by moving the following Kelm-
Intim, :

•• That the present Meeting are of opinion that the state
of the Opera establishment is unworthy 11w palming* it has
recrived."—(llsas, hear.)
This Resolution was put from the Chair, and carried wan-
nimuusly.

Lord SLITOII observed, that in couseqnence of the adop-
tion of this ftesoletion, he apprebendril the next step to he
taken would be to appoint • Committee to romMunicate
with Mr. Waters on the mate of the establishment, and to
give hini.an opportunity of explaining why it wits in mich a
elute as to br unworthy of thei► patrua•ge. It was but fait
that hr should hamt ria opportuuity oijusti*catiwa; nod his
explanation, eadeas it •iabt be, would of course be report.
ed to • foster- nseneing: His Lorethip 6rther observed, that
t►e arch►N very 'bad, sad he thought the Coasnuttee
ought to iajlire of Mr. Waters why this was the case. Se.
planation was necessary spun this armour of complaint a•
well as every other. The. Noble Lord t■ conttwookra moved,
a That the Committer of Proprietors And Sithacriben be
roirested to communicate with Mr. Marrs on the subjett
of the estaldistioneut."'

Mr. Plain suggested u an amendment, that the co..
Mitten should comnevoicale with. Mr. N'aterg, " and Whet
persons." ei/zit eight 40 nettestmq to examine others bps,
the subject. This mewl," t was adopted.
The Hon. DoUGLAis KINN/USD submitted, in munritseate
of abut bad fallen from,t/r. Fremantle of the subject of
the proprietori attunes thit Ihe•proprielOrs had no interest
whatever separate front the antatershem., He wishid. this to
be torderetuod dialect-17.-I—(Yo4r, hear.) •

. ,
A young Geollenuto, whose manse was not sonoinscerif said,
that he felt it his duty, in coacurreoce with eye Hoe. Douglas
Kinnaird, to state, that the proprietor bed no wish separate
from the subscribers, to whose excvtions they moat anxiously
looked for a reform in the present mode of conducting the
°Pere.
Mr. FILIIMANTLE disclaimed any wish to draw • distiar-
lion between the proprietors and the subscribers. All Ise
meant to say was, that if the peke to the subscribers was
raised, the value of proprietors boxes would be raised in
proportion.
Lord. Surfeit peoposed4 es the third Ressiotion, That
the Committee de report the result of their iovestigatioti to
the neat general. meeting of proprietors and subscribers, to
be held on Friday next, the btb instant, at the Thatched
14011011 MOM SI. James's-street.
Rowse little discussion took place as to whether the day
on which the neat meeting should take place, should be
Friday or Saturday. Friday was finally agreed to—lirst,
on the ground that by possibility. dissolution of Parliament
might lake place; sod secondly, un the gnaind that the
aeakin of IhnOpers-bouse was already so far advanced as to
admit of no delay.
Lord VIKULAII now suggested to the Noble Chairmas
that the leiter which had been sent by Mr. Waters to the
persons who had signed the requisition Awaiting the present
meeting had not bees read. He thought it ought to be readt
herslllele it *hewed that Mr. Waters was annul.* to forward
the objects which those prisons seemed to here iu view.
'flu. Earl of Avt.r.snun% said, that lie concurred in the
propriety of the letter being read, soil therefore should
take the liberty of reading it. A copy of it had beta seat
to the eight in•livideals by whores the requisition bad been
sinied...-The Noble Earl then read the letter.. It was in
efrect as follows My Having seen your name to
• requisition for rolling • meeting upon a subject which
relati • to the Kitty** Theatre, I take the liberty of adamantly
to on this leiter, for the purpose of it ding, that no man is
owt, desirous of Initiator the defects of that establish mesa,

in toiler that thry msy br 'bed, now I am. I hate
IM Rl.l Sums rumours, but du, aro out of arab a nature as to
is4.saiit me in twinning them"
A fourth liesolutiun wa shed passed, *hide was. " That
11w said Commit...a consist of donee', perilous, sad thst
Gre be a quorum"
The Earl of H►aDMICXE muted, that the miens of the