The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-12-19 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

Last night was presented the tragedy of Coridenesu,
one of those instances of literary Vandalism which
the lovers of the old drama must frequently sigh
over ; though it must be admitted in the main,
that if StIAESpaAaE required dilution, it would be
difficult to find a more proper and delicate medium
for him than the poetry of TnowsoN, from whose
play the alterations are furnished. Still the play
suffers, as almost any of Sit axsnzattE's must suffer,
from variation, and gaoll reason have we to be
angry with the vile taste of Me improvers, when it
is found so difficult to effect a happy restoration.
Mr. JOHN KESIBLE, among many praiseworthy in-
stances of the latter kind, attempted to amend the
improved version of Coriolanus by crawling the
'original passages ; and hut for his good taste,
aided by his superior acting, the piece must
have slept in oblivion, without hope of re-
)stirrection. It is but fair to the actors to com-
prise sonic notice of the state of the play in
commenting on its performance, as they are,
"' pendeare lilt," answerable for its character and
effect, and therefore ought to hove credit for all
deficiencies not produced or controlable by them.
Mr. VANDEaIioFF, in Coriolimvs, who is an actor
of the new school (wherein the passions work more
swiftly and intensely), was considerably thwarted
by the slow and formal easiness of the borrowed
poetry. He has ■ promptitude in his expression
which is well adapted for the revelation of strong
feeling* in air ordinary mind; his vigour is, how-
ever, too natural for a hero—his passion breaks
forth incautiously—there is un preparation fur his
burst of discordant feeling. Unlike KESIBLE and
his imitators, he bespeaks ►w previous favour for his
character by dignity of mien or judicious pomp of
elocution ; and, therefore, when fortune crosses
him, he only gains the sympathy which is paid to
ordinary suffering. It is a great merit in au actor
to be anxious for • close approximation to nature
in all that he sloes; but it is a great mistake to
suppose that the dialogue of an heroic play is to
be pronounced as glibly, and with as little care or
labour in the recitation, as the most familiar collo-
tries. We suspect this to be the reason why
Mr. Viatialt HOFF has not ►isen to his meridian at
once: he has physicalsand intellectual power suffi-
cient, whenever lie may choose to avail himself of
these resources, to gam the zenith of his profession,
smil become as distinguished a hero as lie is said to
have beta in the circuit where lie has recently shone.
Mrs. Bum as 1/o/iersia, gave a very impressive
sielineatipn of the clineacti-r. Abating the effect
of that perpetual sorrow which weighs down every
sentence she utters, Wiliam being at all times rea-
sonable and well-tinied, a more foicible image of
the infleeible virtues of Roman mother* could
scarcely be wished. Her deep voice, powerful
ilgure, and dogmaticd everitige, were all felt to the
fullest advantage. Her delivery of the message huts
she Roman Senate deserves marked approbation.

Mn. FAueIT was not less imposing. in proportion
tarthe importaare of the part, in rirgifie. Her
lobos of study are perhaps better suited to the
heroic drama than those of suy other lady since

Mr.. SIDDONS. One of the moil interesting pans
io the present cast is that of Menenews, by Mr.
ELANICIIAU.D. who aroma to have been made for the
stshiteritiow of SHAIISPEAttZ's bluff and humorous
gentlemen. Mr. East-Tow. unfailing in all that
be attempts, got through Twlla Asufdias with
his wonted success. The subordinate pare were
judiciously appropriated; •MI indeed it is but
justice to say, that the few considerable walks
~f the drama are, in general, irti portronra in this
theatre, as to impart a good deal of unobserved
effect, conducing 'to uo light degree to the general
F mess - end attraction of the piece. The play is
got up withal' possible pomp and profusion of pre.
intention, and went off with entire sidecar.
On the, falling of the curtain Mr. Eativrou
slept forward to ansuouuce the performance of to.
morrow. we believe; but amidst the temstit Con:
requent on the calls of Mr. Vawzmonorr's
friends to announce the repetition of the play,
J./a-/lean, we lost the purport of his errand.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS.

l'clerboront4n, December 16, 1810.

SIR-At a meeting converted by the two resident Magi,.
trait of this city, for the purpose of voting a loyal Addresr
to the KINN Lord billion, who entered the Hall with a
very numerous noes resperlable part of the inh3bitante, was
loudly called to the Chair. This was insmediaiely and vette.
siuroily opposed by one of the Magistrates, who insisted
upon his Lou daily's iucompetency, Ire not being an inhabi-
S:1111; the other City Magistrate was thes• propoted, and
feebly cabled upon to preside. After a short elterration, and
referenire in one of the late Acts of Parliament for the re-
gulation of public meetings, his Lordship's competency was
unequivocally acknowledged, aad, amidst the loudest ac-
clamations, he took tbeCbsi►. •
-

The Address was expeeveivt of loyally to the King and
devotedness to the Constitution, but at the same time ex.
presaiverif au anxiety to wipe, away the stigma attempted to
lie cast upon us for disaffection and disorderly conduct, by
the recent unnecessary introduction of a military force, and
earnestly impluringthat the Address might not be construed
to imply no approval of the conduct of Ministers, was ably
proposed, and as ably seconded. Another Address, intended
to have been originally proposed, lamenting the prevalence
of di.affeclion thiouglitrut the country, and by implicaliou
approving and supporting lEe late 131C2SUITS of his 31ajealy's
Alinisters, was then proposed as an amendment. Upoo a
she. of hinds, however, mite ten:lts of the tatetiag ap.
provrd of the former Addreis, and almost an universal yetis-
faction was expressed throughout the town at this triumph
of the true friends of our country over the weak and mis-
guided few, whoinpoet this, as well as upon some late °tea.
PIMA, have been instigated to attempt the • introduction of
party spirit and timeuerviog principles into a City so long
Loot so deservedly pre-eminent fur its mita ' y and its
patrioticiti.

Letters have been received from Ihtavia down to
the beginning of August. The espe(lition t i 11l t
Palembang had bern given up, awl the troops were
to embark for Macassar, to reduce to obedience
the Sultan of Boat, the most powerful Prince of
Celebes, who had proved reit:ft:boy. Their giving
up the expedition against Palembang may be con-
sidered as conclusive of the weakness of the Dutch
Covernment in the Archipelago. is Siucapore,"
rays one letter, " thrives most wonderfully, mid all
the English here ure in raptures with it. The si-
tuation ►s in every respect admirable; and if your
siegociators give ►t up they will deserve impeach-
ment. The Dutch settlement of Malacca declines
tirgincsport advancer." •

- illfts.A.llooo4o‘ 4/01

! •

THE TURF.

bIiTTING.ROOM, TATTLRIALLI, Dltesitera 9.

D BRBT.

-----
11 to 1 apt Gustavus 118 to 1 apt Truth
16 to 1 apt Parasol i 20 to 1 apt Charm
111 to 1 apt Brother to Ao- 20 to 1 ■gsl Jock
drew

oA

I to 1 apt My Lady
12 to 1 apt Breese

It to 1 apt

THE ARHY.

On Thursday Ike first division of the 63d regiment,
from Athiour, marched into Castlebar, where they are to du
duty.
On Thursday Liesitesisni-General Sir John Elly set off
front Ttiam, on his nay to Cork, to take the command of
that district fur a short time, in the absence of Sir Thomas
Brisbane.

The irnop of the lilt dragoon guards, under the command
of Major Daviw, left Falkirk on Monday for Perth.
The lith regoneut of foul is expected at Put l.mouth from
Gibraltar.

Lest wcvl detachments from she 4711,, akth, and 87sh
regiments uf (out toss-riled frum Went-Lester barracks fur
Chatham.

The first division of the 40th regiment arrived at Euuis on

COURT MARTIAL.

SENTENC`E.

(colt)
" Horse-Graeae, December 4, 1820. I
" Sllll-llnving lai.l before the King the proceedings of a
General Court-Martial, held in Piershill Barracks, on the
2411, and 25111 of October, 1820, for the trial of Paymaster
John Jennings, of the 7th Dragoon Guards, who was ar-
raign 1 upon the under-mentioned charge', viz.—
" Ist. For having. between the 25th of Juin and the
24th of September, 11419, ensorzzled or misapplied the sum
of 7111. 14". 31.1 of the public money, which came into
his hands in his capacity of Paymaster.
1" 2.1. For having, between the 25th of September, aria
the 24th of December, 1819, embezzled or misapplied the
further sum of WC 141 ltd. of the public money, which
came into his hands in his capacity of Paymaster.
". 3.1. For having, between the Voli of December, 1819,
and the 24th of March, 1820, inserted visages in the pay-
list fur that period, amounting its the whole to 2851.105. dd.
although it appears by the certificates of the Captains of
troops that the same was not paid,thereby making it appear,
that upon that account there was a balance due to him
by the politic of 301 Ida. 41. d. whereas, in tact, there was a
balance due by him to the public of 254/. 125. 11.1.
" ' 4th. For hieing, bet wren the 25th December, 1819:
and the 24th of March, 1820, embezzled or misapplied the
sum of 51/. 12s. Od. holing the stoppages paid into his
hands fur the use of the contractor, by the officers of the
711, Dragoon Guards, for 4,957 rations of oats supplied to
their horses, n loch sum has been 11 tilibursed by the regi.
mental agent, by order of the Secrets. y wt 11'ar, to the con-
tractor, in consequence of Paymaster Jvnuings declaring his
inability to do so.
" sth. Fur having embezzled or misapplied, at different
times, various sums of money, antuituttug in the whole iu
the sum of 3311. 145. 9yd. which came into Isis bands in his
rapacity of Paymaster of the 7th Dragoon Guards.'
" Upon which charges the Court came to the following
decision:—
" 'Ehe Court having del.berately considered the charges
preferred against Paymaster John J5,01'1'11;2, of the 7th Dra-
goon Guard", the admission of the Prisoner, the evidence
and stmentems mi blob aides, with the whole procedure, is
of opinion that lie is Guilty of a misapplication of the se-
veral sums, am slated in the differeot charges, in breach of
the Articles of War ; and does therefore sentence the Pri-
soner, the said Paymaster John Jennings, to be dismissed
fro:n his Majesty's service, aisd to make good the several
lams so misapplied by him.
'• The Court is satisfied, that the Prisoner had no frau-
dulent or improper tatention is inserting in the pay-list, for
the period from 25th December, 1819, to 24th March, 1820,
the charges waking an apparent balance i• his favour as
mentioned in the third charge, as the said pay.list, when
transmitted by him to the War-Office, was accompanied by
a statement from hims. It'. as well as by certificates from the
I officers eunintaudiug troups,shewing hum the balance
actually stood.
" The Court, on a review of the very high testimonials
produced in favour of the Prisoner, from such respectable
sources, also his long services and the destitute situation of
his numerous family, entirely dependant on him, beg leave
to recommend the Prisoner to his Majesty's favourable con-
sideration.'
" I have to acquaint you, that his Majesty was pleased to
approve and confirms the finding and sentence of the Court ;
but, in consideration of the earnest recommendation of the
Court in favour of the Prisoner, of the sfrony testimonials
Gum every superior officer of the regiment which he pro-
duced, his long services, and of various circumstances which
appeared upon the face of the proceedings, in mitigation of
the crime with which be was charged, his Majesty was must
graciously pleased to extend his pardon to the Prisoner.
Paymaster John Jennings, of the 7th Dragoon Guards, and
to command, in lieu of the punishment awarded by the
Court, that he shall make good the several sums misapplied
by him, and shall be placed upon half-pay.
" I am, Sir, yours,
(Signed) " FREDERICK.
" Cummenderin-Chief.
" Major-General Sir Thome. Bradford, K C.B.
or Officer Cummauding the Troops Co
North Britain."

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTIVOUTII, DZCILIMMIL 17.

Arrived yesterday the Otedernaming, thirst, from St. An-
dery for London, with toes of anchor and cable, having hems
on shore on the ChICTIII.
Arrived to day the Sylph, Milne, (tom Smyrna; Union,
Stewart, from St. Andrews; and Jane, Christie, from
Messius.

scvmoui n,. DUMBER 16.,

Arrived the Magdalen, Aury, from Gibraltar nod Cadiz ;
Fame, Owen, from Marmite fur London ; Kempen, Arm.
wrung, from Londota fur TesurritTe; and Mary and Dorothy,
Alatkcy, from Suuderland ; the latter with luta of foreman.

FALMOUTH, DIECISIOSR 15.

Arrived the Duke of Welhogroo, Duet, from VIUer011;
George Myst% Edgar, from Seville; liebe, Tape, from
Quintus; and Copies, Web4ter, from Petersburgh.

Dial, DECEMBER 17.
Sailed yesterday for the River the Palladium, Lewis; and
Hodder', Appleton, for the River.
The Lusitania, Brash, from the Cape, has been driven hack
to Dungeness, but arrived in the Downs/Ipin this morning.
A Dutch ship from Holland for the West tattles, and ■ gal•
'hot ladrn with cons, got on the Goodwin sr.& ibis mom_
ing, but were got off and brought into the Downs this if-
; the former with couaiderable damage and leaky,
and the latter with little ur no damage.
HARWICH, DEMMER 14.
Arrived the Castlereagh packet, with a mail from Cux-
haven.
Sailed the Reatifoy packet for Cuxhaven; Henry Freeling
packet for Holland; Emily packet for Gottenburg; and
Lady Nepeau packet for Holland—each with a mail.
OHAVSEIDID, OBCIMBHI 17.
Arrived the Alexandria Pilot, Turkish frigate, from Alex-
audria.
HILTORD, DECEMBER 16.
The Like, Hall, from Bristol, parted from her anchors
and drove oa shore, but got off the following tide, and is
Now safely at aaelsor. several other vessels have drifted
considerably, but we do Rol hear of any damage.