The National Register.
London, England, 1818-11-02 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN.

Miss Somerville appeared on Thursday night as the
heroine of Lewis's tragedy of:Me/Oka ; or, the Fruits
of a Single Error, a character well-conceived, though
perhaps feeble in some of its details, astd affording, from
the variety and complication of distress which it exhi-
ti!s, a severe teit of the powers of the performer by
whom it is represented. To fail in all the situations
of Addgilha, would imply the absence of all talent for
the tragic drama: to succeed in all, require the perfec-
tion of that talent. Miss Somerville surprised us by a
few passages executed with peculiar felicity ; but her
general performance was an appeal to the eye, rather
than to the ear or the understanding : a graceful actin,
u variety of attitudes approaching to the pictures4ue
and the beautiful, appear to he at her command; these
qualities tell admirably to the distant parts of the
house, and may even impress on the careless slictator
the idea of greatness ; the delusion, however, vanishes
on close examination. Miss Somerville, we fear, is
deficient in feeling, and is perpetually losing sight of
that essential quality, consciousness of character; her
voice, too, by its deep solemn tones, and want of variety
in its inflections, produces by continuance an effect on
the car that is far from being agreeable or exciting,
anti appears almost to refuse its ta to the expression of
acute distress. On the whole, we rejoice in Miss So-
merville's accession to the strength of this theatre : the
general perfection of the tragic drama will be increased,
though its character as regards individual talent will
not be exalted by that event; and youth ever leaves us
much to hope wherever the improvement of art is in
question, and where the understanding is likely to come
gradually in aid of the natural powers. The character
of Michael-Duras found a most able representative in
Mr. Macready ; thPre are few perthrmers on the stag,.
who produce so much effect without any apparent clot
as this gentleman. Messrs. Young and C. Kemble, in
Guiscard and bnhair, were as judicious and effective
as usual. Mrs. Faucit played the part of hnma with
much feeling; tied the whole tragedy was got up in a
manner highly creditable to the theatre.

Elliston is fitting up the Olympic Theatre, in New-
castle-street, in the Strand. We hear that, in ti-,:
internal decorations only, he is expending from 3 to
4,0001. Report mentions that he has already engaged
Dowton, l'ope, Decamp, and other superior performers.
—We sincerely wish his success may be equal to his

A letter from Rochelle, tinted Oct. 17, states the
lowing singular and melancholy occurrence :—A few
days since some squeezed grapes, fresh from the wine
} Tess, were thrown into a large tub, by an inhabitant
of the commune of Marsai, without apprising his vin-
tagers that they should not tread on them. Unfortu-
'lately, a youth of 18 years, and two children, went into
the vessel. The forme: was killed instantly, by the
mortal vapour. The two children, who remained near
ti c edge, were taken out in a state of suffocation, from
which they were restored. The body of the youth
nu-mined in the midst of the mortal vapour, and no one
dared approach it. At length a man went in holdiag
a rope, but soon f►insed and lost his hold. He was
taken out apparently lifeless, but soon restored. The
body of the unhappy victim was dragged out with a
grappling iron.
Messrs. Baring and Co. are reported in the Brussels
put era to have discounted their own collateral bond of
50,000,000 frs. to Prussia, at the rate of 5 per cent ;
the latter power having expressed some uneasincss with
regard to the security of their claim upon the French
GOVelluntra.

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.,

DRURY LANE THEATRE.

In consequence of an intimation from Mr. Walker,
chairman of the Committee of Creditors appointed on
the 16th, a considerable number of creditors amembled
in the saloon on Wednesday, soon after t!. Nlr.lValker
was called to the chair. He reported that the Commit-
tee had not approved of the proposition made by the
Sub-Committee on the 16th, but had in their turn
proposed two successive sets of resolutions; the first,
agreeing to receive a composition of 10s. provided the
remainder of the debt should be paid by annual divi-
dends on the profits of the theatre : the second, agreeing
to a composition of Ws. and a full acquittal on the part
of all the creditors, excepting those who had been
pabliely assured of full and ready payment last year.—
Both sets of resolutions had been relitsed by the Sub-
Committee; the Committee had, thereftre, only to say,
that they had not. agreed to the terms of the Sub-
Committee, and now surrendered their trust.
A creditor now got up, and speaking with consider-
able warmth,, said, that it had been very well if the
Sub-Committee had agreed to the resolutions proposed ;
but since they had not, were the creditors to refuse 10s.
in the pound? He should be very happy to have the
whole of his debt, but if he could not have that, thank-
fully should he take a part. The gentlemen w.-re to
advance this money out of their own pockets. Who
would be such idiots as to refuse it ? He concluded by
moving a resolution, that the meeting agree to the
proposition made by the Sub-Committee on the 16th of
October.

Mr. Neale, a member of the late Committee, seconded
this resolution.

Many other creditors strongly supported it.
On a show of hands, a few appeared against the
resolution. The effect of this was much deprecated,
and an actual divison took place, when it appeared that
411 the opponents of the resolution, except one, had
withdrawn. The resolution was declared to have been
carried in the affirmative, and the meeting dissolved.

A General Meeting of the Proprietors took place in
the Saloon on Tuesday, for the purpose of taking into
consideration the appointment of the Sub-Committee,
as agreed upon by the General Committee.
The Earl of Yarmouth having been unanimously
called to the Chair, Mr. Ware, as Secretary of the Thea-
tre, proceeded to read the advertisement by which the
Meeting was convened.
The Earl of Yarmouth then stated, that the question
which he, as Chairman, had to put, was, whether the
Meeting would agree to the nomination made by the
General Committee ? It' any Gentleman objected to
such nomination, the regular course was to call for a
ballot, which, in that ease, must immediately take place.
Mr. Robins said, that before they proceeded to the
business of the day, he wished to put a question of same
importance. He had seen in the Newspapers, that a
proposition was made by the Sub-Committee to the
Creditors, stating that they would subscribe to the
amount of :3,5001. each, for the discharge of a part of
the debt. He was desirous to know whether all the
Members of the Sub-Committee had agreed to this, and
whether they still remained of the same opinion?
Mr. Ironmonger said, that the proposal originated
with him, and was agreed to by all the Members. A
Meeting of the Creditors was held in consequence, but
the proposal was nut acceded to by them. At a subse-
quent Meeting, however, he believed *their objections
were removed, and they were now willing to accept the
offer. He was bound to state at the same time, that
Mr. Wilson, who, as one of the Sub-Committee, was
ready in the first instance to advance 3,5001. had, since
the refusal of the creditors to accept their proposal
changed his mind.
Mr. Rubins observed, that the proposition, as he un-
derstood, wag made, upon condition that all the Credi-
tors should come into the terms, he was therefore slow
to acknowledge the great merit of the Sub-Committee
in making such a proposition, as they must be aware
that it was almost impossible is could have been ac-
cepted. He could himself name some of the Creditors
who could never be prevailed upon to give it their
sanction.

Sir T. Turton said, he felt disposed to move a vote
of thanks to the Committee for their liberality, and if
the creditors generally felt any regard fin their own in
they felt any inclination to support one of the
great national Theatres, and, considered on the score of
humanity, tha number of families whose support de-
pzuded on its success, they would concur in this measure,
which was the only one that afforded the slightest pros-
pect of keeping the theatre open.
After some further conversation, the appointment of
the Sub-Committee was confirmed by the meeting.
The question for the Chairman leaving the Chair
being put,
Air. Robins, reverting to the subject of the reduced
prices, maintained that the Proprietors ought to have
been called together befiire it was determined on, and
he believed Lord Yarmouth and Sir T. Turton would
couvur in that opinion.
The Earl of Yarmouth said, he had thought all along
so trang a measure ought not to have been resolved
ukea nithout ping to the Proprietors; but as to the

n+~

measure itself. he thoaght, for many reesous not neces-
sary to be stated now, that it was the only one which
could he of use to the Theatre in its presvot ern lition.
Sir T. Turton declared his opinion of the ruinous
tendency of an experiment, the tfr2ct of which vac to
make Drury-lane Theatre play second fi Covent-
garden. They ought not to have speculated on the mo-
ney of persons who embarked in the concern on an im-
plied understanding that the prices should not be rt.:-
duced.

Mr. Robins complained of it as operating also against
the interests of the Performers who took benefits.

Mr Caleraft assigned as a reason for not taking the
sense of the meeting on the appointment of the Sub-
Committee, that tho►e Gentlemen had so involved the
concern, as to prevent any one else from undertaking it,
The meeting then broke up.

It appears that family ilfietence. or Ari,tocrary, is
carried to a length in the United States, fully propor-
tionate to that in England. In the state of New York
only, no less than 40 places of profit, under the Go-
vernment, are enjoyed by the family of the Cliutons.
Letters received yesterday, from Harrington, (Cum.
berland) state, several riots had taken place on account
of the export of potatoes from Cumberland ; two sloops
loaded, and about to sail for Liverpool, had been attack-
ed by the populace, who, after taking possession, plun-
dered the vessels of the entire cargoes.
His Royal Higness the Commander in Chief has
appointed Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Paget, to
the Government of Cowes Castle.

The Duke of Wellington was expeoted at Paris on
Wednesday or Thursday last.
Letters received at Manchester from Rio Janeiro, of
the 27th and 28th of August, speak in very encouraging
terms of the state of the markets for all sorts of British
manufactures, and repeat the course of exchange as
highly favourable fur this country. They also give a
flattering account of the treatment which British sub-
jects received in the Brazilian territory, and express
confident hopes of extending our commerce in the in-
terior provinces of that fertile kingdom It is generally
understood at Rio, that the Portuguese mean to take
no part in the quarrel between Spain and hole Colonies,
further than to secure their own territory from the
violation or encroachment of either; and that the places
now occupied by the Portuguese troops will be given up
to whichever party may gain the ascendency, when the
contest has terminated.

The terms entered into for the conveyance of the Bri.
fish troops from the continent, are 4s. 6d. per man, and
16s. per horse.. The contract was made with some of
the London shipowners.
A celebrated barrister of the present day, who is
chiefly indebted for the affluence he now enjoys, to his
professional success, has chosen for the motto to his car.
riage—" Causes produce elects."
On the 27th instant, a fine new brig, of 170 tons
burden, named the Methusa, WWI launched fromone
of the slips in Mr. White's building yard, at West
Cowes; and on Tuesday next, at eleven o'clock, will be
launched from Mr. White's other slip, a fine West
India ship, of 340 tons burden, built for Thomas
King, Esq. one of the elder Brethren of the Trinity
House.

An article from Frankfort, in the French papers, save,
" Some idea may be formed of the wealth of the cele-
brated banking-house, Rothchild's, from the details of a
marriage which has recently taken place in that family. -
A younger brother has espoused Mademoiselle Hertz, of
Hamburgh. On this occasion, twenty-five thousand
florins were distributed to the poor of all rersuasioni.
Each of the numerous clerks in that firm received a
gratification of 100 ducats; three were also given
to the most obscure servant. The new-married couple
have purchased a house at 100,000 florins. It is ob-
served, that Mr. Rothschild has at present five banking
establishments, viz. at Frankfimt, London, Amtterdam,
Hamburgh, and Berlin. He intends to have a sixth at
Pstersb a rgh."
The secretary to a Confederacy of Journeymen ab-
sconded a few days since with the whole of the fundr,
between five and six thousand pounds. He went away
in a post-chaise and four for Gravesend, and there em-
barked for America. This A:Aral confidant wrote to
his employers, stating that he would remit the interest
on his arrival at Philadelphia ; as to the principal, they
must wait flir that until it suited his convenience! We
also learn, that he has taken with him, four journey
men, all eminent in their respective branches of trade.
At the last Leominster Qarter Sessions, a bill ne
indictment was found agai• at a man tier a rninlemean-
nur, in selling his wife on the 18th ult. in the public
market of that town for Qs. (id.
It is with extreme re•z:ret we announce that the
Lady of Sir Samuel 16.11' expired on Thursday.•
night, at East Cowes Castle. the seat of John Islirb, Esq.
She had borne a long and painful illuess with .eitem...•
plan- patience and icsi;nation.
Donnelly, the man who is supposed to have murd cr- •
ed his wife and thrown her into the well of the Duke
of York public house, Bromptun, was discharged from
the 98th Regiment and entered into the 80th, a detach- •
ment of which left Chathara, under the command of
an officer about three weeks Niel.— Canterbury FA,

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