The National Register.
London, England, 1822-04-14 00:00:00

ADELPHI THEATRE.

ALFEASTIRRE, TUE VENTRILOQUIST..—We feel
great pleasure in calling the attention ofour Readers to the perfor-
mance of this gentleman, which are really of a very extrardinaiv
(description ; when he made his first appearance before a British
audience. (which we believe was about twelve months since.)—
m. Alexandre laboured under the difficulties which attend a
want et familiarity with the language of the country, and nearly
the whole of his address was unavoidably delivertsl in French ;
we cannot ton much commend the diligence with which he has, in
to short it time, overcome this difficulty, and qualified himself
to speak EnAlish in a very intelligible manner.
Tl4ti nature of ventriloquism has been too long known to render
wry desaiption of it necessary here, but justice requires us to
state that M. Alexand.e exhibits the finest specimens of this art
wh'cli have ever come under our observation ; the facility with
which the voice is changed, and the perfect illusion which is
produced. cannot be adequately expressed by any verbal descrip-
tion; they must be heard, to be duly appreciated: the rapidity
with which the artist transmuted himself into the various clia-
ra,ters which he represented, was truly astonishing.
The tiialogue, which has been written for the purpose of dis-
eaying M. Alexandre's very extraordinary powers, is really
amusing. and the performance altogether gave great satisfaction
to Cie audience, which was numerous and respectable.

Mr. T. HOOK.—The report of the Commissioners
of Colonial Audit, upon the case of Mr. Theodore
has been printed. It states that the defi-
ciency cf that gentleman, in his office of treasurer
of the Isle of France, amounts to 12,8851. 14s.—
'1 he commissioners thus conclude their report, "We
f,:el ourselves imperiously called upon to declare,
that no circumstances have come to our knowledge
th:it could excuse us fir recommending that Mr.
11,,0ke should be relieved from any part of the sum
f-r which he now stands accountable." An extent
I as accordingly been issued on the part of the crown
t:g-tinst his person and property. Mr. Hook has
published a defence, in which he states himself to
Fe grossly imposed upon by a person in whom he
confided, and eaters into a long vindication of his
own conduct.

From the Constitalionel of Sunday last, the fol-
-I:,wing account is given of a dispute on the coast of
France, dated Granville, March 26, between the
English oyster-boats and the French fishermen.—
'• The English fishermen have the audacity to come
and 'fish on •,ur oyster-banks, situate between one
end two leagues from this town, by which we
sustain considerable damage; hitherto the fishing.
guard had confined themselves to threats, which the
English have uniformly treated with contempt. To-
day they again assembled to the number of nearly
'.lOO buts; but our fishing-guard have acted with
more energy than they had heretofore displayed.
After requiring the English to retire, which they
r ositively refused to do the guard saluted them with
several discharges of cannon ; the English at last
retired, but avowing their determination to return
with increased numbers, and oppose force to force.
It is very desirable that government should take
effectual measures to prevent this sort of piracy,
tvhich is productive of incalculable injury to our
town, the inhabitants of which subsist only by the
poduce of' the fishery."
On Wednesday the Lord Mayor held a Special
Court of Aldermen at Guildhall, Mr the purpose of
electing a Recorder, iu the room of the late Sir J.
Stivester, Bart, which was fully attended. The
thanks of the Court were unanimously voted to the
Lord Bishop of Llandalf and the Rev. Dr. God.
(lard, fur their excellent sermons preached at Christ
Church, Newgate.street, before the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Governors of the several Itoyal Hos-
pitals on Monday and Tuesday last. Mr. Lucas,
Eireh, and Mr. Jerrain, were sworn and admitted
Coal-met.frs in trust fin the city. The Court then
proceeded to the special business of the day, when
Newman Knowlys, Esq. Cannion Sergeant, was
unanimously elected, and, being sent fur, attended
and took the oath of Lace. Ihe Lord Mayor de-
clared a vacancy of Steward of Southwark, in the
room of Sir J. Silvester, and the next Conti was
appointed to fill up the same.
Uri Monday se'nnight a boy of 12 years of age,
set fire to a sited in the parish of Kenninghall, which
U'ikg burnt down, Lut happily Without doing further
damage. The boy was apprehended and committed
to the county gaol, by J. Wright, Esq. on his own
ecaiii;ssion.
On IVednesday afternoon a number of' persons
front Woodton, in Norfolk, assembled and destroyed
a threshing machine on the farm of Mr. R. Roc, of
ti.-2 former place. On appLeatien being made to
J. J. Bedingfield, Esq. that gentleman, assisted by
several others, immediately took measures fin. the
apprehension of the offenders, six of whom were
taken that night, and lodged in Bungy Cage, and
Lave since been committed to the County Gaol.
—A threshing and drill machine, the property of
Mr. Thurtell, at Poringland, were lust week de-
stroyed.
The Drawing-rcom nn the 23(1 inst. is expected
to be uncommonly bti liana. Splerdid dresses of
E'.glish tuanuliteture have been already ordered by
su..,:y ladies of fashion.
LNithia•the last four months three American yes-
'ltels have cleared out tr. to Liverpool, with cargoes
consisting principally of British manufactures, cot-
ton goods, and bullion, to the amount of 200,0001.
ostensibly for Java, but really fur Chhat.

7311r*S.
At Lavender Sweep, Clapham common. Mn.s lotto Ravetakill, of a
danehtcr.
,U Brighton. the lady of It. Collin. req. of a son.
M.S. Loilleas. of Glfseift) court, Chancery lane, of a 1011.
At I. onliartesal road Lasolodh, Mr, S. Lett, of a klos.
At hAllarney, lrelAnd, the lad) of Nfajur Caminchael, oth Dragoon
G marls, 01 a sou.
1 he lady of s. Eally.treq. of Blackheath. of S ton.
The lady of John Koss. ogy..Of haftolustun oval, of a *Oa.
- _ .