The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-04-24 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDRIY THEATRE.

A new mimics' romance, called Henri Qsaire,
or Paris in the Olden Time. was produced pt this
theatre ou Saturday night. for the first tittle. It is
founded, as may be inferred from its title, on
French history, and some of the incidents were
moat probably borrowed front u French operatic
piece, the name of which dues not at present occur
to us. Rumour ascribes the English production
to the pro of Mr. MORTON. Whoever way be its
author. or however high he may stand on the roll of
literary fame, its success was sufficiont to gratify the
utmost demands of his vanity. We have scarcely
ever witnessed any dramatic entertaininesst, which,
on the first representstion, gave such unqualified sr.
tisfaction, in almost every particular, to an um,
usually large audience.
The following is a list of the principal of the
dramatis persona :

Henri
Hdlg
Craton
General D'Anneont
Aerie de Biros
...

Frrde►ich St. Leon Mr. Abbott.
O'Donnsl Mr. J. Johnstone.
MorstaeAe
Jocrisse
GOIMBIS
Pintoes
Ger Main Mr. Corner.
Prompts St. Leon
Clotilsts de Biro*
Lesbos

The incidents presented in the piece are, selected,
as is announced in an advertisement prefixed to the
book of songs, without any reference to chrono-
logical order, the writer's endeavour having been
to sketch the history• of Henri's mind. That il-
lustrious Prince, a short time previous to his tri-
umphant entry Min Paris, in one of those frolics
which he so much loved, abandons the pomp and
cares of royalty for a day, and at once to give him•
self a holiday, and to observe the dispositions sod
inclinations of his people, strolls forth in the dress
of a trooper, to mingle as one of themselves in
their pursuits anti! amusements. He is accom•
Panied by his friend, Sally, in the same dis-
guise. In their rambles, they enter a village, the
inhabitants of which had made preparations to hold
a fete chanspetre, in honour of their good King's
birth-day, but had themselves involved in the most
distressing perplexity by the capture, by a party of
Leaguers, of the tillage innkeeper (Gervais). who
from some resemblance of features. was to re.
present Henri on the rural throne. The
real Monarch is chosen to supply the place
of the fictitious one, and discharges the functions
of his office to the admiration of all his rustic sub.
jects. but especially of the representative of the fair
Louis= (Miss M. Tame). being preferred by sc.
claniation to Gervais, who very unseasonably re.
appeared. In the event, however, he excites sus.
picion, and is on the point of being forcibly ap.
prehended, till she appearance and !engorge of
Crillon unfold his true character. More im-
portant affairs divert his atteution from the sim-
ple groupe till his grand entry into his amt.
tal, when he recognises them. and showers on
them marks of favour and advancement. These
occurrences afford a fine opportunity, of which the
writer has well availed himself, fur developing the
generous mod amiable attributes of Henri's cha-
racter ; his magnanimity, courage, gallantry, good
humour, and clemency. The mein interest, how.
ever, does not he in the character and adventures
of the King, but in' those of two French officers,
Eugene and Frederick, told containing the illus.
Ignition of a perfect and most heroic friendship. This
friendship is cemented the more strongly by a duel,
in which Eugene is the aggregate, and is wounded.
Just previousto the rencontre, an order had arrived
from the King, appointing Hugene to a most im-
port service, winch Frederick, knowing his wound
had disabled him front acting, undertakes in his
name, and achieves with honour. The affair is kept
a secret from the King, who is about to confer
marks of distinction upon hugene; but his nature
is too noble to receive them, and he couleur, not
only the act of Frederick. but the duel preceding
it, which the French law then punished with death.
He is thrown into prison, and condemned to die
the following morning. Eugene there recollects
that the marriage of his friend was intended to
take place that evening with his sister Uvalde,
and that without his signature to the contract
his happiness would be delayed. The gaoler,
an old toddler, a friend. and the instructor of his
prisuuer in the military art, confides in his honour.
and suffers him to leave the prison on his parole.
He repairs to the chateau of his uncle, unites his
friend to his sister in marriage, without revealing
his situation, returns to the prison to meet his sen-
tence, and arrives just in time to save his aged
keeper from tutu. On his road, in passing
through a wood. he is enabled tO save the life
the King, who hail been attacked by a banditti,
and that act, when developed, leads to his par-
don and union with Florence, Frederick's sister,
to whom he had been tenderly attached. The pro.
revs of these events which are very civilly unfold.
ed. keeps up a lively interest fur the foie of the
principal personages, and a strong curiosity for
the result of the situations in which not only they,
but the minor characters are placed. The piece
abouads with misapprehensions and mistakes be•
tween the parties, than which nothing more can•
tributes to the amusement of the spectator.
The dialogue is light, natural, and emit, seasoned
by a large infusion of smart jests and pungeut re-
partees. The equivoque, however, it must be con-
fessed, sometimes admits a ton indecorous construe-
Lion. By very slight curtailment, however, the
piece may be disencumbered of any hook to hang a
censure on. However, it is but just to key, that
even in its present alispe. scarcely one symptom
of disapprobation was expressed at any passage
from beg g to end. It will most probably be a
very popular drama, and have a long run.
MACREADY plityed Henri admirably. C. Kau-
Nl.G's Eugene de Bison was, perhaps. equally ex-
cellent. The honest hardy veteran Illoresferehe was
personated by FAWCITI to the, life. J. JOBN-
•ToNE, who is rowed at this theatre, played
0' bawl. an Dish officer 111 the French ►ervice,
perfectly true to nature. LISTON represeota an
itnportaut fool mid a jealous Intabasid (Justine)
in his own tare Slid happy imaginer. Hi* panty. sail
coquettish wife was vary prettily sustaismd• by

MIN M. Tan. That lady was ~wed in a little
sung to the air of " Voiles sons dancer Made-
moiselle." Master LosorwasT. • very clever child,
who ha► the appearance of eibeaue youth. sang ■
duet with Miss *TIMMINS. HI a very pleasing style,
and was encored. It is almost superfluous to
add, that the companion or his song delighted her
auditors in every thing allotted to her. The music
is by Mr. BISHOP. The scenery is Ungainly
beautiful, so beautiful, indeed, that wee or ton views
are well deserving of • minute description, did our
!units permit it. The curtain was dropped and
the piece given out for ►epetttiou amid universal
and rapturous approbation.

CNIVERSITY IN?ILLIOENCE.

CARIRRIDGC, APRIL 1.0.
The Norrisian prise for the year 1919 is adjudged to Mr.
ft. Brough, of Benet College.
tivaday t►e Rev William Parish, M.A. of Magdalen Col.
lege, Jacksonian Professor, was winkled to the degree of
Bachelor in Divinity.
......

OTWORD. ARIL n.

ECCLESIASTICAL PROMOTIONS.

Hie Majesty has bees planed to appoint She Rev. Peter
Velimbos. D.D. Warden of Merton College. to She Deanery
of Cbeeter, esteem by the promotion of the Rev. R. Hudgins..
1) D.

Rev. Robert Hodgson, D.D. Dna of Chester, to the
Deanery of Carlisle.
Rev. Jobe Mitchell, B.C.L. Rev. John Titubrill, D.D.
Reeler of Beckford, cad the Rev. George Coots., D. D. have
bees elected Procurator', the foveae, fur the Des. and
Chapter, and the two latter for die Diocese of Gloucester,
fur the sassing Convocative.
Rev. Dr. Fisher and the Rev. Dr. Road have bees elected
Proctors to represent the Clergy of the Diocese of Exeter in
Convocation.

Rev. John Wingfield, D.D. Vicar of Bromsgrove, and
the Rev. Francis Mills, M.A. Rector of Buford, have been
elected Proctors fur the Clergy of the Diocese of Worcester.
The Rev. James Meakin, M.A. is elected Proctor for the
Dean and Chapter.
Rev. Sir John Fagg, Bart. and the Rev. Dr. Nara, are re-
elected Proctors fur the Diocese of Canterbury.
Rev. E. Law, nephew to the Lord Bishop of Chester, to
be Chaplain to the British factory at St. Petenbureb.
The Hon. and Rev. William Wes, son of Lord Henley, to
the Vicarage of Beakesbourn, and Rectory of HarMadeira,
sent. Palma, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Rev. William Colby, to the Rectory of Clippesby, Norfolk.
Patron, Dover Colby, Esq. of Great Yarmouth.
Rev Daniel Lloyd has been appointed amplain of his
Msfesty's ship Queen Charlotte.
Rev. Willis. Hiklyard, v.A. toe been appointed Chap-
lain of Triuity College, Cambridge.