The National Register.
London, England, 1814-09-25 00:00:00

TTTI NATIONAL REGISTER.

616

DRURY LANE THEATRE.

Thnse stupendous improvements completed, which have for sonic
weeks past engrossed the care of tile Managers of this concern, the
Theatre was on Tuesday night thrown open to the public. A va-
riety of ciiennistances bait combined to attract the attention of the
votaries of pleasure, to the pile
" Bear'd where once rose the mightiest of our isle,"
and the consequence was, the Theatre was nearly filled shortly after
the doors were opened. In every part of the house a bus of ap•
ylanse marked the satisfaction of the assembling audience on seeing
the changes which taste had planned and liberality carried into ef-
fect—a liherahtv at once magnificent and pi-talent, boundless, yet,
alter ehh, oat inconsistent o ith true veconomy. No hiss of cOn•
tempt, no mmouir of di,pleasure was to be heard. The comparison
may not be thought very flattering to the audiemer, but the wnotler
awl satisfaction expressed by every party on entering, reminded HS
Of the ,iliprise of the Demons, on their first grand meeting in Pan-
tienioniam, where
4' Some the work, and some the artist prais'a,"
Here, however, was to be seen, a happier assemblage—not a divan
of fallca spirits, met to consider
a What reieforcements they might gain from hope,
" If not, what resolution from despair ;"
but a multitude of joyful mortals seeking to enliven their fleeting
wexistenee with a few hours of rational pleasure.
For some time nothing more than a whisper of approbation was
10 be beard, but when the lamps rose, and displayed all the beauty
of tie edifice, the general satisfaction could no longer be repressed,
and tour distinct roam!: of applause, mixed w ith shouts, were
offered, a spontaneous tribute of admiration. The ciirtaia was soon
alter Massa up, and the new drop scene was soon discovered in all
its grandeur. This caused the plaudits to be renewed, and at this
8101116141 i 11101111'11 t '4 God save the King," struck up in the °relies.
tra, augmented ihe univeral satisfaction which prevailed around.
The song was now called for, but the call was not immediately
complied with, tool this occasioned sonic dissatisfaction to be ex-
pressed. A considerable tumult was excited in the pit, and the
audience generally began to think they had a right to complain,
%Oleo just as it wois sappioe I the musicians were about to close their
Wows, the drop scene w .s raised, and the whole cops drasnatique
came forwatd, obedient to the wishes of John Bull. " God save the ,
hing” was then sung in excullent style by the vee.4l performers, the
whole audience up-standing and uncovered.
This was immediately saseeeded by the following Address, written
by Mr. ,tench, and spoken with great effect and load applause by
Edwin :
At it nzt It, %Var's desolating banner forrd,
Sweet Peace descends to bless the weary world!
'Welcome, dear Stranger, from thy realms of bliss,
Tao ion a stranger from all lauds but this !
rre/ all 11U t l aITA 1 N, ronnd whose chalky sides
hull Ocean's tubjeet, yet protecting tides !
'l'o alt,—but this our favoni'd Isle,
Where, midst surromidieg War, thou still bast slesigu'd to smile !
Now parting tears arc turn"d to joyous greetings,
gos Now stern alarnms change to merry meetings,"
Auspicious moment hail ! wheu peace restores
Joy to our hearts, and plenty to our shores !
Farewell ! a long farewell, to taxes—debts—
Farewell to glorious news ! farewell Gazettes !
Farewell the warrior's tale—tho' nobly sounded—
Pare Well ! thank Heas'n ! to lists of kill's{ and wounded,
Heoceforth the Historic page alone shall tell
Who bravely emu-weed, or as bravely fell !
But still Mut page shall name with honest pride
Our cherished Heroes, who have fought and died!
Shall show how well, on shore, or on the wave,
Our gallant Sailors, aosi our Soldiers brave
limns- how Britamiia's thunder aliould be intrl'd.
Aryl Peace be gabi'd by Victory o'er the world t
Eugland. be this thy just, thy Noble boast !
Tice Exile still was welcome to thy coast !
Still 'mid the direst rage of War's alarms
Wanderer found safe shelter is thine arms

AL (I, if permitted, on our Biitish. parts
To prai,e those deeds which honour British hearts
Be tibi. our proudest !—to 4%4 strecked the 110 u
4
By FreteNtn siren-Mad; ova Mikes, tau

SEPT. 25.

Still to have nrg'd our steadfast right, to be
The Foes of Slattery; who Ou►selves swine !
Then hail, dear Peace ! thou generon, nurse of arts,
Friend of the Mmes—welcome to our hearts!
What time so fit—as when thy cheering ray
Darts, like Ce glorious beam of new-born may,
Thro' the long night of darkness and of storm,
To cheer and lighten every gloomy form—
What time so fit to dress each scenic muse
With brighter splendours, and with warmer hues!
To Court the Arts to this their gay retreat,
. And deck, with richer tints, their frivolled seat ?
For now, Isbell Comic scenes possess the stage,
To mock its follies—if not mend the age—
No thought of distant friends who strive in war
Shall damp your mirth, and all our efforts mar;
Now, when those efforts would your cares begnite,
No smother'd sigh shall half repress the smile !
Nor, as the Tragic Muse-shall here rehearse
Her well-wrought woes in monroltd measur'fl verse,
When some lov'tl Hero falls, or Patriot dies,
No more shall kindred claims demand your sighs
No more her sorrows to your hearts be known
To make, by sympathy, her pants your own.
Here then, with Hope elate, once more we come
And hid you, like oar warriors, welcome Home.
Long have we gladly labour'd in your cause—
Long may this Dome re-eclto your applause,
Fur such reward, this brilliant temple grew,
Which now we dedicate to Peace and Yon.

l'he Play was " The Rivals," in which Dowton, Einstein, Ran-
!lister, Mrs. Davison, Mrs. Edwin, and Mrs. Sparks, were received
with that hearty greeting which established favourites have a right
to t xprct. They amide(' themselves throughout to admiration ;
and Play and Alterpiece, (" The lice Hive;') went OF with bound-
less applause.

If mad• be nsefuld to state the designs with which the circle of
boxes of Drury Lane Theatre has been ornamented. On the dress
circle a gilded lattice-work on a light blue ground, with roses in
the centre of each box relieved by white in the interseetions. The
upper aont of the canopy has an antique projecting scroll, in which
blue is relieved by white and gold. The fronts of the boxes displays
a gold vine foliage falting upon relieved flutings.
In the second tier there are a series of designs, of which the fol.
low ing is an explanation :-
1. Be ginning on the right looking towards the stage—The first
subject is, a native offering made annually by the Romans for the
eternity of their empire, and the health of their Emperor and
citizens.

V. A General, after obtaining advantages over the Parthians, is
crowned by Victory. The Commander of the Parthiary is on his
knees surrendering and imploring his clan► ucy ; other captives are
also brought in,

1. Bacchanalian subjects from the Elgin marble, and the Tov►nly
marbles, and Terra Cot tas to the British
4. A Nuptial Dance.
liacchanalians
6 Sacrifices of Iphigenia—Agamemnon, Achilles, Ulysses, and
other Greek 'heroes.

7. Enemies attacking the opposite parties when buried in sleep
in the Temple, upset the altars, and deface the statue of the God.
8. Mercury announcing to Jupiter and Juno, seated on their
throne•, that a sacrifice has been offered them.
9. Death of Meleager.
10. A funeral pomp. A young huntsman is carried by his rela-
tiye—hi. companions follow, with the hunting spears, 'dogs, and
horns, to throw them into the tomb with him.

11. Continuation of the same. He is here represented on a pile—
women bewailing and te,,ring their hair ; his wile killing herself"
near the pile. On the right stand the urn and the Priests, repeating
three times " Farewell to the departing soul.
12. Subjects from the Elgin awl Townley collection,.
13. Ceremony of the Egyptian Goddess Isis ; first is the Priestess,
as Goddess, holding in one hand the Egyptian bucket, in the other
the serpent, emhlem of the healing divinity.--td. Egyptian Priestess
singing hymns in honour of the Goddess.---,ad. Chief Priestess carries
a bucket full of water for the ceremony, denoting the fruitfulness
of the Nile.-4th. Priestess shaking in otte load a titabrellboidips
4n tha other a chat* for libation.