The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-07-22 00:00:00

ENCLISH OPERA.

A new. houshaiiic interlude woo last nliti *o-
ilseed at this Theatte. It is entitled Doctor Bolas.
and is evirfDeutly,tlie work of the Gentlemen, .by
whom the rury-lane Managers were favoured with
the comic extravaganza of 44 Amore" Zing of
Little Britain." It is, like the piece just named,
parody aro:ighest, without object or application.
SHAILsPEARE, OTWAV. and Las—O'Kagra, and
i host of song-writers--are parodied without
mercy, and without wit. The hero of the piece,
Mr. HARII.IIY, is a sort of Hawk —his Queen,
Miss Ktit.t.i, • species of Opkelio. The former
is enamoured of one of the Melds of Honour,
personated by Miss I. STantamsom—the lat-
ter is attached to General Searoxelaseho, a cha-
racter supported by Mr. W. S. Cuarraat.atr.
The General rebels against his Sovereign—is taken
prisoner and assassinated by the enraged Monarch.
The Queea, and ell the drank/ifs personae, except
Dr. Bolat, rally; xecondues Mem, in turn—but
the worthy Doeiiir, by a tomb of hie metallic
tractam, restores them to life—and. the piece con-
cliitrei wit!) a song and dance.. When The Re-
hear*, eti‘k Ara later period, when other bur-
league . pieces were represented on the English
stage; they were introduced for the purpose of
reforming, by a satirical infliction, the barbarous
taste which prevailed at the time. No such ex-
cuse can he made fur the production of Doctor
Bolas—which we look upon es a pill-
-64 Bitter to wallow, ad hard of digestion."

The attempt to tun► into ridicule such a character
as Ophelia, " the good, the gentle, the generous,
the pious," argues a want of taste, not to be found
amongst those who read, understand, and conse-
quently adri►ire SHAIISPEARN. There is little in
the piece to laugh at, if we except Mr. HAELNY'S
wig, and Miss KELLY'S gown ; but there is much
to condemn. Such an expression as " blow me
tight" (this is but one taken at random from a num-
ber), though it inay please the lowest of the vulgar,
ought not to be suffered to disgust the ears of
the more refined part of an auditory. If the
author have any talent for the true burlesque,
which we much doubt, the recent Elect►ons
afford him an admirable opportunity for a dis-
play of it. Let him, if he please, tutu Lord
CASTLEREAGH's or Mr. CANNING'S speeches
into rhyme—let him Introduce their supporters,
chaunting forth hymns in praise of their wisdom
and virtue, taken from the poems of M r. SOUTHRY—
but, let him not. by humourless parodies of SHAW.
smuts, convict Mandl' of an utter perversion of
mind—of a complete obliquity of understanding.
The performers did their utmost to support the
piece, and they were successful. IN some instances,
we think, they did more than they had a right to
do. We here allude to the imitations that were in-
troduced, particularly that of Miss O'Nett.t. by
Miss KELLY. Min O'NEILL ought not to be
dragged forward, at second-baud, iu such a farrago
as this.

Upwards of fifty beautiful Roman urns have
beets accidentally discovered within the last few
days. in a field belonging to the Marquis CORN.,
WILLIS, near Rye, iu Suffolk. From the great
length of time they have been deposited in the earth,
the workmen experience much difficulty in getting
them out entire.

An Alderman's gown has become vacant in the
Corporation of London, by the death of Sir Cusittes
Patch, Bart. Monday morning, when the info,.
motion was made known, a meeting of the inhabit-
ants of the Ward of Farringdon Without was held.
Mr. Deputy Haman in the Chair; when a Reso-
lution was proposed, and unanimously carried,
44 that R. WAITIDIAN, Esq. M.P. is a fit and pro.
per person to till the office of Alderman." On the
above being communicated to Mr. ‘VAITIIMAN, he

signified his acquiescence, and measures were im-
mediately taken to secure his election.
Good Wine needs ao Bash."—Thin vying
arose from the old custom of whipping wine with •
bush Of blanch of birth under the swims of thrills, it ; bat
of late years the vintages and mode of obtaining Wine have
been so much improved, that a man may now clear from
any Stork he prefers, and whip it into his own cellar, the
Choicest Claret, Port, or Madeira in the kingdom, free of
any expense whatever, by the gratuitous arrangement of Mr.
CARROLL, the Contractor for the Lottery, who invites the
holders of each Prize of 1,000 Sovereigns to select Four
Pipes of Pori or Madeira,or Four Hogsheads of Claret, and
in proportion for Shares; and to send the Bills to either of
the Contractor's Offices, No. 7, Cornhill, or 28, Oxford-
street. This is quite indepeadeut of Two Prizes of 530,000,
Two of "010, Ste. he.; which way all be drawn the 4th
Next Month, as there are ad lied Prices, and only 8,000
Tickets in this Lottery.
The latest accounts front St. Helena continue to
mention, the circumstance of the sailor making his
way to the residence of BonAPARTE. It was also
reported on the island, that iti consequence of re-
presentations from NAPOLEON, or from other cir-
'be Would shortly quit Longwood, and
reads St a Mr. Lazne, farm, which bad been, or
wan about to be, purchased for his future resi-
dence. The latter is situated to the westward of
the only landing place on the island. about three
or foul mile, in the interior. The only access to it
is a winding way up the buitier-hill. at the top of
which is it strong battery; The accounts state that
it was considered by every perton not only the most
pleasant residence on the island, but that all chance
of escape was rendered impossible, as any prison ap-
proaching could be seen at a distance ; and as there
was only one path, a few sentinels would he sufficient
for the purpose Of guarding it. The fortifications
on ladder-hall are repleseuted to be of the
most commanding destriptiou, large caution look-
ing nearly perpendiculuily down both on the
narrow pass, and also towards the sea. Sonic
of them are 32 and 44-pounders ; they are swung
in chains, and could on the instant be levelled
at any object. however much below the range of
the guns. By means of a telegraph at the house
of Mr. LEECH, communications could be had in a
few seconds with the Governor's house, or with any
part of the island. The greatest attention con-
tinued to be paid to all vessels sailing from the
island. On its tieing Made known by signal that a
vessel is about to sail froth the island, the officer on
duty makes himself sure that BoNAPARTE is at his
residence, or, to speak in the language of the island,
"he sights him." The signal is then made for the
resat% to depart, and if she does not instantly heave
her anchor, the batteries cOmmence firing, and con-
s finite till the vessel bats cleared the bay.

. ••
LAW rNI R4ircest.E.
COURT OF CHIMCERY. Lucoues-Int,
JuLT

The fellowil

notices ore

the Hall

- posted up in tt ,ssis
July *O.
The Lord Chancellor hi, tiol hear any motions durum the
Sittings, in eases in which briefs diall trot have beeu deliver-
ed to Counsel on or before lVedneaday hest (this day), in
day of the twit Seal. But this is not to extend to motions,
which, by the coons of the Cubit, the parties ate rostitle4,l
to taste at any tune, when the Court is sitting, or to motions
fur which lie apical leave of the Court shall be obtained.
July2l.
The Lord Chancellor will close the present Kittleap at
Llscolu's 100-Hall, on Saturday, the 15th of August.