The Sun.
London, England, 1808-07-30 00:00:00

FABLE.

The scene of adion lies in the interior of Aftlca,
at a place called Talteconda, a Province under the
government of the lonians. The Widow Darina,
one of this tribe, is left with three suns, Seiko,
Madiboo, and Tonitat. Seiko is betrothed to Be-
. rissa,- the daughter of Farutho, the Priest ; • and
when on the eve of marriage, the ceremony
terrupted by an irruption of the Mandingoes into
the town of Tatteconda. Then commences the first
conflia between " War, Love, and Daly." Selioo,
torn by contending passions, at length flies to the
succour of his mother, whom lie finds with 'his, two
brothers, who had taken refuge from the barbarity
and massacre of the Mandingues, in the neighbour-
ing woods. Here they ale reduced wencotinter the
dreadful calamity of famine ; to alleviate which,
Selico obtains a reluctant consent from his brother,
Madiboo, it) take him tor, sale to the Slave Market,
temporarily instituted by the King of the Mandin-
goes, and to apply the produce to the'reliel of their
mother's distress. The Slave Merchailts objeeting to
the weakness of Selico, he proposes ,to illudibuo (his
broi her), as a • last resource, that he shall deliver him
up to the Maridingo Monarch, as a slave who had
escaped from his tent, and tor whose apprehension
a-
reward is offered of 400 oz. of gold. An interest-
ing struggle ensues between the blot tiers ;
is at length pre', ailed upon, and the wretched
wearied with life, as he thinks his mistress Berissa
has perished in the massacre with her father Faruilio,
is delivered up to the sanguinary Monarch 0i Mau-
dingo, who instantly orders hini to the stake. A
Funeral Pile is also prepared for a female stave, who
has resisted the amurous,advanceS of the Tyrant. The
wretched Criminals are brought out, and at the dread-
ful moment when the . fatal tore: is about to be ap-
plied, they mutually' reco, ilizeeach other as Seiko and
Berissa (the two lovers). An ilife(tinu, appeal is made
to. the humanity of the Manclingo, but tie Contiittles
unrelenting, until the appearance of the venerable
Priest and the agonised mother, whose united soli-
citations so work. upon his savage nature, that he at
lasi. grants a general amnesty, and consents to the
union of Seiko and Berissu. The distress of the -
Piece is relieved by the whinisieal adventures of Mr.
Henry diupstus 4'llag, an ivory-turner of London,
who is first shipwrecked on the coast of Africa, is
then made a slave to I.4soulall Tribe, and after-
ward's arrives at the extraordinary and high-sounding
situation of Secretary of the Foreign Department to
the Biaek King of the Maudiugoes.

If the Publit had not been previously inforrned
that this Play is the produation of Mr. COLMAN, the
secret would have been revealed very soon after its
'commencement, as it is strongly marked by that
original humour, lively imagination, and mixture of
pathos and pleasantry which have hitherto charac-
terized his dramatic productions. Whatever there
might be in the Piece as it was represented last
night, that was not as well relished by the Au,
thence as the general merits of the composition,
proceeded froth the exuberance of the Author's
fancy, and may be removed, not only without -injury
to the main plot; but the excission would indeed
reader it still more interesting. The strokes of hu-
mour are
:abundant, and the whimsical combina-
tions of imagery are highly diverting. The senti-
ments are strling and energetic, and many of them
are expressed with peculiar neatness and elegance.
Some of the situations have a strong hold on the
imagination, and others powerfully operate upon
the heart. The 'charade's, though not absolutely
new, are not the common inhabitants of the dra-
matic regions; but amidst all their odd and fantas-
:tic qualities, are such as may be found in life.-
-They are well discriminated and contrasted, and
the hand of a Master has been employed in
placing thetn in such positions as bring their re-
spedive qualities into ludicrous or interesting aaion.
The satirical touches, not only upon the follies of
the day, but those which are likely always to mark
the charaeters_ of mankind, are conveyed in such a
manner, as to divert, without exciting feelings of
churlish misanthropy. Upon the whole, .this, is a
worit wisrthy of a* dramatic reputation of its.AU-
tlior, and such as must excite great surprise at the
inexhilustible fertility of his imagination. The chit,.
r46l4rs are admirably adapted. to the talents of
the respe;:tive Performers. • YON is, of course,
the Hero of the Piece, and he sustained his Nil
with that spirit, judgment, and good sense. which
are the prevailing qualities of his Ming. nos-cart
was , a powerful support to the Play. . Lisrots's
whimsical simplicity was alsO very operative, Dvlrs.
Guias, as usual, was natural and spirited. The
character of the Widow received very respeaable
Sepport from Mrs. ST. LEGER.
The Scenery is rich and beautiful. Kat.Ly has
never shewn his musical talents with more success
than in the Overture and Airs of this. Piece. The
• former is a fine Gomposition, and the Airs are, ani-
mated and expressive. The Audience testified
warm applause throughout the represenxation, and
cordially-assented to its repetition.