The Sun.
London, England, 1830-04-21 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

We give the following very amusing and parti-
cular account of a most farcical scene that took place
here last night, between Madame VESTTZIS and Mr.
ANDERSON, from the Mornin,gChronicle of this day.
It will, no doubt, greatly entertain our readers :

In all our theatrical experience, we never wit-
nessed such a scene as occurred at this house last
night. We need not remind our readers of what
has recently occurred at Bow-street, and at the
Sessions, relating to a certain real or supposed con-
spiracy, farther than to state that the scene to which
we refer grew out of those proceedings, the principal
actors in the one being the principal parties in the
other—Madame VESTRIS and Mr. ANDERSON.--
The performance advertised—Guy Mannering—
was very different from that which was really repre-
sented, as we will endeavour to show, apologising
at the same time for our own feeble powers, espe-
cially as we are deprived of the usual resource of
nonplussed paragraph penners that such and such a
situation "is more easily imagined than described."
We defy any body who was not present to fancy a
scene of such absurd confusion as two persons in a
condition so painful, yet so ridiculous.
Mr. ANDERSON took the part of Ileniy Bertram,
for the first time, and Madame VesTitts that of
Julia Mannering, whether also for the first time we
do not recollect, and the managers, as if they antici-
pated some disturbance, had judiciously arranged
that they should not come on the stage together
without a propitiatory introduction : accordingly,
the duet of " Now Hope, now Fear," was sung by
Madame VESTRIS on the boards, and by Mr. AN-
DERSON behind the wing, and from first to last it
was heard with so much attention, that we supposed
that all was going off quietly, and that the house,
which was a very full one, would not think it proper
or just to interfere with a matter in a course of legal
investigation ; but Mr. ANDERSON no sooner set his
foot on the stage than the whole atmosphere was
filled with the contesting din of hoots, groans,
shouts, hisses, and a very considerable share of
vigorous applause. He stood firmly for some mo-
ments, then bowed, and finally addressed himself to
Madame VESTRIS, in order to continue his part.
Not being able to proceed, he again bowed to each
side and to the centre, but without avail, and at
length stepped forward to the foot-lights, with an
air of self-possession, as if he meant to address
the house. Silence was not obtained without
difficulty; but Mr. ANDERSON was finally permitted
to say--" Ladies and Gentlemen, if your displea-
sure proceed from anything you hare seen in the
public prints, 1 can only say, that the assertions of
Madame VESTRIS and her friends on that subject
are without foundation." At this time Madame
VESTRIS was standing in the rear of the stage, but
immediately she heard this statement she came for-
ward with a quick step, and after looking Mr.
ANDERSON full in the face, with no very agreeable
expression of countenance (at least as disagreeable
as a pretty woman could look), she turned to the
audience as if she were disposed to speak. A great
number of the lady's friends, particularly in the Pit,
had taken offence also in her behalf at the supposed
charge of falsehood, and were most vociferous
in their exclamations against Mr. ANDERSON, who
on his part did not seem at all disposed to allow
Madame VESTRIS to gain possession of the house,
and was supported by a strong party of adherents,
so that the contest was maintained on both sides
with great energy.
In the midst of the disturbance, and while boxes,
pit, galleries, and stage were in equal confusion,
WaLeacK stepped from the wing in his capacity of
stage-manager, and stretched his arm, like Pros-
pero's, to allay the storm, but not with equal po-
tency. lie then rubbed his hands together, bowed
rather with the air of " an injured gentleman," and
after sundry other congas, was allowed vird voce to
interpose. " To save (he said) a performer of great
celebrity from being placed in a most painful situa-
tion, I come forward." No more was heard for this
time, because it seemed to the audience that Ma-
dame VESTRIS neither asked nor needed such assist-
ance, however well intended, and again nothing was
audible for some moments. WALLACK continued to
gesticulate and to be eloquent with arms, legs, and
back, independent of reproachful shakes of the head,
and when he was again heard he only added, " HOW-
ever talented our fair vocalist may be, she is not ac-
customed, I apprehend, to extempore speaking,"
meaning of course, that he was anxious to be her
mouth-piece; still Madame VESTRIS did not seem
to be duly sensible of the obligation, or of the
necessity for it, and again advanced to the
front of the stage, to the back of which
she bad previously retreated, while Mr. AN-
DERSON occupied the 0. P. corner : she expanded
her pretty round arms, and gave such a supplicating
look, that there was no denying anything, and silence
was obtained almost without opposition. She did
not, however, instantly avail herself of the opportu-
nity, but pulled out her delicate white handkerchief,
and wiped her eves and cheeks, until she made the
first red, and the last white, as if she had conveyed
the rouge from the one to the other. We conclude
that she shed " some few natural drops" rather of
vexation than of grief, and after a final rub of the
eye and a toss of the head, she thus spoke :
" Ladies and Gentlemen,—lf I had not the mast
distinct proofs of what I have asserted, I should not
have taken the legal steps to which I have resorted.
I can establish beyond doubt that Mr. ANDERSON
has entered into a conspiracy to drive me from the
stage. I must either have adopted the course I
have pursued, or I must have submitted to what was
the object of my enemies. I shall only add, that if Mr.
ANDERSON can clear himself from the imputation of
insulting a female (I will not say unprotected,
while I have your kind support), nobody will be
more rejoiced at such a result, however unexpected,
than I shall be. Give me leave to observe, that
the question between us is about to be brought be-
fore a different, and in some respects a more compe-
tent, tribunal, and perhaps, therefore, you may not
think it right to decide it now. I earnestly hope
that what has passed elsewhere will not be al-
lowed to interfere with your entertainment this
evening."
This address, and the manner in which it was de-
livered and received, showed Mr. WALLACE that
his intervention was not required; and that Madame
VESTRIS was, at least, as good as himself at " ex-
tempore speaking." The tide was turned at once
against Mr. ANDERSON; but he came forward un-
dismayed, and did not hesitate to look Madame
VESTRIS full in the face as boldly as the Lieutenant
gazed at the tiger (she must excuse the simile)
in the Tower, according to the fan-fetching ballad
" And when so grimly looked the tiger,
He looked grim at her again."
However, to look was all he was allowed; and a
lusty grey-headed admirer of Madame VESTRIS in the
pit was particularly instrumental in keeping up the
animosity of that portion of the audience. " I
wish to explain"—" I do not mean to accuse
Madame VESTRIS"—" She has been imposed
upon"—" She is utterly mistaken"—and ejacu-
lations of that sort, were heard in the pauses of the
storm, but nothing connected; and WALLACK had
the good sense to retire, seeing that he was not
wanted, and that he could do no good. Madame
VESTRIS also flung from the stage, after casting a
look of " measureless disdain" upon the object of
her displeasure. ANDERSON had nothing left but
to proceed with his part : for he was clearly out-
speechified and out-generalled by " our great Cap li
-
tain's Captain?' Everything was against him, ex-
cepting some few faithful adherents in extremity,
who endeavoured to keep up his spirits while he
acted a song; whether it had any words, he any
voice, or the orchestra any sound, was a mys-
tery. When Madame VESTRIS returned to the
boards to pursue her part, something must
have passed between her and Mr. ANDERSON, as she
darted from him, and exclaimed, " I will not stay,
Sir, to be insulted !" or words to that effect ; while
he was left to shrug his shoulders, and to look as
collected as he could. We must say that his situa-
tion was, in some respects, much to be compassion-

ated ; and the, under very trying and novel eireum-
Foances, he conducted himself with great firmness
and general propriety. Madame VEsTuts has de-
cidedly the advantage of him in experience and
popularity. If Mr. ANDERSON'S friends were no! so
numerous as those of Madame VESTRIS, they were
very persevering in their hostility to the lady during
the rest of the performance ; and when, before hei•
song " The Banners of Blue," she was received
with a few unwelcome hisses, she could not com-
mand her temper, and exclaimed impetuously,
" Ladies and Gentlemen—ln what have I of-
fended you, that you receive me with hisses
every time I come upon the stage ?" This appeal
was followed by general and loud applause; but the
expressions of disapprobation were not wholly dis-
continued.

After this exposure (we can call it nothing else,)
it was ludicrous to hear Madame VEsTRts and AN-
DERSON, as their parts required tendering affectiGn
to each other, but it was always done with a very
ill grace : to the last moment the lady kept her
" wild unaltered mien," for when Henry Bei tram,
near the fall of the curtain, is obliged to take her
hand, she let him pick it up from her side without
the slightest corresponding action on her part, and
withdrew it with a scornful air as soon as ever she
could do so with the slightest decency. Of course,
it is out of the question to criticise the singing—
ANDERSON had bawled himself hoarse, and Madame
VESTRIS, if not out of voice, was out of sorts.
Miss STEPHENS was encored in one or two of her
songs, but her tones and execution excited compa-
ratively little attention, all parties looking forward
to the time when Madame VEsTRts and Mr. AN-
DERSON should be again making " hateful love" for
their entertainment.

FROM THE GAZETTE OF LAST NIGHT.

Lord Chainllerlain'i-Office, April 19, 1830.

The Lord Chamberlain of his Majesty's Household has
appointed Michael Barne, of Sotterly-hall, in the county of
Suffolk, Esq., one of the Gentlemen of his :Majesty's Most
Honourable Privy Chamber in Ordinary.

Crown-Office, April 20.
'MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN THIS PRESENT PARLIA-

31ENT.
Borough of East Looe.—Henry Hope, Esq.

DECLARATIONS OF INSOLVENCY.

Adolphus Warren, Ilminster, Somersetshire, scrivener.
William Gibson, Blackman-street, Newington, Surrey,
grocer.

BANKRUPTCY SUPERSEDED.
William Ware, Exeter, timber-merchant.
• BANKRUPTS.

Spyers Godson, jun., Coventry, grocer, to surrender
May 4,7, and June 1, at one, at the Court of Commis-
sioners. Stephens, Bedford-row.
Thomas Hatton, sen. Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire,
plumber, May 12, at four, 13, at eleven, and June 1, at
nine, at the Hastings Hotel, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Heming
and Baxter, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields,

George Potter and William Bishop, Blackman-street,
Southwark, wine-merchants, April 23, May 4, and June
1, at one, at the Court of Commissioners. 05bahlestun
and Murray, London-street, Penchurch-street.

Nathan Joseph, Minories, tailor, April 27, at eleven,
May 7, at twelve, and June 1, at eleven, at the Court of
Commissioners. Isaacs, St. Mary Axe.
Georg• Stodart, Somers-town terrace, Middlesex, mas-
ter-mariner, April 23, at twelve, SO, at eleven, and June
1, at twelve, at the Court of Commissioners. Fisher, Red
Lion. square.

Samuel Partridge, Birmingham, tea-dealer, April 29,
30, and June 1, at one, at the Hen and Chickens Hotel,
Birmingham. Chester, Staple-inn, London; Arnold and
Haines, Birmingham.
Susannah Sarnpey, Mary and Elizabeth Feuld, New
Bond-street, milliners, April 27, May 4, at twelve,
and June 1, at eleven, at the Court of Commissioners.
Young, George-yard, Lombard•street.
Richard Gibson, Great Surrey•street, Southwark,
grocer, April 23, at ten, May 4, at nine, and June 1, at
ten, at the Court of Commissioners. Clarke, 13asingliall-
street.

Thomas Hussey, High Holborn, hat-manufacturer, April
at twelve, May 4, at one, and June 1, at twelve, at
the Court of Commissioners. Jones and Howard,
Mincing-lane.

Thomas Dicken and Edward I3romhy, Market Dray-
ton, Shropshire, hankers, May 12, 13, and June 1, at
ten, at the Red Lion Inn, Newport. Hutting and Bax-
ter, Lincoln's Inn-fields, London ; Stanley, Newport.
Thomas Tayler Ryan, Pitfiehl-street, Hoxton, mer-
chant, April 28, May 7, and June 1, at ten, at the
Court of Commissioners. Nettleshipp, Bicknell, and
Boulton, Grocers' Hall, London.
Francis Thornes, Stroud, Gloucestershire, fishmonger,
May 12, 15, and June 1, at ten, at the Golden Heart,
Stroud. King, Serjeant's-Inn, London ; Paris, Stroud.
Benjamin Kirk, Leeds, victualler, April 30, May 1, and
June 1, at eleven, at the Court-house, Leeds. Battye,
Fisher, and Sudlow, Chancery-lane, London ; Naylor,
Leeds.