The Sun.
London, England, 1814-12-07 00:00:00

THE THEATRE.

The Mountaineers, in which KENIELE performed
Octavian with 'Characteristic wildness aid pathetic
effect, was succeeded last night, at Covent garden
Theatre, by a new Piece, entitled The King, and
the Duke, or 'Hach is Which? The Scene lies in
Poland. The King (JONES), under the character
of a Colonel, visits the mansion of Count Barjon,
(TERRY), accompanied by his confidant Sigis-
inund (HA MERTON) , and is soon captivated by
Uirica (Miss Fooro,
the daughter of Borjon.---
The attachment is apparently mutual, tint the
King conceals his condition, in order to discover
whether Utrica is willing to prefer his addresses
to those of the Duke ff Cates' (ABBOTT) , to
whom she had been betrothed- by her father,
in consequence of the high recommendation of
fie,qry, (Do 11 USET), the brother of Iltrica. Per-
ceiving the attachment of the supposed Colonel
to his -daughter, Boijon desires the King to
'proceed on his journey, wishing to get-rid of him
before the arrival of the Duke cf Cates, who is
every moment expected: The person of the Duke
is not known to Bar:jon, or his Daughter. When
the Duke arrive's, he soon discovers that the King.
hail assumed his title, awl he therefore resolves to
retaliate by passing himself off as the King.
.At
length, after an explanation between the King and
the Duke, it is resolved that they shall both main.,
tain their assumed characters, d leave the Lady
to chose, from her own free will, wiiich shall be
her destined Husband. The result is, that Ulrica

avows her attachment to the King, supposing him
to be the Duke, and the piece-concludes with her
intended elevation to the throne.

The most entertaining part of this piete is the
vacillation in the
.condufq of Borjon, who is a
proud- old.. Courtier, alterneitely preferring the
King and the Duke, as he has reason to believe
that either is higher than the Other, and who
transfers his abuse or panegyric on the person of
each from the same motive. This character is a
blemish in the piece, because he is such a com-
pound of mean ambition and servility, that we
must regret that so amiable a, daughter should
have sucil a worthless father, and that such a.
Iran should receive an additional rank rather than
bepunidied with contempt.. _

The intricacy produced by the crossing of the
two assumed characters, and its operation on the
old Courtier is very amusing. Much of the dia.
Logue, however, will admit of retrenchment with-
out imparing the perspicuity of the plot. As Bora
jun is a Diplomatist, as well as a Courtier, some-
thing more might have been made of his character
by temporary allusions, without any improper
reference to current events.- As this purpose...is not
effected, much of the diplomatique language might
be omit ted in order to render the piece more cunt-

pact.
The acting %vas excellent throughout ; but par-
ticularly that Of JONES, TERRY, and MISS FOOTE..
ABBOTT also acquitted himself rt-spectably; so
did 11 AMERTON and.SimmoNs, though their cha-
racters were but of a subordinate description.
The piece was announced for this evening with
general and ,waein applause: It is avowedly a
free translation from the French.

WINDSOR, DEC. 6. Yesterdey PriHcess Au-
GUSTA, attended by Lord ARDEN and Sir .BRENT
SPENCER, rode on horseback. Lady M. TAYLOR
followed in a coach and four, as the Lady in Wait-
ing. The weather proving unfavourable, the
QUEEN did not leave the Castle.—Lord ARuct.r
left the Castle in the afternoon for London.—
Princess MARY . walks a considerable distance
,every day when the weather permits. •
ROYAL HUNT.—Yesterday morning, the Royal
Hunt took place soon after ten o'olock from
Maidenhead Thicket ; a very fine deer was turned
out of the cart for the Jay's diversion, which show.
cc! charming sport through the woods towards the
'lli:Ames, between Cookham and Marlow, whew.
he crossed the Thames in a very fine style, and
with great swiftness up the Hill ; and from there
through the enclAures towards High Wycombe,
where he was "taken after a day's excellent sport.
A number of sporsmen were thrown out. Some
had above 20 miles.to return home.

King CITRISTOPH WS preparations for defence
have been incessant, and his troops are numerous
and well disCiplincd. At the Cape there are about
5000 infantry, and 1500 cavalry, with a very good
park of artillery. The whole of his regular mi-
litary establishment is calculated at 22,000 men,
and the Militia is said to consist of 33,000. Fort

Henry,. or the citadel of CnatsTornE, is a stu-
pendous ‘vork, and is supplied with provisions
and ammunition for 6000 men for two ye:;rs.—
The population is, to a man, united against the
French.

Thursday a detachment of the 2d battalion 71st
Regiment left Gldsgow, on a route for Ireland,
'from whence, it is said, they will proceed to

Anierim

The War Duties ceasing on the 17th instant,
the duty on coals, after that period, in the Port
of London, will be 9s. 4d. per cbaldron, instead
ofi2s-fid., which it at present is.
A letter; dated St. John's; Newfoundland, 0e;.
tober 30, from an Officer of the Hamadrvad, give
an account of his safe arrival there, after encott'n-
tering the most tremendous hurricane on the 28th
of September, in which they had all their boats
washed away, main=top-mast and main-yard,
mizen and fore-top-mast sprung, the ship nearly
filled with water, and in a sinking state, when
Providence interposed in their favour. The Ha-
madrvad was in expectation of going to Halifax
the first favourable wind, and from thence to Eng-
land, where it •is probable she might arrive in
January next..
The Commercial Wine Hall Company respect-
fully invite their Customers, the Nobility, Gen-
try, and Buyers of 'Wine. in general, to their Con-
cerns, No. 30, Skinner-street, 10, :Coruhill, and
340, Oxford-street. in Skinner-street, they will
have the opportunity' of viewing and tasting the
I largest Stock of the finest Wines and Spirits iu
the kingdom,—at Cornhill and Oxford-street,
_ Samples of every' Article may be tasted. All or-
ders will be delivered, free of expepcei to any part
of London as usual. For partieulars,",see adver-
tisement in front of this Paper.