The Sun.
London, England, 1822-03-19 00:00:00

THE THEATRE.

Daurty-LANE.—The Comedy,of The Man of
the World was revived last night at this Theatre,
for the purpose of introducing Mr. KEAN in the
character of Sir Pertinax M'Sycophant. This
play was originally called The True-born Scotch-
man.. It was first represented in Dublin, be-
tween the years 1760 and 1770, where it was
received with great applause. The Author, Mr.
MACKLIN the Actor, aftekards endeavoured to
obtain a licence for its representation in Lon-
don, but without success. It was originally
a scandalous attack upon the Scottish Nation.
How so liberal a people as the Irish could have
given sanction to such a libel upon their fellow-
subjects in the Sister Island it is difficult to con-
ceive, but we are persuaded that the bulk of
Irishmen would now spurn at such a national
calumny. In fact, the play itself is a gross libel
upon all governments, and all persons of rank
and respectable stations in society. The satire
is common-place and hackneyed though certainly
attended with some degree of point and humour;
but even those are chiefly gathered from current
topics of abuse among the general class of man-
kind. Such an attack upon the Irish would, we
are persuaded, never have been tolerated in Scot-
land, if with a similar attack upon a national cha-
racter it had been first represented in that
country ; and if the author had obtained a li-
cense for the representation of the play, as origi-
nally written, in London, we doubt not that the
Scotcbmen in our metropolis would have put a
stop to such a libel on their country on the
very first night. We are told, however, that the
play as now represented is always well received
in Scotland, but we conceive that the applause
must come from the lower class of people, who
are always pleased with abuse of their superiors.
Mr. JEPHSON, the celebrated Irish Dramatist
and Poet, was exactly of our opinion respect-
ing this play, anti the following anecdote
we heard from Mr. KEMBLE, who was not
likely to give any toleration to a falsehood.—
Mr. JEPIISON, in company with Mr. GRATTAN,
was speaking with contempt of this play, and de-
clared that, in his opinion, " any body of an or-
dinary understanding and general knowledge of
mankind might utter such common-place satire
if they were so inclined." Mr. GRATTAN, rising
in his chair, with a quaint kind of familiar
humour, simply - said " try," which excited
universal laughter in the company, and at
once put an end to Mr. JEPHSON'S censure,
reduced him to silence, and compelled him to
join in the laugh against himself. We heartily
conform to the opinion of Mr. JEPHSON, though
we admire the humour, but presume to differ
from the taste, even of Mr. GRATTAN.—But to
advert to the performance of last night. Mr.
KEAN acquitted himself very ably in the
character of Sir Pertinax. He evidently con-
ceived the character justly, and he supported it
throughout with humour and effect. It is said
by those who are thoroughly conversant with the
Scottish dialect, that his pronunciation was not
correct. We do not consider this as a fault, for
he thereby rendered it more intelligible to
English ears, and consequently more acceptable
to a mixed audience, a large majority of
whom must of course he natives of England.
The chief objection applies to his dress and
appearance, as he did not appear to be old enough
to have a Chaplain twenty-five years in his service,
and a son of the supposed marriageable age of
Egerton. The broad figure of MACKLIN was
better calculated to embody the idea of a do-
mestic tyrant of such, a description, and the
stout form of Mr. CookE also, though in
a less degree, approached towards the natu-
ral conception of such a character. In this
respect, therefore, Mr. KEAN failed ; but his
judgment, spirit, humour, and energy, in a great
measure atoned for the deficiency. He was
warmly and deservedly applauded throughout.
—Mr. COOPER gave a very interesting re-
presentation of Egerton, and the part could not
have been sustained with more judgment and
feeling.—Miss BOOTH, we find, is liable to the
same objection as that applied to Mr. KEAN, .viz.
a want of correctness in the delivery of the Ca-
ledonian dialect, but it is an objection that can
only be obvious to the natives of the North; and
the vivacity, humour, and unaffected gaiety
with which she performed the part of Lady
Rodolpha afforded high gratification to every
Southern Critic. Mr. GATTIE, in Lord Lum-
bercourt, Mr. PENLEY, in Sydney, and Mrs.
ORGER, in Betty, all ably contributed to give
effect to the piece, which was very well received.
When Mr. COOPER, who had so ably acquitted
himself in Egerton, came to announce the play
for repetition, an illiberal call for KEAN, after
some time, compelled him to leave the stage, and
K EAN was obliged to come forward for that purpose.
There were indeed some more liberal auditors,
who disapproved df this offensive insult to a very
respectable actor, who
`raised a cry for Mr.
COOPER, but they were overpowered by the
vulgar herd. It is time that the just indignation
of the public should put an end to such disgust-
ing partiality, which must be revolting to the
liberal feelings of Mr. KEAN himself.

His Grace the Duke of NORTHU➢iBERLAND
has lately had a most grateful and appropriate
Address presented to him from the parents of
the children who are educated in the Free-
school at Alnwick, which is supported by the
present truly noble Head of the House of PERCY.
In the Institution in question, books, and every
thing necessary to the instruction of 200 scholars,
are found by his Grace, who also gives clothes
to the' most deserving boys, to the amount of 501.
a year, and presents of money to those that
attend Church regularly; also to every boy who
finishes his education, and quits the School for
employment, a premium of 1/. a year for the first
three years of his apprenticeship, provided his
master gives him a certificate of good, conduct
during that.time. These premiumi are generally
given every New Year's Day, and aniount to
about 50/.

The Salop county meeting, to consider the
depressed state of agriculture, is appointed by
six acting Magistrates to be held on the 25th
inst., the High Sheriff having refused to comply
with the requisition for that purpose.