The Sun.
London, England, 1825-11-03 00:00:00

THE THEATRES.

DRIIII.Y.LANE.—The Comedy of The Confe-
deracy was revived last night at this Theatre, a
circumstance that rather surprised us, as it is a
drama based on roguery, and, though much of its
obscenity has been expunged, yet a profligate air
is diffused over the whole composition. It ad-
mits indeed of good acting, but great comic ta-
lents are misemployed and debased by the per-
formance of its characters. The piece certainly
possesses humour, att.(' a sprinkling of wit, but
the characters in general are so low, or unprinci-
pled, that it certainly is not adapted to the im-
provement of public taste since it was originally
brought forward.—As the Managers think proper
to convert some of the best plays of SHAKSPEARE
into operas, a profanation that ought never to have
been tolerated, they might surely have reduced
The Confederacy into a Farce, and then the
Galleries would be recompensed for the want of a
due understanding of any more refined dramatic
work that preceded it. The play, however, such
as it is, was well represented. DowToN's Money-
trap was very entertaining, but marked by too
liquorish a demeanour in some parts. WILLIAMS,
the new performer, gave sufficient force to the
anger of Gripe. But why these two old men
should appear in the costume of a distant period,
while all the rest of the characters are in modern
attire, we leave the Managers to determine.-
141ppanta, the longest character of the comic
drama, was supported with unabated spirit by
Mrs. DAvlsoN. It was impossible for Corinna to
be given with more truth, vivacity, and humour,
than by Miss KELLY. HARLEY was lively and
waggish in Brass, and if PENLEY did not reach
to the full standard of Dick, yet he supported
the part in a manner that did not detract from the
general impression of the piece. Clarissa and
Araminta had adequate justice from Mrs. YATEs
and Miss E. PATON, nor should the Mrs. Andet
of Mrs. HARLowe pass without a commendatory
notice. The house was tolerably well attended,
and the piece altogether well received.

SADLER'S WELLs.—This Theatre closed on
Monday last, after a most successful Season, with
the following Address, which was spoken by Mr.
T. DIBDIN, and highly applauded :

_ .
" LADIES AND GENTLEMEN—This being the last night
of the season I am deputed by the Proprietors to present their
sincerely respectful acknowledgements for the generous liberali-
ty with which you have met their endeavours for your entertain-
ment—a support which will stimulate them to fresh exertions
to merit its continuance.

" Prior to the commencement of the present season the Pro.
prietors expended a sum exceeding 3,0001. on the improvement
and embellishment of the Theatre, and in obedience to the
wishes of their patrons opened their door at half-price, awl
now, encouraged by your kindness, it is their intention to re-
open the Theatre at Christmas, and employ every opportunity
afforded by the short intervening vacation of adding still further
to the comfort, accommodation, and warmth of their winter
visitors.

" The Performers, Ladies and Gentlemen, desire also to ex-
press their grateful sense of your countenance and support, in
which acknowledgments I respectfully beg to join, soliciting
permission in your presence, to offer my individual thanks to
every performer and artist who have been my fellow-labourers
in this vineyard, and through whose co-operative zeal and ta-
lent I have been enabled to place before you twenty Dramatic
attempts, which have been favoured by the distinguished ho-
nour of your approval.
" And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, in the names of the
Proprietors, Performers, and humbly in my own, I am to hid
you a respectful farewell, wishing you health and happiness,
till, at the exhilarating time of Christmas, the Proprietors of
the Islington Stage shall endeavour to attract as many insides
as possible, and our conjoined mite of professional merriment
shall be added to the usual compliments of the season."

A new tragedy under the title of SARDANAPA-
LUS has been accepted by the Covent-Garden
Managers. It was a bold attempt after a work
by Lord BYRON on the same subject. The
drama, however, which has been accepted is
said to abound in poetical energy, and to have
been written by a young Gentleman of most
promising abilities.

IdsTo-N's Paul Pry has attracted more graphic
notoriety than most of his characters, as there is
hardly a print-shop in the Metropolis that does
not present that whimsical Actor in one or other
scene of this ludicrous performance.

Far.scu IhNutrrh—lt was reported at Lyons
that two famous robbers, Filhol and Giovini.
whom the police of that city had arrested, had
made their escape, one from Rheims, and the
other from Roaniie. A Lyons paper gives the
following account of the plans of operation pur-
sued by the bands of which Filhol and Giovini
formed a part :----" These men seldom seek as.
sistance from the inhabitants of the place they
intend to rob ; they almost always previously re-
connoitre the intended house, by pretending to
want change for money. The knowledge of the
localities they thus obtain is quite sufficient for
them. Upon a given notice their companions,
who are dispersed in the neighbouring towns, as-
semble at an appointed place. Their horses are
left under the care of one of their number, and
as soon as the robbery has been committed, or
failed in the execution, they return to their
horses and gallop to a town a good distance off,
sometimes sCO much as thirty leagues, where they
divide the booty, if they happen not to
have done it immediately after the robbery :
they then separate. When they form the design of
plundering a house which seems to them unin-
habited, in order to assure themselves of the fact,
they tie a thread to the knocker or latch, or make
some other mark known only to themselves. If
after a few days the thread, or other mark, has
not been disturbed, they conclude it is uninha-
bited, and take means to plunder it. These fel-
lows have generally paper money about them,
that may enable them to escape in time of need,
besides the usual instruments employed in escapes
about their persons. They dexterously hide files
and saws in their clothes, the soles of their shoes,
the collars of their shirts, and in their cravats, in
their hats and caps, and even in their buttons.
Some of them have tobacco boxes with false bot-
toms, containing bank-bills and files. When
they arc arrested, no means are left untried for
them to escape ; and unless extraordinary pre.
cautions are taken, it is almost impossible to keep
them in prison. Filhol gave out before his
escape that he would soon be free. When they
cannot escape either by their own or their friends'
ingenuity, they have recourse to corruption, and
do not spare money. if they cannot succeed by
that means, they hazard life itself, as did Giovini
in the prison of Ronne."

ANECDOTES, &c.
_.—.........

RHYNSAULT, Governor of Guelders, for
Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, had cast
into prison Paul Danvelt, upon a charge which he
knew to be groundless. Sapphira, the wife of
Danvelt, brought the Governor to save her hus-
band, and yielded to the wishes of Rhynsault,
to obtain the object of her prayers, but the base
wretch did not srcuple to violate a promise so
dearly bought, and even put his prisoner to
death. Sapphira, nearly mad with grief, laid
her complaint at the feet of Charles the Bold.
This Prince, justly shocked at such cruelty and
lust, sent for Rhynsault. When the latter saw
his deluded victim in the presence of his master,
he dreaded the consequences of hi crime, and
offered his hand to Sapphira, as the only repara-
tion in his power. Charles persuaded her, though
with great difficulty, to comply. The Duke
having, moveover, induced the Governor to be-
queath the whole of his property to his lady
upon his demise, then put Rhynsault to death.

CANNON BALLS.-Previous to 1418 iron balls
were not used for cannon, as iu that year there
is an order extant for making at Maidstone in
Kent 7,000 stone bullets for the King's ordnance.

•
CATTLE AND CORN.--COWS in 1425 were va-
lued at about fifteen modern shillings each. In
1425 there was a bad season ; wheat sold as'high
as 13s. 4d. modern money per quarter. It soon
however fell to 10s., which seems to have been
nearly the medium price of that commodity.
SERVANTS' WAGES.—ID 1447, or about that
period, the following were the usual wages for
servants, reckoned in the money for the age,
which was exactly twice the weight of that in
use in the 18th century :—Chief carter 1/. a year
and diet, with 4s. for cloths. Common husband-
man 15s. a year with diet, and 4s. for cloths.
Women servants 10s. and diet, with 4s. for cloths.
Bailiff of husbandry IL 3s. 4d. wages yearly,
diet, and 4s. for cloths.
SIIERIDAN.—The following anecdote of SHERI-
DAN, the authenticity of which is undoubted, is not, we believe,
generally known : at any rate, it seems not to have been known
to Mr. Moore. Soon after the marriage of Sheridan with Miss
Hester Ogle, they went on a visit to her father, the Dean of
Winchester. During their stay at the Deanery, a party met
there one evening, the " lion" of which was a kind of musical
genius—the fife-major of a regiment quartered in the town.
\frith this man's talents and performance on several instru-
ments, Miss Ogle, the elder sister of Mrs. Sheridan, was more
than commonly delighted, and expressed her approbation and
applause with all that vivacity and energy which was natural
to her character. Sheridan's attention was soon attracted to-
wards her—" Look at Susan," said he, " she is quite in rap.
tures—give me a pencil and a scrap of paper." In a moment'
he produced the following impromptu :
By heaven above, our Suke's in love,
And nothing can assuage her;
She's form'd a plan for that smart man,
I mean that gay Fife-major.
But hark ! again that merry strain—
Now I'll bet any wager;
That overture has made it sure-
-I wish you joy, Fite-major.
This was voted capital, and carried in high glee to the Dean,
who, though as fully alive to the wit and talent of Sheridan as
any body, might have been as well pleased, perhaps, had his
daughter selected a more prudent partner—" Give me the
paper a moment," said the Dean, when he had heard the lines,
and immediately after addressed himself to the laughing circle,
saying, " Now hear my stanza—
Her mother cries, with weeping eyes,
I wish she had been sager ;
But since 'tis done, and you're my son,
God bless you both, Fife-major."
At the same time extending one hand towards the unconsciou,
Fife-major, and the other towards Sheridan, so as to includ
theta both in the same benediction. She then did not much
relish the implied association.
As the Two SEXES in ancient GREECE had but
,little communication with each other, and a lover was seldom
therefore favoured with an opportunity of making known his
passion to his mistress, he used to discover it by inscribing her
name on the walls of his house, on the barks of the trees, in
public walks, or in the leaves of books. It was customary also
for him to deck the doors of the house where his fair one lived,
with flowers and garlands; to make libations of wine before it,
and to sprinkle the entrance with the same liquor. Garlands
were of great use among the Greeks in the affairs of love. When
a man untied his garland, it was a declaration of his having
been subdued by that passion ; and where a woman composed
a garland, it was a tacit confession of the same thing.
NOVEL ItECOMMENDATION.—One day, wheat
the late Lord Chancellor THuni.ow was busily engaged, a
poor Curate applied to him for a living, which was then vacant.
" Don't trouble me," said the Chancellor, turning from him,
with a frowning brow, " don't you see lam busy, and can't
listen to you ! what Duke or Lord recommended you ?"—The
poor Curate lifted his eyes, and in a tone of dejection, said he
had no Lord to recommend him but the Lord of Hosts."—
" The Lord of Hosts !" replied the Chancellor, " the Lord of
Hosts I believe I have had recommendations from most Lords,
but do not recollect ore from him before, and so do you hear,
young man, you shall have the living; and be careful so to
conduct yourself as not to disgrace your recommendation."

Mr. J. VINING, who has recently appeared
with some success at the Haymarket Theatre, has
been offered an engagement at Drury-Lane
Theatre, which he has declined, alledging that the
terms were inadequate.

EFFECTS OF THE GALE.-Between two and
three o'clock this morning a tremendous gale of
wind commenced from the N.W. at times veering
to the northward, accompanied by slight showers,
and continued during the remainder of the night
without ceasing, blowing from the same quarter.
Its effects have been very alarming in different
parts of the metropolis, and in the Parks several
trees have been blown down. In Philip's-place,
Burton-crescent, a stack of chimneys were blown
down, but fortunately no person was injured. In
Catherine-court, St. Clement's Inn, a chimney
tumbled through an old building, and injured se-
verely an inmate of one of the attics. The
other casualties caused by the gale were nume-
rous in every part of the metropolis.

FlRE.—East night, about twelve o'clock, a fire
broke out in the workshop of Mr. HAspER, brush
maker, North-street, Holborn, and continued
raging through the building for above half
an hour before any effectual means could
he adopted for stopping it. At length, however,
a plentiful supply of water being obtained, the
flames were subdued ; having destroyed the en-
tire range of workshops and a most valuable
stock of fancy articles in Mr. }Jasper's business.
He is insured.

No greater proof need be given of the enor—
mous bulk and strength of the Elephant at Exeter
'Change, than when, some time ago, it was
thought necessary to give him some physic, he
took the amazing quantity of thirty pounds of
glauber salts, six ounces of calomel, one ounce
and a half of tartar emetic, six drams of gamboge,
and a bottle of croton oil, in the space of 52
hours, without producing any effect. The weight
of food given to him daily is upwards of eight
hundred pounds.

OLD BAlLEY—('ruis DAY.)

S ENT ENCES.-T he Sessions closed this morning,
when the awful sentence of death was passed on
no less than 14 unhappy culprits, viz. twelve men
and two women. Five were sentenced to be
transported for life, four for fourteen years, and
upwards of thirty for seven years. The remainder
were sentenced to various periods of imprison-
ment, and the usual scene of public castigation
having been gone through, the Sessions adjourned.
—The London Adjourned Sessions take place un
Saturday.