The Sun.
London, England, 1822-10-02 00:00:00

THE THEATRE.

The season commenced at Covent Garden
Theatre, last night, with the Comedy of Twelfth
Night, and though in its present form of repre-
sentation it is but a mangled work of our great
dramatic Bard, yet even the compiled fragments
from his hand are more acceptable than the works
of most other Poets. The play was cast in the
same manner as last year, with the exception of
Sir Toby Belch, by Mr. BARTLEY, vice poor
EMERY, and BLANCHARD in Sir indrezo Ague
Cheek, vice LISTON. BARTLEY is so respectable
a general Actor that, in the competition which is
understood to exist between the two Patent
Theatres, it is strange that he was not snapped
up by the active Lessee of the rival Theatre.—
Though his performance of Sir Toby ought to
be considered as a public rehearsal of the part,
it was supported with obvious judgment, and
jovial spirit. He stood, therefore, in no need of
such a lenient consideration, and he was warmly
received on his entrance, and throughout his per-
formance. Of BLANCHAD, in Sir Andrew, our
report ought not to be less favourable. He re-
presented the part with genuine simplicity,
and rendered it sufficiently prominent in the
piece. The rest of the characters, as before,
were assigned to ABBOTT, FARREN, FAWCETT,
CHAPMAN, &C. and they all acquitted them-
selves respectably. Miss LOVE, for the first
time, we believe, took the part of Olivia, and
she displayed evident improvement in acting as
well as singing.—Miss TREE resumed the part of
Viola, which she performed. with the feeling and
unaffected simplicity which always marked her
previous performance of it. She sung delightfully,
and was encored in Bisllor's best air," Bid me dis-
course." We feel regret in making any objection to
her acting, but in the fighting scene she was wrong
in making an active attack on Sir Andrew, after
she had discovered his cowardice, as she should
still have betrayed the same timidity ; and
her attempts to wound him were inconsistent
with the delicacy and tenderness of the part.
The masque of Juno and Ceres was exhibited
with picturesque beauty, and the flying cupirls
added n►uch to the scene. The Theatre is
much improved in one respect, essential to
the pleasure of those who visit the front
boxes, at the back of which a new lobby has
Been formed, in the place of what was styled the
Basket, which was before the haunt of unfortu-
nate females, and drunken coxcombs, who were
a constant disturbance. This alteration gives
three additional benches to the four which pre-
viously existed, and, of course, affords increas-
ed accommodation to the Public. On the first
rising of the curtain the chief of the Vocal Corps
appeared on the stage, and sung " God save the
King," with every testimony of loyal acclama-
tion on the part of the audience, who were
more in number than has been usual on the com-
mencement of a Season. The lower boxes were
well attended, and the pit was quite full. The
house has received some refreshment in its orna-
mental parts, and altogether exhibited an elegant
and striking appearance. We were surprized to
see Mrs. COUTTS'S box wholly boarded up in front,
a circumstance that we conclude must have been
accidental, as it is impossible that the fair and
benevolent owner could have given orders for
such an appearance of gloomy state, or that
she has not numerous friends whom she would
be happy to gratify with the use of it during her
absence from town.

Yesterday his Excellency Baron WERTIIER,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoten-
tiary of his Majesty the King of Prussia, jointly
with Mr. N. M. ROTHSCHILD, and accompanied
by Mr. I.3ortriT, Notary-Public, cancelled and
deposited in the Bank of England the amount of
Fifty Thousand Pounds in Special Bonds of the
Prussian Loan,negociated by Mr. N. M.Rothschild
in London, being the second half of the sum fixed
for the redemption of Bonds in the fourth year;
and also the saving of the Interest on the Four
Hundred and Fifty-nine Thousand Two Hundred
Pounds, redeemed to the Ist April, 1822, in
GIVEN TO THE CHALLENGE OF A DUEL-
iTiT.—"` I have two objections to this duel mat-
ter, the one is lest I should hurt you, and the
other is lest you should hurt me. Ido not see
any good it would do me to put a bullet through
any part of your body ; I could make no use of
you when dead for any culinary purpose, as
would a rabbit or a turkey. I ari no cannibal
to feed on the flesh of men ! Why then shoot
down a human creature of which I could make
no use ? A buffalo would be better meat. For
though your flesh might be delicate and tender,
yet it wants, that firmness and consistency which
takes and retains salt. At any rate it would not
be fit for long voyages. You might make a 'good
barbacue, it is true ; being of the nature of a
racoon or an opossum ; but people are not in
the habit of barbacuing any thing human now.—
As to your hide it is not worth takhag off, being
little better than that of a year-old colt. As to
myself, I do not like much to stand in the way
of any thing harmful. lam under apprehensions
you might hit me. That being the case, I think
it most advisable to stay at a distance. H. you
want to try your pistol, take some object, a tree
or a barn-door, about my dimensions. If you
hit that, send me word, and I shall acknowledge
that if Lhad been in the same place you might
also have hit me."—(American Paper.)
CHURCH PREFERMENT.—A Curate, who had
numerous family, but no patron or political inte-
rest, was prompted by his wants, and a favour-
able opportunity, which the sudden death of his
Rector afforded, to make a personal application
to Lord Thurlow. The Chancellor was struck
with his,appearance and address, and after hear-
ing his 'story, whimsically asked him cc Whom
have you to recommend you ?"—" Only the Lord
of Hosts, my Lord."—" Well,"replied Thurlow,
instantly, " as it is the first recommendation 1
have had from his Lordship, be assured I shall at-
tend to it," and presented him to the living.
His Majesty's ship Larne, which arrived at
Portsmouth on Wednesday last, has brought to England seve-
ral valuable curiosities, amongst which are a Jupiter Ammon
goat, a rock scorpion, and that wonderful animal a Maltese
smytch, not to be found in any other part of the world.—(Ply-
mouth Telegraph.)