The Sun.
London, England, 1809-12-20 00:00:00

THT Ti .'TEAT

.
A new Comedy, entitled Sqdde.n Arrivals ;
'fog Busy by Half, Ns as represented last nigldat this
Theatre.

DRAMATIS- PERSON .FE..
Old Transient. - - - Mr. DowToN.
George Transient, - - Mr. M at- tir.ws.
Major Torringbam, - - Mr. Ltaybrotib.
Captain - - Mr. WROUC RYON.
Henry TOrringliam, ,- Mr. WitEricit.
Lard john Bauble, - - Mr. PALMER.
Patrick Ballinamooney, Mr. lONNSTONr.
DIJAChInan, - - Mr. W //WI T Z YR.
Pendulum, - - - Mr. PENSON.
Waiter,
Servants, Messrs. OXBERRY, FianEa, WEBB, &C.
Countess De Itosalba, - Mrs. EDWIN.
Kitty Mdclaverty, - - Mrs. SPARKS.
Hostess,
Amelia TorrinAain, - Mi4S RAY.
• ev-
- - - - - Mt's. ScOrr.

'CABLE. .! .
. .
The Scene at the opening of the Play lies in Hain-
burgh, but the action, during the remainder of it,
is supposed to take place in this country: It ap-
pears
that Major Torringitam. and Alford were Tar- '
titular friends, but happening one evening, after
having drank too freely, to quarrel; the latter
,gave the - former a • blow, and the consequence
was
.. a duel, in . which the Major *ll.---.
This melancholy event occurred .at Hamburgh,
and Alford re-visits that • place on his return to
'England, in order to express his deep contrition •O'n
the fatal spci where he had sacrificed a -friend at the
shrine. of -modern honour. ' In _order to atone as
meal as possibltt to the family of his departed
friend for having deprived them of a protetor, he
commissioned Old Transient to provide for the son
lend daughter of the late Major, in the most ample
Manner, as their father was unable to leave'tliem a
fartune.—Old Transient makes but a niggardly pro.'
viiien for them out of very large supplies, which
he redeives from Alford, and therefore the arrival of
',Word in England'renders it necessary to the conL
tealing of hit- 'embezzlements for him to get the ,
son and daughter of Major Torringhcen out of the
ray. In etiecting 'ibis; he procures a commission
for Harry Torringhany, which forces him imine-
diately to leave the t:Ountry. On the day Of his
intended departure, which is rendered the more dis-
tressing by an hopeless passion for the Countess, de
Eosalva, whose life be had saved,. Harry is tempted
to try his fortune at the gaining table. His losses
render him desperate., • and he is about to ge on the
highway, when he is called to assist Alford, who
had been 'attacked by robbers. He rescues his en-
known benefactor, who relieves his distresses, and
in consequence of this rencontre, discovers the fratr-
dulent pradices of Old Transient, who is subse-
iltiently coMpelled to resign his ill-gotten wealth.
Meyer Torringham, who was not deackas was sup.
Posed,returns; and again challenges ford, for the
indignity be had formerly called him to an account
for: A second duelli on the eve of !aking place; when
the Countess de Rosa/va interposes, and in conse
911tnce the duellists are reconciled, and the fair me-
diator gives her hand to Harry 7 orringltanz, while
George Transient, a rattling generous young fellow,
obtains that of Azzelia,•the Major's daughter. As a
sort of episode, the loves'olPtitrickßullinamoony and
patty APCiaverty are introduced, and some Judi-
cruus scenes arise out of a mistake of the Irish-
thian's, who fancies that hek has inspired the Coun-
.lt3, with Sentituents- of affedioni

Tni-s Comedy is written' in the modern style, con.-
listing of a mixture of the pathetic and the extrava-
gant. the first and second ads are recommended
)3y neat anti spirited dialogue; but atter that period
it declineS in that tespeCt, but rises in interest.—
The eharaiier of Young Transient is the main
spring, thOugh that of his Uncle is also very pro,
tlinent.- The language is too uniform, for all th 6
characters, except the country Waiter and the old
,merman, use the saute style. This remark is -
Particularly applicable to Old Transient, whose whole. ;
life has been passed in pitch and tar, and'who'but
recently aspires at fashionable modes. This charac-
ter reminds us of that of Old Votylas, in the Heir'ar
Law, The gallant ovei ures of the Countess • rte
itosalaa to Young Torringham, and .hiS retiring
timidity, resemble Miss Russet and Charles Dudley,
in the Vest lndian. It seems strange that Yozhig
forringhant, whose life had uniformly been proper,
'should have. beOn entrapped at a gaming table, ex- '
ctpt to give il(ford an opportunity of relieving hint,,
and the latter could not receive a very favoniebie
impression of the young man on finding him at such
a place. It is also strange that so great a friendship
should have existed between Alford, a gentleman
of high honour, and Old Transient, a vulgar trader'','
;41vith 'whom there could be no proper foundation frit-
intimacy. Lord John. .Bauide is quite an expletive
Part, and his ridicule of his own mode of life, which
ja intended to be characteristic of his rank, as well
ea his boasting that he past his life without fortune,
and never thought of paying his debts, exceeded all
bounds of probability. Ven Black, the Old Ger--
*llan, is brought to England% for no purpose, at
Alford could not be.responsible in this country for
the consequences of a duel .fought at ,Hamburgh.—
The Mistakes arising from the misdireetion of Young
Transient's letters, were of a ludicrous kind; and
all the scenes in which that charaaer was engaged,
were entertaining. The return of Major Tarring-
ham,, who sss supposed to be dead and buried, is a
little too romantic, and his determination to' have
another duel with his friend was much too revolting.
But with all these grounds of objection, the Author,
who is generally reported to be Mr. COBB, his pro-
duced a Comedy on this occasion which exhibits a
strong interest, and which is prolific of much
amusement. The Play is altogether so lOng, that
it will ,admit of considerable retrenchment, and if
the pruning knife is judiciously used, the piece-Will
not only be secure from critical rage, but most
Probably enjoy a considerable share of popnly
fa-
Vour.

The aEting of DOWTON and M-ArHEWS was ad-
Mirable; and so was that Of JOHNSTONZ, in the
Irishman. -WROUONTON displayed his usual judg-
ment and feeling in Alford. Mrs. EDWIN was
rely spirited and easy in the Countess, but unluckily
she has an eternal smile, which is discernible even
''bere she is supposed to be in distress. Miss RAY
looked very pretty in Amelia, but she bas a kind of
Legligerir indifference in her manner of speaking,
indicating. no feeling, excites no interest.
The Play altogether was well received, and-t-he
audience, in those parts . which incurred censure,