The Sun.
London, England, 1825-01-20 00:00:00

FA 111. F:.

The scene of the Piece is laid in Algiers. Algernon Rock-
wardine, son of the Admiral, having married Amanda, a lady
without fortune, is discarded by the Admiral, and obliged by
distress to seek refuge in a foreign clime. He accordingly
embarks on board a vessel, which, before it arrives at its
destination, is captured by an Algerine corsair, and the crew
are made prisoners. In the conflict Algernon is separated
from his wife, and each supposes the other dead. Al-
gernon, with his servant Timothy, are taken to the palace
of the Bey, where they are made slaves, and after remain-
ing. so for some time, the Bey, who is deeply enamoured
with an English female slave, who, however, refuses to return
his passion on account of having a husband who she hopes may
still he living, offers Algernon and Timothy their liberty if
they will assure the female slave they had witnessed the death
of her husband. Algernon, at the earnest solicitation of
Timothy, though despising life himself, consents to visit
the Slave. The interview accordingly takes place, when in
the captive Algernon discovers his lost wife Amanda. The re-
sult of this discovery is a plan of escape, in which they are aided
by Laurette, another English captive, who has been placed by the
Bev as an attendant upon Amanda.—The usual adventure of
scaling walls, meeting in gardens, rope-ladders, &c. &c. follows;
and just as they are on the point of effecting their escape, they are
detected by the Bey ; the husband and Timothy cast into a dun-
geon, threatened with torture and death, and the lady is re-
duced to despair; when at this important crisis of their fate,
Admiral Rockwardine, who has been appointed by his Sove-
reign to the command of a squadron destined to Algiers, to de-
mand the release of all Christian slaves in the possession of the
Bey, arrives, the demand is made, but the Bey, influenced by
love for Amanda, and hatred against her husband, withholds
them, and the Admiral, ignorant of their detention, is about
to sail without them, when Timothy, aided by Laurette, effects
his escape, gains the fleet, and informs the Admiral of his son's
captivity and danger. The bombardment of the town follows,
and Algernon and Amanda are rescued at the moment the first
is about to fall by the hands of the executioner, and Amanda
become the victim of the tyrant."
. .

There is nothing of striking originality in the
Plot or characters of this Piece, but the difficulty
of producing, absolute novelty must soften the
brow of Criticism, and induce it to receive with
lenity any Work of the kind, if " tl►e argument has
no offence in it," and such was the case last night.
The same subject, indeed, has been touched on
before by Mr. T. DIBDIN, who brought forward
a hustling Opera of the same nature at the Surrey
Theatre. However the triumph of British valour
over a ferocious and perfidious enemy will always
be acceptable to an English audience. If the Piece
of last night is not to he considered merely as
a vehicle for the music, it cannot be doubted that
the Author mainly relied on the musical powers of
Mr. BISHOP, and his hopes were not disap-
pointed, for the airs in general are marked by the
usual spirit and sweetness, as well as science,
which usually characterise his compositions. It
may indeed be thought that he has in some de-
gree imitated, if he has not actually borrowed
from himself, as some of the music reminded us of
his former popular productions. 1 t may be added,
however, that he has adapted those airs to the taste
and talents of those to whom they are as,igned
particularly, SAPIO, Miss GHADDON, HORN, and
last, not least, Miss STEPHENs. Of the dramatic
Author also it may be said, that he has adapted
the characters to the style and peculiar abilities
of the theatrical Performers. We have not room
for particulars, but we cannot pass over the stern
and irascible humour of TERRY, or the indefatig-
able spirit of HARLEY. Miss STEPHENS improves
in acting. Her singing requires no improvement.
Miss GILADDON appears with more ease of deport-
ment, and her voice by practice assumes a
more determined scope. The scenery is ap-
propriate and splendid, and spews that the Ma-
nagers confided in the success of the piece. It
was in general well received by a numerous au-
dience ; and as there is so much to charm the
ear and to surprize the eye, the Opel a will pro-
bably requite the proprietors for their liberal ex-
penditure. The Author is said to be a Mr.
VVALKEIt, who has produced some novels of merit.

Ma. K. cAN.—The appearance of this Per-
former in the part of Richard on Monday next,
at Drury-Lane Theatre, was, we are assured,
settled before the late trial took place, and when
indeed it was thought that the matter would not
have been brought. into Court. Upon his appear.
ance on Monday next we understand that seve-
ral Provincial engagements depend, which must
be laid aside if he does not first fulfil that of
London.

ITENicE, Dr.c.—A curious adventure has re-
cently happened in this town. A grand masked ball was given
by the Marquis of Murigano, on the occasion of his fete (birth-
day.) The preparations for this splendid entertainment were in
a style of great magnificence • all the rich plate belonging to the
family was exhibited upon the- occasion. The company were
enthusiastic in their compliments to the Noble host. At about
3 o'clock in the morning it was remarked by the maitre d'hotel
that several valuable articles of plate were missing. The circum-
stance was communicated to the Marquis, who, at the moment,
was in earnest conversation with one of the Venetian Judges.
The latter insisted that the sole direction of the discovery of the
thieves should be intrusted to his vigilance. He sent for the
head butler, and ordered him to, proceed to the kitchen and
assemble the cooks and scullions, taking care that they should
be armed with their carving-knives, and prevent any person
from entering or leaving the palace. These orders were strictly
followed. A scullion, endeavouring to glide between to qua-
drilles that were dancing, fell against one of the persons masked
in the character of Punchinillo, and hurt his head against the
party-coloured hump. This curious characteristic of Punch is
generally filled with wool, but, on this occasion was sufficiently
hard to inflict a black eye on the unlucky scullion. The Judge
being apprized of the circumstance, ordered all the Punchinillos
to be arrested. The intrepid scullions brought 34 of them be-
fore the Judge, who ordered all the husaps to he cut off, and to
the astonishment of the company, the stolen plate was disco-
vered, and also many valuable articles of female attire. Pre-
viously to this discovery, and during the confusion arising front
the examination of the Punchinillos, several persons had been
seized by the servants of the Marquis, and underwent a se-
rious scrutiny. The minor thefts that had been committee were
innumerable. A lawyer, masked as a Clown, had filled the
capacious pockets of his trowsers with sugar plums and raisins.
A person, in the costume of a Financier, had snugly deposited
half a turkey in the bottom of his cocked hat. A Scaramouch
was detected, having in his possession two neat's tongues. But,
the discovery that caused the greatest merriment, was the mi-
niature portrait of a French officer, found upon the person of a
beautiful Countess, who had only been married two months.
She was masked as a Nun, and the Judge who had been so
active in the business of the night, to his infinite vexation, dis-
covered the beautiful vestal to be his own cura sposa. The
Punchinillos are fully committed to prison.
A lady who rouged very highly, inquired of a
gentleman, under the idea of indisposition, how
he thought she looked. The latter replied, " I
really cannot tell, Madam, except you uncover
your face."