The Sun.
London, England, 1814-12-21 00:00:00

THE THEATRES.

COVENT GARDEN.-Nothing could be more cre-
ditable to the public, judgment and feeling, in
limiters of taste, than the reception which Kematal
experienced last night at this Theatre, in the-cha-
racter of Macbeth. As soot) as he appeared on
the hridge,' there was an universal burst of ap-
plause, and most of the persons in the Pit imme-
diately arose, and waved their handkerchiefs and
hats, is zealous and continued testimony of wel-
come, insonmeh that he was obliged to stop, and
acknowledge this fervent kindness. When •he
came to the front of the -Stage, the same cheer-
ing- awaited him, and evidently operated, strongly
' on his feelings, as his voice fanltered on uttering
• the-first speech. however; soon recovered,
and throughout his performance we never heard
'his voice in so 'much vigour. The character of
Macbeth was never so well sopported within
our remembrance as it Was on this occasion.—
Indeed Mr. KestaLe has so thoroughly: con-
sidered the part,_ as is obvious from the manner
in which he has hitherto performed, as well as
from a
sindicious,tract which he published anony-
mously on the subject, that little, if any thing, of
novelty was to be expected. Yet there were last
night a few new tOuches, which proved that he is
indefatigable in the study of his profession, though
be -has so imig been at the head of it, and which
were exactly confOrmable to nature. For instance,
immediately after the murder of the King is an-
nounced by Macduff, and the other characters are
expressing their horror, Macbeth retired to the
back of the stage, as if afraid of observation, and
was unable to cover his guilt amidst his confusion,
and when he came forward to declare his regret
for having killed the supposed assassins, anti is
asked why he did- so by Macduff, he addressed part
of his vindication to the other persons on the stage
as well as to the enquirer, as if in fear of the
penetrating eyes of the latter.. There were seve-
ral minor touches of truth and nature, which
could only be expected front a Master in the Art,
incessant in his endeavour to approach, as near as
possible„, to perfection. His gradual discomfiture
and despair as he experiences " the equivocation
of the fiends, who lie like truth," were admirably
delineated, and finally, his confusion on finding
the delusion complete- in the 'unborn existence of
Macduff was a true and highly affecting expression
of conscious guilt and the dread -of impending
punishment. His deportment, as usual, was ap-
propriate and majestic; and the whole made such
an impression, that there was a universal-ea-It for
the dropping of the curtain at the moment of his
death; as if even the Conclusion of the drama
itself was not worth attention, after the last'
words' of so accomplished an Actor. CONWAYI
certainly displayed improvement in his manner of
performing Macdaf, particularly in the scene
when he hears of the destruction of his family,
in Which he was Much applauded. Mrs: RENAUD
is the best Lady Macbeth that has been seen since
the retirement of Mrs...irDDONS, which, indeed is
paying her no great compliment. The house was
not only attended by a full audience, hut by one
of the best description ; and the approbation
throughout was rational as, well as vehement,
which is by no means alWayS the case.

aricav-LANs.---11EN2, who has been some
time disabled by the
_got!:, 'appeared last night in
the comedy of A ('litre forlite Heart-dche, assum-
ing his favourite part of ()hi -Rapid, which he sup-
ported with—great spirit and humour. Young
Rapid was performed : by FALLISTON with bustling
vivacity ; and the 'whole of the characters were
supported respectably.

EPIGRAM,

On reading in the Newspapers that in an actionfor Crim. Con.
.0 Hackney-Coachman had recovered 111.11s.9d.'Damages.

Honest Jervis exultingly swears that his wife
Was the very best fair he e'er had in his life.

CRACK.

FROM A CoitREgi!oNDENT.-7-Thefavourite maxim
of the. Drury-lane Management is, to have no
more cats than will catch mice ; a kind of NEL-
SON'S motto—every man, aye, and woman too,
are expected to do their dety—no matter-how-
ever degrading—fining and -re-finkng is resorted
to—no grains of allowance for wounded pride.
A first-rate Vocal Heroine is levelled with Chorus
Singers ;. and even KEAN,hicuself, the great Pan
of the dramatic. dairy, is keenly watched and re-
primanded. This .conduct, it is .true, produces
Murmurs—not loud but deep ; but what of that ;
let them look to their bond ;" but let Her-
cules. though he has the strength of a Draynzan,
do what he may, the day may come when this _mr
politic, not to say rash conduct, may be regretted.
Verbum Sat.! .

' Profiting from the example of Mrs. DICKONS
the acting Alanage'r of Covent-Garden allotted the
principal vocal Witch in Macbeth to M4B STEPHENS,
who, however, detesting the sin of Witchcraft,
refused to aid the charm, rather chOOsing to part
with CASH than 141A91/i

KEAN, whose canzonets in /ago have evinced
some skill in " Music's art," has no objection,
we understand, to appear as the Double of BRA-
; but Mr. Wit ITDIVEAD stoutly rejects the idea,
having an unconquerable objection to Mr. KEAN'B
ad libitunts

" You Critics on the Nina Statue have been
(says one of our hypercritical Correspondents)
particularly severe upon the Manager for forcing
Miss KELLY to an indelicate exhibition of her
person in the male 'attire; surely this is at best
pm ignorant attack, since it is well known that
Mr. ARNOLD i$ uncommonly partial to a petti-
coat .1" •

vv
The late boisterous weather has rendered the
office of salesman at Billingsgate almost a sinecure
Beautiful Maid" was not to be purchased for
love or money—not an oyster, even " crossed in
love," at market ; whilst a cod of no great dimen-
sions could not be purchased under four guineas,
:old, after all, as a Common Council-man wisely
observed, a cod is not intrinsically worth the
dressing when unaccompanied witio oyster sauce!
The Gaol of York, it seems, has all its doors
eft wide open : they manage these things better
in London, or the Sheriffs would keep rather a
chat Sort of Christmas