The Sun.
London, England, 1812-01-16 00:00:00

PANTHEO,Y.

The following account of the state of, affairs re-
spectingthis place was given in a morning paper of
today. •
Yesterday,we understand, there was a meeting of
the persons who have encouraged the new project
of an Opera at the Pantheon, in consednence of dif-
ficulties that fia-ve irisen as to the -undjr.
which they propose to open that place. We sup-
pose, that the wholo.of the controversy will speedily
be laid before the public, and we trust it will be a
warning to others, how they embark in speculations
of this •kind upon doubtful grounds. We under-
stand that a long correspondence has taken plack:
between the Committee of the Pantheon and the
Vice-Chamberlain, respecting the nature and vali-
dity of the license. Colonel GREVILLE obtsined a
license " tor the exhibition of Burlettas and Danc-
ing, and for the performance of Dramatic Enter-
tainments by children under 17 years of age, either
at the Argyle Rooms or the Pantheon ;" but, it is
averred, that he got this paper out of the office be-
fore it had received all its lot rns, on a promise to
teturn it the same day. Near a month ago it was
demanded back. The Committee hesitated. They
said they. had aeted upon it, and had expended con-
siderable sums on the confidence of its regularity. li
If wrong, they ought to have been apprised of the
error in time.'

To this it teas answered by Lord JOHN THYNNE,
that in consequence
,of the accusation brought by
GREVILLE against the only person in his office
who was acquainted with the facts of the origH.:ldr:':
livety of the license, he had suspended him, aen
that means was deprived of all source of intorant
on the subject ; but the instant that the accusation
was proved to he unfounded, and the officer was
restored to his fundions„ he gave the necessary no-
tice to the Managers to desist from then- proceed-
ings under a license that was forfeited.
It was replied, that Lord JOHN THYNNE Ilad re-
cognised the existence of the license, by the letters
which had passed, and in the interview which had
taken place behreer3 them ; and that its regularity
was proved by its being drawn in the same forin and
tenor as all the preceding licenses for Argyle-street,
granted to Colonel Greville.
To this it was answered, that the notice given to
them to desist, and the correspondence that follow-
ed, was no recognition of an actual grant—Len it
was in all that correspondence avetred that that
grant had never heen completed—That in truth it
Was originally desigeed for another purpose, that of
English .Builettas or Dramas by children, at a time
when, through the calamity of lire, the town was
deprived of its usual theatrical amusements ; and
that 'Colonel Ganvreer. had battered the license
which he first obtained with the Managers of the
Lyceum Theatre, a thing which would, of itself,
he sufficient to forfeit the grant, as it was not a ful-
filment of the LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S intention. And
when this identical paper which they now construed
into a license was taken out of the Office (to be shewn
by Colonel GREVILLE to his friends, and returned),
there was no idea of a projea to raise upon it an
Opera, which was the sort of entertainment now
announced to the public—since, by the very words,
it was limited to Burlettas and-Dancing. Now the
definition of a Burletta was a short operatic piece of
recitative and song, of not more than two scenes in
.continuation—and dancing did not authi,rise a Ballet,
which may be called a species of drama.
The Committee contend in reply to this obser-
vation, that the words of the license adtnit of the
full interpretation whiclt'they have put upon them,
as it expresses that they may both exhibit Burleitas
by performers of any age, and dramatic pieces by
children under seventeen ; but they demur to the
definition of -a Burletta, as given by the Vice-
Chamberlain, for all the secondary Theatres give
under their respective licenses Burletras of any
length, serious as well as comic, and that they arse
Operas under another name ; and they persist in
the power to go on under .the authority they have
received ; at the same time that they mnst earnestly
desire to have the approbation of the Noble Lord,
as they
,are aware, that besides their general li-
cense, they must have a special license fox every
new piece that they brie rg out.
Under these circumstances the Lords and G,'llllo-
- who have entered into this undertaking held a
meeting yesterday, to confer together on the steps
to be taken. The Marquis of BLANDFORD, Lord
BURGHERSH., Lotd BRUCE, and Mr. AUSTIN, We
understand, had accepted the office trf Trustees to
guarantee. to the Subscribers of wool. each for
boxes, the execution of the plan. The House has
,been converted into a Theatre—Engagements, at
prices greatly beyond the amount of the sums paid
at the Theatre, have been entered into with
singers and dancers—and all the Subscribers who
have in any way interfered, or countenanced the
erection by their presence, know, by the verdit4.ts
that were found against the late Duke of BenFoap
and the present Marqtvis of SALtsauRY, in a similar
case, that they are liable fur the exeences and en-
gagements; it was therefore indispensable to Cleir
own safety, that they should be firm in the prose-
cution of their plan. We have not, however, braid
the result of the meeting, but we shall teel it to be our
duty to present to the public a more flail and perfect
statement of this curious and intricate case,, if the.
patties should think .fit to communicate. to us the
particulars in on official form.

The Automatical, 'Theatre, in Catherine-street,
Strand, was last night attended by a numerous
and genteel company, who testified their appto,
bation of the performance by loud and repeAted
plaudits. The mechanical powers displayed -in
the exhibition are really. wonderful, and in a
less enlightened age would have exposed the
exhibitors to the suspicion, if not to ,the pu-
nishment of witchcraft. The Automatons not
only imitate all the atlion of living creatures,
but display a , degree of sagacity with which very
few human beings are endowed. The. Optical
part of, the entertainment is an impro,einent upon
the one which Mr.PHILLIPSTAL formerly exhibited
in this country with so much applause. The'Lind.
scapes are most beautiful, and. they are changed in a
manner that forms one of the most complete opti-
cal illusions we ever witnessed.

Last week the wife of a ca►penter, who resides'
in Devonshire-street, Kennington, was dellyered of
th►ee children, who survived but a short time, and
two days after, of a Lurth, which, with the .unlor-
tinnite mother, soon after expired,