The Sun.
London, England, 1823-09-23 00:00:00

quisition.

00 VENT-GARDEN.

.
The noble and gigantic portico which adorns
this Theatre, together with its handsome front,
are strangely contrasted, both in beauty and ef-
fect, with the entrance and staircases conducting
to dig inte(tor of the hanse, >an4-the ,ittßediate
spot. before which its glories from the display of
genius and its scenic wonders are unfolded. It
is indeed fortunate that its fame depends not in
the structure of its entrances, nor the 'magnifi-
cence of its saloons---those": indispensable though
annoying adjuncts to oar Theatres. The high
and deserved reputation of Covent. Garden as a
building, is derived from the admirable judgment,
.taste, and elegance exhibited in the formation of
that part which is devoted to the accommodation
of the audience, and the wonderful perfection of
the stage in perspective, form,and dimensions: but
notwithstanding this, the entrance has been beau-
tified during the recess) the saloons and lobbies
have been throughout repainted and, re-embel-
lished, and a very convenient staircase has been
erected from the lobby of the first circle to the sa-
loon on the second, which has been decorated
with considerable elegance. The statutes still
remain, and the blocks on which they stand have
been veined with infinite taste and delicacy.—
The marble imitation on the pillars standing at
either side is unnecessarily bold and glaring.—

The embellishments of the lower salloon
finished, tasty, and in perfect accordance 'With
the principal decorations of the rest of the house:
indeed, this admirable discretion has been gene-
rally observed, and with a, few trifling excep-
tions the effect produced by 'the fresh arrange-
ments is uninterrupted and unique. w holt Of
the interior has been re-decorated. The c.aiting,
has assumed an entirely novel appearance. That
strange contrivance, or shoot, which had been'if-'
fixed to it for the purpose of drawing off super-
abundant gas, has been swept away, the pannel-
ling removed,-and the whole surface reduced to,
a plane. The chandelier resembles many of the
thousands which have preceded it, and from its
size and richness will have a brilliant effect. A.
small circle is struck around the centre of the
ing, which is ornamented with lyres, produced on
a dark field colour. The sioface within the grind
circle represents the sky ; the edge of the princi-
pal embellishment which encompasses it is orna-
mented with the thistle and shamrock, while

the centre of the embellishment is occupie4
by the rose. There are other circles of gilding
still more distant from the centre, one of which
is remarkable for great delicacy and neatness of
execution. It is a species of fancy net work,
but its beauties from their minuteness are hardly
discernible at a distance. The pigeon holes have
been fitted up by a handsome curve of pannell-
ing formed from the ceiling to the upper part of
the slips. This alteration has improved the ge-
neral appearance, and if possible added to the
effect of the proscenium which has so often at-
tracted unqualified admiration. The hollow of
the proscenium, in according with , the ceiling, is
an imitation of sky ; the embellishments are rich
but chaste ; and from the -art of the painter,
added to the exquisite taste and finish of the ar-
chitect, the entire hus a most beautiful appear-
ance. The second and first tiers of boxes remain

in form and size as last season ; they have been
repainted and newly lined. The dress circle has
been reduced in depth, and brought to convenient
dimensions ; backs also have been added to the
seats, which were perhaps an unnecessary luxury,
or,if such an alteration were required, chairs would
have been more convenient and more enticing. The

fronts of the boxes have been altogether newly
ornamented ; the field colour is bright yellow,

the embellishments of the upper circles consist
of marks, circles, ►mouldings, &c. and in those
of the lower circle the three national - em-
blems are the most striking objects. The effect
is light, rich, and varied. Backs have been given

to the alternate seats of the pit, which are cover-
ed in uniformity with the general colour of the
backs of the boxes, &c. which is, as it was bey
fore, red. The stage doors have been removed ;
but for -this tube rendered an improvement, wing
doors of a most substantial order must be sup-
plied. If this be not the case, some of the most.
important entrances in the very Play with which
the Theatre opens must be rendered ineffective.
But if we may judge of the future from the judg..,
ment and liberality displayed in what has been
already done, it may be confidently expected
that no slight negligence will be allowed to mar
the general effect, or to raise a doubt of the
supreme excellence of Covent-garden in all that
appertains to " scenery, machinery, and decora-
tions."

Whatever may have been the spirit which
has dictated the splendid' embellishments Is..
visited on these noble Theatres, the public are
evidently indebted to its operation, and gin bare
justice must give it the most *favourable con-
struction. The first effect being thus ad-
mirably provided for, the accommodation ex-
celient, and the means for the completion of
a rational, intellectual, and delightful Muse..
meat being ample, and not difficult to be col-
lected, we may with justice anticipate and ex-
pect that MELPOMENE and THALIA will again
receive their rightful homage, and that KEAN
willnot wander in the scene alone and unsup
ported, or the talents of YOUNG be wasted on
unintelligible, feeble nonsense, which has been
ridiculously termed Opera. These popular actors
are again divided : KEAN returns early In No-
vember to the scene of his first triumph and his
fame; whilst YOUNG commences the season at
Covent Garden in the character of Hamlet. It
wits on these boards, under the colossal wing of
KEsint-e, which cherished while it obscured him,
that YOUNG advanced to that reputation which
his genuine ability and conduct so fully entitle
him to, and where we well know he can exert
himself with the greatest success and self-satisfac-
tion. , Mrs. BUNN has received an engagement at
Warplane, but we apprehend that the reports
respecting the monstrous subdivisions of the ma-
nagement at that Theatre are without foundation.
The first of October is fixed for the opening of
both houses, when, if the efforts-behind the cur-
tains prove as successful as the'decorutions are
splendid before them, we may hope to witnessvan
unusually vigorous and brilliant season.---(New
Times.)

ADJOURNED INQUEST.— Yesterday afternoon,
at four o'clock, the Inquest watt resumed on the body of Char..
lotte Stephens, the young woman who threw herself into
Thames on Thursday night last. The Jury after hearing evi-
dence, returned a verdict—" That the deceased drowned herself,
in a state of temporary derangement." •

_ .
LLISUS NATUR.C.—A chicken belonging to J.
Dibdin, of No blan's Land, was a few days since hatched, hay.
ing four perfect legs, three on one side of the body and one ea
the other, all of witich are used by the bird when walking.—
Salistrury.Jott r nal. )

On Saturday night last a fire broke out in the
mansion-house of Mr. Jx,xxiNts (near the church), at, clan.
ham, in Essex, which in a short time'consumeil the same, to-
gether with the valuable liirriimre, the whole of which was u,..
!Lured in the Norwich Union Fire Office. We arc happy to say
the family escaped unhurt.