The Sun.
London, England, 1824-07-17 00:00:00

PLOT.

The hero of the piece Melford, a young portrait painter, is
Intlebt. His uncle, Beau Shatterly,.a gentleman, who, though
sixty, and married, wishes to act the part of a single young
Man, is resolved to withdraw from MeWord the income which
he has hitherto allowed him, Wise finds that he has been extra-
vagant. Calling on his studious Nephew, while the latter is
out of the room, it is announced that two Ladies in a coach
wait for bins at the door. The Uncle resolveslo supplant the
young man, presents himself to the supposed. Ladies as Mr.
IVlellbrd, and is arrested for Melford's (144. Shatterly is con-
veyed toAeponging.ibouse on the very night When ho had asked
all hia.,010130,,,t4,0k grand entartainment, ordor make ,hi*
-PPPeara,ll6o ,
own:house. he pays the debt for which ha has
Wen touched-, with costs. Part of the money applied to this
purpose is furnished by a Mrs. Waddy, the Uncle's debtor.
It transpires that Mr. Melford (the name assumed by the
Uncle) had been thus liberated, and this awakes the jealousy
of the Nephew's mistress. New embarrassments follow. Mel.
ford sentla to his intended wife an unceremonious letter, which
he intends for a Bailiff, expressing a wish to remain "at liberty
a little longer." Ile gets a challenge from an Irish Chairman,
whom his Uncle had offended in a sponging-house, and bor-
rows money to pay a debt which Shatterly had previously
settled. Explanations eventually make known the old (len-
tleman's mischance, which he had. been .very anxious to con-
ceal. To save himself, he overlooks the imprudence of Mel-
ford, and swallows the bitter pill of redonciliation with Mrs.
Shatterly.
The characters were judiciously assigned, and
most ably supported. FAttR.V.I never appeared
to more advantage titan in his representation of
the old Beau Shatter/a. COOPER gave strong
support to the part of iligford. VINING, was
lively and effective in Scamper the Footman,
and W. WEST so diverting a representative of the
young Lawyer, Ferret, that. he will soon make
his way to the Patent Boards. Poec and Mrs.
Gt.ovcrt were prominent in the wrangling pair,
Mr. and Mrs. Bickerton, who are always pro.
fersing submission to each other,and always con-
tending for superiority. Mrs. T. HILL gave full
effect to the jealous young Lady, and the other
characters were not-without adequate support. A
first liablic performance may generally be consi.
tiered- as the last rehearsal of any dramatic work,
yet never witnessed k Piece that was more

accurate and -spirited. than the present Comedy,
or,one that vetjuired less retvenclimeut.• There
are, indeed? some parts that. may be' fairly
loppOdicitroathOut.iessening the general interest,
and or-wilibhfthit omission would give more vivid
force': _fill thothviible. The audience, however.,
Who entirety filled the-Theatre, observed nothing
obiectionoble, as continued applause attended
ille.,representation throughout,and on announcing
the ,COmedy for repetition, its success was
ratified ,by universal acclamation. The Author
is MN Poom, to whom the Public are indebted
for the popular farce of SiMPSO7I and Co., and
that are marked by ready
Itiu'aleniYit'sl)atit:'d"a yi.

Yesterday afternoon, at two clock, a Cabinet
Council was held at the Foreign Office, Down-
ing-street, vi hich was attended by the whole of
'
the Cabinet Ministers with the exception of the
LORD CHANCELLOR. The Cabinet sat till past
four o'clock. The summonses for the attendance
of the Cabinet Ministers were not issued till yes-
terday morning.
Yesterday morning, at half-past ten o'clock,
the Lords of his Majesty's Most Ilonourabko
Privy Council assembled at the Council Office,
Whitehall, to determine Law business respecting
Jersey, &e. The Lords present were Lord
Cor.cnrsTut, Sit4OHN NICIIOLL, Mr. Secretary
Pear., Mr. Wirmq) Mr. BEckErr, &c. Their
Lordship separated about half-past two o'clock.