The Sun.
London, England, 1824-08-12 00:00:00

BIRMINGHAM THEATRICALS.

An attack which has recently been made on
the Stage and its Professors by the Rev. J. A.
JAmes, of Carr's-lane Aleeting-honse, at Bir-
mingham, has excited great attention Its that
town. The attack appeared in two pamphlets
written by this person, who, it seems, is a Dis-
senting Preacher. One of these pamphlets was
entitled " The Christian Father's Present to his
Children," and the other " Youth Warned."
The Reverend Gentleman, besides, followed up
the attack by a sermon which he delivered at the
Meeting-house above mentioned. These attacks,
have, we understand, been deemed wanton and
intemperate, and are generally condemned by the
inhabitants. In consequence of this general con-
demnation, end in vindication of the theatrical
community, Mr. Bu N N, the Manager of the The-
etre Royal, Birmingham, and one of the Mana-
gers of Drury-Lane Theatre, has answered
• (ho Reverend Assailant, in a Letter to him,
with Notes, critical, religious, and moral. Mr.
BuNN's pamphlet has been so much admired in
Birmingham, that, though recently published, it
has already passed through three editions. The
pamphlet is indeed written with great spirit, end
constitutes a very satisfactory vindication of the
theatrical profession, justly stating the moral
advantages • which Society derives from Tut:
Masts. But Mr. BUNN has also, in imitation
of the Reverend Writer and Orator, followed up
his answer by the representation of the Comedy
of The Hypocrite at the Birmingham theatre,
which has been attended by crowded hou'ses,and
the repetition of which was unanimously called
for by the audience. It is also announced for
performance this evening, (August 12), and ex-
cites so much attention, that to gratify the town
still more, the Manager has offered Mr. Licrox
nw. a-night to visit IMmingham, and perform thP
part Mary-worm. NVO regret that the -Reve-
rend Gentleman has unnecessarily provoked
this contest, but we cannot blunre Mr. Bumx
for coming forward in defence of our great
National, and, we may fairly say,Moral Entertain-
ment, which, under proper management, may be
considered as supplementary to Rutmitos, to
LAST, and a prop to all the decent offices of civi-
lized society. Mr. BURN, in his Pamphlet, which
displays n considerable share of classical know-
ledge, delicately, and with feelings highly honour-
able to his character, alludes to his wife, who is
justly ranked among the best Actresses of the
(lay, and to prove tire moral efficacy of the Drama,
he relates the following anecdote, the truth of
which admits of no doubt, and which we subjoin
in the Author's words:—

" One of the most extraordinary instances on record, is
an incident that arose out of a representation of this plsy
( George Barnwell) a-young clerk, whose follies had placed
him precisely in the situation of George Barriteal—who,
by the intrigues of a wanton, had defrauded his master
of two hundred pounds, was taken alarmingly ill, and' in
an interview with his physician, Dr. Barrowby, confessed the
whole of the circumstances, from an impression created on his
mind by seeing Mr. Ross and Mrs. Pritchard in the principal
characters. The Doctor communicated the case to the youth's
father, who paid the money instantly—the son recovered.--and
became an eminent merchant and a sound Christian ; and in a
letter from Ross to a friend, dated 20th of August, 1787, are
these words :
" Though I never knew his name, or saw him to my know-
" ledge, 1 bad for nine or ten years, at my benefit, a note sealed
" up with ten guineas, and these words—' A tribute of grail-
" • tuck from one who was highly obliged, and saved from ruin,
" by seeing Mr. Ross's performance of Ocorge Barnwell.'"

Madame ATALANI desires us to say that the
reports which have been made concerning the
Cambridge Musical Festival, given by her, were
incorrect, and, in consequence thereof, she finds
herself under the necessity of refuting them, by
observing, that, far from having experienced the
slightest reproach, the Committee, the President
of which was Lord HARDNIICILE, have voted
her a letter of thanks, for the very liberal
manner in which she gave the Festival, as, by
the eminent talent she engaged, and her own
great exertions, she procured to the poor of
Cambridge above 1,1501. And the very generous
mode in which the Festival was got up, has left
her a remuneration much inferior to what she
is in the habit of receiving in similar eases.—
Madame CATA to give a GRAND MUSICAL
FEsTIYAL in NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, which
will begin on the sth of October next, allotting
the same portion of the Receipts to the poor as
at Cambridge, and the very splendid re-union of
eminent talent which she has engaged for the
occasion, will exceed any thing of the kind hither-
to witnessed.
Three of the most popular actors in their day,
and whose mantles have not fallen upon any of
their successors, now reside in London, and ap-
parently enjoy good health : Jof MUNDEN, J ACK
JonNsToto:, and JACK BANNISTER. In the pre-
sent dearth of theatrical talent, there is very
little chance that we shall soon " look upon the
like " of any of them,