The Sun.
London, England, 1823-01-10 00:00:00

THE THEATRES.

DannY-LANE.—A new Performer, who, ac-
cording to the play-bills, never before appeared
in public, came forward last night as Young
Meadows, in the popular old Opera of Love in a
Village. He is very tall in person, and, like
most tall persons, not easy in his deportment.
His voice is a well-toned tenor, but not power-
ful or extensive. It is said that he is a pupil of
Mr. T. WELSH ; if so, he is likely to make a
rapid improvement in taste as well as in scientific
knowledge. He was well received by the au-
dience, and was encored in two of his songs.
The morning Critics seem to think that
he acted with more self-possession than agreed
with the declaration that he had never before
appeared on theatrical boards; but perhaps a more
candid interpretation might be urged in his fa-
vour, as people sometimes assume an air of con-
fidence to disguise their fears, and in reality have
more diffidence than vanity. Such appeared to
us to be the inference that might reasonably be
deduced from his manner last night. Justice
Woodcock, by Alumnvx, Hodge, by KNIGHT,
Rosetta, by Mrs. AUSTIN, Lucinda, by Miss
PovEY, and particularly BRAHASIIS Hawthorn,
combined to render the Opera very entertaining.
COVENT-GARDEN.—The play here last night
was Twelfth Night, one of our great Bard's best
comic productions. We have noticed 11` former
representation of the play during the present
season, and have only to confirm the favourable
account which we then gave of the general merits
of the acting. Sir Toby is well understood by
BARTLF.Y, and as well supported. FARREN'S
Malvolio is characteristically formal mid ludi-
crous. BLANCHARD'S Sir Andrew is perhaps the
best that has been seen since the time of
Donn. Hardly any praise can be too high
for Miss M. TREE in Viola, for the simple
tenderness of the acting, and the excellence
of her singing. Miss LOVE is so much un-
proved that she is justly afforded more opportu-
nity of displaying her merits, theatrical and
musical. Her Olivia was very respectable.—
Harlequin and the Ogress stand their ground,
and are likely to be attractive when the Holidays
are over. The house was very well attended.

CONSECRATION of STEPNEY CHAPEL.

The Chapel recently erected in this parish was
consecrated yesterday by the Lona) lbsitor of
LoNDON.

The building was commenced above five years since, by the
zeal and liberality of a few families, who'saw with sorrow the
lamentably pernicious consequences which in so populous a
parish the neglect of social worshi so naturally produced. The
Parish Church was notcapable of. containing one-fourth of the
parishioners, and these benevolent individuals determined upon
creating more extensive facilities to social worship, by the erec-
tion of an edifice calculated to contain at least 10.100 persons._.
This determination was made, and a considerable portion of
the present Chapel built, before the Legislature resolved upon
affording pecuniary assistance to such undertakings. It was
speedily commenced; and the subscription of one family alone
(Charrington's) amounted to no less than two thousand live
hundred pounds.
We have already alluded to the size of the Chapel. Its ap.
pearance is extremely imposing. The Gothic architecture—
the ancient oak which makes up the seats—the pulpit and the
Communion table--the extreme simplicity and the just dispo.
sition of the pillars sustaining the light roof—the workman..
ship, too, " all made out of the carver's brain," give to the
place a peculiarly sublime appearance. The late Mr. Walters
was the architect, and his fame is not likely to stiffer from this
specimen of taste and talent.
At twelve o'clock precisely his Royal Highness the Duke of
York arrived at the Chapel, and was appropriately received by
the Trusteeti, who conducted his Royal Highness toe seat ad-
vantageously situated in the centre gallery.
The Lord Bishop of London, accompanied by the Arch-
deacon of London, the Rector of the parish, and a consider-
able number of the London Clergy, then entered the Chapel,
which at this time was tilled with a fashionably dressed con-
gregation.
The usual ceremonies were performed, and the service ap-
pointed for the consecration of Churches having been read, the
Bishop of London reached a most appropriate sermon. His
Grace selected for his text the following passage of Holy Writ
-- In all places where I record my name I will come to thee
and I will bless thee."

The Bishop, in commencing his discourse, observed that, in all
countries, whether savage or civilized, there existed places dis.
anguished by peculiar sanctity, as honoured by the particular
regard of the Deity. This indeed was but natural ; it was quite
reasonable that religion, the most important of all subjects,
should obtain at least so much of man's attention, as to cause
him to set apart some place for its celebration ; and however
gross and erroneous it justly seemed amongst the idolaters,
even in these dark and gloomy regions, where the light of reve-
lation had never yet arisen, Religion was so fast founded in
truth and nature, as to prevent them from neglecting such an
observance. The patriarchs erected altars which were thence-
forth deemed holy ; but when Israel grew into a nation, God
was pleased to promise that, in all places where he recorded his
name, he would come and bless them. In considering the text,
the Right Reverend Prelate dwelt upon the qualifications
of the place—upon the presence of God in such place, and also
upon the effects of his presence—" I will bless thee :"—and in
concluding, he dwelt with peculiar force upon the vices and the
depravity of society, and traced them all to the absence of a re-
ligious education. In that Chapel, the ignorance of such minds
might be informed, and their children instructed in the fear of
the Lord, which was the beginning of all wisdom. They too
who fancied that they had nothing to learn, and who embolden-
ed others by their culpable example, they might learn from
that pulpit, that God had promised to bless those " who tread
his courts with the multitude." He might enlarge upon the
practical virtues—upon union of neighbours in prayer and
thanksgiving and breaking of bread," without distinction and
in the common capacity of sinners; on the other hand, he
might shew the disorders, public and private, which preyed at
the vitals of society wherever public worship was neglected, if
there were time for entering upon these topics. The work whit h
they were that day celebrating originated in private muniti.
cence ; and he trusted that the country generally would follow
the example which that munificence so strongly suggested. It
the example were followed, many a soul would be preserved
from error, fanaticism, and infidelity.. In that populous pa-
rich a few individuals, who knew the inestimable value of re-
ligion and the dreadful consequences of impiety and vice—
a band of benevolent souls—generously interfered between
a vast 'number of their poor forsaken fellow sinners, and the
dangers to which they were exposed, and entleavoned to rescue
them from destruction, by placing before them " the means of
grace and the hope of giory."
As soon as the service terminated, the Duke of York, the
Lord Bishop of London, and the Trustees, proceeded to the
London Hospital and partook of a very excellent repast.

The Duke and Duchess of CLARENCE arrived
yesterday at Bushy Park from Brighton.
Prince ESTERHAZY and suite arrived on Tues-
day evening at Chandos House, Cavendish-square,
from the Continent.

We feel great pleasu're in stating that the
slight indisposition of his Excellency the Loan
LIEUTENANT has nearly disappeared.—(Dublin
Freeman's Journal of Tuesday.)
Lord FITZROY.-SOMERSET sailed from Dover
on Wednesday for the French capital, from
whence he is to proceed on his mission to Spain.
The KING has been pleased to hand ISAAC
BASS, of Brighton, one of the Society of Friends,
551. to be appropriated to the use of the widow
of PHILIP MOORE, late master of ' the Lord
Nelson, who was.lost about three weeks since on
her passage from Waterford to Brighton.—
(Waterford Gazette.)