The Sun.
London, England, 1812-09-21 00:00:00

ATARGITE, Bru.T. 20.

This place is still all erowd, bustle, and gaiet.
Amusements of various kinds prevail, and the mot-
ley groUps who assemble at the various diversions
seem desirous of promoting the. enjoyment of
each other Mrs. POWELL was engaged for three
nights at the Theatre, but after her name was
announced she received a.sudden call from Head-.
quarters in London, and was obliged to depart
without making one effort upon the Margate stage.
Mrs. WELLS SUMBEL has an entertainment here,
which she denominates a Lounge, and. in which
ske gives Imitations of several of the London Per-
formers. Those Imitations are in -general. very
close, spirited and characteristic. We had a foot-
race on Wednesday at Dandelion, , between a man
named COLEMAN, and another named CHAMN,ERS,;
The distance was about an hundred yards, awe: the
stake Was an hundred pounds, which was won by
the farmer.
Mrs. BILLINGTON and. Airs. MOUNTAIN, are both
here. The former is but in indifferent health, and
the latter has quite recovered from her long and
'alarming indisposition. ' Mrs. TAYLOR, who has
lOng been one of the chief comic props of the
Margate Stage, plrvs with as much spirit as ever,
and is well entitled to a station on the London
boards.—GARNER, whom every bOdy esteems, is
still in a very precarious state of health. GIBBON
has been a favourite singer at PALISTEICS Library.
The death of poor Mrs. LOVEGROVE has excited-
much regret here, as she was very much esteemed
when Miss WEIPPERT. The melancholy event
was not believed at first, as her father has con-
tinued to perform at the Rooms. During the ab-
sence of GIBBON, a Miss SHEEN was the chief vu-
cal iperformer. She was admirably accompanied
on the, flute by young SUTTON, whose variations
excited warm applause from all quarters. We
have recently had an importation of Wandering
Minstrels, who play all over the:town with their
organs and hurdy-gurdys, particularly on. the
Parade.

A very melancholy accident occurred on Tues-
day last between eight and nine o'clock. 'A post-
chaise belonging to Mangeon's Hotel at Clifton,
returning from Newport with two passengers,
stopped to water at the watering-place about a
quarter of a mile from. BristoL Upon the post-
boy turning round the heads of the horses, they
startled at two asses grazing in the opposite
hedge, and the post=boy being shook from his
seat, they imanediately set off with the greatest
impetuosity,. and were, not stopped till they ar-
rived at Stoke's Croft turnpike, *here for a few
moments they were entangled with the railing
round the house. This circumstance gave Mr.
Henry Newman, son of Dr. Newman, of St, Mi-
chael's Hill, an opportunity to tAhrow open the
door and jump out, whi• h he fortunately effected
unhurt. The other pasenger, a Mr. Cook, car-
penter, of Newfoundland-street, who could not
be prevailed upon by M. Newman to sit still and
wait the event, unforLurtately sprung from the
chaise opposite Catherine-place, and fractured the,
back of his skull in the most dreadful -manner.—
Almost the very moment that Mr. Newman
alighted, the 11,-)Fses haviag disentangled them—
selves, immediately 'turned round,.and` again set
off with the greatest fury, taking the road by Red 7
land to Durdham Down, and were not stopped till
one of the horses fell, opposite the Black
Immediately on Mr. Newman's finding_himself
safe, he proceeded to look for his fellow-passen-
ger, whom he found lying upon hia face speech-
less. He procured assistance, and bad him con-
veyed to the Black Swan public-house ; Mr.
Richard Smith, and Mr, Newman, of Stoke's
Croft, Snrgeons;iiappened to be near the spot,
and rendered every profeSsional assistance, but
without effect. The poor man was conveyed to
the Infirmary the same night, and expired thefol-
lowing morning. An inquest sat on the body on
Thursday, and returned a verdict of AcCidental
Death.

On Wednesday evening a very daring attack.
was made upon the military guard stationed 41t
Brockwell, near Halifax, for the protection of
some obnoxious machinery.—Afperson approach-
ed the sentinel, who, on being challenged, an-
swered ", a friend," but continuing to approach,
without giving the countersign, the sentinel le-
velled his piece, and pulled the trigger, but the
musket did not go off, and the unknown-enemy
still advancing, attempted to cut clown the sen-
tinel by a stroke with a sword, with which he
wounded him so severely, as to sever his thumb
from his hand. The daring. assailant then
retreated, and effected his escape before'the vigi-
lance of the other part of the guard could by
awakened.

A slight shock of an earthquake was fe't between
eight and nine o'clock on the ewe of Wednesday the
3d. inst. at Inenton, Hoveringham, and. several
other villages hi Nottinghamshire, bordering on
the river Trent. It was accompanied by a noise
resembling a rushing wind, and lasted some seconds.

.
. Friday lasewas the adjourned day for licensing
the victuallers in Surrey. Five new public-houses
were licensed in the parish of Lambeth. The li-
cense of Vauxhall was finally refused after several
hours consultation. The ground of the refusal
was the late masquerades.
A lamentable accident happened on the Ist of
August, in the small town of Villemur, near Tou-
louse. A house which' was re-building suddenly,
fell, and in its fall pulled down another. A num-
ber of persons of different ages, and both sexes',
were buried in the ruins.. By great exertions and.
labour, 23 persons were dug out, of whom three
were dead, killed at the instant of the fall,, ano-'
ther died two-days afterwards, and all: the rest
were more or less hurt. The landlOrd of One of
the houses which fell was found in the cellar,
with half his body buried in the ruins, but his
head was secured by pieces of wood, which,
crossing each other as they fell, formed a kind of
arch over him. In this situation he remained five
hours, and heard the dying grOans of a girl of
sixteen, who expired over his head, crushed to
death between the timbers, Thich, by the-parti,
cular manner in which they fell; had -saved his
life. A mother, with a child in bet arms, ,was
killed by a blow from one of the falling beams,
and her child fell at her feet., The cries of .the
little infant were heard, and it was at length got
out, no Otherwise hurt,than by\a few scratches on

POETR'''L

We bare been favoured with copies of several
itidressgs, which, we understand, have been pre-
scnted to the Committee of Drury-lane Theatre,
and the following, but we do not pretend to vouch
for its authentieity, is said to be the production of
M. LEwis, Esq. •

OCCASIONAL ADDRESS,

INTENDED FOR THE OPENING OF THE NEW THEATRE

I•N L7RURY-LANE.

As a new Temple for the scenic Muse
To-night with pleasure each Spectator views,
We hope more favour she will hence engage,
And a new wra mark the British Stage.
Critics mistake the purpose of a play—
'Tis not to shew the scenes of ev'ry day—
'Tis not to paint the characters we find •
Among the usual herd of human kind
.The yealous husband and the vixen wife
Are common objects of familiar life,
And various others we disdain to name,
Are much too trite and low for scenic fame.
Superior Beings should the Muse inspire—
" Gorgons and Hydras, and Chimeras dire.".
The Stage should deal in terror and surprise,
SpectreS should dance, and furious Demons rise.
Tremendous Monarchs of the' Air and Deep, •
in all their horrOrs ()Ye:Ale-scene shoUld sweep.
Lightnings should flash around, and thunders
A.mar,ic tale should harrow up the soul:
A dreary Castle, at the dead of night,
Where Ghosts should glide, led by a flitting light,
A Dungeon's gloom., where bones are scatter'd round,
And sighs, and groans, and hideous shrieks abound,
Where images of murder meet the sight, •
And fill the sliudd'ring Audienee with affright :
Events design'd upon so bold a plan
. .
They ife'er have, happen'd, and they never can:
,Such lofty themes, above dull Nature's course,
May tempt Imagination's utmost force:
Such are the themes that hence should here be found,
To them mere life is but Utasteless round,
Where, like the horse that trudges, in a mill, •
Man, ;:n a hackney.'d circle, lingers still;
And, all unknown the 'Num `BI.7I3LIME of art,
Yields to the simple passions of the heart;
Those passions whence, in common chann'els, flow
The grovling sympathies of joy and woe.

* If any of our Readers should possess 'Copies of Ad-
dresses" supposed to have lec-n written for the occasion by well-
knotvaz Characters, literary or political, We should be glad to
have them transmitted to us, and, if they should amount to
a sufficient number, we may 3.ze induced to collect and pub-
lish them for the benefit of the Theatrical Fund.

THE THEATE.-241SS MARRIOT, Of whorti.we
gave a favourable report on her performance in
The Foundling' of the Forest, at Covent-Garden
Theatre, appeared
,on Saturday last in the part
of Elvira, in the play of Pizarro. She fully
confirmed our opinion of her great improve-
ment as an actress. Mich allowance is to
be made for the arduous task of following so great
an actress as Mrs. SiDoolsTs, but Miss'MAßmoT
gave a strong . interest to the part, and sup-
ported it throughout with feeling and expression.
YouNG was very impressive in Rolla. C. KENOLE
needs no eubagium in Alonzo, as his merit in that
part is well knqwn.

It is said that two or three of the Critical 'Com-
mittee, at Drury-lane Theatre, like MoLiERE's
have been talking prose all their lives without
kno%ying it. •These .must •be admirably qualified
to estimate the, merits of the probationary Aci,
dresses.

Mrs. SIDDONS, we find, has really quitted hal
elegant cottage at Paddingtoa, and has fixed bei
abode at Southampton. Wherever she may re-
side, the good wishes of the Public will accom-
pany her, as her unrivalled talents afforded them
a long enjoyment of rational amusement, and her
private conduct entitled her to respect and esteem.

;.117Y1.1xsi•Air CATTLE Annnal Meet-
ing took. place at Sir W. W. Wynn's, On Friday
se'nnight. A very numerous company attended.
It is stated that upwards of 400 noblemen, gentle-
men, and agriCultUrists, sat down to dinner: Sir
Watkin selected the Judges from three different
counties, viz. Mr, Akers, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire;
Mr. Moody, Gainsbro', Nottinghamshire‘; and
Mr, Buckley, 'Norman, Leicestershiye. —The
sweepstakes of two guineas each, for the best two
years old 'heifer, was adjudged to Lord BradfOrd,
by Mr. Buckley and Mr. Moody ; Mr.. Akers was
in favour 'of' Mr. Black's Hertfordshire heifer.
The Silver Cup, for the best three years old hei-
fer, .was adjudged to Mr. Jones's Herefordshire
heifer'; Messrs. Buckley and Moody being in its
favour; Mr.. Akers's ()Onion was in favour of Mr:
Phillips's (of Wackley
,Lodge) Durham heifer.—
Mr. Sudworth's ploughman, of Blacon, obtained
the two-guinea premium as the best ploughman. .
On Tin'trsday.night a shocking occurence took
place at itadstock :—Corvoral Green, who has
been for some'time in Bath with a recruiting party
of marines; went over to theplace, with the avow-
ed purpose of apprehending'a deserter ; but called
on a respectable young.woman of the name of
Smith, to renew his addresses which had former-
ly beets rejected by her parents. They. walked
out together ia a neighbouring lane, when the
villain, in--a fit of desperation, took out a double-
barrelled pistol, the: contents of one of which he
discharged at the, unfortunate woman, and with
the other shot himself through the head. He
died on the spot ; but his intended victim survives,
and•hopes -are entertained of her ultimate reco-
very. A woman, on passing along the lane, heard
the man exclaim —" In that case we will both die
together." She had not proceeded above a hun-
dred yards when the ,reports of the pistol induced
her to return and be the first witness of the dread-
ful scene.

Yesterday, afternoon a fracas happened in the
Commercial-road, Whitechapel,'which had near-
ly ended in a fatal manner. A Marine Seijeant,
on the Recruiting Service, endeavoured to secure
a man he had.enlisted, who attempted to getaway,
being seconded by the mob ; the Serjeant, to op-
pose the great odds, -was indnced to draw his
sword, which was -wrested from, him, and himself
taken to the watch-house. The affair fortunately

non. TAB SUN

THFATRICAL- ADDRESSES

MR.-EDITOR;

Many-observations have appeared in the pnhlic
journals on the subjei:t of the Addresses :ntendeS
for the.opening of the new Theatre, in Drury-
lane,lnd much has been said on the responsibility
which the Committee who have invited those ads.
dresses have incurred, on the difficult task of de-
ciding upon the merits of the several compositions
have been presented forthe occasion. Ido
not, however, observe that anything has been said
as to the, competency of the Committee to deter-
pine upon the question. The occasion is really
interesting (if anything tint the national welfare
can be interesting at this eventful Crisis) as it re-
lates to the literary credit of the country, as well
as to the noblest and most rational of all its amuse-
ments.

It is evident that note but then of acknowledg-
ed taste and talents should be members .at such a
Committee ; and however we may admire the zeal
of those who hive been • concerned id the re-
erection of the theatre, or respect theta for the
assiduity and perseverance with which they have
promoted the. mideitaking, it-would be absurd to
suppose that they are duly qualified for an investi-
gation of the comparative merits of the produc-
tions of literary genius. •
,As the'subjectis.public, the nadirs and charac-
ters• of the Committee ought to. hi public also ;
and, therefore,:it is to be hoped that, before the
day of decision, any member of that Committee,
who upon due reflection on his own powers and at-
tainments, feels hitnselt deficient, will resign his
situation, othemise he will certainly expose him-
s.elf to derision ails& contempt, for remaining in a
post of which it would be ridiculous to suppose
hito qualified to discharge the duties. Any secrtt
underhand measure, in a matter of this nature,
would be equally disgraceful and impracticable.---
However anxious they might be .to render them•
selves a dark di*an, the secret would infallibly b:
disclosed, and then, to borrow the words of a ce-
brated writef, the incompetent m.cmbers would
up-
ppear to the world in " a laced suit of tawdry qua.
lifications- which nature never intended them to
wear." AnOther reason may be urged why the
Building Committee should not •he the Critical
Committee, to estimate the contributions of poetil.
cal genius; and that is, the pitiful partiviitrwbie4
they displayed on the recent occasion, of lighting
the theatre; for, by all accounts, hardly a single in-
dividnalcotild be found among the spectators who
were invited to the honours of the sitting, who
could reasonably be supposed duly qualified to sup-
ply the expected composition. Hence it may
fairly be inferred that a similar spirit of partiality
will be manifested in the choice of the Address,
and that connection, not merit, will influence the
decision. • •

Whether the obviously incompetent- members
of the ComMittee will be induced, by a sense of
modesty, to withdraw, and give way to others of
known taste,, judgment, and learning, or whether,
with the natural vanity of mankind, some of theta
May suppose that, because they have shorn ability
in the acquisition of wealth, that ability implies
full capacity for the exercise of this delicate task,
must be determined by the issue.• At • all events,
every body must hope. that Mr. SHEF.IDAN will be
a member of the.Conimittee, for even if he has
written an address for the occasion, it cannot be
doubted that his public spirit, and his sound taste,
would prevent any partial decision, however
weak and incompetent might be. the rest of the
members. It is plain indeed' that he was.not
cot-
sulted as st the persons who were -admitted to the
lighting of the theatre, for otherwise no such little
narrow bugger-mugger principle would have ope-
rated on the occasion, but that men of known taste
.aatt:talents would have keen invited.

Sp.nie persons have affected to laugh at the idea
of chfilidering the present occasion as an oppor-
tunity for affordinga general test of the poetical
genius of the country, and, in one respect, they
may be right; as it may readily be supposed that
men highly and justly distinguished' for, poetical
powers, will notbe induced to enter into the com-
petition ; but surely thesoecasion itself is interest-
ing, and not nnimpbrtant, as it relate§ to a species
of annisement which, if PROPERLY CONDUCTED, is
well entitled to the protection of the philosopher,
the moralist, and the statesman. The productions
'of this liinclfrom the pen of -DRYDEN, though se-
veral of them contain too many personal, and tem-
porary allusions, display strokes of wit, humour,
and satire,that will alwayS be d6eriptive of man-
kind in general, ,and that will mark the character
of every age, in taste„ morals, and policy. Dr.
JOHNSON has left but few of this kind of composi—
tion, but they are vigorous. and animated, and that
upon an occasion nearly similar to the present, a
new tera in the mana.gement of a theatre, under
the greatesttheatrical genius that everliYed,though
nfit for the opening of a new dramatic edifice,
always be a subject of admiration. A people Inult
have diversions of some kind or other, and the ex.-
=pies of human conduct which the Stage holds
forth, while they afford amusement, may also con-
tribute to the improvement of national taste and
morals, as well as to the excitement of kind, libe-
ral, and dignified affections. PunLius.