The Sun.
London, England, 1824-12-10 00:00:00

THEATRICAL FRACAS.

Ihriorr-Daet..—Yesterday this Office was crowded with
the whole of the Capps Drarnatique belonging to the Surrey
-Theatre and their friends, in consequence of a disturbance
arising out of the following ciretnstances, as well as we could
collect from the clamour which prevailed during the investi.
gation.
• It appeared that Mr. Chambers the Magistrate had been ap-
plied to that morning, as soon as he had taken his seat, for an
Assault Warrent against 'Mr. Groves,who had hired the theatre
from Mr. Williams, the proprietor, for a specific number of
nights. 'When the application for the warrant was made, it was
stated to the Magistrate thaeMr.*Groves had assaulted a female
named Eniery, who was employed in a menial situation in the
house, and that considerable resistance would in all probability
be offered by.the Gentleman against whom the warrant was to
be put in force and his party, as it was represented that he had
hind a set of 'desperate Irishmen from St. Giles's, who would
fight through: thick and thin, and armed them with guns,
blunderbusses, pistols, and cutlasses, in order to protect him
from being taken out of the Theatre and made a prisoner. In
consequence of this piece of information the Magistrate direct-
ed the whole strength of the Office to proceed forthwith to
the Theatre and secure the rioters. In the course of an hour
they returned to the Office with Mr. Grovesand a Mr. Fennessey
in custody, and thirteen or fourteen stout Irishmen. One
of the officers then stated, that on entering the lobby of
the Theatre he observed a number of persons, all of whom
appeared to be Irish labourers, parading up and down, some
with guns, others with blunderbusses, and many of them
carried shovels and pickaxes on their shoulders. Seeing
these warlike preparations, he instantly informed the men
that he was nn officer, and held a warrant to apprehend a
person in the Theatre, and if they opposed him in the exe-
cution of his duty he would instantly blow the first man's brains
out. The Irishmen immediately surrendered at discretion, and
so did Mr. Groves. It Appeared from the investigation which
followed, that the Theatre had been let for a certain number of
nights to Mr. Groves by Mr. Williams the proprietor ; but Mr.
Groves not paying over to Mr. 'Williams the covenanted sum
by way of rent, Mr.. Williams resumed his authority. The
persons, however, whom he left in possession were forcibly
ousted by the " above faction," with Oleic reinforcement of Irish
labourers armed for the purpose.
Mr. Groves being caned on to answer the charge of assault
against Mrs Emery, denied that he had intentionally thrown her
down. She, in fact, stood in such a situation that as he passed
her he could not help slightly pushing her; and with respect to
the orin of the disturbance he would satisfactorily explain that
to the Magistrate; then handing in a written document, he said
it-was a copy of the contract entered into between Mr. Williams
and himself, in which it would be seen that he was in reality
the legal proprietor of the Theatre until the term mentioned in
the agreement expired.
The MADISTUATE examined the contract, and found that
it was agreed that Mr. Groves was to have 7 clear nights com-
mencing from the 6th of December under certain stipulations.
Mr; Williams's Solicitor said that his client would have had
no objection to his tenant had the terms of the agreement been
adhered to; but as Mr. Groves shewed no disposition to pay
Piet which was due, although the receipts of the house were
more than adequate to defray all expellees, it was.thought high
time: to turn him out.

The MAOI sT RATE here observed that he was not going to
try the legality at the illegality of the agreement; it was evi-
dent a riot and disturbance had occurred at the Theatre in con-
sequence of Mr. Groves having brought a number of Irishmen
from St. Giles's into the county of Surrey, and thereby creating
a breach or the peace.'
Mr. Groves submit hat no breach of the peace had taken
place, as none of the Irishmen. even attempted any thing like a
resistance. _ _

Mr. CHAMBERS then asked One of the Irishmen the follow-
ing questions ;—Who were you employed by, my man ? By that
gentleman, your Honour (pointing to Mr. Groves).—Where
were you engaged P At St. Giles's, your Honour.—And what
were you to have been paid? Eight shillings a day, your
Honour ; anti if my services were required for the night, a hearty
supper and plenty of drink besides, your Honour—When you
got to the,Theatre, did you observe any fire-arms, and were you
presented with one? Yes, your Honour, I saw plenty, and
had one put into my hands.—Was it a pistol, gun, or blun-
derbuss ? It was neither, your Honour; it was a sword.—
(A laugh.)
Another witness having been examinees, stated that Mr. Fen-
,
nesset was active In the business.
Mr. Fennessey made a long defence.
The IVlAoisTitarrE then said, that he should call on both
Mr. Groves and Mr. Fennessey to put in bail in the sum of
2001. each ; and discharged the poor Irishmen, having advised
the defendants to pay them 2s. each for their services on the
occasion, which was complied with ; and the Irishmen left the
office calling down a blessing on the Magistrate, and declaring,
that it was the best couple of hours they ever had in their lives;
for they were treated like gentlemen all through the piece.