The Sun.
London, England, 1823-11-06 00:00:00

THE THEATRE.

The curiosity which had been excited by the
preparation of a Grand Historical Piece which
had been announced at C.ovent-Garden Theatre,
under the title of Cortez, or the Conquest of
Mexico, was abundantly gratified by its repre-
sentation last night.. The following is an outline
of the FABLE :
The piece opens with the mutiny of the Spanish soldiers, and
the conspiracy of two of their Chiefs for putting their leader
Ferdinand Cortez (COOPER) to death, and returning to the
Island of Cuba. The design is frustrated by the appeal of
Cortez to his companions in arms, who all renew their oaths of
fidelity to him except the two Chiefs, and they are disarmed
and put under arrest. Cortez hearing that the inhabitants are
• about to attack him, burns his fleet, and leaves his army no al-
ternative but conquest or death. In the mean time, :Monte-
zuma, the Emperor of Mexico, has sent Ambassadors to him
with presents and offers of friendly assistance. In the embassy
there is a Mexican named Teluxo (Mr. BENNETT), who is
fired with hatred against the invaders of his country. At the
sight of the Spanish cavalry, as horses were unknown to the
natives, they show the greatest signs of astonishment and dread.
When a gun is fired they tremble with horror. Tekro believes
the strangers to he sorcerers, who blasphemously imitate
the power of the gods, and swears to avenge them. The re-
ply of Cortez to Montezuma is that he cannot return to his
Sovereign without dishonour until be has fulfilled his mission
by seeing the Emperor in person at Mexico. On his way he
is attacked by the warriors of Tlaseala, and his deadly means
of warfare soon put them to flight with horrible slaughter.
Telexo then has recourse to stratagem and treachery, to accom-
plish the destruction of his enemies. 'While passing through
the town of Cholula, on their way to Mexico, he enters into a
plot with the inhabitants to massacre them within its walls.
In the camp of the Spaniards is a Mexican girl named uterine
(Miss LovE), whom Cortez loves and is beloved by. At Cho-
lula, Teluro discovers her to be his sister, and she is about to
be sacrificed by the Priests in the great temple. Cork» is ap-
prized of his own danger and that of his Marina by a Tlascalan,
whose life he has saved, and is just in time to save all by his
energy and daring.. As the Priests are about to immolate their
victim, he rushes in with his soldiers and destroys the temple
of the sanguinary gods. Another snare is afterwards set for
him, which is frustrated by the intelligence of Merina, and the
piece ends with the triumphal entry of Cortez into Mexico, and '
the formal union of the two worlds. The part taken from
DRYDEN'S Indian Emperor forms the under-plot. Amozetli,
the Lady for whom the two brothers contend, was played by
Miss PATON' with much efibct.

The history upon which this piece has been
founded is too authentic a record of Spanish
cruelty to be unknown to mankind at large.—
Part of the present drama has been taken from
DaynEN's Indian Emperor. We know not to
whom the construction of the whole is to be at-

tributed, but it need not be observed that its
main intention was to render it the vehicle of

music and splendid scenery. The taste of the
town requires such a sacrifice of the regular mo-
ral drama to sound and show. The Managers
therefore are not to be blamed, but the Public,
who compel them to resort to such expedients.

The music iy chiefly from BISIWP, whose taste
and science appear to great advantage, and the
airs receive ample justice from the musical per-
formers in general. Miss PArov is of course
conspicuous. Miss Love also acquitted herself
extremely well, even without the consideration

of her being suddenly raped for, on account a

the illness .of Miss M. TRUE. We have not
room to animadvert upon tile merits of the
theatrical performers, but we may fairly say that
COOPER in Cortez, and FAWCETT in Sancho, Farrier
of the Forces, presented a striking contrast, and
both in their respective provinces were prominent
in the Piece. The Horses, which are beautiful
in their kind, were admirably managed.—PYNC,
TAYLOR, DURUSET, ISAACS, &c. &c. well sus.
tained the Musical Department. GRILYE and
his coadjutors have supplied magnificent and ap-
propriate scenery. The whole is a proof of the
enterprising liberality of the Managers, and its
reception by a crowded audience, last night, may
be considered as a promising omen of a very
prosperous career.

The following is a copy of the Letter and
Certificate which led to the postponement of the
new opera of Cortez:—

Monday, Nov. 3, 1823.
My DEAR Sin—During the last week, and more particu.
larly since the rehearsal on Saturday, my daughter has been
extremely unwell ; and it is with real regret that I find myself
obliged to forward to you this morning a Certificate from her
medical adviser, who informs me that she requires a secession
from labour for eight or ten days, before she can with safety
resume her professional labours.
1 have delayed writing until this morning, in the hope of
obtaining permission fur her attendance at the Theatre ; but as
that is at present impracticable, I can only deplore the Pieces.
sity, and trust that you may be enabled to make your arrange.
ments without her.

I am, dear Sir, your obedient servant,
(Signed) 111. TREE.

CERTIFICATE.--I hereby certify that Miss M. Tree is at
present very much indisposed. There is a great degree of ge.
neral weakness and relaxation of her frame, with occasional
spasms affecting the chest and stomach. She is incapable of
using any great exertion ; and it appears to me that rest and
quiet for some weeks will be requisite for her health, which
otherwise might materially suffer from a relapse of her former
severe indisposition.
(Signed)
3d November, 1823.

JOHN MITCHELL, M.D.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.

This morning Hicks's Hall presented a busy
appearance, in consequence of not less than 200 weavers attend
ing the bench of Magistrates, to have the prices of the work
settled by the Magistrates, as allowed by Act of Parliament. Nu-
merous arguments arose among the journeymen respecting the
prices,particularly among some ofthe most dissatisfied, who seem-
ed determined to accede to no proposal whatever. Mr. Ar.r.r
on the part of the masters, consented that it should be referred
to any indifferent person, a master in the trade to settle the
prices; the Magistrates considered this a very fairproposition,
when a Mr. Hale, a master weaver, who had just arrived
from Coventry, was chosen, and he agreed to undertake the
office. The Magistrates spoke to his good character and long
experience in the business, when one dissentient Voice exclaimed
" I should have no objection to Mr. Hale, but he doei not
,understand the figure business." A cry of disapprobation re-
sounded through the Hall in consequence of this objection, some
saying that the business ought to be settled, and others that the
dissatisfied were always raising objections, by which many
families were deprived of work. Tile Magistrates on this
found they could not at that time settle the business, and Mr.
ALLEY intimated it would be impossible to get through the
business to-day; it was therefore adjourned till the 27th Inst.

Mr. BAUDER BEAUMONT, if the accounts which have hi-
therto transpired may be depended on, was one of the intended
victims of Thurtell, and it is understood that he had provided
an air-gun of peculiar construction, in the form of a walking.
stick, for the purpose.—The reason is stated to be, to prevent
Mr. Beaumont from carrying on a prosecution against him
and others, for a conspiracy to defraud the County Fire Office.
Such stories, however, should not he published unless they are
authenticated, as the wretched culprit has too much to answer
for already.
Yesterday the Twenty-ninth Anniversary of
the Acluittal of Thomas Hardy, John Horne Tooke, John
Thelwall, and others, tried for high treason in 1794, was cele-
brated at the Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand. A little
before six o'clock, a respectable company, consisting of about
200, sat down to an excellent dinner. .Mr. (lalloway, a Member
of the Common Council of London, was called to the Chair. He
was supported on his left by Mr. Thelwall, and on his right by
Mr. Thos. Hardy and Mr. John Baxter. The usual toasts and
meeting„an d by
Mr.was T addressed
in
CanhdairtimtaneELWALL,
sentiments were dranokle;
si‘ulirta.
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