The Sun.
London, England, 1823-01-16 00:00:00

TILE I'IIEATRE.

CovENTXAnnEY.—To the honour of the new
Management of this Theatre, the historical
drama of King Henry the Eighth was brought
forward last night, upon a scale of magnificence
suitable to its intrinsic merits; and the characters
were apportioned with correspondent judgment.
On this occasion an Actress, new at least to ,the
London Stage, appeared in the 'part of Queen
Catherine. Arduous as the task was to fol-
low Mrs. SI °DONS, who, we may ven-
ture to say, as completely embodied that
part as any had ever been supported by theatrical
abilities, the new Actress, by wisely keeping
in view the outline of her great predecessor,
acquitted herself not only to the satisfaction of
the audience, but excited their warm applause
during the whole of her performance. Her name,
we understand, is OGILVIE, but we know not
whether she is spinster, wife, or widow. Her person
nearly approaches to the heroic form : her face is
handsome and expreisive ; her deportment is easy
and unaffected, if not graceful. She was evidently
much terrified at first, and probably the timidity
arising from the awful character of a -London tribu-
nal, lurked through the whole of her efforts. But
she displayed considerable powers, and obviously
understood the full nature and bearings of the part.
The audience gave a very strong testimony of
their applause when she finally retired. The
character of Queen Catherine, according to report,
was first recommended to Mrs. SinnoNs by Dr.
JOUNSON, who in our opinion gave an importance
to it which its inherent qualities do not claim.=
There are few occasions for energy-, and the rest
of the part is marked by meekness and religious
resignation. It is surprizing, however, that the
acute mind and moral rectitude of the learned Critic
did not notice one gross inconsistency in the
character which much impairs its purity. When
after she had been " unqueened," a messenger
enters and addresses her in the words—

`• An't like your Grace,"
she styles him:" a saucy fellow," and adds" this
fellow ne'er let me see again," thereby demon-
strating that, with all her declarations of pious
submission, she had not subdued her worldly
pride. What renders the matter still worse is
that she bad just before been visited in her sleep
by a celestial vision which should have raised
her above all thoughts of worldly vanity. This
is no fault of the author, who, with his usual
depth ,of penetration, reduced the character to
the standard of human nature, and intended to
spew, according to another Poet, well acquainted
with mankind, that

" Ewry woman would be Queen for life."
The wonderful Poet, therefore, is not only to be
excused, but to be admired for his profound pene-
tration into the human heart; but it is not a little
surprising that the moral Critic should have over-
looked so glaring an error in the character.
But to return to the performance. 'We conceive
that Mr. MACREADY should reconsider the cha-
racter of Cardinal Wolsey, as in our humble
opinion-he was by no means successful. We saw
none of the haughty bearing of the ambitious pre-
late, who in Public Documents placed his own
name before that of the King, but who, except in
the scene with Buckingham, exhibited a low,
creeping, sneaking, servility of demeanor. He had
also disfigured his face in such a manner as to
appear like one of the witches in Macbeth.
—ln the scene after his fall, he was more suc-
cessful ; but as we are persuaded that he has
powers to render the part with more character-
istic dignity and force, we trust that he will be-
stow on it, a more matured study. Mr. EGERTON
gave an ad m ira b le portrait of King Henry, and Mr.
C. KEMBLE finely supported the meek, yet manly,
character of Cromwell. The Cardinal's banquet
scene, and that of the christening, were highly
splendid, and received much applause. We re-
peat, indeed, that the whole was suitable to the
inherent beauty and grandeur of the composition.

Mrs. COSWAY.—This lady, whose talents are
justly admired, and whose personal qualities
endear her to all who have the pleasure of know-
ing her, previous to her departure for the conti.
neat, went to view Edinburgh, and experienced
the most hospitable reception from Sir WALTER
SCOTT. On her return to London she soon pro.
ceeded to the Seminary which she has established
at Lodi. The fame of her talents procured her
the most flattering notice throughout her journey,
particularly at Turin, Parma, Piacenza, and
indeed through the whole of her progress.
It should' be mentioned also, to shew the dis-
tinction with which Genius is received in Italy,
that Viceroys, Presidents, and Delegates, &c.
waited on her to pay homage to tier talents, and
that she was met on her approach to Lodi, about
eight miles from the place, with a procession of
coaches, to welcome her arrival. Part of this re-
spect, however, was intended to testify their es-
teem and admiration to her as the Foundress of an
establishment which has imparted the light of
religious and moral instruction to a considerable
number of young ladies from various places,
many of whom have returned to their families
with solid intellectual improvements, as well as
with all those accomplishments which add grace
to the female character.

The Earl of LIVERPOOL arrived in town yes-
terday from Combo 'Wood, and in the evening the
Noble Earl dined with the India Directors at
the London Tavern, at the dinner given -to Lord
AMHEAST, previous to his departure for India.—
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER and Mr.
Secretary CANNING accompanied the Premier to
the dinner.

VIENNA, JAN. 11.—The following intelligence
has been received from Constantinople :—" The
head of Hale!) Effendi was not placed, as had
been reported, on the gate of the Seraglio, but
was exposed in a basin of silver. This no
doubt arose from some remaining respect from
the Grand Seignior."
A letter, dated CaraceaS, October 24 says—
" The treaty between Colombia, Peru, Chili,
and Buenos Ayres, will have a most important
effect in Europe. Affairs in this quarter are as-
suming a better aspect; in a few months, with
energy, the war may be terminated."