The Sun.
London, England, 1823-10-09 00:00:00

Tilt TIVATitg.

COVENT-G Anntx.---The School of Reform, one
of those modern comedies the object of which is
to promote a moral influence, as well as to divert
by scenes of a lighter kind, was represented last
night at this Theatre. The chief character,
though of a lower description, is Tyke. This
character was purposely written to bring forward
the style of acting for which the late Mr. EMERY
was peculiarly distinguished. It was reasonably
thoughtditficult to supply the loss of so popular an
actor in his range of parts. Thanks, however, to
Mr. ARNOLD, the spirited and judicious Pro-
' prietor of the English Opera House, a very good
successor to poor EMERY WaS discovered and
brought forward by that discerning Critic during
the late season, at this convenient and agreeable
Theatre. His successor is Mr. R tystEn, who
last night performed the part of Tyke in the
'above-mentioned comedy. His performance was
marked throughout by strong feeling and just
conception. There appeared to he, what the
author doubtless intended, a latent love of
Lonesty, though betrayed into vice and crimina-
lity by the indulgence of strong passions. If
Mr. RAYNER did not reach the force of EMERY,
yet this latent sense of integrity, and love of
virtue, amply supplied the deficiency, and tended
toexcite strong emotions of sympathy,and the con-
sequent effect of abundant applause. The rest of
the characters found an adequate support in JON rs,
ABBOTT, EGERTON, BLANCHARD, and Mrs. G 11313.1.
So favourable was the impression which Mr.
RATNER made upon a very numerous audience,
that when Mr. ABBOTt appeared to announce
the performances for this evening, the call for
Mr. RAYNER was universally so strong that the
former was obliged to retire, and the latter came
forward, with evident emotion, arising from the
very favourable reception which he experienced,
and modestly stated the future entertainments. It
Is very gratifying to see merit thus distinguished
by public applause, but on such occasions as the
present it is unluckily combined with an ap-
pearance of insult to actors of established merit.
This practice was first established in favour of
Mr. K EAN, and must always have been an out-
rage on the feelings of those who were thus
shouted from the performance of the usual
ceremony on the dropping of the curtain.—
After the Comedy an Historical Piece was
brought forth, entitled, The Beacon of Liberty.
ft is a compressed translation from a play written
by SCHILLER, the celebrated German Poet, of
which the famous Hero of Switzerland, WILLIAM
TELL, was the subject. This subject has been
previously dramatized at some of our Minor
Theatres, and therefore cannot have much
attraction on the score of novelty, however
it may tend to excite patriotic feelings and
detestation of tyranny. The piece of last
night comes forward with a forcible ap.
peal to humanity. It was translated by Mr.
BAILEY, the Editor of one of the periodical pub-
lications of the day, who, as our Readers must
remember, was seized with nn apoplectic lit, and
died in the coach, ott his way to the Opera
House, accompanied by his afflicted wife. This
melancholy incident excited general commisser-
ation at the time ; and, as the translation repre-
sented last night is for the advantage of the un-
fortunate widow, it must excite an interest
beyond what could arise from its dramatic qua-
Mies, even if it had novelty to recommend it.—
Tile Managers have amply discharged their duty
to the public, in giving all requisite support of
picturesque and beautiful scenery. Four Cantons
of Switzerland are represented in a very striking
manner, and are probably faithful portraitures
of the respective places. These and other inci-
dental scenes do credit to the talents of the two
GRIEVES and Nair. The music is partly compos-
ed,and partly selected by Btsuor. It is pleasing,
bat not very impressive. Ile has introduced his
beautiful air, " Home, sweet home," but we are
surprized that with sucha characteristic, and local
call, he should have omitted the famous Ran des
Filches, which is supposed to have so powerful an
influence upon the Swiss soldiery, when distant
from their own country. The piece was well
supported by the performers, particularly BEN.
NETT in Tell, EGERTON ill the oppressive Go-
vernor, ABBOTT, CRAPMAN, Miss LOVE and Miss
FporE. The audience received the whole with
a mixture of applause and censure ; but the
merit of the acting and the beauty of the scenery
will probably procure for it a temporary attraction.

THE LA,TEKING.-,--His late MAJESTY,' it iS well
known,was an early riser, and, before the la-
mented malady which deprived the country of his
services, freently took a morning walk through
the town of Windsor, occasionally calling on and
chatting with the inhabitants. Among other anec-
(totes told of him on some of these occasions is the
following :—One morning his Majesty went into
She shop of Mr. Knight, bookseller, before 'Mr.
Knight had risen, and, helping himself to the
first work that lay in his way, took his usual seat,
which was rather out of public view. After
having stopped some time, the King, rose to
4lepart ; but before leaving the shop, he care-
fully selected a particular leaf of the book which
he had been reading, folded it down, and ap.
varently with a view of drawing the attention of
those around him to the circumstance, gave it
a rather noisy slap with his hand. He then bade
Mr. Knight good morning, and returned to the
Castle. As soon as his Majesty had left the
shop, Mr. Knight anxiously went to look what
work the King had been reading, and to what par-
ticular-part of it he had seemed so anxious to di.
ruct attention; when, somewhat to his chagrin as
well as surprise, he found it to be a publication of
Paine, and the part turned down containing one of
that writer's bitterest invecti yes against his Majesty
and his family. The King took no further notice
of the circumstance, but the hint had the desired
effect ; for, in his visits afterwards to the shop,
he never found any thing of so offensive a de-
scription lying in his way.
The largest and finest log of mahogany ever
imported into this country has been recently sold
by auction at the Docks in Liver
is pool.
feet in t is
supposed to be worth 1000/. It 17
length, 5 feet in width, and 14 thick. The
weight, at the King's beam, was 6 tons 13 cwt.