The Sun.
London, England, 1823-09-05 00:00:00

THE THEATRES.

itAYMARKET.—The new attractive Farce of
islt out of Water was suspended last night at
this Theatre, to give some respite to Mr. LISTON,
and to revive a piece entitled Gay Deceivers.—
There is no peculiar merit in the dramatic con-
-struction of this piece, and its effect must en-
tirely depend on the merits of the Performers._
Ku was the main spring last night, but the
rest of the movements were well managed by Mrs.
GIBBS, VINING, JOHNSON, WYNNE, and Miss
J. SCOTT. The piece was well received, and
seemed to afford mach amusement to a numerous
au d ien c e.

ENG LIM OPrR4 Housu.— The Farce .of
Guardians Outwitted was repeated last might,
and MATdcws, in Feignwell, went through the
change of characters with diverting versatility.
Be was particularly successful in the old Steward.
Monsieur Tonson detained the audience to a late
hour, and M.'s Frenchman and his French house-
keeper were very highly and deservedly ap-
plauded. -

• It is said that not fewer than seven Stage
Managers are engaged for Drury-Lane Theatre
next season. We hope that the old saying," too
many cooks," &c., will not be illustrated by so
large a number of theatrical superintendents.
The Aberdeen Chronicle, speaking of Mr.
MACREADY, who is now performing at Aberdeen,
prefers him to Mr. YOUNG!, and describes him
" as decidedly the first Tragedian on the British
Stage." Aceorditt!, to the adage, C 4 Doctors
.differ," and no doubt the admirers of Mr.'
YOUNG are of a contrary' opinion.—The same
Paper denies that there is a resemblance between
Mr. MACREADY and Mr. KEAN. Here again the
opinions of the London Critics differ with the
Aberdeen Chronicle, and think that Mr. M AC.
READY has injured himself by imitating the ab-
rupt transitions and pauses of the former.—
" NIACREADY," adds that Paper, " divides no
palm with K EAN—for having nothing in common
with him, there is, consequently nothing to di-
vide : MACREADY'a merit will bear the test of
time, and KEAN has already had his day." What
the admirers of Mr. KEA:v say to this ? The
fact is, that Mr. KEAN has profited by the re-
marks of various Critics, and is now a much better
actor than he was at first; instead also of having
'lost any of his former admirers, he has really
Rained new ones in proportion as he has laid aside
'his peculiarities, and approached nearer to truth,
nature, and simplicity.
Mr. GARNER, the venerable Librarian of Mar-
gate, lately performed the part of Shylock at that
place for the benefit of Mr. W. REED. Mr.
GARNER, it is said, is 76 years of age. He has often
appeared at Margate in the same part, and is said
to be the best representative of it since the days
of MACKLIN. The private character of Mr.
GARNER is universally esteemed, and if Margate
had a Parliamentary representative, he might long
ago have acted a part in Palace -yard Theatre.
PatvAte TnEATRICAL9.—.OII Thursday last
an amateur play was performed at Southport, for
the benefit of that admirable charity, the Stran-
gers' Friend Society. The principal characters
in the Play and Farce, which were the Stranger
and the Turnpike Gate, were personated by Mr.
ARMSTRONG, of LYdiate ; Mr. GIFFORD, of
Liverpool ; 11r. J. BARGE, of Manchester ; Mr.
Wurret.av, of Southport; and several others. The
arduous character of Mrs. Haller wasundertaken
by Mrs. M'Giauos, of 'the LiVerpool Theatre,
with that prompt and cheerful alacrity which that
distinguished actress has always shewn, whenever
her talents are required for any work of benevo-
lence. The house was filled in every part, and
the inhabitants of the place, as well as its nume-
rout visitors, were impressed with a strong sense
of the active and benevolent kindness, as well as
the superior talent of every person concerned in
this charitable undertaking.

The Duke of-Yonx (afierwards James 'II.)
once paid a visit to Milton.. In the course of
their conversation the Duke asked Milton whe-
ther be did not think the loss of Ills sight was a
'judgment upon him for what he had written
against Charles L, the Duke's father. Milten's
reply was to this effect :.—" If your Highness
thinks that the calamities' which befall us are. in-
dications of the wrath of Heaven, in what man•
ner are we to account for the fate of the King
himself ? The displeasure of Heaven ninst, upon
this supposition, have been much greater against
him than against me ; for I have only lost my.
eyes, but he has lost his head."
A Canada Paper of the 28th of July
" We regret to learn that there has been a very
alarming and extensive fire in the lower part of
the Province, which had laid ,Waste an extent of
five milec It arose from accident, on the grounds
of Mr: Stuart, and extended itslavages to Cas-
capedia. Several settlers have had their houses
destroyed, and the crops which lay within the
action of theifire. It continued during 15.day.s.!!„
Au extraordinary fact is related in a Jamaica
paper, whichiserves to show the force of public
opinion. A man named John White was charged
with setting fire to some brush-houses in Black
River parish, in February, last, tried,' convict-
ed, and sentenced to be hung on the 19th of
June last. Ile Was constantly attended while
under the awful 'sentence of death, by a pious
and zealous minister of the gospel, but he inva-
riably denied all knowledge of the transaction for
which he was to suffer. It would appear, that, of
whatever nature the evidence against him at his
trial might have been, a general conviction pre-
vailed of his innocence ; for the Marshal's as-
sistant could no where 'find a person who would
undertake the executiop for any reward that
could be offered, until the day was pretty far
advanced, when a negro, who was confined in
the workhouse, was , at length• tempted by
the promise of two doubloons to perform the
office of hangman, and repaired to the spot ; but
at the .moment he drew near, a smart flash of
lightning, accompanied by a tremendous clap of
thunder, so alarmed him, that he refused to corn,
ply with the engagement, and gave up. the pro-
mised reward, saying, that " God Almighty had
not sent the lightning for nothing." The prisoner
was not executetl, but still remained in confine-
meat.