The Sun.
London, England, 1824-06-01 00:00:00

THE TIIEATRE.

DRURY•LANE.-The veteran MUNDrN last
night closed his public life, though he evinced
no such decay of his mental or corporeal powers
as to render his retirement at all necessary. On
cral frl n ed, the contrary, he seemed to possess his faculties
in such vigour as might enable him to occupy his
station for many a future year. But he thought
with the Poet, that " Wisdom's triumph is well-
timed retreat," and therefore released himself
from all professional cares to enjoy domestic ease
and comfort. Ile was first recommended to the
late Mr. HARRIS, chief Proprietor of Covent-
Garden Theatre, by a legal Gentleman who now
occupies a public situation, the duties of Is hich he
discharges with honour and great ability. He saw
MUNDEN in comparative obscurity in the North,
but conceiving that lie possessed abilities worthy
of being tranferred to the London Boards, he
who, relying on the judgment of his
ble-
recommended him to the Manager above men-
tioned,
readily engaged him, and his long and
uninterrupted success fully justifies the favour-
able opinion which brought him into general no-
tice. The part in which MUNDEN took leave of
the public last night was Sir Robert Bramble, in
the Comedy of The Poor Gentleman, which he
supported with undecayed spirit, and deservedly.
received throughout the warm applause of a nu-
merous audience. He afterwards appeared in
the part of Dozey,
in the Farce of Past Ten
o'Clock, in which he was equally successful, and
equally applauded. Before the final dropping
of the curtain, he came forward, and, with every
mark of real feeling, took leave of the public
in the following Address :

" LADIZS AND GENTLEMEN—The moment is now ar.
rived when I have to perform the painful duty of bidding you
farewell. When I call to remembrance that five and thirty
years have elapsed since I first had the honour of appearing be-
fore you, I am still more forcibly reminded that I ought to
leave the scene for younger and gayer spirits to mingle in. But
it is not easy to shake (Ain a moment the habits of years ; and
you will, I know, pardon me if I am tedious, since it is for the
last time. I carry with me into private life, Ladies and Gen-
tlemen, the deep and indelible remembrance of that kind, that
liberal indulgence with which you have at all times regarded
my humble efforts to amuse. I feel that lam poor in
thanks,' but year kindness is registered here (laying his hand
to his heart), and will never be forgotten ; and should the re-
currence of early associations occasionally bring back the vete-
ran Comedian to your recollection, he will ask for no higher
fame. I thank you most sincerely, Ladies and Gentlemen, for
the patience with which you have listened to me, and I now
bid you a respectful, a grateful, and a last adieu."
This Address made a strong impression, and
was followed with warm and reiterated applause.
Re then retired ; and as he has always been a
prudent man, and felt the necessity of providing
for a large family, we hope he will long enjoy
the property which he has honourably acquired,
and possess otium cum dignitate iu domestic re-
tirement.

CoYEr•r-GAanEi.—Our ALLIES, the SABLE
MONARCH of the Sandwich Islands and his Royal
Consort, last night visited this Theatre, and the
Managers having previous notice of the intended
honour, made due preparations for their recep-
tion. A box was therefore fitted up for the occa-
sion, and they were received with all due respect
and attention by Mr. liumuLE and others. The
performances were Pizarro and The Spirits of the
Moon, two Pieces which were well calculated to
excite surprize and admiration in the Royal Visi-
tors and their suite. They were very attentive,
and apparently had a general conception of what
was going forward, particularly as they had
an interpreter in their train. Pizarro has
been so hackneyed in the public eye, that,
with all its incidental music and scenery, it can
have little attraction, particularly as the chief
props, the late Air. KEMBLr•. and Mrs. SinnoNs,
no longer give animation to its scenes ; but it still
is rescued from obscurity by the Rolla of Mr.
YOUNG and the Cora of Miss LACY, an Actress
whose merits well entitle her to public protec-
tion. The Afterpiece, however, i, so splendid
that it receives little support from the fable, and
was therefore better calculated for those who
must have conceived that supernatural powers
were employed in the representation. Accord-
ingly, the gaze of wonder was visible in the
Royal Visitors through the whole of the per-
formance. It was gratifying to observe dia.. the
audience received these dignified strangers with
the true feelings of hospitable gratulation. Such
a testimony of public respect was due to them
for what they are at present ; but when we reflect
upon the natural progress of civilization, we may
view them as representatives of a State that may
hereafter be distinguished for polished manners,
scientific attainments, legislative policy, and all
the arts of cultivated society; thus, it is a point of
national interest and duty to treat them with de-
ference end regard, and they will doubtless re-
turn to their own country with a deep sense of the
importance and kindness which they received in
what may be fairly characterized as the first of
European empires.