The Sun.
London, England, 1824-05-11 00:00:00

THE THEATRE.

DRUItY-L INE.—It has too often occurred that
popular Performers, intoxicated by success, are
induced to take liberties which they conceive
their abilities will warrant. Hence the Public
are disappointed, and the Managers are ember-
rassed. What was really the cause of the pub-
lic disappointment last night cannot at present,
be explained. It is certain that Mr. KEAN was
announced to perform Richard the Third last
night at this Theatre, and it is equally certain
that he has been performing, and still remains at
Derby.—After a considerable lapse, Mr. BUNN,
one of the Stage Managers, and husband of the
admired Actress, came forward and informed the
audience that Mr. KEAN was prevented by in-
disposition from arriving in town, and he held a
paper in his hand, which he stated to be a medical
certificate of the fact. But, unless the certificate
hnd been received late by express, it ought to have I,
reached town by the General Post in the morn-
ing, and then there would have been full time
to apprize the public at large of the circumstance.
ft was not stated that Mr. KEAN had been I
suddenly taken ill, after the departure of the
post, and, therefore, there must have been negli-
gence on the part of Mr. KEAN., or on the part of
the Managers. Tho public, however, have a
right to have the matter fully explained. It is
well known that Managers have in many former
instances been exposed to the caprice, obstinacy,
or drunken habits of actors, on the one hand, and
on the other to the vices or follies of popular ac-
tresses. Even Gsantoc,at the age of only 63,when
his faculties were in admirable condition, was in-
duced to leave the stage in disgust, having been
teased and tormented by the two chief actresses
of the time. We are disposed to feel for Ma-
nagers, because they are at a certain nightly
heavy expence, and are exposed to absolute
injury if a giddy multitude are enraged by dis-
appointment. If an actor or actress, on pretence
of indisposition, or on the plea of interest, solicits
leave for a temporary departure from town, and
the Manager does not assent, he may expect that
some embargo will be thrown in his way upon a
future occasion. The public are then assured
that illness is the cause of the disappointment,
but it is found that the Performer is distinguish-
ing himself upon Provincial Boards. The poor
Managers have no remedy, but must comply
with the requisition of the popular Performer.—
What was really the fact, last night, we
again say ought to be authentically stated,
and some measure should be adopted to keep
Performers to their duty, and to prevent any dis-
turbance of the public peace. We are far
from wishing to deprive a public Performer of an
opportunity of deriving advantage from an occa-
sional trip to the country, when he or she can be
spared, and of this the Manager is the best
judge, though he must doubtless find it expedient
to keep his Performers in good humour.—But to
return to the events of last night, which, as we
were not present, we deduce from the reports of
the public Journals—One says that the House
was crowded, even beyond the attraction of Mr.
KEAN, in the very zenith of his most =Tide/fill
popularity ; and another says y that there was
but a very scanty audience. Another highly
eulogizes Mr. MACREADY, who was at length
permitted to perform the part, and another de-
clares that he is wholly unfit for it. We leave
the audience to decide. Mr. MACREADY, it tip-
' pears, himself came forward previous to his per-
formance, and stated,
that he was not only un-
prepared, but absolutely labouring under indis-
position. The plea was received, and the play
then proceeded without further interruption.

of
BAYONNE, MAY 1.--
'r
ttm
----
alleelepig the r
letters from Madrid,
us
of the 26th, speak of a levy of 56,000 men in Spain, part of
whom are to be employed ine-co re-conquest
the American possessions ; but, as money is wanting, it is
said that an application will be trade to the Philippine Com-
pany, which has money in its coffers. A change of Ministers
has been talked of, but does not seem probable—the present
being supported by M. Ugarti, the favourite, who has unlimited
influence with the King. The partisans of the late system con-
tinue to be treated with severity. The German house of West-
mann has failed for a large sum. Letters from Toledo an-
nounce the departure of their Majesties, and that the Royal
Family would be at Madrid by the 15th of June, after visiting
the Escurial and the baths of Sacedon. The French Ambassa-
dor was going to set out for Paris, to defend himself against
Gen. Bourmont, with whom he has differed on several points
relative to the policy of the Spanish Government. Should the
reports of a change of Ministry really prove true in the end, it
is presumed that the new Ministry would be composed as
follows :—The Duke of San Carlos, Foreign Affairs ; Don
Victor Saez, Justice; Baron Eroles, or Gen. Campana, War;
Vincenti, the Finances. This would be a purely Royalist
Ministry. Thirty of the principal persons at Vittoria have been
arrested. There has been an affray, attended with bloodshed,
at Orthes, between the soldiers and the citizens.

DEPARTURE OF TIM FURY.—The final orders
for the sailing forthwith of this ship on the voyage of discovery,
were received on Saturday evening, and Captain Lyorr and his
Officers were on board by seven o'clock on Sunday morning,
accompanied by some Ladies of distinction. The Comet steam-
packet which had on the previous day towed the Hecla down to
Northfleet, in a few hours came alongside, and the Fury being
loosened from her moorings, was fastened to the Comet, and
being swung on the buoy, the stearn.yacht prepared her tackle,
&c. The signal for sailing was given by the Commander at a
quarter,past seven o'clock, and the " Blue. Peter" of the Fury
being run up, all was in readiness for departure. The vessel
proceeded down the river, the crew of the Griper cheering as
she passed. Several pleasure boats and yachts followed with
bands of music, and the river presented a most interesting and
animated spectacle. It is said that no delay is to take place at
Northfleet, but the ships are to proceed direct on their arduous
voyage.
Prince -LEOPOLD, the Duchess of f
KENT, Prin.
cess FEonoar, and the Prince of
-• LEININGEW,
rode out together in an open Carriage in the
Parks.

Prince LEOPOLD dined yesterday with the
Duchess of KENT, at her apartments at the King's
Palace, Kensington.
The Earl of LITERPOOL on Saturday
for Coombe Wood. left town

The remainder of the Bogs* 500 in number,
belonging to the Royal Military asylum at Chelsea, attended
by their proper officers and full Band of Music ,The agree_
' visited the
Grand National Menagerie, at Exeter 'Change.
able surpiise and astonishment that pervaded the countenances
s
of those little heroes may be better conceived than described on
their entrance into the Great Room, on beholding the enormou
Elephant, contrasted with the majestic Lions, Tygers, and
was regaled with a
other ferocious Animals in this great Establishment, certainly
unequalled in the Universe. Each Boy
bun and a glass of wine, and the greatest order and harmony
prevailed ; to the credit of Mr. Cross, the Proprietor, every
possible accommodation was afforded them, and they departed
highly gratified with their reception. Great praise is due to
,the officers of the Police for the very efficient services rendered
by them.