The Sun.
London, England, 1834-11-20 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

Sheridan Knowles's most perfect and most poetical Drams,
The Hunchback, was represented here last night for the put-
poe, we should suppose, of allowing a London audience to
judge Of" Mr. Vandenhafrs ability to personify the character of
Master Walter. We have seen several actors make the same
attempt, of whom the author succeeded least, and Mr. Van.
denhoff certainly deserves to be considered the most successful.
We do not know of any character from his representation of
which so favourable an estimate may be formed of his talent as
an actor as that of Master IY alter. Not only in his concep-
tion of the part most true to the original creation of the poets
genius ; but he realizes in his execution of that conception all
that the reader can have conceived of the same idea. He was
the veritable Hunchback ; the mis-shapen in body, yet the most
excellent in mind. The noble, the good, the generous, the
high-souled and kind-hearted. Mr. G. Bennett acted the part
of Sir Thomas Clifford with better taste than we previously
supposed him capable of exercising. There were occasions
where he transgressed a little, but on the whole it was a cre-
ditable performance. Miss Clifton's attempt to represent the
character of Julia only makes us more painfully aware how
much the stage has lost by the retirement of Miss Fanny
Kemble. We regretted to see the theatre so indifferently
attended.

,
Yesterday morning tne 'sing gave audiences to the
Duke of Wellington, Lord Ellenborough, Lord Cowley, Lord
Lyndhurst, the Right Hon. Sir Charles Manners Sutton, the
Earl of Albemarle, the Right Hon. Charles Arbuthnot, and
Lord Rosslyn. General Lord Hill has arrived in town from
his seat in Shropshire. Mr. Alexander Baring, Lord Ellen-
borough, Lord Lyndhurst, the Right lion. Sir Charles Man-
ners Sutton, the Right Hon. Charles Arbuthnot, General
Lord Combermere, Lord Maryborough, Mr. Herries, Mr.
Planta, Lord Stuart de Rothesay, Mr. Holmes, and Mr.
George Dawson, visited the Duke of Wellington yesterday
morning at Apsley-house, previous to his Grace's going to the
King at St. James's. A gentleman from each of the Govern-
ment offices yesterday morning wasted on the Duke at the
Home-office, with such documents as required his Grace's
signature.

Sir Robert Peel may be expected to arrive in this
country earlier than was at first imagined. Previously to the
Duke of Wellington leaving Brighton Palace on Saturday
morning, a foreign courier, well known for the expedition of
his movements, was sent off to Dover, charged with despatches
for the Right Hon. Baronet, and he was commanded to use
the utmost expedition'in their delivery, what is termed " mi-
nute time," being put in force to ensure as far as possible the
avoidance of the least delay, Sir Robert would, it is ex-
pected, leave Lady Peel to return to England by easy stages,
whilst he came on alone ; and it is calculated that he may
arrive here within ten days, or a fortnight at most. A Govern-
ment steam packet will be in attendance at Calais to convey
the Right Hon. Baronet to Dover.
The Gallant Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman
Hardy (Nelson's Flag Captain, and the present Governor of
Greenwich Hospital) will, it is said, at the especial wish of
the King, retain his seat at the Board of Admiralty, notwith-
standing the change in the Administration.

We have authority to state that the Duke of North-
umberland will certainly be a candidate for the office of High
Steward of the University of Cambridge,vacant by the lamented
death of the Earl of flardwicke, and that a committee is now
sitting in Cambridge for the purpose of securing his election.

DINNER TO THE EARL OF DURHAM.—A con-
venient gallery for the ladies has been erected in the largo
Assembly-room for Lord Durham's dinner, and we understand
the Countess of Durham, and three of Lord Durham's daugh-
ters, intend honouring the dinner with their presence.—Tyne
Mercury.

Canterbury seems likely to be severely contested if
Lord Fordwich's acceptance of the post of Under Foreign Se-
cretary vacates his place. Lord Albert Conynghanv is in the
field on the liberal interest; Mr. Lushington,. Ex-Governor of
Bombay, on the Tory ; and the Radicals are looking to Mr.
Wells as their candidate.

The Duke of Argyll has gone to the Continent for
a two months' tour, which has prevented bis Grace from re-
signing office as Lord Steward of the Household; Lord and
Lady Crofton are occupying pro tan. his Grace's mansion in
Park-lane.

DEATH OF THE EARL OF IiARDWICK.--We
regret to announce the death of this distinguished nobleman.
which took place on Tuesday at his Lordship's seat, Titten-
hanger -House, near St. Alban's. By this event the Lord
I,ieutenantcy of the county of Cambridge, and the office of High
Steward of the University become vacant.
We are informed that Mr. Hudson, a member cf
the Queen's household, has not only been dispatched to Italy
to bring Sir Robert Peel home, but that a messenger has also
been sent to Germany to bring home his Royal Highness the
Duke of Cumberland. The value of the co-operation of so
perfect a champion of the Church as the Duke of Cumberland
at such a moment, cannot be questioned ; and it must be gra,
tifying to Sir Robert Peel, on his arrival, to End so valuable
an ally at his post. We hear that " his Highness, the Dicta.
tor," was very busy all yesterday, in going from office to office.
It is not strange that his admirers should think that "he would
very soon be able to manage successfully most of the depart-
ments himself." His new organ, the Times, has discovered
that " a party so completely organized and disciplined as that
which the Duke of Wellington commands, presents fewer em •
barrassments than other Ministers have had to deal with in tho
formation of a Cabinet." Well done, the Times ! / Tho
Dictator has, at least, well managed to be effective in respect
to our contemporary. The British public have now their
duty to perform towards both these parties ; and we are with-
out fear that this duty will be more effectively executed than
may be agreeable either to the one or the other.—Morniny
Chronicle.