The Sun.
London, England, 1833-02-22 00:00:00

COVENT GARDEN THEATRE.

Last night, at this theatre, Mr. CHARLES KEAN made his
first appearance before an English audience since his sojourn in
the United States. Since he crossed the Atlantic he appears to
have studied his profession with great assiduity, and has cor-
rected many of the more glaring manners which marred his
acting. He selected the character of Sir Edward Mortimer, in
the play of the Iron. Chest, as the past in which he was to make
his re-appearance; but we think he might have chosen better,
for in its representation he lat;ours under several disadvantages,
the most prominent of which is that his voice and figure seem
too youthful for the character. He has improved considerably
both in person and in manner. His voice in the declamatory
passages is rich, and capable of the most powerful effects; but
when it sinks down into conversational dialogue it is tame and
void of expression. When energy is required nothing can be
more effective than the manner in which he spoke ; it frequently
possessed all the :grandeur of his father's best efforts.
The soliloquy in the first act was delivered with a clear
and harmonious intonation. The gradations of sound were
well managed, and the fall of the voice came pleasingly on the
ear. The finest part of the play was the delivery of the oath ;
there each word found its proper expression. He treads the
stage with a more firm and decisive step, and seems far more
at home to its general business than he was when he last per-
formed on the London boards. In the trial scene, in the last
act, his by-play was exceedingly good, and several parts of his
performance towards the close were given with an excellent
perception of the character. He was very flatteringly re-
ceived. Wilford was played for the first time by Mr. VINING;
his acting received frequent applause. Rawbold was perso-
nated by Mr. WARDE. Mrs. KEELY played Blanch, and MS'
E. Roam& performed the part of Barbara,

The usual weekly meeting of the Council took place on Tues.
day evening last; the rooms were crowded to excess, and con-
siderable interest seemed to be excited. In taking the chair,
G. F. MUNTZ, Esq., said he had just returned from London,
where he had been during the past week. He was exceedingly
sorry to say, that from all the information which he could elicit
from well-informed individuals, his opinion was, that no mea-
sure calculated in the least degree to restore the prosperity of
the country would be introduced by the Ministry, unless
compelled by the loud and universal voice of the people from
one extremity of the kingdom to the other.—(Loud cries of
" Hear, hear.")
Mr. De B. ATTWOOD brought up the report of a Com-
mittee appointed to recommend what measures it would be
proper to take on the subject of the King's speech. The Com_
mittee recommended that a public meeting of the inhabitants
should be held as speedily as possible, to give them an op-
portunity of expressing their sentiments upon the conduct of
Ministers.—(Cheers.) Mr. Attwood. said that the sole object
for which the people had exerted themselves to pass the Reform
Bill, was that they might have an acknowledgment of, and
remedy for, their great distresses.—(Loud cries of " Hear,
hear.") What, then, must have been their surprise and indig-
nation when they found that in meeting the Reformed House
of Commons, Ministers had never once hinted at the subject,
and seemed totally to have forgotten the principles which
placed them in their present situation ?—(Hear, hear.) Every
thing which had been said on the Ministerial side of the House
concurred to make him believe that the people had been sold
and betrayed.—(Cheers.) He trusted the House of Commons
would fearlessly do its duty, but he confessed he looked chiefly
to the people, whom it now became more than ever to speak
out in right earnest.—(Loud and long applause.) Mr. Attwood
concluded by reading a series of resolutions, and also a petition
grounded upon them, complaining of the deep disappointment
the people had experienced, and praying that an immediate
remedy might be applied to their great distresses. _

After a few observations from other members of the Council,
it was agreed to submit these resolutions and petitions to a
public meeting.
The Rev. T. M. M`DONNELL next brought, forward a
petition against the Bill introduced by Earl Grey for suspend_
ing the Constitution in Ireland. This gentleman addressed
the Council at some length, amid much applause, on the nature
of the Bill in question, which he denounced in the strongest
terms. By its introduction he conceived Earl Grey had lost
the confidence of the people. His name, instead of going
down to posterity with the benefactors of the human race,
would be associated with the Caligulas, the Pitts, and Castle-
reaghs.—(Loud cheers.) In the Bill now before the Lords
he had contrived to extract all the virus of former Acts of coer-
cion towards Ireland, and concentrated them in one focus.
Mr. M`Donnell said he would warn Ministers of the dreadful
consequences likely to ensue from the passing of this tyrannical
Bill.—(Loud cheers.) Mr. M`Donnell concluded by moving
that the petition he had read should be submitted to the public
meeting.

Mr. SALT seconded the resolution in a forcible speech. If
Lord Grey's Bill were carried into a law, he trembled for the
consequences. If the people of England did not instantly rise
up and petition against this infamous measure they would be
contaminated by it.—(Vehement cheering,)
Mr. EI)MONDS next addressed the council with conside-
rable effect, commenting upon various portions of Earl Grey's
speech, which he considered a declaration of war against the
people.— ( C h eers.)
The motion of Mr. M`Donnell having been acceded to,
Mr. GILES read a petition for the immediate and total repeal
of all taxes on knowledge, which he proposed should also be
submitted to the public meeting.
Mr. G. WRIGHT seconded the motion. Resolutions
agreed to.

It was then determined to hold a public meeting of the inha-
bitants at Beardsworth's repository on Monday next.
We are informed that Wolverhampton will hold a meeting
for the same purpose next week.