The Sun.
London, England, 1804-03-09 00:00:00

FABLE.

Mr. Toppit, an honest tradesman, after many years of in.:
dustrv, retires into the country, leaving his business to his
nephew, Frank Toppit, a dashing charader, whose vanity
makes him ashamed of his relations, and leads him to asso-
ciate with young men of fashionable and expensive habits of
life : his extravagance ruins him, and he resolves to apply
to his uncle for assistance.

As he is setting out, he reads in the Newspaper an account
of his uncle's death, and elated by the prospect of succeeding
to his wealth, makes a party with his friends to dine at his
uncle's house ; first, sending an expreSs to SolOMon, the
steward, announcing his apprimch, ordering a sumptuous
dinner, and striefiy enjoining all the servants not to mention
his uncle's having fornierly been in trade. Old Toppit, for
want of occupation, is become a valetudinarian, and tor-
mented by his wife's love of company, shuts himself up in
his chamber, and sends for Dr. Fieidair to prescribe for him,
by whom he is disinterestedly dissuaded from taking medi-
cines, and recommended to make trial of air and exercise only.
M r.Toppi t has just began this new regimen, when the express
arrives from his nephew to Solomon, •at ich being much
exasperated, he avails himself of the mistake respeling his
decease, and to mortify his nephew's vanity, hangs up a
sign at his gate, and orders. hint to be received as at an Inn,
himself appearing as head-cook, and serving up the dinner.
Frank's genteel friends, on these appearances, leave the house
in disgust; and Mr. Toppit, having reproved his`nephew's
follies, good humouredly determines to return.with him to
London, and re-establish his affairs.
The mistake has originated from a frolic of Eliza, Top.
pit's niece, who hoped to frighten her uncle from his pre-
posterous love of physic; by inserting his death in the news-
papers. On explanation, he forgives her, and likewise con-
betas to her union with . Herbert, a nephew of Eieldairs,
who had long been in bye with her.'

It has evidently been the chief aim of the Author
upon the present occasion to bring forward the
principal comic talents of this Theatre, and to afford
those talents suitable employment. He has also
provided a whimsical vehicle for . some pleasant
music. The,piece does not pretend to be more than
a Farce, and therefore criticism should not try its
merits by the strut rules of dramatic composition.
It is sufficient that there is nothing grossly extrava-
gant and improbable in it, and that it affords enter-
tainmen' t in a high degree, by the appropriate dis.
play of comic abilities, and musical skill:
MUNDEN, FAWCETT, BLANCHARD, and EMERY,
-were all excellent in their respeClive parts ; and
BRAHAM gave it a powerful support by his vocal
exertions, and was well seconded by STORAC E.
This Farce is the •produnion 'of Mr. PRINCE
HOARE, the Author of many similar works of merit-
ed popularity.—The Music is chiefly the composi,
r tion of BRAIIAM.

The i iou e was crowded, and the Piece very
well received throughout. It was announced for
to-morrow evening with the hearty consent of the
audience. Several of the airs were encored, and
the following Songs were particularly applauded: