The Sun.
London, England, 1832-12-11 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

Mr. SHERIDAN KNOWLES appeared last night, for the
first time, in his own tragedy of Virginius. The per.
formance was throughout marked with many bursts of
great excellence, as well as by nice and delicate touches of
passion which few, save the author, could have elicited
without extensive experience, and an enthusiastic devotion
to their profession. We are bound, however, to say at
the same time, that some of the finest of these new read-
ings were marred in their effect by the unnatural rapidiy
of the transitions, and that strange slurring over particular
passages which we fear are to Mr. KNOWLES so perfectly
constitutional, that he will not, even with the best exer-
tions, be able to correct them. The best scene was un-
doubtedly that in which he bursts, in a fit of madness,
into the prison of Claudius. In it the defects we speak
of were either less strongly marked, or concealed by the
nature of the passion and the character of the language.
On the whole, nevertheless, the production of the tragedy,
under such circumstances, was hailed with much approba-
tion, and Mr. KNowLEs gratified by the compliment of
being called on to announce its repetition for Monday.
We had almost forgotten to mention, that the force of one
of the finest situations in the play was marred by a ques-
tion, which, whether put innocently or waggishly, had an
effect irresistibly ludicrous. 'When Claudius, in the
scene of the trial, exclaimed from the judgment seat, " I
say she is not Virginius's daughter ! " a person in the pit
shouted back, " Why, whose daughter is she, then ? "
The luckless querist was ejected, after some struggle,
amidst the shouts and laughter of the audience.

Mr. STRATFORD CANNING 1S upon the eve
of setting out for Madrid, charged, it is said, with powers
to conclude a treaty with the Ministers of France and
Spain for the immediate recognition of DONNA MARIA as
Queen of Portugal. The matter has been for some time
in ❑egotiation between these Powers; and, it is said, only
awaited the return of M. ZEA BERMUDEZ to the Spanish
capital to be ripe for immediate settlement. This func-
tionary, now most probably Prime Minister, is a warm
friend to the proposed recognition, and Spain appears to
be the most urgent of the three to have it realised. The
terms to he imposed upon Don MIGUEL were much dis-
cussed, and we understand the following to be the basis of
those eventually agreed upon :—that he is immediately to
quit the country, and return to Austria, where he will he
permitted to enjoy the whole of his private fortune, which
is immense, without interruption, and to retain all his
rights as Infante of Portugal. An amnesty of the most
plenary kind is also to be extended to his partisans, obli-
vion of their past conduct assured them, and every facility
to be given to such as are unwilling still to remain in Por-
tugal under tie new order of things, but who are still to
retain all their rights as Portuguese citizens. The pro-
spect of a termination being put to the war between the
brothers has raised the spirits of the Constitutionalists to
the highest degree.

' \

CI TINE RA L ELECTION.

SOUTHAMPTON, DEC. 10.

On Monday (this day) a meeting was held at the
Town-hall, for the nomination of Members in the ensuing
Reformed Parliament. The hall was quite crowded on
the occasion. The candidates were Arthur Atherley and
John Storey Penleaze, Esqrs., the late Members, Jame,.
Barlow Hoy and James Mackillop, Esqrs., the latter of
the firm of Palmer and Mackillop, of the city of London.
After the usual proceedings had been gone through of
reading the writ, &c.,

JAMES WELD, ESCI., in an eloquent speech, proposed
Mr. Atherley, which was seconded by J. R. KEELE, Esq
Mr. ATIIERLET then addressed the meeting, stating
that no apo:ogy was required for his offering himself on
the present occasion, adverting to the triumphant majority
that returned him on the Reform question ; that he would
not desert the electors and leave them in the hands of
their political opponents ; that he would render an account
of his stewardship, if required, and if no valid objection
could be stated, be hoped to be again returned, his
principles being unchanged and unchangeable, concluding
by some explanatory remarks as to his conduct in Par-
liatnent, and if again returned, of attending to the im-
provement and purification of the institutionsof the country.
Colonel HEWITT, seconded by Mr. WEsmaxE, then
proposed Mr. Penleaze, and that gentleman entered into
a detail of his conduct in Parliament, and an exposition
of his future views.

Mr. Hoy w s next proposed, by J. Moony, Esq.
seconded by Mr. ELDRIDGE.
Mr. Mackillop was proposed by James LOMER,
Esq., seconded by Captain STEPIIENS.
Each gentleman made a speech on the occasion, with
considerable interruption at times from the crowd, which
it was very difficult to keep in any thing like order. A
show of hands then took place, which the Mayor, John
Jolliffe, Esq., declared to be in favour of the old Members,
upon which a poll was demanded by the other candidates.
The town is in a complete bustle preparing for the poll-
ing, to commence to-morrow. A sharp contest is ex-
pected to ensue, and the Reformers entertain the most
sanguine expectations that the Reform Members will be
again returned.