The Sun.
London, England, 1821-12-31 00:00:00

THE THEATRE.

Datray-LANE.—The new piece of Giovanni
in Ireland was on Saturday last assailed with
increased Violence at this Theatre, and Was
at length withdrawn. The opposition to it,
on this occasion, was nearly as outrageous as any
other scene of theatrical commotion that we have
ever witnessed. It commenced early, and, as
might be expected, augmented beyond all power
of resistance when the half-price visitors made
their appearance. The call of " Alanager—
Manager .f" was so loud and persevering, that
the Performers in succession retreated, as the
opposition continued during the commence-
ment of the first Afterpiece, which was The
Prisoner at Large. MuNntv, the chiet
Perfprmer in this piece, though deservedly
popular, was obliged to retire, and at length
Er.usToN was forced to appear, before, he had
divested himself of his Royal Robes. When he
was able to obtain a hearing, he spoke with evi-
dent agitation, but with the most respectful earn-
estness. lie signified that what he said should
be uttered with the strictest regard to truth. He
then informed the audience, that the piece which
had incurred their disapprobation had long been
preparing, and that one motive for bringing it
forwa.rd,veas to give farther scope to the talents
of au actress (Madame VESTRIS) who had been
well received in a popular character (Gio-
vanni), and that from private cymmunications,
he had reason to ' believe the opposition• to
the piece in question was the result of a medi-
tated plan of hostility, and he offered to submit
those communications to any gentleman from any
part of the house, who would come behind the
scenes to inspect them : that he had reason to
hope, as Giovanni in London had been so very ,
successful, Giovanni in Ireland might expect
to:be received with proportionable favour, and
finally he signified that the latter piece should be
withdrawn.—Phis speech encountered much op-
position in its progress, but the concluding decla-
ration allayed the storm, and the two after-
pieces, viz. The Prisoner at Large, and Ella
Rosenberg, proceeded without intezzoption,
except by the applause which the merit of
the acting naturally excited. With respect
to Giovanni in Ireland, we cannot help think-
ing that the Manager has been treated with
unjust and illiberal severity.—ln compli-
ance with the obvious taste of the public for
magnificent spectacles, processions, Sc. &c., he
brought forward the most splendid work in
representing the late CORONATION that had ever
appeared on theatrical boards. The success of
this piece was unprecedented, and with a laud-
able zeal to gratify the public still more, he
appears to have lavished most of the profits of
that piece in preparing another exhibition of the
same kind, in order to represent the late IN-
STALLATION in the Sister Island. For this pur-
pose he employed the same dramatic writer who
had been so successful in Giovanni in London,
and since, in the popular farce of Monsieur Ton-
son, to introduce Giovanni in Ireland. What
is there in this conduct that could reasonably give
offence I—The splendour of the Installation was
hardly less than that of The Coronation, and the
expence was probably as great. The Manager,
therefore, in our opinion, rather deserves the
approbation than the displeasure of the Public.
His conduct has evidently been disinterested
and liberal; for, as we before observed, lie ven-
tured upon the last grand spectacle all the pecu-
niary advantage which he had derived from the
former. It Was to be expected that the national
spirit of Irishmen would induce them to support
a piece that was intended to do honour to their
country, and •that was to present to their patriotic
feelings some of its most superb and interesting
scenery; and the natives of that country, as far as
we can learn, actually gave to it a resolute sup-
port. A Morning Paper of this day has censured
the " rashness of offering to expose letters with
the writers' names to the
•eye of the Pit, Box, and
Gallery," but this is not the fact—the com-
munications were to be submitted to any indi-
vidual, from any one, or all of those places, in
order to prove that such communications had
really been received. The Manager was " driven
to the stake" by the opposition which had as-
sailed him, and it was necessary that he should en-
deavour to vindicate his conduct. It may indeed
be said that Giovanni in Ireland was destitute of
dramatic strength and interest; but it may be
justly observed, that, as it was intended merely
as introductory to a grand Exhibition, critical
nicety was not required in considering its inhe-
rent qualities as a drama.—We have no partiality
to either of the Patent Theatres, but we feel it to
be a duty of justice, as well as candour, to sup-
port them upon all proper occasions, and we
conceive that the Manager or Lessee of Drury-
lane Theatre has, in the present instance, been
the. victim of illiberal and unjust persecution.

THE REV. Mn. MArrntits.---We feel deep re-
gret in stating the death of this Gentleman, which
took place last week, at his residence in Mary-le-
bone. He was of the Roman Catholic persuasion,
but meek, benevolent, and most liberally tole-
rant to all whose religion differed from his own.
He had been elected Canon of St. Penis, and had
been frequently solicited to accept a French
Bishopric, which he declined from motives of hu-
mility and love of retirement, added to his great
attachment , to this country. A month previous
to his lamented death, we are assured that he re-
ceived a letter informing him that his name was
drawn for the first vacant See in France. He was
respected and beloved by all the Bourbon Family,
and by a very extensive circle of friends
of the highest rank in this country. 'To the
Poor he was a faithful Pastor, a protecting
father, a liberal benefactor. In the circle of
his own family he solemnly and affection-
ately fulfilled ,those sacred duties enjoined by
God \ himself, administering to their necessities
while living, and bequeathing to them at his death
the bulk of his property. Thus, his death-bed,
as might be expected from his conduct and cha-
racter, exhibited a scene of genuine piety and peace,
edifying to alliaround him. It will be remember-
ed that this Gentleman was attacked with a
sword by an insane person in the Spanish Chapel
while officiating at the Altar, a few years ago.—
His manners were meek, elegant, and unaffected.

. „
Lady Douglas is expected in town this day frOm Brighton.
Lord EllenborOugh has left town on a tour. , . 2 •..
Lord and Lady Burghersh have left Lord Maryborougli's
seat in Cambridgeshire, for their father's (the Earl of West-
morland) seat, Apthorp, Northamptonshire.
Lord Hawke has arrived in town froth his seat in Yorkshire.
Dr. Hibberden arrived yesterday at the Waterloo Hotel,
Jermyn-street, from a tour.
Arrivals at the British Hotel,Jermyn-strcet :--S u ffield Brown,
Esq. from Melton illowbray, Leicestershire • William Burton,
Esq. from his seat!! in Lincolnshire ; iownshend, Esq. at
ditto, from his seat Cleeve, Gloucestershire.
Arrivals at Kirkham's Hotel, Lower Brook-street:—Captain
Lyons from Paris ; and James Wright, Esq. from his seat in
Cambridgeshire. -
Mr. and Mrs. Jervoise are arrived: at the Clarendon Hotel,
Bond-street, from their seat in Staffordshire.
Arrivals at Mivart's Hotel :—The Prince Cariati from a
visit at the seat of T. Hope, Esq. Surrey ; the Prince Cimitile
from the Priory ; Lord Radcliffe from Bunney PArk ; the Hon.
Saville Luniley from a tour.

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FASHIONABLE 310VEINItNTS.

The Earl (fNeil has arrived at Batt's Hotel, Dover-Street,
froth his seat at Richmond.