The Sun.
London, England, 1817-11-26 00:00:00

THE THEATRES.

DRU RY,LANE.—The Beggai's Opera, which, con-
trary to decency, and outrageous to the improved
taste of the age, continues to hold its station on
dramatic hoards, was represented again last night,
and Miss BYRNE was the Polly. Having been ani-
mated by public applause, she was in better posses-
sion of her powers, and certainly displays signs
of improvement in acting as well as singing.—
The play altogether was too well performed, con-
sidering the low and disgusting quality of the
composition. _ .

CoveNT-GARDEN.—A high gratification was
afforded to the visitors of this Theatre last night
in the perfoimance or The Cabinet, as might be
expected from the combined and single exertions
of Miss STEPHENS and BRAHAM. The former
sung with alt tier interesting simplicity, and sup-
ported .her character with unaffected humour.—
BRAHAM, always pleasing, was, however, most
prodigally redundant in his musical decorations.

MR. KEAN.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR—It is with great surprise that I have seen
in the Morning Chronicle of 'this day, an article
statiog that I was taken ill yesterday so suddenly,
that there was •no time to change the Play an-
nounced at Drury'-Lane Theatre for ►he even-
ing, in consequence of •which Mr.• MAY wool)
had undertaken the character of Richard the
Third at a few hours' notice. I must request
that you will allow me through your Paper to
correct this statement. I have been very muck
indisposed for many days, and found myself so ill
on Saturday last, that I then sent a notice to the
Sub-Committee that it would be impossible for
me to play on Monday. This was further con-
firmed by a certificate yesterday from my pro-
fessional medical attendant, which was at the
Theatre by one o'clock. I have not been out of
my bed 'since Saturday, and dictate this from my
bedside, being unable to write myself.
I am, Sir, your humble servant, -
EDMUND KEAN.
12, Clarges-street, Tuesday, Nov. 25.

PUNISHMENT OF THE STOCKS.—Lord CAMDEN,
when Chief Justice, was upon a visit to Lord
DACRE, his brother-in-law, at Alveley, in Essex,
and had walked out with another Gen:lem3n,
very absent man, to the hill, no great &stance
from the house, where, on the summit, by the road-
side, were the Parish Stocks : he sat down upon
them ; and after a little time asked his compa-
nion to open them, as he bad a mind to know
what the punishment was : this being done, the
companion took a book from his pocket, and
sauntered about, dntil he forgot the Judge and
his situation, and returned to Lord D.'s. When
the Judge was tired, he tried, but found himself
unequal, to open the stocks ; and asked a coun-
tryman, who'soon after passed by, to assist him,.
who said, " No, old gentleman, you was not set
there for nothing ;" and left him, until he was re-
leased by some of the servants of the house pass-
ing, that way. Not long after, he presided at a
trial, in which a charge was brought against
a Magistrate for false improvement, and for set-
ting in the stocks. The Connie' on the side
of the Magistrate, in his reply, made very light
of the whole charge, and particularly of set-
ting in the stocks, which, he said, every body
knew was no punishment at all. The Chief Jus-
tice rose, and leaniug over the bench, said, in a
half whisper—" Brother, were you ever in the
stocks !"—" Really, my Lord, never."—" Then
I have," said the Judge ; " and I assure you,
Brother, it is no such trifle as you represent."

Yesterday the Lottery commenced Drawing,
when the only Number drawn a Prize above lOU
was No. 3,092, which in Class A was sold by
Bisx, iu rleven Shares, at his Offices. No. 4,
Cornhill, and 9, Charing-Cross, where Undrawn
Tickets and Shares are now selling.—The Second
Day will be Friday, the sth December, when every
Ticket drawn will be a Prize of Money, Consols,
or to,bc re-drawn.