The Sun.
London, England, 1829-08-29 00:00:00

COVEN T-GARDEN THEATRE.

Charles 11. granted to Tom Killigrew—a
participator in, if not a pander to, the King's li-
centious pleasures—and to Sir W. Davenant,
who had had a previous grant from Charles I. in
1689, full power and authority to collect two
companies of players, and to purchase, build, or
hire, two theatres, with all convenient rooms, &c.
for the representation of tragedies, comedies,
plays, operas, &c. This grant, dated Aug. 21,
1660, evidently shows that the profits were ex-
clusively for their personal advantage ; and this
grant was, in fact, followed by full letters
patent—the first to Sir W. Davenant, dated
January 15, 1662 ; the second, dated the
25th of April, in the same year, to Thomas
Killigrew, of Covent-garden, Esq. Davenant's
was thereby constituted the Duke of York's
company, and Killigrew's the King's. The
latter commenced under this authority at Drury-
lane Theatre, on Thursday in Easter week,'
April 8, 1663. Davenant continued at Dorset-
garden. In 1682 there was a junction of the
two companies; disputes arose, and in 1684, on
the accession of James 11., by the King's recom-
mendation to heal those differences, there
being then no Duke of York, the interest
of both patents lapsed into one, under the
title of " his Majesty's Servants." But the
confusion into which all theatrical matters had
fallen by the struggles of conflicting interests at
the commencement of the last century induced
Government to prevent those in future by an
Order in Council, which granted a license,
" during our pleasure, and no longer," to Swin-
ney, Dogget, Wilks, and Cibber, dated Nov. 6,
1710, 9th Anne. This licence particularly
states that all former patents and powers granted
were thereby revoked, and rendered null and
void. George I. granted a licence, dated Oct. 18,
1714, to Steele, Wilts, Cibber, Dogget, and
Booth, to form constitute, and establish a
company of comedians in the Theatre in
Drury-lane ; but this was also revoked by
the Lord Chamberlain, on the 25th day
of January, 1719 ; since which time Drury-lane
theatre has been opened by licenses granted for
stated periods; and Covent-garden theatre origi-
nally opened in despite of authority, has con-
tinued to act under sufferance only. The late
It. B. Sheridan possessed the original document
of Charles 11. a patent, with the broad seal, &c.
attached, but he knew it had no power. He
talked pompously of it, for the purpose of
astounding those of whom he wished to
raise money, and who were ignorant of its
impotent effect. If it were otherwise, why did
Sheridan covenant to pay to Mr. Mash 3001.
per annum during the term of the present
license under which Drury-lane Theatre is now
opened—it commenced Sept. 2, 1826, and ter-
minated in 1827 ? The legality of the de-
mand of 3001. last year, was questioned by the
lessee ; but Mr. Mash put an execution into the
house and the customary fee was paid. Mr.
Fawcett's assertion of any patent granting cer-
tain privileges to Covent-Garden Theatre is,
therefore, erroneous. If they have a patent,
where is it ? Is it in the Lord Chamberlain's
Office ? No. With regard to patents, there is
an unrepealed Act, which precludes the kingly
power granting licenses for more than twenty-
one years. This factis incontestable. Lord
Chancellor Thurlow pointed it out previous to
1800, when Sheridan was endeavouring to raise
money to rebuild Drury-lane Theatre.

Mr. OTWAY CAVE, the talented and patri-
otic Alember for Leicester, has been frequently seated with
the Judge; in the Crown Court, during this extraordinary
and eventful Assizes; he has generally waited for the ter-
mination of each important trial to the latest hours, and
appeared to feel the most intense interest in the proceed-
ings—he will no doubt bear in mind, when in his place in
Pdrliament, the: condition of this county, his manly and
constitutional independence lead to this conclusion, ex-
clusive of which, his possessing an estate of upwards of
5,000/. per annum, in this county, must necessarily give
him deep solicitude for every thing connected with it.—
Tipperary Free Press.