The Sun.
London, England, 1818-12-04 00:00:00

TH h. hi c.vi fits.

WRY -LA Trag.eity; entitten MM ,
US, tit
The NU of Turquih, foantied.opon the well-kn• wit
story of an evert' which effected the deliverance
of Rothe froin the despotism of an odimis
was represen't'ed list night at this Tt.'eatte.-- The
!olio using account of the Plot haS been sent co us
in prito; and We shall adopt it at the ofliciaireliott
of the TiceBi
The new Tragedy of Brutus is built upon the most imprei-
sire features in the History of the first of that name, who
flourished in the time of Tat quit. the Praul, the earlier age
of Roman History, between fourteen aunt fifteen, hundred
years ago. The see ,e is sometimes at tile Camp before Ardea,
sometimes in Collatia, and sometimes in Itome.The itlay
commences-with the assumed idiotism or Liking iunitis,who,
on the murder of his father anti his elder b'ro'ther by TArqtiin,
counterfeits the fool, and is received into the family of the
King, to make mirth for the young orinees.=-Tullia,the Queen,
wit., is raised into •. hail efunielice" byhiitorY, as havingil riven
her chariot over her dead father's batik', is left by Tarquin
the Proud (then absent with his army before Ardea),.Regent
of Rome: Alarmed by dreams and p*artents, Tullia sends for
Lucius Junius from the camp, that a watchful 'eye may be
kept over him ; but when he arrives, She ts disarmed of her
terrors by the grotesque answers of Lucius Junius, and orders
that he shall be called Brutus, from the Yeietiblaace 'which
the want of l'eason gives him to a Brute. The Ara act closes
with a actor between the Princess Tarquinia and Titus, the
son of Brutus, in which it appears that Titus has gained
great favourk the court, and has formed art atrathment for
Tarquinia which is :favourably returned. He vows that,
under any circumstances, and even should his father awaken
to reason, and comma nd him to 'resign her, he would remain
unchanged.-4n the Second act, the -young Minces and Col-
latinus are discovered in the tent of Sextas. They comversi
on their opinions of the female character, and being thence
led into the famous wager concerning their wives, they post
away and find Lucretia surrounded by sertatits., employed in
household duties at Collatia. Sextus is inflamed by her beauty.
He determines to return privately at the first opportunity.—:-
He does so; and in a scene of tempest and lightning, where
Brutus is discovered, Sextus enters muffled, having accom-
plished his infamy, and laughingly makes it known to Brutus,
who then throws off the mask, bursts forth in his real cha-
racter, and rushes to Collatia, where he arrives just after
Laeretia's death, which he swears to avenge. The body is
borne to the Forum. Brutus addresses the people. They
revolt. The palace is stormed, and its walls shattered.—
Brutus condemns Tullis to betaken to Rhea's Temple, where
the body of her murdered father is deposited. She is horror
struck at the idea, and swears, if dragged thither, to starve
herself to death. She appears in the temple, mad. She
fancies she hears groans from the portal of the tomb, which
she forces open, and there discovering the monumental figure
of Servius Willis, recoils, fancying in her frenzy that it is
his spectre, and dies.—ln the meantime, Tarquinia reminds
Titus of his pledge. Titus is induced tojoin a party for the
liberation of Tarquinia, and attempts to escape with her to
the camp at Ardea. They are detected, intercepted, Titus is
condemned by his Father as a traitor, and the play terminates
with the death of Titus.

This Tiagedy has strong claims to public fa-
vour. As one striking proof, it may be ob-
served, that the interest of the story Occupied the
mind too much to admit of a critical notice of the
language. It was, however, obviously possessed
of many poetical graces. 'the character of Lu-
cius Junius Brutus, as transmitted by history, is
marked by a severity which perhaps is only to be
found in the historic page ; for however do-
mestic feelings might have given way to a
sense of patriotism, yet the ties of na-
ture must always have had a strong in-
fluence upon the human character, whether
moulded by the manners of Sparta or of Rome.
Therefore, in giving more of the parental charac-
ter to the elder Brutus in this Play, the Author
has approached nearer to Nature as he has de-
parted from Hi•tory ; but we really think that, par-
ticularly in the last scene, he has rather too lunch
deviated from the general idea of Roman firmness,
and has rendered his Hero much too tender to be
consistent with the character as transmitted by
all who have recorded it. It may be observed,
that instead of that unsuspicious folly or insanity
which Brutus assumed, he appears in the tragedy
arch, it not waggish, and might reasonably have
excited alarm, but particularly in Dana, who
had been prophetically warned of the ruin
of her family by the efforts of a fool.—The
introduction of Tulliu and the loves of Titus
and Tarquinia is judicious, as it relieves the mono-
tony that would otherwise have prevailed. The
same may be said of the banquet scene, in which
the memorable wager takes place. It is highly
improbable that Sextus, after his horrible treat-
ment of Lucretia, and which it was his business to
conceal from every body, should have thought
proper to reveal it to a fool, who might be sup-
posed to blab it every where. But the general
interest of the play overpowers such objections.
It is much too long, and will particularly
admit of retrenchment in the last scene, where
the parental agonies of Brutus differ so much
from his historical character. The Tragedy was
very well sustained altogether- KEAN, of course,
was the prominent figure. The part is well cal-
ciliated to skew his peculiar (-panties, and he ex-
cited much applause. Mrs. GLOVER, an excellent
comic Actress, is not so well qualified for tragedy,
but she is always respectable, and she sustained the
part of Tullis with dignity and feeling. H.KasaaLa
gave respectable support to Sextus, and FISHER
displayed much feeling in Titus. BENGOUGH was
deservedly applauded in Canutintts. indeed, the
whole of the Play was well supported. The
Theatre has discharged its duty in bringing for-
ward the Play with great splendour of scenery,
processions, &c. &c. The destruction of the
Palace was grand and terrific.—The Prologue,
which, as our Readers will perceive, is
above the ordinary standard, was well de-
livered by H. KEAIttLE, and
.the Epilogue, which
we shall give to-morrow, spoken with spirited
gaiety by Mrs. GLOVER. The Theatre was filled
with visitors ; and the Play was received with great
applause. It was announced by KEAN for repel i-
lion this evening, with hearty and universal con-
sent.

CovpNT-GARDEN.—After the excellent Comedy
of The Jealous Wife, a new Fairy Tale, entitled
Rose d'Aitiour, or Little Red Riding Hood, was
brought forward. It is very well calculated for
the holiday folks, and therefore may be thought
to have been brought forth too early in the
season. A Miss 13EaumoNT, a very pleasing and
interesting young Lady, made her first appearance
in the principal character. Her voice and talents
ale very recommendatory, and she was deservedly
applauded. Tile piece altogether was well re-
ceived.

OLYMPIC THEATRE.—This handsome Theatre
re-opened last night. with a new comic-historical
burletta, in three Acts, under the title of Roches-
ter. 'I he piece is founded on a well-known ex-
travagance of that celebrated Lord, and was ex-
cellently dramatized by Mr. MoricalEFF,
talents for such con►position are of no middli►tg

stanip. Ti:e character of John ITihnot, %% Lie!' %x as
athittrably performed by ELLisTori, cl hat-'
noir Mt. PEARMAN, • 0-e ‘ocil taletl s are
already \veil known the public, ,test Hued tie
railk of th.e Duke of BurkingfAm ' ilk songs
were given in 9 tery effective s yle. Mr% EDWIN,
the former favourite of. Dray-lan. , 2-presented
he Countess of Lorelaugh, tier prcitens;ty to
merriment- was esistibly catching, that s;,e
frequently '' Set the audience in a roar." A bur-
lesque Tragedy Was tbe second enter 'Omen!. It
was, prfluipS, excessively fircical in sous in-
stances, but, upon the Whole, it creat-,4 great.
annisenient. This rttle Theatre W quite mkt!.
Cotourtta TI4sATRE:-;-The performan, es at this
Theatre were resuMed last night with mucf suc-
cess. A new piece Was produced. en itled Et
Ryder; the Chi.O. 'of the Gaut Mountains. The
scenery *as particularly splendid. The action
being laid in the East, several opportunities were
afforded for rich spectacle, and they were made
use of to great atlvantage. The Tiew of a bridge
and 'cataract •calltd forth general admiration, as
did also the represeDlatlion of a triumphal arch
did a plllisr of victory. The procession of Hama
into the city was SpleiTtlid in a high degrees but
the most imposing appearantd Aras created by the
view of the, mine and the burning ruins. The
story cif the piece is interesting and well :deve-
loped., Considering the immense variety of inci-
dents which it embraced. The characters were
excellently sustained. The well known panto-
mime of La Peronse followed, and the scenery
here also would not be unworthy of any Theatre.
Every teat in tlle e,lifice was occupied.