The Sun.
London, England, 1829-08-18 00:00:00

~'

No. 11,522.

TEIE FOREIGN QUARTERLY RE-
VIEW, Ne. VIII., is published THIS DAY.
30, Sohoosquare, Aug. 15, 1829.

OSTELL'S GENERAL ATLAS, WITH AN INDEX

OF UPWARDS OF FOURTEEN THOUSAND

NAMES.
This day was published, in royal 4t0., with coloured out-
lines, price 18s. half-bound, or with the Maps full
coloured, price 21s.
OSTELL'S NEW GENERAL ATLAS,
including Maps of Canaan or Judea, ancient
Greece, and the Roman Empire. A New Edition, on an
entirely new set of Plates, engraved on an enlarged scale,
and corrected from the latest and best authorities, contain-
ing Thirty Maps.

*,* To this Edition has been added, without any ad-
ditional charge, a CONSULTING INDEX, containing
references to every place laid down in the Maps, with the
Latitude and Longitude-. The Index comprises upwards
of Fourteen Thousand Names, which in teaching (besides
other obvious uses) must answer almost every purposes of
a Gaze►tteer.

EMPORIUM, GREEK-STREET, SOHO-SQUARE
THE numerous deceptions practised in Ad-
vertisements have occasioned most persons to sus-
pect every publication; but that the Nobility and Public
generally may be assured, beyond mere asset tion, that
WAGNER and CHAPMAN have it in their power to
sell, in many instances, lower than the Manufacturers'
prices, the following list will clearly testify. This arises
from their extensive purchases being continually made for
Cash.—W. and C. invite the attention of Ladies and Fa-
milies to inspect the immense variety which is at all times
ready for introduction at their well-known Repository fur
cheap goods of every description.--An assortment of
PRINTED MUSLINS, which, for novelty anti extent,
is unequalled, from 6d.-91d.—to 22d. Dresses at 2s. 6d.
each.—A quantity of TABLE LINEN, varying from the
commonest for Kitchen use, to the finest SILESIA and
GERMAN DAMASKS, in every size, wonderfully cheap,
amongst which are good Breakfast Cloths at Is. sd. ; much
larger do. at 2s. 3d. and 2s. 6d.
Capital Dinner Cloths, at 6s. 6d.
Some soiled, at nearly half-price.
Strong Linen Huckahack, at 4d.
Diapers for the Nursery, from 3s. 6d.
Linen Sheeting at per yard 4d. and sd.—Mock Russia
do.,

Full-width, without a seam, in every quality.
Durable Irish Linen, for Shirts, from Sd. to Is. 6(1.

Linen Glass-Cloths, and Dusters, each 2d.
Good White Counterpanes, at 2s. 9d.

Large Blankets for the Poor, at 2s. 3d.

Lancashire Flannels as low as 3d.—Stout and Fine
Welch do., from 4d. to Is. 6d.—The finest proportionably
low.

Moreens, from 9d.
Printed Furnitures remarkably cheap.
Handsome Batteiste Dresses at 29. 3d. and 2s. 10d.

Real French Cambric Handkerchiefs in immense variety,
from 12s. per dozen.—Excellent Persians in almost every
colour, from 43-d. to 9d.

Good broad-Sarsnets, at Is. 3d.

Rich Gros de Naps. and Ducapes, Is. 9d., 2s. Id., 2s. 6d.
A quantity of Satins at is. per yard.
The most magnificent brocaded and figured Silks, at 3s.
per yard under the usual prices.
Good Gauze Ribbons, at lid.—Handsome do. 21d.—
Rich wide and splendid, at 6d.

Ladies' light and dark Kid Gloves, from 4s. 9d. per
dozen.—Very superior at 6s. 9d. and 10s. per dozen.
Good white Cotton Hose, from lid. per pair.
Black and white Silk Ditto, 2s. 3d.
A lot of Kerseymeres, at 3s. 3d. ; and Broad Cloths
equally low.

The approved system of business which has gained W.
and C. such marked patronage being now so universally
known, they deem it scarcely necessary to observe, that
THE ABOVE LIST IS SO CORRECT, that Ladies may
rely upon finding every article expressed therein. The re-
maining part of the Stock of TWO BANKRUPTS, Re-
moved from the City, is also still on Sale, at a very great
Reduction in Prices.—Letters, inclosing a remittance, at-
tended to with punctuality, as usual, by WAGNER and
CHAPMAN, EMPORIUM, 41 and 42, GREEK-
STREET, SOHO-SQUARE.

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have- stated, have, as well a their hours, com-
pletely 'Changed ; and thOugh the period of exhi-
bition at the theatres has, to accommodate them,
been made later and later, from three in thc
af-
ternoon (which it was in Shakspeare's time) to
fire, half-past six, and seven o'clock, it is still
too early, or rather it breaks in so upon dinner
arrangements, evening parties, and, above all,
private musicals, that, unless in cases of extra-
ordinary attraction, that class of society have al-
most forsaken the theatre.
How different the case was formerly is easily
seen by reverting to past times.
Concerts of vocal and instrumental music were

PRICE 7D.

DECLINE OF THE WINTER THEATRES,

The decline of the great winter houses is to
be traced to various causes—the depressed state
of trade, operating generally on the middling and
lower orders ; the encouragement of concerts and
musical festivals at each other's houses amongst
the rich, and which do not interfere with the
lateness of their dinner parties, as the theatres
do ; a want, in several instances, of good ma-
nagement ; dearth of merit amongst the per-
formers ; and, perhaps, a little to a sort of grow-
ing disrelish of theatrical entertainments (which,
whether it be owing to the two latter causes or
not, has certainly been observed for some years).
The two most obvious causes, however, are, indis-
putably, their greatly increased size and high price
of admission, added to the powerful opposition
they experience from the numerous minor theatres.
Until the late reign (with the exception of the
numerous playhouses which existed before the
Restoration) there were never more than three
winter theatres in London—Drury-lane, or the
King's Theatre ; the Duke's Theatre, first in
Bear-yard, and afterwards in Dorset-gardens;
and, subsequently, the Portugal-street—Theatre
(now Spode's pottery,) Lincoln's-Inn-fields.
Goodman 's-fields' Theatre, which brought out
Garrick, had only a short career, and never as-
sumed the rank of a Theatre Royal ; and, when
Covent-garden Theatre opened in 1731, the
Portugal-street Theatre became disused, or only
occasionally occupied for musical performances.
The minor theatres of those days were little
better than puppet-shows.
The paucity of houses, with their small sizes
and price of admission, occasioned them to be
always filled ; and for acting we must not make
a comparison. On the contention between the
managers and the public as to taking half-price,
in 1763, the latter complained that they had
been admitted to the boxes for 4s. 6d., to wit-
ness plays performed by Booth, Wilkes, Cibber,
Dogget, Norris, Penkethman, Johnson, Griffin,
Porter, and Oldfleld ; whereas they were then
required to pay ss. to hear half a play acted by
Garrick, Cibber, Yates, King, Packer, Holland,
Mossop, and Ackman ! What would they have
said to have had to pay 7s. for seeing some of
the acting we have been compelled to see ?
In 1775, Drury-lane (though it had a dozen
years before been improved by lengtheninc, the
stage, enlarging the boxes and pit, and rebuild-
ing the galleries) is described as little superior•
to an old barn. The raising of the ceiling at
that time to 12 feet, the removal of the side
boxes, and substituting others supported by
slight pillars, with the opening of new passages
to the boxes and to the theatre from Brydges-
street, seem to have entitled it to that approba-
tion it received till the rebuilding in 1794 ; hut
it was still a small and modest building ; it then
assumed those gigantic dimensions and increased
grandeur of establishment which were subse-
quently transferred to Covent-garden Theatre,
and have evidently been to the great injury of
both. As a medium to judge of the difference
between the old and new theatres at this period, it
will be sufficient to mention a few particulars ofeach.
The theatre in the Haymarket appears to have
been re-erected by John Potter, who leased the
King's Head Inn of John and Thomas Moor,
at a fine of 2001., in 1720. On this site he
erected the theatre for 1,0001., and expended
5001. for scenes, dresses, &c. The prices were,
boxes 45., pit 2s. 6d., and gallery ls. 6d. Lin-
coln's-Inn Theatre, Portugal-street, on its re-
opening in 1723, with the pantomime of Har-
lequin Dr. Faustus (the first ever brought for-
ward on the English stage), took, according to
the London Journal, 2601.; from which we may
judge of the size, or rather capability, of that
house when greatly crowded. Goodman's-fields'
Theatre, rebuilt by Henry Gifford in 1732 by
subscription, only cost 2,3001., exclusively of
scenes and decorations. Covent-garden Theatre
was built by a subscription of 6,0001., under the
direction of Mr. Rich, in 1731 ; in 1734,
Charles Fleetwood, Esq., purchased five of the
six shares of Drury-lane Theatre, with the house,
&c., for 3,500/. ; and in 1776, Garrick disposed
of his share and patent of that theatre to Messrs.
Ford, Ewart, Sheridan, and Lindley, for 35,0001.
The new Drury-lane Theatre, built in 1794, is
stated in the periodicals of the day to have con-
tained—" In the pit 800 persons ; whole range
of boxes 1,821 ; two-shilling gallery 675 ; one-
shilling gallery 308—total 3,611, amounting to
8261. 6s. Covent-garden, on its destruction by
fire in 1809, was rebuilt on the same, or rather
a more expensive scale, as was also afterwards
the present Drury-lane Theatre.
There was no opposition formerly from minor
theatres : and, even so late as 20 years since,
the two theatres and the Opera for the winter,
and the Haymarket for the summer, were the
only established places of entertainment ; if the
latter could be such, which dared not open till
May 15, and was forced to close by September
14. Astley exhibited his scenic feats at his
Amphitheatre and Pavilion, and the Circus had
a considerable attraction for burletta and panto-
mime. Sadler's Wells was a more permanent
establishment, having existed in the 17th cen-
tury, but was confined to rope-dancing, tumb-
ling, dancing dogs, &c., and only open during a
few months in the summer ; and neither were
then suffered, as now, to mangle the regular
drama. The Royalty Theatre, near Wellclose-
square, was only open occasionally, and was
modern in comparison, being erected so late as
1786. All except the last were literally summer
houses, as the proprietors were compelled to con-
fine their performances to the period between
Easter and October. There were other inferior
places of resort opened at intervals, exclusively
of the various concerts, but few which deserved
notice. We have since, the Coburg, Adelphi
Theatre, West London, English Opera, and
Pavilion, Whitechapel ; besides numerous pri-
vate theatres and other sources of amusement.
In these and most of the minor theatres the
scenery and other stage decorations vie with the
great houses, and the theatres themselves are
nearly as elegantly fitted up. The singing and
acting are greatly improved, and the public can
go at a low price. Need we wonder at the de-
pression of the great theatres ?
The universal complaint of want of business,
and the easy terms on which they can get admit-
tance elsewhere, make the middling class (who
always constituted the great bulk of play-goers)
avail themselves of these circumstances in their
favour. The amusements of the great, as we

held as at present at the commencement of the
last century, and patronised by ladies of distinc-
tion ; but they only occasionally took place.—
Other concerts were of an inferior description,
and chiefly confined to low places of amusement,
or were got up by amateurs. We read, in 1700,
of the Great Room in York-buildings, where be-
nefits were appointed, March 20, for Mrs. Hud-
son and Mr. Williams. A month later a con-
cert was held at the theatre in Dorset-gardens,
with the curious accompaniment of a sword fight
between " a master of the noble science of de-
fence," as he styled himself, and a Weidman.
An anniversary celebration of music vvas held on
St. Cecilia's Day, the same year, at Stationers
Hall, by a society of gentlemen ; but whether
those amateurs themselves, or hired performers,
does not appear ; and in 1702 Mr. Pavvlet had
a great dancing-room near I)owgate, Thames-
street, whither the gay were invited to a " Con.
sert" produced by violins, hautboys, and a trum-
pet, with singing. The admission was ls. 6d.

- As the taste for concerts was then less,' sv was
the encouragement given to theatricals greater.
It was not confined to the playhouses, Iluk.even
extended to the great .Law Societies, fur as lace
as February, 1718, the two Temples gave grand
entertainments in their Halls to the Lord Chan-
cellor and many of the nobility ;* when the very
appropriate comedy of The Chances was per-
formed within the greater Hall by the comedians
of Drury-lane Theatre ; and the same kind of
amusements were repeated in 1734, when Love
f7)r Love was represented in the Inner Temple
Hall by the Haymarket Company, who received
501. for their exertions. The Lord Chancellor
and all the Dignitaries of the Law were present ;
and fronting the temporary stage which was
erected was a gallery for 100 ladies, who, with
the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cumberland,
and many Noblemen, witnessed the performance.
The presence of Royalty contributed, in this
and frequent other instances, then and afterwards,
to give a fashionable celebrity to the theatres,
which, for want of it, have now for several years
continued to languish. George 11., when Prince
of Wales, and during his father's absence in
Germany, was a continual frequenter of them,.es
well as when he afterwards came to the Crown ;
and their late Majesties, in their younger days,
are well known to have gone to them weekly.—
The King learnt recitation under the great actor
Quin, and often, when a boy, performed
pri-
vately at Leicester House, which may some-
what account for his partiality for the stage :
his father, Frederick, was not less partial, and
when a boy—on attending a representation of
The Beggar's Opera, by children, at Lin-
coln's Inn-fields, was complimented by the ma-
nagers sending him a book of the songs across
the stage by a flying Cupid.
It may seem invidious to point out instances
of what we conceive mismanagement in our mo-
dern great theatres, or make comparbtens be-
tween the acting of the former and present
times. It is impossible, however, not to see

that the custom of making one performer the
only attraction—paying him exorbitant sums, to
the impoverishment and degradation of all the
rest—has destroyed that equality of good per-
formance through a whole drama, which was for-
merly the boast of the stage. People do not go
now to see the play, but to see Mr. Kean, or
hear Madam So-and-so sing. Garrick gave his
greatest actors only a handsome living salary,
and his lowest a decent existence, and Rich the
same. Few had above 101. or 121. a week, and

none lower than 30s. We hear of the former
now having 501. a night, and the latter 15s. and
1/. a week. No wonder there is a dearth of thea-

,rical merit.

ADVENTURES OF A TRAGEDY.

A tragic play, the joint production of two
young authors, was presented some years ago at
Covent-garden, read, approved, and accepted for
representation. The principal characters in the
piece were a father and son. An influential
tragedian connected with the management chose
for his part the character of the son. The lead-
ing tragedy actor of the establishment was con-
sulted, approved the piece, and also selected the
juvenile character as his share of the dramatis

persona,. This awkward coincidence produced
a difference between the tragedians ; neither
would play the part of the father—each would be
the son. The representation was delayed, and
at last the tragedy was returned, after a lapse of
two years, as an impracticable affair, into the
hands of the authors. The authors took the
piece to Drury-lane theatre. The leading
tragedian at Drury was delighted with it, and
professed to do wonders with the character of the
son. Luckily there was no rival here to dispute
with the little great man the possession of the
juvenile part. Every thing went on smoothly—
the manager was delighted at the golden pros-
pect of success—the parts were cast—and the
character of the heroine, of course, fell to the
lady who led in the female characters of tragedy.
She was delighted with her part—the little
Roscius grew jealous—the lady's part was too
good—there was too much of it—then her size
did not suit his—her calibre was too large for
him—the lady's part should be cut down, or
some one else should play it—or, finally, he, the
great little man, would have nothing to do with
the business. The lady happened to be con-
nected (matrimonially) with the deputy manager
—the deputy manager managed the head
manager—the lady would not be cut down—the
deputy supported his lady-wife--the manager
supported his deputy—Roscius would not yield
—nobody would concede—and the tragedy was
restored into the hands of the authors with all
proper regrets and apologies. The authors
were plunged into despair—there was no third
house for playing tragedy—no hope—their piece
was doomed never to see the light—their pockets
never to contain the sweet 3001. for the nine

nights' performance—no bookseller would give
a farthing for an unrepresented play. What was
to be done ? There was one chance, but it was
a forlorn hope. Perhaps Covent-garden would
take it back. Back the half-author took it, and
told his story to the manager of the Oaiden.
The manager was struck with the
chances of the unfortunate tragiito;.*.atii
it, and most handsomely gavejteth`b- • .
uvenile character to the leadingtige4l
louse ; and the piece was -playa-1441114k
he fourth year alter it was otigwOilyt