The Sun.
London, England, 1818-08-31 00:00:00

WEYMOUTH, AUGUST 28.

Notwithstanding RUSSELL has -Used his utmost
efforts in the arrangement and lighting of his As-
sembly Rooms for the public accommodation, the
Balls have been very badly attended, and last
Friday evening was the first only in which a social
party joined in the merry dance ; yet the town is
overflowing with visitors, and nmeh beauty adorns
the Libraries and Esplanade eery evening.—The
revival of this rational amusement has been
Lronght about by the great assiduity and marked
attention and politeness of our Master of the Ce-
remonies, who endeavours to form fashionable
parties are always unceasing, and will, no doubt,
be appreciated by the Nobility and Gentry in ge-
neral, but more especially by the Bankers, Mer-
chants, &c. of the cities of Bath, Bristol, and
Gloucester, to whom the inhabitants are highly
indebted, for the very distinguished preference
they have shewn this town, for many years, and
to whom they owe much of that prosperity it now
enjoys as a fashionable watering-place.—On Sa-
turday last Lord SIDMOUTH, the Misses ADDING.
TON, Mrs. HOSKINS, Mr. and Mrs. ESTCOURT,
and a select circle, embarked on board the Coun-
tess of Liverpool Post-office packet, commanded
by Captain It. WHITE, and enjoyed a most plea-
sant aquatic excursion ; and to-morrow his Lord-
ship will again enjoy the sea-breeze, by taking
another cruise in his Majesty's Admiralty cutter
Greyhound, commanded by Lieutenant NUGENT.
In our arriv'al list (among a great number) are—
Lord Sidnicutb and family, Sir Robert and Lady Baker, Sir
E. and Lady Lisle, Lady and Mr. Davis, Major-General and
Mrs. Macfarlane, Hon, P. Picrrepont, Captain Rattray,
Mr. Estcourt, Colonel Nicholson, Calomel and Miss
Cioselle, General, Mrs. and Miss Cope, Hon. Mrs. Hewitt,
Colonel Phißoa, Major and Miss Phi Hot!, Mrs. Montague,
Mr. and Mrs. Barrow, &c. &c.

The remains of Jonx PALMER, E.q. of Bath,
were brought on Thurday night to that city from
Brighton, and were deposited in the house of his
friend, Mrs. RICKETTS (sister of LOT4I St. VIN-
CENT), in Argyll-street ; and at eleven o'clock
were removed in funeral procession, attended by
the Mayor and all the Members of the Body Cor-
porate notv in the city, and followed by his two
suns, Colonel PALMER, and Captain E. PALMER,
K. N. and Mr. BARTLETT, his nephew, as Chief
Mourners.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

The General Committee met on Friday kit, at-
this Theatre, and agreed to the following

port :

" The General Committee have considered it
necessary, previous to opening the Theatre for
the ensuing season, and after the recent proceed-
ings in the Court of Chancery, to submit (or the
information of the Proprietors, the annexed Re-
port of the Sub Committee, and the reasons which
have induced the General Committee to approve
and confirm it, in preference to the alternative
lett them of t:,e adoption of the only practicable
recommendiltion of the Select Committee, as
stated in their Report to the. Proprietors, of the
28th of July last, that of closing the Theatre
" If the General aunt Sub-C,oininittees had only
in view their own interest, and relief :rout the
unpleasant situation in which they have been
placed by the late vexatious proceedings, they
would not have hesitated to adopt the recommen-
dation of the Select Committee; but the duty
they owe to their Constituents and the Public,
and ordinary feelings of humanity towards the
different persons interested in, ond dependant
upon, their usual employment in the Theatreovill
not permit them to abandon the trust reposed in
them, or to deprive so many tneritoiious indivi-
duals of the means of support, without at least
making one further effort to save this immense
concern from inevitable ruin. An additional and
urgent reason fur the course which theCommi•tees
have Idlowed, will be found in the doubts ex-
pressed by tire highest Legal Authority of the
country, in the late discussions in the Court of
Chancery, as to the rights of the Proprietors under
the Patent being affected by the close of the
Theatre, and the additional weight it %you'd give
to the case of the advocates for a third Theatre,
if brought again before the next Parliament.
" The General Committee have, therefore,
considered it imperative upon them to give all
their assistance and countenance to the Sub.
Committee, in their endeavours to open the
Theatre at the usual season ; and the Sul4-Com-
mittee having provided funds for this purpose, the
tnanngetnent will continue under their direction
until the Annual General Meeting on the 30th of
September next.
" The General Committee have recommended
to the attention of the Sub-Committee, such sug-
gestions in the Report of the Slect Commit-
tee as ace certainly deserving of attention ;
particularly with respect to the proposed ar-
rangement with the Creditors ; limiting, within
the smallest possible extent, the practice of Or-
ders and Free-admissions; and as little interfer-
ence as possible with the duties of the Acting Ma-
nager, beyond such controul in the expenditure
as the situation of the property imperiously de-
mantis.

" The General Committee have no hesitation

in expressing their regret, that a practice should
so much have obtained of the interference of the
Members of the Sub-Committee in the various
departments of the Stage; but they consider it
essential, for the security of the property, that the
whole expenditure of the concern should remain
under their direction, and, that neither this, nor
the issue of orders of tree-admission, should be
entrusted to the Manager, wit bout their superin•
tendance and control.

" The Genera! Committee have also, in pur.
suance of the recomme►.dation of the Sub-Com-
mittee, and the reasons on which it is grounded,
directed the prices of admission, for the ensuing
season, to be reduced to ss. for the first, and 3s.
the second price to the Bores; 3s. and 2s. to the
I'it.

" The General Committee can only look to any
beneficial result to the Proprietors i►s opening the
Theatre from a still further reduction in the expen-
diture, and they are aware the season will coin-
reelice under very inauspicious circumstances fur
the Alanager. The discussions which preceded the
Injunction obtained, on an ex parte statement, from
the Chancellor, and subsequently the Injunction,
until it Was dissolved, ks prevented that prepa-
ration which is so essentially necessary; and the
Sub-Committee have not reported as vet any
accession of talent to the strength of the company;
still, the short time which intervenes between the
last meeting of the General Committee and the
opening of the Theatre will be made the best use
of by tl►e Manager, and the beginning of the
season has always hitherto been more profitable,
or, to speak more correctly, less unprofitable thau
any subsequent period.
" The General Committee hare already stated
the principal reasons which influenced their ap-
proval of the attempt of the Sub-Committee to
open the Theatre ; their duty to their constituents
and the public ; their anxiety to prevent distress
to the numerous persons dependent on the esta-
blishment ; and the danger to which the patent-
might be subjected, and the additional weight
which v.'ould be given to the arguments and claims
of the applicants for a third Theatre, it this should
be shut to the public. Beyond the attainment of
these objects, and the prevention of further loss,
which must have been the certain consequence of
a different determination, they are not sanguine of
success as far as the proprietors are concerned.
The creditors have, however, a distinct and para-
mount interest, and their concurrence in any iota-
sure which shall keep the Theatre open till at range-
ments can be made for the liquidation of their
claims, cannot be a matter of any reasonable
doubt.

" For their satisfaction, the General Committee
have recommended to the Sub-Committee to offer
them the nomination of a joint-receiver, to act
with Air. Dunn, on the part of the Proprietors, of
all the rents and profits of the property; and
that, after the payment of the niOuly expenses,
and reimbursement of such sums as are advanced
by the Sub-Committee to open the Theatre, the
residue be applied towards such fund as may here-
after be provided for their payment : and the Ge-
neral Committee will be upon all occasions happy to
confer with the Creditors upon any measures they
may themselves devise for their further security
and satisfaction.

The Getreral Committee, in the uncertainty
of being able to proctue a full attendance at a
Special General Meeting at this season, have con-
sidered it their duty to take measures to commu-

'oicate these 'arranOmenrs •to 'every
-and thy hol.hts, entreat the attention oft be Pro-
prielors., .11d to h,7l:persoes eontittned ril the There-
•*) the fdio, lug 'o6SerVtitiOltS on the recent
proceertioas of the Select (;ononittee, lit order
that they may he informed of the exact state of
'the property, and the citemnstances in which it 1.
'plated, Rod he enabled fully and materely to con-
snit r them. previous fit tie Annual Get rat Met,-
leg inSept ember. The Proprietors ben have.,
it in • her power. with the assistimee of the General
Comoortee, who will he loopy tit afford it tor that
pu• pose, to snake seen altera!iotts io the system
vrf nterta ement, and the In'nue choduct of this
notortnoate concern, as they may deem eligible
4and expertieet.
•` fee General Committee are anions, if pos-
sible, to avoid ffloy expressions whir:Wean renew
the arrimortions diseuss:ons which have unforth-
twely takes, place ; and they will only retet to
the Report of the Select CtUnnOtee on such sub-
jects as are connected with the general intetests
of the concern. When difficulties arise, such as
this property is involved in, the trite causes are
too Otte!, kept out of view, and the Select Com-
'mitre& have, in the resew ns:tante, ascribed
to flee management of individuella misfohunes
which they ',either had it in their power to
Avert or contronl. The Getter-al Committee,
in their last Report to the General 'Meet-
ing of Proprietors, have given their opi;iion
of the services of the Trustee, whose con-
fillet is so mewl) animadverted upon by
the Select .Committee, and their opinion, not-
withstanding those ammadversions, has only been
strengthened by the further experience they have
had of the exertions-of Mr. Moore, for the benefit
of the . Proprietors. Neither are' the General
Committee at all persuaded -of the incapacity of
the other Members of the Sub• Committee, from
the sweeping condemnation whirl' has been pass-
ed upon them_ in the Report. , The very circuit).
staoce,of the'except ion of LorelYal mouth front this
condemnation, who had concurred in every Rita-
-I.are of the Sub-Committee, previous to his resit.
nation,is a proof of its injustice. The GeneralCom-
tnittee were very sensibl• of the valuable acces-
sion of his Lordship to the Sub-Committee at the
period of Mr Lamb's reSignation„,and lament, as
One of the worst consequences of the
,late Osseo-
lions, the loss of his dile services to the Proprie-
tors—but stilt., if the misfortunes of the.Theatre
lore been caused, as alleged, byorismanageinent,
.IMr. Lamb, who was one of the parties in theap-
plication to the Coort,of Chancery for the injunc-
tion, and who assumed, before his resignation,
almost the sole controul and management of the
'stage, and Lord Yarmouth, who subsrytently.
concurred in all the measures which were pur-
,sued, are equally implicated in the alleged misona-
:nagement with the other Members of the Sub-
Committee.
"-The General Committee trust that therecorn-
rnendatioo they have made, that the present,. and
any fotnre_Sub-Committee, will.intertere as little
as possible with the details of mattae,emeoi, afier
the election of a proper person as Manager, will
put an end to these useless discussions about the
capacity of individuals of the Sob-Commit tee. for
the matrigement of the Stage. It may he at least
permitted to them further to entertain a doubt
whether any Menthers of the Select Committee
are more capable than those now its office ; and
as far as experience goes, the services of the only
Member of the Select Committee, who had been
ar,o a Member of -the -Sub-Committee, were anot
productive of much:benefit to the Proprietors.
As the most distressing and ievirlious ditty of the
Serb-Committee, that of controttling and correil-
ing expense, and endeavouring to stay pressing
demands of creditors, to, prevent. the seizure of
- the eff.ctS of the Theatre, has devolved upon Col.
Donglas and Mr. Moore, who arc also Trustees,
'it is 110 t altogether surprising, that in the per-
formance of that duty, they should have subject-
ed themselves to some part of the •feeling which
is stated to, exist against them. Had .they given
their countenance to the continuance of useless
expenditure, or the supply of articles at extrava-
gant prices, itavoeld not have been difficolt to ac-
quire popularity with person connected with the
establishment ; teed the allegation in the Report of
the Seluct
_cominittee, that supplies were made at.
extravagant rates, cannot reliantly apply since the
period at which the expenditure came under the di-
rection of these Gentlemen, for they have devoted
unremitting attention to this object ; and during
the last selsoti, great part of the supplies were
Taid for as delivered in ready money. That they
have done their dory, is therefore tire amount of
the accusation :against them ; and in the Report
-of the Select Committee, who have had access to
=their whole accounts. and proceedings, .there is
^not, and could not
,be, the slightest allegation
against the correctness. of both.

In making these remarks, which the observa-
tions of the Select Committee in their Report
have called forth, the General Committee beg to
be understood as not ascribing the misfortunes of
the Theatre to any preceding Sub-Cornmittee.—
They are confident the true causes to which these
misfortunes are to be attribute,ll had their origin
in the formation of the establishment on its pre-
sent scale, and have been gradually since increa3-
td by unfavourable theatrical seasons, and the
growth of minor theatres, encouraged by the high
prices of admih,sion at the Patent Theatres, and
which were required to promise any adequate re-
turn fur the far too extended capital embarked in
them.

" The three specific remedies recommended by
the Select Connnittee in their Report-, to repair
these misfortunes, are, the dismissal of the pre-
sent Sufi-cointoitiee front office ; the election of
Air. Colman as manager, with► unlimited powers
and the raising a sum of money to relieve the pro-
perty from the claims of the creditors.

"Of the first of these, the General Committee
have expressed their opinion, but they will not
,object :(it their re-electio❑ at the next General
Meeting Will permit them so to do) to give their
_ .

• -
assistance to promote the wishes of the Proprie-
tors with respect to such alterations in the Sub-
Committee as the resignation of the two mem-
bers will enable them to effect. They will even
go further, and as Mr. Wilson has ,expressed. his
readiness to retire on such an arrangement, they
tvill be baiwy to consult with the Proprietors as
to the nomination of the majority of anew Sub-

.
instibi•ltte'e • thal thicy disire to
retain the fielViCkS of Mr. Moore mend Col. Douglas,
which they consider to he essential in the ire-
rests ,of their Constituents. These Gentlemen
have •-tlre,oly devoted their whole time, and may
be imlocvd to do so again, to these affairs; an(t it
is not very easy to rind successors who have-ex -
perivoce, and their time disengaged, to apply to
such a purpose.
" With respect to the election of Mr. Colman
as Manaecr, the General Committee refer to the
Report of the Sub-Committee, and they are per-
fectly satisfied it a °old he both imprudent and
injudicious to eotroat into his hands, or
"those of
arty other Manager, the powers which lie desires,
as the primary condition of entering
_into any ne-
gociation ; attd although they nay entertain quite
as high at: ()potion of Mr. Coltnan's talents and
dbilitirs
,ai that expressed by the Select Commit-
tee, they sti;l cannot consider the probable result
of any exertmo,of those talents and abilities saffi-
cit-ot to compensate for their deviating from what
has been the. practice since the commencement
of the Establishment, and entrusting the purse-
strings of the Proprietors into the hands of a tem-
porary springer, in whatever estimation they may
hold his qualifications for that office.
" With respect to raising a stint of money to
nable such Committee as may ultimately direct
the concerns of the Pieatre to accomplish the
composition offered by the Creditprs, that is an
object in,the propriety of which both the General
and Sob-Committees entirely concur. The pro-
position is neither new, nor the suggestion of the
Select Committee, and was recommended to the
Proprietors by the, General Committee at the ge•
nerd' meeting‘, from which the Select Committee
emanated, at their express recommendation. There
can be no difference of opinion as to the measure
itself, and the General Committee only diff r with
the Select Committee as to the means of effecting
it, without an application to the Legislature, en-
abling them to grant securities on all the property
of the Theatre, to, such persons as May be willing
to advance the money required.
" The Select Contrnittee .state in their Report.
that they ate prepared to advance. 4,5001. of
17,0001. %vat, red; loom condition'q the resignation
of the Sub-Committee,. and the appoitumcbt of
other. Members. They look, in addition to this,
to the General Committee for a further advance
to complete the "snot of 17,0001. The .General
Committee have already deckled, that they would
consider the retirement of the temaioing menibets
tit the Sob-Committee as prejudicial to the inte-
rests of the Proprietors, and certainly their confi-
dence, in the. success of rite_proposed plaits would I
not be increased by the change which .has been
suggested, nor is -there any probability,- looter
such circumstances, of their subscribing to the loao.
Unless,. therefore, the Select Committee will them-
selves advance the whole money, in which event,
and in . consideration of the substantial benefit
they woold confer upon "the Proprietors, the Ge-
neral Committee might think- it imperative upon
(ben' to place the Theatre, at all events, as an ex-
periment. undyr such management as they might
require; (and the present S,.b-Cominittee would
be too happy, itt such case, to make way for their
successors ) But unless such conditions can he
;guaranteed, it will- begtecessary. some-other plan
should he devised than a reliance on the volun-
tary contributions of individuals to relieve the
property from ihis''bOrthen; wit bout" which, the
Theatre, although it May' be' opened at the
commencement of the season, cannot remain
open, it the creditors are hostile, for any consif
derable period.

" Placing little dependence on any other plan
for raisin; this.money than that they originally
proposed to the General Meeting, the General
Committee have recommended to the Suh-Com-
mittee the consideration of an efficient plan, to
be submitted to the Annual Meeting in Septem-
ber, for the arrangement of all the existing claims
on the property, by either further securing the
claimants, or raising money for the satisfaction
of their claims, ender the authority of an Act of the
Legislature, empowering the General Committee
to mortgage the _whole property for that object.
" The General Committee have only further to
impress upon the consideration of the Proprietors
the certain ruin in which a continuance of the late
dissensions must involve t heir property. Their
difficulties are already nearly insurmountable. and
they will be rendered completely so, unless party
and personal feelings can he buried in a general
desire to unite in the endeavour to extricate the
Theatre front the embarrassments which have so
neatly overwhelmed it.
" The. General Committee trust it will be ad-
mitted, that in this Report they have shown every
disposition to consult the teelings and wishes of
all parties ; they have come to the resolution of
approving the Report of the Sub-Committee, on
the most mature consideration and reflection of
the whole situation of the Theatre ; and they are
fully convinced, that the diffienhies attending it
would only have been increased by not Opening
it at the usual season. They further rely that the
PrUprietors, giving them credit for the motives
which could alone influence their determination,
will generally confirm it by their approbation.
" By order of the General Committee,
N. WARD, Secretary.
" Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Aug. 29, 181 S."

The followin4 the Report of the Sub-Com-
mittee to the General Committee, referred to in
the preceding Report :

" The Sub,Conimittee submit to the consideration of the
General Cummittee the occurrences which have taken place
since the meeting on the 28th July last.
" On that day, at the meeting of the General Assembly, it
was determined by a majority of votes, that the •Report of
the Special Committee (appointed to investigate all the con-
cerns of the Theatre) should be adopted, in preference to the
Report of the General Committee.
" The Resolutions in the Report of the Special Committee
embraced two objects; the one, to negcniate with all the Cre-
ditors on the property to accept a composition of ten shillings
in the pound upon their respective debts, under an engage-
ment that the Theatre should not be opened till that com-
position was carried into effect ; the other, to place the whole
regulation,,condnet, coutroul, and expenditure of the Then-
tee in the hands of George Colman, Esq.
" The Sub-Committee 'conceived, and they have since been
confirmed in their opinion by the highest legal authority,
that the utmost extent of the Resolutions of any Special Com-
mittee, not ►ecoguized by the Acts of Padiament, must be li-
mited solely to advice and recommendation.
" The,General Committee have concurred isj the opininn
of the Snb-Counnittee, as appeais by theix last ifVOnri, that
the adoption of such measures as proposed by the Select Spe-
cial Coungittce would occasion aboulitte ruin to tfie property

.Inl ,• , •
Tlo their direction and that the grant of such un-
liiliritne'illed iiowers.uf management would he IICQ111;',Itt i
their due controot over the 'establishment, Which has been
placed, erclusively, in their hands by the Legislature.
The Sub-Conisnittee hare, in consequence, proceeded to
make the neca*sary arran*ements for opening the Theatre.
" They tir:t applied to Mr. Colman to ascertain upon what
ttruis, and with what powers, he would undettahe the ma-
nagement, but that Gi•ritlenian )'-equired, that the financial
dithculties of the Theatre. should -In; removed, before he
would state the terms of his proposed arrangement.- This
reply, of course, concluded the negociatiMi.
"It MitV he necessary to state, from undonbted autboritY,
that that ilentlemrot required an imeontrouled direction of
the Theatre for a term of years, upon a very high salary, with
an additional salary to a Stage Manager of his own appoint-
ment.

" The Suh-Comesittee then entered into terms with Mr.
Stephen fien)le, a Gentleman' of kno.vn dramatic talents
and experience, of integrity and indspendence; and he has
undertaken the entire direction of the stage in its several de-
partments, under the controul of the-hun-Counnittae, upon
a salai7.- of 4001. per annum, and a commission of 10 per cent.
upott profits.

" The Committee were proceeding- in the other arrange-
ments of the Company, when they were interrupted -by the
following Placard, issued by Mr. G. H. Ittibins, and most in-
deem...els-1y paraded ocia board; before Drury Lane Theatre,
and posted up against the walls of every Theatre in the me-
tropolis, which was 'most injurious to the interLsts of Drury-
Lane,