Star.
London, England, 1830-01-30 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.

Sta—The high character for independence and im-
partiality which your Paper has vindicated for itself,
will, I am persuaded, secure insertion to the following
remarks which are called forth by the wantonly
illiberal, and unprovoked attack which the correspondent
of a Morning Paper has made upon the greatest tragic
actor of the present day. The letter to which I refer,
related to what the writer (who styles himself " Philo
Drama,") is pleased to term " the recent revival of that
miserable play called Riches." In this cue, the word
" revival ' is as singularly inapplicable, as the observa-
tions of " Philo Drama" are injudicious and unjust.
The play, which is founded upon, or rather adapted
(ran, MASSINGER'II " City Madam," contains many
passages of as much eloquence, and capable of producing
as much effect, as any that ever emanated from the
same brilliant source ; and its recent representation was
so far from being a mere " revival," that it has of late
years been acted with unqualisnd success, not only for
the purpose of displaying that " perfect consummation
of histrionic skill," which you so truly pronounced
KEAN'', performance of Luke to be ;—but as the test of
ability upon which other eminent actors have prided
themselves. The judgment must be weak, indeed, that
could witness such acting as KEAN'S, and Mrs.GLo v za's,
on the evening alluded to by " Philo Drama," without
approving the selection of a play in which the moral
excellence of the Drama is so triumphantly asserted.—
At all events, " the error" of the selection—if error it
can be called—did not rest with Mr. KEAN. For my
own part, I think the management entitled to praise,
for the production—or " revival," if Hypercritics will
—of such a play, instead of degrading the boards of
a Metropolitan Theatre with such contemptible trash
as our modern play-wrights seem only qualified to
produce. Had " Philo Drama," however, contented
himself with his sweeping censure upon a play
that has been acted, I should scarcely have troubled
you with any notice of his absurd attempt at com-
mentary; but when he proceeds, with a malevolent and
rancorous spirit, to pronounce judgment upon a per-
formance which is yet but in embryo—words are too poor
—too weak, to express the indignation which such an at-
tempt to prejudice a deserving favourite with the public
cannot fail to excite. Had the play off/eery V. been repre-
sented, and had all his anticipated criticisms been justified
by the perfect failureof that representation ; then indeed
might " Philo Drama" have been justified in pro-
nouncing such an opinion as he has done ; but when it is
remembered that the Dowers of the gifted actor whom he
has so wantonly aspersed, are at this day in full vigour;
and that the great mental endowments and personal quali-
fications which first raised Mr. KEAN to the pm-eminent
station which he has now so long enjoyed, were never
more admirably, and certainly never more judiciously,
exerted, than they have been since his return to Drury-
lane ; then, Sir, there is but too much reason to fear
that the assumed censorship of " Philo Drama" is but
a mask to cover the deep and vindictive designs of some
personal enemy—who, whilst he affects to regret that
" the time and trouble of a clever actor should be so
grossly misapplied," would fain cloud the popularity
which that actor now most deservedly enjoys; and pre-
dispose the public,—by whose favour alone can genius
be stimulated,—against the fair and dispassionate reception
,of the forthcoming play.
I write in haste—and perhaps with more warmth than
the subject demands; but you must feel with me, that
the illiberality and injustice of the remarks put forth by
" Philo Drama" deserve the indignant reprehension of
every admirer of talent—and every lover of fair play.
I ea, Mr, year obedient &mint,
JOHN OLDHAM.

Jaa. st, 1830.

A correspondent suggests the idea that the abolition
of franking letters would add no inconsiderable sum
towards the relief of the revenue, and collected without
any expense.
Arrnmd.—lt may not be immaterial for '
afflicted with asthma, to know the relief afforded from
Mineral Waters, even where medical aid has not been able
to produce it. Mr. W. UPTON, residing at Wink&ld,
Berke, had been eighteen years a sufferer to a great de-
gree ; he visited Southampton, Bath, and various other
places, where medical men declared his case must be left
to take its course, for their further efforts were in vain.
At Abingdon last summer, where be was summoned on a
trial, he was in such a state as to be unable to walk about
the house, or lie down in his bed, for fear of suffocation.
He then took to the use of the Mineral Waters of the
newly-discovered spring in Windsor Forest, which he
has continued for a length of time ; he is now not only
Gee from asthma, but as well as ever be was in his life,
attending his business daily and actively.
A melancholy event took place at Brighton, on Thurs-
day. As three young ladies, sisters (the Misses CLIP!)
were returning from a ride in the neighbourhood of
Kemptown, accompanied by Mr. Boss, the riding-muter,
one of them was taken suddenly ill, and fell from her
horse ; she was instantly conveyed to the County Hos-
pital (which was quits convenient to the spot,) as the
nearest place where medical aid could be procured, where
die young lady very shortly after expired. It is sup-
posed she was attacked by a fit of apoplexy : the horse
was in a gentle canter at the moment she fell, previous
to which she was observed to turn quite pale. The family
and friends of the lady are thrown into the deepest
Adliction by this melancholy event.
One oftbs Ladies BEAL/CLERK, sister to the Duke of
St. ALBANS, had a miraculous escape on Thursday even-
ing, at Brighton. As she was riding on horseback, ac-
essapanied by Mr. MANN, the rid' -muster, the horse
leek fright at some object, and ran off at full ;peed, with
his fair rider, to tbd breathless anxiety of the persons by
which tie streets were crowded at the time. The animal
esedismed his career at a furious pace, through several
narrow streets, and Moog the cliff, until he reached the
stable
door. Lady BueocLuax, notwithstanding the
screaming of the Wigs as the horse passed along, kept.
ker seat with the most admirable presence of mind, and
ailpeared so suffer less by fright than mdst of those who
witnessed her danger.
AdllttkMayasterday &lady, named
hem
was thrown
hem law hems mad hilled-an the spot. The accident hap-
pened on the Marine-parade, neer Marine-aquare. It
Insets that the horse was frightened at a carriage ; he
did net, however, set off at a very rapid pope' but it it
supposed the lady bernsakso alarmed that she fell into 4
it, and dropping from her mat, received thevreond elk*
'doused her death. She was conveyed Is Lower Rock'
Gardens, and an Impost will be held se the bodrissorday.
_ _