Star.
London, England, 1809-12-09 00:00:00

CO YENT-GAADEN THE.eITRB.

The performances at this Theatre last night were
The Merchant of Vlnice, and the Burletta of Tom Thumb
the Great. At thrl rising of the curtain there were not
one hundred persons in the pit, and the boxes were
but thinly attended. During the first three acts of the
Merchant of Venice, the performance was only inter-
rupted by a few murmurs, on the appearance of
CHARLES KEMBLE, as Bassanio. COOKE was loudly
applauded is Shyloch; but after the termination of the
third act, numbers of the 0. P.'s entered from the
different doors, succeeded by the usual burst of hoots,
groans, hisses, and whistles, in the course of which,
the wonted variety was perceptible. The only instru-
mental music introduced amidst the enlivening scene
was the sonorous roar of a tin horn.

A person dressed in a bar wig, attracted very ge-
neral attention, and the mock gravity of his demea-
nour, added to the singularity of his costume, creat. d
much laughter. Unfortunately, however, this pro-
moter of mirth and revelry was soon noticed by Mr.
BRANDON'S chosen corps, and conducted with all due
respect, in his professional insignia, to the bar of Bow-
street. At his unexpected departure, the usual asto-
nishing clang of disapprobation re-echoed through the
house, and continued, with little intermission, the rest
of the evening, during which TOM Thumb the Great was
performed unheard. Several pieces of orange-peel
were thrown on the stage during the after piece, but
not a single placard was exhibited.
The 0, V. dance was, as usual, often repeated, and
scampering over the benches, was a favourite amuse-
ment. The o.P.'scleared theirs;•a from theback of the
pit to the orchestra, and met with but little obstruction.
. • ...

The entertainments were over by half-past ten ; a
few minutes previous to which, a man was taken from
the pit for riotous and improper conduct. Consider.
able opposition was made to his capture, and his gar_
meats were divided amidst his friends, each of whom,
apparently anxious to retain some token of their de-
parting and staunch adherent, seized him by the coat,
neckerchief, and breeches, and kept no inconsidy:i able
portion of his clothes in their possession. the frag-
ments, with the captured hero, being c.A.t eyed
triumph to the fastnesses of the Russian Tower, com-
monly called the Brown Bear. The house was then
cleared, the parting salutes being repeated with the
accustomed energy.
Amongst the fashionalrles in the private boxes were
Lord LANDSDOWNE and bis Lady, Loid MODNTJOY,
and Lord WALDEGRAVE.

Bow-seam.—The principal persons brought to this Office
last night, was a Gentleman in a Barrister's wig, who came for
ward with professional confidence, and with as much indiffere nc
as if he was about to make a harangue in defence of a client.—
Having waited some short time, during which considerable sur-
prise was excited among the by-standers, Mr. Jan ei Brandon
came forward as the accuser; be stated, that shortly after the
co.nmencement of the fourth act of The M:rchant of Veni.e, the
prisoner, who stated himself to be Arthur William Shakespeare,
darri,ter, of Gray's-Inn, and Albemarle-street' entered the pit,
with a twig on his head, and an 0. P. medal on his breast ;—and
havirg taken kis cation about the centre bench, his appearance
soon attracted a crowd, whose vociferation and riotous conduct
disturbed the audience, and rendered inaudible the voices of the
performers. Mr. Brandon therefore conceived it proper to have
him taken into custody, and soil, a number of officers fur that
pti-pose, w:to took him out without resistance. 'lbis statement was
I corroborated by the testimony of Town end, the Worship-street
! p..lice officer, and another pe:son. The inscription on the O. P.
medal I.e wore, was entered as part of the charge agairs. him.
Mr. Shakespeare said, he had not, by word or deed, given cause
for disturbance, and declared that his demeanor wai most peaceable.
Mr. Justice NAIVES ordered him to find sureties to keep the
peace, himself in Lt 00, and two housekeepers in ,C5O each.
Mr. Shakespeare said, he was not aware that his conduct would
he construed into a breach of the peace.
Mr. NARES replied, that if he had not actually broken the peace
himself, he had, by his appearance, excited others to riot, and
thus become accessary to a breack of the peace.
Mr. Shakespeare bowed assent ; and said, he would send ler
his friends. On leaving the presence of the Magistrate a placard
dropped from his pocket, which ieflected on the private boxes.
'lbis Mr. NARES said, confirmed him in the justice of his pro-
ceedings.
John M'Cartney was mitt brought in from the pit, and order-
ed to find bail, for riotous and disorderly conduct. Considerable
opposition had been made to his capture, and his clothes were
nearly torn Irom his back.

LYCEUM.-7 lie Castle Spectre was performed here on
Thursday night. The part of Osmond N% as sust.ti:ned
by Mr. RAYSIOND. His powers are particularly well
adapted to characters of this class, and, in the present
one, he appeared to advantage ; but no propriety of
action or delivery could obtain for him unqualified
approbation during the three first acts. His entre some-
times, and his exit in every scene, were followed by a
hiss, apparently from one and the same party in the
house. Presuming that it would be persevered in to
the end of the play, Mr. RAYMOND, when thus assailed
in the 4th act, came forward and addressed the audi-
ence in a speech to the following effect :
" (Arm." mcsi AND LADD:II—I have had tie honour of per-
forming before-s British public for ten years, and, until this pre-
sent occasion, have had the good fortune to be honoured with
your approbation. 'the cause of the reception which I have this
night experienced, can be only matter of conjecture—but I must
confess, that it has not been, on my part, totally unexpected. I
was informed, before I came down to the house, that, in conse-
quence of my having expressed an opinion upon the contests that
prevail with respect to Covent-Garden Theatre, I might expect
1 to be opposed and thwarted in my professional lawsuits. Whether
that be just, I leave to the breast of an honourable public to de-
i cide, without fear of incurring its displeasure. I cap only say,
that if the disapprobation be merited by my performance, and that
; my exertions to please have been unfortunate, it is my duty to
I bow to your judgment; but, if it proceeds from a private party,
actuated by sq unworthy motive, in that case, Gentlemen and
Ladies, I must throw myself upon your justice, and thins your
protection."
This address was delivered with a modesty that
could not offend, and also with a force and feeling,
well calculated to produce effect. It was received
with an Unanimous burst of applause from every pars
of the house, avd not -a a2arznur washeard duxesf the
I rest of the play.

..

INTELLIG.ENCA.

TORBAY, DEC. 7.
Arrived his Majesty's ships DArtiNE, Cant. Pr-r.N,
from a cruize ; I lussmt, Capt.
horn I*ly,
mouth, bound to Guernsey, put in by contrary winds ;
and THAMES, Bon. Capt. GRAVES, having on buAid
the Spanish Ambassador from Portsrn ouch,
Cadis.—Remains his Majesty's brig PERSIAN, with
the transports bound to Lisbon.