Star.
London, England, 1824-11-10 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

:~;

ROWLRY'S Comedy of a A New Wonder, a Woman
never Vest, with alterations and additi,o3, by Mr.
PLANCHE, 'was performed last night, under the title of
A Woman never Vest ; or, The Widow of Cornhili. Of
WILLIAM ROWLEY, the author of the Comedy, little is
known, except that he lived and wrote in' the reign of
JAMES the First, was one of the Prince of WALES'S
company of players, and was the associate of the prin-
cipal dramatists of his day. ROWLEY is ranked by the
Editors of the Biograph. Dram. in the third class of dra-
matic writers; and we have the authority of Mr. GIF-
FORD for asserting that it is impossible to place him
higher. The Comedy of A New Wonder, a Woman
never Vest, appears, by the date of its publication
(1652) to have been the first he produced ; and although
not the best of his productions, it is, perhaps, the best
suited to the present state of the Stage. In the original,
as well as in the more recent editions of the Play, it is
for the most part printed in blank Verse; but it is im-
possible to conceive by what rule or ear the. division
was made, as its composition is infinitely more prosaic
than the greater number of those Dramas that have
made no attempts at poetic metre. In this respect,
however, the Comedy has been materially improved ;
and the number of expletives, by which it was com-
pletely marred, have been so far taken away as to give
an ease and smoothness to the dialogue.
A wealthy merchant, named Fader, has a disaipited beggared
brother, and a shrewish wife. The conduct of the former, and the
entreaties of the latter, induce the merchant to break with his bro-
ther, Stephen Aster, and to warn his eon from any intercourse with
him. Stephen Foster, in the meantime, makes love to, or rather is
made love to, by a rich and beautiful widow (the " woman who is
pram' vett") whom he marries ; and, to prove that women can
work wonders. he becomes reformed. The merchant, who has
embarked all his wealth on the waters, learns that his vessels have
all sunk, is in turn a beggar, and takes shelter in a jail. The mis-
fortunes of the elder brother change the sentiments of the younger,
who, unknown to the merchant, supports him in prison, discharges
his debts, sets him free, and paves the way to returning affluence, at
the moment that Old rider believes Stephen to be his bitterest
enemy. With this feeling he appeals to the King against his bro-
ther ;_ an explanation ensues; Old Foster and Stqa%ets are reconciled,
and the Drama terminates.

Such is the groundwork, on which an admirable
superstructure has been raised. Mr. Youwo sustained
the part of the merchant Foster, wiih great ability.
In one scene particularly, where in the gaol he is
encountered by his wealthy brother, the effect of his
acting was thrilling beyond conception, and called forth
the most enthusiastic plaudits from all parts of the
house. Mr. Kamm:, as _ Stephen Foster, was equally
excellent. In the earlier scenes of the play, he had to
sustain the character of a careless and dissipated rake;
and he is never more at ease than when he has to do so,
especially if wit and humour be added to make up the
part. Throughout the piece he was most successful,
and well deserved the warm applause which greeted
him. Miss CHIiSTEIt represented the wiJow of
Cornhill, Agnes Welsted, 44 the woman who is never
Yen." Her acting was admirable, and the placidity
and archness of the character was well kept up.
Miss LACY, as Mrs. Foster, attracted general and fre-
quent approbation by some of the most spirited and
most original acting we have witnessed for years.
Her pride, hatred, and contempt, were powerful
and natural ; and she appears •nly to require a
fair trial to become generally popular. Mr. Coo-
PER, as the son of Foster, was excellent ; in several
scenes he was more so than we have ever seen him

before, and this is saying much for him, since the
part he had to sustain was by no means an easy one.
In short, the characters were, without a single exception,
well supported, and the play was completely successful.
We must not, however, omit to notice Mr. BLA NCMARD,
who played the Clown (a part originally sustained by
the author of the drama) with that humour for which
he is so distidguished ; nor Messrs. KEELEY and BA kr-
Lit; who were excellent. The scenery was very beau-
tiful; and the costume such is to do credit to the taste
and judgment of those by whom it was managed. A
splendid pageant was introduced towards the close of
the performance. describing the Lord Mayor's chew as
it passed through :Cheapside in the year 1444. Mr.
Keith.' announced the Comedy for repetition, amid
the loud and continued plaudits of a crowded audience,

Rosana has returned to Paris with Zoomtu.r.
His Majesty's yatht Royal Charlotte will be launched
at Woolwich Dock-yard on the 42.1 inst.

Tar THRIE rat ckwrs. AT PA R,—and 20,0001. or
30,0001. to be gained by the risk of only 41. 19s. ! ! This is literally
the rue as BUN guarantees' to those who may purchase at his
Offices rase,
of the Stock Prizes In the present Scheme, at least 1001.
in Money,for every 1001. Three Per Cents. He also pledges him-
self to every purchaser at his Deices to return 161. for every Whole
Ticket, and in propordon for Mares, to those who do not obtain a
good Prize on the 16th December, if applied for within Ten Days
from that date, and aa-the Two 20,0001. Prizes must be drawn in
the first Ave minutes, and all the other Capitals (including both the
50,0001. Prizes) may be drawn that day, it is certain that many
persons must gain large fortunes by that day's drinting, and no one
need risk more than 4/. les. by a Whole Ticket, or es. 6d. by a Six-
teenth : the full particulars of this adiantegeons mode of adventure
may be had gratis at either of Brie's M.es, 4, Cornalil, or 9,
Charing Cross; where the Grand Prisoof Thirty Thousand Poends,
No. 15.756, drawn ou Widnesday,the ed inst. was sold in Shares.
Alm Two to,boot. Pates, and 20 odier Capitals, 11l drawn within

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PIGHT FOR TWO HU Eb (VINE.
+URNKR ANII INGLIS.
Ned Turner is,the pugilistic Print.. of Wales—the chanspionsof
the West Britons.. When he was beaten by Randall in hie best
day, there was great w ngland sorrow among his people ; bqt
when he was vanquished by Inglis last spring, the whole Yana.
pality was in despair. The sides Of Penmaen Mawr grew black
with mnnifieation, whilst its bead lost itself in clouds clad in eternal
snows, in mourning, after the Chinese fashion. The v;k of Llan-
gollen became a vale of tears—every brook swelled to a torrent
of indignation, and from Klimyogue to Tredagar, all was lamenta-
tion and woe ! To be beaten by Randall was painful enough—but
to be demolished by a bed-maker, as Inglis was—by a pugilistic
chamberlain—by a tickler of feathers, was beyond Welch endurance !
Taffy was thundefstruck—Ounbria was in consternation, and were
it not for one Mr. Llewelkn ap Jenkins ap Lloyd, who plucked up
courage to put down money for another try for the ponour of his
country, no one can tell what might have been the consequenc.: on
so sensitive a people. Like Dr. Morgan in Roderick Random, he
exclaimed, " we will put valour in his peUy and strength in his
limbs, and peradventure we shall pehold what we shall seep"—•A
second match was made, and Ned Turner was taken in
hand—nursed with goat's whey, and fed upon strong ale, to no-
pair all the havoc which late hours and gin punch had made in his
constitution. Few men have been in a worse way than honest
Ned ; he had not only to repair a shattered frame, but to stifle an
attachment for ardent spirits to which he was almost a victini—
but be it said to his credit, that out of gratitude to kis backer, he
carefully abstained from all excess, and underwent the severities of
training without relaxation, until he improved his stamina, and rat.
lied the energies of his nature, as far as early hours, hard work,
and regular living could go, to riscruit a map of four and thirty,
with a constitution of another score.
Inglis is in every respect contrasted tor•Aprner. Simple in his
habits, demure in his manners—his youth has been one of the
greatest temperance. He never drinks spirits, or indulges In any
excess; a -little spice of the Devil would qualify him better for the
Ring. One is astonished to see him, so staid and so quiet, set up
for a fighting man ; but it seems the organ of pugnacity cannot be
controuled. Inglis depended on the unimpaired vigour of twenty-
five, with a game heart—sand as he beat Turner before, who was
out of condition, he gladly made another match and stood—by the
way, simply enough for a pugilist—sixty pounds of his own battle
money. Yesterday was the settling day, and a little distance be-
yond Colnbrook, on the Bath road, the appointed place.
At one o'clock, Ned Turner threw his hat into the ring, and was
followed in a moment by Inglis, whose hat—ever an unpropitious
omen—dropped outside the ropes. There was considerable anxiety
to see the condition of both, particularly the old one—if he were not
right, there was no chance for him. Turner seemed out of spirit',
without the gallant air of confidence which marked his former ap-
pearances. His face bore the marks of care, and was a bad indica-
tion of his body and mind. He was warmly greeted, and all his
old friends pressed round to shake hands and wish him 'access. In-
glis was flushed and agitated, as if discomposed by the ominous
commencement of his hat falling outside the stakes. Both stripped
and were on their ground in a few minutes. Turner's frame was
evidently improved since his last defeat. He was never very shewy.
As to points, it was always the heart that gave his muscles power.
Inglis did not make any great display either. His arms carried no
weight, and though evidently in the best condition, his person gave
no promise of superior strength.
Holt and Shelton seconded Turner. Ward and O'Neil were for
Inglis. Neither party sported coloors.-4,5 to 4on Turner.)