Star.
London, England, 1816-01-23 00:00:00

...

lii*, ItNratytal OPERA HOUSE.
Althquitkiiiilisineven•weeks since the first Welt
of this Theatre via's lebl. the industry and perseve-
rance of the builders have raised the walls to the
height of the roof ; the roof itself is at present on the
premises, one of the ponderous tye-beams placed in
its destined situation, and every thins ready to cover
in the building in the course, of the present week.
With this certainty of its speedy completion, and
not till this certainty was evident to the world as well
as to himself, Mr. ARNOLD fixed Saturday last for
laying the first stone of the auditory of his Theatre.
The occurrence was attended by no ostentatious dis.
play : it was a circumstance rather of feeling than of
ceremony : none but the persons employed in the
construction of the Theatre ded Mr. Arnold's family
were present ; the hand of affection was selected ter
perform the customary rites of the occasion, and
Mrs. ARNOLD laid the foundation stone of a Theatre
which ought, as an undertaking that has in view the
encouragement of native talent, to be nearly as in-
teresting to every Englishman as to iu projector.
The stone and first iron column were suspended in
the air by a triangle. In a cavity of the brick pier
which was built to receive it, Mrs. Arnold placed
the following inscription, engraved on a tablet of
copper :
" OPLRA House—The first English Opera Hones
wos established fur the encouragement of Native Talent, by So-
mme! James Arnold, in the year 1899, under the immediate ps.
unmet of his Majesty, King George the Third; and the first
stone of this New theatre was laid by his wife, Matilda Caro-
line Arnold, on the tOth of January, 1816, in the fifty-sixth year
of his Majesty's reign." _ _ .

She then placed in it coins of every descripticub
bearing the stamp of 'that Sovereign from whose par.
ticular patronage the English Opera House first de-
rived its existence and respectability ; and which ulti-
mately enabled the pr►prieter to claim the attention
and patronage of the public.

Mrs. ARNOLDiassisted by the architects, spread the
nuwtar, and the stone was lowered aed fixed in its
situation. Corn, thegrowth of our own country; Wine,
also the produce of our own fruits; and Oil, of Bri-
tish manufacture, were then sprinkled by Mrs. Ar-
nold upon the stone, as emblems of the past and an.
ticipated prosperity of the undertaking, and as literal
and figurative prolfs that the indigenous produce of
our own soil affords ;triple resources, as well in native
talent as in natural productions, Without resorting to.
foreign climes for exotic aid.
As the last libation of British wine was poured upon
the foundation stone of the English Opera House,
the British standard was hoisted- on the top of the
building ; and nearly two hundred British voices, ar•
ranged round the circle of the unfinished lobbies,
proclaimed it by three times three British cheers,
which were re-echoed by the crowds assembled in the
streets surniunding the building.
The iron column was then lowered, and guided
by Mrs. Arnold to its base ; then, placing her hand
on the foundation stone, she thus addressed the ar-
chitects (from whom she had received the customary
deposits, preserted by then: upon silent testimonials'
of respect to Mr. Arnold and his family. The salver
on which the corn, &c. were brought, being a tribute
of esteem from the Gentlemen of the Orchestra t I
Drury-lane Theatre, and the vase which contained
the, wine, being a mark of respect from the Aca-
demy of Ancient Music, to his lather, the late .Cr.
Arnold) :
" Gentlemen—in laying the foundation stone of the English
Opera House, I have received from your handl, corn, wine, and
oil, as types of the prosperity of which you have so eloquently
expressed your wishes and flattering expectations. I trust that
the undertaking will justify your hopes; that the taste, skill, and
ingenuity of the architects may be recorded in a manner noire
durable than the inscription enclosed in ibis stone; mid that you
, may participate with the founder of this new and patriotic insti-
tution, in that just fame, which, I ardently hope, will result
from the laudable endeavour to cultivate native talent, and ad-
vance the school of British music.
" I conclude with thus wishing you prosperity and honour ;
and I doubt not Gentlemen, that hereafter you will trel an ho-
nest pride, in having constructed an (dyke intended to perpe-
ture this national undertaking, instituted under the gracious
auspices of our beloved Sovereign, King George the 'third.
" God blew the Building !"

At this instant the silence of the audience was the'
best expression of the feelings of the moment; it was
interrupted by God save the King," which rose
from the voices of all the witnesses ot the ceremony ;
and in the chorus of which the workmen joined with
merry hearts and stentorian lungs ; and thus the walls
of the New English Opera House have resounded for
the tirst time to that national air, which has the safety
ot a beloved Monarch for its principal prayer. Nine
snore cheers closed the ceremony, and the labourers
retired to spend the rest of the day in festivity.

4g A New Way to Pay Old Debts," again attracted
a most numerous audience at Drury•lane Theatre
last night. KEAN'S excellent acting in .Fir Gilts Orer.
reach, was as usual, honoured with the most enthu-
siastic marks of approba,ton.
-

SnazgsPeans's beautiful Drama of The Midsummer
Nigher Dream, also brought an overflowing audience
lqt night to Covent-Garden Theatre.
The kind hearted audience of Bristol greeted Mrs.
Astor on Monday :tight on her first appearance,
with warm applause anti loud bravoes. She played
Mies Peggy in the Cowry Girl, and will play once
snore there during her engagement with the Bath
Managers.
Doec.A.--In consequence of a misunderstanding be-
tween Lieutenant-Colonel CAUL/MUM and Major
BROWNE, a meeting place on Tuesday week,
at day-light, in the Park of Donsunon—Colonel
CAULFIELD attended by MAjOr EUSTACE, and Ma-
jor BROWNE by Colonaßnowas. An ineffectual at-
tempt being made at adjustment, both parties took
their ground at twelve paces distance, and fired with-
cut effect : they were then directed to fire again,
when Mr. l3RowNa, by the positive direction and de-
sire ,of Colonel BROWNE, received Colonel Cam-
etecn's fire, which had nearly proved fatal, and apo-
logized.
GURbfANDIZING—Friday se'nnight, a fellow in Sun-
derland, undertook for a u ifling wager, to eat three
pounds of beef stakes, two threepenny loaves, and to
drink two quarts of ale, in ten minutes, but in rolling
a piece of steak up to swallow whole, he choaked him-
self in the attempt, and instantly expired 1 He had
once before eaten filty penny pies in ten minutes for
a wager, and when his task was finished, he declared
that if they were brought in small quantities, he
could devour a hundred at a sitting.