Star.
London, England, 1810-09-18 00:00:00

#rotlf ,
• Theatre

the commencement of the disturbances at
this _ - 1 ist year, until the third repetition of
them last Friday night inclusively, we have never
witnessed so decided mid overbearing a majority of
the malcontents as predominated last night. It had
been the practice, at least latterly, for the opposers of
the managerial regulations to keep back during the
early part of the performances, and not to enter vigo-
rously on the attack until their numbers were rendered
formidable by the influx at half-price ; but, last night,
in consequence of the Address from the Proprietors
of this Theatre, published itt-the STAR of yesterday,
there was a general expectation that some expla-
nation would take place relative to the existing
dispute, and it was supposed that an amicable adjust-
ment might be the result. The house therefore, with
the exception of the fourth circle of Boxes and the
Pigeon-holes, was nearly filled when the curtain drew
up. At the commencement of the play (repeated
calls having been previously made for Mr. Kemble)
the noise became tremendous, in consequence of the
Manager not appearing, and a person whose name
we could not learn, but who, we are informed, is a
Navy Agent, stood up in the Pit, and said the apolo-
gy which they expected from Mr. K. would better
come then than afterwards. There was a loud call
for Kemble, but he not appearing, the row immedi-
ately commenced. " Kemble! Kemble! Manager
Kemble ! and Off ! off ! off!" Were continually vo-
ciferated, and not a word of The Suspicious Hushand
could be heard. •
A Gentleman in the second circle of Boxes exhibi-
ted a Placard, inscribed, so We demand nothing but
the Contract," which was loudly cheered, and which
he pinned to the front of the Box. A person in the
third circle, who had just before rendered himself
conspicuous by quarrelling with two or three Gentle-
men in an adjoining box who had called for Kemble,
descended to the box where the placard was fixed,
and it having in the mean time been thrown into the
Pit, he, in the most extraordinary manner, climbed
over the front of the box, lowered himself by the lus-
tre and the pillar of the box below, jumped into the
Pit, obtained possession of the placard, marched off
with it out at the pit-door, and returned to his lot ma
situation in the third circle of boxes.

The noise continued without intermission, and not
one word of the Comedy, from beginning to end,
could be heard. The cry was still for Kemble, and
he not coming ferward, it appeared to be determined
that no other person on the stage should be honoured
with a hearing. The Concert before the curtain,
consisting of vociferation, roaring, bellowing, groan-
ing, lowing, barking, and almost every other descrip-
tion of noise of which the human organs of voice
are capable, was kept up with a spirit that set at utter
defiance every attempt of the actors to be heard.—
The green curtain was let down at the end of the se-
cond Act, and then it was said that Kemble was cer-
tainly coming ; but it was merely to make prepara-
tion for, the first scene of the third Act, and the row
again Eotnmenced.
A few minutes before the curtain fell, a dispute of
a ludicrous nature occurred in the lower boxes :
Mr. W—h— It, who was so actively employed
during the first O. P. war, had taken his seat in the
front of a box, and, by his veteran presence, and
vehement and incessant hissing, cheered his legions
in the pit. A young man, who sat behind him,
tired out with his long-continued interruptions,
spoke sharply to him on the impropriety of his
conduct, and avowed himself a friend to the Ma-
nagers.
Mr. W—h—lt observed, " That he was a ;
dirty dog for making such a declaration." The 1
Gentleman inquired of Mr. W. 44 who he was ?"
Mr. W. replied—" My name is W—h—lt ; I am
very well known;" 44 0 1 Sir," rejoined the stran-
ger, " if you are Mr. W—h—lt, I do not wish to
know any thing more about you." An old Gentle-.
man, however, who had also been much annoyed,
spoke in a very manly and spirited strain to the
offender. The altercation drew on them the eyes
of the Contrucinten, who, of course supported their
champion ; who, in the heat of his gesticulation,
having chanced to strike his hand against his hoary
opponent, the latter informed him, brandishing at the
same time a stout oaten towel, that though he was 77
years of age, he would not permit 44 man of woman
born" to lay a finger on him ; and added, 66 Your hiss
reminds me of the most silly and most venomous crea-
tures in the universe—the goose and the serpent."—
" You are right, Sir," answered Mr. W. gg I have
been a rattle-snake before now."

7.RV4 ►(IC
At length, at the elese-ef the fourth Act, Mr.
Kemble came forward. There was a loud tall for
silence, bat tome time elapsed before it c•nld be ob-
tained. He began by saying—".lAdies and Gentle-
men, it was hoped by the Proprietors, that the 7;t14
dress which they had the honour of meting to the
Public this day would have been deemed satisfac-
tory."—A great noise was again made, and some
one called for explanation respecting Nightly Boxes. 1
A Gentleman in the Pit indicating a wish to address
Mr. Keenble, the latter intreated silence, that he
might hear what was said to him. After silence had '
been again with some difficttlty obtained, the Gentle-
man in the Pit requested, in the name of the audi-
ence, that Mr. Kemble would explain what was
meant by the term " Nightly Boxes "—The latter,
after some interruption, again obtained a hearing,
and said" The boxes which, after the present sea-
son—" A loud clamour again prevailed, and silence
was for some time called in vain. Mr. Kemble at
length caught an opportunity of stating, that " what
is meant by the term is, that they will be thrown open
to the Public the same 23 the other boxes."—This
explanation was received with loud applause. , The
Gentleman in the Pit again addressed Mr. Kemble,
but there were so many interruptions and so much
noise, that it was extremely difficult to collect what
he said. The substance, however, was, that as a
given time was now fixed by the Proprietors for the
performance of the contract with the public, and as
the additional price of admission to the Boxes had
been conceded by the public upon the express condi-
tion that the private boxes should be thrown open,
the Proprietors had no right to that addition until
they performed the contract; it was therefore deman-
ded of them, that they should again reduce the price
of admission to the boxes to 6s. until they threw open
to the public the number of private boxes stipulated
in the contract.—A great clamour followed this Ad-
dress, and " Yes, yes !" and " No, no !" and ap-
plause and hisses were so intermingled, that it was im-
possible to discover what the opinion of the majority
of the audience really was. Mr. Kemble, after wait=
ing some time, was at length, by an interval of si-
lence, obtained with great difficulty, enabled again to
proceed.—" Ladies and Gentlemen, I have now to
entreat from your candour a patient hearing. Some
persons who now compose part of the present audi-
ence, were probably present on the last night of the
late season when I addressed the house. I had then
the honour to state—" Here the clamour was re-
newed with redoubled violence, with loud cries of
Off, off !" and Kemble, after waiting a short time,
bowed and 'withdrew.
It is scarcely possible to describe the uproar which
ensued. The pit was up in arms, and the gallery
and great part of the boxes joined in the clamour. In
short, it was a row of rows. 64 GOD save the King,"
" Rule Britannia," 4‘ Arise, Arise, Britannia's Sons
arise," and" Hearts of Oak," were sung. The 0. P.
and Con-Tract dances were as usual resorted to. A
ring was formed in the pit for the purpose of running
over the seats, pushing one another down, and other
sports as practised last year. Mewing, braying,
barking, howling, as usual diversified the enter-
tainments of the evening. From this they proceeded
to boot and point at those in the rrivate boxes.—
These were succeeded by shouts for themselves and
grolns for the Managers. Five or six watchmens'
rattles were sprung at the same time in the pit ; to
these were added a post horn, and another horn in the•
upper boxes ; to these again were added a number of
shrill catcalls and whistles ; and to all this noise was
superadded a continual roaring, screaming, and bel-
lowing, and every other vocal accompaniment that
could be suggested by the inventive ingenuity of the
most in- - amateurs of noise. Con-tract ! Con-

During part of the third Act, and after the close
of it, a Gentleman in one of the lower boxes on the
King's side addressed the Pit. He was received with
infinite good humour by the Pit, who now gathered to
the side where this pantomimic orator raged against
the degeneracy of modern days, the implacable obsti-
nacy of Managers, and the feeble acquiescence of the
people. The purest enthusiasm may, however, become
obsolete, and the audience seemed gradually seceding to
the opposite side of the Pit, where a trumpeter from
Bartholomew fair was performing a solo on his instru-
ment with infinite intrepidity. The Orator made
one last and desperate effort for his sinking popula-
rity, his voice became more harsh and his gestures
more heroic, until, unluckily, he grazed the ear of a
Gentleman in the same box with him ; this produced
a species of discussion, in which the Orator, exhausted
as he was by his labours in the public service, neces-
sarily gave way ; and was, we are afraid, finally
obliged to retire.
Some of the transactions on the stage caught for a
moment the attention of the performers in the pit.
Where Ranger kisses Mr:. Strialand, there was a
shout of applause, and the cry of " that's what they
will be doing in the private boxes." One of the
scenes was a building with some resemblance to the
portico of the Theatre, and the words, " lodgings to
let," on the door. This was instantly caught, and
cheered with bursts of applause.
Several placards announced the coming in of the
half-price. Among these were some scarcely legible
denunciations against the Managers. " No P. B. or
0. P."—" No nightly Boxec."--" Contract."—" I
come upon my Bond."—A • 'tile was sprung, and
handed round the pit with a-, congratulation.
A horn succeeded to the -,-;Pp:1: ; but _a cat-
call player, who stamp., t. the side, con.
trived to attract a ••n pi4Etthat Way threw
both into the shade '• • s;''rsrtll/4.fr.(lll?rnble's ap-
pearance, wl:iLia d at iblsrvals, Was
now become re7,ii.:.• 14,

.1.

, - .

••- - - •
•
Cowan Warriorsfort* idifireredover
the benches, danced C and played over again
all the 0. P. gambols, with all the accompaniments
of rattles and horns continually at work—" Keep
moving" was their motto, and not a moment were
they idle.
Amidst this most uproarionarow the curtain drop-
ped about twenty minutes after ten o'clock. " Goo
s:tve the King" was then sung, cheers and groans
given, and Con-tract again danced. A pirrant in one
of the Boxes in the second circle on the King's side,
kept up for some time a sort of Vituperative contest
with the Contract Warriors ih the Pit, some of whom
pelted him with half-pence and Fenny pieces. The
latter at length became so enraged. that several of
them stepped from the pit into ate front boxes, for
the purpose of going round to the box in which
their assailant had taken his station. He, however,
with his friends in the mean time withdrew, being
probably of opinion, that " the better part of valour
is discretion." This terminated the fourth night's
performance of the new row, and the performers se-
parated, promising to be at their posts again to-mor-
row evening.
*** Since writing the above, we have learnt, with
great satisfaction, that the roprietors of Covent-
Garden Theatre have determined to accede to the de-
mands of their opponents, viz. to give up to the public
four private boxes on each side, according to the con-
tract agreed on at the Crown and Anchor last season.
The Theatre will necessarily be closed till Monday,
in order to make the requisite alterations.

Letters from St. Petersburgh to the recent date of
the 31st ult. state, that an important change had
taken place in the Russian Ministry. It is said that
the French party has been removed from power, and
its opponents admitted to favour. On obtaining in-
formation of the appointment of &RENA DOTI% asCrown
Prince of Sweden, we are told this revolution in the
Cabinet aas produced, and that the utmost activity
prevailed in the war department. A considerable
body of troops had been sent to the frontiers for opera-
tions, offensive or defensive, as circumstances should
require.
The same letters mentirn, that negotiations fur
peace between Russia and the Porte had not only
commenced, but that the terms had been agreecrupoo
between General Kasterrsxt and the GRAND Vaunt,
and that the siege of Schumla and Rudschuk had
been raised. It is alto intimated on the same autho-
rity, that orders had been transmitted to Riga. di-
recting that the execution of the decree of sequestra-
tion of the Tenerife ships and cargoes should be post-
poned. In addition to the causes of complaint with
respect to IlcaNattorre and the restitution of Finland.
it is asserted, that BONAPARTE% has requited that all
the ports of the Baltic, including those of Russia,
should be garrisoned by his own troops.
There have been many failures at St. Petersburgh,
generally consisting of houses in the French interest,
and among them are two native French merchants
of great eminence, connected with the Legation of
that Empire.
ESCAPE OF DR. JAMES ROBE RTON.—From the nature
-of the offence with which Dr. Roberton stood charged,
and the privacy observed at his examinations, the
public are altogether in the dark respecting him. but
as he has fled to Holland, a correspondent has favour-
ed us with an outline of the charge against him, and
some interesting particulars relative to his escape.—
The charge exhibited against him was, that he bad
prematurely delivered Eliza Ann Layton, with whorl
he had cohabited, of two children after four or five
months pregnancy, and by which deliveries he bad
caused the death of the infants. It appeared that Dr.

_lgenious . I .
tract ! was sounded on all sides, and was danced al- Roberton was a surgeon in the army When he became
most without intermission in the pit. The fifth act acquainted with his accuser, who was in service at
was gesticulated like its predecessors and closed Ipswich, Suffo.k, and he was her protector a conj.
amidst a roar that never was exceeded by the 0. P's. derable length of time, but a separation at length
Brunton came forward to announce the play for to- took place. Some time after the young woman, by
morrow evening, but was not suffered to be heard ; her frantic conduct in the street, attracted the notice
he moved his lips, bowed, and withdrew. of two gentlemen, who followed her. She was ;inane,
Unlike some former nights no interval was given and the cause could not be ascertained until she reach-
to the row. It proceeded between the Comedy and ed the door of Dr. R. in Burlington-street, when she
the Pantomime with all the uproar and noise which threw her arms against it in wild despair, and it was
it was possible to accumulate. Several placards were then ascertained that she had cohabited with the
elevated in the pit, some of which were thrown from Doctor, and the facts which led to the prosecution
the boxes. Amongst them we noticed the following were got from her with considerable reluctance. This
inscriptions : temporary derangement, it afterwards turned oat,
u Ladies and Gentlemen—These approved evolutions will be was occasioned by the prosecutrix having taken lan- •
repeated every evening till the 0. P. Contract is fulfilled by danum, with intent to destroy herself. Her evidence
Black Juk."
was unsupported, and she confessed that she thought
This was also again exhibited after the curtain
had dropped. One placard exhibited an admirable Dr. Roberton was acting for the best in prematurely
instance of the Bathos. It was this : delivering her, and she never meant to complain
of ill-treatment, as she did not at the time suspect it,
" The cause fur which Cowlam shed his blood, and Weinliok
lost his bat." I —The first delivery was proved by the mother of the
Three groans for shuffling Jack." prosecutrix, who did not appear to think wrong of the
" A Public Contract made with a private determination notl Doctor's conduct at the time. Under these =cura-
te fulfil it stances, and the extreme high character some Gentle-
.. What do you want ?—Answer, six Private Boxes instead of
fourteen." men of weight and consequence gave the Doctor for
" We demand the Contract." humane conduct, the Magistrate admitted him to bail,
" No nightly boxes to cheat John Bull." himself in 4'2,000, and four sur"ties in £l,OOO each,
" I come for my bond." to answer a capital indictment at the next Old Bailey
" Six snug Private Boxes,
" For cunning old Foxes, Sessions, for cutting and maiming a child.—From the
66 Is all that we will let remain; frank and open manner in whim Dr. Roberton pro-
" Johnny Kemble bad best claimed his innocence at the last examination, four
" Quickly open the rest, Gentlemen immediately became bail for his appear-
" Or the six he shall never retain."
" A liar is not to be believed though ha speak the truth." ance to take his trial, one of whom is a Colonel in the
4. fie Nightly Boxes." army, another a physician of the first practice, and
" John Kemble and Boney are both growing wild, the other two Gentlemen of fortune. The prisoner
" One can't get new prices, the other a child." I was an accoucheur in very extensive practice, and by
" A branch of John Kemble's creed, no faith with heretics."
" Reduce the public boxes to six shillings, or throw open the his conversation and manner, he appeared to be alai,
eight ceded to the public immediately."... • ous for trial, that an acquittal might wipe away any
An elegant drawing of a gallows was also exhibited, imputation on his character. His escape was not
with a figure in a Theatrical dress pendant, and an known for four days to any of his bail. It was dis-
inscription " The end of a Liar." I covered that he embarked on board the Pacific fish-
The Afterpiece was the Pantomime of Harlequin ing-boat at Gravesend, on Saturday night, the Bth
and Mother Goose, which, it might have been supposed instant, by the name of James Bishop. By the state-
was not liable to be much interrupted by the uproar ment of Captain Barnett, of the Pacific, when he met
before the curtain. Such a supposition, however, the Dutch fishing-boats, his passenger was desirous
was proved to be very erroneous, for the combination of getting to the Dutch coast, and he assigned as a
of noises was so powerful, that every sound anper- reason that he had estates in Holland, which had just .
tanning to the Pantomime was overwhelmed, l'hat been disposed of, and if he did not arrive at a certain
the band in the orchestra were performing on their part of Holland at a certain time, his property would
instruments. might very rationally be conjectured from all be lost. Nose of the Dutchmen woeld take him
their motions, but to hear them was impossible. The on board for a less sum than a hundred guineas, and
signals for changing the scenes either could not be consequently not having such a sum in his pommies,
heard amidst the continued uproar, or were mistaken he remained on board the Pacific until early on Tea.
in the confusion that pievailed, and the most incon day morning; when, in consequence of his pleseieg*
gruous jumble of scenery was frequently observed. entreaties, he was conveyed on shore on the stoma
Of the little singing and speaking there is in the Pan- Holland by a small boat; rowed by same of the mew
tomime. not a vestige was heard. The most up- of the Pacific, for which he paid fa, sub ligingtilo
.roarious and discordant din pervaded the Pit, the he possessed excepting ses, atter paying his passios
Gallery, and several of the Boxes. In the Pit the out to sea.

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