The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-09-29 00:00:00

POLICE.
—..1e.—.-

THEATRICAL VRACAS.-•-(IPERA DANCERS.
ht Sitting Magistrate at the Public Office, Bow-
e, was occupied a considerable pin of yesterday
.•ealOull, with rather a stormy investigation of the
following curious affair :
Messrs. Richard and John Barrow, two Gentlemen
oi most respectable connections, were brought up in
custody from Covent-garden watchhonse, charged with
a groin assault upon a Mr. Isaac Grum. They were
attended- by a Solicitor and several Gentlemen their
friends. Mr. Genes. had also his friends ; and every
thing promised an inveterate set-to.
The charge•book being displayed, and all in readi-
ness, Mr. Gnome stated, that on the preceding even-
ing he wire seated in the pit of Covent-garden theatre,
and when the curtain rose for the ballet, in which the
dancers from the Opera-house are engaged, be, with
many others, expressed his disapprobation of that
exhibition by hissing. Other persons applauded it,
by clapping their hands, and so on ; when, in the
ni'dst of it, Mr. John Barrow, who was sitting some
diitanca In front. made his way bp to him and NIES
eeremonie gays him a blow right in the mouth. At
the same instant Mr. Richard Barrow wised him by
the collar and began dragging him out of the pit. He,
of course, resisted this violence, but be was eventually
torced into the lobby ; where Messrs. Barrow mani-
lested.an intention of quitting him and returning Into
the pit; bat he prevented their so doing, and called
loudly.for an officer is take them into custody. No
effacer, however, came to his assistance, though he
rearni for one till he was so hoarse that he felt con-
fident** should not recover the natural tone of his
voice this fortnight to come. At length Donaldson
the officer made his appearance and to him he gave
them in charge; and after some altercation they were
conveyed to the 'Watch-house. He added that they at-
tacked him with so mach violence that his clothes
were literally " torn to pieces."
lo support of this statement he called Mr.—, a
pawnbroker, we believe in Drtiry-lane, who deposed
that he was present at the time, and when the curtain
rose for the ballet, the defendants, Messrs. Barrow,
applauded vehemently, and Mr. Genes. and many
ether persons hissed as vehemently. Mr. John Bar-
row, who was sitting at least four seats in front, seem-
ed very angry at this, and rose up as if to interfere
with Mr. Gebese, upon which the defendant, Mr.
Richard Bartivi, cried out " Never mind him, he's a
Jew J--He'll be crying Old cloathes' to-morrow."
Kr. Genes. took.no notice of this, and the clamour
of disapprobation continued, when, in a few seconds,
Mr. John I3irrow rose up, and rushing across the
seats, struck Mr. Genes* on the mouth. Mr. Richard
Barrow directly collared him, and he was hauled
out of the pit. He certainly thought he was used
very ill.
This was the case of the complainant ; and the
Magistrate observed upon the impropriety of :•srsons
taking upon themselves to put down any performance
ea the stage by climber. if they really disapproved
of any each perforesauce, the beet way of showing
• their disepprobatlesh and punishing the proprietors.
would be to stay away from the Theatre, and keep
their mosey in their own pockets.
Mr. Genes. partly admitted the justice of the
worthy Magistrate's remark, but added, that be did
est perceive bow It followed, that because he chose
to express his disapprobation of a performance, its
applauders were at liberty to give him a blow on the
mouth.
The Magistrate replied that Mr. Genese must be
aware he did not mean to justify any such violence.
Messrs. Barrow were then called on for their de-
fame; sad If,. R. Barrow stated, that his brother had
salved in town from the country only two days ; and
on the night in question, went to Covent Garden
Theatre for the first time in his life. They were in
the boxes in the early part of the evening, and after-
wards went into the pit, for the purpose of showing
bas brother the house. They had not been there
assay misstep, when the curtain drew up for the
Ballet, when the complainant, Mr. Genese, instantly
began " hissing, howling, yelling, and moaning"
through hie bands in such a manner as to annoy his
befitilevii trio sat immediately before him, very much.
His bratbk repeatedly complained of this interrup-
ties, bat to no purpose. Mr. Oenese continued to hiss,
howl, man, Sic. whilst many persons cried " Turn
hiss eat!" and at length his brother " countryman-
. • e," took hold of him by the collar. A general
• eculle ensued, aid they were forced into the lobby, but
- 7te denied the blow In the month-part -of the business,
• sad also the tearing of clothes to pieces. He added,
that be was also at the same Theatre on Monday
.sight, when he observed Mr. %nese in the boxes with
- Javeral other persons in his company, creating a great
disturbance in the same clamorous way, and calling to
.•-411e due.% to room thole
The Worthy Magistrate hers observed, that he
*men such conduct deserved serious notice ; the
• property of Theatres might else be injured by ma-
licious conspiracies ; sad he desired Mr. Brandon,
fir estaaeible agent of the Theatre, might be sent for,
in *rate that he might he aware of the nature of the
disterheaces la the house.
Mr. Brandon was mot for accordingly, and the cir-
.cumstanees were related to him.
A Wag, desultory, and angry conversation ensued,
and evestnally Mr. John Barrow, he who was admit-.
teal m have collared the complainant, was held to bail;
let the Magistrate refused to include the other
brother, because it appeared that the complainant did
sot, in fast, give him in charge till they arrived at
the watehbeass ; when, as their Solicitor observed, it
aupousti probable be might have dose so as to prevent
hi. Bois glebe evidence la behalf of his brother;
and Mr. Somme became so angry at this iseision..that
he was finaily ejected bean the Oise ti et antis. On.
levels, die *See, he doelarod that he would serve both
she brothers with acopy eta writ instantly. •
ilionanar or yea Coon? us or Batomaan---Roses
rfieetbeciaremigatiew of this. extensive tottery
.:sack,
plates yesiadaV. before R. Bina*. Beg. t 411“ r
ditlest-ta their. penises alisaady h easts4y, an. •ki,.
Jewess, named Phillips, was brosight up and etsiamit%
.feel fitcre-examl. sedum. The CIIIIII•ewber Ladyship's
• ikon. int several et Asir servaaa, attended and
identilied many of the articles bead in this WOUIlle/
house.