The Statesman.
London, England, 1809-10-31 00:00:00

TO the slum of THE YT4rgsm4N.

St a-00 Friday last, I visited Covent Garde*
'Theatre for the first time, and confess that I felt no
small de ereeof mortification in observing, that the
opposition was chiefly directed against the New
Prices, and that so little stress was laid on the im.
proper use which the Managers have made of their
Patent, by converting a considerable space of the
House which was intended for the accommodation
of the Public at large, to the exclusive gratification
of a few wealthy voluptuaries. These Private
Boxes, with their Turkish sofas in the recesses be..
hind them, are a disgrace to a Theatre, whitli
should expose vice and immorality, instead-
of encouraging and accommodating them. if
these receptacles for intrigue are permitted to
continue, we shall soon have the loges aril.
lets, as at Paris, and our wives and daugh-
ters may be entertained at the Theatre without
our knowing either their company or conduct.
The Gods, indeed, have had the patience of dei-
ties, or they would not have permitted this en-
croachment on that part of the house, which, in
a!I other Theatres, kas been reserved for their ac-
commodation. The Galleries are both totally
spoiled by this new arrangement ; and those who
could formerly be entertained in them, must either
now stay a(home, or submit to the extravagant
priees of some other part of the House. Your
raper, Mr. Editor, has made a noble stand for
the public, in this business, and has gained an
addition to that high character which :t before de.
servedly enjoyed. Let me, therefore, strongly
recommend it to you to euforce the propriety
of demanding that the Private Boxes be done
away, and the room which they and axis%
recesses now occupy, be restored to the Gal.
defy. If a few perseus, capable of delivering
their sentiments in public, will in a decent orderly-
manner address the House, between the play mitt
the farce, believe me that they will meet with limit
support which in the end must succeed, notwithe
?standing the efforts of the miscreant mercenaries
who arc sent to oppose and silence every corn.
plaint. Observe, Sir, that though I have men.
Boned that which appears to me the first cause of
complaint, yet I condemn the New Prices as un-
necessary and unreasonable•. The high Baldrics
given to the performers is no reason— they
should not be given. Let us first reward real
virtue and valour, before we pay so highly
for an imitation of them. Let us prefer the
hero in the field, to the hero on the stage.—
I blush fur my country, when I draw a com-
parison between the encouragement given is
those who sacrifice their lives fo► our defence, and
those who oely amuse is with a mock and mimic_
-death, from which they soon recover, and lettere-
gales! by French wines, French rookery, and every
luxury which the most refined sensualist can en.
joy, whilst many of our heroic benefactors are
obliged to be content with a small pittance uf the
comforts of life. I am, Sir, &c.
JOHN BULL.
FOR TIIE STA7'ES4.I)
Mn. Enercie—H the public are not to be
to express their disapprobation of Pieces,
Performers, Managers, or their lacquer, at Me
nergroton Theatre of the Empire, would it no
Advisable for them to make a point of frequent.
Jag only such Theatres as do not attempt to in.
-Mule their hitherto undisputed right. True, Sir,
It needs no ghost to rise from the dead to tell os
this—but as it is useless for one or one hundred to
come to such conclusion in this metropolis, I
humbly. submit, whether their avarice and pride
might not be successfully opposed, by the head
of each family abstaining from visiting the
Theatre ? I have, myself, collected the names of
upwards of two hundred persons, who would,
were it general, give A shilling to return an hun.
deal pounds, if themselves or any part of their
families are seen within the walls of the Theatre,
Coveut-garden, until the cause of the public dis.
approbation Shall have been removed.
Me'

To TEL EDITOR OF THE STATESMAN.
StR-I trust you will insert this short note in
your Paper, am: am led to suppose you will nut
reject it, as yon appear on all occasions most
ready to vindicate the rights and freedom of the
people, and happy in observing those around you
enjoying themselves.
On Wednesday, the inbike Day, a party of
respectable tradesmen in this town met at the,
Fountain Inn, to enjoy a good dinner, and drink
the King's Health. To the credit of the hostess of
the house, a must otegnnt dinner was provided,
and, as a mark of respect to those who were to
meet together, she had illuminated the inside of
the room with variegated lamps, and a transpe.
rency of the King was hung over the head of the
Chairman. About half an hour after the lamp
were lighted, an Alderman of the Borough, Wm.
Goldson, Esq. called at the Inn, and desired to
speak with the Chairman, who would not quit his
company. A Message was left, that the window.
shutter, were either to be closed, or the lights
extinguished, and a worn respecting the LICENCE
of tho house was likewise hinted ; the landlady
said she had no rontroul over a private party in
her house, and that the room was their's till they
qeitted it. The Magistrate left the house, and
the party remained as if not interrupted, though
highly incensed at the conduct of one of their fel.
low-townsmen who, holding the situation hedoes of
a Magistrate of the Borough, in which capacity his
ought to be foremost iss ayserting the rights and
upholding theMberties of the People, that he should
attempt to arropte to himself a power of whiff',
he was not possesses!, and which no man but himself
would be so impudent as to assume. The patty
would have been willing to ascribe his eowduct
seal, in endeavouring to do away with illsoilna.
lions, arid preserving peace and qoietness ; br
that could not be his motive, as no lights er
be seen within IS or 20 feet of the windows.
I am, Sir,
Your very humble Servant,
fag .oath, Oct. 21, 1809. A BRITON.

-