The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-01-12 00:00:00

COVENT GARDEN THEATRE.

The prospects of this establishment has hiss lately
overcast by threatealag elands of adversity. The lees .1

Miss bas left a vacuum in lts attractionsi toge-
ther with the mysterious disirportaues of Mr. Tousle,
which seemed to be indicative of appearling ruin. The
eagagement of Miss Tann, ami the sales of her talent
with that of Miss STRPHINS, has procured for the ope-
retie department a degree of popularity which we are by
no means certain was deserved. For although it is
undeniable, that so much sweetness of intonation, so
much scientific perfection, or so much exquisite taste,
were never possessed by any two singers on the English
stage at the same time ; yet, we are not ready to allow,
that even such a talisman, ought to compensate fur the
absence of a male singer, calculated to lead in such a
concentration of talent.

The evil fate of Covent-garden Is. however, arrested
111 an use:pecked quarter. SUAKIISPIARWS wild Comedy
of As You Like It, was last night revived for the purpose
of bringing forward a young Lady in the character of

Rose/ind--and such a Rosalind we have never seek
before. Every trait which the prolific imagination if
the author has scattered over this light and playful An-
racier, was pourtrayed in the most bewitching madam
Every action, every word, partook and Wombed ties
temperament of gay and heedless vlraeity *kith eves
the adverse hours of fate cannot extinguish in the feelings
of Rosaliad. These charming qualities were only un-
folded as the scene advanced, fur the difficulties of a first
appearance (and it is said to be her first on any stage),
frequently counteracted their effect. In the third aid
fourth ants, the audience were absolutely enthusiude
in their applause ; and the " Cuckoo snug" was do-
mended no less than three times. As a singer, Miss
WENSLIST (we believe that to be the Lady's name) pos-
sesses much sweetness of tune, with a simple, unadorned,
but very pleasing style. Her speaking voice cannot be
judged of at present, fur it was evidently unfixed by
timidity and inexperience. We should rather fear that
it would not be sufficiently powerful for the unfortunate
size of the theatre. If we are not deceived by the fair
promise of her debut, we will venture to predict, that
Miss WENSLET'S future efforts will be as advantageous
to the Manager, as it will be delightful to the world and
gratifying to herself. Her figure is superior, and her
countenance well calculated to represent the buoyancy
and archness of the character she last night personated.
Mr. MACIICADT played Jacques for the first time time,
with the same success which accompanies every thing
he undertakes. It is not of sufficient consequence to
increase the splendour of his fame ; but as his predeces-
sors in the niore exalted rank of character have also
stooped to this, we should imagine that it was merely
on the ground of precedent that the part was assigned
to Mr. M kICREA DT, and not from the expectation that Isis
performance of it would add to the honorable wreath he
is so rapidly acquiring. lie, however, rendered the cha-
racier more prominent than we expected. The deep
shade of melancholy, the gloomy abstractedness, and
the fine bursts of exuberant feeling, were most affect-
ingly depicted. It was, indeed, " a melancholy of his
own." His delivery of the celebrated speech was truly
effective, and produced universal and rapturous applause.
Mr. C. liasma's Orlando was as good as usual. Tamil 1
as Adana; Ewen, as Touchstone; Mrs. limes, as Ay.'
linty ; and Mrs. T. HiGt., were all respectable, and aided
tNe general effect. The announced repetition for to-
morrow evening was received with general satisfaction.

a; Wednesday last, as Sont4 Worttnec..
felling timber in a wood, called Cold-fall, situated to
the east of Finchley Common, they discovered, wider
the stump of an old oak, within four feet of the surface of
the ground. two large woollen chests, much decayed, is
which were deposited several tin boxes, containing pis.
Isis, flints, remnants of wearing apparel, a quantity of
brass buttons, and a few silver coins of Heorg• the Se-
cond. It is supposed that they must have been reposed
there for safety, many years back, by some highway-
men, a claw of desperadoes who, about ninety years ago,
greatly infested that particular spot.
FIRE AT THE SOUTH-SEA HOUSE.—Yesterday
morning at three o'clock, the watchman on duty at the
South-Sea House, was alarmed by the crackling of wood;
on inspecting the different offices, he at length discovered
that the treasury was on fire. He instantly ran and
awoke the bead cashier, Mr. Towson, who has apart-
ments in the house. On Mr. Towson opening the door
of the treasury, he found the whole of the floor on fire.
Time engines were immediately got out, and the reservoir
being frozen over, the ice was broken by the watchman,
in doing which he fell in up to the neck. The flames
were fortunately extinguished, after destroying a part
of the room. Had it been one half-hour later before the
discovery was made, the whole of that wing of 11.
lag next Threadneedle-street must have been is fames.
i'Lowneta.. JAY. s.—On 3londay evening last,
John Thompson. Coroner, held an inquest on ISt
of Philip Ryan. which was found in the River Soiree
the above day. Patrick Daniel, servant to Mrs. Ken.
nedy, of Orenane, county Waterford side of the river.
opposite the House of Indnstry, being sworn, deposed
in substance as follows:—Ott Friday, the 31st of
December, Mrs. Kennedy having been winnowing
mine saw two men viewing some timber on her fans,
and told witness (Daniel) that she suspected that they
intended to steal some of" it; witness was that night at
a neighbour's house, to see a sick woman, and ow his
return, about nine o'clock, beard a shot fired is the
direction of the House of Industry; between 11 and
12 o'clock, witness walked about the ground, and saw
four or five men cutting timber; witness then wens
into the house, and having mode William Foley got
u, went to John O'Neill, of Mount sau.from whims
witness borrowed a gent on his return be procured as-
sistance, and went is the direction of where the wood
was matting ; found some timber cut. but saw so perms
sear the place; witness, with his assistants, went is
pursuit of them towards the New Bridge, and overtook
two awn carrying timber by the river side, both of
whom immediately dropped it, and ran off. Witness
having pursued one of them (Ryan)mlled on him to mu-
render. but without effect, wisest he (witness) presomed
a gun at him, after which he allowed himself se be
taken Into custody ; witness then gave him is diarg.
is
Wm. Foley; deceased desired that witness abseil Ist go
his hold of bins. and that he would go with thew. tail'1
mediately on which he ran towards the river elk
plunged into it; witness saw him swim to the mai&
of the river. and then went in pursuit of the Millsieg
is quite sere there was shot ired at the man, sod
that be was set injured in any way. Wm. Foley, an-
other servant to Mrs. Kennedy, corroborated the tes-
timony of Daniel. Edward Barry, of the Irislitown,
deposed. that be was in company with the deceased
on the night of the 31st alt. ; saw him made a prisoner,
sod did sot me him since. It being late on Monday
evening when the Jury Mouthed the inspection of the
bisly of the deceased. Mr. Thompson adjourned the in-
quest to Tneeday (yesterday), when the Jury, after he*.
lag the evidence, reamed their verdlet—" That the
deceased, Philip Ryan, came bv his death in atteimpriag
to street his escape across the River, and was drowned ots
the sight of the 31st of December."