The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-08-27 00:00:00

HAYMARKET THEATRE.

Yesterday evening this house was crowded, at an early
hour, to see the first representation of a new farce called Fills
out of Water. Formerly, we recollect, when the name of a
new piece was announced, we immediately anticipated tie
whole story, and even fancied that we could give the public
a full account of its reception by the audience
—should any malicious accident deprive us of the
enjoyment of witnessing the realization of our plastic
preconceptions. But, alas ! two or three woeful disastere,
which befel some of our critical brethren, who had become
rather too bold in speculations of this kind, gave us an awful
warningof the danger of indulging too much in these pleasing
reveries. Besides, it has become the fashion with modem
play writers to be so capricious in their choice of names
for their productions, that we now find it difficult to recal a
dramatic piece to our mind, by its name, even after it has be-
come an old acquaintp.nee. But to return to the new farce of
last night. The author has not been altogether arbitrary in
his choice of a Nees de natense, in this instance; he pro-
bably means to say, that a scribe among stew pans, and a
cook out of his kitchen, are like " flab out of water."
Now for the story:—Sir George Courtly, represented by
Mr. Pope, is appointed to represent his Majesty at the
Court of Copenhagen. He finds himself, on the day be-
fore his intended departure on his mission, in want of a
secretary and a cook to complete his retinue. These
he orders his steward to engage immediately. Alderman
Ware, banker, and Gourmand, of Aldermaubury, a
friend of Sir George's, comes to enquire whether his son
has been among the applicants for the post of Secretary,
the Alderman having learnt that there was a mutual at.
taehment between Sir George's daughter and his son, and
that they had concerted the plan of the Secretaryship to
prevent a separation. lie announces to the steward Lis it..
tention of dining with Sir George, and enquires if he has a
good cook, as every Alderman is hound to do, and findinz
so great a deficiency in the Ambassador's establishment
as the want of that functionary, be promises to send
immediately a first rate artist whom he had dis-
charged in a pet a few days before. Ile then
desires the steward to detain his son till he returns, and to
refuse him the place of secretary, as he designed him for
a matrimonial alliance with the daughter of a friend with
a hundred thousand.pound fortune. However, Sir George's
daughter, Miss Love, prevails upon the steward to promise
the secretaryship to her lover. Soon afterwards, Scan Se-
you, (formai), the Alderman's late cook,comcs of his min
accord, to seek an engagement, and, luckily for the lovers
of equivoque, the steward, taking him fur the young gee- ,
tleman, dots not tell him what situation lie is to fill, till
after he hos engaged him at a salary of three hundred a year,
and the privilege of dining every day at the ambassador's
table. Sum boldly determines to keep the place, thinking
that the Ambassador's daughter, Islas, he is told, has
strongly recommended bins, has taken a liking to
his
person. Ile retires to dress for his new office, and,mn his
return, fin is the steward hiring Charles Gayfitre to fill the
remaining vacancy—the former, again, by the luckiest
chance in the world, not discovering that the applicant is
no cook, but a secretary. Stun questions him about his
proficiency, poses him about dressing a dish of pheasants
marines a la bruise imperiutc, and ends by telling him how
to do it himself. Charles now perceives the mistake, but
resolves to undertake the office, as his only chance of gettiat
an interview with Ellen. lie is ordered to make a cup
of chocolate for his mistress, and, as he is as yet a
stranger in the lsouse,to make use of the parlour fire for that
purpose. Sans is now posed, in his turn, by an order to
write an official letter, from beads written out by the aut.
bassador for him. In the midst of his perplexity, he can-
not restrain his de ire to correct the aukwardness of tie
poor cook whom lie orders to write the letter whilst he pre.
pares the chocolate. Sir George is highly pleased wish the
letter, hut tieing informed by theAldennan that elastic-that
got into his service to carry on a love affair kith his daugh-
ter, they agree to a union between them, after giving Me
young gentleman a severe lecture on Isis duplicity. Fut
this purpose lie sends for his new secretary, and orders
Lim to write a repentant letter to his fattier, as the only con-
dition of forgiveness. The latter contrives all sorts of shifts •
to escape from the task. Ile feigns the tooth-ache, hat is
ordered to write in spite of his teeth. At length be confesses
that although he is very well versed in orthography, he is
rather backward at spelling, and gets Wiwi' :nit of the
study. This soon leads to a full explanation, and the happy
union of the two lovers. Sous, also, by retiring to tie
kitchen. and preparing a treat for the Alderman's dinner,
keeps his footing in the house, to the satisfaction of all parties.
Although the piece has no very high pretension-, it ass
very favourably received throughout, and was announce)
for repetition with great applause, and not one ilissru•
tient voice. The excellent acting of the different performers
will ensure it a run of souse duration. There are two songs
its it by Miss hove. Time first, When the Ancients strove
to personify Lore, was loudly encored ; the second was
in the bravura style, and also kindly applauded. There
was, also, a pretty Duet sung by Miss Love and Miss
Jones.
The piece is said to be the work of Mr. Lunn.

Mrs. Byrom has been re-engaged at l)rnry Lane Theatre,
and is to make her appearance early in the ensuing season.
in the character of Qneen vsseth, in the Tragedy of
Kenilworth. The play, according to report, is to le
brought ferwsr,l in the most splendid manner. Mr. Duo,
it seems, is appointed the Stage Manager of Drury Las
Theatre.
MAZGAT'S ASCENSION.--(Facm TUC CONSTITV
TlONNlch.—This aeronaut took his departure from The
Champ de Mars List Sunday (the 17th), at a quarter before
nine in the evening. The air was calm, and ;he coloured
lamps (which formed a crown) b, low the balloon, pease,
ted the spectators to follow it with their eyes for a loo(
time. Arrived in the upper regions, M. Margat experienced.
an intense cold, the gas in dilaing left an huls'idity wiled
was soon converted into ice, and whini gave the aerocast
much trouble in managing the valve. tie succeeded, bili*
ever, in overcoming this obstacle, and proceeded wilhoat
accident through' a very thick fog to the Forest of Valle!
Coterets in the commune of Fleury, 2 leagues from hod
At midnight lie effected his descent and found himself
perched upon a tree, whtch served as a base for his wander'
ingeditieegliere M. Margat passed the night, notivitbstaad•
ing the rain which fell in abundance. The astonishiand
may be conceived of the Sirur Debary, Keeper to the Doke
of Orleans; sben at four in the morning,on going his WO'
he perceived on the top of a tree our aerial voyager,aad
hn
immense baggage. Al. Margat praises the conduct of duo
keeper, troll wit tut he received every kind of aid heir
also very well received by the Mayor of Fleury, by
Lure, and by all the inhabitants of the villige white tio,loo
to see him.