The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-09-23 00:00:00

LYCEUM THEATRE.

A eery trifling production indeed, yclept "Spanis4
Patriots a Thousand Years ago," made its appear.
*nos for the first time last night, at this Theatre. It
should have been performed ou Monday night, but
from some scruples of the licenser, as we understand,
it was postponed till last night. The name of the
nett piece was sufficiently promising to attract a
tele-tittle auditory, because it announced something
to which every British heart vibrates=the patriotism
of ipain. B at, when we allude to its name, we
have nothissa else to say about it on the score of its
merits. It was like an excessively stupid book, with a
we►l-chosen title-page. Tne story is founded on some
itsr:riessts in the life of PELAOIO the famous Spaniard
who ells mtinly instrumental in defendiss4 Leon
a.id the Asturias against the Moors. Adagio,
of de.•cls of cnivalrous valour, was supposed by
the -psoinrcis to be a prisoner in the enemy's hands,
while, in fact, his life had been attempted by a Spa.
niard, one Dun Gutman, who left the killing of him
to his friend Ramiro. . The latter, however, shares
his life on his swearing not to discover himself. Pet,-
gio, divested by the baseness of his subject Guzman,
and feeling all the sacred obligation of his oath,
~pursues a life of retirement as a hermit on the 111.-
' dens of a lake. Things are so massaged, that Rrt•airu,
his saviour, discharges him from his oath; and, after
some persuasion, he is induced to re-assert hie
kingly dignity, which he does in an assembly of the
Cortet, in presence of the Saracessic Ambassador,
who comes with a fabricated letter professing to be
from Pelagio, resigning his crown and dignity t•
the iri►aders. Every thing is strained to accommo-
date the whole story to the circumstances of Flws-
nano VIPs captivity: but it is a poor compliment
to the patriotism, perseverance, and valour of our
Peninsular Allies, to represent heir merits and suf.
ferings in such a style of authorshißas thit piece ip
written iss. To enter into criticisms art this Opera,
would be to " break a butterfly upon a wheel." Th.
Author, we learp, is an Irish t;enrleman, of the
name of COD& Much was expected from the music,
es Sir JOHN STEVENSON was the composer, who is
said to be of no menu name in Dublin. The airs
were very pretty ; but there is nothing in them plain.
tive or bewitching—grand, striking, or novel. It it
but justice to add, after all, that the Piece was very
favourably received, and announced for a second re-
presontation this night. !Miss Luesesto, and two
other girls, were introduced in a dance, in which they
acquitted themselves excellently.

An Inquest was held yesterday afternoon, at thei
sign of the Crown public-house, in Vere-street,
Clare-market, by ArvrilomY Ger.L, Esq. on the body
of Mr. Joins ‘% unix°, who died suddenly yester.
day morning at his apartments, Nov. 28, Duke.
street, Lincoln's Inn-fields. Mrs. MART HOWE,
the landlady of the house, said, that the deceased
had lodged in her house upwards of three yearsl and
was a very respectable and regular living MM. Wi'.
ness was, about half-past six o'clock yesterday
morning, called by Mrs. Wutriwo, who said Ler
husband was dying—her husband and his sou ran up
stairs, aml found the deceased on the floor( They
lifted him into bed, and Mr. Rows ran for medical
assistance, which proved useless, as he expired in .a
few second,. Verdict.—Died by the Visitation of
God.