The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-10-18 00:00:00

THEATRICAL CRITICISM AND RETALIATION.

(PROM THE BRIGHTON HERALD.)
Pomce.—At the sitting of Magistrates, on Monday.
(present Sir David Scott, Bart. and It. Ironmonzer, and ft.
Parker, Ewa ) Mr. S. Chapman, one of the performers
at our theatre, appeared, by virtue of a salmons, to
answer for an assault, %Welt he hail committed on Mr.
Cohen.—Mr. Cohn, being sworn, stated, that while walk-
ing down North Street, about two o'clock in the afternoon
of Friday, the 10th instant, lie nag suddenly attacked by
Mr.Chapenan, who, calling out, "Maud wide, scoundrel,`"
struck him on the cheek, spit in leis lace, and stamped upon
his ton. On being asked by Sir David Scott, what be
had to say in respect to this charge? Mr. Chapman un-
equivocally admitted it to be true, at the same time ex•
preesing his sorrow for his conduct. Ile wished, however,
if the Bench would allow him to give his reasons fur
having assaulted Mr. Cohen. Mr. Chapman then pro-
ceeded to state, that from thee commencement of the
season, Mr. Cohn, had held hint up to the ridicule of
the public, particularly by some *cruet-Bons remarks in
the shape of a critique, which he bad written on his per-
formance of the Duke limns 's in the Honey Moon; this
critique, Mr. Cohen had, by his own statement, written
previously to the performance. And he submitted to the
Bench, whether such conduct (which had, moreover, en-
dangered his situation) was nut calcula:ed to rouse the
blood of any man; Sir David Scott here observed that the
Magistrates had nothing to du with any thing but the
assault ; but, added the Baronet, as this affair has excited
considerable interest. the Bench will have
,no objection to
hear the whole particulars of the case, in order that the
parties might have an opportunity of setting themselves
right in the opinion of the public. A newspaper, contain-
ing the critique in question. was then procured, and a
very curious scene maned. The real question, the assault.
seemed to be forgotten, and a titeattint notice, which
appeared in our paper so long ago as the 311th of August,
was made, by the Bench, a subject of as intense a scrutiny,
as was ever, a cries. coos. case or a barbarous murder!
The whole of the male part of the corps dranialique as.
sembled on the occasion; and took a most direly interest
lin the proceedings. Well aware of the stimulating effect
!of applause, those Gentlemen gave two rattling peals
to the worthy Baronet, who so fearlessly undertook the
perilous task of criticising our critic.—Sir David deliberately
went through the article above alluded to, and expressed
his indignation at the horrid fact of its having been
written, all but three lines, previously to the performance
on which it affected to treat. It was in vain that Mr.
Cohen explained. The Magistrate did not like his cAticistn
any more than Mr. Chapman; and, after offering some
trite observations on the liberty of the pres, peremptorily
refused to grant him the protection which he sought. The
case was closed by Sir David Scott requesting that Mr.
Chapman would pledge to him, (Sir David) not in his
individual capacity, his honour that he would nut commit
any further breach of the peace towards Mr. Cohen ! •
request, which Mr. Chapman very graciously acceded to.
The decision of the Bench, in this affair. has excited
veneral astonishment.

The Lord Lieutenant has directed that a sum of 401
should be divided, in equal shares, between two female ser
rants, who very laudably came forward at the last Assizes '
and prosecuted to conviction. some of those persons who
have so long disgraced this County by their atrocities.—
(Cork Paper.)
New METEOROLOGICAL Socrevr.—On Wednesday evening,
a new Society for the encouragement of Meteorology was
established on the most liberal basis, by a general meeting,
called for that express purpose, and held at the London Coffee
House. Dr. Birkbeek was in the Chair; and Mr. Luke
Howard, Dr. Forster, and numerous other Meteorologists were
present. A regular Society was formed, to which the scienti-
fic persons were invited to become members, from all parts of
the world.
The following singular, and, to the parties chiefly inter-
ested. most vexatious occurrence, took place at St. James's
Church, in this town, last week :—A young couple pre-
sented themselves at the altar, and the marriage ceremony
bad proceeded until the intended bridegroom arrived at
the part wherein he said—" I take thee, Susan, for my
wedded wife ," upon which the officiating min►ster
observed, that however painful it was to stop the progress
of the ceremony, yet his duty imperatively required that
he should proceed no further, the name of the lady. as
published in the bans, being " Sarah," and not Susan.
After some ineffectual remonstrance with the clergyman, to
induce him to wave his objection, the frustrated lovers
retired from the church, to reconcile themselves, in the best
manner they could, to this mortifying disappointment.—
(Taunton Courier.)
WEEKLY REGISTER OF WEATIIER.—The first four days of
this week were chilly and cloudy. Some rain fell early on
Sunday and Monday mornings, as well as occasionally during
the latter day and Tuesday. On Monday there was a boister-
ous wind, on Tuesday morning a dense fag, and on Wednes-
day and Thursday nights. there were haloes round the moon.
Thursday and Friday were fair, serene and bright. This day
was foggy in the morning, wet in the forenoon, and, has since
been steady. The quantity of rain fallen here since Saturday
last, amounts to 22 hundredths of an inch.
Strand, Oct. IS.

THERMOMETER.
S, I II SASSIEST'S.
o'clock o'clock. at night.
----
Ont. 19, 8. • 44 88 47 29,32 Fair
13, M.• •• • 46 64 40 ,32 Showery
14, T..... 36 Ea 49 ,80 Raia
IS, W.. •• . 49 84 42 ,80 , Fair
16, Th ..... • 42 63 41 ,62 I Fair
17, F.... • 41 83 42 At i Fair
IS, S.. •• • 44 as ,b 0 Rain