The Statesman.
London, England, 1809-12-22 00:00:00

'ATESMA?f.

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

Although we cannot but lament, that the Pro-
prietoh should have acted se unwisely as by pro-
tracting the ratificatiouoftbeTreaty ofSt.Cletnent's,
to lose the confidence of the Public—there is
reason to hope and expect, that before the expi-
ration of this week peace between the Proprietors
and the Public may be proclaimed. At present
we consider the suspension of the public disappro-
bation as a truce only.
Last night the house was again filled almost to
overflowing ; and Mr. Cooke, in Sir Pertinaz
MiSycophant, in The Man of the World, ex-
cited that applause which invariably attends his
excellent perfurmance of that exquisite character.
There never was a moment when " allusions" on
the Stage to the circumstances of the times were
more quickly or eagerly applied by the audience'
than the present. The reproof to his son
Egerton for neglecting politics, at a moment
so auspicious to the display of oratorical
talents, " as all the political post-horses arc
worn out and broken.eindud," was caught be.
fore the sentence was well concluded, and drew
from every part of the house applause, such as is
seldom witnessed is a Theatre. It was not by
clapping only, but by shouts and huzzas, which
lasted fur more than a minute, that this cunsenta.
neon. expression of public opinion was manifest-
ed ; and, from the universality of the applause, we
may, without much hazard, conjecture what is the
opinion of the Public of our sapient Administration.
It is worthy of notice, that although a previous
attempt to awaken the feelings of the House had
been made, ohrn Sir Pertinas• says—" The cha-
" racier of Patriut and Reformer is now se well
66 known, even to the vulgar, that they arc
44 looked upon like Quack-doctors, Conjurors, or
•' other Cheats"—the rising sibillation from every
part of the House, instantly 'deuced the Friends
of that very honest, liberal, and patriotic seuti-
men t .

The Afterpiece of Long Stories, or, We Fly
by Night, was received with much applause.
Several placards were exhibited in the course of
the evening by the friends of Mr. Brandon all
significant of the justice and propriety of restoring
him to his situation. Of these Placards we could
only ascertain the following inscription :

Candour and liberality require that Brandon should be
restored.

To this we specifically reply, that candour and
liberality demand the complete and faithful exe-
cution of the treaty entered int% between the
Company at the Crown and Anchor on the part
of the public, and Mr. limbic on the part of
the Proprietors, previous to the taking any other
question into consideration.
The zeal of Mr. Brandon's friends, is as in-
discreet as it is injudicious, and might prose ulti.
mately injurious to the very person whose inte-
rest they wish to promote.
Is it consistent with probability, that the recto.
ration of the servant, should be admitted, while the
contest is yet unsettled, by the obstinate and per.
fistulae' refusal of the maters, to fulfil the treaty
into wbich they have entered ; and which, in
spite of their evasive reluctance, they must
filially execute, and that very Peon, if they
expect a repetition of the applause of the
last few evenings. The time is not yet ar.
rived, when Mr. Brandon's petition eau with
propriety be preferred ; and we do seriously re.
commend his frie►►ds to refrain from the introduc.
tio►► of the subject of his restoration, until Peace
is actually restored between the Public and the
Proprietors, by the performance of the stipule.
Lions of the Treaty.
Mr. Brandon has been said to be the old see.
vent of Mr. Ilarris—on the subject of Mr.
Brandon's recent conduct in that service, we have,
since the Dinner at the Crown and Ahchor, re-
ceived upwards of one hundred letters. Our
sentiments, respecting the future treatment of
Mr. Brandon, by a generous Public, we
have already expressed ; but we have ■ot yet so far
taken leave of our senses, as to believe that the
restoration of Mr. Brandon to public favour is a
practicable point, while the old master of this old
servant, continues to defy the voice of the Public,
by his obstinacy. That Mr. Brandon's friends
may not be deceiving themselves by supposing
that their opinions, are the opinions of the Pub.
lic, we have selected, from the letters we have re.
ceived on that subject, the following, which is
neither the most adversenor the most favourable to
Mr. Brandon, and may therefore be considered as
the medium opinion of the several writers.