Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-06-20

Winstay.
..Dr Arnold presents his compliments TO Mr. o.
Kcete aud acguains him that he has received letter
from Sir WSkin Williams Wynne, in which he is in
formed Mr. O'Keeiies little opera OF the .'Agreeable
Surprise" IS TO he performed this Christmas at ins,ay
And Sir w. w. Wynne begs DIR. Arnold will request
the favour of AIR. OkeeGe write the words of an air
for Compton, 10 sing in the last scene. DIR. Arnold
has Just Mr.. Colman, aud requests his company
90 FRIDAY uextto dnner.n
In 1871 passed some evenings in company with
Saret and Zoiani, in the back par0ur of the Orange
Coffee House, the of the Hay market, which
was reserved for select company. had long before
read BarettI's Travels in Spain. The result Of his t-
al IN LONDON an honour to English jury, and
gave higher venerstiun for lie enurv o the Irish
educated Alfred the Great, w.'o had iou,lci in Eng
land the Trial by Jury. Barctu agreeable,
good naturcd man, and am of humane DISPOSE
tlon-large fine person-concavc smiling Italian face.
Zciiani was also agreeable companions had pre-
yiousy much admired two fine paintings of his al MIR.
Colman's house Snho.squaro-- from Foote'S
"Rlayor ot Garrettn and '.Devio on Two Sticks To
t!is parIour at the Orange Coffee House was utrodu-
ced by DIR. Arnold
In the autumn of 1881, Thomas Harris ESQ the pro.
prictur and manager Of Covent Garden Theatre sent
Mr.. Gartcn, lis treasurer. 10 me, with wish thst
would write opera for hs house | did take il
up warmly; but soon alter meeting Mr.. Harris by
caice IN the street he Put the question closely and
got my promise that would write opera for GUyen
Garden Theatres but not being prepared with any IA
bic 10 build upon, took up again of my own s'The
Banditt or Loves Iabyfinth.n few DAYS after this
Interview, being in t.c theatre with MIR Iiar
RS and DIR. Arnold, the former said tome, But, o.
kccfe, what am TO give tor this opera your nights
and cOpyrIEi:n DR. Arnold instantly said, Six
hundred guineas. Dwell / will was the PROMPT re
ply; and stipulated to pay DR. Arnold for composing
II, ESQ the first night, Z. 10 on the sixth night
and additional ESQ should it go nine nights making
Ei20 IN the whole lac 10 have the sale of his music
have preserved among my papers all tie original law
| agreements, nc. OF this and many OF subsequent
pieces. AS could now make my conditions for
the prime of the season. my opera by agreement was
not TO come out ill Febsuary but, the Convent Garden
houses getting slack Mr. Harris strongly urged me 10
move my pen niinby, and let him have it before Christ
thas worked hard, and terrified was at the voice
OF the evening muffin thec O'clock, at having
donesno more that day. lodged is time at Ti,clI-
field street.
1t was this year that Lady Hereford fIord Hepti,rd
was then Lord Chamberlain asked Mr. Harris have
the "Son-in law" acted six nights his thcatre; nor
lady of high rank 10 be satisfied with bis answer
that the "Son in law" was the property of Ifaymarke
Alr Harris requested me To mention il to MIR. CoIian
which l. knowing how i'll c would take it, declined
DIR. Arnold, however, vcnturcd ask aud MIR Ccinan
very UNIV Hiingly complied, urging how easonablc it
was to deprive his little theatre of attraction hen the
heat of the weather and empty town required every null
70 get an audience at all The >',;on in awn filled
Eovent Garden those nights, after which Lady
Iicrord asked for six nights of the sAgrceablc sur.
prise" This veXed Mr.. CUlpan exceedingly, yet he
consented, when two more the Agreeable Surprise"
we're asked and these two pieces filled Coven Garden
Theatre fourteen nights in the doll season. made no
comment; but Mr. Coman regretted to DIR. Arnold and
many of his friends, that he had not stipulated
The >'ljanditti, Loves Iabvriutl' was now
brought out, cast TO the strength Of The company
The scenes designed by Richards and painted by
Carver. AT the top Of the play bills appeared eBv
the author fthe SON in law agreeable Surprisca
and the names of CarOlan the Irish bard and other
composers; and Mr.. Harris did intend (yhat was quite
out OF ruie) 10 have no afierpcce, he perfectly
sure of success; when, to hc surprise OF every body
and the establishment and dsmay of those conceraed ii
was completely condemned the FIRST night.
The superb scenery and decorations sweet songs and
| nf oT,I [,,oI faI;,,
singer, of these to the tune of .'Yuorneen Dee,
Eileen Ogc" this beautiful air at that time ONLY known
by ITS IRISH words, were of saving effect. The au-
dcnce seemed TO take offence lightning flashing out,
side OF the house through the windows dark room
though this at rehcarsas thought fine preparation
for the tempest and horrors of the scene in tic forest
when the travellers astTay aud The bandilti known
to have issued iron, their TO attack them They
also disilied the character Of Agnes good natured
takabve old nurse my favOuritc with which in writing
bad taken the greatest pains. Mir. Richard Brinslcy
Sheridan who happened TO be sitting by me tina! nichf
III an upper box, said, Gas you they DO not Ike
your old woman, you must COntrive TO give them as
little Of her company you CAM" bcA remark deter
mined me- If could without injUrinc the plot tliad the
opera gone on) to omit her altogether.
Before the curtain dropped upon my Disgrace slip
ped out OF The theatre, told my call coach
flung myself INTO II, and got 10 lodgings in TitcI
field street. and in state of confusion and utter des
PoDdency threw myself my bed. thought of m,
poor children whom had taken from the kind and f3
ering of their grandfather and grandmother Hen
scarcely ten minutes in this situation when coacbnan'
loud rap heard at the door and before John could
aPprse me OF my visitor, in boiled into the house Up
stairs, and INTO sy bed roOm Nv. Harris aad Dr. Ar
mold with cheering to my and confidence of
comfort.
Mr. Harris, with the greatest Kindness took all The
cause OF the failure HIMSELF said that lie had hurried
me IN the writing that to tire theatre had poJu
ced the opera three months before the time agreed upon
for IFS coming out that he bad found my reputation as
dramatic author high with the public and the tetnpo
rary hurt had suffered that night proceeded from ms
aacuiy and industry 20 accommodate the theatre and
obige him lie generously added that he would keen
10 ne letter OF our agreement, and pay every sl
ling Of the six hundred guiieas requesting would dis
miss all trouble from my mind, and lie had doubt
but should yet be able, with few alterations to rem
der tins opera successful and productive. This candid
and liberal conduct needs no comment.
he next morning messenger came from Mr. Har-
rs IT was my old Irish friend and schoqfcllow at the
Drawing Academy, illam Egan, who turned out from
bis yascoa pockets bundr ed guueas on the fable
sent TO me by Mr. Harris, with desire tal world