as an extraordinary change in thea trical matters. They had, in addition to this, realized the other part of their income from houses and offices. There was a law charge of 2801. but this, under the peculiar circumstances under which it had been incurred, must be considered rather as a gain than a loss. During the three years that the commit tee had held the management of their affairs, they were engaged only in one law-suit, and in that they were successful. The utmost expectations of the committee had been fulfilled. They had got rid of debt much more rapidly than they calculated on, and there was every prospect that they would ultimately realize the whole of their property. Mr. Elliston intended to make great alterations, and introduce further embellishments in the theatre, during the recess; which, added to the industrious ef forts he was making to improve the company, would render it as attractive as it ever had been in the annals of theatrical history. As far as such property was concerned, nothing could be more promising or more cheering. They had repaid 751. per cent. instalments on their debts; and if they had not realized all that they owed, they had the most favourable prospects before them. The sum of 11,9731. had been discharged, reducing the present amount of debt to

33,9651. They had been called upon to pay 2,0001. for a loan upon the theatre, which they did not anticipate; but which, upon looking into the terms of the engagement, was found perfectly just. Agreeably to the stipulations held out to the subscribers to the loan, the sum of 4,3517. was to be paid to them in the course of the next year. The committee having already paid three instalments of 251. per cent. each with interest, up to January last, they had there fore fulfilled their engagement in a great measure, so that no more than 3,4001. remained due. Setting aside the nightly receipts, for the new renters, had been fully acted upon. The committee confidently calculated that they would be able to discharge the whole of the debt within the time, mentioned in the several reports made to the proprietors. The com mittee had fully realized the scheme held out three years back to the public. The new renters might have the 1,1001. paid for extra nights, whenever they pleased to call for it. Their prospects were much better than any person a short time back could venture to hope. From the punctuality and great attention of Mr. Elliston, he formed the most sanguine expectations that they would be able to realize every thing held out to the proprietors.

This theatre closed for the season on Saturday, June 29, with the musical drama of the "Antiquary,” in which Liston made his last appear

ance as Oldbuck. Miss Stephens, Miss M. Tree, and Miss Hallande gave some of their most celebrated airs in their best style.

That prolific author, Mr. T. Dibdin, has already produced two afterpieces at this theatre, the one "The Bill of Fare," an original piece, and the other, "Love Letters," a translation from the French; and, as if to shew that this is the very age of invention, or rather of imitation, these novelties have been rapidly succeeded by two other pieces from the French, called "John Buzby, or a Day's Pleasure," and "Peter Fin, or a New Road to Brighton." The Bill of Fare was sufficiently described in our last number.

"Love Letters" has all the light

ness of the French school, and its attraction consists in Mr. Johnson's representation of an enraptured and simple French lover, and in Madame Vestris's excellent acting, and still better singing, in the character of his adorable. "John Buzby" is a light and laughable piece, made. from the materials of common life; the characters and incidents of which are of course broadly pourtrayed to suit the stage. John Buzby, a hosier, has gone nominally to Deptford, but in fact to Richmond, for a day's pleasure, and to get rid of a termigant wife and his son-in

law, Natty Briggs. Now the wife, imagining Mr. Buzby safe in Kent, sets off, unluckily, to Richmond, for the purpose of promoting the marriage of her son, Natty Briggs, with Cecilia, a rich ward of Mr. Buzby. Now it so happens, that in the Richmond stage an interesting young lady (Julia) lately married, is desirous of getting possession of some love letters which she had written to a former flame, Captain Greville, and is going to Richmond to induce Major Aubrey, the uncle of Greville, to procure her the restoration of these letters. Julia throws herself under the protection of the sedate John Buzby, and on Mrs. Buzby's arrival at Richmond, to her astonishment, she meets her husband walking about with a fine woman. We need not say that the day of pleasure is spoiled with both of them; and poor Mr. Buzby, in his efforts to save Julia, gets involved with her husband, as well as with Capt. Greville and Major Aubrey. The comic incidents arising from these contretems are numerous and irresistibly laughable, and are well set off by the characters of a loquacious Richmond inn-keeper, and his no less loquacious daughter, with a gawkey country waiter. The general fracas arising from all the mistakes and misunderstandings is cleared up by Major Aubrey; and poor Mr. Buzby, being extricated from his perplexities, is left to enjoy himself at Richmond, and without his wife. The piece is evidently written for Mr. Terry, who did ample justice to the author.

"Peter Fin, or a New Road to Brighton," represents a fishmonger, who retires from business upon a large

fortune being left to him and his daughter, on the simple condition of never sleeping under the same roof with a certain cousin Henry. Now honest Peter Fin had never seen the sea, and resolves to start for Brighton, with his old friend Mr. Morgan; but Mr. Morgan breaks his engagement, and sends, as a substitute, a friend, Mr. Harry Turleton. Now the prohibited cousin Henry, being in love with Peter Fin's daughter, induces Harry Turleton to drive honest Peter during the night in the environs of London, and, assuring him that he is on the road to Brighton, at length lodge him in the identical house of the said Henry, situated, lying, and being in Bedford-square, which they persuade honest Peter is the town of Brighton. PeterFin, thus sleeping under the roof of the disinherited cousin, of course forfeits his title to the fortune which had been left him. Henry thus becomes possessed of the bequest, but restores all to harmony by marrying Peter Fin's daughter, which was the object of his contrivance.-The supposition of a fishmonger's living near Turnstile, Holborn, and being persuaded that Bedford-square is the town of Brighton, is too absurd for the broadest farce. They should have conveyed Peter Fin to Finsbury-square, or at least to a square more distant from his home than Bedford-square. Liston was so irresistibly comic as Peter Fin, that the farce could not fail of success. Goldsmith's excellent comedy of " She Stoops to Conquer," has been played with the combined talents of Mr. Charles Kemble, Mr. Jones, and Mr. Liston. Mrs. Chatterly played Miss Hardcastle with considerable success.

This theatre opened on July 1, with the favourite piece of the "Miller's Maid, and a new Operetta, entitled, "Love Among the Roses, or the Master Key." It is from the pen of Mr. Beazley, and was received with decided applause. The "Miller's Maid" derives its merit from its affording scope for the excellent acting of Mr. Emery and Miss Kelly, both of whom, in the last scene, wrought as pathetic an effect upon the audience as we ever witnessed.

The conflict between love and honor, in the breast of a simple peasant, was finely painted by Mr. Emery; and Miss Kelly's triumph of duty over passion, in persuading Giles, her lover, to give her up to her father, and afterwards to his rival, George, was of the best acting our stage can boast.-Miss Clara Fisher, a child of an age at which scarcely any talent, and least of all the talent of discrimination, can be expected, has successively played, The Actress of

All Work,-Little Pickle, in the Spoiled Child,"-and Munden's famous character of Crack, in the Turnpike Gate."- Her humour, and her vivacity are beyond anything pleasing; and although in the "Actress of All Work" she was, of necessity, reduced to imitate many of the more adult actresses, she yet frequently displayed an astonishing acuteness of judgment and discri mination. In the " Spoiled Child" she is all that could be wished or expected; and, had she never attempted any other character; this alone would have acquired her a singular degree of celebrity. She sings the songs with considerable sweetness and taste, and her dancing would not disgrace a more practical figurante; while her action and deportment are extremely natural and unembarrassed. We believe that the intention of her engagement has been fully answered to the Proprietors, who have every reason to be satis

fied with the well-filled pit and crowded half-price, which her appearance never fails to induce; while the comic talents of Wilkinson, who has not hitherto been seen to advantage here, the sweet singing of Miss Carew, and even the admirable, and, at present unequalled acting of Miss Kelly, make but indifferent returns to a far from affluent treasury.

66

A young lady, of the name of Southwell, has made her début in Maria, in the "Spoiled Child," and was favourably received to a degree that restored her to self-possession from the embarrassment of a first appearance. A new musical drama, called, All in the Dark, or the Banks of the Elbe," has been produ ced and was rather favourably received. The merits, or rather the attractions of the piece, are of a nature which so exclusively depends upon the acting, that it would not be fair to the author to detail the plot, or to criticise its denouément.

JUNE 24.-A petition was presented by the Earl of Carnarvon, from the farmers attending the market at Romford, complaining of the prejudicial effects of Mr. Peel's bill.

The Earl of Liverpool protested against the doctrine, that the distress of the agricultural interest was attributable to Mr. Peel's bill.-The Earl of Lauderdale concurred with Lord Liverpool.

JUNE 25. The Earl of Liverpool moved the second reading of the Naval and Military Pensions' Bill; and described the operation of the bill, which was, to relieve the public from a considerable immediate expense, and to spread that expense over a period of forty-five years. The Marquis of Lansdown exposed the inconsistency of the operation of the measure with the operation of the Sinking Fund.-The Earl of Lauderdale expressed a similar opi

nion.-Lord King contended that, until the nine millions due to the Bank were paid, we had not a shilling of real Sinking Fund; and urged a further reduction of taxation. The bill was then read a second time.

JULY 2. Earl Grey relinquished his notice of a motion, for an enquiry into the state of the country, not on the ground, that enough had been done in the way of reducing the public expenditure and taxation; but because he despaired of effecting any beneficial result.-After much discussion, and several divisions, the Marriage Act Amendment Bill was passed; the last division being, for the passing of the bill, 41; against it, 18; majority, 23.

JULY 5.A debate took place on the motion for the commitment of the Corn Importation Bill.-Earl Bathurst dwelt on the importance of

the measure, as a protection against a glut of foreign corn, in the event of the ports being opened.-Lord Erskine opposed the bill; and moved to postpone the commitment for three months. Lord Dacre thought it would be better to postpone it. The Earl of Harrowby observed, that if their Lordships refused to legislate on this subject, until the removal of every possible objection, they might postpone their proceeding for a century. The Earl of Carnarvon replied, that there was no period at which Parliament had proceeded to legislate under the disadvantage of such a total ignorance as at that moment.-On a division, the numbers were, for Lord Erskine's amendment, 19; against it, 37; majority, 18.

JULY 10.-Earl Bathurst moved the third reading of the Corn Importation Bill. The Earl of Lauderdale moved to postpone the third reading for three months.-On a division, there appeared for the amendment, 16; against it, 32; majority, 16.The bill was then passed.

JULY 15.—The Marquis of Lansdown adverted to the seizure by officers acting under the Spanish Government, of a British ship, carrying on trade with South America; and asked whether, if his Majesty's Ministers had not yet come to the determination of formally recognizing the Independent Governments of South America, they had not, at least, adopted measures for the protection of our commerce with those States, in order that our merchants might not be liable to have their vessels seized under any orders from the Government of Old Spain?- The Earl of Liverpool replied, that with respect to the British ship which had been seized, a strong remonstrance had been sent to the Government of Spain, demanding a remuneration for all the loss which the owners had sustained by that illegal act. To this remonstrance there had not yet been time for receiving an answer. As to the question of the formal recognition of the de facto Independent States of South America, it involved a number of considerations. Such a measure must necessarily be preceded by a negociation with the government of Spain. The Marquis of Lansdown, feeling all the advantages which must result to this coun

try from the formal recognition of the Independent Governments of South America, expressed his disappointment, that no such preliminary negociation as that alluded to by the noble Earl, had been entered into.-The Earl of Liverpool intimated, that such a negociation had been commenced.

JULY 16.-The Earl of Carnarvon took the opportunity of the motion for the third reading of the Small Notes Bill, to express his regret, that this seemed to be the only measure to be expected, during the present Session, for the relief of agricultural distress. He ridiculed the notion, that that distress was occasioned by superabundant produce, and attributed it partly to the pressure of taxation; but, principally, to the diminution of the circulating medium, occasioned by the bill of 1819.-The Earl of Liverpool maintained, that the distress of agricul ture did not proceed from the measure alluded to by the noble Earl, but that it was attributable to a variety of causes, all growing out of the change occasioned by the cessation of the late war.

JULY 17.-Earl Grosvenor observed, that as this country had interfered with other powers with regard to the slave trade, he trusted there would be no hesitation, in interfering with regard to that most atrocious slavery into which the Greeks were forced by the Turks. The cruelties which had been committed by the latter were a disgrace to the age. Seventy or eighty Greeks, held as hostages at Scio, had been put to death in the most dreadful manner, and ten or twelve had been murdered at Constantinople. It was reported that the lives of those unfortunate individuals had been guaranteed by the English ambassador at Constantinople. If so, it unquestionably became the duty of our government to interfere; and, to ascertain the fact, he moved for copies or extracts of any dispatches from the British minister at Constantinople, respecting the hostages of Scio executed at Constantinople and at Scio.-The Earl of Liverpool opposed the motion, as entirely unprecedented. He admitted that the execution of the Sciot hostages was a most flagitious act; but he denied that we had any right

to interfere with the conduct of the Turkish government, whose subjects they were. With respect to the contest between the Turks and the Greeks, he could assure the House that the British government preserved the strictest neutrality on the subject.-Lord Holland denied that the motion was unprecedented. The noble earl had given no answer to the enquiry of his noble friend, whether or not the safety of the unfortunate persons, who had been massacred at Constantinople, had been guaranteed by any British authori ties.-The Earl of Liverpool replied, that he had no hesitation in declaring that no such guarantee had ever been given. The motion was then negatived.

JULY 19.The Earl of Liverpool moved the second reading of the Irish Insurrection Bill, expressing his regret that circumstances rendered a renewal of the measure necessary. The Marquis of Lansdowne

strongly recommended the adoption of such a system, as, by healing the evils which Ireland endured, might render similar measures unnecessary. -Lord Ellenborough coincided in opinion with the noble Marquis. The Earl of Limerick and Lord Redesdale defended the conduct of his Majesty's government.-The Earl of Darnley reprobated the disgraceful scene which had taken place in Dublin on the 12th.-The Earl of Liverpool assured the noble Earl, that the noble Marquis at the head of the Irish government had been exceedingly anxious to prevent the proceeding alluded to.-The Earl of Donoughmore and Lord Rawdon supported the bill on the ground of its necessity.-Lord Holland could not consent to grant such enormous and frightful powers, even to the noble Marquis at the head of the Irish government, in whom he had the greatest confidence. The bill was then read a second time.

JUNE 24.-Mr. Brougham pressed upon the House the expediency of reducing the over-grown influence of the crown. The honourable and learned gentleman described the vast extent of our establishments; the immense patronage which consequently fell into the hands of government; and the necessary effect upon the conduct of the House of Commons; and concluded by moving "That the influence of the Crown was unnecessary to the maintenance of its due prerogatives, destructive of the independence of Parliament, and inconsistent with the well go vernment of the state."-The Marquis of Londonderry denied that the influence of the Crown was such as it was represented to be by the hon. and learned gentleman, and moved the order of the day. On a division there appeared, for passing to the order of the day, 216-for the original motion, 101-majority, 115.

JUNE 25. Mr. Abercrombie brought the conduct of the Lord Advocate, and of the other law officers of the Crown in Scotland, in regard to their interference with the public press, under the consideration of the House; and after particularizing the circumstances of that conEur. Mag. Vol. 82.

duct, moved for the appointment of a Committee to enquire into it.-The Lord Advocate defended his proceedings and those of his learned friends in the transactions in question.Mr. Peel maintained that the appointment of a committee on the mere assumptions of the hon. and learned mover would be inconsistent with justice.-Sir J. Mackintosh warmly supported the motion, and observed that the House were called upon that night to determine, whether they would frown down the infamous system of private calumny which had overwhelmed the country, or whether they would authorise, establish, and perhaps perpetuate it. — The Marquis of Londonderry denied that any ground had been laid for the proposed enquiry.-On a division there appeared, for the motion, 95— against it, 120-majority 25.

JUNE 26.—Mr. Creevey moved for the repeal of the Pension Bill; and proposed eight resolutions, descriptive of the various abuses that existed under the present system of granting pensions; and expressive of the opinion of the House, that the Ministerial Pension Bill ought to be repealed forthwith. - Mr. Bankes considered that the present mode of

K