64 Theatrical Matters. [JAN. 



have no desire to mingle our political feelings with our theatrical details ; 

 but conduct, like this, is among the objects of our irresistible scorn. 

 While the English population, from whom this childish and idle perso- 

 nage draws the means of his frivolous career, are pressed by the heaviest 

 calamities this nobleman, how long will public scorn suffer the applica- 

 tion of the name ? is capering in an Italian town, gathering the wretched 

 and ridiculous mob of titled puppyism that every land disgorges into 

 Italy, and performing in his own person and that of his wife, antics on a 

 stage. The last tidings are, that he and she performed to " four hun- 

 dred personages of BANK and FASHION a few nights ago, in Florence." 

 This paragraph, in the legitimate style of the " Fashionable World" of 

 a newspaper, was, in all probability, sent from his lordship's proper pen, 

 and may have been intended alike to spread his fame and to draw 

 recruits. Four hundred personages of rank, or rabble, to see Lord 

 Normanby play " Simpson and Co !" Well may foreigners ask, why we 

 send for their tumblers and baboons, when we have such noble super- 

 fluities of our own ! Well may the people of England exclaim against 

 the profits of office and the worthlessness of patriotism, when they see 

 such absurdities committed by men who should set an example of com- 

 mon sense and common humanity at home. 



But, to turn from our indignation to an anecdote of the infinite bore 

 of such delights as this novel-scribbling patriot and absentee has taken 

 upon his shoulders. 



The father of the present Sir Watkin Williams Wynn was a great 

 patron of the arts ; and so fond was he of plays, that he built a theatre 

 at Wynnstay, in North Wales. On one occasion, Austin, the actor, then 

 manager of Chester theatre, was requested by Sir Watkin to super- 

 intend the getting up of a favourite comedy, which was to be acted 

 entirely by amateurs, many of whom were noblemen and ladies of 

 rank. A day was fixed for the performance, and, as a matter of course, 

 a rehearsal was called in the morning. Sir Watkin and Austin were at 

 their post, making all preparation to give effect to the play. All was 



ready. ' Clear the stage/ cried Sir Watkin, f and call Lord A / 



f His lordship's gone a shooting/ exclaimed a servant. ( Call Sir B. 

 C , then.' ' He is gone a fishing, Sir Watkin.' e Request Lady 



D to come, then.' ' Her ladyship, and several others, are just 



gone out for a ride.' ' Who the d I/ cried Sir Watkin, ' would be a 

 manager ?' ( I am sure I should not/ said Austin, ( if I had your 

 fortune.' 



Covent Garden has gone on showily since Miss Kemble's appearance. 

 She has now added Belvidera to her Juliet, and plays it as well as her 

 physical powers allow. Her voice is obviously growing more equal to 

 the, compass of the house, and her action is more decided. The theatre 

 is crowded on the nights of her performance, and what can she ask 

 more ? 



The Dublin Theatre has been sold, and purchased by the mortgagee, 

 for a sum which allows of his letting it at 2,000/. a-year ; a deduction 

 of 1,000/. from the former rate. The manager ought to make some- 

 thing out of this, when we recollect that Covent Garden lives under 

 a rent of 14,000/., and Drury Lane under one of 10,00(W. They may 

 both be pressed heavily enough by this burthen, but let them have good 

 plays, and they are sure to have full audiences. Let the Irisn manager 

 take this secret to his bosom, and try to stir up the dramatic power of 

 the pleasant population round him. 



