3J2 Montesquieu Bellew and Laivyvr Shell. [Sept. 



Those are the future candidates for the representation of Louth ; the 

 gentlemen whose pretensions are to be canvassed on the hustings, aiul 

 insinuated into the houses of the freeholders. It might be v.ell that the 

 freeholders who are now called upon for the first time to exercise a delicate 

 and important prerogative, should be warned how they abuse their trust. 

 Hitherto the voice of the election came from the hovels of the serfs ; and 

 the multitude of hireling voters, bannered under the priest and his 

 myrmidons, dro^vTied the honest votes of that intermediate class who are 

 just independent enough to be raised above the temptations of perjury. 

 It was unavailing to contend against clouds of senseless peasants ; hence 

 many abandoned their privilege altogether in despair, and neglected to 

 register their votes, since they could not render them available. Thus 

 the representation of the country gradually fall into the hands of those 

 who had no judgment in their own cause, and who were, therefore, the 

 most unfit to select the representatives of the interests of others. With 

 the abolition of these nominal electors, who had power without will, 

 and who were invested with a right which they exercised to promote 

 sinister objects, the constitutional prerogative has reverted to a compara- 

 tively respectable class of persons. Their numbers are, relatively sp eak- 

 ing, few ; but it is that very physical paucity that enhances their respon- 

 sibility. The attention of the empu'e is earnestly fixed upon the Louth 

 freeholders, because it will be witli them to set the example that may 

 determine the future character of the Irish representation. Let them 

 boldly refuse their votes to the tom-fools of a scattered party. Let them 

 select from the Protestant gentry of the county, an honest and able man ; 

 his religion can no longer be hateful in their eyes, since it can no longer 

 be an impediment to tlieir political scliemes. But if they desire to hold 

 a station in the estimation of the people of this country, let them with the 

 same ardour that we advise them to scout Sheil and Bellew, reject indig- 

 nantly either ]\Ir. lisping LesHe Foster, or any nominee of his or of liis 

 family. He has already skulked one party — give him not the opportu- 

 nity to insult another. 



THEATRICAL MATTERS. 



The prominent topic of the theatrical world is, we regret to say, the sur- 

 mise that Covent Garden Theatre will not open during the next season ; the ex- 

 penses of that establishment having for a considerable period largely outrun its 

 income. It must be acknowledged, that the change from Harris's manage- 

 ment has worked no miracle witli the house, for the chief result has been in a 

 few years an addition of 30,000^ of debt to the 50,000/. left by Harris. There 

 is no imputation on the fidelity of any of the parties to their trust. They have 

 probably exerted themsf Ives to the utmost in their several vocations. But 

 there is no answer to the facts, " that the establishment is desperately 

 involved, and that there is a painful probability that the company will be 

 dispersed, and this magnificent theatre abandoned." The causes of this unfor- 

 tunate state of affairs are allowed, we understand, to be, the original improvi- 

 dence in building the theatre of so vast a size — at so large a waste of ground and 

 rents from the houses which occupied that ground — at so large an advance of 

 rent to the Duke of Bedford ; and, independently of all this, at so immoderate 

 an espence in the actual building and its equipment, that nothing but the 

 most unabated popularity could make it productive : the debt originally thus 

 contracted being upwards of 150,000/., and the rent being 14,000/. pounds a 

 year. The next incumbrance arises from the nature of the management. In 



