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it may be observed, that in the old English theatres, even down to those of the 18th century, some of the superior places consisted of seats erected on the stage, or chairs set in front of the curtain, which, in 1733, were at Drury-lane Theatre converted into stage-boxes. It may also be noticed, that, from the situation of the Coventgarden house, the two entrances leading to it were approached by long covered passages; one of them running out of Bow-street, as mentioned in the advertisement, and the other being the eastern colonnade of Covent-garden piazza, at the end of which was a magnificent arched doorway, with columns and enrichments of the Ionic order. It is towards this entrance that Hogarth's caricature of "Rich's Glory, or his Triumphant entry into Coventgarden," represents the procession advancing. This print has been usually erroneously dated 1728, but actually refers to Rich's removal to the new theatre in 1732.

There are but few materials now known to be extant descriptive of the original interior of this theatre; but the well-known view of the stage during a riot in 1763, before any considerable alteration was made, shows that it was small, that the fronts of the boxes were flat, that there were twisted double branches with candles against the pilasters, that there were not any foot-lights, but that the stage was illuminated by four hoops of candles, surmounted by a crown hung from the borders; that on each side of the stage was an ornamented pedestal, with painted figures of Tragedy and Comedy; and that the orchestra was of a bowed form, narrower than the house, and adapted for about a dozen or twenty musicians.

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Though the piece with which the house opened had been on the stage ever since 1700, yet the novelty of the building caused it to be performed alone, and the admission-money to be the highest of first night prices. the second night, however, there were added "a new prologue to the town, and several entertainments of dancing;" but the address was spoken for three evenings only, and on December 11 the theatre was opened at common prices. The cast of the comedy was-Fainall, Quin; Witwou'd, Chapman; Sir Wilful Witwou'd, Hippesley; Mirabel, Ryan ; Petulant, Neale; Waitwell, Penkethman; Lady Wishfor't, Mrs. Egleton; Millament, Mrs. Younger; Mrs. Marwood, Mrs. Hallam ; and Foible, Mrs. Stevens.

The number of nights of performing during the first season appears to have been about 123,+ the theatre closing June 1. The principal pieces were comedy and opera; but several tragedies were also presented, and on February the 25th Macbeth is announced, "with all the usual flyings, sinkings, and decorations proper to the play." On December the 16th Miss Norsa made a very successful appearance in the Beggars' Opera, which was played for 20 successive nights, during which time the other performers of the theatre re-opened the old house in Lincoln's-inn-fields, and remained there till the run was over. They returned again on January the 11th, 1733, which perhaps gave rise to the very general error that Rich's company did not open Covent-garden until that year. One of the principal novelties of the season was Gay's Opera of Achilles, "with new habits, scenes, &c." which was produced February 10,

The common popular effect of a new Theatre opening, does not appear to have been attended with the usual advantage on this occasion; the receipt was only 1157., and on the following evening still less, not exceeding 614. 7s. 6d. That sum was very little encreased until Dec. 16., the first night of acting there the Beggars' Opera, Polly by Miss Norsa, when the receipts were 1081. 48.-the second night 1221. 11s.a sum never after realized on any night during the time it was performed. Some account of Miss Norsa, with a portrait, was given by the late Mr. Waldron in the Shaksperean Miscellany, 1802, 4to. What made, adopting the old pun, Gay-rich, was the benefit nights on the performance of the Beggars' Opera. The copyright, with that of fifty fables written by him, were sold to Jacob Tonson and John Watts for 941. 10s., under agreement of Feb. 6, 1727.

+ About six times in the season the house was visited by royalty; and, at the close, the young company acted sixteen nights, making the whole season 121 nights.

Gay died Dec. 1732; and on the 10th of February following, there was first produced his opera of Achilles, which with the Beggars' Opera performed the same evening at Drury-Jane Theatre, produced 2071. 11s. 6d.; and on the third night, for the benefit of the sisters of the author, 1537. 12s. The first three benefit nights realized

METEOROLOGICAL DIARY, BY W. CARY, STRAND.
From November 26 to December 25, 1832, both inclusive.

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J. J. ARNULL, Stock Broker, Bank Buildings, Cornhill,

late RICHARDSON, GOODLUCK, and Co.

J. B. NICHOLS and son, 25, PARLIAMENT-STRELT.

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VOL. CII. PART II.

Embellished with Representations of several LEATHERN JETTONS from Terouenne, and an ANCIENT VESSEL found in Picardy.

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HEREWITH I forward you drawings of several curious pieces found some time since in France. They were dug up on the site of the ancient town of Terouenne (the Morinorum Civitas of the Romans), which was razed to the ground by our Henry the Eighth. They are of leather, and vary but little in thickness, which, in the largest, does not exceed that of our penny piece. They have, if I may be allowed to use the term, no reverses, nor is the leather dressed on that side as on the other; but there is no appearance of their having been used as buttons or ornaments, no traces of a shank being perceptible. I shall be glad to know the opinion of your readers respecting these curious pieces. I confess myself unable to explain, or even to guess, at their origin; and, though we have all heard of leather money, I cannot look upon these as intended for coin.

The subjects of Nos. 1, 2, and 5, are female heads, and the costume certainly bears some resemblance to that of the time of Henry the Eighth. The armour in the bust on No. 10 is very like that of the Emperor Maximilian, who assisted our Henry in his French war; but then the helmet is unlike those of that period, and resembles more the fanciful figures of Holbein and Van Leyden, who, in some of their designs, mingled Roman and Greek costume with that of the fourteenth century. No. 13 is remarkable as being a copy of the obverse side of one of the denarii of Cæsar. Some may be inclined to consider them as siege-pieces; for pieces of pasteboard were used by the Dutch for that purpose at a later period; but then there are no numerals or other marks indicating their value. However, whether intended as money, or its representative, or jettons, they appear to me worthy the attention of the curious.

The ancient vessel (fig. 14.) was discovered about twelve months since by a labourer at plough in the neighGENT. MAG. Suppl. CII. PART II. A

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bourhood of Boulogne. The present possessor thinks it is a "porridge-pot," and that it was suspended over a table with a lamp beneath, to keep the contents warm. A vessel of this description was in use in Holland and the Netherlands many years ago. From the curvature of its spouts, it cannot be a lamp.

Several dishes were discovered at the same time; but they are not of a peculiar shape. They have the letters J. B. on them in the Black Letter character, something in the style of those of the time of Henry the Eighth.

Yours, &c. J. Y. AKERMAN.

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Hundredth Anniversary of the Opening

of Covent-Garden Theatre.

The present year is distinguished by two very remarkable centenaries connected with the public amusements of the metropolis, viz. the opening of Vauxhall-Gardens upon the modern plan, by Jonathan Tyers, on the evening of June 7, 1732, with a Ridotto al Fresco; and the original opening of a Theatre Royal in Covent-garden, on Thursday, the 7th of the following December.* As every generation should

*Though the history of the stage be silent as to the existence of any theatre in Covent-garden before that erected by Rich, yet the late Mr. Richardson, of the Piazza Coffee-house, was in possession of a ticket on which were the words "For the music at the Playhouse in Covent Garden, Tuesday March the 6th, 1704."-J. T. Smith's Additional Plates to the Antiquities of Westminster. Times.

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