which led to the dissolution of the UNION I effected, think because it was dissolved it never could have succeeded;) yet nothing can at present persuade me, that any other course can eventually save these two properties. I do not say that it actually will, but I think it will. Be that as it may, the GRAND JUNCTION took place: how it worked, and how it terminated, it will be our province to inquire into. At all events, it gave rise to an excitement, (the vital spark of theatrical existence,) and to a degree of amusement-fun if you will-not likely to occur again. While one might be tempted to exclaim, " It's lifedamme it's life," I cannot deny it was a very troublesome, and did not turn out, from singular circumstances, at all a profitable life. CHAPTER VI. A good address very desirable-Mr. Henry Harris's opinion of the author's Opposition to it-Mr. Bulwer and his bill-The Duke of Gloucester-False reports likely to lead to other reports-The Duke of Wellington's favourite maxim-Symptoms of hostilities-Mr. Sheridan Knowles, and his "comates in exile"-Memorial to his Majesty, and its gracious reception-Different views taken by different authors-The King a better judge than his subjects-Two theatres better than nineteen, in an undramatic city, logically discussed-A trip to Paris. HAVING in the months of April and May, 1833, made the necessary arrangements with the committee of Drury Lane, and the proprietors of Covent Garden theatre, the following address, as the first result of these arrangements, was issued to the public, and the profession: ADDRESS. "The new and doubly responsible situation in which I am placed, as lessee of both the Patent Theatres, renders it, I presume, neither egotistical nor supererogatory on my part, frankly to inform the two companies, and the profession at large, of the course I mean to adopt, at this unprecedently critical period of dramatic history. "All parties will admit that the theatrical times have long been 'out of joint;' for within a very recent period Covent Garden theatre was not only prematurely closed, but the scenery, dresses, and properties, were actually advertised for sale: and although the theatre was afterwards re-opened, it was effected by public subscription, and by the creditors' consent to take a composition for their claims. It will also be recollected that, during the whole of the previous ten years' management, it had but one profitable season. "The fate of Drury Lane theatre, during the said ten years, has been equally unfortunate: since three successive lessees have totally failed, and it is only the wealth and the great punctuality of Captain Polhill which have saved him from being similarly involved; while the disastrous result of the present season at Covent Garden is proved, by the separation of the company from that theatre, and its being reduced to perform at the Olympic. "I submit chance had no hand in this,' and for one obvious reason, viz: that previously to Mr. Harris leaving Covent Garden theatre, it was so far a prosperous concern, that annually very large sums were paid, towards liquidating the debt caused by the new building. Then it should be remembered, that, during this management, whilst the public could see a tragedy performed by John Kemble, George Cooke, and Mrs. Siddons, and afterwards by Miss O'Neil, Messrs. Young, Macready, and C. Kemble, they could in the same theatre enjoy the combined talents of Miss Stephens, Miss M. Tree, Messrs. Liston, Jones, Farren, Fawcett, Emery, Incledon, &c., and yet it is as extraordinary as true (which can be proved by the treasurer of each theatre,) that the manager's weekly payments in salaries, have, since the abolition in September 1822 of the MAXIMUM SO long preserved by the late Messrs. Sheridan and Harris, INCREASED, almost in a ratio to the DECREASE of the RECEIPTS. "It is, therefore, to provide, as far as practicable, for the loss of so large a portion of the above talent, that makes the scheme of uniting the present companies one of very pressing necessity, in order that the public may once more witness the legitimate drama properly represented; for it was wisely remarked by Mr. Henry Harris, (on a recent occasion of petition to the legislature against additional theatres,) that actors are not like mechanics to be found at a house of call;' and death has just deprived the stage of another of its brightest ornaments, who, in his short career, was always found individually at tractive. "However unpleasant, therefore, it may prove to my feelings to be compelled to return to this system of the maximum, I am sorry to say, that there appears (under existing circumstances) no other expedient; and such being the case, it is VOL. I.-8 86 OPINION OF MR. HARRIS. hoped the actors will take into consideration first,—that most professions have felt the severe pressure of the times; and afterwards the proved impossibility of paying performers and other branches of these large establishments under the present expensive and ruinous régime. "To conclude, I throw myself on the candour and liberality of the profession, and also on that of the public and the press, to aid and uphold me in my humble endeavours to restore the prosperity of that long neglected but rational source of amuse ment-THE NATIONAL DRAMA. "London, May 27, 1833." "A. BUNN." The spirit of this "address"* was unanimously adopted by the press; but, as might be expected, was not at all relished by any of the leading members of the profession; for one especial reason, that it aimed a vital blow at the pretensions of those who had made up their minds, for the rest of their natural lives, to listen to no maximum of salary whatever laid down by a manager, and above all to a weekly salary of £20. The most determined thrust at it, however, was made by Mr. Bulwer, *The following is the answer of Mr. Henry Harris (so many years the manager, and at the very time proprietor of 7-12ths of Covent Gar den theatre) to my letter enclosing the said "address ;” "Yours of the 30th May just received; and I have half an hour to save the post, to assure you we were much pleased with your excellent address, which is at once manly, straight-forward, and intelligent, and must carry conviction to the minds of that small portion of the public who are conversant with theatricals, and must I think come home to the feelings of even the ACTORS. You know the junction of the patent theatres has been long a favourite scheme of mine, as from that alone I saw the smallest chance of either being able to exist, or to stand against the tide of oppressive innovation which has been suffered by ignorant and radical Lord Chamberlains and attempted by levelling destructives of all property. The two theatres, under one able, active, and judicious ma nagement may laugh their threats to scorn, and with their double broadside blow their puny assailants clean out of the water. I need not say how glad I shall be to give every assistance in my power for the fartherance of this arduous undertaking. We look forward with pleasure to your promised visit: you will find us 'embowered in a wilderness of sweets,' and what is I hope as much à votre goût, LE CAVE is in the highest state of perfection. Mrs. Harris desires her best remembrances, and believe me, THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER. 87 who, having in an earlier part of the session of Parliament asked for leave to bring in a Bill, which had for its object the annihilation of the two patent theatres, on the 25th July "moved that the said bill do now pass." I had two or three interviews with the honourable gentleman, to point out such modifications as I thought would be acceptable to the patentees; but the legislative conceit which had then taken possession of all young reformers soon silenced my earnest representations, and with, "I can't think of such a thing!"—" that's out of the question”—“I can allow nothing of the sort!" &c. (as if the genius and the power of King, Lords, and Commons, lay in one learned and despotic pericranium,) I was dismissed, and the bill passed by a majority of 31. Mr. Bulwer knew little about the drama, or the rights and privileges of those in connexion with it; and he cared just as much as he knew: but popularity was the order of the day, and an attempt to destroy a supposed monopoly was sure to obtain that popularity. Mr. Bulwer did not then reflect, nor has he since, according to his late speeches, that increasing the number of theatres leads to the very destruction of those already in existence, as well as of the drama itself, by the dispersion of what talent our stage possesses; the concentration of which, the good sense and taste of all practical men have invariably aimed at. Two courses were now left: one, an appeal to the House of Lords, and the other, a memorial to the Throne; both of which were adopted. At an interview with which I was honoured by his late Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester,* that prince kindly undertook to present my petition to the House of Peers, and on the 2d of August their Lordships† were pleased to reject this monstrous bill, and to prove to its supporters that, luckily, there were more legislators than one, in the United Kingdom. In order to instigate "my Lords" to an opposite line of conduct, a public meeting was convened the day before (August 1) at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, at which Mr. Bulwer delivered himself of sundry observations that, according to the report in the papers, made an unwarrantable reflection upon me, and consequently led to the following correspondence: * At this interview the Duke began by saying, an American, I believe; the King told me so,' “Will your Royal Highness condescend to tell His God I am an Englishman!" "Let me see, you'r To which I replied, Majesty that I thank + During the debate, a Noble Lord asked the Duke of Wellington if, as the majority would be but small, they had not better let the bill go into committee! "No, no; always get a victory when you can," was the Duke's laconic reply. 88 SYMPTOMS OF HOSTILITY. (No. 1.) "Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, "SIR, "In the report in this day's Times, of yesterday's meeting at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, at which you were pleased to designate me a double-faced Janus,' you are stated to have expressed your regret that during the progress of your Bill in the House of Commons, the Janus alluded to had prosecuted one of his contemporaries.' "I shall feel obliged to you to inform me if the above report be correct. "The report in the Times does not convey a very accurate statement of my remarks. I did not term you 'a double-faced Janus,'-what I said was this, that there was no longer a competition between even two theatres-that the two theatres were united under one lessee, that they were twin cherries upon one stalk-a sort of double-faced Janus!! The term was applied to the theatres, and not to an individual. I also added, 'that I understood' (which I had done generally before entering the room) that a prosecution had been announced against the Victoria Theatre,'-if I remember right a similar and uncontradicted statement had been already in the newspapers. I conclude, therefore, that I was not mistaken in the information I received. "To "A. Bunn,Esq., "I am, Sir, "Your obedient servant, "E. L. BULWER." |