Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

From London Papers.

At the opening of the Cork theatre Mr. Payne, from America, appeared in the character of Hamlet; and while performing in the last scene but one, with Mr. Williams, the acting manager, who personified Osrick, Mr. Boyle, Editor of the Cork Freeholder attempted to address the audience, and call the managers to account for exhibiting so worthless a company, and so uncomfortable a house. The Editor was immediately hissed, the Sheriff interfered, and received a blow, the consequence of which was, Mr. Boyle was sentenced to a fine of fifty pounds, & six months imprisonment. Counsellor O'Connell ably defended him and the following is an extract from his speech:

My Lord, and Gentlemen of the Jury, I am particularly charged by my client to contradict a report which has gone abroad that he went to the theatre for the purpose of assailing Mr. Payne, on the ground of his being an American, and belonging to a nation with which we are unfortunately at war. Monstrous and unfounded charge! Had this been the case, I would not have opened my lips in his defence. Mr. Boyle has too expanded a mind, too generous a heart, too just a sense of the rites of hospitality: and Mr. Boyle knows and feels that those countries have a natural and national motive of love and regard for a people, sprung from our own stock, our descendants, and our brethren.

On the subject of Mr. Payne's professional powers, it becomes me to be silent; my praises would be deemed partiality, because I am unacquainted with all other members of the theatre, and the gentleman is my friend. Of those qualifications which are open to the public, let the public judge: but I cannot withhold from him that eulogium which his personal intimates are only competent to bestow; and I must be permitted to declare, that I never had the honour of conversing with a young gentleman of more liberal mind, more affable and interesting manners, or more truly cultivated, classical & refined.