AustLit

The author, probably William Kerr the Sydney Gazette's theatre critic, criticises the selection of plays for the 3 May 1838 performances at the Royal Victoria Theatre. The author writes that 'the pieces selected for representation on Thursday night, when the sons of St. Patrick patronize the theatre, are the Merchant of Venice, and the Irish Tutor[Richard Butler, 1822]. We confess we are somewhat surprised at the choice though we know not with whom it rested. The latter piece may be appropriate enough for the occasion, but the first piece is so very hackneyed, and withal so indifferently placed, that we cannot compliment the selector, whoever he may be, on his choice.' The author continues with adverse comment on the abilities of Sydney, New South Wales actors in the plays and recommends that the plays Married Life [John Baldwin Buckstone, 1834] and Paddy's Wedding (the latter probably a ballad by Charles Dibdin the Elder) be performed instead.

An advertisement for the performance of Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife and Frederick the Great; or, The Female Sentinel at the Royal Victoria Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales, on 1 May 1838.

Advertisement encouraging the emigration of letter press printers (pressmen) and compositors to the Australian colonies. Free passage is advertised by applying to Mr Marshall, Emigration Agent, London with an address given as the Herald Office, Sydney, New South Wales. The advertisement was reprinted in Sydney, New South Wales, newspapers in May 1838, as well as in other colonies. Individual newspapers added a paragraph to the advertisement further encouraging pressmen and or compositors to apply. The version in the Sydney Gazette was first published on 1 May and reprinted on 3, 5, 8 and 10 May. The version in the Australian was first published 1 May 1838.

See also the correspondence signed by James Harrison, Thomas Armstrong, John Paterson, Alexander Barrie, Peter Tyler, John Laurie and John Rawson refuting the claims of the advertisement.