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to constitute it a legitimate tragedy; and! In English Opera there has been but little one may therefore look in vain for those done at the Park until within a short time, poetic beauties in Oraloosa, which have con- there having been so many other sources of tributed not a little to make The Gladiator attraction and profit. We note, however, so permanent a favorite. that Miss HUGHES is now playing, but we Dec. 19th.-O'Keefe's comedy of "Wild are sorry to say to houses by no means Oats" was performed this evening, in order crowded. This may easily be accounted for. to introduce a new debutant, Mr. J. Mason, The Italian troupe is now regarded as the in the character of Rover. So little pains legitimate operatic company; and the great had been taken to trumpet forth the name of body of our amateurs is to be seen on opera this gentleman, that a very thin audience was nights within the walls of the Richmond collected on the occasion; and probably, on Hill. As the termination of the Italian the rising of the curtain, no one exp cted the company's engagement has now arrived, high enjoyment which was in store for him. English opera will again, we trust, delight That Mr. Mason is an actor of no ordinary us, as in former times it was wont. Miss rank, appeared fully by his performance. Hughes is a charming songstress; and we The part was most happily chosen, as it are sure that now, wher. the Italians have gave him an opportunity of displaying his left us, the sweetness and richness of her powers in the delivery of some of the finest voice, and the inimitable grace with which passages of our dramatic poetry, and at the she warbles forth her notes, will be appreci same time of showing his merits as a gene- ated, and ensure for our homely opera that ral actor. The various quotations of which applause, which until of late it has enjoyed. the character of Rover is made up, were Dec. 28.-Since the above was in type, given with extreme beauty, especially those Mr. CHARLES KEAN has commenced a fareof a pathetic nature, into which Mr. Mason well engagement at the Park, prior to his threw a degree of feeling which was irresisti- return to London, where he is said to have bly touching; as, for instance, in that fine formed a most flattering engagement at one scene where Jim rushes forward to defend of the Metropolitan theatres. To do the his father, Rover quotes some lines applica- performances of this excellent tragedian jusble to the situation, and then, his own situ- tice, however, we must defer noticing them ation forcing itself upon him, he mournfully to our next number. utters-" I never knew a father's protection -never had a father to protect!"-The wooing of Lady Amaranth was well done. Mr. BOWERY.-At this theatre, since the comMason's gentlemanlike and modest address mencement of the season, theatricals have especially shine in scenes of tenderness; been well attended to. The manager has his voice, though not possessed of much catered actively for the taste of the public. strength, is so well modulated, and its flexi- Not to mention our native actress, Miss bility so well managed, that any deficiency VINCENT, of whom we shall on some future in power is made up by the skill with which occasion speak more at length, we have obit is used. His face is capable of much ex-served that BOOTH has lately concluded a pression, and his figure well formed. His most successful engagement at this theatre, performance of Rover throughout was lively in which he performed his most celebrated and spirited. He filled up the character characters. Mr. B.'s professional merits, in our entire satisfaction, and to that of a most a peculiar range of parts, notwithstanding enthusiastic auditory, in whose favor he his varying style of playing them, are so completely established himself. Mr. Mason well known and appreciated, that it were will become, we doubt not, a general favor superfluous for us to enter into a detailed ite among us. He will be a most valuable criticism; though were we disposed to do so, and important auxiliary to the company, in our limits, which are already exceeded, a department, too, in which there has for a would forbid it. long time been a most glaring deficiency.

Upon arranging the matter in type, it was found necessary to omit some valuable Statistics and Miscellanies, prepared for this number; but which must now be deferred to the next.

Errata-Page, 31, for Monboddoniano read Monboddoniana.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The pigeon-holes of our cabinet are already lined with communications, and we cannot better keep them in order, than by at once distributing their contents under their respective heads of "accepted," "rejected," and "for advisement,”observing always, however, most religiously, the request, when made by correspondents, to have their contributions passed over in silence.

To begin with grave subjects, we shall always be happy to have answered through our pages, any questions upon literature or antiquities, like that preferred by CELTICUS; and we regret that his own letter was not intended for publication. That important ground once occupied with so happy an effect by the London Gentleman's Magazine, when it was the medium through which men of taste, science, and literature, communicated with each other upon every class of subjects, has been so deserted by modern periodicals, that it may be necessary for us here to remind our readers, that we shall always be happy when they exchange their views with each other, as well as with the public, through our Magazine. In the meantime, though but little versed in the abstruse points of chronology, about which Celticus is so curious, we believe (upon the authority of Gillacoeman's list of the heathen monarchs of Ireland,) that the commencement of the Milesian monarchy was coincident with the reign of Solomon in the east. As to the period of time when the Irish language was fixed, it must be almost impossible to name it with any precision, when we recollect that according to the most received opinions of philologists-while many of the terms and all the construction of that ancient tongue, have been derived from early commerce with the Phoenicians-it is composed from fewer Celtic dialects, than any other tongue among the continental Celts, and involves the remains of the primeval language of Europe.

QUIVEDO'S "Resuscitations of forgotten Bards." is misnamed. Quivedo is a resurrection man, not a resuscitator, and he should recollect that reviewers dissect none but living subjects-a dead one is of no more use to them than to a recruiting officer.

"C," "LAKE ERIE," and "ROBIN HOOD's" article on Rifle Shooting are under consideration. We think we should like to hear from the author of the second in prose, We like the subject of the third, but it might have been handled better. R. H. should have consulted Col. Hawker's book for information, upon percussion locks, before attempting to decide upon the relative advantage between them and flint locks. The idea of the action of the percussion powder depressing the piece, we believe is exploded.

"THE OBSERVATORY" shall appear in our next.

"S. W." does not do himself justice-he must elaborate his verses more. We like "LION" so much as to wish to keep him for the present in our menagerie, but as yet do not know what use to make of him.

HOGAN MOGAN's "Vision" is received. But Hogan Mogan has forgotten that though a man may dream when he is asleep, yet he should always be awake when he relates his dreams. The poetical part, the Ode to Black Hawk particularly, he has imitated from Halleck's Marco Bozzaris. But such an imitation

-It is as flat and fulsome to our ears
As howling after music.-

We shall be happy to hear from INIGO JONES, on "Domestic Architecture," though the want of room, of which he complains at large parties, might in some measure be remedied by the gentlemen entering into terms with the ladies, to give up carrying their hats into a ball-room, upon condition that their fair enemies will sacrifice so much of their sleeves as occupies an equal space in the crowd.

The lines signed CONRAD will never do-they are too deep in the autumnal tint. What an opening.

"What life o'erhanging cloud, whose tearful showers
Fall through the sunshine of our happiest hours,
In gathering volume new and deepening dye,
Weighs on the heart, and blackens on the eye.
It is enough-

Too much in all conscience. Exit Conrad cum suis.

LITERARY NOTICES.

and dote-cake solace the vigils of those who watch over them when closed in death-and where each welcome is as warm and as

Desirous of making this department some- cheering as the first, and each farewell thing more than a mere enumeration of the bears some token with it as kind and genecontents of books, we have determined, in rous as the last.

order to make it as valuable as possible," The work, which very modestly pretends and to give these notices that anony- to be only a manual for the use of those mous character, without which criticism who would simplify the business of Newloses half its efficacy, to have the different Year's visiting, by reducing it to a proper works which are submitted to us, ex- system, does in fact contain a fund of deep amined by different individuals, capable erudition and lively entertainment, upon of passing upon their merits, from having every thing relating to the first day in the had their attention particularly turned year's calendar. Of the four books into to the subjects treated of. In pursuance of which it is divided, for instance-book first, this plan, we regret that we cannot keep treats of the origin of New-Year's visiting, back this No. longer for two notices, from which it, perhaps somewhat extravagantly, able pens, that were promised us in time for carries back to the days of Hesiod, whom publication, upon the only books we have yet the learned Peter Heylin quotes in his Cosreceived. The beautiful work on Miner- mography, from the admirable edition of alogy and Geology, by J. K. Welsh, of Bos- the poet's works, by Nicholas Heinsius, ton, and the new translation of Longinus, the celebrated Leyden scholar-as authoriby a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, zing the opinion of this usage having existshall both receive their due attention in our ed among the Scythian tribes that were next. In the meantime, however, we must present at the siege of Troy. Some curimanage to fill the space kept open for them ous observations are then given upon the till the last moment, with something else; zeal with which the custom was observed in and as one, when disappointed of a dinner, the time of Julius Cæsar, among the warwill stay his hunger, or spoil his appetite, like but hospitable Belgæ-as may be gathwith confectionary, we will' substitute the ered from that passage in the writings of pastry and bon-bons of literary persiflage, for the illustrious Commentator, where he the solid roast-beef and pudding of science speaks of the Fores omnibus aperti ut edenand the classics; and as many of our re- di bibendique causa ostiatim per diem totam viewing brethren pass upon books they have percurrerent. We have afterward an internever read, we will try and give an account esting account of the usage, as it existed at of one they are not likely to read. that brilliant court, where the steel-clad knights of Brabant

"Drank the red wine thro' their visors barred."

THE COMPLETE NEW-YEAR'S VISITOR. By Barent Vanderlyn, 1 vol. 12mo. Staats & Fonda, Albany. Unless our judgment is very much at fault, this little work will from goblets filled by the fair hands of Jacbe as well received hy the town, as any queline of Holland. From this part of the original publication that has long issued work, we learn, that formerly it was only from the press. But why the author, whose noble or very ancient families who interresources are chiefly derived from this ci- changed these courtesies with each other, ty, should have chosen Albany as his place and that the custom of ladies offering to of publication, we cannot divine. Unless it shake hands with the male visitant upon is that the capitol being the only city in the this day, arose from a ceremony that grew Union besides this, where the excellent and up in the days of chivalry, of the young gallant custom of visiting all one's fair and fair hostesses placing their fragile finfriends on New-Year's day, is observed, gers in the gauntletted palms of their guests, and the ancient town of Beaverwick being to signify that they recognized each as one the mother colony from whence her strap- of their own order, and confided in him as ping daughter of New Amsterdam was de- worthy of upholding its dignity. This book rived-it was perhaps due to the most an- terminates with an account of the establishcient metropolis of the two, that a work of ment of the custom in this city, from the such importance should emanate from with- time when it was first confined to the immein those walls, where Dutch hospitality sur-diate connections of the old Dutch governvives in all its original brightness: Where ors, and other official characters, down to still the smoking caudle cup and tender our day, when it has become of such genecruller first meet the young eyes that open ral adoption, that the whole town observes upon a strange world, and mulled-wine the social usage.

Book Second, is addressed to the ladies every circle-now listless, melancholy, and exclusively, and, among other things, treats in despair-I conjured him to tell me what of the manner of preparing the room for re- sudden affliction had overtaken him at such ceiving visitors; giving at the same time a moment-what circumstance had subdu some useful hints for so arranging the cur- ed-what pain had overwhelmed his spirit tains, that the light, whether warmed and what dear friend he had lost." Friend," | softened through salmon-colored moreen, he exclaimed, and the answer came from! or reflected from glistening damask, may the depths of his soul hollowly as the as properly assist one's complexion. Some tol- cending urn from the bottom of a well, that erably engraved diagrams are added, show-sends up no limpid brimmer from its parch ing the most approved methods of adjusting ed sources. "Friend? not one but all-all ottomans and sofas, so that visitors may be my friends-I have lost my"-The word faltaken in detail, or disposed of in detach- tered upon his lips, as if they could not proments-ad libitum of their fair entertainers. nounce so dread a thing-"I have lost my To all of which are annexed a few available visiting list !" hints upon the art of securing a tete-a-tete, in windows or recesses, with those whom we wish particularly to favor amid the general rush.

In relating this tragic occurrence, our author argues very soundly upon the expediency of being always provided with do plicate copies of one's list, to avoid the consequences of people thus dropping their acquaintance.

Book Third, intended for gentlemen only, treats of the whole process of New-Year's visiting, according to the latest improve- But we are rapidly approaching the botments. It gives much useful advice upon tom of the page, and have only room to men the art of compiling a visiting list, and sug- tion that Book Fourth is composed of "the gests the expediency of always being provi- diary of a New-Year's visitor"-the whole of ded with a pocket map. After disposing which we may perhaps copy in a future num. satisfactorily of that much agitated ques- ber and a quantity of miscellaneous pieces in tion, whether it is best to district the morn- verse upon visiting matters. Interesting as ing's operation into wards, or adhere to the these must have been to the immediate ordinary usage of visiting by streets, our friends of the writers, few of them, for the author presses very warmly upon those am- public at large, possess any interest. An bitious of becoming at all distinguished as exception might perhaps be made in favor New-Year's visitors, the indispensableness of the following touching adieus of a cele of system in plan, and coolness, prompt- brated beau, and veteran New-Year's day ness, and decision in execution, to get thro' visitor, whose regret at leaving the circle even a tolerable list of calls. "Order," he which he had long adorned, was so keen, justly observes, "is Heaven's first law, and when going abroad, that he could only send method is quite indispensable in this matter the following farewell cards to his four es above all others—a method too, which must pecial favorites.confound all respect of persons and order of preferences, all distinctions of rank and fashion, into one principle of geogra phical precedence," while "self-possession" he urges, "is particularly requisite to make an efficient use of each allotted moment, when people are darting to and fro around you, like stones from Catapultas." It is time, however, as our limits draw to a conclusion, that we should begin A to quote more at large from the work. which we cannot perhaps do better than by quoting here a passage, which sets off the writer's pathetic powers to much advantage.

"Emma good bye

In a far away land when I hear them tell
Of the new risen star and the reigning belle,

I shall think of the card where I wrote with a sigh
T. T. L.

Ellen Adieu

This clasp of the hand hath a meaning for thee At the moment of parting, whose language should smile for the many, a sigh for the few, [be

P. P. C.

Fanny Farewell

"Well," pursued my agitated informant, "three of my remaining seconds had alrea- But dy expired-but I could not leave him thus -I spoke again to him-I besought Riffleton-I conjured him as he sat there, pale as the mantelpiece against which he leanedhe-the gay, the dashing, the brilliant Riffleton-the soul of every set-the life of

Indifferent-cold as I saw thee to day,

I would fain have been like thee, so careless and a tear in despite of my bitterness fell, Igays

P. D. A.

Mrs. Smith good day

I shall probably sail in an hour or so,
But I'll stop as I'm passing, before I go,
And leave you what cards I have left, to say

D. I. O.

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