or 301. a night. This assertion was destitute of truth. The average amount of money received during the last season was 2001. per night. If something effectual could not be done towards relieving their embarrassments, he thought it would be better to sell the Theatre. It had been valued at 340,0007.; and would, no doubt, fetch 150,000l. or 200,0001. which would pay all the debts, and leave the proprietors a handsome dividend. However lamentable their situation might be, they were not in a worse situation than Covent Garden Theatre, where the debts and losses were quite as great. With regard to the situation of a sub-committee man, he would not accept it for 5007. a year. Mr. Robins stated that the condition of Covent Garden Theatre was comparatively prosperous. 1818. the Committee re-appointed to co-operate with the General and Sub Com. mittee, and to carry the resolutions into effect. The Theatre closed on Wednesday, June 10, for the remainder of the week. The play was Hamlet, and though Mr. Kean performed the principal part, there was but a scanty audience: a proof of the fleeting nature of popu larity. Fashion has a great prevalence over public opinion, else, with so good a company of performers as this Theatre can boast, it is surprising that it should have been so much neglected. The Committee of Management have been active; much novelty has been brought forward, and with a liberal expenditure on decoration; yet the public have regarded all with indifference, and, unless vigorous measures are The Report was then agreed to, and adopted, the Theatre must finally close. PERFORMANCES. May 26. A Cure for the Heart Ache-The Magpie. 27. Iron Chest-Amoroso-Sleeping Draught. 28. Othello-Innkeeper's Daughter. 29. How to get Married-Of Age To Morrow. 30. Jew of Malta-Amoroso, King of Little Britain-Sleeping Draught. June 1. King John-The Review. 3. Inkle and Yarico-Three and the DeuceWanted: a Governess. 4. King John-Falls of Clyde. 5. Beaux Stratagem-Children in the Wood. 6. King John-Innkeeper's Daughter. 8. Alexander the Great-Sylvester Dagger. wood-Paul and Virginia. COVENT MAY 27-The Castle of Paluzzi; or, the Extorted Oath, was produced this evening, upon the story of Fualdes. The story is well suited for such an adaptation; its very circumstances are such as appeal very powerfully to the imagination and the feelings. The subject, however, never occurs to our mind without a mixed feeling of amazemend and indignation at the French system of criminal law, which in a case of such manifest guilt can admit of such shameful procrastinations. All the parties should have been executed long since. It may seem a contradiction to just feeling to express a wish for this extreme justice upon any human being; but there are cases in which the indulgence of mercy is a contradiction to better sentiments than the most rigid execution of justice. The safety of life and property depends upon the horror of murder and murderers, and more particularly of family murderers, and traitorous friends. But how much is such horror lessened when it is converted, as in France, into a kind of spectacle; when the papers tell us of great men-of strong mindsof finely-compressed feelings, and employ all these terms in speaking of Bastide, Jaussion, and Madame Mansonof murderers and a strumpet. It is fitting-extremely fitting, that such things and such persons should be called by their proper names; and in this country, at least, let us show our common sense by not surrendering our natural feelings. When this melo-drame was first announced upon our stage, we were apprehensive that some of this sentimental German colouring would have been attempted to be cast over this atrocious murder, and that, in some way or other, Bastide, Jaussion, and Madame Manson, would have been rendered only venial felons. We are happy to find that the English author has retained too much of his national sense to fall into this folly. The story is necessarily much altered, though the resemblance is as well preserved as is required in a fable founded upon a fact. The scene of the action is Florence, instead of Rhodez.-The Count Salviati has married a woman betrothed or attached to another, but who makes as good a wife as most women under such circumstances; that is to say, finds in the proof but little difference between one man and another, when both are of equal ages and equal degree. Her lover, Ferdinand, from whom she had been separated by treachery, returns; the husband, with the help of a confederate, Soranzo, murders him. The Countess has seen the act, and is about to be put to death to prevent detection, when she is saved by her husband. The affair comes before the tribunal, the Countess and her attendant Zerlina are accused. The Count is present, but his wife dreads to accuse her 1818. preserver. Zerlina, however, spcaks out, as the French trial expresses it, and charges the crime on Soranzo. The dagger is produced, the Count seizes it, plunges it in his bosom, and perishes in despair. This is deep enough for tra gedy-more than repulsive enough for feeling, and yet it is observable how much the author has been forced to soften and dimiuish the original infamy and dark abomination of the true French tale. The melo-drame was well performed. Mrs. Faucit was the Countess; Miss Foote, Zerlina; Abbott (whose acting is always rational and manly), was Ferdinand; Terry, the Old Marquis: Connor, Soranzo; and Macready, Salviati. The scenery was very pretty, and that which gave the view of the murder by the reflection of a mirror was highly applauded. There was a tolerable dance by the corps de ballet. PERFORMANCES. Men. An entire Act from the fire following plays of Shakespeare: Julius Cæsar, Midsummer's Night Dream, Cymbeline, King Henry the Fourth, and the Tem pest-The Libertine. Dueuna-Bombastes Furioso-BlueBeard. John of Paris. Duenna-Blue Beard. Russian Festival Gamester-Harlequin Gulliver. Guy Mannering-Festival of Apollo- Broken Sword. ENGLISH OPERA HOUSE. Mr. Mathews continued his perform ances at this Theatre, consisting of "Mail Coach Adventures," " Ventriloquy," and "Imitations," till June 16, when he concluded his entertainments with the following address: "Ladies and Gentlemen, "The only painful part of my exertions now remains-that of bidding you farewell. The great patent theatres have so entirely exhausted the language of self-commendation, that they have left me no choice of terms that can express my gratitude for overflowing and brilliant audiences;' rapturous, unanimous, and unbounded applause:'' roars of laughter:''unqualified approbation;' and unprecedented success.' I must, therefore, content myself with offering, · in less pompous, but not less sincere, phraseology, the humble tribute of my heartfelt thanks. Accept, Ladies and Gentlemen, this homely, but genuine, expression of my feelings, and believe that it will be the proudest recollection of my life, that during the course of forty evenings' entertainments, I have been honoured not only with full houses, but also by your approbation and ap plause. The question, whether I had done wisely in leaving the boards of what are called the regular theatres, and which was some time problematical, is now decided, and I may say (without more vanity than your encouragement will fully justify is decided in my favour. I now, therefore, leave the metropolis with that plentiful harvest which has ripened in the sunshine of your favour. But this I beg to state distinctly, that while I am advised that my performances are within the strict letter of the law, no fear shall deter me from proceeding, and that I will resist strenuously and firmly any measures that may be pursued to support an injurious monopoly to my injury; and that I shall double all the energies of my resistance from the recollection that I am contending in the cause of the public, who have no right to be curtailed of their lawful 'amusements, or to be told by patentees, If you won't come to laugh with us, we will take care you shall not go to laugh elsewhere.' That I shall make you laugh again and again, I sincerely hope; and though I may choose a merrier subject than patent theatres and monopoly, I do not doubt that I shall have the cordial satisfaction of meeting again next year as many smiling faces as have graced this theatre for the last forty nights that I have had the honour and happiness of receiving you At Home.' that ever invaded the organ of hearing, the attack on a cottage, the retreat, the preparation for executing a prisoner, their council of war, the dance of peace, and a display of their sports or amusements. The performance is certainly more curious than pleasing; and those who go prepared to expect an exhibition of grace or agility, than to speculate on a general portraiture of savage life, will be greatly disappointed. They are men of large bulk and lofty stature; and their movements in the scene of attack were so ferocious and terrible, that we could not help trembling, lest they should fancy themselves in their native wilds, and wreak an ultra-dramatic revenge on the victims who had fallen into their power. Mr. Arnold's theatrical corps, taken collectively, is not of the most brilliant order; but this is the season of critical relaxation; and we feel otherwise well disposed to be indulgent to a company which can boast of so excellent an actress as Miss Kelly, who, from the smallness of the theatre, and a sort of irresistible consciousness of superiority to those about her, appears here to the utmost advantage. We never saw her perform better than she did this even ENGLISH OPERA-This elegant little Theatre opened for the summer season on Saturday, June 20th. The entering, when she sustained the characters tainments commenced by a dramatic exhibition of a singular nature-a Ballet Divertissement, in which the principal action was sustained by the native American Indian warriors recently arrived in this country. We subjoin the names (easier to write than to pronounce), of these celebrated persons, who are seven in number, Senug-gis(the Chief),—Ne-qui-et-Twas saue, Sta-eute, - Uc-tau-gob, - Negun-ne-au-goh,-Se quos-ker-ace,-Teki-eue-doga. These gentlemen acquit ted themselves with great zeal and energy, and performed so truly coN AMORE, that the most sceptical could no longer doubt the accuracy of the representa tion-They regaled us with the warwhoop, one of the most terrible sounds 1916. of Gertrude, in the opera of Free and Easy, and of Cicely, in the Bee Hive. The happy infusion of the natural in this lady's acting, is so tempered by art and refinement, that she can preserve a correct outline of the lowest character, without sinking into vulgarity; she is in that respect a stage model, and a practical illustration of the poetical cast which the drama is required to throw over real life. Miss Kelly is not, however, quite unsupported: Mr. Bartley and Mr. Wrench are judicious actors; and Mr. W. S. Chatterley, with an agreeable person, has a natural and pleasing manner; Mr. St. Albin and Miss Aylett, from the Dublin Theatre, are good dancers. PERFORMANCES. June 20. Free and Easy-Ballet Divertissement- 22. Ballet Divertissement-Love in a Village- 1818. June 23. Ballet Divertissement-Bachelors' Wives THE SURREY THEATRE. JUNE 1. Amongst the many pieces written in professed imitation of the Duke of Buckingham's celebrated "Rehearsal," Mr. T. Dibdin's new Burletta produced this evening, though the last, is very far from being either the least meritorious, or the least amusing. It is entitled, How to write an Opera, or the Delights of Dramatic Composition; and in the third act is introduced the Rehearsal of a new Drama, called Anaconda, or the Boa Constrictor and the Buffalo."- This latter piece is taken from the Tales of M. G. Lewis, Esq. and the burlesque is admirable. Of the new scenery, &c. we cannot but speak in terms of the most unqualified approbation; and the Northern Expedition, with the floating ice, and snow storm, and the concluding scene with the appearance of the tremendous Anaconda, are among the best pieces of theatrical mechanism we recollect to have ever seen. The performers exerted all their wellknown abilities in its favour, and to all of our readers, to whom a hearty laugh is a recreation, we earnestly recommend a visit to the rehearsal of Mr. Lyric's Opera, at the Surrey Theatre. nished a hint, which is turned to much advantage in this petite danse. JUNE 15. We were this evening gratified with the revival of " Tom Jones," the principal favourite of last season; and this admirable burletta seems to have lost none of that extensive attraction, which its first appearance so peculiarly possessed. This was succeeded by a new Pantomimic Romance, entitled "False Accusation," wherein the excellence of pantomimic action was exceeded only by the beauty of the new scenery, and the interest of the incidents. Its story is briefly as follows: Edwy and Roland are both enamoured of Marian, the daughter of Morgan, who is more inclined to favour the latter, while the daughter is unchangeably attached to the former. Edwy refused by Morgan, joins in despair a band of soldiers; and while in their company, some government des patches are taken by robbers, who, to conceal their guilt, contrive that circumstances and appearances shall criminate Edwy. He is seized, and is followed to prison by Marian, but from whence they escape by stratagem; they are again met by the robbers; and after succeeding in destroying them, the soldiers enter in pursuit of Edwy. By the declaration of a dying robber, he is proved innocent; and the piece concludes with the union of Edwy with Marian, who is resigned to him by Roland, PERFORMANCES. JUNE 8. "The Kaleidoscope, or Pay for Peeping!"-An interesting Ballet, with some very excellent dancing Dr. Brewster's optical invention, already so deservedly popular, has fur 1818. June 1 to 6. Fazio-How to write an Opera-Kouli 1818. June 22 to 27. Love, Hatred, and Revenge-How to POETRY. ON A LADY'S KALEIDOSCOPE. THE mighty tube that shares its fame With good old Galileo's name, At safe and modest distance seen, For science or for genius fit, To draw things near, like truth and wit; What seems a diamond, if you look Is some poor bauble women cram in't. 1818.1 Now ribbons of all hues are streaming, Poetry. And tho' they laugh, they still admire. cares, Fine forms, fine systems, and fine airs, Fair mistress of a gayer pow'r, AN ADDRESS* V. One common sorrow, and one general tear, From three great nations hallowed Charlotte's bier; Long shall her virtues be the theme of all, When tombs decay, and mouldering temples fall! Then let the bard another subject chuse To see each nation's eager eyes appear, Stands, laurel-crowned, THE UMPIRE OF In Europe's battle foremost of the van; And for Her triumphs on the land, or wave, The debtor's prison, or the felou's cell; life, She finds a refuge for his child and wife: And while the felon yields his forfeit breath, Brings comfort to him, in the hour of death, But of all wants, with which mankind is curst, Th' accomplish'd SCHOLAR'S are, by far, the worst For generous pride compells him to controll And hide the worm, that gnaws his very soul: Though Fortune, in her gifts to him, is blind, Nature bestows nobility of mind, sage. The studious man directs more active souls Yet there may hope anticipate, and trace, |
