Morillo's treachery has enabled the French to advance to Cadiz ; otherwise it argues nothing as to the result of the struggle, for no great revolution ever took place without producing numerous instances of such treason. The Pisistratidæ at Athens had their partisans; Brutus found his son a traitor to his country in favour of Tarquin; America had her Arnold, France had her Pichegru, her Dumourier, her Georges, and her Moreau; and England in both her revolutions of 1645 and 1668, had traitors to the cause of freedom. We must not, therefore, be surprized if Spain is often betrayed during the contest, nor must we argue from such treason that her cause is hopeless.

The French are now in a critical situation. In Catalonia, the balance of the war is against them. In Valencia they are still weaker, and their arms have not as yet penetrated into Mercia or Granada. They possess no one fortified town between the Pyrenees and the straits of Gibraltar; and their blockading force at Cadiz is 110 leagues from Madrid, and 220 leagues from France, with mountainous provinces in their rear, and a population entirely hostile to them. They are attempting moreover to blockade Cadiz by land, with one-fifth of the force that Napoleon found inadequate to that object; and they are endeavouring to blockade it by sea, with less than one tenth of the naval force which the late Earl St. Vincent and the most able of our officers have always found requisite for the purpose. The smallest reverse, or even a delay of expected success, will, therefore, be of most disastrous consequences; and if the Spaniards persevere and evince their ordinary

spirit and patriotism, the French will infallibly be ruined, and we shall witness a proof, that "God giveth not the battle to the strong, but to the righteous."

The Turks are preparing for renewed efforts against the Greeks; but we trust that we have no reason to fear the issue of the contest. The Greek representatives, to the number of more than 60, have assembled in Congress, and their legislative and executive government are sufficiently well organized to give consistency and unity to their measures of defence.

The Sovereigns of the Congress at Verona have evinced their determination to persevere in their system of suppressing every symptom of liberty, even in countries, in the affairs of which they can have no possible right to interfere. They have peremptorily ordered the suppression of a free newspaper in the independent kingdom of Wirtemberg, and they have as peremp. torily directed the Swiss to refuse an asylum to any refugees of other countries, as well as to suppress certain of their free publications. If these potentates can thus interfere, and dictate in the internal concerns of one independent state; they can upon the same principle interfere in the concerns of all, and thus ability to resist, and not political justice, will be the only guide of their conduct. This system of aggression, like that of Napoleon's, may at length be carried to the point of rousing the people of all Europe to resistance; and it appears to us to be likely to be soon carried to that extent that will reduce Great Britain to the alternative of war, or of absolute dishonour and loss of political character and influence.

Corradino, a warlike Prince, has a strong aversion to the female sex: Matilda is determined to conquer his prejudices, and soften his iron heart. By her personal charms, aided by courage and perseverance, she succeeds, and the haughty soldier falls at her feet. But afterwards his suspicions of her sincerity and fidelity are excited, and he orders her, in a very unceremonious manner, to be drowned, directing Isidoro to be her executioner; he, how ever, secretes Matilda, at the same time telling Corrudino that she is sacrificed to his vengeance. The latter soon discovers her innocence,and thereupon becoming frantic with renewed love and bitter remorse determines to partake her watery grave. Just as he is about to throw himself from a bridge into the stream she appears, when, instead of plunging into the water, he leaps into her arms, and the affair ends, or is sup. posed to end, as these things always should terminate. The period and the scene of action are neither of them mentioned or indicated.-The writing of the opera, by Sig. Giacomo Ferretti, is above the ordinary run of such pro ductions, and the story, though suffi ciently flimsy, is interesting, and amusingly told. The music is like that of all Rossini's preceding operas-it is plentifully pillaged from himself and others, and is more of an ingenious cento than an original production. But, although it wants originality, it is very spirited, and cleverly adapted to the business of the opera. The concerted pieces are the most finished, and extremely effective. We have seen few operas so well performed in every re. spect. Mad. de Begnis, by her acting, to say nothing of her skill and her delightful voice, keeps up a lively inter est throughout; all the other parts are efficiently sustained. Mad. Vestris, in Edoardo, acted and sang delightfully: a plaintive air in the first act, Ah, perche, perche, la morte, was her happiest effort. Signor di Begnis' broad farce is a very perfect specimen of the buffo style of acting. The opera was well received throughout, and having been considerably and judiciously cur

tailed, promises to be popular. We are glad to be able to add, that Mad. de Begnis's benefit must have been very productive. The pit and gallery were remarkably full, and not more than five or six of the boxes were unoccupied at the end of the first act—a flattering but just tribute to the merits of the excellent performer, to whom the receipts of the evening were appropriated.

Nothing else worth remarking upon has taken place at this elegant place of amusement since our last publication; but we cannot close our short account this month, without adverting to the prevalent report, that Mr. Ebers will resign the management after the present season. Should this take place, we hope the management will not fall into the sole controul of a Committee; we are of opinion, that no establishment whatever, which is to depend for its support, on pecuniary encouragement, can ever flourish unless under the immediate direction of a single individual to whom the profit or loss of the concern is of paramount import ance. We would rather see it again under the management of Mr. Ebers, or some other competent individual, and that he would, imitating the spi rited and liberal conduct of Mr. Elliston, engage the best performers and beautify the interior: he would then be certain of that encouragement and remuneration, which must always be the reward of great and judicious exertions in a country so full of opulence and refined taste as England. We fear that Mr. Ebers has been too much cramped in his exertions, this season, by circumstances over which he had not sufficient controul. In poor or despotic countries it may be proper to make the Italian Opera a government or aristocratical concern; in a free country endued with good taste and blessed with opulence, these speculations should always be more or less under the controul of one individual, whose good sense would teach him that his own interest and that of the Proprietors and the public are one and indivisible; this conviction would

secure success.

THIS elegant and highly improved theatre closed a most successful season on the 30th ult.; and we never had a more gratifying task to perform, than that of recording the manly and liberal address spoken on that occasion by Mr. Terry, on behalf of the lessee, Mr.

Elliston; whose talents as a manager, great and splendid as the last season has proved them to be, are fully equalled by the liberality of sentiment and just feeling exhibited in the following address. We sincerely hope, that he may meet in Covent-garden theatre a rival

fully equal to his powers, and that the race for popular favour may be so well contested, that, when we have again the opportunity of reviewing their renewed exertions, we may be compelled to withhold the palm of victory from both, deciding the race to be, in the language of sportsmen, a dead heat. The following, which must ever remain an honourable testimony to Mr. Elliston, is a copy of the address we allude

to:

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, "Although the manager availed him self of the opportunity on his own night to offer a general acknowledgment of the kindness and liberality with which he has this season been supported, he deemed it necessary that a more official farewell should be given to the public upon the closing evening of a season so eminently successful.

"For this reason, Ladies and Gen. tlemen, I have been deputed to repeat, in the most respectful and the most earnest manner, the high sense of gra. titude which he entertains for the pas tronage he has experienced, and to reassure you that his vigilance shall not sleep, nor his labours relax to make the ensuing season equally, if not more deserving of your favour.

"Convinced as he is, and as he then took the liberty of expressing himself, that the actor's art is never so truly advanced as by the combination of

various talents, and that the brightest genius that adorns the stage shines only the brighter when reflecting the lights of surrounding excellence, he is determined that every thing like talent he can possibly assemble together, neither pains nor expense shall be spared to collect. Wherever established merit can be found and obtained, it shall be sought and secured; and every possible encouragement shall be given to ripen all such as give the slightest promise of future excellence.

"He also bids me assure you, Ladies and Gentlemen, that, with a fair, and open, and honourable rivalry, the splendid and liberal exertion of the sister theatre shall be only regarded by him as perpetual stimulants to do more and more to deserve and win your favour; for, where a race for the meed of public approbation is to be run, he feels that nothing is more cheering, more animating, and gratifying, than to have, (as he has) a generous competitor to run against.

"These are the sentiments by which he is impressed, and by which he pledges himself to shape his conduct to the public; and I have now nothing more to add, Ladies and Gentlemen, than the sincere and heartfelt gratitude of all the performers for your kindness, and humbly and respectfully to offer you my own, and, till the first of October, to bid you all farewell."

On the 30th ult., being the last night of performance for the season, the following address was delivered by Mr. Fawcett, and we have great pleasure in presenting it to our readers, as it gives a clear and unequivocal pledge of the great improvements to be effected in the interior of the house during the recess; we most sincerely wish that these improvements will prove as beneficial to the proprietors as they are likely to be attractive to the public; in fact, the one proposition implies the other.

" LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, "This being the last night of the season, I appear to pay that tribute of respect which custom has made to me a pleasing duty.

"The proprietors, Ladies and Gentlemen, return their thanks to the public, I will not say for a most prosperous season, but for one very far from disastrous, considering the diffi

culties with which they have had to contend. These difficulties have arisen from circumstances, not under their controul, the proprietors trust that their patrons will allow them full credit for the exertions which they have made to overcome them.

"The recess will be employed in procuring novelties for the ensuing season, as well as embellishing the interior of the theatre, and making such alterations as shall be thought conducive to the general comfort and accomdation of the public.

"To the thanks of the proprietors, Ladies and Gentlemen, the performers beg to add their's, and with the superaddition of the grateful acknowledgements of your humble servant, until the first of October, we most respectfully bid you farewell."

The present season has certainly proved an arduous contest for the proprietors of this theatre, and we are happy to

find by the above address that, although they may have left the field with some loss, they are not dispirited, and are determined to make adequate preparation for the next campaign. We hope they will not forget the old adage, fas est et ab hoste doceri. Let them not only embellish the interior, and provide new materiel, but concentrate all the talent they can procure, and call it into action as much as possible. Let no petty jealousies among performers be allowed to obstruct the general prosperity; and we hope that Mr. Charles Kemble will not suffer his urbanity of manners and desire of conciliation, (which he may be anxious to exercise as a proprietor,) to neutralize the exertion of his more important duties as a manager, which can never be properly fulfilled if he suffers his authority to be relaxed and his theatrical throne divided.-The STARS of this theatre are now running their eccentric courses in various directions, with the exception of Mr. C. Kemble, who alone is enjoying that for which all good men labour, the otium cum dignitate. Mr. Macready has been playing at Birmingham; (his native place, we believe.) Miss M. Tree is delightfully warbling, in the Emerald Isle, to the fair daughters of Erin. Miss Paton and Miss Chester are gathering fresh laurels at the Hay-market; and that only living favourite of Melpomene, Miss F. H. Kelly, has been playing with great success at Liverpool, and is now on her way to Scotland on a theatrical tour: à-propos of this lady; a contemporary critic says, that "she has the misfortune to be troubled with a number of officious friends, who insinuate that her great talents are kept back from envy; that the managers have treated her shamefully; and that those who have done every thing for her in the way of tuition, have deserted and decried her powers." We have no hesitation in saying, that we believe this statement to be substantially, if not literally correct. Her great talents have been kept back; the managers

have not treated her well; and the tutor, who appears to be the god of this critic's idolatry, did desert her on a very trying occasion. If we are called upon to prove these assertions, we will do it most fully, for we never advance any thing without having sufficient proof; in the interim it will be sufficient perhaps to hint at a few circumstances, "That her great talents have been kept back," is sufficiently proved by her never being allowed to act any character but Juliet previous to her benefit, although it is well known she constantly requested it. The desertiou of those who tutored her is proved by the insult cast upon her when she went to the rehearsal of Julian; those, who tutored her, should on that occasion have protected her, for they were in possession of despotic power, and made use of it, (as despots too often do,) to disgrace a favourite and place an unworthy rival in her place. We will leave this subject for the present; if we read any more aspersions on Miss Kelly's friends, we will introduce our readers into a gallery of theatrical curiosities; one of which, by way of bon boucke, we will treat our readers with to shew what officious friends the tutors of Miss Kelly have; surely her friends cannot be either so officious or so stupidly fulsome? The following passage is extracted from a late Birmingham publication, whether it was inserted with or without authority we leave to those who are learned in the knowledge of internal evidence to determine.

"Virginius conducts his child to the forum. Here again the actor (Macready) surpasses himself; Kemble as Coriolanus, Kean as Richard; the grandeur of the one and the passion of the other are blended to form one perfect whole; to establish one PURE SPECIMEN OF THE TRAGIC ART! After this, let us not hear of officious friends. Have our readers heard of the dedication prefixed to Julian, of which, it is reported, the reputed author is heartily ashamed?"

We have visited this delightful little Theatre several times during the past mouth, and the prophecy we made in our last number we find completely verified. We foretold that this Theatre would prove a very attractive place of amusement this season. The house is literally crammed every night, and the proprietor is greatly indebted to Mr,

Kenny's new comedy, or rather comic opera, for brilliant and numerous audiences. Mr. Kenny's new comedy is called Sweethearts and Wives, and fully maintains the high reputation of that gentleman; for although it is not remarkable for original character, it abounds in variety and interest, and the denouement is happily developed.

Admirul Franklyn has determined on marrying his son Charles to his niece Laura; the latter, however, on his travels, has become enamoured of Eugenia, the daughter of Mr. Mel bourne, an early friend of the Admiral, but with whom, in the impetuosity of his youth, he had quarrelled. Laura, on her part, has also proved unfaithful, and yielded her heart to the addresses of Sandford. Charles with his wife lands at Southampton; the Admiral, who is an invalid, is lodging there at an hotel, during the completion of a villa which he is building. There Eugenia is introduced as a chambermaid, and as the landlady's niece, and in this character steals on the Admiral's affections. He is still résolute, however, for marrying the two cousins, who on their part are in the greatest fear of making each other miserable. A scene' of explanation ensues between them, which ends to their mutual satisfaction, and they part in such tokens of joy at discovering their mutual release, as to leave an equivocai impression on the minds of Sandford and Eugenia, and set them in a ferment of jealousy. The meeting of Charles and his wife is at length detected by the Admiral, who insists on Mrs. Bell sending away her niece, and securing the repose of his family. A critical scene follows between Eugenia and the Admiral, during which his feelings are strongly wrought upon. A disclosure of the truth is then madethe truants are forgiven-and all parties mutually reconciled. There is a comic Episode, depicting the loves and sorrows of Billy Lack-a-day, a sențimental waiter and a young Foundling, who is perplexed betweeu his two sweet-hearts, and discovers a father he has been long yearning to find in an old servant of Sandford.

The performers in general acquit themselves with great credit, and receive deserved applause, but of all the personages included in this sketch, the most ludicrous is Billy Lack-a-day, whose utterance of plaintive sentiments in cockney English keeps up the laugh whenever he appears. Liston's power of countenance is well known, and perhaps it never was more successfully exerted. Terry, in the old Admiral, is truly excellent also; and though not equal in comic power to Liston, he sustains his character with great ability. Vining, in the character of Charles, supports his rising reputation, and we think he will prove a great acquisition to the London Theatres in genteel comedy. Madame Vestris, we were happy to see in a character suited to her sex, and our distant readers will be, perhaps, surprised to hear that she now appears in petticoats; this is almost a novelty. This charming actress, who, for acting and singing conjoined, has no competitor, except at the Italian opera, has been too often degraded by being obliged to act in male attire, as disgusting to true taste' as it is derogatory to her high talents.' In Sweethearts and Wives she appears in a female character, and displays her elegance in dress, her personal attractions, her vocal powers, and her arch vivacious acting, so as to make new conquests and confirm the old. Although we have not room to mention all the performers in this play, (for they all supported their characters with success) we cannot omit to mention Miss Chester, for we have praised her repeatedly, and feel a conscientious pleasure in finding that she confirms our approbation by repeatedly deserving it. We know not which to admire most, her acting or her person, our heart inclines to the one and our head to the other; fascinating and beautiful as her person is, her acting is, if possible, more attractive; for she is certainly the most charming actress of the day in sprightly and vivacious comedy. The musick is very creditable to the united talents of Messrs. Whitaker, Nathan, T. Cooke, and Perry. All the lovers of genteel comedy, of excellent acting, and of good musick would do well to pay their earliest devoirs to Sweethearts and Wives.

THIS theatre, after having been considerably beautified and improved, opened for the summer season on the Eur. Mag. July, 1823.

2nd inst. Gas lamps round the boxes have been substituted for elegant cutglass chandeliers; the columns have

M