ART. 12. DRAMATIC CENSOR. ROM the manner in which the Theatre FROM manner in Theatre canly totoo song replace to satire. dy cannot too soon drain her own bowl, nor During his last engagement, Mr. Cooper appeared in two new characters, Malec, and King John; the former of these he had never before personated, and the latter never before on the New-York Stage. He also ap peared in his old and admired parts of Othel ment of Mr. Cooper, compared with the thronged boxes during the exhibitions of Mr. Incledon and Phillips, we should infer that singing and songs are in much higher esteem in New-York than the most just and striking personification of the passions-the most bold and accurate delineation of character-lo, Macbeth, Hamlet, Duke Aranza, Bethe most pathetic bursts of feeling, or the fullest flow of eloquence. If the theatre is deserted when such talents as Mr. Cooper's are employed to give interest to the scene, who can hope for encouragement? And if age, wealth, fashion, youth, and beauty hurry to the play-house to drink in, with thirsty ears, the voice of the songster, no matter of how melodious and "sweet stop" his pipe may be, while the finest moral lessons, enforced in the most impressive and engaging manner, can scarcely gain a listener, where is the just taste of the city? An old poet, whose name does not seem to be in as "good odour" now a-days, as it has been in a graver age, (for he was once regarded with some admiration,) in a poem of his, entitled Paradise Lost, in describing the manner in which certain of his personages beguiled the time during a period of great disaster, has the following remark: "For eloquence the soul, song charms the sense," The inference to be drawn from this remark is too obvious to require a formal statement, especially as conscientious scruples need not be considered. But now, the good old plays, replete with thought and observation, and hung round, like the galleries of the old baronial castles, with full-length portraits of real life, where each gazer of the human family may trace some lines of likeness, and where he may learn, as he compares himself with his ancestors, how new prejudices and new opinions, which are but the costume of character, vary the general appearance and expression of what are in fact the same features-these good old plays-these transcripts of life, and true exemplars of human character are compelled to give place to caricatures of nature; to dramatic performances which, instead of being the mirrors of life, exhibit a medley of reflecting surfaces-convex and concave in which nothing is seen but distortion. If the legitimate occupants of the stage are thus compelled to surrender to melo-dramatic romances, horse-playing, and jugglers, Trage verly, Penruddock, Charles De Moore, Leon, &c. Mr. Cooper evidently improves, from year to year; we think we have never seen him play so well, notwithstanding the emptiness of the boxes, as he has at times during his recent engagement. He has become more severe and chaste in his style of acting, and consequently more natural; he has acquired the power of exhibiting passionstrong feeling;by the deepagitation of his frame and the fine workings of his face, rather than by violent contortions, and furious gesticulation. His reading, too, though always good, is in better taste than it used to be: it is as rich as ever in variety of tone and modulation, and is, at the same time, more, simple and natural. His conception, moreover, manifests a deeper insight into character, with a finer discrimination of adventitious traits, and a more philosophical and profound knowledge of the passions than we have ever discerned in him before indeed, he is an admirable actor. His Malec was well studied, and in his representation we saw nothing to mend, except, perhaps, an occasional failure of expressing his conceptions with sufficient clear-/ ness and strength;-these failures, which were few, appeared to be owing as well to the cold aspect of a thin house, as to want of practice in the public personation of the part-a part, to which we doubt not he will give universal popularity. His Mark Anthony is entitled to high commendation. In his other characters, he is so familiar to the public that it is unnecessary to say more than that he has, in most, if not in all of them, exhibited manifest improvement. As to the other performers, either because they have so much to do, in consequence of the smallness of the company-or because they do not feel an ambition sufficiently stimulating to make the labour of study pleasant-or because they do not aspire to competition with quadrupeds and mounte banks, or for some other reason, but little, if any improvement has been remarked in them. L. . ART. 13. MONTHLY SUMMARY OF POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE. EUROPE. GREAT-BRITAIN AND IRELAND. men from serving in the military or naval forces of the Spaniards, or of the Spanish Americans. There is an exception in favour of the Prince Regent, prohibiting English- those who have already entered the Spanish A PROCLAMATION has been issued by service with leave of government; but they are not to serve with the forces of his Catholic Majesty in Spanish America. The ships Dawson and Emerald, it is said, have sailed from Portsmouth, with about 250 commissioned and non-commissioned officers, to join the Spanish patriots in SouthAmerica. The ships proceed to St. Thomas'. The following comparative estimate of commitments for crime, not a little interesting. In Manchester, commitments for crime, on an average of nine years, are computed at 1 in every 140 souls; in London. 1 in 800; in Ireland, 1 in 1600; in Scotland, 1 in 20,000. A result highly creditable to Scotland. It is a singular fact, that the several lunatics in the Asylum in Castlebar, Ireland, male and female, have been taught to spin fine yarn, and are now constantly and cheerfully employed in doing so. Died.] At Claremont, on the 7th of November, 1817, in child-bed, her Royal Highness, the Princess Charlotte Augusta, daughter of his Royal Highness, the Prince Regent of England, and consort of his Serene Highness, the Prince Leopold, of Saxe-Coburg, in the 22d year of her age. She was presumptive heir to the crown of Great-Britain. FRANCE. There appears to have been much interesting and free discussion, in the Chamber of Deputies, during its recent session, on the subject of the allies and the occupation of France by the allied armies. The king, in his speech on the opening of the session, after taking notice of the death of the child of the duke of Berry, and stating that the treaty with the Pope had been concluded, and alluding to the state of the harvests, and congratulating the house on the prospect that it would not be necessary to increase the taxes to meet the expenses of the coming year, thus expresses himself in regard to the relations with the allies: "The conventions which I signed in 1815, presenting results which could not then be foreseen, have rendered a new negotiation necessary. Every thing leads me to hope, that its issue will be favourable, and that conditions far above our means will be succeeded by others more conformable to equity, to moderation, and to the possibility of sacrifices, which my people support with a constancy that can add nothmg to my love for them, but which give them new clains to my gratitude, and to the esteem of all nations. Thus, as I had the happiness of announcing to you in the course of last session, the expenses arising from the army of occupation are diminished a fifth, and the period is not far distant, when we may be permitted to hope, thanks to the wisdom and energy of my government, to the love and confidence of my people, and to the friendship of my allies, that those expenses will entirely cease; and that our country will resume among nations the rank and renown due to the valour of French men, and their noble character in adversity." A decree of the king reduces the officers of the navy so that they shall consist of-6 viceadmirals; 16 rear admirals; 20 captains of the 1st class; 40 do. of the 2d do. ; 80 do. of frigates; 40 lieutenants having rank with the chiefs of battalions; 260 lieutenants with companies; 400 ensigns, and 300 midship men. SPAIN. Ferdinand appears to be very anxious to conciliate the European powers in his favour, in reference to the contest with the colonies. His resources, however,seem to be very small, and his affairs to be growing more entangled. The inquisition is the enormous curse of the country. The bishop of Queypo, in 48 hours after he had been appointed Minister of Justice, was seized by officers of that body; and Yonidale, who was nominated Minister of Finance, was thrown into a dungeon and put to the torture as a traitor to the king. A London paper states, that the paper money of Spain was at a discount of 74 per cent. notwithstanding the new plans of finance, and the assiduity of the council of ways and means. The board of health at Alicant, under the sanction of the supreme board, has made it death for any person to land clandestinely from the coast of Africa. SWITZERLAND. The celebrated Polander, General Kosci, usko, has recently died, at Soleure. A funeral ceremony, in his honour, was performed in Paris. After the service was over, the following brief biographical sketch was circulated. "Thaddeus Kosciusko was born in Lithuania. He was educated at Warsaw, in the corps of cadets. To learn the art of war and of national defence, he went and took service in the rising states of North America. He remained there until the end of the war of independence, and there merited and ob tained the friendship of General Washington, of whom he was the companion in arms. "When the very existence of his country was menaced in 1792, Kosciusko hastened to return to it: he offered it bis services and the experience he had acquired in a country, which like Poland, fought for liberty, and had succeeded in establishing it without the sacrifice of order. He made his first campaign, as brigadier general, under the orders of Prince Joseph Poniatowski. In the second, which took place in 1794, it was he who, by the enthusiasm of national honour rallied the army; and Prince Poniatowski then placed himself under his banners. "Without funds, without magazines, without fortresses, Kosciusko maintained his army for nine months against forces infinitely superior. Poland then existed only in his camp. Devotedness made up for the want of resources, and courage supplied the deficiency of arms; but the general had imparted his noble character to all his soldiers. Like him they knew no danger, they dreaded no fatigues when the honour and liberty of Poland were depending; like him they endeavoured to lessen the sacrifices which were required of the inhabitants for national independence; and their obedience to their venerated chief was the more praiseworthy, as it was voluntary. He held his authority by no other tenure than that of his virtues. "That unequal struggle could not, however, last long. Kosciusko was overcome by superior numbers at the battle of Macieyowice. He was wounded, taken prisoner, and conducted to Russia. The Emperor Paul, on his accession to the throne, thought he could not grant the Polish nation a more acceptable favour than to restore to liberty the hero whose loss they regretted. He himself announced to Gen. Kosciusko, that his captivity was at an end. He wished him to accept, moreover, a present of 50,000 ducats of Holland; but the general refused it. Kosciusko preferred rather to depend for subsistence on the recompence to which his services in America had entitled him. "With this humble fortune, obtained in so honourable a way, he lived for a while in the United States; then in France, near Fontainebleau, in the family of Zeltner; and lastly, in Switzerland. From that time he refused to take any part in the affairs of his country, for fear of endangering the national tranquility, the offers that were made to him being accompanied with no sufficient guarantee. A fall from his horse, by which he was dragged into a precipice not far from Vevey, was the cause of his death, which took place at Soleure, the 15th of October. He was aged upwards of sixty years. He had never been married, and his family is reduced to a single nephew, who lived far distant from him. "But the Polanders all considered themselves as his children; they encompassed him with respect and love, and presented, with a degree of pride, to other nations, that model of the virtues of their country, so pure, so upright, so great at the head of an army, so modest in private life, so formidable to his ene mies in battle, so humane, so kind to the vanquished, so zealous for the glory and independence of his country." NETHERLANDS. In consequence of a disagreement between the Prince of Orange and the Minister of War, Count Goltz, the latter resigned. The king, however, refused to receive his resignation, whereupon the prince threw up all his military commissions, and appeared afterwards in the theatre in citizen's dress, and was received with great applause. This is the prince whom the late Princess Charlotte of England refused for a husband. He was chief Minister of war and commander in chief. The king is said to have ordered 100,000 florins to be advanced to the linen manufacturers to buy stock. The Dutch revenue for 1818, is calculated at 67,500,000 florins; the expenditures at 74,000,000; so that a loan will be necessary. PRUSSIA. It appears that a great society, consisting of 4000 persons, with a capital of many millions, is formed in Prussia, to promote domestic manufactures, and that British goods are subjected to a duty of 30 per cent. A letter from Paris states, that Prince Hardenberg, the Prussian Ambassador, has presented an official note, complaining of a pas sage in his majesty's speech at the opening of the session, and of the address of the chamber of deputies in reply to it. This official has excited a strong sensation in Paris, from the emphatic manner in which the Prussian minister complains of the declaration put forth respecting the treaties, and his demand of an explanation. SWEDEN. Letters from the North state that the Prince Royal of Sweden has refused permission to some Frenchmen, who were obliged to quit France, to take up their residence in Northe allied powers, by which they are comway. He reminded them of the decision of pelled to reside in Austria, Russia, or Prussia. RUSSIA. Intelligence from St. Petersburg says that the Russian Asiatic Company had acquainted the government that its latest arrivals from China brought an account of the desire of the Emperor of China to see foreign ambassadors at his court upon the same footing as they are received at the European-sparing the heads of foreign ambassadors from the nine thumps of the Ko-Ton. The present population of St. Petersburg is stated at 270,500 inhabitants including the garrison. The proportion of foreigners is estimated at 1-8th thereof. In point of numbers that capital ranks the fifth city in Europe. The following statement has been laid before his majesty, respecting the destruction of public and private buildings at Moscow, during the French invasion: Of public buildings destined for Divine Worship, there were 358, of which 348 are now restored, so as to be fit for use. time 2,567 of stone, 6,591 of wood-in all, Of dwelling houses, there were at that 9,158. On the enemy's retreat, there remained undamaged, of stone, 526, of wood, 2,100; in all, 2,626. Since that time there have been built or repaired 3,137 of stone, and 5,561 of woodin all 8,688. Of booths and shops there were 6,324 of stone, and 2,197 of wood-in all 8,521. Of these there remained undamaged, 989 of stone, and 379 of wood-in all 1,368. There have been since rebuilt or repaired 5,102 of stone, and 447 of wood-in all 5,549. The population of Moscow consists of 197,432 male inhabitants, and 114,518 females-in all 312,000 souls. TURKEY. Accounts from Pattras, under date of September 8th, state that the harvest, in the Morea, had been very abundant, and that the plague had just ceased its ravages when a new misfortune came to spread terror and desolation. On the 28th of August, about 8 o'clock in the morning, there was heard near Vos tissa, a loud detonation similar to a discharge of artillery; it was followed almost immediately by a violent agitation of the earth, which lasted about a minute and a half. the same time the sea retired to a considerable distance, leaving the vessels dry that were in the harbour. It then returned with fury, rose fifteen feet above its ordinary level, and covered with its waves an extent of land of almost an hundred feet. It then returned to its accustomed situation. At But the Cape which formed a part of the harbour of Vostissa, and was at the mouth of a river named Gaidou-roup-nietti, after having cast up a very thick smoke, sunk into the sea which near that point was very deep. The town, which contained 300 houses and some public buildings, a mosque, and several churches, was almost entirely destroyed, and 65 of the inhabitants perished in the ruins. The villages of Mourta, Dimitropouto, Lonmuri, and Temeni, near Vostissa, were also destroyed. During eight days, shocks less violent, but very frequent, succeeded this earthquake. There is still seen, half a league from Vostissa, a great space of earth covered with yellowish water, and deeply furrowed. AFRICA. ALGIERS. to penetrate into the interior of Africa. In consequence of this, Joseph Ritchie, Esq now the private secretary of Sir Charles Stuart, is selected as a person highly qualified for this undertaking. He will be appointed consul at Tripoli; and he will travel with the caravan to Tombuctoo. This, after all the unsuccessful expeditions that have taken place, promises to produce the information so much wanted. AMERICA. SPANISH AMERICA. Buenos Ayres. It will be recollected that Buenos Ayres, Chili, and Peru, co-operate in the present contest with the mother country; and that so far as the revolutionary government is established in these provinces, it is in the hands of the supreme director, Puerreydon, and the congress at Buenos Ayres. By the latest advices from these countries, it appears that the royalists are losing ground; that the patriots have recently obtained many advantages in Peru; that in Chili the question is decided in favour of the independents, and that the new government is administered with much vigour and discretion. Puerreydon, it is said, has retired for a few weeks, from the fatigues of government, on account of bad health, and Brigadier-General Asquenega supplies his place. Venezuela. A letter from Admiral Brion, dated, Augus tura, September 29th, says, "It is with the greatest satisfaction that I am enabled to date my letter from this city; the Venezuelian flag now flies triumphant on the whole of the Oronoke, whilst General Bermudaz has marched with a strong division to join Gene ral Zaraza and enter Carraccas." stroyed. Mexico. Florida. The last accounts from Mexico state, that General Mina had been taken and executed, in the vicinity of the city of Mexico; and that in celebration of that event, the city was The new Dey of Algiers is dead. He died illuminated. It is also stated, that the folon the 18th of September. This event result-lowers of Mina were either dispersed or deed from the entrance of a Hamburgh prize into port. The English Consul demanded that it should be restored, but the Dey having refused. all the consuls drew up an energetic protest, threatening to depart. This gave rise to a popular commotion. The Dey retired to the palace, but was attacked by the people and strangled. The new Dey was formerly a shoemaker. By a letter from the French Consul at Cadiz, it appears that the Algerine squadron has been making captures of vessels of different nations, Dutch, Swedish, Russian, and it is added, one English; while they professed to be looking after Prussian and Hamburgh ves sels only. TRIPOLI. It is said that the Bey of Tripoli has consented to receive a man of science and litera ture at his court, to reside there, and acquire the language and manners of the country; after which he will give him a military escort Since our last, Amelia Island has been delivered up to the forces of the United States. Aury and his men were allowed to remain until they could conveniently embark, with whatever might belong to them. They were not permitted to retain their side-arms; and were required to leave behind, when Fernandina should be evacuated, all the public property that was found at its surrender to them. PORTUGUESE AMERICA. Brazils. The Archduchess Leopoldine, wife to the hereditary prince of Portugal, has arrived at Rio Janeiro. Her arrival was hailed by the people as a very happy event; for, from her talents and amiable character, it was anticipated that she would be instrumental in sof tening the rough nature of the prince, from which the Brazilians appear to think they have much to fear. 1 1 A new commercial regulation, a tariff, with considerable increase of duties, was to be - established on the 1st of November, by which the same amount of duties on tonnage would be exacted, as is paid by the Portuguese in countries to which the vessels arriving belong. The Portuguese still hold possession of Monte-Video, but make no progress, and the British government, it is said, have ordered all their officers, in the Portuguese service, employed in that expedition, to retire. BRITISH AMERICA. Canada. Y The citizens of Quebec have petitioned the provincial Legislature for an incorporation of that city, by which the government shall be vested in a common council, consisting of a Mayor and twelve Aldermen-the Mayor and Aldermen to have no salary, and any person duly qualified, who shall be elected Mayor, and shall refuse to serve, to pay a fine of £500, an alderman in like manner refusing, a fine of £250. A spring of Saline water has been discovered near the village of St. Catherines, which has proved by experiment to produce salt of a very excellent quality. Among the exports from Lower Canada, during the year 1817, were 109.071 cwt. ashes; 145,660 bushels wheat; 38.047 bbls. flour; 10,477 bushels flaxseed; 350,000 skins, furs; 36,023 pieces masts, spars and other timbers; 1,897,446 pieces staves and heading; and 1,955 bbls. pork. Among the imports were, 1,125,848 gallons rum; 44,660 gallons brandy; 12,616 gallons gin; 225,000 gallons wine; 2,310,967 lbs. muscovado, and 609,170 lbs. refined sugar; 35,995 lbs. coffee; #254.248 lbs. tea; 186,247 minots salt; 376, 634 lbs. leaf tobacco, and merchandise pay. ing an advalorem duty of 6 1-2 per cent. of the value of 672,8761. The number of vessels which entered was #332, of 77,115 tons, and with 3,629 men. Cleared, 334 vessels, 76.559 tons, 3, 950 men. * UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. SENATE. Monday, Dec. 22. The Senate was principally occupied with Executive business, which is always acted upon with closed doors. Tuesday, Dec. 23. Nothing of importance occured during this day's session. Wednesday, Dec. 24. The resolution proposed by Mr. Dickerson, for amending the constitution, so as to provide for the election of representatives and electors in the several states, by districts, was read a second time, and committed to Messrs. Dickerson, King, Daggett, Macon, and Stokes, to consider and report thereon. The senate adjourned to Monday. Monday, Dec. 29. Mr. Tait offered the following motion for consideration : Resolved, That the committee on the militia be instructed to inquire into the expediency of augmenting the pay of the militia when called into the service of the United States. Tuesday, Dec. 30. The motion submitted by Mr. Tait yesterday was called up and agreed to. The bill to provide for certain surviving officers and soldiers of the revolutionary army was received from the house of representatives, and passed to a second reading. Mr. Daggett submitted the following resolution for consideration. Resolved, That the president of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before the senate a statement of the proceedings which may have been had under the act of congress, passed the 3d of March, 1817, entitled an act to set apart and dispose of certain public lands for the encouragemeut of the cultivation of the vine and olive." Also, that the president be requested to give to the senate such information as he may possess in relation to any location of land, or settlement made by any individuals under the aforesaid act. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Mr. Burrill submitted for consideration the following motion: Resolved, That the committee to whom was referred the petition of the committee of the Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends at Baltimore, be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the laws of the United States on the subject of the African slave trade, as more effectually to prevent said trade from being carried on by citizens of the United States, under foreign flags; and also into the expediency of the United States, taking measures, in concert with other nations, for the entire abolition of said trade. Friday, Jan. 2. Mr. Burrill's motion submitted on Wednesday last, to inquire into the expediency of amending the laws prohibiting the African Slave Trade, and of taking measures in concert with other nations for its entire abolition, was taken up, and after an interesting debate, in which the mover, Messrs. Troup, King, and Campbell were engaged, the consideration of the resolution was postponed to Monday. Monday, Dec. 5. Mr. Burrill's resolution, in respect to the Slave Trade, was on his motion further postponed to Monday next. Tuesday, Jan 6. No public business of importance was transacted in the senate this day. Wednesday, Jan. 7. Mr. Campbell submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, That the committee on military affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of requiring, by law, the nominations of Agents to Indian tribes, to be submitted to the Senate for their consent and approbation, in like manner as nominations of other officers now are. Thursday, Jan. 3. The resolution proposed yesterday by Mr. Campbell was taken up, and after some desultory remarks and propositions to amend it, the consideration of it was postponed till to-morrow. Friday, Jan. 9. The resolution of Mr. Campbell was taken up, and after receiving |