irresistible provocatives oozing out of the character, and not strained by the actor. This requires peculiar nicety of discernment: On this evening, owing to the indisposition of Mr. Dowton, the part was undertaken at a very short notice by every body's favorite, little Knight: he is naturally comic, and displayed a chaste knowledge of his author, receiving the well-earned applause of a very crowded audience. Mrs. Glossop, late Miss Fearon, or the English Catalani, undertook the part of Clara, in compliment to the memory of the author. This lady combiacs voice with acquired talent, and is an actress whom we may be permitted to admire. Mrs. T. Cooke did not very well look the love-inspiring Louisa, bat she sang with taste and execution. A duet was very indecorously introduc ed, to display the united powers of this lady and her husband: it was, to be sure, universally encored; but the ocrasion of the play ought to have preserved the text from violation. The remaining cast was strong, and the curtain fell amid general applause.

SEPT. 14. ** Lovers Vows." This play introduced two new persons to the London boards: Mr. Bencough, from Bath, as the Baron Wildenhaim; and Mrs. Kuight, from York, as the interesting Agatha Fribourg. Their reception was most flattering, and their claims powerful. Mr. Beucough possesses a manly countenance, which, in impassioned scenes, exhibits traits of superior capabilities. On discovering his son in the robber whom he is about to condemu, the sudden transition from steru authority to parental emotion was exquisitely pourtrayed. His action may be improved by being less violent: but, on the whole, we congratulate the lovers of the drama on his engagement. Mrs. Kuight possesses fine animated features, which are beautifully lighted up by penetrating eyes. Her stature is rather below the middle size: her voice is full toned, and capable of variety: it was sweetly in unison with the modulations of sensibility throughout that painful scene, in which she discloses to a beloved son the secret that long had preyed up on her repentant heart. She commupicated the anguish of a mother revealing her shame to a son, and trembling

Mr. Rac

for the sentence he might pass on her expiated frailty, to every bosom in the house. Her pathos was felt every where, and was by all acknowledged. gave her every support. Frederick is decidedly one of his best modern characters: it is replete with filial tenderness and nobility of mind. At the scene wherein he discloses his birth to his father, de displayed a most dignified ab horrence of the cruelties of his mother's sufferings, and subsequently advocated her wrongs with the purest ar dour of a virtuous mind struggling in the noblest cause of humanity. Mr. Wallack's Pastor is a very chaste piece of acting throughout; independently of which, he looks the handsome youth that might captivate the artless Amelia. We are not defending the morality of this play when we assert that Mrs. Mardyn is precisely the German child of nature intended to be personated by Kotzebue: the beauty of her person, the freedom of her manners, the voluptuousness of her mind, are in strict character she plays Amelia divinely.—The present cast will, we think, give popu larity to the piece throughout the sea

son.

SEPT. 21. "A New Way to Pay Old Debts." After what has been engraven on the presented cup, language is robbed of all its hyperboles of praise. We have only therefore to remark, that Mr. Kean lost none of his popularity in this repetilion of Sir Giles Overreach. So far as Modesty and Compliment may go hand in hand, we believe we were among the foremost of his candid admirers at his first presentation of this arduous character.* Mrs. Knight, as Lady Allworth, was elegant and interesting.

"The Critic." Dowton's Sir Fretful Plagiary was occasionally very fine. Nothing can exceed his affected calm suddenly bursting with the violence of repressed passion, and his manner of speaking of his d-d good-natured friends is irresistibly comic. Harley was not quite at home in Puff. Oxberry is the quintessence of burlesque in Don Whiskerandos; but Mrs Orger was unequal to the bombast of Tilburina.

*Vide Eurap. Magazine, Vol. LXIX. p. 55.

Sept. 7. School for Scandal-Who's Who.

10. Ditto-The Devil to Pay.
12. Duenna-What Next.
14. Lovers Vows-Who's Who,
17. Duenna-Past Ten o'Clock.

Europ. Mag. Fol. LXX. Sept. 1816.

SEPT. 9. "Pizarro." Mrs. Egerton's Elvira is one of her ablest performances. We hope to see her keep possession of the character. The other parts are sustained with the wonted superiority of Young, C. Kemble, &c. SEPT. 13. "The Wonder." This Comedy will always maintain its rank on the stage. It is replete with ingenuity of plot and all the et ceteras of stage effect. It was produced this evening for the purpose of displaying Miss Boyle in the difficult character of Violante; and, notwithstanding her excessive embarrassment, at a first appearance on any stage, we do not attach temerity to her attempt. On the contrary she appeared extremely well read in her author, and possesses all the advantages of a genteel figure, with small but expressive features. Her voice is soft and clear, and her utterance distinct; perhaps too much so. She has the air, smile, and archness essential to genteel comedy; and, when released from her terrors, will be a real acquisition to that line of acting so much wanted at this house. She never, under her various perplexities with Don Felix, lost sight of the dignity of her sex, or receded from the demeanour of a lady of good sense and good breeding. The Spanish Dancers followed, for the second time, in the Divertisse. ment of the Seraglio. The bolero by Señor Luengo and the Señoras Ramos was better received than on the first evening. We are not, however, in love with their dancing.

SEPT. 16. "The Distressed Mother." It is difficult to write a fair criticism on the merits of a performer when we dislike the piece itself, in which his character is most prominent. The revival of this play would be more honoured in the breach than the observance." It is founded on the French model: it is destitute of passion; it possesses no claim to grandeur of sentiments; and even the principal character is marked by cold, heavy, and declamatory rant, which give few opportunities for display of intellectual excellence. The mad scene of Orestes has ever been considered as one of the greatest tests of the theatric art-it was the distinguishing trial of skill on the Greek and Roman boards; and we presume Mr. Macready

was announced in this character to steer clear of prejudices, and to give a fair specimen of the actor's abilities, without reference to the line of business in which no one by the Idol dare venture to appear. Whatever the motive, however, it is but justice to say, Mr. Macready acquitted himself with considerable talent, and occasionally elicited sparks of genius of a superior order. He possesses gracefulness of action-and his voice is capable of expressing with effect the ener gy of love or the fury of despair. We fear, however, this gentleman will never attain that eminence, to which study, genius,and judgment would otherwise raise him :'tis true, he possesses these qualifications

but his face is devoid of expressionand, tho' his eye is sometimes full of fire, the vacuity of his countenance lessens the illusion; so that we lose sight of the character, and only recog nize the man. In one scene, Mr. Macready was particularly great: Pyrrhus once destroyed, Hermione may be his, After an internal struggle, Orestes consents, sooner than lose the idol of his best affections, to become an assassin : he accomplishes his bloody purpose; but is received by his mistress with execrations instead of affectionate endearments: in these extremes of love raised to the highest pinnacle of hope, and then hurled to the lowest gulf of despair, Mr. Macready proved himself perfect master of his subject. He was vehemently applauded throughout.- Mr. C. Kemble, in Pyrrhus, was every thing he ought to be. Mrs. Glover, late of Drury Lane, was rapturously greeted on her entrée in the character of Andromache: and tho' we had rather see this lady in the train of Thalia than in that of Melpomene, she received that applause which talents like her's must always ensure from a discriminating audience. Mrs. Egerton played the part of Hermione with encreased claims to approbation: this lady is evidently rissing in public estimation.- On the whole, however, the tragedy went off very heavily.

SEPT. 18. Mr. Connor, from the Theatre Royal Dublin, made his first appearance this evening in the character of Sir Patrick Macguire in the

Sleep Walker." This Gentleman is sometimes too hurried in his articula

AUG. 24." The Fair Deserter." Very short, and might have been shorter. The plot turns on the old pivot of duping an old guardian, and ends in the union of the lovers. Tokeley was the spirit of the piece: his Trap, in this sketch, whether as the artful lacquey, the drunken cook, or the blustering officer, was excellent. The author, who has introduced a few jests and some humour, is indebted to the performers for the success it experienced.

SEPT. 13. "The Critic." The representation of this piece on Saturday, July 13, afforded Mr. Jones, in the character of Puff, an opportunity of paying a just compliment to the memory of its distinguished author. The repetition of the same piece on this evening afforded that gentleman an opportunity of announcing with effect the important news received in the course of the day in the following terms. I have then (said Mr. Jones) to make some comments on the intelligence this day received from Lord Exmouth, of the glorious and complete success of our expedition against the Algerines: their town destroyed, their fleet annihilated, and their Prince obliged to sue for terms. The result of this, I trust, will convince the world of the humanity as well as bravery of the English nation, who, having so gloriously toiled to destroy the galling chains of African slavery, has

1816.

now by the thunder of her guns, permanently ensured the liberty of our Christian brethren.

SEPT. 14. After a very successful season, both as to novelty for the town and emolument for the Proprietors, this Theatre closed for the benefit of Mr. Russell. On dropping the curtain on "A Chip of the old Block," Mr. Terry came forward, and addressed the house as follows:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am deputed by the Proprietors of this theatre to offer you their most cordial thanks for the patronage with which you have honoured them during their very short season. They lament that the increased and increasing specula tions of higher theatrical powers, whose influence, at present, must regulate their motions, so very much curtail the period of exertion, on this spot, to merit your favour. But one material ingredient in theatres should be WIT; and brevity, we are told is the soul of it: if so, the Proprietors HERE should feel particularly obliged to their neighbours for rendering this seat of dramatic exhibition wittier and wittier every year. The Performers, Ladies and Gentlemen, beg permission to join with the Proprietors in expressions of gratitude for your encouragement; and we most respectfully bid you farewell,

7816.

Sept. 12. Exit by Mistake-The Wedding DayThe Travellers Benighted.

13. Exit by Mistake-kival Soldiers-The ' Critic.

1816.

Sept. 14. A Chip of the Old Rlock-Exit by Mi take-The Dead Alive. 15. Closed.

SEPT. 2. "Two words; or, the Silent not Dumb." The want of novelty in this piece is fully compensated by the fine acting of Miss Kelly. She gives eloquence to the occasional repetition of two words in a way that surpasses and delights. The piece is always well received.

SEPT. 16. "Free and Easy;" a new comic opera. The incidents of this bagatelle are simple and well arranged; the dialogue light and spirited; the songs numerous, but not very poetical: this deficiency, however, is amply compensated by delightful music, which displays considerable taste and judgment. Mr. Courtly, a gentleman somewhat advanced in years, marries a young and lovely woman; and, not choosing to brave the dangers of fashionable dissipation, he retires to enjoy the sweels of solitude. In this reteat, however, he is intruded on by an eccentric young beau of fashion, Sir John Freeman, who is in love with Eugenia, Courtly's sister; and who hopes to obtain his consent to his union. Eugenia, it seems had extorted a promise from her lover not to reveal his acquaintance with her:

1816.

Aug. 27. Beggar's Opera-Shipwreck.

his difficulties are increased, and his hopes nearly frustrated, by Courtly's displeasure at his free and easy manners, as well as by imbibing an unfortunate jealousy on hearing Sir John recite some verses addressed to his lady as a irthday gratulation. To clear a space ia the shrubbery for the celebration of a fête in honour of the Lady, Sir John cuts down trees, plunders the green house for exotics, demolishes a summer house, and removes the statue of Thomson, Courtly's favorite poet. These outrages almost drive him to despair: but Eugenia happily arrives, and dispels his illusion. The discovery puts the old gentleman in good hun our; who not only consents to the marriage, but suffers the fête to proceed. This gives an opportunity for a magnificent display. of fire works, which terminates the piece.-On the whole, this proved an agreeable entertainment; and, united with the talents of Bartlay, Wrench, Chatterley, and Miss Kelley, it will doubtless prove a favorite. It was received throughout, and announced for repetition, with shouts of approbation,

28. One o'Clock-Harlequin Hoax.
29. Castle of Andalusia-Ditto.
30. Village Trick-Turn Out-Boarding House.
91. Maid and the Magpie-Quaker-Is HeJea-
lous.

Sept. 2. My Aunt-Two Words, or the Silent not

Dumb-Shipwreck.

3. Two Words-The Quaker.

4. Beehive-Two Words-Harlequin Hoax. 5. How to Die for Love-Two Words-Is He Jealous.

6. Ditto-Ditto-Harlequin Hoax.

7. Maid and the Magpie-Village Trick-Two

Words.

9. Rich and Poor-Two Words.

10. The Devil's Bridge-Ditto

11. The Maid and the Magpie-Village Trick -Ditto.

1816.

Sept. 12. One o'Clock-Two Words.

IS. Two Words-Is He Jealous-Harlequin
Hoax.

14. Turn Out-Animated Portrait-Two Words,
16. Free and Easy-Village1 rich-Two Words.
17. Ditto-Two Words,

18. Two Words-Vil age Trick-Free and Fasy 19. Ditto-Animated Portrait-Free and Easy. 20. One o'Clock-Free and Easy.

21. The Maid and the Magpie-Sharp and Flat-Free and Easy.

23. How to Die for Love-Free and EasyQuadrupeds.

24. Sharp and Flat-Two Words-Free and Easy.

25. Devil's Bridge-Ditte.

26. Two Words-Free and Easy - Quadru peds.

ROYAL

AUG. 26. "The Dog and Duck; or, Harlequin the Obelisk." We cannot better describe this comic pantomime than by repeating the programme, as published by the Proprietor. "It commences with the Court of Care, held on the ruins of the Dog and Duck, which is changed by Momus to the Regions of

CIRCUS.

Mirth, situated in St. George's Fields; where, after a number of surprising, incredible, and perfectly unnatural adventures, the Dramatis Persona are safely conducted to the Pavilion of Pleasure in the Surrey Theatre." The scenery is good, the tricks new, and the whole went off with considerable eclat. We have

CUPID AT SCHOOL.

But now busy sages to grammar have, tied 'em,

And lovers, alas! must have Dilworth beside 'em.

Ye growling grammarians!--ye frost-bitten elves,

Who make, like noun-substantives, much of yourselves,

Until I come kindly and teach you a Q,
No cypher stands single so oddly as U!
But when a fair dame my omnipotence
mocks,

And flies from my throne to an old writingbox,

The box, like Pandora's, unbidden shall ope,

While Love in the corner sits laughing with Hope."

Grave Hymen replied-" For myself, I profess

I must leave off my business, or buy a new dress:

This old saffron silk for a thousand years

worn

See, Cupid, how short 'tis-how faded and torn!

Good old-fashion'd dames, when too threadbare it grew,

'Could line and embroider and trim it anew; But wits, bards, and beauties, tho often they rend it,

Have never yet found the right method to mend it.

The Graces repair it sometimes but I hear They have not been seen here for more

than a year: Pray, 'Cupid, inquire for Dame Industry's cell;

She'll spin ine a robe while she learns you to spell."