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EUROPEAN MAGAZINE,

AND

LONDON REVIEW,

FOR JANUARY, 1818.

MEMOIR OF

MISS STEPHENS,

OF THE THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN.

[WITH A PORTRAIT, ENGRAVED BY HENRY MEYER, FROM AN ORIGINAL PAINTING BY G. H. HARLOWE, ESQ.]

I'

MUSIC the fiercest grief can charm,
And Fate's severest rage disarm:
Music can soften pain to ease,
And make despair and madness please!
Of Orpheus now no more let Poets tell,
To bright Cecilia greater power is given
His numbers raised a shade from Hell,
Her's lift the soul to Heaven!

the enthusiasm of public patronage, and public favour, offers any adequate criterion of professional excellence, few performers are more distinguished than the fair subject of this brief Memoir,-few are more deservedly popular from their superiority of talent, and few, if any, with a purer feeling, blend the various duties of public exertion, with the retired graces of domes tic propriety, and the fire-side virtues of private decorum.

The present is the age of British liberality; and there never was a period in our history in which native talent has met with encouragement and patronage equal to that of the existing era. That native talent is worthy of such favour, there are few hardy enough to deny; and that the encouragement is adequate to those claims, will perhaps also be admitted; yet is it still asserted,

POPE.

that the deficiency of former patron. age was more owing to a want of genius and of practice, than to any unwillingness on the part of the public to reward excellence. Perhaps, however, it will be carer the truth to acknowledge that improvement has taken place on both sides; and that the candidates for approbation, and the bestowers of applause, have mutually improved each other, so that the advance of taste, science, and execution, have been reciprocal. In these observations we allude more particularly to the elegant arts; for, in severer studies and practice, Britain has long been pre-eminent. Long has she improved the mental and aided the corporeal powers of human lifeshe now adorns it!-and in the ornamental department of human existence, there is, perhaps, no branch of science more improved than that of music.

If Italy, from climate and circumstance, has naturally a musical advantage over other countries, still we see that British genius and perseverance can adopt similar advantages, and make them her own;-from every clime we cull every sweet, and the rose, the lily, and the nightingale, bloom and warble as in their native groves.

Of the youthful candidate for fame, whose resemblance embellishes our present Number, much biographical anecdote cannot be expected; the dramatic heroines of the present day are of a deportment and a conduct very different from the greater part of those who were considered as the ornaments of preceding generations, when notoriety was the surest passport to ap plause, and excellence, either personal or professional, was comparatively disregarded. Of a more recent date we may indeed hail the stage not only as the picture of human life, but in some measure as its improver, particularly since the virtues displayed by its professors have not only elevated them to the summits of rank and fortune, but have also produced a decorum throughout the whole histrionic world, of which the value could formerly only be computed from its deficiency.

The consequence, however, is, that the events in dramatic biography are considerably diminished, though in this respect silence is more honourable than all the meretricious blaze of public report, even though little more can be said of them than of any other female in domestic life. In the present case, in particular, we have little more to say, than that Miss Stephens is the daughter of a highly respectable tradesman in the vicinity of Grosvenor-square, where she was born on the 18th of September, 1794. Having early displayed a taste for music, she was early designed by her parents for that profession which she now adorns; a design, perhaps furthered in some degree by a family connexion, as we have been informed, with some of the most respetable individuals of the Drury-lane establishment.

As seven cities contended for the honour of Homer's birth-place, so several masters have contended for the honour of being Miss Stephens's instructor:with respect to those, Messrs. Walsh aud Lanza appear to have the best claims, the latter having been her first tutor,

and the former having more recently
fitted her for public appearance. It is
said that Lanza was her instructor for
five years, during which period his
lessons were given with a view to pre-
her for public appearance; to
pare
which were added the abilities of Mr.
Wright, in elocution; an advantage of
which Miss Stephens seems fully to have
availed herself, as she can certainly
speak as well as sing.

Her modest timidity seems, however, to have kept her some time from public appearance in the metropolis, perhaps much to her advantage-but she was for some years, as we understand, engaged in the exercise of her profession at Bath, Bristol, Tunbridge, and other fashionable places of summer resort, where she charmed admiring audiences under the appellation of Miss Young, not venturing to appear with her own name, until she could do it with credit to herself and her anxious friends. Her exertions were not, however, confined to the country, as we understand that she appeared in the Metropolis as a singer, at Ladies' concerts, and afterwards performed at the Pantheon, in the Italian opera; where, in a duet with Madam Bertinotti, in the "Marriage of Figaro," she was invariably encored; and which, as M. Lanza informs us, was the only piece encored upon those occasions. Á mark of applause, perhaps, particularly due to the youthful debutante, who was soon after so much approved of by Gugli elmi, the composer, that she would have been chosen first singer at the Opera House, in the absence of Catalani, had not her timidity, with respect to a proficiency in the Italiau, induced her to decline an engagement, at once so flattering and so lucrative.

Miss Stephens's first appearance on the Metropolitan stage was on the 23d of September, 1813, when Arue's "Artaxerxes" was performed, for the purpose of bringing her forward in the character of Mandane. This was announced as her "first appearance on any stage ;" an assertion for which she could not be considered accountable, though still not strictly correct, according to the statement published by M. Lanza; and she was also stated, in the paragraphs of the day, to be the pupil of Mr. Walsh.

The character is universally allowed to be a difficult one, and which

indeed had been seldom attempted since Mrs. Billington had quitted the dramatic walks, yet Miss Stephens acquitted herself to the entire satis faction of an overflowing audience, and completely established her claim as a first-rate singer, and that too with but very few rivals even amongst the oldest favourites of the public.

In a moment the voice of criticism was universally heard in her favour; and it was most justly stated, that her exertions on her first performance, one moment commanded attention, and exacted applause, by their energy and boldness; whilst in the next, by their plaintive sweetness, they gained that as a boon which before they had demanded as a tribute!

With strict propriety was it also stated, that she displayed powers which have seldom been equalled, and can hardly be surpassed; so that blending the graces of science with the charms of Dature, she, at pleasure, took the audience by storm, or won them by softness. Such was the enthusiasm, that they found it scarcely possible to withhold their applause until the close of a verse; every song was regularly encored, but three having been thus sung, the fair debutante was so exhausted as scarcely to be able to finish her part.

was

It was evident, indeed, that Miss Stephens suffered much from these kindnesses: her constitution scarcely fitted to undergo the ordinary fatigue of her profession, and though she was rather embonpoint at her first appearance, yet she afterwards became much thinner, though not to the disadvantage of her personal appearance, which is of the middle stature, and if not superlatively graceful, yet possesses a portion of simple elegance highly interesting. Her voice too, though powerful, is not sufficiently strong for great exertion: it is, however, at the same time, exquisitely melodious, and enables her to present to the attentive ear, a most wonderful variety of harmony, particularly in her chromatic cadences.

Mandane was so much approved as to be repeated several times, and it was not until the 22d of October that Miss

Stephens made her appearance in a new character, that of Polly, in the "Beggars' Opera," in which her performance was simply graceful and unaffectedly tender.

We do not love to see an amiable girl in such a part, though it is one capable of displaying the greatest powers. On this occasion Miss Stephens's tones, as if from indisposition, were low in speaking, yet perfectly suited to the gentleness of the character, and what she wanted in force was completely made up by distinctness of intonation, and by all the judicious variety of the sweetest sensibility.

To particularize her excellencies in the songs of that popular opera, would be but to repeat what must be per sonally known to a great portion of our readers; nor is it necessary to enumerate all the characters in which she has since appeared: to those, indeed, who have never heard her, we may say, that she displays, on all occasions, talents both brilliant and captivating,singing and acting with graceful simplicity, whilst her voice, on all occasions, manifests the richest and most affecting powers. Of Miss Stephens's quality of voice, we have heard no equal for many years; she is, indeed, not only a worthy successor of Mrs. Billington in the vocal department, but from her easy expression, and diffideuce of sensibility, has become equally valuable as an actress; for though timidity did not permit her to exert herself at first, yet she has since evidently acquired such power and force, accompanied by such a considerable portion of ease, as to render her a most valuable acquisition to the London stage, and another proof that the highest professional eminence, even in a female, is not inconsistent with the most refined manners and the purest virtue. Stephens' first original character was Mrs. Cornflower, in C. Dibdin's popular opera of The Farmer's Wife;" but this and her subsequent personifica. tion of Lucy Bertram, in Terry's" Guy Mannering," in which is introduced the beautiful melody of "Rest thee Babc !" by Whitaker, are too well known, and too recent to require farther notice.

64

Miss

C.

FRONTISPIECE.

MONUMENT TO THE MEMORY OF ADMIRAL LORD VISCOUNT NELSON, ERECTED IN ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, DESIGNED AND EXECUTED BY JOHN FLAXMAN, Esq. R. A.

WITH AN ENGRAVING BY S. RAWLE, FROM AN ORIGINAL DRAWING BY Z. BURNEY.] Warrior Chief! in arms no more

F, on the page of

Britain's hearts and hopes inspiring;
Near Trafalgar's trophied shore,
In a blaze of light expiring.-
Conqueror on the stormy wave,

Time thy laurels ne'er shall sever;
Shrined in Memory's hallow'd grave,
NELSON's name shall live for ever!
Victor Chief!-existence o'er,
Lightnings trace thy deeds of yore,-
Fame records in blazon'd story,
Nelson's death, and Nelson's glory!

re

THE NEREIDS' DIRGE.

which, each was exceeded by that which

I'cords Britain's triumphs, and Bri- followed it's and when they that whic

tain's renown, there is one name, which, more than any other, will descend to the future ages of an unborn posterity in all the splendours of its original glory, and in all the freshness of its primeval fame, that name is NELSON.— Succeeding generations will venerate his memory with the same enthusiasm, with which his cotemporaries reverence it now; and the burst of ardour, and the glow of heroism, and the impulse of achievement, those sacred legacies bequeathed by his victorious death, will be awakened anew in the bosom of his countrymen, with every fresh recital of his deeds, while patriotic remembrance, and patriotic feeling are left among us. His name will exist, the watchword of battle, and the spell of victory,-The recollection of his fame will be an incitement to future glory, and the emulation of his renown will be a stimulus to future triumph. Thus will his memory still guard his beloved Britain; and though his perishable frame is mouldering amidst the corruptions of mortality, though the hand that pointed out the path to conquest is, for ever motionfess, and the heart that throbbed for England's welfare is, for ever cold, yet will the emanation of his spirit live unchanging and unchanged; the guide, the example, and the glory of all suc ceeding ages.

To the gifted NELSON was allotted, by Providence, a career of splendour unparalleled in our history. Over every sea he hurled the naval thunders of his country; and the naval power of every kingdom submitted to his prowess. His life was a series of exploits, of

tion of his glory was complete,-when bis death scaled the proudest naval conflict that the world's annals have recorded, the entire navies of two nations were the trophies of his last vice tory, and he died as he had lived,unequalled! A mourning sovereign, and a weeping people decreed the rites of public sepulture to his remains, and the honours of a public monument to his memory. This monument is at length completed, and deeply do we participate in those feelings, with which his countrymen will view this last memorial of his deeds, and of his fame. It is erected near the entrance to the choir in St. Paul's Cathedral, and has been designed and executed by JOHN FLAXMAN, Esq. R. A. As the work of an artist. in every respect so celebrated, and raised to the memory of an Hero so beloved, and so lamented, the public have looked forward with some considerable anxiety to its completion, and not without some_considerable impatience at its delay. To the Sculp tor's fame it now adds one other trophy of his art, and to the Warrior's achievements it adds one other memorial, if indeed any memorial were needed of him, of whom the empire is one vast

monument.

This Tribute of national gratitude represents the Statue of Lord Nelson dressed in the pelisse received from the Grand Signior, leaning on an anchor. Beneath on the right of the hero is Britannia directing the young Seaman's attention to Lord NELSON as the great exemplar for their emulation, while the British Lion is guarding the shrine of Britain's Hero. Round the

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HISTORY OF PETER PLIANT.

(Continued from Vol. LXXII, page 515.) TOTWITHSTANDING the enmity

conduct towards me for my well-meant interference, he was easily induced by the representation of Mr. Plausible, (unknown to me), to acknowledge his error, and beg that all past grievances might be buried in oblivion;-I was a little surprised at this concession, but without stopping to ascertain, whether I was acting agreeably to the laws of honour, accepted it. The results therefore was a mutual expression of goodwill; and a pressing invitation from the Baronet to drown the remembrance of our quarrel in a bottle of his best champagne-this, however, I postponed to a more convenient opportunity, fearing lest it might also extinguish the spark of amity which had just resuscitated, and widen the breach so newly covered.

My attention was now turned to circumstances of a more serious nature, for all search after the lost documents had proved fruitless-Mr. Somers had intimated that my presence would be of service. I accordingly held a consultation with Mr. Plausible on the subject, wherein it was determined that I should immediately return to the country, and as Mr. P. had nothing particular to detain him, he proposed to accompany me.

During the short interval that remained, the recollection of the many happy hours I had spent with Mr. Man ning recurred with double force, and I now found what I before had only sus pected, viz. that I was in love with his daughter!

As I wandered to his house, to take a last farewell, a conflict arose in my breast, as to the propriety of making known this declaration-but it was soon decided-I knew the threatened suit, should it ever take place, would deprive

me of the greatest part of my estate, and I could not think of offering my addresses, when to-morrow might rank me as a beggar-so I left it to Providence-resolving to steer by that pilot which not only protects those who depend on his counsels from the rock of destruction, but eventually guides then into the harbour of peace.

The expressions of sorrow at my departure were general. I saw, (or was willing to think so), something more than common in the agitation of Eliza. Mr. Manning himself, surprised at my sudden determination, took me into his study, and with a kind concern for my welfare, asked me, "if the occasion was so urgent as to require immediate

absence, or he

of any ser

vice ?"-Without reserve, I communicated the whole circumstance, but resisted every offer of his assistance, till I knew they were necessary. I promised however, in the event of proving unsuccessful, to make my first application to him, and left the house, fully convinced of their regard for me, and more than half certain of my success with Miss Manning, when fortune should enable me to propose my suit.

Nor were my aunt and cousins less sorry for my departure we had spent many pleasant evenings together-our tastes were in a measure congenial, and our esteem mutual-but the expectation of a speedy return threw a slight veil of hope over our regret, and consoled us for the temporary absence.

The gay visions of hope, mingled with the wavering phantoms of uncertainty, occupied my imagination during the journey; and with the recollection of recent scenes of happiness, rendered me so inattentive to the conversation of Mr. Plausible, that his voluminous sallies of wit and pleasantry were suffered to pass by unheeded, or rewarded only by an inclination of the head, accompanied with an interjectional "aye" or

66

no," or some such interesting monosyllable. I continued a moving monument of thought, till the sun cast his expiring beams upon the overhanging branches of a stupendous oak situate at the entrance of the village, in the neighbourhood of which stood the family. mansion. The sight of it recalled my wandering thoughts, and enabled me to hear the concluding sentence of a dissertation on Mr. Plausible's favourite subject "Law"-which he summed up by comparing it to the tree before us, observing, that it extended its vene,

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