From this time Alvarez and his regiment were attached to the British army, which, they accompanied through the remainder of the peninsular war; and their pa-' triotic achievements only terminated, with the storming and subsequent capture of the fortress of San Sebastian, where Alvarez discovered his long-lost sister, and killed the traitor Mosquera. (To be concluded in our nexl.) New Tales. Fy Mrs. Opie. 4 vols. 1818. Ir is always with feelings of satisfaction and self felicitation that we examine a new production of this amiable and attractive writer. On the present occasion, we are particularly gratified to observe, that Mrs. Opie has resumed that appropriate, and therefore exqui-, sitely-becoming, dress in which she first captivated our youthful fancy, and for ever established her ascendancy over our sympathies and affections. We prefer her Tales, not only because they are more acceptable to our taste. but because we bave an internal conviction that they must be infinitely more pleasing to the author, whom we can imagine engaged in their composition as a delightful pastime, and even beguiling her solitary labours with an artless song. Some of the stories in the present volumes have a serious character, and inculcate excellent moral principles; such isMrs. Arlington-White Lies. There are others, and perhaps we entertain for these a too partial fondness, in which our author seeks to touch the feelings and captivate the imagination: to this class belong, the Proposals of Marriage -Henry Woodville- the Welcome Home and, above all, the Russian Boy, a tale founded in fact, which excites inteuse interest, and alinost painfully agitates the feelings. The Confessions of an Odd-tempered Man, though not didactic, are highly instructive. We wish we could consider it a fancy sketch; but experience compels us to confess, that there is no less truth than talent in the portraiture. But, alas! now that I was to enter the world in a new character, that of a husband, and that the novelty of my change of situation was worn off, my usual habits of temper and manner returned; and while every day convinced me how much the wife was dearer than the bride, still I conld not bear to let her know the extent of the influence which she had over my heart; and when I Europ. Mag. Fol. LXXIV. Aug. 1818. was so found that the coldness of my manner at times alarmed her with the idea that, I was becoming indifferent to her, I felt an ungenerous triumph in witnessing the depression which I had caused: my pride bad enjoyed the consciousness that this lovely and admired being watched every turn of my countenance, in order to judge by it how my heart was at that moment affected towards her, and when, which I could not sometimes help my looks expressed some of the admiration and tenderness which she had excited in my bosom, there was an expression of gratified and grateful affection in her eyes, which beautiful, that I wonder, the pleasure of beholding it did not make me eager to call it forth. Certain it is, however, that the more I felt myself dependent on her for happiness, the more I made a parade of independence. If she hoped I should accompany her to a party, declaring, that unless I was with her the evening would have no charms for her, I used to reply, though I meant to go all the time," Perhaps I may go with you, but do not depend on me: you had better get some friend to accompany you.' And then I have purposely come very late, in order to have the gratification of seeing her sitting by the door, and evidently watching ny entrance. The Recluse of the Tyrennees: A Poem, dedicated to ffis Royal Highness Leopold, Prince of Saxe Coburg, &c. &c. THE Poem before us, if we err not, is the production of a young man whose inclination to write poetry surpasses his ability: with a judgment not sufficiently matured, he has presented to the public a work, whose claims to favour are injured by his inattention to the simplest rules of poetry. The defects however, which are apparent, are none but what a careful revisal might have exploded. There is certainly a great want of harmony in various parts of the work, arising from the frequent use of expletives, and the haste in which this poem has evidently been written. The versification is often defective, and, as Dr. Johnson says, "the verses are such as stand the trial of the finger rather than of the ear, for the modulation is so imperfect that they are only found to be verses by counting the syllables :" and occasionally they are destitute of, even, this merit. X 134 Mulvey on the Character, &c. of the Prisoners of War at Auxonne, &c. [Aug. But notwithstanding these drawbacks, there is some good writing, and a promise of better things from the same pen, when time shall have corrected the author's judgment; at present, his tree bears more blossom than fruit, and when he next ventures to appeal to the tribunal of public taste, we have no doubt but he will bestow more pains, and thereby eradicate the defects we have alluded to. The story is of so slight a texture that it scarcely deserves a name-we pass over it to a few quotations from the best parts of the poem. Young Mansel is wounded and alone on the field of battle-his situation is thus described: "He stood like lonely wretch, escap'd a wreck, Whose grateful joy the fears of famine check; Who almost wishes that the roaring wave Had giv'n at once a momentary grave.His feeble frame began to sink and faint, While cheating memory would fondly paint Those kindred spirits, now how doubly dear, When Hope seem'd lost, and Death was dream'd; On each lov'd breast in silent rapture hurg, And blush'd to hear the music of each tongue?" In describing the Pyrennees, the author adverts to the power which the Druids possessed over the trembling crowd in former days. "Indignantly offended Reason views The puft up creature of a narrow span, The holy sanctity of heav'n abuse, To play the tyrant o'er his brother man. And of all tyranny that is the worst, Which, not content its slaves, alone to Debases them in fetters doubly curst, There is something poetical in the following: "But would you view the human soul sub. lime, Unfolding powers that seem almost divine! The planets in their varied orbits trace, And count the rolling worlds that people space Shed all the social blessings on his kind, The virtues that adorn-the laws that bindOr contemplate that al-pervading Pow'r, Who forms a system and who shapes a flow'r; Delighted we must turn to Europe's plains, Where the bright orb of light a milder monarch reigns; Whose gentle sceptre vivifies and warms, Bidding spring rise in all her virgin charms." Again "Yet Hope remains-ah! what can Hope destroy, That heav'nly voice that bids us trust and live, When life has pought but bitterness to give?" Our limits will not allow further extracts: and we can only repeat our opi nion, that the author of this poem is capable of writing much better if he would take the trouble. Sketches of the Character, Conduct, and Treatment of the Prisoners of War, at Auxonne, Longwy, &c. from the Year 1810 to 1814; with an Account of the Epidemic, as it appeared in the laller Place in 1813. By Farrell Mulvey, M.D. Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. 8vo. We have perused with considerable satisfaction the above little Work, which is replete with good sense; and the author throughout displays a candour and moderation which, considering his long sufferings and captivity, does as much credit to his heart as to his understanding. We quote the following reflections on the evils of protracted captivity. "I wish it were in my power to draw a veil over the excesses, and con. sequent evils of various kinds, that a Tove of strong drink produced in some of the prisoners. This is one of the dire effects of the species of exile we suffered in France. Qu'est ce que la raison quelquefois contre la captivité. "While there were men in the depot whose couduct would do honour to any station, it would be paying a compli ment at the expense of truth, if I said 1818. Theatrical Journal. there were no exceptions. The health and morals of these suffered terrible inroads, and rendered them subject in time to every variety of disease and distress. The fatal habit just mentioned became every day more inveterate-It got to its height at Longwy, where some of the officers, in order to gratify this baneful propensity, mortgaged their pay; some too, of the other class, their little allowance and rations; and both at length put in pledge every thing that belonged to them-Regular meals were given up, and the unfortunate persons became the victims of disease or accident. If truth obliges me to take notice of such circumstances, it is not merely to recal or bring to view scenes that are past, but with the hope of producing future good. Perhaps they are inseparable from a long protracted captivity; and I may be allowed to hope, that it may act as an incentive to put an end as soon as possible to such miseries, even though attained by considerable sacrifices. If national pride is given up to the cause of humanity, few will blame them. An Inquiry into some of the most curious Ir is presumed that no information can be more acceptable to the generality of readers, than that which furnishes them with an accurate idea of those subjects that are generally considered as most instructive at the pre JULY sent day; and in tracing them to their origin, when they happen to have had their birth among the ancients. Nor is the task less pleasing to investigate those changes and revolutions which in the lapse of time have gradually been occurring, with regard to the state and circumstances of those interesting scientific topics which it here becomes our province to review. This little work will, therefore, be found to embrace many points of the above description, which are suffici ently curious and interesting, and, as a preliminary article, to contain a very ample account of the numerous religious houses that formerly existed in England, also a detailed statement of their rental, and of the revenue that occurred to Government by their supThere pression at the Reformation. will be found a most learned and able discussion concerning the Julian Year New Style, as also the Solar and Lunar Cycles. The reader will also be informed of the origin of the most renowned military Orders of Knighthood, so much sought after, and usually esteemed one of the highest rewards of military merit-the customs of the Ancients with regard to the burying of their dead their treatment of dead bodies, together with their manner of preserving the same, will be found to be amply unfolded, and to present matter equally amusing and curious. This work also contains some curious inquiries into the architecture of the Ancients; with an appendix, giving the earliest information of the most ancient and celebrated cities, besides many other articles, equally valuable and entertaining. THEATRICAL JOURNAL. THE HAYMARKET. ULY 28. This evening The Merchant of Venice was performed to introduce Mr. Warde as Shylock. His scene with Tubal was very well executed, and he exhibited powers which require only to be duly disciplined by longer experience, to render him an excellent actor; indeed, his appearance is so much the more promising, because his conception of many parts of the character was original. AUG. 4. The Comedy of She Stoops to Conquer, was represented at this Theatre. The performance was excellent, and, from the novelty in the casting of the characters, peculiarly interesting. Tony Lumpkin was the only male personage who retained his Covent-Garden representative. Mr. L.. ton was, as usual, irresistibly humourHis Tony Lumpkin is au unexcelled, and rarely equalled specimen of OUS. where Mr. Warde's Selico, and Miss E. Blanchard's Berissa.-The former evinced great justness of conception, great force of declamation, and a happy quickness in distinguishing the points which an actor ought to make in his progress through the character. The latter, always beautiful and interesting, was rendered still more so by the talents she displayed. If we mistake not, Mr. Liston was the original Henry Augustus Mug, and Mrs. Liston the original Sutta; but whether or not, their efforts upon the occasion to which our remarks are now confined were admirable. Liston kept the audience literally in a roar, and not unfrequently affected the risible muscles of those who were concerned with him in the scene. Mrs. Liston played with uncommon spirit, and sung with her accustomed sweetness. Mrs. Connor, as Darina, was much applauded, and the whole went off to the satisfaction of a crowded house. comic character and ludicrous originality. But whilst we admit the excellence of his acting, we must protest against his introduction of trivial vulgarisms-into the text of Goldsmith too, who was alike remarkable for the purity of his mind and the elegance of his taste. The part of Young Marlow was performed by Mr. Jones with great talent and great discrimination. In the scenes where Marlow appears unembarrassed and in his element, Mr. Jones displayed bis usual ease and vivacity, and his delineation of mauvaise honte was broad and ludicrous, without degenerating into the common extreme of clownishness. His sheepishness was the sheepishness of a gentleman. Mr. Terry played Hardcastle with his usual talent and justness of conception. The part of Miss Néville was sustained by Miss Blanchard in a very interesting manner. This young Lady possesses both talent and good taste. Her conceptions of acting are in the very best style. Miss Blanchard displays her powers only by glimpses. Her force, her sprightliness, and even her sensibi-On few occasions has a greater portion lity, are kept under by her fears. In this, as in every former character, she excited the liveliest interest. Mrs. Gibbs performed Miss Hardcastle with great vivacity and humour, and Mrs. Davenport, as usual, was very lively and entertaining in the part of Mrs. Hardcastle. AUG. 5. Mr. Colman's Opera of the Africans was revived. We remember seeing this Opera cu its first produc. tion, about seven or eight years ago, when a very eminent man, who had himself been one of the Secretaries of State (the late Mr. Wyndham), was one of the audience, and enjoyed the wit and humour of Master Mug, so merrily and heartily, as to attract the interest and attention of the whole house, and to procure one or two distinct rounds of applause, which were, perhaps, given as much to the honest English Secretary, as to the minister of his Mandingan Majesty. Neither talent nor exertion were wanting on the part of the performers to contribute their share to its success. Mr. Foote, in the character of Farulho, was dignified and impressive. Mr. Connor, in that of Torribal, displayed much energy; and Mr. Jones, though removed a little from his favorite walk, sustained the part of Madiboo, without forfeiting his high reputation. The novelties of the night AUG. 14. The comedy of Who Wants a Guinea? was represented. of talent been exhibited. Mr Warde appeared as Barford. The character is of The Stranger species. Mr. Warde supported the part with much judg ment. His interview with Torrent, in which he narrates the history of his misfortunes, and concludes by demanding his long-lost daughter, was played in a forcible and affecting style. The part, altogether, does not afford room for the exhibition of any very great talent; but, judging from Mr. Warde's performances, we think his Penruddock, or his Stranger, would add greatly to his fame. We doubt whether Mr. Terry's Torrent could be equailed by any performer on the stage. It has all the natural warmth-all the honest feeling-all the hearty benevolence, Mr. Foote, who is the picture of good humour, gave prominence and effect to honest Farmer Heartly. His opposite, Farmer Hogmore, was very well performed by Mr. Burton, whose sour words and vinegar looks were perfectly in unison. Mr. Liston's Solomon Gundy was as good as the part admitted. Mr. Jones, as Sir Larry Mac Murragh, supported his part with much humour and vivacity. Jonathan Oldskirt and Bang, were well represented by Messrs. Watkinson and Tokely. The scenes of equivoque between the former and Torrent were well played. Miss Copeland and Mrs. Davenport, as the young and old house-keepers, acquitted themselves greatly to the satisfaction of the audience. AUG. 15. This evening a new comedy, entitled the Green Man, was brought out at this Theatre. It gives us pleasure to say that it was not only well received, but deserved its reception. Replete with incident and humour, the sentiments are natural, affecting, and introduced by circumstances; not the overweening mawkish sensibility of the German school. The following is a sketch of the plot. Sir George Squander (Mr. Barnard), the nephew of Lord Roweroft (Mr. Foote), has married against his uncle's consent Harriet (Mrs. Glover), the daughter of a village apothecary. The uncle, enraged at this match, avails himself of the spendthrift propensities of the nephew to work his ruin, in order that so reduced, and completely in his power, he may force him to enter into a deed of separation with his wife. For this purpuse he employs a valet of his own, Fungus (Mr. Russell), who contrives to get into the service of Sir George, whom he constantly prompts to acts of extravagance beyond his income. By meaus of the artful insinuations of this valet, Closefist (Mr. Watkinsou) lends sums to a considerable amount to his master, under the impression, that at last Lord Rowcroft would relent, and pay his nephew's debts. The action commences on the eve of a grand ball to be given by Sir George and Lady Squander, to which she expects her sister Bertha (Miss E. Blanchard), who arrives, but to the no small mortification of Sir George, is accompanied by the Green Man (Mr. Terry). Some very comic scenes take place between the Green Man (who is one of those few that are determined to speak the truth to every one) Commissary Bibber (Mr. Connor), and Major Dumplin, of the local militia (Mr. Tokely). The former, an amateur in wine, the latter a gourmand. Crackley (Mr. Jones), a Frenchified fop, but at heart a very fine fellow, comes in also for his share of the Green Man's plain facts, to the no small amusement of the audience. It now appears that the Green Man, 1818. though known to none is acquainted with them all, and particularly interested in bringing Lord Rowcroft's plans to an issue against his nephew. At his instance, Closefist refuses to lend Sir George 5001. he wanted, issues an execution against his house, and arrests him. Lord Rowcroft is now introduced, who thinking his plans had succeeded, proposes the separation to Lady Squander, in the presence of the Green Man which she rejects. In the mean time, Birtha, who had been that morning presented with a valuable diamond necklace by the Green Man, pawns it to Closefist for her brother's debt, and so procures his enlargement, the Green Man having positively refused all interference. He, who now openly acts the friend, returns her the necklace in the absence of Lord Rowcroft, who had retired to instruct his solicitor to draw up the deed of separation; and directs her to convey and conceal Sir George in a closet adjoining the apartment, where he and Lady Squander await the arrival of his lordship with the deed. His lordship then enters, and the lady refusing to sign the deed, he declares, unless she does so he will never be reconciled to his nephew. Sir George now rushes out, embraces his wife, and renounces all thoughts of their separation. His lordship is now about to hurl final ruin on his head, when he is checked by the Green Man, who reminds him of his having garbled his father's will, caused his deceased brother to be disinherited, and then robbed Sir George of 40,000. His lordship on this disclosure relents, signs a draft for the 40,000!. payable to Lady Squander, who generously tears it, on which the Uncle is reconciled, and all ends happily.-Crackley, who had in the generosity of his heart obtained his guardian's consent, to mortgage his estate for the release of Sir George, is rewarded with the hand of Bertha, and the Green Man proves to be the former private secretary and trusty friend of the deceased Lord Rowcroft. Thus terminates a comedy, which afforded us much satisfaction throughout, and which entitles its author (Mr. Richard Jones the Comedian) to a place among our best modern dramatists. PERFORMANCES. July 27. Blue Devils-Teasing made Easy-Killing no Murder. £8. Merchant of Venice-Nine Points of the Law. |
