These heads are in a noble manner of sculpture, and the difficulty must be obvious, of producing a sufficient variety, without destroying the simplicity and uniformity which their situation requires. Casts from these, and placed within the walls of the Academy, while they served as a memorial of the skill and talents of the sculptor, would also become useful These studies for the young practitioner. heads, or rather masks, have suffered nothing from the injuries of time, but are so obscure by the smoke and dirt under which they now appear, as scarcely to attract a passing regard. These hints, Mr. Editor, (however they may be taken) are well meant, and their insertion will oblige your correspondent PROTEUS. while. And I have watch'd the moon-beam's latest ray, Have shelter'd Innocence in ruthless hour, power. And I have seen the death-bed of the brave, And heard the hero breathe his latest sigh; Have seen fair Beauty bending o'er the grave, Telling her sorrows to each passer-by: power, And unimaginable beauty, clad In a vest of brightness (star-dropt)-arm'd with Night-touch'd-nor strains that take the charmed ear, POETIC FEELING On Reading the Query" In what consists the Essence of Poetry "in the last Number of the Literary Gazette. When the fountain of thought seems deserted and dry, Where springs then its source, and from whence its supply? Or how the sensations that sleep in the mind, From the rude mass of chaos their order should find? Thus bards have presum'd some invisible power Presides in, and prompts too, the fortunate hour, When the visions of Fancy soft steal on the soul, And sway o'er the passions a witching controul, Thoughts rush on the mind in the language of song, And bear in their impulse the feelings along. As in gay or in solemn gradations they rise, EPIGRAM. An Old Bachelor's Lament on publishing an I've courted nine full fifty years, BIOGRAPHY, WALTER. MR. ROBERT PALMER, The lives of the greatest part of man. kind may fairly be introduced with the trite remark, "that except to those who delight in tracing the silent energies of the mind, they can furnish little to interest or attach." The memoirs of the hero and politician are read in the history of their country, those of the scholar must be sought for principally in his works; but the good name of the actor lives chiefly in our memory, or is at most recorded by the periodical press, and soon forgotten. Robert Palmer was born in Banburycourt, Long-acre, Sept. 1757. His father, who had been a soldier under the Marquis of Granby, died when he was very young. He received the rudiments of his education in a school kept by a Mr. Avallo, at BrookHammersmith. At the early age green, of six, he appeared as Mustard Seed, (Midsummer's Night's Dream) at Drury-lane, and was employed for some time as a page, and about that period was articled as a pupil to Grimaldi the dancer. His first character of consequence was Squire Richard, (Provoked Husband) at Canterbury, in 1773; Mr. Yates's Company, at Birmingham. the following year he attached himself to At the latter end of 1774, he was employed at Drury-lane, in dances and pantomimes, for which, at the close of the season, Mr. Garrick was pleased to give him four pounds ten shillings, being about one shilling for each performance. In 1775, he He had not appeared for several years previous to his decease. When last we saw him in the streets, he retained his look of fresh age and beauish air. JOSEPH GEORGE HOLMAN. The subject of the present memoir was born in 1765, and almost in infancy evinced such talents as rendered it an indispensable duty in his friends to give him a superior education; for which purpose he was placed at the Soho Academy, under the tuition of Doctor Barwise, and after his death, of Doctor Barrow, his successor. At that seminary his dramatic talents displayed themselves in the annual exhibitions of the plays of Shakespeare. A gentleman of most correct theatrical taste, a schoolfellow of Holman's, assures · us, that his performances at the Soho School were much superior to those of Master Betty. It is admitted, however, that his endowments in more mature years were not in proportion to those of his youth. was engaged by Mr. Foote, at the Little | mour. In brisk footmen, and parts be- | produce the register of his father's birth, Theatre, Haymarket: here he began to ac- longing to middle life, that do not aspire who had been christened at a Romish quire fame, which led to his establishment to polished manners and refinement, he chapel. Mr. H.'s grandfather rendered at Drury-lane, at both which theatres he gave always a faithful and spirited repre- considerable service to government in the remained ever since, except the summers sentation, and particularly in scenes of in- rebellion of 1745, and his father also was of 1792 and 1803 at the former, and the ebriety." A character of this kind in the in the army, though we are unacquainted winter of 1793-4 at the latter, when he was comedy of Ways and Means, he performed with the rank which he held. in Scotland. In the season of 1784, the much better than any person who succeeded opera of The Lord of the Manor having him, though his Duke, in High Life Below been suddenly substituted for that which Stairs, was perhaps his master-piece. He was announced, and as Miss Farren was was social, good-humoured, and goodill, and Mr. John Palmer not to be found, natured. Miss Collet was called upon to read for the It should be mentioned to his honour, former, and Mr. R. Palmer for the latter. that on the destruction of Drury-lane Unfortunately, the play had never been theatre by fire, when several of the perpublished, and as the written parts could formers announced their intention to pronot be had, they were obliged to make use vide for themselves as well as they could, of the only single MS. copy. Mr. Palmer hopeless of seeing the theatre rebuilt, he and Miss Collet, with each a candle in declared that, sink or swim, he would stick their hand, were to use the book alter-by the old planks, and never desert his nately, and hand it to each other; the commander Sheridan. former, however, came to a passage so much interlined, that he could not proceed. The audience hissed most violently; upon which Mr. Palmer came forward, and requested that the book might be examined by any gentleman in the pit, to see if the fault could be attributed to him. The book was accordingly handed to a gentleman, who declared to the house that it was illegible. The audience loudly applauded, and the book being returned, permission was granted to pass over the obscure passages. On the departure of his brother to the Royalty Theatre, he undertook his part of Joseph Surface, which had been refused by Messrs. Bensley and Brereton, and also succeeded Mr. Dodd in several of his parts. From that time Mr. Palmer rapidly gained on the public favour, and a new cast of characters fell to his lot. On the 18th of August, the Opera-house was liberally lent by the proprictors, free of every expense, for the benefit of the orphan daughters of the late John Palmer. The house overflowed in every part. Between the comedy (Heir at Law) and the farce (Children in the Wood), Mr. Robert Palmer came forward to recite some lines written for the occasion by George Colman, Esq.; but after several ineffectual attempts to speak, his affections as a brother overcoming his exertions as an actor, he was obliged to retire, and it was some minutes before he recovered himself sufficiently to deliver it. He died recently at Lower Belgraveplace, Pimlico, after a severe illness, in the 61st year of his age, being the oldest actor, and consequently the father of the Theatre Royal, Drury-lane. With regard to his histrionic talent, we entirely acquiesce in the remarks of a critic in the European Magazine. "If not very high in his rank as a comic actor, he endeavoured to tread in the steps of his brother, and was at least a very respectable performer. There was no affectation in his manner. He was contented to take the characters which he performed simply as the authors designed, and always filled the outline with spirit, if not with an exuberance of original hu (From a Correspondent.) From Soho School Mr. Holman was removed, in 1780, to Queen's College, Oxford, and was genteelly supported there two years by the liberality of his uncle. The stage, however, was his ultimate object; yet, notwithstanding this bias, his application to classical literature was ardent, and his literary exercises were rewarded with approbation, and his propriety of conduct acquired him esteem. If to have enriched "the public stock of harmless pleasure," and to have soothed the cares of life by the fleeting effusions of mimic gaiety, merit honourable notice, the subject of the present biographical sketch is not without just claims to grateful mention and general praise. The degeneracy After he had completed the course of of the English stage has long been a theme learning marked out for him by his patron, of universal lamentation among the ama- he delivered an elegant farewell address to teurs of histrionic talent. The only ra- his fellow collegians, and left Oxford purtional mode of accounting for this degene-posely to attempt the drama. He made racy, appears to be from the circumstance, his first appearance at Covent-garden, in that our theatrical corps are chiefly com- the character of Romeo, in 1784. Mr. Hall posed of low-born adventurers, who, was his theatrical instructor in the early thirsting for the gaudy honours of the part of his engagement. From Mr. Harris, sock and buskin, quit those pursuits for whose liberality is well known, he expewhich nature originally intended them. rienced every attention and advantage, and Thus the profession of an Actor-a profes- the reports which preceded his debut prosion in itself respectable and honourable cured him a warm reception, nor did his becomes disgraced, and those who attend exertions fall short of what had been exthe theatres for edification, retire from them pected. At the termination of his first in disgust. engagement he demanded an increase of salary, which being refused, he quitted London, and resided some time near Oxford, and took a degree at the university. Mr. Holman, to the boast of a classical education, united that of an honourable family, being descended from the younger brother of Sir John Holman, of Warkworth Castle, Oxfordshire, who was created a Baronet by Charles II. Sir John died without male issue, and if the patent had been granted collaterally, Mr. Holman had a claim to the title. The family of Holman was deprived of a considerable portion of their property from a decided part which one of their ancestors took in promoting the Hanoverian succession, in disobedience to his father, who, from religion and political inclination, was a warm espouser of the House of Stuart. This disunion of sentiments divided the father and the son, who fell in the battle of Dunblaine, in 1715, leaving a son, Mr. Holman's grandfather, who failed in obtaining the property of his family, simply from being unable to He afterwards performed in various parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with eclat and emolument. While in Dublin, where his talents were highly prized, and where he was engaged upon very liberal terms, he formed a connexion with Miss Hughes, a young lady of great beauty. In resentment for an insult offered to this lady, he had a fracas behind the scenes with a Mr. Dawson, which accelerated his departure from that city. In 1789, Mr. Holman was again engaged at Coventgarden; in 1800 he was one of the party who presented a statement of grievances to the managers, relative to the privation of certain privileges. These disputes at length came before the Lord Chancellor, who, on giving an opinion favourable to the ma nagers, recommended a friendly adjustment | last for the season. The performance was | lity which has secured, and the taste which of their differences. The complaints were of course dropped, and the performers reinstated, except Holman, who either was not offered, or would not accept of a re-engagement. After this he played some short time at the Haymarket, and then accepted of an engagement at the Dublin Theatre. Such was Mr. Holman's success in Dublin, that he purchased from his savings a share in the theatre, and divided the management with Mr. Jones; but owing to the distracted state of Ireland, in consequence of the rebellion, being sometimes obliged to perform in the day-time, he soon parted with his property in the theatre, still continuing the management, and performing the principal characters in tragedy. In 1798 he married Jane, youngest daughter of the Hon. and Rev. Frederic Hamilton, of Richmond, Surrey. This amiable and accomplished lady died in 1810. Before this event he relinquished all theatrical engagements, and commenced agriculturist; but in 1812, he resumed his theatrical profession in America, since which time he pursued his career in that country, and married a Miss Latimer, late of the Theatre Royal, Brighton, a very short time before his death, which took place at Rockaway, Long Island, in the State of New York, on the 24th of August, 1817, in the 52d year of his age. Mr. Holman, as an actor, was endowed, both by nature and education, with every requisite for attaining the highest perfection in the art. He appeared when on the stage to be vain of the manly elegance of his person, but his faults evidently proceeded from too great a portion of animation, and exuberance of fancy. In regarding Mr. Holman as a dramatic writer, we perceive less to praise. His comic opera of Abroad and at Home, performed at Covent-garden about the year 1795, was his first piece, and it met with much deserved success; it was originally called the King's Bench, but was prohibited under that title by the Lord Chamberlain. The Votary of Wealth, a comedy, appeared in 1799; its reception was not equal to the opera. In the summer of the same year he produced the Red Cross Knights, being a mutilation, rather than an alteration, of Schiller's Robbers. In 1800 he finished the opera of What a Blunder, which excited but little attention. His next piece was a comedy, entitled Love gives the Alarm, which was condemned on the first representation. The Gazette Extraordinary was also from the pen of Mr. Holman. We have not noticed the riots at the American theatre, in which he was concerned, as they are fully detailed in a preceding Number of the Literary Gazette. THE DRAMA. KING'S THEATRE.-This striking place of public gratification opened on Saturday has selected them for his noble theatre. The experiment of lighting by gas has been made here with increased effect, and a chandelier from the centre of the ceiling, unquestionably the most beautiful product of the arts in its style, and the most brilliant that we presume has ever shone on fair faces and superb forms; on the splendours of art, or the deeper captivations of nature. DRURY-LANE-Has been for the last week equally destitute of novelty and attraction. This ill-fated theatre seems to be fulfilling its destinies, and hastening rapidly to that transmigration, whence we trust it will spring into a new existence, under a fairer form, and with a more intelligent spirit. King Richard III. has been varied by Richard Duke of York; and Lilliput and Harlequin's Vision have filled up the little views and silly dreams of a mis-managed house. We have not one subject for criticism, though one or two are promised for next week. Griselda, set by Paer, and admirably sus- There and health. It is not possible but her exertions must injure her feminine and lovely form; for Miss O'Neill has not the art of husbanding her resources. Her heavings are from the heart-her expirations of breath from the soul. Others imitate, but she absolutely feels, and the human frame is worn and exhausted by these violent emotions. We trust the Managers will make it a "Point of Honour" not to repeat this part too often. time; the niece elopes, and the parties are the government of the United States The dialogue is sprightly, and occasional sented for the first time. It is one of those The Actor of All Work. The plot (if such it can be called) is simply this. Motley, (Mr. Denning) servant to a Colonel in an English regiment, falls in love with Louisa (Miss Mathews), the niece of a rich widow (Mrs. Davenport), who keeps a tavern at the distance of three miles from Paris. His great object is a desire to convey a letter to his beloved, for which purpose he assumes the character of a French courier, an English grenadier, an author, and a sailor. The aunt contrives always to be present at their interviews, and detects every attempt to deliver the love billet, except the last. The tar, by climbing up the sign-post, and throwing down his hat, which he requests the aunt to pick up, avails himself of the opportunity to give the letter to Louisa, who is seated at an adjoining window. His master arrives at this juncture of It was, on the whole, quite as well received as its merits deserved, and when announced for a repetition, the sense of the house was most decidedly against it. DIGEST OF POLITICS AND NEWS. any news worth giving, we doubt under his presidency. These related At home, in France, and, generally speaking, on the continent, there is literally not a syllable of public news; and even rumour is only busy about the terms of expected loans, or anticipated movements of little importance. The Journal of Ghent has promulgated some more trash under the name of M. Las Cases; but either this fellow has nothing to tell, or the time is yet to come for his expositions. On Tuesday the Right Hon. George Rose died at Cuffnells. Many branches of the public service are deeply indebted to him for improvements; and the navy and the poor have cause to remember him with gratitude. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. DISCOVERIES IN AFRICA. This THE CONGO. In answer to the inquiries of several friends, we beg to state that our narrative of the Expedition to the Congo being confined to the Journal of Captain Tuckey, would close in one other Number, which brings that portion of the unfortunate enterprize to the catastrophe announced in our first chapter-the death of nearly every individual concerned. concluding Number we have delayed, in weekly expectation, that the official work on this interesting subject, announced by Mr. Murray, would make its appearance; then, intending to add the review of th lation, and thus consolidate the subject into new and scientific parts to our original rean entire and complete history. We lament to observe, that accounts from Sierra Leone mention the unsuccessful return of the exploratory expedition into the interior from that quarter. The party proceeded only 150 miles from the Rio Nunez, when they were stopped by the jealous hostility of a native prince, and compelled to measure back their steps. Several of the officers died, though only one private, out of about 200. The animals nearly all perished. Captain Campbell died two days after reaching Nunez, of fatigue and vexation, having tried every means in a four-months negociation to obtain permission to prosecute his mission. He, and another officer, were buried where Major Peddie was laid a few months before. VARIETIES. JOURNAL OF THE BELLES LETTRES. AN ANCIENT CROWN DISCOVERED IN SCLAVONIA. On the 23d of last March, in making a road at Mallier, a little village in Sclavonia, as the wife of a soldier named Gasparowich, was turning up a clod with her pickaxe, she found, about two inches deep under ground, a piece of metal rolled up, which she took for iron, and threw it into the road. At a second stroke she discovered the basket-formed vessel; which, in the opinion of all who have considered it with attention, is supposed to be a crown. It consists of two parallel circles of strong gold wire twisted together, which are about four inches asunder, and connected by a spiral ornament in this form. The inside of the crown, shaped like a hat, consists of a braid of the same kind of gold, which surrounds a net button in the midThe whole dle, in rose-shaped braids. weighs a little more than 24 ounces. diameter is equal to that of a sinall hat. As the workmen's attention was attracted to this valuable relic, it was soon discovered that the whole mass was gold. By chance a corporal came up, who gave notice of it to the captain. Immediately on the following morning, the ground in that place was dug up five or six fathoms, and carefully examined; but nothing farther was discovered. Since the 25th of October, the crown has been at Vienna, and it is not doubted but that this curiosity will be delivered to the Imperial Treasury or Museum. The THE DOG MIME.-Who has not heard of the celebrated piece called The Forest dog of D'Aubry has obtained in Paris, Lonof Bondy, and of the applause which the don, Vienna, Munich, Dresden, Berlin, Leipsig, Cassel, &c. ? There is nothing see what Plutarch new under the sun: relates de solertia animalium! I must not pass over an example of canine ingenuity of which I was witness at Rome. A mime, who performed a complicated piece, in which there were many characters, had a dog with him, which made all kinds of gesticulations necessary for the representation. He afforded a striking proof of his talents, after taking poison, which was to produce sleep and then death. He took the bread in which the poison was given him, and, after he had eaten it, he pretended to tremble, to stagger, and to become giddy; and then he stretched himself out as if dead, and let himself be pulled and dragged along as the progress of the piece required. When, from the dialogue and action, he saw that the moment was come, he began to move himself by degrees, as if he awoke out of a profound sleep, raised his head, and looked about him; he then approached the person required by his part, and evinced his joy by his caresses, to the great astonishment of all the spectators, and even of the old Emperor Vespasian, who was at the time in the Theatre Marcellus. 66 THE UNLUCKY RESEMBLANCE.-Platonicus, an old grammarian, writes, in his little Essay on the difference of Comedy, The masks (in the middle and lower comedy) were expressly made as caricatures, through fear of the Macedonians and their tyranny, lest by chance there should be some resemblance of the Macedonian sovereigns, and the poet should be punished for it." At the time when the French were in possession of Hamburgh, a new curtain was on which Vice was represented as flying put up in the German theatre in that city, from triumphant Virtue. Davoust fancied that the countenance of Vice bore a likeness to Napoleon, and obliged the manager, by his menaces, to have the curtain repainted! 47 quite clear by six, when a large and broad halo was to be seen; about seven a heavy shower, which was succeeded by about an hour's starlight, when heavy clouds were formed, and rain ensued about nine.-Rain fallen 05 of an inch. Monday, 12-Thermometer from 36 to 44. Barometer from 29, 94 to 30, 22. Wind W. and S. W. 1.-Morning and noon very fine, afternoon and evening cloudy.—Rain fallen, 025 of an inch. Barometer from 29, 96 to 30, 05. Wind S. W. 3.-Generally overcast, with rain in the evening.-Rain fallen, 1 of an inch. Wednesday, 14-Thermometer from 39 to 53. Tuesday, 13-Thermometer from 45 to 52. Barometer from 29, 93 to 30, 07. Wind S. W. 3.-Very heavy showers at times, with gusts of S. and S. W. wind till two, when the wind became W. but by sun-set the wind again changed to S. W. §. Latitude 31. 37. 32 N. Longitude Edmonton, Middlesex. 3.51 W. JOHN ADAMS. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Juvenis is thanked for his communication respecting the Alisma Plantago, of which BLASPHEMOUS FLATTERY.-In one of the late papers of L'Ermite en Provence, we find the following passage, which presents another instance of the ridiculous and impious flattery lavished on Buonaparte :— M. L'Abbé Aillaud, Professor of Rhe-we trust to avail ourselves fully next week. toric at the Royal College (of Montauban), in a poem called the Egyptiad, in which he had first compared his hero' (whom he now compares to nothing) to Jupiter and to Mars, made, with great taste, a transition from the Heathen Mythology to the Bible, and exclaimed, addressing Mount Tabor, "O, Thabor! ébloui de ta gloire suprème, "Go and hang yourself, M. le Marquis METEOROLOGICAL JOURNAL. Thermometer from 36 to 43. Barometer from 30, 26 to 30, 10. Barometer from 30, 00 to 29, 99. Barometer from 30, 00 to 23, 81. Wind S. and S. by W. 1.-The morning heavily overcast; a misty rain about noon; in the afternoon the clouds dispersed quickly, became Clerus is informed that are decline pubtutional Pillar as necessary for its beauty lishing his letter. We are old-fashioned enough to think the Capital of the Constiand utility, as the Shaft, or even the Base. "a proof of our impartiality," an invective against We cannot therefore admit as the Bench of Bishops, and a sneer at Her Majesty. Our venerable Queen has set an example to all Wives and Mothers in these realms, which it would be happy for society, were common to her subjects, and with miserable unauthenticated scandal we have nothing to do; further than this, perhaps, that we have known asserted this august Personage, to be distinctly the slanders about the parsimonious habits of an opposite nature, founded on the most liactions. With regard beral and reverse of facts, and have heard charges of generous to our being severe on Bishop Watson, merely because he was a Whig; we take his own word for it that he was no such thing, and presume to rely on the general impartiality of our publication as a proof, that though we deliver our opinions freely, when political matter is so mixed up in any work with literature, as to render it impossible for us to avoid it altogether, we are utterly exempt from party prejudice, and take a broader basis for our views than either Whig or Tory would approve in a partisan. Kate was too late. Shall appear next week, with several Communications in the same predicament. * "The Whigs had power for a moment; they quarrelled amongst themselves, and thereby lost the King's confidence, lost the people's confidence, and lost their power for ever; or, to Whiggism or Toryism left; excess of riches, speak more philosophically, there was neither and excess of taxes, combined with excess of luxury, had introduced universal Selfism." See Anecdotes of Dr. Watson's Life. Bensley and Sons, Bolt Court, Fleet Street. |