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-
tained. Fodor was the patient wife, Mori,
Lisetta her rival, Crivelli the husband,
and Miss Hughes the sister, who joins in
the hard conspiracy to try how far female
endurance can go. Of Fodor's voice we
have already given our opinion. If want-
ing the sweetness, mellowness, and expres-
sion of an Italian, it is marvellous for a
French voice; and she has contrived not
less strikingly to escape the style of that
infinitely unmusical and affected people;
she is never outrageous, never urges her
tones into clamour, or her visage into con-
vulsion,—but seldom degenerates even into
the common-place of that contortion
which the French call a smile; and if she
has faults, has them all on the side
of languor and long-windedness, dull graces,
and imitative and chill attempts at expres-
sion. Mori, sister of the late leader of
the ballets, is almost new to the stage, and
certainly is not without promise. A good
figure, though petite; a flexible voice,
though shrill; a free manner, though COVENT-GARDEN.-At this theatre Retri-
sometimes coarse, are among her qualities.bution has reached its sixth night, but does
Time will give her additional powers, and not seem to do so much as it deserves. On
she has talent enough to make her even Wednesday, the Point of Honour, originally
now valuable. Doristella, the daughter, played at the Haymarket, was revived here.
was performed by Miss Tree, a slight and As this piece is well known, we are relieved
gentle looking person, with a voice extin- from the necessity of going into the plot,
guished by timidity, but altogether filling which is light and French-fashioned; Mr.
her place advantageously. Miss Hughes C. Kemble, who adapted the drama to our
is known, and is always the same, except stage from that of Paris, having adhered
as she may condescend to change from very closely to his model. The dialogue
time to time the colour of her robe or also is more easy than elegant; more
the quantum of her plumage. Crivelli ex- touching than deeply afflicting. Much is
hibits remarkable taste in his dress. His therefore left to the situation of the parties,
green and gold doublet on Saturday was to the circumstances of the fable, and to
beyond all comparison superior to Miss the exertions of the performers, for effect-
Hughes's jupon, and his boots and cap ing that powerful feeling of the pathetic
might turn proudly on all criticism. We which this play undoubtedly excites in the
have not time to enumerate the triumphs of breasts of the audience. That this busi-
the night; in how many songs Fodor was ness was in able hands at Covent-garden,
encored, and in how many Crivelli was we may assure the public, when we state
not; how Mori astonished the house with that the Chevalier de St. Franc was allotted
a shake, and how Miss Hughes petrified it to Mr. Young, Durimel to Mr. C. Kemble,
with a hysteric. The Ballet was Etius Valcour to Mr. Abbott, and Bertha to
and Fulvie, a very poor story, degraded Miss O'Neill: Liston played Steinberg,
into a very poor pantomime. This sin, and Mrs. Fawcit Mrs. Melfort.
however, lies on the head of M. Favier, could scarcely be a stronger cast altogether;
who does the honours of the Ballet. The and the tears of the spectators bore ample
Corps de Ballet enumerates some able, and testimony to the merits of the actors.
some very fine performers. Milanie, still Miss O'Neill's Bertha is a delightful es-
unrivalled in her style, and delicate and say. Her grace and sweetness, deepening
tasteful execution; Baptiste admirable for into wretchedness, and finally sinking in
agility, and wanting nothing for perfect cap-despair; her tenderness and affection, con-
tivation but a face a little more rising towards trasted with the horrors to which she is
the human; Hullin, a youth, a novelty, and abandoned when she imagines her husband
most interesting and saltatory; Toussaint, has suffered an ignominious death, and
clever in the dull detail of kings and consuls; hears, as she supposes, the fatal engines of
Mademoiselle Le Breton, a short, but ani- his annihilation explode; the restoration
mated and active dancer; and last and of her hopes and consequent ecstasies; are
most striking, Mademoiselle Copere, a all touched with a perfection of art which
femme magnifique, tall and tragic, with the does seem to be reality. It is justly re-
step of a heroine, and the countenance of marked, that the recurrence of similar pas-
a sultana. It is difficult to look upon this sions does somewhat weaken the impres-
fine assemblage without promising ourselves sions which their first portraiture makes;
high indulgence for the season, and it would and we could add to this a serious regret
not be perfectly just to turn from it without that the repetition costs this accomplished
giving the proprietor his praise for the libera- performer so fearful a waste of strength

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
married.
has dispatched a force against Amelia
Island, the pseudo seat of administra-
tion to the new Floridan Republic. The
impression upon our minds is, that the
United States have been got over to the
wishes of the mother country, by the
cession of the Floridas; however in-
dividuals, or parties, among the popu-
lation, may there, as in England, desire
to espouse the opposite side.

The dialogue is sprightly, and occasional
bursts of loyalty run through the whole.
We are sorry to say that Mr. Denning's
performance did not partake of the spright-
liness. The part of the French courier
was decidedly the best; the mixture of
broken English and coarse French was well
managed. The author was flat and unin-
teresting, and although he was travelling
The Chevalier de St. Franc is a character with the laudable view of paying his cre-
well suited to Young's genius: dignified, ditors with the profits arising from the
gentlemanly, melancholy, impassioned. sale of his intended tour, we augur, that if
His personation of it displayed much taste his writing be no better than his acting,
and judgment, and it requires little more; they will be little benefited. His sailor
for except in one or two scenes, there is no was overdone, and we cannot too strongly
room for the deeper emotions. Mr. Charles reprobate the custom of introducing the
Kemble is a masterly Durimel, and he bore British seaman in that most disgracefully
his share in the distresses of the scene inebriated state too much in use with our
with all the efficacy which the high range modern actors. We shall say little of the
of Miss O'Neill's acting demanded. With songs, because we cannot speak in their
her he divided the merit and the suffrages favour; but that one, in which Captain
of the audience. Nor can any less be said Warren forms the chorus, is so close a copy
of Abbott's Valcour, except in so far as the of the well known song, the Ladies Diary
part is more unequal, and, withal, less pro-and Captain Clackit, that we cannot for-
minent. We do not think it could be more bear noticing it.
chastely yet vigorously sustained than it
was on this occasion. Steinberg and Mrs.
Melfort have little room for an exhibition
of talent, but they did the possible. Upon
the whole, the play was got up to greater
advantage than it ever before arrived at,
and so perfect were the various represen-
tations of the characters, that it looked as
if the part of each had been expressly de-
The daily papers are so filled with
signed for them by an author who had ac-
curately studied their particular qualifica-subscription lists for Cenotaphs to the
tions, and produced what was best contrived Princess Charlotte, the relief of dis-
for the manifestation of their abilities. tressed seamen, the extinction of men-
dicity in the metropolis, and the remu-
On Thursday, after the opera of Ar-neration of Mr. Hone, that were there
taxerxes, a new dramatic piece, in one act,
called Three Miles from Paris, was repre-
trifles which, to animadvert on seriously,
would be like breaking a butterfly on the
wheel. The main object of the piece is to The Duke of Wellington remained
exhibit Mr. Denning in a variety of cha- some time at Paris, where it is believed
racters, probably attempted from a recol-important negociations were carried on
lection of the great success attendant on

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
whether there would be room for it;
but there is in fact very little to be
told.

under his presidency. These related
to the claims of Prussia against France;
and to the contest between Spain
and her Colonies, to accommodate
which, it seems, the principal European
powers have undertaken a mediation.
it is lamentable that the struggle
should be protracted; desolating a fine
country, and pouring out torrents of
human blood. The complexion of the
latest intelligence is unfavourable to the
insurgent cause. Mina is asserted to
be made prisoner in Mexico; on the
side of Chili, the royalists are again
making head; in Venezuala the rival
chiefs have carried their dissensions so
far, that Bollivar has executed General
Piar, and procured the disgrace of
Marino, his quondam associates; and

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.

JOURNAL OF THE BELLES LETTRES.

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!

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,
Tu vis sur ton Sommet, triompher Dieu lui-
même,
Tu devais voir encore, pour combler tes destins,
Triompher à tes pieds, le plus grand des humains."

"Go and hang yourself, M. le Marquis
created You, and reposed himself,' is in-
de L**. Your famous apostrophe, God
terior to this triumph of Mount Tabor,
which, after having beheld God in his
glory, has seen, to complete its destiny, the
greatest of mortals triumph at its feet.-
This is what may be called a delicate eulo-
gium!"

METEOROLOGICAL JOURNAL.
January 8-Thursday.

Thermometer from 36 to 43.
Barometer from 30, 21 to 30, 40.
Wind W. by N. and W. by S. 1.-A fine day
for the season.-Rain fallen, 025 of an inch.
Friday, 9-Thermometer from 31 to 49.

Barometer from 30, 26 to 30, 10.
Wind S. and S. by W. 1.-Generally overcast,
and very close, with rain at times.
Saturday, 10-Thermometer from 46 to 53.

Barometer from 30, 00 to 29, 99.
Wind S. by W. 1.-Generally overcast, but
about noon the sun appeared.—Gnats were flying
about this morning.-Rain fallen, 05 of an inch.
Sunday, 11-Therinometer from 46 to 51.

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