While gay Thalia's luckless votary, Lambe,* Illustrious HOLLAND! hard would be his lot *The honourable G. Lambe reviewed “Beresford's Miseries,” and is moreover author of a farce, enacted with much applause at the priory, Stanmore; and damned with great expedition at the late theatre, Covent-Garden. It was entitled "Whistle for it." Mr. Brougham, in No. XXV. of the Edinburgh Review, throughout the article concerning Don Pedro de Cevallos, has displayed more politics than policy: many of the worthy burgesses of Edinburgh being so incensed at the infamous principles it evinces, as to have withdrawn their subscriptions. It seems that Mr. Brougham is not a Pict, as I supposed, but a Borderer; and his name is pronounced Broom from Trent to Tay.-So be it. I ought to apologize to the worthy deities, for introducing a new goddess with short petticoats to their notice: but, alas! what was to be done? I could not say Caledonia's Genius, it being well known there is no genius to be found from Clackmannan to Caithness; yet without supernatural agency, how was Jeffrey to be saved! The national "Kelpies," &c. are too unpoetical, and the "Brownies" and "gude neighbours," (spirits of a good disposition) refused to extricate him. A goddess, therefore, has been called for the purpose, and great ought to be the gratitude of Jeffrey, seeing it is the only communication he ever held, or is likely to hold, with any thing heavenly. Long, long beneath that hospitable roof, While REYNOLDS vents his "dammes," "poohs," and "zounds," And common place, and common sense confounds? * Lordship H. has translated some specimens of Lope de Vega, inserted in his Life of the author: both are bepraised by his disinterested guests. † Certain it is, her ladyship is suspected of having displayed her matchless wit in the Edinburgh Review: however that may be, we know, frem good authority, that the manuscripts are submitted to her perusal-no doubt for correction. In the melo-drame of Tekeli, that heroic prince is clapt into a barrel, on the stage, a new asylum for distressed heroes. § All these are favourite expressions of Mr. R. and prominent in his comes dies, living and defunct. While KENNY'S World just suffer'd to proceed, Who but must mourn, while these are all the rage, Heavens! is all sense of shame, and talent gone? One classic drama, and reform the stage. Gods! o'er those boards shall Folly rear her head In grim array though LEWIS' spectres rise, * Mr. T. Sheridan, the new manager of Drury-Lane Theatre, stripped the Tragedy of Bonduca of the Dialogue, and exhibited the scenes as the specta cle of Caractacus.-Was this worthy of his sire? or of himself? Renown'd alike; whose genius ne'er confines To sanction Vice, and hunt Decorum down: * Mr. Greenwood is, we believe, scene-painter to Drury-Lane Theatre,-as such, Mr. S. is much indebted to him. † Mr. S. is the illustrious author of "The Sleeping Beauty," and some comedies, particularly “Maids and Bachelors:" Baculaurii baculo, magis quam. lauro, digni. ‡ Naldi and Catalani require little notice,-for the visage of the one, and the salary of the other, will enable us long to recollect these amusing vaga. bonds; besides, we are still black and blue from the squeeze on the first night of the lady's appearance in trowsers. While GAYTON bounds before the enraptur'd looks Let high-born lechers eye the lively PRESLE Wave the white arm and point the pliant toe; COLLINI trill her love-inspiring song, Strain her fair neck and charm the listening throng! By whose decrees, our sinful souls to save, Of vice and folly, GREVILLE and ARGYLE !* * To prevent any blunder, such as mistaking a street for a man, I beg leave to state, that it is the institution, and not the duke of that name, which is here alluded to. A gentleman, with whom I am slightly acquainted, lost, in the Argyle Rooms, several thousand pounds, at backgammon; it is but justice to the manager in this instance, to say that some degree of disapprobation was manifested; but why are the implements of gaming allowed in a place devoted to the society of both sexes? A pleasant thing for the wives and daughters of those who are blest or curst with such connexions, to hear the billiard tables rattling in one room, and the dice in another! That this is the case I myself can testify, as a late unworthy member of an institution which materially affects the morals of the higher orders, while the lower may not even move to the sound of a tabor and fiddle without a chance of indictment for riotous behaviour. Petro hid rbiter elegantiarum" to Nero, " and a very pretty fellow in reve's Old Bachelor saith. |