men, was surmounted. Repeated feints upon the enemy's left sufficed to turn his attention from our working parties on his right; and during the night of the 16th two nine-pounders and a carronade, on ship carriages, were placed in the battery, the hut that masked it pulled down, and it opened in the morning. Its fire was soon decisive on the gateway, which, having been their last thoroughfare, was not so strongly embanked as the others. Having prepared some seamen, with axes and ropes, to accompany the column, I ordered it forward; it moved rapidly to its point, headed by Major Thornhill's company of his Majesty's 13th a few moments sufficed to complete the destruc. tion of the wounded spars, and we were speedily in the stockade, followed by the reserve under Lieut. col. Hampton, of the 20th Native Infantry. The Burmese chief in command was killed near the point of attack; they abandoned their interior defences, (a trench and breastwork,) and fled through their rear gate, leaving a great number killed. Considering that throughout these little operations our investment was very close, and the enemy's fire kept up without any intermission, I am happy to say that our loss has been singularly small.

The principal accounts from Paris state that the evacuation of Spain by the French troops has been resolved upon. This evacuation is to commence on the 1st of December, according to the French themselves. There are a number of fortified places, however, still to retain French garrisons. Ferdinand, according to some accounts, is anxious for their re

moval, according to others he is opposed to it. The royalists of France feel sore at the honours paid in America to the illustrious La Fayette. They assert that his reception is an appeal to the revolu tionary passions, and that the object of America is to unite the whole of that vast continent in one general democracy against the monarchical interests of Europe. In short the rage of these declaimers against the free people and free institutions of America is boundless, as it is impotent.

The affairs of Spain remain in the same miserable state as heretofore. Disturbances break out here and there, and occasion bloodshed. Bands of armed constitutionalists live in the mountainous districts, and hold their neighbourhoods in fear. Little progress appears to be made in the organization of a regular army. A sort of militia, called Royalist Volunteers, seems to be chiefly relied on; and these are furious partisans of the Inquisition. Distrust and fear are still entertained respecting the ci-devant Constitutional army. A new decree has been published, depriving officers of this description of their honours, arms, and equipage-if not of their entire property.

List of Officers, Seamen, and Marines, belonging to His Majesty's ship Slaney, Charles Mitchell, Esq. Commander, who were killed and wounded at the reduction of the Island of Cheduba:Killed, 1 marine; wounded, 1 Lieutenant and 4

seamen.

Cheduba, May, 18, 1824.

Return of the Killed and Wounded of the Forces under the Command of Brigadier M'Creagh, C. B. from the 14th to the 17th of May 1824, both days inclusive. Grand total-Killed, 2; wounded, 36.

Names of Officers Wounded.-His Majesty's 18th Light Infantry-Brevet Major Thornhill, slightly. Ditto, ditto-Ensign Kershaw, slightly. 2d Batt, 20th Regiment Native Infantry-Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant Margrave, severely.

Return of Arms and Ordnance taken in the Enemy's works at Cheduba, May 17, 1824.-Five European six pounder guns; thirty smaller guns, and swi. vels of various calibre; forty European musquets, and a few matchlocks; 12,525 leaden balls of various sizes, 200 six-pound shot, a few hand grenades, 1080 European flints. (Signed)

STATES.

G. W. MALINS, Major of Brigade.

King, not to admit nor permit on your soil the

"Do you swear to God, and promise to the

infamous Constitutional Code, published at Cadiz, March 17, 1812, to abhor it with all your heart, and to oppose its re establishment even to the shedding of the last drop of your blood ?—Yes, we swear it.

"Do you swear to God, and promise to the King, to be faithful to him, and to defend his sacred rights of absolute Sovereignty, without permitting either Chambers or any other restriction on it, even to the shedding of the last drop of your blood?—Yes, we swear it."

One frigate, two corvettes, and three transports, have sailed from Cadiz for Corunna to take in troops for South America.-To conquer 17 millions of men with such a force! Can a better proof be offered of the fitness of the anointed Ferdinand and his ministers for being rulers of 9,000,000 of people?

The King of Prussia has been married to the Countess Augusta Von Harrach. The Burchenschaft the Prussian authorities have boasted as having eradicated under the administration of M. Von Gersdorff.

In the Netherlands the project of law for the more effectual official prevention of the Slave Trade, which is submitted by the King to the States General, proposes that the punishment of those who shall

be guilty of the crimes stated in the Articles 1 and 2 of the law of 20th of November 1818, shall be hard labour for 15 years, a fine of 10,000 florins, and confiscation of the ships. It is further stated in the Royal Message, that measures will likewise be taken in the Colonies to check the Slave Trade, and to discover those who violate the laws on that subject.

All accounts from Grecce join in confirming the success of that brave people over their barbarian enemies. In every quarter their cause has triumphed. The flcets of the Porte and also that of the Pacha of Egypt, have been completely destroyed and dispersed. A number of vessels and prisoners have fallen into the hands of the conquerors. It was said at Odessa that the Capitan Pacha was beheaded on the 30th of October, in presence of the Sultan. The Dervisch Pacha has been driven and routed from Thermopylæ, and Omer Vrione was closely followed up by the Grecian chiefs. The Greek Archipelago has been completely freed from the Turkish flag. Ibrahim Bey, son of Mehemet Ali, the Viceroy of Egypt, and M. L-, calling himself aide-de-camp of General Grouchy, who abjured Christianity for the religion of Mahomet, lately arrived at Napoli di Romania, where they were treated as prisoners of war. The Ottoman ships on board of which they were, had eight millions of Turkish piastres in gold and paras. The joy of the Greeks was extreme.-The Greeks have withdrawn their proclamation respecting neutral ships, and agreed to confine themselves to the laws and usages of other European nations respecting them. Courts of admiralty for judging in such cases are forming. On the whole, no reasonable friend to Greece can expect her noble cause to proceed more prosperously. An amnesty has been published by the President Conduriotis and the executive counsel in favour of those who had been guilty of infringing the laws; and in order to encourage commerce, the following decree has been issued to enforce letters of marque on board armed vessels :

"The Greek nation has taken up arms solely to reconquer its existence and its political independence, and to establish in its circumference that civilization which is enjoyed by all polished people, with whom she wishes to contract the relations of amity and commerce. The Government has learnt with regret the complaints made by some foreign merchantmen against some of our corsairs. These complaints state that the latter had unjustly caused great molestation, in contravention of our instructions and orders, and

in contradiction to the principles of neutrality, by which they had frustrated the advantages be

longing to commerce, which ought not to be

diverted from its natural course.

"Wishing to prevent all inconveniences of this kind, the Government now informs all armed vessels of the Grecian Seas, that if any one shall unjustly impede the commerce of neutrals, not only will be not find any protection from our shipping, but he will also be severely punished.

"Although the deplorable state of the war has occasioned the presence of corsairs in order to deprive the enemy of all means of resistance, such ariaed vessels must henceforth be furnished with Letters of Marque and instructions from Government. In default of these letters they will be punished accordingly.

(Signed)

"The President, P. CONDURIOTIS. "The Secretary of State, P. RHODIOS. "Nauplion, August 28, 1824."

In South America the cause of Independence is gradually establishing. Col. Campbell, the Commissioner to Colombia, was much praised for his conduct there, on his leaving for England, where he has since arrived. The country possessed complete internal tranquillity and attachment to the constitution. In Peru, Bolivar and Canterac have had a partial engagement, in which the latter was beaten ; the troops engaged were chiefly cavalry. The result of this brilliant affair was 235 of General Canterac's cavalry killed in the field of battle; amongst them were ten of the chiefs and officers, great numbers wounded, and still greater numbers dispersed; upwards of 300 fine horses completely equipped taken, and the field of battle covered with every description of spoil. Canterac fled with less than a third part of the cavalry with which he commenced the attack; and the army of Bolivar was to follow up its operations in pursuit of him on the following day.

Lord Cochrane and the forces under his command have captured Pernambuco in Brazil, after a day's bombardment. A letter was sent from Carvalho, the governor, stipulating terms, but they were refused, and he eventually took refuge on board an English man of war, and has arrived in England.

we

Boyer, the President of Hayti, has issued a proclamation, putting the nation on its guard against any designs of France. He concludes by saying, "The Republic is free, it is for ever independent, since are determined to bury ourselves under its ruins rather than submit to a stranger. In the mean while the enemies of Hayti rashly count upon divisions among us. What folly, and at the same time what duplicity! Let us be eternally united. Faithful to our duties we shall be, with the assistance o the Almighty,

for ever invincible."

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

LAST month we had scarcely a new piece, or an aspiring performer to try our wit or vent our spleen on; this month we have such variety of matter, that our article must either exceed its fair proportion or sink into a catalogue. Drury Lane has opened, with great show of novelty in its performers; but with no change in the decorations of the interior, except that they have been refreshed, and restored to that chaste beauty which can hardly be improved. In the selection of actors, the sa.ne munificent spirit, which was put forth last season, is manifest; for, though Braham is gone, Sapio is to succeed; Miss Stephens will resume her sway over the ears and hearts of the English people; Macready and Kean will be placed in liberal competition; and the operatic and comic departments will receive a great accession of strength. In the former, we have already been gratified by the appearance of Miss Graddon from Dublin, and of Mr. and Mrs. Bedford from Bath, who, though not in the first rank of singers, all take a high place in the second, and will be delightful auxiliaries to Sapio and Stephens. Miss Graddon is in the style of our own best favourite-a quiet, modest, unaffected and unacting girl-with a voice of excellent quality but no great compass, and with good taste and gentle inanner. Mrs. Bedford, with less sweetness and greater power, is a tasteful and unpretending singer; and Mr. Bedford is one of the heartiest and best-humoured of jovial musicians. He has a deep bass voice, and evidently enjoys what he sings. His Hawthorn was a pleasant performance; he sung the capital song, "Oons, neighbour, ne'er blush for a trifle like this," with a due feeling of the universal truth of the sentiment; and gave to the introduced ballad "Who deeply drinks of wine," appropriate body and flavour. Mrs. Bedford was a ladylike Rosetta; and with the assistance of Horn in Young Meadows, Terry in the Justice, Knight in Hodge, and Miss Povey in Luciuda, made the opera of "Love in a Village" pass off more agreeably than we thought possible,―recollecting the power of Braham, who sometimes here condescended to be nobly plain; the undefinable charms of Miss Stephens; and the rich humour of Munden, too little prized till it was lost for ever.

In Comedy, Mrs. Yates, late Miss Brunton, is heartily welcome. When she played at Covent Garden, she was airy and elegant; but her style, like her person,

was scarcely formed enough for high comedy; she is now improved in both, and continues as ladylike and blooming as before. Miss Isabella Paton, as yet unripe for a heroine, is fast improving. Add to these the pretty, vivacious, and piquant Mrs. Waylett, who has caught something of the lighter part of Miss Kelly's vein, and we have a very agreeable assortment of sprightly beauties. We still want a fair and serious actress for the girlish parts of tragedy, and sentimental comedy; who would look as lovely as Miss Smithson and speak better. And we want Miss Kelly herself, whose absence from the Winter Theatres is one of those dramatic phenomena which, to persons who are not privileged with the entré of the green-room, seems little less than a miracle.

With these new performers, judiciously brought into play, and with the materiel of a good company, Mr. Elliston might have hoped to draw without either magicians or horses. He chose to make assurance doubly sure, and produced a splendid oriental and most equestrian affair, under the title of "The Enchanted Courser." This piece has practically demonstrated the truth of a position on which we have often insisted-that these spectacles, which are so offensive to critics and the halfprice spectators, rarely pay even in money for the costs of their decoration. It is true the author of this thing, which it would be gross flattery to call a melodrama, has laboured hard in the cause of taste and sense; and, by divesting a grand Arabian story of every shred of interest, stupifying Harley with his tremendous dulness, amazing little boys with the apotheosis of a rocking-horse, and making poor Mrs. West maudiin and mad, almost achieved a damnation in spite of Mr. Ducrow and several of the most magnificent scenes ever painted. Some dozen stout applauders prevented the complete success of his endeavours on the first night; but his triumph was not long delayed; the horses are gone, and the town is relieved and thankful. To make amends, we have had some very pretty ballets performed by a well-trained band of children, Mons. Hullins' pupils. They have figured the charming story of Cinderella gracefully, and have not spoiled it by attempting to futroduce the words!

Freischutz, the eternal Freischutz, has appeared at this theatre with all the devilry, and more than all the music, which have given it fascination all the town over. This is well; for in that music are science for the student and sentiment for the

with fortune-a rich merchant, who, in an hour, by a single storm is reduced to beg at the grate of Ludgate-a prodigal, who is chosen by the widow in the expectation that he will dissipate her substance, on the charming principle of female contradiction, and who suddenly becomes wise on his elevation, divides his estate with the brother who had spurned him, and fills the office of sheriff with more dignity and humanity than has belonged to it from that time until the era of Parkins! There are shiftings of fortune and character almost like the changes in a pantomime; and if these were all, the exhibition would be only ludicrous; but the passions and affections are handled also with the freedom of a master, and we feel that we are contemplating the essences of things and not mere exaggerations of their circumstances. It matters little how wild the story is when the life and nature of the dialogue make the heart gush forth and the blood tingle in the veins. Much, no doubt, is due to the principal actors,Young, Charles Kemble, Miss Lacy, Miss Chester, and Blanchard, who, though he never has a principal part, is always a principal actor. Young's Foster was complete; the very merchant of the age in gesture, action, even walk; full of a grave humour (in which he is unequalled) in the lighter parts, and pathetic, without affectation, in the more trying scenes. Kemble played the spendthrift so gaily, and the sheriff so gallantly, that it was hard to believe the fair widow contemplated unmingled wretchedness when she chose him. Miss Chester, as the Woman never vexed, looked the very image of smiling content; and, for real life, we wish no better; but for acting, commend us to Miss Lacy, who played the shrewish Mrs. Foster, and who knows now where her true strength lies! Her pettishness, impatience, and self-will were admirable; and not less so was her manner of cleaving to her husband in his reverses, though she had but a few words to speak. It was all true; and how far above all else is truth, in eloquence, and in acting! The Lord Mayor's show in 1444 was a gorgeous pageant, and all the decorations were calculated to realize the scene, and to give a vivid notion of antique comfort and splen

dour.

There has been at this house, what we think very important, an excellent variety of afterpieces. Miss Tree has returned to play Clari, and Rosina in the "Barber of Seville," each in its way a treat, though we do not think it was quite honest in the translator of the first piece to take entire the last scene of "Rich and Poor," and add it to his drama; nor very attentive in

VOL. XII. NO. XLVIII.

us critics to let the plagiarism escape our keen observation till now. The "Escapes" has been revived with its pleasing music, and several old farces excellently played. Some of these, as "Cent. per Cent." "Too Late for Dinner," and "Husbands and Wives," are as nearly being perfect in their kind as any thing on the stage-excepting Simpson and Co. at Drury-lane, which is perfection itself, now that Terry is restored to his place as head of the firm.

HAYMARKET THEATRE.

The last days of the Haymarket have been its best days in exertion, and we hope not its worst in success. It has been the fashion to ridicule the manager for the inequalities of his company, without considering the great difficulties he had to encounter from the protracted seasons of the winter houses, and the real paucity of even tolerable actors. From what he has done, when opportunity was given, we may fairly judge of what he would do, if allowed a fair competition with the mightier managers. When Farren and Miss Chester were obliged to leave him, he more than supplied their place by engaging Dowton and Miss Kelly, who, with Liston, Wilkinson, Vining, and Williams, played several of the best comedies in excellent style. He also engaged Mr. and Mrs. Hamblin and Miss George, well known as a concert-singer, but who appeared on the stage for the first time. Mr. Hamblin is not unknown to a London audience; but his improvement is decisive; and though not a fervid, he is an elegant and judicious actor. His Hamlet, which he repeated at the call of the audience, was a very gentlemanly reading of the part, extremely well conceived and well spoken; and though he occasionally wanted force, and always ease, he was preferable to some, who possessing both, play tricks with the author, and change the mild philosophic thinker into a boisterous hero of regular tragedy. His Rob Roy was too refined and finical; but his Joseph Surface, allowing for a little stiffness, was the most plausible we have lately seen. His wife, who is the young lady who was wont to fascinate the summer audiences as Miss E. Blanchard, is a lovely and intelligent woman, who sheds unwonted grace over the stage, and, though far from competent to Lady Teazle, will shine in sentiniental comedy. They played "The School for Scandal," however, agreeably, with the aid of Mrs. Glover, whose Mrs. Candour was a perfect piece of acting, Mr. Vining a lively, if not a polished Charles, and Mr. Williams who, topped the part of Crabtree. We should not forget that this gentleman, who

32