542 Dramatic Register-Covent-Garden-New English Opera. [July 1,

of an actor, who for near forty years has been the admiration of his contemporaries, would be a work of supererogation, even if our limits did not preclude the attempt, since our observations on each single character, were we to do it justice, would necessarily occupy a greater space than we can allow to this whole article. It has been publicly announced that Mr. Kemble intends finally to retire from the stage at the conclusion of the ensuing season.

June 17th, Kotzebue's tragic play of Pizarro was revived at this house, for the purpose of exhibiting Miss O'Neill in a new character, that of Elvira. To say that she personated the haughty and revengeful mistress of the Spanish chieftain with all the dignity, energy, and, let us not omit, the feeling which the part requires, is no more than would be expect ed from this accomplished actress. Those, however, who have been overcome by the sorrows of her Isabella, who have been melted by the conjugal tenderness of Mrs. Beverley, who have been thrilled by the movement with which Belvidera disarms the maddened Jaffier, will deem it little less than profanation to see that killing softness and all those feminine fascinations by which the heart is irresistibly subdued, sunk in the vindictive spirit of the furious Elvira. The workings of that spirit were, it is true, rendered with extraordinary force, particularly in the speech in which, after describing the heroic deeds that won her preference of Pizarro, she concludes with the apostrophe:-"Meet and survive the greatest peril of thy life, a woman's vengeance, if thou canst." Her defiance of his tortures, after confessing her plan for taking away his life, was delivered with equal effect and prodigious applause. Conway was not more fitted for the representative of the imperious Pizarro by his majestic person than by the just conception and discrimination which mark his performance of every part in which we have seen him. Indeed we have no hesitation to express our conviction that the proprietor of this theatre would consult his own interest by allowing Mr. Conway frequent opportunities of dis

playing his powers in the more prominent range of characters. Young's Rolla fly justified the fame which he has acquired by his personation of the Peruvian hero; but the celebrated speech in the second act, though delivered with all his accustomed diguity and force, did not produce that electric effect upon the audience which its apposite political allusions so often excited during the late war. Mr. Terry, as Las Casas, was extremely im pressive.

NEW ENGLISH OPERA-HOUSE.

On Saturday, the 15th of June, this theatre (late the Lyceum) was opened to the public. As Englishmen, we cannot be insensible to the merits of this patriotic establishment, which is for the express purpose of displaying native ta lent, and securing for it that attention and patronage which has too long been exclusively lavished on foreigners. We do not know which most to admire, the excellent project of this institution, which had its origin with Mr. Arnold, the present proprietor-or the spirit and energy which (in spite of the opposition of the winter theatres) that gentleman has unceasingly displayed in its subsequent stages. For many years his late theatre was a source of high dramatic and musi cal treat; and the success of the pieces and performers produced there was ho nourable alike to him and to the public. He has now opened a new theatrelight, elegant, and spacious-devoted solely to the developement of British talent; and has thus at last accomplished, from his own resources, a work of immense national importance. The building is very commodious and beautiful; the form of the house is that of an antique lyre. The ceiling is unuseally light; it is composed of a series of arches, springing from slender columns. The first circle of boxes is decorated with classical subjects, illustrating the history of music, painted by Mr. Wil liam Etty: the other decorations of the house are in excellent taste.-The two architects employed by Mr. Arnold were Mr. Samuel Beazley and Mr. Albinos Martin.

less astonish, and perhaps disgust a fo reigner, who, unused to such scenes, might censure the taste of the artist in the selection of his subject; but for our own parts we prefer the representation of a fight of this sort, which is purely national, to all the pictures of Waterloo which we yet have seen:-in fact, we have now no sinal authority for our preference, for, at a late public dinner, a gallant general, who has fought and bled for his country, declared that he owed all his success and reputation to the first black eye he received at Westminster; and, no less strange than true," this remark was followed by a similar avowal from a British judge. Mr. Mulready has succeeded admirably in this picture. The combatants are just separated by the arrival of the pedagogue, whose authority it were vain to dispute; though the clenched fist of one of the urchins does not bespeak a very great degree of submission; he seems determined to have it out hereafter. The lively interest, the heartburnings, and the bustle, which this fight has occasioned among the other boys, is faithfully depicted, and to this the quiet and subduing interposition of the aged schoolmaster is admirably contrasted. The penciling is sharp, clear, and expressive; and the colours are accurately true to nature. On the whole, we hesi tate not to pronounce this one of the very best pictures in the room.

125, The Rabbit on the Wall-a Candle-light Amusement, D. WILKIE, R. A. -The deficiency which is felt by every well-informed observer in looking at this picture, is to be attributed to the inferiority of the class of painting, rather than to any peculiar failure in the artist. It is impossible to avoid regretting that the talents of Wilkie should be confined to such representations; but one feels similar sorrow in regard to many painters of the Dutch school, whose works exhibit the most scrupulous and accurate resemblance to nature, but have in them no portion of mind, without which a work of art cannot afford unalloyed gratification. This picture represents an evening family group in low life: the mother, who is a buxom cottager, holds on her lap a sturdy brat; and the father, who sits beside her, so twists his fingers that the shadow which falls upon the wall from a solitary candle resembles the form of a rabbit. We confess we feel as much astonished at the effect of the shadow as the child seems to be, and are almost tempted to believe that the artist

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would be puzzled to produce so faithful an outline on the wall of his own painting-room as he has done in this picture. The great merit of this painting seems to us to be in the management of the candle, and the groupe of children before it. This bit of the picture (to speak technically) is excellent. The domestic utensils and the furniture are so well painted, that they look like the things themselves seen through a diminishing glass; and the bright touches which he has scattered here and there bespeak the hand of a close observer of nature as well as of an experienced artist.

647, The Broken China Jar, or the Ghost Laid, by the same artist, has nothing in it worth mentioning. It is painted to illustrate a poem called "The Social Day."

71, View of the Temple of Jupiter Panhellenius, in the Island of Egina, with the Greek National Dance of the "Romaika:" the Acropolis of Athens in the distance: painted from a Sketch taken by H. GALLY KNIGHT, Esq. in 1810, and 55, The Temple of Jupiter Panhellenius Restored, J. M. W. TURNER, R. A.-These pictures are delightfully painted. The scene is poetical and brifliant; the restoration of the temple is managed with the professional judgment of an architect: the aerial perspective is beautifully kept in both. It is to be regretted that the figures, which are abundantly introduced, are not in the same style of excellence; they are harsh and obtrusive: that of the female stooping for water, in No. 71, is the best; and the reflexion on the surface of the spring is faithfully painted.

175, The Entrance to the Pool of London, A. W. CALLCOTT, R. A.—“ Old Father Thames" was never better painted than in this picture: the scene is perfect nature; and the broad unruffled surface of the river is so faithfully represented, that you may almost suppose it to be reality. The shipping is finely painted: perhaps the load of hay in the barge ought to have been more broken; but otherwise that groupe is unexceptionable. The fisherman, his boy, the boat, &c. are delightfully managed; and the little incident of the waterman rowing over the nets, is excellently introduced, and adds greatly to the interest of the picture. The warehouses,, and other objects on the shore, are equally good.

67, A Scene from Don Quixotte: (the Landscape painted by J. J. CHALON :) Sancho Panza delivering the Message from the Knight to the Duchess, A. E.

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Exhibition of Painters in Oil and Water-Colours.

CHALON, R. A. Elect.-The whimsical character of the squire in this picture is finely opposed to the gay, courtly, yet dignified, appearance of the duchess and her attendants. The knight of the sorrowful countenance, and his far-famed steed, are also well painted. The picture is highly creditable to both the artists, and we long again to see their combined excellencies.

128, 138, 168, and 187, pictures representing Boar-hunting in the East Indies at different periods of the Day, are painted with his accustomed talent, by J. WARD, R. A.

347, Joshua commanding the Sun to stand still upon Gibeon, J. MARTIN, is a very fine picture.

141, An Indian and Cattle, and 200, The Entrance to an Indian Palace, T. DANIEL, R. A. are splendid and interesting pictures.

839. Portrait of his Serene Highness Prince Leopold George Christian Frederic, Duke of Saxony, Prince of SaxeCoburg-Saalfeld; A. E. CHALON, R. A. Elect. This is the only authentic likeness of II. S. II.; and we are informed by those who are constantly in the habit of seeing him that the resemblance is complete. He appears to be a fine healthy English-looking man, and the ladies are unanimous in their praises and their admiration.

12. Portrait of J. J. Angerstein, Esq. Sir T. LAWRENCE, R. A.--This is an excellent likeness of an excellent man, and Sir Thomas never more happily caught the character and expres of the person whom he painted than the present instance; the head is replete with benevolence, taste, and dignity.

25. Portrait of the Bishop of London, Sir T. LAWRENCE, R. A., is an uncommonly good likeness of this amiable and learned prelate.

174. Portrait of the Indian Chief Tyroninhokarawen, known in the British Army under the Name of Captain (now Major) Norton. T. PHILLIPS, R. A.— The gallant conduct of this Indian chief in Canada must be fresh in the recollection of all, and the likeness we can aver to be good, for we perfectly remember him some years since residing in London. He is remarkably well educated, and in society possessed of the most fascinating manners, and these qualifications are well expressed by the painter although he is represented in the costume of his country, and grasping in his hand an Indian battle-axe.

191. Portrait of D. Wilkie, Esq. R.A.

[July 1,

A. GEDDES, is an excellent likeness, and very well painted.

251. Portrait of Mr. Sadler, the cele brated aeronaut, R. EVANS, is a portrait of great merit.

There are many other portraits highly deserving of notice, to which we refer our readers:

199. Portrait of Miss O'Neil as Juliet, G. DAWE, R. A.

183. Portrait of the Rt. Hon. David Boyle, II. RAEBURN, R. A. Elect. 45. Portrait of a Lady, W. ETTY. 188. Portrait of a "Gentleman, J. NORTHCOTE, R. A.

389 Portrait of Commodore Sir J. L. Yco, K. C. B., G. HARLOW. &c. &c. &c.

In the architectural department GANDY reigns pre-eminent: his Persian Porch, No. 806, and the drawing, 827, are by far the best in the room, although the latter is rather confused.

799, 810. Two Views of a Monument, J. SOANE, R. A., are excellently drawn; the mist rising in the church-yard is exquisitely beautiful.

809. Sketch of a Design for a Monament representing a Severed Column, now erecting to the Memory of the late Col. Gordon, on the Field of Battle at Waterloo, J. B. PAPWORTH, is a most beautiful and pathetic monument; it clearly proves that the acme of all art is simplicity; an inferior artist would have sought to express the loss his country sustained in Colonel Gordon by a thousand petty conceits; here the expression is simple and affecting, a beautiful column is seen, severed it is true, but dignified and lovely even in its ruin.

In the Model Academy, the finest pieces of Sculpture are FLAX MÁN'S, No. 930, A Senatorial Statue in Marble; Mr. BAILEY'S, 928, Achilles contending aith Scamander; and the groupe of Mr. JOSEPH, which deservedly gained the gold medal, No. 918, Eve entreating forgiveness of Adam.

EXHIBITION OF THE SOCIETY OF PAINTERS IN OIL AND WATER-COLOURS.(The Twelfth.) 1816.

We shall now conclude our remarks on this Exhibition.

116. Landscape with Cattle, J. GLOVER.-We regret to see an artist of the acknowledged talents of Mr. Glover, stoop to such mean arts of attracting at tention as to paint portraits as large as life of a snail, a toad and a huge dandelion. It also seems to us almost unnecessary to paint cattle of the size which he has thought fit to do in the picture

1816.]

Intelligence in the Fine Arts-New Patents.

before us they ought never to be considered otherwise than the subordinate part of a composition; and we confess we think every such purpose might be attained, without making them of the importance which they here assume; we are, however, quite sure that no person of taste will see this picture with the same pleasure as No. 65, by the same artist.

128. Hastings, Boats; and 130, Willow near Dulwich; S. PROUT; are executed with great feeling and effect; the breadth of colour, so necessary to the sublime in landscape painting, is admirably attained by this artist.

131, View of Moulsey Hurst; and 132, View of Hampton; R. HAVELL; are beautifully painted, and with perfect truth to nature.

118. Fishermen going out: Ventnor, near Steep Hill, Isle of Wight. J. CRIS

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TALL.-This picture maintains for Mr. C. the high reputation he has gained. He seems to feel his subject, and his works have the merit of bearing a rigorous examination; not a touch is lost or misapplied.

Mr. R. Hills, Mr. Robson, Mr. Fielding, and Mr. Cox, have also pictures well worth attention and study, but which our limits will not allow us to particularize.

INTELLIGENCE.

The exhibition of the old masters at the British Institution is now open, and we propose to ourselves the pleasure of making a few remarks upon its contents in the ensuing number.

The Elgin marbles are to be deposited in a new room in the British Museum. The excellent picture of Le Thiere, now exhibiting in Piccadilly shall be noticed in our next.

NEW PATENTS.

GEORGE MORTON, Covent-garden, gent.; for a mode of attaching horses to waggons and all other four-wheeled carriages.-Dated Nov. 14, 1815.

JOSEPH BAADER, doctor of medicine, knight of the kingdom of Bavaria; for an improved plan of constructing railroads, and carriages to be used on such improved rail-roads, for the more easy, convenient, and expeditious conveyance of all sorts of goods, wares, merchandize, persons, and all other articles usually, or at any time, removed in carriages of any construction whatever.-Nov. 14. GEORGE AUSTIN, Wotton-under-Edge, and JoHN DUTTON, jun. Hillsley, Gloucestershire, clothier; for improvements in fulling woollen cloth, and in fullingmills.-Nov. 23.

JAMES LEE, Old Ford, gent.; for improvements in the methods before invented by him of preparing hemp and flax for their various uses, and by which also other vegetable substances may be rendered applicable to many of the purposes for which hemp and flax are used. -Dec. 5.

CRISTOPHER DIHLS, Frith-street, esq.; for improvements in the method or apparatus for distillation.-Dec. 5.

JOHN MALZL, Poland-street, machinist; for an instrument, or machine, for the improvement of all musical performances, which he denominates a Metronome, or musical time-keeper.—Dec. 5.

DAVIS REDMUND, Johnson's - court, Fleet-street, machinist; for a machine for the manufacture of corks and bungs.

ALLEN TAYLOR, Barking, gent., DA--Dec. 9. NIEL GALLIFENT, sen. and jun. Braintree; for an engine for raising cold and hot water.-Nov. 25.

GEORGE YOUNG, Thames-street, gent.; for a method of making a peculiar species of canvas, which may be used more advantageously for military and other purposes than the canvas now in use. Dec. 5.

JEAN FREDERIC Marquis de CHABANNES, Russell-place; for methods of conducting the air, and regulating the temperature, in houses and other buildings, and warming and cooling either air or liquids in a more expeditious and less expensive manner than hath hitherto been done within this kingdom.--Dec. 5.

SAMUEL CLEGG, Peter-street, Westminster, engineer; for an improved gas apparatus.-Dec. 9.

ROBERT KINDER, Liverpool, gent.; for a method of propelling ships, boats, and other vessels.-Dec. 19.

ROBERT DICKENSON, Great Queenstreet, esq.; for improvements in the hoops, or hooping of barrels.-Dec. 19.

WILLIAM PLENTY, Newbury, ironfounder; for a plough, or agricultural implement, made on a new and improved principle, and answering a twofold purpose; so that land may be both pared and ploughed.-Dec. 22.

WILLIAM ADAMSON, St. George's, Hanover-square, gent.; for a principle

PIERRE FRANCOIS MONTGOLFIER, LeiJOHN THOMAS DAWES, West Brom-cester-square, engineer; for improvewich, ironmaster; for improvements in ments in the machine denominated Besteam-engines, some of which improve- lier Hydraulique, or Hydraulic Ram.ments are applicable to other purposes. March 14. -Feb. 6.