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Rae in Valentine, Harley in Tattle, Mrs. Davison in Angelica, Mrs. Orger in Mrs. Foresight, were excellent. Mrs. Mardyn in Miss Prue has made some improvement both in her acting and dress; but is yet too affectedly drawling in the one, and tight-laced in the other, for that nature, ease, and elegance, which were the unrivalled characteristic of the bewitching Jordan.

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Massinger's nervous comedy of A New Way to Pay Old Debts, has been repeated up to the thirteenth time with increased and well-merited applause. The lively comedy of the Busy Body has also been several times repeated. Harley made an excellent and bustling Marplot. Dowton's Sir Francis Gripe was below his usual standard, and had nothing in it to remove our regrets that it had not been placed in the hands of Munden, whose exaggerated excellence in it at Covent-garden will ever live in the memory of those admirers of caricature by whom it was witnessed. It is too extravagant and charged for Dowton's chaste style. We must not omit Miss Kelly's admirable personification of Patch: it forcibly reminded us of the best days of Miss Pope and Mrs. Mattocks.

The Merchant of Bruges has retained its situation among the favourites of the month; and this piece, as well as other late revivals, proves that the taste of the "drama's patrons" is improving. Let, therefore, the managers continue to feed this taste, and bards of distinguished merit in other walks of literature will no longer disdain to woo the histrionic muse. On Thursday, Feb. 1, was performed a new play, called Accusation, or the Family of Anglade, a translation from the French, and of the same class with the Peasant Boy and the Maid and the Magpie, consisting of unjust accusations appearing so circumstantial and complete, as to occasion the imprisonment and nearly the ruin and execution of Mons. Anglade, which from unexpected and timely discoveries is but barely prevented; and from those incidents it derives its name. It is said to be founded on fact; it may be so: but the Old Bailey Calendar can doubtless furnish many others equally dramatic. As its career seems to be at an end, we shall not pay so much attention to the piece as to the performers. Mr. Rae in Anglade was too sombre and lacrymose even from the beginning, seeming in his gaiety to have a presentiment of something fatal hanging over him. Of late his style has become too artificial: he speaks too much

[March 1,

with the ore rotundo, deals too much in heroics for nature, and, in short, is fast deviating from that style which first raised his celebrity with the public. Miss Kelly, as his virtuous, his heroic wife, was as usual all excellence, nature, and feeling; and Mrs. Glover as Madame Corville, the aunt of Valmore, (Wallack,) the unprincipled accuser, was truly great, and added to her already established fame. Mr. Bartley, as a rough but open-hearted and generous relation, performed with nature and feeling; and the naiveté with which he emits a pardonable oath, that his cousin (Anglade) shall not go to prison was excellent, and received due applause. Of Mr. Wallack we have but room to say that he played well; let him continue to study and to act from the impression of his feelings, and he will reach a high rank in the drama; but he must not think that the applauses he now receives are so much the reward of accomplished merit, as tributes of encouragement to youthful ardour. The play has since been repeated to considerable houses and without dissent.

On Tuesday the 13th, a new Farce was produced under the title of Mail Coach Passengers, which condemned; Mr. Rae announcing from was finally the stage, at its close, that in compliance with the wishes of the audience it was withdrawn. This farce was superior, in many respects, to some that have been more successful; and had the author confined himself to the single plot of Megget's (Mr. S. Penley) hoax upon the towns-people-that two of his fellowtravellers were the Duchess of Newenburg and her companion, and that his friend and rival Somerton (Mr. Barnard) was concerned in robbing the coach, with the equivoque arising from a retired old gentleman, Marvel (Mr. Gattie) the humour of a travelling Scotch lecturer on every thing, one Professor Gibberish (Mr. Knight) the self-importance of a foolish mayor, Wiseacre (Mr. Oxberry) and a country aldermanic barber Gabble (Mr. Harley) with the sprightliness and ease of the dialogue, and a few puns not ill applied, it might have had a run, and would still furnish materials for a good farce; but when the author,mirabile dictu, crowded two plots into two short acts, and made the episodical one long and sentimental enough for a Haymarket three-act comedy, it was as Burke would have said, obnubilated by incident, and met a merited fate. Nothing of consequence has since occurred at this theatre, but the attempt of a wretched ma

1816.]

New Acts of Parliament.

niac to shoot Miss Kelly on Saturday the 17th, during the performance of Modern Antiques; but as no injury was sustained, we shall say no more than congratulate the public and Miss Kelly on this escape from assassination.

Two sisters, of the name of Halford, made their debut as Rosina and Phoebe, and since as Kathleen and Nora, in the Poor Soldier; they are young, pretty singers, and although not possessing wonderful talents, are useful vocal accessories to the establishment. They are both pupils of Corri, and do credit to their master,

This theatre has announced Massinger's celebrated play of "The Duke of Milan," in which we understand Mr. Kean is to perform the part of Sforza. Farquhar's Recruiting Officer, and a new farce to be called What Next.

COVENT-GARDEN.

157

The principal novelty at this house has been a translation of the same piece as appeared at Drury-lane, under the appellation of The Portfolio; or the Anglude family, translated by Mr. Kenney. It is in every respect inferior to its rival.

Miss O'Neill is still the prominent attraction of this theatre: she has repeated most of her characters with her usual success, and has added a new wreath to her brows by her excellent personification of Isabella in Shakspeare's Measure for Measure. The Midsummer Night's Dream, revived last month with great applause, still continues its attractions.

This theatre has in preparation a new Opera, called Guy Mannering; said to be by Mr. Terry; which, when produced, shall receive due attention.

NEW ACTS,

PASSED IN THE THIRD SESSION OF THE FIFTH PARLIAMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.-55 GEO. III. (1815.) [The figure which follows the date of each Act, denotes the number of sheets of which it consists: each sheet is sold for THREE-PENCE.]

CAP. CI. An Act to regulate the Collection of Stamp Duties on Matters in respect of which Licences may be granted by the Commissioners of Stamps in Ire land. June 22.-5.

CII. An Act to repeal certain Duties on Leather dressed in Oil in Great Britain, or imported from Ireland. June 22. -1.

CIII. An Act to regulate the Postage of Ship Letters to and from Ireland. June 22.-2.

CIV. An Act to make further Provisions for the issuing of Licences to Persons to deal in, retail, make, or manufacture Spirits and other Exciseable Commodities in Ireland, and for securing the Duties of Excise payable by the Persons so licensed. June 22.-3.

CV. An Act to make further Provisions for collecting and securing the Duties of Excise on Hides and Skins tanned in Ireland. June 22.-1.

CVI. An Act to make further Provisions for collecting and securing the Duties of Excise on Paper printed, painted, or stained in Ireland, to serve for Hangings and other Uses. June 22.-1.

CVII. An Act to regulate the Appointment of Governor of the Richmond Lunatic Asylum in Dublin. June 22.-1. CVIII. An Act for punishing Mutiny and Desertion; and for the better Pay

ment of the Army and their Quarters. June 22.—18.

The preamble of this act states, that it is judged necessary for the safety of the United Kingdom to keep a body of forces, consisting of 190,767 men, exclusive of those employed in the East Indies, the foreign corps in British pay, and the embodied militia.

CIX. An Act to enable the Sheriff Depute or Substitute and Justices of the Peace of the County of Clackmanan to incarcerate Persons in the Gaol of the Royal Burgh of Stirling, or the Common Gaol of the County of Stirling. June 22.-1.

CX. An Act for charging certain Duties on sweet or made Wines in Ireland in lieu of former Duties. June 28.-1.

CXI. An Act for the better collecting and securing the Duties on Spirits distilled in Ireland. June 28.-2.

CXII. An Act for the better regulating and securing the Collection of the Duties on Paper made in Ireland, and to prevent Frauds therein. June 28.-5.

CXIII. An Act for altering certain Drawbacks, and countervailing Luties on Glass, for exempting Irish Glass Bottles from the Duty imposed by an Act of the last Session of Parliament, and for exempting the Leather and Glass of Carriages belonging to certain Persons imported from Ireland for private use from Duty. June 28.—2.

158

New Acts of Parliament.

CXIV. An Act to augment the Salary of the Master of the Rolls in Ireland, and to enable his Majesty to grant an additional Annuity to such Master of the Rolls on the Resignation of his office; and to regulate the Disposal of the Office of the Six Clerks in the Court of Chancery in Ireland. June 28.-1.

The salary to the Master of the Rolls to be 4,300l. per annum. An addition of 6001. per annum to the allowance by the Iri h act to be given on resignation. Six clerks may sell their offices, the purchaser being approved by the Master of the Rolls, and paying one-fifth part (or 12001.) into the Bank, to the account of the Teller of the Exchequer. Vacancies by death may be supplied by the Master of the Rolls without pecuniary

consideration.

CXV. An Act to carry into effect a Convention made between his Majesty and the King of the Netherlands and the Emperor of all the Russias.

The preamble states, that by a convention signed at London on the 19th of May, 1815, it was agreed that the King of the Netherlands should take upon himself a part of the capital and arrears of interest to the 1st Jan. 1816, of the Russian loan made in Holland, to the amount of 25 millions of Dutch florins; the annual interest of which sum, together with an annual payment for its liquidation, should be borne by, and become a charge upon, the Kingdom of the Netherlands; and his (Britannic) Majesty engaged on his part to recommend to his paliament to enable him to take upon himself an equal capital, the annual interest of which, together with a yearly payment for its liquidation, should be borne by the government of his Majesty; and the future charge to which his Belgic Majesty and his (Britannic) Majesty should be respectively liable in equal shares of the said debt, was to consist of an annual interest of 5 per cent, together with a sinking fund of 1 per cent. which may be increased to 3 per cent. on the demand of the Russian government, for the extinction of the same. It was also agreed that these payments should cease in case the Belgic provinces should at any time be separated from the dominions of the King of the Netherlands, previous to the complete liquidation of the debt; but that they should not be interrupted in the event of a war breaking out between any of the three contracting parties. The esent act authorizes the Treasury to issue the necessary sums out of the consolidated fund, for paying the interest and sinking fund conformably to this convention.

CXVI. An Act to make further Regulations for the Registry of Ships built in India. June 28.-1.

India-built ships, although duly registered, not entitled to the privileges of British-built ships; but vessels already registered are not

[March 1,

to be affected by this act. Lascars and natives of India are not to be British mariners within the meaning of 34 Geo. 3. c. 68. Seven British seamen to every 100 tons of any ship partly navigated by lascars, to be sufficient, although not amounting to threefourths of the crew.

In cases where in India a sufficient number of British seamen cannot be obtained, governors may license the ship to sail for Europe.

CXVII. An Act to permit until Six Weeks after the Commencement of the next Session of Parliament the Importation into Great Britain and Ireland in

Neutral Vessels from States in Amity with his Majesty, of certain Goods, Wares, and Merchandize, and to prohibit the Exportation of Copper; and to permit the Importation in Neutral Vessels from States not in Amity with his Majesty, of certain Goods, Wares, and Merchandize. June 23.—1.

Wool and cotton-wool may be imported into Great Britain, and the same articles, together with barilla, Jesuits' bark, linen yarn, hemp, indigo, and cochineal, into Ireland, in ships belonging to friendly states. Italian organzined thrown silks, flax, or flax seed, may also be imported. Persons free of the Turkey Company may import goods from the Levant in British or foreign vessels.

CXVIII. An Act to regulate the Clearance of Vessels, and Delivering of Const Bonds at Creeks and Harbours in Great Britain; for exempting certain Ships and Vessels from being licensed by the Commissioners of Customs; for authorizing Officers of the Customs to seize spirits removing without Excise Permits; and for preventing Frauds in overloading Keels and other Carriages used in conveying Coals for Exportation, or to be carried coastwise. June 28.-1.

CXIX. An Act to enable the Trustees of Turnpike Roads to abate the Tolls on Carriages, and to allow of their carrying extra Weights in certain cases. June 28. -1.

Exemptions are granted by this act in favour of waggons or other carriages having horizontal wheels, and of a certain breadth, The overweight allowed in such cases is for wheels from 6 to 9 inches broad, 8 cwt.; 9 to 16 inches, 6* cwt.; and 16 inches and upwards, 30 cwt.

CXX. An Act to provide for the taking an Account of the Population of Ireland, and for the ascertaining the Increase or Diminuation thereof. June 28. -2.

CXXI. An Act to amend and explain an Act passed in the 54th Year of his * This must certainly be intended for sixleen. ED.

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CXXII. An Act to amend an Act of the 53d Year of his present Majesty for vesting in his Majesty certain Parts of Windsor Forest, in the County of Berks; and for inclosing the Open Commonable Lands within the said Forest. June 28. -1.

Trees may be cut down within 12 months after the date of the award of the commissioners, instead of 2 years. His Majesty's private estates within the forest may be sold or exchanged. Compensation to be made to parishes where the allotments exceed the proportionate share belonging to his Majesty. Allotments to his Majesty may be inclosed before the award is made.

CXXII. An Act for making Compensation for Lands and Hereditaments taken for erecting Works at and near Portsmouth and Hilsea, in the County of Southampton, in pursuance of an Act made in the last Session of Parliament. June 28.-2.

159

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CXXIV. An Act for raising the Sum of 36 Millions by way of Annuities. Jane 28.-3.

Contributors of 1001. entitled to 130l. re

duced annuities, 101. in the 4 per cents. ; and 441. in the 3 per cent. cons. Subscriptions to be paid by monthly instalments of 10 per cent.; the last on or before the 15th March, 1816. Property tax not to be charged for the first half-year's dividends. Annuities payable and transferable at the Bank. Money for payment of annuities, and charges in respect of the sum of 36 millions to be issued out of the Consolidated Fund. Subscriptions paid in part, and not completed, to be forfeited. Annuities to be deemed personal estate, which shall not be descendible to heirs, or liable to attachment. The treasury is authorized to remit 9 millions out of the 36 to Ireland. Stock may be devised by will, and transfers in consequence shall not be liable to stamp duties. No fee to be taken for receiving contributions, or paying or transferring annuities, on penalty of 201.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

PROMETHEUS.

By THOMAS GENT, esq. author of " Poetic Sketches," &c.

WHAT mighty good shall satiate man's desires,

Propell'd by hope's unconquerable fires? Vain each bright bauble by ambition priz'd; Unwon, 'tis worshipp'd-but possess'd, despis'd:

Yet, all defect with virtue shines allied,

His mightiest impulse Genius owes to pride; From conquer'd science, grac'd with glorious spoils,

He still dares on-demands sublimer toils, And, had not Nature check'd his vent'rous wing,

His eye had pierc'd her at her primal spring. Thus, when enwrapt, PROMETHEUS strove

to trace

Inspir'd perceptions of celestial grace,
Th' ideal spirit, fugitive as wind,
Art's forceful spells in adamant confin'd;
Curv'd with nice chisel, flcats the obsequious
line-

From stone unconscious, beauty beams divine, On magic pois'd,, th' exulting structure swims,

And spurns attraction with elastic limbs :

While ravish'd Fancy vivifies the form-
While Judgment toils to analyze its charm-
While Admiration spreads her speaking
The lofty artist undelighted stands; [hands,
He longs to ravish from the blest abodes,
The seal of Heav'n, the attribute of gods;
To give his labours more than man can give
Breathe Jove's own breath, and bid the mar-
ble live!

Won from her woof, embellishing the
skies,

Descending PALLAS Soothes her vot'ry's sighs; Where, 'mid the twilight of o'er-arching groves

By waking visions led, th' enthusiast roves ; Like Summer suus, with showery clouds conceal'd, [veal'd:

With sudden blaze the goddess shines re"Behold," she cries, "in this distinguish'd I challenge Jove's inexorable laws! [cause With life-stol'n essence, let the awaken'd A super-human generation own; [stone Defrauded Nature shall admire the deed, And time recoil at thy immortal meed." Impregn'd with action, and convok'd to breathe,

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Sighs the still form his ardent hands beneath;

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Thro' nerves that vibrate in unfolding chains, Foams the warm life blood, excavating veins, "Till all infus'd, and organiz'd the whole, The finish'd fabric hails the breathing soul! Then, wak'd tumultuous in th' alarmed breast,

Contending passions claim th' etherial guest,
And still, as each alternate empire proves,
She hopes, she fears, she envies, and she
loves-

Owns all sensations that divide the span,
And eternize the little life of man!

EFFUSION

On hearing of the Death of FRANCIS GREGOR, esq. of Trewarthennick, Cornwall, By T. FLINDELL, Editor of the "Western Luminary.-July, 1815.

And art thou, GREGOR, mingled with the dust?

Then is thy spirit thron'd among the just! Yes-high in glory, where earth's Abdiels sit,

Thy soul rejoins the kindred soul of PITT :* Above those honours kings and senates give,† There only thy reward cans't thou receive.

Yet selfish nature mourns the righteous dead:

Mourns that a friend is gone-a patron fled. Ah! why then strive to check the tears that

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In him reviv'd, her ancient genius shone ;

* Mr. PITT and Mr. GREGOR were personal as well as political friends.

+ Mr. GREGOR would never accept office, title, or other favour; though his voluntary and unremitted attention to the drudgery of committee business, throughout the long administration of Mr. Pitt, is known to have impaired his health.

The humble writer of this effusion, obtained the friendship of Mr. GREGOR by the stand he made in Cornwall against the most powerful and impassioned party of Reformists that have appeared perhaps in England.

and good;

[March 1,

"Faithful," whoe'er was not, and wise [GOR stood.+ Shrink from their post who might, still GREAnd, long as Liberty, which fires the soul, Shall yield to Social Order's mild controul; Long as fair Loyalty has power to charm; Long as Benevolence the heart shall warm; Long as Integrity, with manly pride, Shall fear her God, and know no fear beside[GOR's name, So long shall CORNWALL bless her GREAnd grateful Mem'ry consecrate his fame.

RETIREMENT.‡

By the late ALFRED POINTZ SANDERSON. [The following lines are the production of a young gentleman now no more! Though written before he had attained his twentieth year, they discover a correct taste, united with a fine imagination. We find in them none of those laboured ornaments-none of those pompous and fantastic epithets which. usually load juvenile performances. A chaste simplicity, every where supported by elegance, is (if my prejudices do not mislead me) their distinguishing character. They address the heart by the tenderness of their sentiments, and recommend themselves to the taste by the purity of their style. The youth who has given this early display of genius was a native of Northleach, in Gloucestershire, and received a part of his education at the Free School there, of which his father was head-master. About the age of thirteen he had the misfortune to lose his father, who died of an apoplexy, soon after he had obtained some church preferment. The destitute situation of the family, occasioned by. this event, drew upon them the benevolent attention of the late Dowager Lady Spencer, who adorned high life by the lustre of her virtues. Under her patronage, the subject of this brief memoir was sent to Pembroke College, Oxford, where he pursued his studies with an ardour and activity of mind which difficulties could not check. The Greek and Roman Classics were his particular favourites; and he acquired a skill in them which older scholars seldom attain, of which a version of Pope's Messiah into Latin poetry (the product of some of his leisure hours in college) is a sufficient evidence. It shews a mind well acquainted with the felicities of style and expression, with the versification, and idiomatical elegancies of the Roman

"Faithful Cornwall."-Vide Clarendon. + The ancient Cornish claimed the van in battle.

This beautiful little piece, together with the brief account of the writer, originally appeared in the Carlisle Patriot, a paper not more distinguished for the soundness of its political principles, than for the literary merits of many of the compositions which adora its columns.

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