Old Magazines each Manager, too, plunder's,
Like quacks and mountebanks, cries, Wonders!
Wonders!

Detection fcorns; rifks contradictions flat;
Boafts a Black Swan! and gives us a Black Cat!
Two Magpies, thus, all winter charm the ear;
The felf-fame note, our Cuckow dwells on here!
For we, like them, our penny trumpets found,
And Novelty's the word, the whole year round.
What though our house be threescore years of age,
Let us new-vamp the box, new-lay the stage,
Long paragraphs fhall paint, with proud parade,
The gilded front, and airy balustrade;
While on each poft, the flaming bill difplays,
Our old New Theatre, and new-old plays.
The hag of fashion thus, all paint and flounces,
Fills up her wrinkles, and her age renounces.
Stage anfwers ftage: from other boards, as here,
Have sense, and nonfenfe, claim'd by turns your

ear.

Here, late, his jefts Sir Jeffery Dunstan'broke;
Yet here, too, Lillo's mufe fublimely fpoke:
Here Fielding, foremost of the hum'rous train,
In comic mask indulg'd his laughing vein!
Here frolic Foote your favour well could beg,
Propt by his genuine wit, and only leg;
Their humble follower feels bis merit lefs,
Yet feels, and proudly boafts, as much fuccefs.-
Small though his talents, fmaller than his fize,
Beneath your smiles his little Lares rife:
And, oh! as Jove once grac'd Philemon's thatch,
Oft of our cottage may you lift the latch!
Oft may we greet you, full of hope and fear,
With hearty welcome, though but homely cheer!
May our old roof it's old fuccefs maintain,
Nor know the novelty of your difdain!

PROLOGUE

TO TRISTRAM SHANDY.
WRITTEN BY MR. CHALMERS.
SPOKEN BY MR. WHITFIELD.

ORTH from the closet to th' improving

StageWe bring the beauties of poor Yorick's page: In doing so, we but fulfil his plan, To draw in public view the heart of man; VOL. II.

To make the stage a vehicle of wit,
And every varied humour kindly hit;
To raife your fympathy by gentle force,
And reconcile man to his hobby-horfe
Sterne's hobby-horfe was fympathy of mind,
And we, in this night's piece, get up behind;
Retain his jokes, keep pity on the trot,
Leave out digreffions, and connect by plot;
Bring Toby's goodnefs, and his antique whim,
The doctor's foible, and the foul of Trim➡
In their odd fancies, we our own perceive,
For on fome hobby-horse all mankind live.
The politician, whofe all-conqu'ring pate
Is fill'd with nothing but affairs of state;
In one short evening with his pint of beer-
Scuds o'er the acts of many a diftant year;
Tells you how Marlbro' fought-how it had been
If heroes now could emulate Eugene.
With broken pipe defcribes the bloody field,
He takes the captur'd, makes the victor yield;
Regains our honour by poft-dated schemes,
And credit loft last age, in this redeems!—
Yet modern victors have their hobby too,
In bringing ancient valour to our view;
Eager dur foes to humble, fame to gain,
(By way of hobby-horfe) they ride the main.
Some ftrive for bucks and bloods themselves to
pafs;

Poor men! their hobby's neither horfe nor afs;
Heedlefs they gallop on their mongrel beast,
And heedlefs fall, when they expect it deaft.
Some on lefs dang'rous hobbies whip along,
Fickle in tafte, in prejudices ftrong;

Or drefs, or books, their every thought engage,
And e'en to fome good eating is the rage.
See Gobble clear the plate-and, by mere force,
Keeps riding one'en in the fecond courfe.
Each rides apace, nor fears his horfe may ftumble.
The very best of riders should be humble.
Since to difmount them all our art defies,
Let them ride gently-there the merit lies;
Let them not kick to caufe the weaker's fall,
The world, God knows, is wide enough for all!
Our fav'rite hobby is to hit your taste,
When you are pleas'd fome hours with us to waste.

To night our author every merit ftakes,
And this gay ring his place of starting makes.
Former fuccefs infpires with hopes to win-
Let not the knowing ones be taken in!
Spur our ambition, then, in this night's course,
And Triftram Shandy make your hobby-horse.

CHARLOTTE Fairlove, fuppofing herself an or phan, in company with her friend Maria, who has forfeited a rich father's difpleafure, ftruck with the incidents of Farquhar's Beaux Strata gem, come down to Litchfield with a few hundreds to feek adventures, pretty nearly on the fame plan as the Archer and Aimwell of that comedy. In the courfe of their fojournment, Charlotte falls in love with young Rackrent, under the disguise of a peasant, and Maria with Frank Millclack, fon to the miftrefs of the inn After fome embarraffment, common to love

matches of this nature, General Fairlove comes

down in queft of Charlotte; and discovering the has a paffion for young Rackrent, he acknow ledges her to be his daughter, and gives her a fortune of thirty thousand pounds. He at the fame time brings Maria the good news of her father's death, by which the becomes in poffeffion, to speak in the elegant language of Mr. Waldron, of as much money as a waggon could carry.

t

The plot of this piece is built on fo clofe an imitation of the Beaux Stratagem, that the author feems to have done little more than effeminate the characters of Archer and Aimwell: nor has he, in the execution of this task, discovered a fingle ray of dramatic genius or ability.

The rage for bringing out altered and new pieces for benefits, having probably damped the expectation of the public, the curtain drew one of the thinnest audiences this feafons

COVENT GARDEN.

up

to

O N the 26th of April, after the tragedy of

the Revenge, Mr. Aickin brought out, for his benefit, a new fentimental, mufical, farcical bagatelle, called

TRISTRAM SHANDY.``

Mr. Shandy

Uncle Toby

DRAMATIS PERSONE.

Mr. Hull.

Mr. Wilfon,

Mr. Edwin.

Mr. Wewitzer.

Mr. Fearon.

Corporal Trim
Doctor Slop
Obadiah

Sufannah

Widow Wadman

Mrs. Wilfon.

Mrs. Kennedy,

THE fable of this little drama is light and fimple: Old Mr. Shandy perceiving that his brother Toby, in confequence of the peace, and his concern for Lefevre, has funk into a state of melancholy, determines to endeavour, in concert with Corporal Trim, Sufannah, and Dr. Slop at bringing about an union between him and the Widow Wadman, who has difcovered a frong penchant for Toby. In the purfuit of this end all the principal incidents of Triftram Shandy are brought forward, and the piece terminates with the defired nuptials.

Though fome of our beft Novels have been occafionally brought out on the ftage, they have for the most part failed to give that entertainment there which they have furnished in the clofet; the reafon is, that, as a novel, we are fufficiently pleafed with narration; but, as a dramatic piece, we expect that great fpecific ftage-effect, which the beft dialogue occasionally requires as a relief. The little piece before us is a detachment from fome of the most friking paffages of Sterne's Triftram Shandy, judiciously given, as nearly as poffible in the author's own words. Had a fable been invented to fet Sterne's characters more at work, the piece would have been more dramatic, and perhaps have relieved them with bet ter effect. The fall of the draw-bridge, difco vering Corporal Trim and Sufannah, was a lucky incident, and the whole was favourably received.

The performers throughout conceived their parts very properly, and were dreffed after the caricature defigns of Hogarth.

It is but juftice to Mr. Mac Nally, the avowed author, to acknowledge that, among the infinite at the two theatres, Triftram Shandy is indifvariety of new benefit-pieces this feafon produced patably the Left.

On Saturday the roth inftant, after the Myfterious Husband, for Mr. Whitfield's benefit, was performed, for the first time, a farce (taken from Beaumont and Fletcher's comedy of the fame name); callediza

THE SPANISH CURATE.

THE fable of the original is well known; of which, it is evident, Dryden availed himself in his Spanish Friar, as well as Congreve in his Old Batchelor, and Bickerstaffe in his Padlock; but these celebrated writers, made a judicious ufe of Beaumont and Fletcher, by only taking hints from particular characters and fituations, and moulding them to more modern times. In the prefent attempt, the comedy feems only to be abridged, and that unfkilfully; hence, notwithftanding the humour of several parts of the dia3 C 2

logue,

logue, and fome good comic fituations, it was not greatly relished by the audience in general.

This comedy was cut down to a farce in October 1749; and though it received the fupport of Meffrs. King, Yates, Tafwell, Shuter, and Mrs. Green, it was either damned, or fo coldly received, that Mr. Garrick did not think it advifable to hazard a second night.

Wilfon and Quick were very pleasant and natural in the Curate and Sexton; and Mrs. Whitfield, in Araminta, acquitted herself with confiderable credit.

On the 19th inftant, after the comedy of The Winter's Tale, Mr. Wild, the prompter of this theatre, entertained the town with A FETE, confifting of compiled fcenes, and fongs; a fpecies of entertainment which he about three years ago ftruck out for Mr. Aickin's benefit, and which then turned out fo fuccefsfully, that those who followed in their benefits quite wearied the public. An almoft three years difufe has recovered it's novelty, and this evening we were happy to fee it revert to the original inventor.

The whole concluded with a new comic opera of two acts, called COALITION, the title of which no doubt drew together a great many people, who imagined it might allude to fomething political: they were, however, disappointed; as it turned out nothing more than a coalition between Sir Chian, an Eastern nabob, and a French frizeur, by the latter's marrying the knight's miftrefs. The mufic was a good compilation of fome pretty Scotch airs, fung with great tafte by Mrs. Martyr and Mrs. Bannifter.

HAYMARKET THEATRE.

TH

HIS little theatre, which opened for the "fummer-feafon on the 31ft of this month, with the comedy of the Suicide, and the musical farce of the Agreeable Surprize, in imitation of it's giant competitors, has undergone a thorough renovation; and, like the various productions of the fpring, puts forth a most beautiful and blooming appearance. It is not, it is true, fo gaudy as it's neighbour, the Opera House, nor framed with fo much attention to profit, as Covent Gar den; but it connects the most refreshing coolness with the happiest coup d'œil, and is in every refpect of airinefs and fancy adapted to the nature of it's difplay.

The houfe was refpectably attended on it's opening, and the boxes were brilliant.

The occafional prologue by Palmer was delivered in his very beft ftile, and was received with uncommon applaufe: indeed, it merits every commendation*.

The performers were warmly received by their Jummer friends; and we hope Mr. Colman will meet with all the fuccefs to which his abilities entitle him.

KING'S THEATRE, HAYMARKET.

A Very important revolution having taken

place at this theatre, the particulars of which have been promised to be laid before the

public, we shall not anticipate what the contending parties may have to urge in justification of fuch tranfactions as certainly feem to require fome explanation.

VAUXHALL GARDEN.

TH

HE entertainments of this place commenced on the 13th of the month, when a new finger of the name of Arrowsmith, made his firft appearance, who was received with great applaufe and encored in every fong. He has a fine tenor voice, of great flexibility, extent, and sweetness. Mr. Arrowsmith has fung for feveral years in concerts, and we remember his making. perior to Cubitt; but we have ftill to regret the an attempt on the Drury Lane Stage. He is fu

lofs of our old friend Vernon.

fongs, which the executed with all that amazing Mrs. Wrighten gained great applause in her power, and comic archnefs, for which she is fo eminently diftinguished.

Mrs. Weichfell alfo had her usual share of

applaufe for her great skill and execution.

markably genteel. The orchestra and boxes are The company was very numerous, and renew-painted, and add a pleasant freshness to the garden.

Mrs. Kennedy was prevented, by her heavy duty at Covent Garden theatre, from attending. Barthelemon's violin was excellent. He had a concerto of his own, which was very much applauded; and he introduced a piece of Haydn's, and alfo the overture to Jeptha, with great fuccefs.

Inftead of the Savoyards, there is this year a travelling band of drums, clarinets, horns, and hautboys, which struck up when the concert concluded.

The Ode on the Peace, and new fongs, are inferted in our poetical department.

Yet

Sell a port or a town for the fake of the fees,
To handle, &c.

When tir'd of a war we can patch up a peace. With my fairly, fquarely, honefty rarely, turn-about, in and out, glittering, sweep it in, handle the cole's the fun.

The principal and best-supported characters were, Captain Bofwell of the Guards as an Old Nurfe, a Match-woman, Old Wigs, a groupe of Highland Laffes. A Recruiting Party were miferably deftitute of every requifite, and were cafhiered by the company. There were several Indians well dreffed, among whom was Mr. Mer lin in his canoe, which he brought under full fail, and went upon his tacks round the room. The demireps of rank were lefs numerous than ufual.

On the 228 inftant, this place was most brilliantly illuminated for the reception of Mafques; and there were about a thousand perfons prefent, confifting chiefly of young men of fashion, and the higher order of the Cyprian corps.

Every thing was done by the proprietors which tafte and munificence could fupply; and if the entertainment failed in the difplay of character, wit, and vivacity, it can only be ascribed to the company, who in thofe articles are to be their own purveyors. Character was thinly fpread through the wilderness of Peers in domino, and Impures in gauze. Merlin had the most elegant as well as most accommodating of all his mafquerade-machines, his wheel of fortune-on which he moved around the room, and from his cornucopia fhowered his golden gifts on all alike. A Newfcarrier handed about a paper, intitled, "The

HOUSE

RE

theon Gazette,' which abounded with happy ftrokes of feasonable fatire. It had the face of a common newspaper, with all the diurnal variety of plays, advertisements, paragraphs, cafualties, truth, falfhoods, contradictions, rumours, profe, poetry, fenfe, and nonfenfe. A Political Scaramouch, was ornamented with a number of labels and devices full of poignancy against the men and meafures of the day. An Irish Watchman fupported himself to admiration: but his wit bordered too much on obfcenity. Mother Shipton buftled about with a great deal of good-humour, and fung several fongs. The following ferenade was one of her compofitions for the occafion Let beauty, fong, and sprightly dance,

This masquerade attend;

For we have here two Dukes from France,
And war is at an end.

There were a couple of Devils-the one of them, an Irish Devil, turned it into a Bull, for he was ftripped in the avenues of the houfe of about fifty guineas. A butcher in difpofing of his meat was full of humour: the ladies were his lamb and veal, the characters his beef, and the dominos his mutton. He applied the terms of the art to the feveral defcriptions with infinite wit and ridicule. A booby, his companion, was also very natural. There were likewife the ufual unmeaning train of Harlequins, Highlanders, Sailors, Nofe gay Girls, Nuns, Shepherdeffes, and Fruit Girls. The fupper was fuperb and plentiful. The Prince numerous fuite. The company ftuck to the bottle, of Wales was in the rooms a long time, with a and when we left the room, at seven o'clock in the morning, it was not quite empty.

The Duc de Chartres and his friends arrived foon after twelve; but, inftead of joining the midnight Promenade, they were privately conducted to the Cotillion Room, and magnificently ferved with a hot supper; a compliment which might well have been fpared, the general fare being a cold collation, and the very effence of a masquerade forbidding every idea of preference.

By permiffion of the Lord Chamberlain, a GRAND CONCERT,with a variety of DANCING, were on the 27th inftant performed at the Pantheon, for the benefit of the fingers and dancers who lately belonged to the King's Theatre.

OF

COMMONS.

(Continued from Page 307.)

MARCH 24.

HISTORY.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied in the negative.

Mr. Coke then moved for an addrefs to his Majefty, praying him to confider the alarming ftate of the kingdom, and to appoint an adminiftration worthy the confidence of the people.

Lord Surrey feconded the motion.

Mr. Buller affented to it; but thought it would be unneceffary, if a delay of only a few days longer were permitted.

Mr. Martin felt the inconveniences under which the country laboured by means of the prefent unstable form of miniftry, but feared the

conten