Such an attention in a beautiful girl of eighteen, was not very unnatural; yet the mean and cruel wretches who were her judges, had the littlene's to endeavour at mortifying, by divesting her of her ornaments, and covering her with the most loathiome rags. But a mind tortured to madnes by the fufferings of her country, was not likely to be fhaken by fuch puerile malice; and when interrogated under this difguife, the ftill preferved the fame firmnels, mingled with contempt, which he had fhown when firit apprehended. No accufation, or even implication, of any perfon could be drawn from her, and her own confeflion was that of a paffionate loyalty; yet an univeral confpiracy was nevertheless decreed by the Convention to exift, and Mits Renaud, with fixty-nine others, were sentenced to the Guillotine without farther trial, than merely calling over their names. They were conducted to the fcaffold in a fort of red frocks, intended, as was alleged, to mark them as affailins-but, in reality, to prevent the croud diftinguithing or receiving any impreffion from the number of young and interesting females who were compriied in this dreadful flaughter. They met death with a courage which feemed almost to difappoint the malice of their tyrants, who, in an original excels of barbarity, are faid to have lamented that their power of inflicting could not reach thofe mental faculties which enabled their victims to fuffer with fortitude." We find farther in two notes below, explanatory of the above paffage, that the fixty-nine people executed with Madamoifelle Renaud, except her father, mother, and aunt, were totally unconnected with her and with each other, and had been collected from different prifons, between which no communication could have fubfifted. We are told alfo that Fouquier Tinville, Public Accufer of the Revolutionary Tribunal, enraged at the courage with which his victims fubmitted to their fate, had formed the defign of having them bled previous to their execution, intending by this means to weaken their fpirits, that they might appear lefs interesting to the people, by a pufillanimous behaviour in their laft de Biron, none of her fellow-prifoners had fuffered on the fcaffold. Of ber, however, the fate appears to exceed the measure of authorised Murder. at It feems the was a very old and infirin woman, and taken from her confinement in the fame prifon with this Lady, to the Luxembourg Paris, where her daughter-in-law, the Duchefs, was allo confined. A cart arriving at that prison to convey a number of victims to the Tribunal, the lift, in the course dialect of Republicaniin, contained the name of La Femme Biron. "But there are two of them," faid the Keeper. bring them both."-The aged Marechalle, who was at fupper, concluded her meal while the reit were preparing, then took up her book of devotion, and departed chearfully. The next day both mother and daughter were guillotined! "Then The enthutiaim of Rouleau's genius was fometimes ufefully fubmitted to his good fenfe and knowledge of mankind. He obferves very juftly, that it is dangerous to teach the common people to reafon: it must not always be informed of too much, becaufe it cannot be informed fufficiently. Nothing therefore is generally more ridiculous or pernicious, than to make the bulk of the people neglect their ufeful callings to become philofophers and patriots. Yet this right of directing public affairs, and of neglecting their own, is one characteristic of the new politics of France. Remark the following fentence of tranfportation in the regifters of a popular Commiffion: "Begeron, a dealer in fkins, fufpected, -having done nothing in favour of the Revolution-extremely telfifli, (egoifte) and blaming the Sans Culottes for neglecting their callings, that they may attend only to public concerns." Signed by the Member of the Commiffion and the two Committees." . Much clamour and heart-burning has arifen in this country, from the check which Government has given of late to the formation of Political Clubs and Affociations. The following paragraph from the hiftory of the late rulers of France, will be the highest praife of the prudence of our Minitter's conduct, in the mind of every impartial Friend of focial order. "The profligate, the turbulent, the idle, and needy of various countries in Europe, have been tempted by the fucceffes of the French Jacobins to en Fifa deavour deavour at establishing fimilar inftitutions; but the fame fucceffes have operated as a warning to people of a different defcription, and the fall of thefe focieties has drawn two confeffions from their original partizans, which ought never to be forgotten: namely, that they were formed for the purpose of fubverting the monarchy, and that their exiftence is incompatible with regular government of any kind. "While the monarchy ftill exifted," fays the philofophic Lequino, it was politic and neceflary to encourage popular focieties, as the most efficacious means of operating its deIftruction; but now we have effected a revolution, and have only to confolidate it by mild and philofophic laws, thefe focieties are dangerous, because they can produce only confufion and diforder." This is alfo the language of Briffot, who admires the Jacobins from their origin till the end of 1792, but after that period he admits they are only the inftruments of faction, and destructive of all order and property. For the period of the Jacobin annals, fo much admired by that Revolutionift, and commended in his addrefs to his Conftituents, comprifes the dethronement of the King, the maffacres of the prifons, and the banishment of the priests. The period he reproaches, begins precifely where the Jacobins difputed the claims of himfelf and his party to the exclusive direction of the govern ment. "We learn therefore, not from the abufes alone, but from the praifes beftowed on the Jacobins, how much fuch combinations are to be dreaded: their merit, it appears, was to have fubverted the monarchical government, and their crime that of not being ufeful as agents of tyranny longer than while they could alfo be principals." Of the following example of enormity, pofterity might have been permitted to doubt, did not the circumftance of its having become the fubject of legal infpe&tion, establish the horrid fact. The Deputy Maignet, was on miffion in the Department of Vauclufe, and befides numberlefs other cruelties, he caufed the whole town of Bedouin to be burnt, a part of its inhabitants to be guillotined, and the reft to be difperfed, because the Tree of Liberty was cut down on a dark night, while they were afleep. The order for burning the place begins thus; Libertè, Egalitè, au nom du peuple François; and after ftating the offence of the inhabitants, and inftituting a commiffion for trying them, proceeds thus: "It is hereby ordered that as foon as the principal criminals are executed, the National Agent, fhall notify to the remaining inhabitants not confined, that they are enjoined to evacuate their dwel lings, and take out their effects in twentyfour hours; at the expiration of which he is to commit the town to the flames, and leave no vestige of a building ftanding. Further, it is forbidden to erect any building on the fpot in future, or to cultivate the foil. "Done at Avignon, the 17th Floreal.” Maignet efcaped the juft punishment of his atrocity; as it was proved in the courfe of the debate, that he was autho rized by an exprefs decree of the Convention, to inflict this fpecific example of barbarity. Of the mutual fufpicions which tyranny never fails to excite amongst private individuals, to prevent them from uniting to make an effectual refiftance to a government they fecretly deteft, the following fact is an illustration: "Two gentlemen dined with us yelterday, whom I knew to be zealous royalifts, and as they were acquainted, I made no fcruple of producing an engraving which commemorates mysteriously the death of the King, and which I had just received from Paris by a private conveyance. They looked alarmed, and affected not to understand it; and perceiving I had done wrong, I replaced the print without farther explanation: but they both called this evening, and reproached me feparately for thus expofing their fentiments to each other." In fuch times indeed how could any man be fure of his life, or his liberty, for a fingle moment? The fair writer tells that the municipality of Dijon commenly iffued their writs of arreft in this form; ;- -"Such and fuch a perfon fhail be arrested, and his wife-if he has one." But our time and our paper are failing us, while we are citing a few of the facts and paffages in thele letters, worthy of an Englifman's molt ferious attertion and meditation. War, even the moft neceffary and moft defenfive, is a calamity which humanity must always depreciate; but when weighed agairt a Peace, which may domesticate luch maxims and fuch condu&, it becomes comparatively a bleffing. At prefent a Briton delights to fave and to protect even an enemy, when subdued; but but what are the fentiments which a Revolution must excite in him towards his relations, his countrymen, his friends? If there be truth in this narrative, which we have no ground to question, a father, a brother, a benefactor, fhould he diffent in politics, muft become an adverfary from that moment; an adverfary, whole doom is death; and whom it would be criminal to pardon or to pity. R. R. Family Secrets, Literary and Domeftic. By Mr. Pratt. 5 Vols. 12mo. Longman. 1797. WE are at a loss how to class this performance, which attempts, and we think not unfuccessfully, to unite with the enter tainment afforded by the novel, fomething of the higher order of literature. To exalt the character without diminishing the intereft of this fpecies of compofition, is certainly no eafy task; but the principal difficulty of it, as the Author obferves, feems to confift in combining the one with the other, fo as to invigorate both. "Of the poffibility of raising the general character of the English romance by the interfperfion of subjects of weight and fublimity, either in fcience or morals (he alfo obferves), fo as likewife to raise the paffions and affections of the fable, there cannot be a doubt; and it has indeed been by feveral authors occafionally attempted, and with fuccefs to a degree, but with apparent apprehenfion." It is very evident, that the Author offers his Work to the Publick not without apprehenfion; though we think he may difmifs his tears, and confidently demand approbation from the fuccefs of his attempt. The principal characters of this Work are three brothers, of different difpofitions, purfuits, and manners; all amiable in general, though not wholly faultlefs. The incidents alife naturally, and fucceed one another without any violence or improbability. In the progrefs of the ftory, the mind is kept in fufpence, and the events are not anticipated before their time. The literary difcuffions do not interrupt the chain of adventures, but appear naturally to arise out of them. There is a due mixture of the comic with the ferious, and we confider the character of Partington as well drawn and supported; indeed we suspected, before the Author's intimation, that he had fome real perfon in view. The part which we leaft approve is the cavern fcene in the laft volume, which feems to have been introduced by the fashionable rage for imitating the horrors of "The Mysteries of Udolpho." Nor are we much better satisfied with the converfion of one of the principal characters to the Roman Catholic faith. Thefe Volumes, upon the whole, however, combine entertainment and inftruction; and if the ucher has fortitude enough to exercise the pruning knife with freedom, they may stand a fair chance of obtaining a respectable station in this species of literature. The Poet's Fate. A Poetical Dialogue. By George Dyer. 8vo. Robinsons. 1797. The neglect of Poetry is not a new complaint, nor has Mr. Dyer offered any thing new on the fubject. His diffatisfaction feems rather to be urged against the indifference fhewn to Literature in general than to Poetry in particular; as most of his inflances are taken from authors who are not to be numbered in the poetical phalanx; and some of thofe Rards who are mentioned, as Jones, Rogers, Wolcot, &c. never were in circumftances to draw on them the commiferation of the world. Gibbons, Parr, Aikin, Gregory, Parfon, Geddes, Wakefield, Maurice, Taylor, are introduced as not being in fituations, to which, by their merit, they are entitled. This is a circumftance which, if admitted, is to be regretted. The fate afcribed to Butler is by no means certain, as there is reafon to believe he was provided for by a penfion from the Crown. Our Author cenfures Johnfon, Beloe, Nares, and others, and entertains an opinion, that Priestley, Paine, and Godwin are three of the most ingenious and useful among modern writers; an opinion, to say the leaft of it, which will not be univerfally affented to. The poetry of this piece, however, deferves applaufe, and we shall be glad to hear that Mr. Dyer himfelf has no caufe to repine at his own attachment to the Mufes. Suggeftions on the Slave Trade; for the Confideration of the Legislature of Great Britain. By Sir Jeremiab Fitzpatrick, M. D. Kut. Svo. Stockdale. 1797. This Author is Infpector General of Health to his Majefty's Land Forces; and, by virtue of that fituation, may be presumed to be well informed in matters fimilar to that which is the fubject of the prefent performance. Thefe Suggeftions deferve particular notice: the object of the Author is to abolish slavery in word and deed, and to regulate the business in such a manner, that the planters in future hall only have a right to hold either Africans or Creoles as indented fervants, or apprentives; that neither hardships nor Cruelt cruelties fhould be impofed on them, nor unreasonable requifitions made at the mere will of the planter, steward, or task master; and that, in all cafes, the fervant or apprentice, whilft in thofe ftations, fhall be confidered under the immediate protection of the law. We have not room to detail the feveral regulations fuggefted; but we recommend them to the notice of thofe who are interested, in any fhape, in the welfare of the West Indies. Profpectus and Specimen of an Hiflory of Marine Architecture; drawn from the best Authorities, and chronologically deduced from the earlicft Period to the prefent Time; illuftrated by upwards of one hundred Plates, exhibiting, at least, a thouard Figures, accurately engraved by the most eminent Artifts. In 3. Volumes, Royal Quarto. By John Charnock, Eq 6s. Foulder. 1796. The Author informs us, that what is here published is intended as a specimen of a werk which has almost uninterruptedly engaged his attention for nearly twenty years. "It is, however, to be confidered," he obferves, as merely exhibiting to the Publick the typography, the paper, and the manner in which the different claffes of engravings will be executed. As the letter prefs contains only an abridged account of the antient Galley, it would be an act of injustice to form any peremptory decifion on the literary merit of the Work itfelf. What is now published being an abbreviation of upwards of twenty fheets, all the information it is meant to convey relates merely to the extent in which the fubject will be treated through every different branch or æra " To this account we shall only add, that Marine Architecture is a most important fubject to this country, and deferves every encouragement. Indeed, we are of opinion, that a performance like the prefent ought to be published as a National Work, at the expence of the Publick. We take fome credit to ourselves, in having been the caufe of drawing the at tention of the Nation to this momentous pursuit; which, above all others, it behoves us to attend to, as the principal means by which the wealth and profperity of the Nation are to be supported. THEATRICAL JOURNAL. MAY 8. THE LAST OF THE FAMILY, a Comedy, by Mr. Cumberland, was acted the first time at Drury Lane, for the benefit of Mr. Bannister, jun. Sir John Manfred has an only daughter, heiress to his large property, whom, from a ftrong tincture of family pride, he is refolved to marry to no man who will not take his own name. But this project is frustrated by the predilection of the young Lady to Peregrine, a nameless youth, who has been employed by Sir John to write the history of his family. The perfon whom Sir John had fixed upon for his fon-in-law was Abel Ap-Origin, fon to Sir Abraham Ap-Origin, a Welch Baronet, who, having as much family pride as his neighbour, refutes to let his heir lofe his name to gain a wife. As foon as Letitia Manfred's paffion for Peregrine is known to her parents, he is difmiffed from the family; when the young Lady, in order to regain her lover, feigns mad. nefs, and a feries of circumitances enfue, which terminate in the discovery that Peregrine is the orphan fon of a brother to Sir John Manfred, who then gives him his daughter. This Comedy is fraught with more whim and humour than generally falls to the lot of its Author's dramatic writing, The plot is interefting, but not intricate; and the language is distinguished for much purity and claffical elegance. The fentiments are elevated, and the moral is good. The Author has made fome fuccefsful efforts at new character; the happiest were, the Tiffany of Suett and the Squire Abel of Young Bannister. The Comedy fparkles with wit, and powerfully exercited throughout the last three acts the rible faculties, The performers deferved great praife, and received it. The Prologue, in the character of Sheva, was fpoken by Mr. Bannister, jun.; and the Epilogue, in which a fong was introduced, by Mrs. Jordan. 9. THE HONEST THIEVES; or, THE FAITHFUL IRISHMAN, a Farce, was acted the first time at Covent Garden, for the benefit of Mr. Johnstone. This is taken from the obfolete Comedy of "The Committee," by Sir Robert Howard, apparently to fhew the excellence of M.. Johnftone, in Lith characters. 11. THE SURRENDER OF TRINIDAD; or, SAFE MOORED AT LAST; a Mu fical Dramatic Spectacle, was performed at Covent Garden, for the benefit of Mrs. Martyr.. 13. THE FAIRT FESTIVAL, Malque, was acted the first time at Drury Lane. This This performance was intended merely as a compliment on the approaching nuptials of the Prince of Wirtemberg with the Princefs Royal. It was magnificent and fhewy, and did credit to the tafte, at the fame time that it difplayed the liberality of the Managers of the Theatre. 15. THE WANDERING JEW; or, LOVE'S MASQUERADE; a Farce, by Franklin, Efq. was acted the firit time at Drury Lane; but met with rather a cool reception, though it has fince been performed two or three times. 17. THE RIVAL SOLDIERS, a Mufical Piece, was acted the first time at Covent Garden, for the benefit of Mr. Munden. This was taken from O'Keefe's Piece, entitled The Sprigs of Laurel. 18. THE VILLAGE FETE, an Interlude, was acted the first time at Covent Garden. This was faid to be written by Mr. Cumberland, with what truth we can only conjecture. It had but finall fuccefs, and was foon laid afide. 23. THE HOVEL, a Ballad Opera, was acted the first time at Drury Lane, for the benefit of Mifs Leak; and The fame evening, DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND; or, THE VENETIAN REVELS; a Comic Opera, was acted the first time at Covent Garden, for the benefit of Mrs. Mountain. Neither of thefe pieces have appeared again, and are entitled to but little notice. 31. CAMBRO BRITONS; or, FISHGUARDIN AN UPROAR; a Musical Piece; was acted the first time at Covent Garden, for the benefit of Mr. Hull and Mr. Macready. This piece is only an addition to the foregoing litt of performances, which, having been acted one night, have little chance of being heard of again. We therefore difmils them without further notice. PROLOGUE TO WIVES AS THEY WERE, AND MAIDS WRITTEN BY A FRIEND; I COME not to announce a bashful maid Who ne'er has try d the drama's doubtful trade, Who fees with flutt'ring hope the curtain rife, And feans with timid glance your critic eyes; My client is a more experienc'd dame, Tho' not a Veteran, not unknown to Fame, Who thinks your favours are an hontit boat, Yet fears to forfeit what the values muft; Who has, the trufts, fome character to lote, L'en tho' the woman did not aid the Mafe; Who courts with modeft aim the public fmile, That ftamp of merit, and that meed of toil. Cou'd teach unfeeling Folly how to think, tear. Our author would your loudeft praise forego, Content to feel within “what paffes fhow.” "But fince'' (fhe says) "fuch hopes cannot be mine, "Such bold pretenfions I must needs refign, "Tell thefe great judges of dramatic laws, "Their reformation were my best applaufe; "Yet if the heart my proud appeal withftands, "I afk the humbler fuffrage of their hands." CONCLUSIVE ADDRESS TO THE SAME; WRITTEN BY MR. TAYLOR; Spoken by Miss WALLIS. WELL, female critics, what's the fentence, fay Can you with kindness treat this faucy play, That gives to ancient dames the wreath of praife, And boldly cenfures thofe of modern days? Bring us good husbands firft, and, on my life, For every one we'll fhew as good a wife. Nay, though cur gallant rulers of the main With force refiitlefs cruth the pride of Spain 'Tis WOMAN triumphs-that infpiring charm With tenfold vigour nerves the hero's arm: For KING and COUNTRY though they nobly bleed, The fmile of BEAUTY is their dearest meed, And valiant tars fhould fill be Beauty's care Since 'tis the brave alone doerve the fair." 6. AD |