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MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTION, TO THE MEMORY OF MISS CF, WHO DIED, AFTER A FEW DAYS ILLNESS, IN THE FOURTEENTH YEAR OF HER AGE.

ON

N Earth's cold lap, for ever, ever laid, Here refts the favourite of a faithful pairs Truth, Candour, Virtue, lov'd the tender maid; And Envy's felf would own that she was fair. With all that youth juft opening into bloom, That Nature gives, or tutor'd Art fupplies, (Too early fate!) beneath this filent tomb The young, the fair, the gentle Charlotte lies! Ne'er did the genial breath of Spring display So fweet a flower, to droop in beauty's prime; Nor e'er did Fate with Envy fnatch away

So pure a victim from the hand of Time. Yet, ah! fond Memory, fource of many a tear, Since deep regret and penfive fighs are vain, Why tell the heart of sympathy fincere What Charlotte was, but ne'er can be again!

THE INDOLENT.

BY MR. S. COLLINGS.

F

CORCH'D by meridian funthine, on his bed Behold the fluggard rear his Gorgon head! No decent cap his knotted hair confines, That all, in fweaty ftrings, his neck entwines: And now he yawns, and rubs his gummy eyes, And meditates the vaft defign-to rife. Now, fairly enter'd in the lifts of Fame, He kicks the bed-cloaths from his reeking frame; Then counts the clock, unheedful of it's call, And frames quaint emblems on the cobweb'd-wall. Now, with what muscular exertion, see He draws his frocking almost to the knee: Till now, exhaufted in the glorious frife, He mourns the weary lot of human life; With half a mind to drop at once the rein, And, but for breakfast, fall asleep again; Till, flouching flip-fhod down from stair to fair, He flings him liftlefs on the nearest chair: In two hours more, has mumbled o'er the news, His garters tied, and buckl'd up his shoes. Now for fome funny bank, or fhady grove, Where from the buz of business to remove, To count the tardy minutes as they pass, Lure the coy fish, or flumber in the grafs; Nor, till the western clouds imbrown the day, The fool admires how time has dipt away.

'Tis thus with life: neglect the morning hour, And all the latent virtues lofe their power; Neglect the youthful hour, and Vice, at hand, Steals o'er the mind an abfolute command: For Vice and Indolence but change in name; This rules the mortal, that the mental frame.

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And Joy and Peace illume your way,
As thro' life's varying fcenes you stray:
So may you never, never, know the tear!
That now a lover pours o'er his Amelia's bier!
DR

EDINBURGH, Nov. 25.

PROLOGUE

TO THE MAGIC PICTURE.
WRITTEN BY W. PEARCE, ESQ.

SPOKEN BY MR. AICKIN, IN THE CHARAC-
TER OF THE GHOST OF MASSINGER.

R

[A Bell tolls.]

EGARDLESS of your bell, which strikes mine ear,

1, troubled fhade of Maffinger, appear!

[Gboft rifes. What frenzy could impel the daring thought, To feize the piece my labouring fancy wrought? The Picture, glowing with felected dyes! Oh! 'tis a deed to make a spirit rife!

But why fhould I meet favour from an age That martyrs even Shakespeare in it's rage? How late had princely Hamlet cause to rave, Depriv'd of clowns to dig Ophelia's grave! Where was the skull, whofe fate remembrance wept?

And where the turf on which poor Yorick flept? By temperance footh'd, each murmur here hall end:

'Tis dang'rous with a gownfman to contend;
One, charter'd over fpirits given to riot,
Whofe power can lay me in the Red Sea quiet!
For now I'm quite bereft of magic arms:
And what could Merlin do without his charms!
The forcerer's art is loft: and yet this age
Exceeds the feats of royal James's page!
He wrote of wizzards vifiting the moon-
But what are broomsticks to an air-balloon!
Not all the fcenes defcrib'd by Taffo's verfe,
Where dæmons met, their rituals to rehearse,
Could match the horrors of that crimson day,
When Eliott's machinations were at play!
And the enchanter Curtis whirl'd amain,
By fpells of fire, the batteries of Spain!

But, foft! the brazen voice of war is mute;
And founds of peace are heard in each falute!
View me, then, as an herald of her way;
And in this wreath the olive crown furvey!
Bend with obedience to her softening ftrains;
Nor arm against poor Maflinger's remains!

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Faith, Charles! you know, you came fo late, North, Weft, and South, were on my plate;

But you shall have the Eaft! Nov. 30.

H

TH

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS.

HOUGH Mrs. Crawford has at length taken the field, apparently against Mrs. Siddons, thefe formidable rivals, like thofe ftill more formidable ones, the Northern Semiramis, and the Ottoman Porte, continue to avoid whatever may be confidered as an actual commencement of hoftilities. Indeed, the troops dramatic are too badly officered for real fervice; there are, it is true, a plentiful ftock of fubalterns, but Henderson and Kemble are the principal fieldofficers, neither of whom deserve higher rank, in a well-difciplined army, than that of Brigadiergeneral at moft.

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THE fable of this piece is partly taken from the Shamrock, produced at Mr. Lewis's benefit laft season*.

The Poor Soldier is in love with the niece of an Irish priest, to whom an officer in the army, a man of large fortune, had taken a fancy; but on difcovering that the Poor Soldier had faved his life in America, the officer relinquishes the girl, and the lovers are made happy.

Like the other pieces of Mr. O'Keefe, this is ftronger in humour, repartee, fituations, and furprizes, than in fable, character, or manners. It was, as ufual, a feast for the gods; and they relished it with great good-humour.

The airs and accompanyments were very pleafing, and the performers were at home.

The following are the most favourite airs in this Entertainment.

AIR MR. BANNISTER.

Delights fpring from labour, and fcience from tillage,

Where love,peace, and innocence, fweetly com

bine:

Soft, tender affection, what blifs in poffeffing! How bleft when 'tis Love that infures us the

bleffing!

Carefs'd-ah, what rapture in mutual careffing! What joy can I wish for, was Norah but mine! The feafts of gay fashion with fplendor invite us, Where Luxury, Pride, and her follies, attend; The banquet of Reafon alone fhould delight us; How fweet the enjoyment when shared with a friend!

Be thou that dear friend, then, my comfort, my pleasure;

A look is my funfhine, a fmile is my treasure: Thy lips, if confenting, give joy beyond measure; A rapture fo perfect what joy can tranfcend!

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From Norah when parted, can forrow increase?
'No, life and my forrows together shall cease!
I fear'd not the cannon, the mufquet, or fword;
Farewel has more terror-for death's in that word!
Poor Patrick's reserved for a fate more severe;
What's danger or death to the lofs of my dear!
Farewel, then, my Norah, adieu to fweet peace;
Ah! fay, cruel Fate, when my forrows shall cease!
See Vol. II. p. 302.

For you, dearest maiden, the pride of the village, The town and it's pleasures I freely refign;

VOL. III.

3 C

AIR

AIR MR. JOHNSTONE.

Sleep on, fleep on, my Kathleen dear;
May peace poffefs thy breast!
Yet doft thou dream thy true love's here,
Deprived of peace and rest.

The birds fing fweet, the morning breaks;
Thofe joys are none to me:
Though fleep is filed, poor Dermot wakes
To none but love and thee.

On the 8th inft. a Comedy, altered from Maffinger's Picture, by the Rev. Mr. Bate, was performed for the first time at this Theatre, under the title of

MAGIC PICTURE.

DRAMATIS PERSONE.

THE

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Coriíca Acanthe Sophia

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Mifs Younge.
Ruffians, Mafques, Courtiers, &c. &c.

We are in general no friends to alterations of `plays, as they have a tendency to discourage and fufpend the exertions of genius, and to reduce living writers to the condition we deplore in the histories of the deceased. Befides, it is almost impoffible to preserve the coftume and manners, if any thing is done beyond the alteration of mere words. We derive the greater part of our entertainment in feeing old plays, from the confideration that they are faithful and animated copies of opinions, customs, and prejudices, which are no

more.

The author of the prefent alteration has fubftituted jealoufy for credulity, in fancying the changes in the appearance of the Picture to accompany thofe in a lady's heart. He has not only refined the dialogue, but inferted fentiments and paffages of his own, and even transformed characters.

The whole was got up with care, well dreffed, and well performed.

Two fongs and a chorus were introduced; the mufic by Mr. Shields, in a stile of compofition which we have not been accustomed to fince the death of Dr. Arne; and they were fung by almoft the mufical powers of the house.

But though these little pieces are excellently fet, we cannot pay any great compliment to their literary merit. Let the reader judge.

FULL CHORUS.

Crown'd with conqueft, fee our chief,
Destin'd for the state's relief;
Valour bids the wreath be bound,
To entwine his temples round;
Bids us fuch an hero prize,
And exalt him to the skics!

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On the 13th inft. Mrs. CRAWFORD appeared on this stage in the character of Lady Randolph in the tragedy of Douglas. Her manner of performing this part is too well known to need defcription. It was evident she had studied it with more than common attention; and the effect of that study on her action and recitation was such as might be expected from her judgment and taste. There is yet room for improvement, as there is in all human performances. Mrs. Crawford has been ever lefs attentive to the mechanic management than to the emotions and paffions of her characters: fhe is, therefore, less striking in her movements and attitudes than Mrs. Siddons; but the leaves the whole stage at this day greatly behind her in that enthusiasm which is the charm of dramatic performance.

The diftinguishing stile and manner of performance in Mrs. Crawford and Mrs. Siddons are ftrongly marked, and the comparison is obvious. Mrs. Crawford approaches nearly to that manner in which real paffions are exhibited in life: her character is, therefore, an incorrect vigour, which may often shock the nerves of effeminate critics -Mrs. Siddons's manner confifts of infinite attentions to the slightest movement of her muscles, and the minutest fub-divifions of notes in her pronunciation. The former is true, spirited, and forcible, but fometimes harsh, in the general outline of her representations the latter is carefully correct, fmooth, and infinuating, but fometimes weak and affected.

The house feemed to be in transports, and Mrs. Crawford's reception was fuch as muft have filled her with aftonishment at her own importance.

Mr. Henderson performed the part of Old Norval with great excellence; as did Aickin that of Glenalvon. The whole play was caft and ftudied with great care; but almost all the cha racters were improperly dreffed.

KING'S THEATRE, HAYMARKET. UCH is the fate of human viciffitudes, that from good. The ill fuccefs of the late manager

has

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has thrown the direction of the Opera-house into the hands of Signor Gallini, who is perhaps the only perfon in this country fit to conduct Italian operas with any degree of propriety. Under the aufpices of this gentleman, the King's Theatre was thrown open laft Saturday night, when a ferious opera called SILLA, was reprefented for the first time. We fhall not trouble our readers with the plot nor the poetry of this serious piece, which, to ufe a poor pun, deferves rather the appellation of Silly, than of Silla. It was originally written about fix years ago at Milan, by one Signor Gamera, a difciple of Metaftafio, but whofe poetical talents are not much fuperior to thofe of the famous poet of Matera,who was fent to the galliesalla galera-by Pope Sextus V. for the fake of the rhyme. Silla in the Haymarket has been dished up in the form of a pafticcio-an harmonical pudding-made up of various tunes, introduced ad libitum by the performers. It is not a little ftrange, that the fole objection which can be urged against this opera, with regard to the mufic, lies in it's fuperlative excellence. When the author of Paftor Fido fubmitted his poem to the opinion of Cardinal Gonzaga, he compared it to a feaft, where the viands were entirely of fugar, and therefore difguftful. The observation of his eminence is applicable to all the operatical pafticcios in general, where the fingers, regardless of the neceffary interpofition of the shades, the chiaroscuro have no other aim but to elevate and furprize, not knowing that a chanson à boire will fooner gain the favour of an audience, than all the elaborate divifions and sub-divifions of their arie di bravura. As to the particular merit of

T

the fingers who appeared laft Saturday night, the mufical accomplishments of Signora Lufini, the first woman, deserve the highest encomiums, and do great credit to the mufical tafte of Signor Gallini, who engaged her in Italy. She is a good ftage figure, and not only a moft delightful warbler, but also an excellent actress: fhe was univer fally encored in the rondeau, in the second act. In the vocal powers of Signor Uttini, the tenor feemed rather deficient, though evidently directed by the precepts of the best school. Signora Catenacci is very well for a second part. As to Signor Pacchierotti, and Bartolini, their mufical fame is too well established to need any panegyric at our hands. The ballets confifted of two

light but interesting divertisements compofed by Mr. Daubervall, and executed in a superior stile, as ufual, by Le Picq, Slingsby, and Madame Roffi. It is worth obferving, that no theatre in Europe ever mustered at once fuch a set of capital dancers as the Opera-house this feafon; for, befides the three we have just mentioned, Veftris Iwill make his appearance next Saturday, and Pitrou's daughter is foon expected from Italy. The decorations were for the greateft part new, and produced a ftriking effect. We certainly do not mean this as any compliment adequate to the deferts of Mr. Novofielfki, the triumphs of his genius having fhone forth in objects of much greater confequence. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales fat in his ufual box, with the French ambaffador. We had an opportunity of remarking a confiderable fall in the stocks of the impares, Perdita, Bridget, and Mrs. L. having given up their boxes.

PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY.

HOUSE OF LORD S.
(Continued from Page 307.)

NOVEMBER II.

HIS day the House met, agreeable to their laft prorogation, when his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was introduced in the ufual forms, and took his feat on the right-hand fide of the throne; after which Lord Hampden took his feat. At about half past two his Majefty came to the House, when Sir Francis Molyneux went with a meffage to the Commons, commanding their attendance; who being come, his Majefty delivered the following moft gracious fpeech

from the throne.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

'I HAVE the fatisfaction to inform you, that Definitive Treaties of Peace have been concluded with the courts of France and Spain, and with the United States of America. Preliminary Articles have been alfo ratified with the States General of the United Provinces. I have ordered these several treaties to be laid before you; and am happy to add, that I have no caufe to doubt bus that all thofe powers agree with me in my fin

cere inclination to keep the calamities of war at a great diftance.

The objects which are to be brought under your deliberation will fufficiently explain my reafons for calling you together after fo fhort a recefs. Enquiries of the utmost importance have been long and diligently pursued, and the fruit of them will be expected. The fituation of the Eaft India Company will require the utmost exertions of

your wifdom, to maintain and improve the valuable advantages derived from our Indian poffeffions, and to promote and fecure the happiness of the native inhabitants of those provinces.

The feafon of peace will call upon you for an attention to every thing which can recruit the ftrength of the nation, after fo long and fo expenfive a war. The fecurity and increase of the revenue, in the manner least burdenfome to my fubjects, will be amongst your firft objects. In many effential parts it has fuffered; dangerous frauds have prevailed; and alarming outrages have been committed. Exertions have not been wanting to reprefs this daring fpirit, nor pains to enquire into it's true caufes. In any inftances in which the powers of government may not be equal to it's utmost care and vigilance, I have no doubt that the wisdom of my Parliament will provide 3 C 2

fuch

fuch remedies as may be found wanting for the accomplithment of purposes in which the material interefts of this nation are fo deeply concerned.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COM

MONS,

"I HAVE ordered the eftimates of the expences for the year to be laid before you. From thofe you will perceive the reduction which I have made in the establishments, which appear to me to be brought as low as prudence will admit: and you will participate with me in the fatisfaction which I feel in this ftep towards the relief of my fubjects.

At the end of a war fome part of it's weight muft inevitably be borne for a time. I feel for the burdens of my people: but I rely on that fortitude which has hitherto fupported this nation under many difficulties, for their bearing thofe which the prefent exigencies require, and which are fo neceflary for the full fupport of national credit.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

In many respects our fituation is new; your counters will provide what is called for by that fituation, and your wildom will give permanence

hatever has been found beneficial by the experience of ages. In your deliberations you will prefive that temper of moderation which the importance of their objects demands, and will, I have no doubt, produce; and I am fure that you are u. animous in your defire to direct all thofe deheretions to the honour of my crown, the fafety cf my dominions, and the profperity of my people.'

His Royal Highnefs the Prince of Wales and
Hampden being fworn, the clerk of the

read the fpeech.

Lord Scarborough then rofe; and having apolo

fe prefuming to take upon himself so aris a task as that of drawing up an addrefs of nks for his Majesty's fpeech, entered into a negyric on the different parts of the fpeech. 1. faid that he had ever been trained and educated

the habit of revering the royal perfonage, and the conftitution of his country; bat what had just A delivered from the throne breathed fuch an lent affection for the welfare of the people, that be fet a reverence far beyond what he ever knew

e. His lordship concluded by moving an addes of thanks to his Majefty for the speech, a. congratulating him on the birth of another prefs, and his Royal Highnefs the Prince of 5's coming of age.

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L III mpden faid he was apprehenfive their it conceive him very affuming, in gem on the very day on which he had taken his feat in that Houfe; but so pleased was he with the fpecch, that he could not help teftifying it by feconding the motion which had been fably introduced to their lordships. He obferved, that though the expences of the late war had been fo heavy,that their weight muft unavoidably be felt > fome time; yet fimplicit a confidence had he in the abilities and int grity of the members of he prefent admin firation, that he was certain

every method would be used to alleviate that burden as much as poffible: they had already given proofs of their abilities in concluding a peace which had been fo poorly begun. The peace, as entered into by their predeceffors, was rash, fcandalous, and infecure; rafh, as being begun at the very moment we were successful; fcandalous, as they had not taken advantage of that fuccefs; and infecure, as no man who had read the Preliminary Articles could deny. Peace, the minister found, was the wish of the people, and he was refolved to give it them at any rate, probably hoping that would continue him in his fituation, when he was confcious nothing elfe could. That, however, was paft, and the nation was now happy in an adminiftration in whom they might place the greatest confidence, and by whofe united abilities we might expect to fee this nation reftored to as great a height of honour, refpect, and confequence, as it had ever enjoyed.

Lord Temple faid he had no intention to oppose the address, though in many parts it did not meet his approbation. In the first place, he did not conceive that part, which alluded to the royal perfon, fufficiently expreffive of the loyalty and affection which every peer in that House felt on the occafion, and in every circumstance which gave happiness to the fovereign: he alfo disapproved of other parts, from different reafons, but should not then object to them. His motive for troubling their lordships was to advise them to watch the prefent administration with a wary eye: he knew how difagreeable a tafk it was to behold every proceeding with fufpicion; but as he had no confidence in the miniftry, he should endeavour to point out every action that tended to injure the conftitution-a conftitution, which was greatly infringed but a few months back, when the cabinet was befieged, and an arrangement forced upon the crown. Where was then the power, the honour, the dignity, of that Houfe? How could they fit tamely, and permit fuch an outrage on the conftitution? It might, perhaps, appear fingular, that he fhould fpeak of a tranfaction eight months after it's execution; but he was abfent at the time, otherwife he should then have expreffed his fentiments refpecting it; he was abfent, in a fituation which his duty to his king and country had compelled him to accept, however inadequate his abilities: he had facrificed domeftic happiness to that acceptance; had exerted himself for the mutual benefit of both kingdoms; and, when he found an adminiftration formed with whom he

could not act with honour to himself and advantage to his country, had laid his office at his Majesty's feet. Much had been faid respecting the peace; hitherto he had not publicly given his opinion upon it; when the question came before their lordships for difcuffion, he would then trouble them with his idea: but whether it was advantageous or not, was it poffible to have any confidence in the prefent men, fome of whom had not ability to keep us at peace when we were fo, nor activity to fupport and maintain with honour a war into which they had plunged us, nor power to negotiate a peace on any terms? yet these were now joined by the very perfons who had been

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