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Nov. 17. The Exile.-Katherine and Petruchio.

Nov.

the union of his daughter with Count Calmar, to whose protection she had fled, after escaping from her uncle's house, by the ingenuity of Servitz. Romanoff, not Daran, claims Alexina for his bride, and The Exile is restored to his former honours.

The ground-work of The Exile is to be found in Elizabeth, ou les Exiles de Siberie, an admirable novel by Madme. Cottin. The charms of this very interesting story are preserved with all Mr. Reynolds's acknowledged skill in dramatic effect, and her fine descriptions of northern scenery have been left to the painter, who has done as much as the nature of the undertaking, and the peculiar circumstances of the theatre would allow. The divertissement is therefore of a very pleasing nature, for while the attention is kept alive by the conduct of the plot, the ear is gratified by the concord of sweet sounds, and the eye delighted by the splendour of spectacle.

Being a "melo-dramatic opera," it will perhaps be very little informa→ tion to say that it is far from subservient to the laws of a regular drama. Mr. Sheridan began with comedy, Mr. Reynolds with tragedy,* and, (not to stay here to discuss the question of prior claim, and to determine which has stooped the lower) we find that they have both condescended, in compliance with the prevailing taste, to furnish the stage with something nearer and nearer approaching to pantomime-Pizarro and The Exile might each be represented without uttering a word, and they would both be more amusing through the introduction of Harlequin and Pierrot,

We say this without meaning any disparagement to Mr. Reynolds, who, as he is entitled to the highest credit in his school of comedy, has, in descending into the arena with inferior champions, most completely beaten them on their own ground. But where is he that loves the stage and knows its proper end, who can see the abuse with which it is covered and surrounded, without striving by serious censure, or the force of ridicule to restore it to the state of happier days?

Mr. Young is the hero of the piece. Although it is his first appearance at a winter theatre, he is known to the metropolis as the only actor of our time who in various parts of tragedy is capable of wrestling with Mr. Kemble. He has been engaged here to play the heroes of new plays; to live in expectation of sick men's doublets, and to look forward with pious hopes, to jump into dead men's shoes! We think it was prudent in those of this house, who do not like a rival, to catch him and cut his

* Werter:

Nov. 18. The Exile.-Review.

Nov.

his wings, and we at first thought him blind not to see through the de sign, and reject the overture, but on reflection we feel that he was right, for he could not have been supported in tragedy at the other theatre, even if he had had the interest to command the lead; and it is much more supportable to wait for Mr. Kemble and Mr. Cooke, till he is as bald as the Marquis of Granby, than to play second to Mr. Elliston, who is in the same tragedy only fit to deliver a message, and should rather than presume to vie with Mr. Young in Hamlet, pit his strength against Mr. Farley, in “ Osrick, a fop.” His inferiority, however, in comedy and farce we are ready to admit.

The nature of the character of Daran may be gathered from the fable. It is late to speak of Mr. Young's discrimination, dignity of expression, and the just and delightful modulation of his tones; but these qualities, which the town has often seen exercised before, were here all displayed to the infinite advantage of the character, and the consequent success of the play. The only defect (not in the character) but in his acting, was that during his interviews with Alexina, he did not sufficiently betray his love. His reception was amongst the most flattering we ever witnessed.

Mrs. H. Johnston is the heroine, but it is too much for her. She can depict no passion (in public) except silliness, that is, the stage representation of innocence.* Mrs. Gibbs would have played it in a far more able and impressive manner, while to give her suck a part as Sedona, and to make her the mother of Alexina, was preposterous. Mrs. Johnston's pretty face, however, made her performance interesting. It strikes us (but perhaps we are too delicate!) that her marrying Daran, though it's only for a little bit, ought not to give Romanoff such perfect satisfaction, since she does not know that Daran and Romanoff are one and the same person!

Mr. Fawcett has one of those lively bustling parts, in which he so greatly excels, and he made the most of it. Apothecaries have always been` remarkable for their taste in dress, but the Siberian apothecary beats them all hollow. Mr. F. appeared in a yellow silvered jacket trimmed with fur, black breeches and stockings, and a little cocked hat laced with gold! His two songs "The night was three months long, wasn't that a fine night to be married?" and " Young Lobski," the latter written by Mr. Colman, were loudly applauded and encored.

Mrs. Dickons in Catharine was a perfect eclipse to all the other singing. In "Once on a time," she shewed much playfulness, and im

* Her Amelia in Lovers' Vous.

"Hope

Nov. 19. The Exile.

"Hope, her support," all her extraordinary powers. Mr. Incledon did not distinguish himself.

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Baron Alltradoff is just that sort of character, which proves Mr. Lis ton to be in reality a very indifferent proficient in the art of acting. Where his contortions and carp-like mouth are not brought into much play, he is duller than the dullest. Here he is a "finished traveller," who has his pocket book always in his hand, and who cannot stir an inch without writing a quarto on the occasion. It was a hard hit, but in his clutches failed of great effect. This traveller, however, does not travel with us all through, but deviates, and is missing at the journey's end. Being on the subject of travelling, we cannot help admiring the velocity of Alexina, who should certainly have been named Atalanta, or the "swift Camilla," who

(C scours the plain,

Flies o'er th' unbending corn, and skims along the main ;"

for she starts from Siberia in one scene and arrives in the next at the Wolga, is at Moscow in the third (800 miles), and very soon after in Siberia again. Harlequin is clearly wanting here-it is one of his unities. Mr. Munden has little to do, but he is diverting. Mrs. St. Leger never had all her parts so called out before-she had to fill the character of the Empress of all the Russias, and she looked it well. The third act is amusing, but the second, as Sir Leinster might say, is the last, for there, with the edict of the empress, the interest of the plot ends. The music by Mazzhingi, though not very new, is very clever and appropriate. The melo-dramatic part is particularly ingenious, and there are some passages in the slow movement of the overture, which are delightful. No melo-drame was ever better received, or more entitled to applause.

THEATRICAL CHIT-CHAT.

A comedy is talked of at Drury, by "a self taught bard." We are sorry for it. One taught by any body else would be a greater rarity!

A farce has been received at the King's theatre, called "The School for Authors." We wish this title was not merely a joke.

Opera loungers. Sonini, remarking on a male and female elephant at Paris, says they "appeared very sensible of music, at a concert, which was given to them, by the performers of the opera."

In lieu of the chalked P. X. on the private boxes at the King's theatre, a printed placard, " Private property," is stuck against the doors inside and out-a badge, on this occasion, of no ordinary disgrace.

It is said that these noble proprietors have sold their boxes for the season, relying on the continuance of Mr. Harris's company at this the

atre; for which that generous and liberal-minded man, Mr. Taylor, receives nineteen pounds per night. It is determined, however, to remove to the Little Theatre, where they will not be overrun with silver tickets.

Mr. Kemble estimates his loss at £.8,000—take 8 from 10, there re main two.-Cocker!

It is too much to ask any body to believe, but it is nevertheless a fact, that the SAVE-ALL board of managers, Drury-Lane, have taken away Miss Pope's admission to the theatre! and deprived their house of the honour of her company to sure what? the value of a card!

By letters from Dublin, Nov. 10, we learn that Mr. Lewis, the son of our inimitable comedian, is there playing Tangent, Frederick, &c. with great applause.

"It is fifteen years since Miss Duncan made her first appearance here, in the part of Priscilla Tomboy, in the Romp, for the benefit of her father." Dublin.

Mr. Kemble is getting up King John.

OLYMPIC PAVILION.

"It's an ill wind that blows no one any good.--The wind that blew till Covent-Garden theatre was consumed, was no unfavourable gale to Mr. Astley, junr. who has found the removal of that scene of amusement to so great a distance from the city, a pretty income to the Pavilion. Success, however, never abates his energies, for we see that the more patronage he has, the more he strives to deserve. The company here is complete. The grand naval spectacle of Blackbeard has been revived, and while Mrs. Astley is the captive Princess, it can never die or seem tedious in repetition. Her admirable acting is well supported by Mr. Crossman in Blackbeard, and Miss Greville, from the Circus, in Ora. In addition to the horsemanship of Smith, and the comic songs of Johannot, Mr. Astley, junr. has given a new pantomime, called The Magic Urn, and it is one of his best inventions. Of the acting, it is enough to say, that Mrs. Parker is the Columbine.

PROVINCIAL DRAMA.

Theatre, BELFAST.-Miss Grenville, a young lady who performed at Belfast, and some other places, is playing with considerable applause at Leicester, in such parts as Julia, in the Rivals; Zamora, in the Honey Moon; Virginia, &c. &c. To her theatrical talents, she adds what are no small recommendation to such characters, a genteel person, and a beautiful and interesting face. B.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

THE REV. J. Whitaker, the historian of Manchester, died at his rectory of Ruan, Langhorne, near Tregony, Cornwall, on the 30th Oct. aged 73.

"He

The following anecdote is related of this virtuous character. was so well acquainted with Gibbon, that the MS. of the first volume of The decline and fall of the Roman empire, was submitted to his inspection. But what was his surprise, when, as he read the same volume in print, that chapter, which has been so obnoxious to the Christian world, was then first introduced to his notice! That chapter Gibbon had suppressed in the MS. over-awed by Mr. Whitaker's high character, and afraid of his censure."

He made an end worthy of his life; "at peace with himself, his fellow creatures, and his God, he sank as into a quiet slumber, without a trouble or a pain, and with a smile on his countenance expired." This is the resignation, the comfort, the triumph of Christianity!

The SURREY INSTITUTION is guided in the formation of its li brary, by the knowledge and judgment of the learned DR. CLARKE, librarian. MR. JACKSON lectures on experimental philosophy, and is entitled to respect. Time will improve both him and the apparatus. Of the audience, this omnium of the city, we shall say nothing, but as Sylvas, animosque ferarum

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Threïcius vates, et saxa sequentia ducit ;"

stocks and stones, and bulls and bears, have not been deaf to the voice of wisdom, hope shall not desert us.

The RUSSELL INSTITUTION has begun to assume a form. Passing a soa, or Portico, where Zeno might have taught his followers to command their passions, you find yourself in a dwelling, where Sybarites might have indulged in all their effeminacy. On the right is a room fitted up for lectures, which will hold 200 persons.--This supposes that only one in ten or fifteen of the subscribers like to be lectured. On the left is the newspaper-room, and the reading here is exemplary. In the middle is the library, or rather place for books---£.3,000 have been subscribed, and £.1,200. spent.-With one of Herschel's glasses, the collection is very discernible. At the back of these three compartments is a room, the whole length of the building, and a very excellent room it is--to play at battledore and shuttlecock in! Thus, with baths added, they preserve mens sana in corpore sano." Dr. HIGHMORE is to preside over the sports.

66

MR. GIFFORD has nearly finished his Persius, from which every thing may be expected that the fire of a poet, the erudition of a scholar, and the acuteness of a critic, can accomplish.

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