To: Siege of Cuzco, a Tragedy, in Five Aas. By William Sotheby, Efq. Evo." 1800. Wright. s. 6d.

"THE Contest between Pizarro and Almagro, for the peffeffion of Cuzco, forms the hiftorical basis on which the fictitious events "of "this, tragedy are founded;" and S. Paul Rycaut's verfion of the Commentaries of Peru fupplied the drama with feveral Spanish Chiefs, either fightly noticed or wholly omitted in Robertfon's Hinory of America From the fane verfion fo.ne remarkable incidents have been inferte 1. The Peruvian perfonages are fictitious; bet in that of their act, it has been the author's endeavour to exemplify his conception of the pecusar character of their Incas. This drama does not appear to have been offered or intended for the Stage, nor do we think it would have appeared there with much advantage. As a literary production, however, for the closet, it has better claims to applause, and will not take from the reputauenf its ingenious author.

16. Syftematic or Imaginary Philoforber, -a Gumeuy, in Five dats. 8vo. HookBam. 2,6

This is declared by the author to be his ft and only diamatic compofition. Though it dues not appear to have been offered to either Theatre, he flems not to be without expect it on of its yet making its way into the Gr.eu reon. The plot is very inardficial, and the chara ters fuch as have been already feen on the Stage. The dialogue, however, is fprightly; and the author has thown that he is not wanting in wit gr. humour.

the api

The pref nt per.ormance has al earance of a haily one, and confe quently bears many marks of imperfection. Should the author be incuned to cultivate his ta ents for Rage compofiton, we recommend him to avoid the too frequent recurrence of alliteration, in which he has indulged himielf beyond the example even of Mr. Foote, who pracfed it to a digu ling excels. On a fecond attempt, we think the author may be more fuccefsius plan on the prefent ociation.

A Poetical Review of Mit Hannab More's Stritlines on F mate E tucation, in a Series of Anapepic Erifiles. By

This Poetical Review is in the verfification of Anfty's Bath Guide; and the author, fometimes feriously and fometimes lusti, croufly, comments on the principles and doctrines of Mifs More's celebrated perform-, ance on Female Education. The prefent author, whether male or female, is fprightly obferving, and animated; generally good humoured; and, in the fledge-hammer measure, as it is styled, has produced a work which will be read with approbation. Holmes Traft on Bodies Corporate generally, thofe in Exeter fpecially, winn includes the Novel Cunty Rates, Bags Ter 1799. Second Pari, Him 3 Łytome of Political History, Arisent and Modern. Third Part, Holmes on the Police of Exeter jpecially, Ancient dat Modern, as an Accompaniment to 870. Ifaacbe's Memorials of the City. Exeter printed for Biles.

Mr. Holmes ftyles bimflf a deaf ind pendant Freeman of Fx ter, and ɔ. C L. (Stedent or Cv.l Law, we believe,) of Ond College, Oxford. He is diftisfied with tas” conduct of the Corporation of Exeer on many accounts, and feems inclined to be more pry ng into the management of tar aatars, than the fad Corporation may jeubably approve of The who.c is local, and will afford itle fatisfaction beyond the cy of Ex.ter.

The Latin Scholar's Guide, or Clarke's and Turner's Latin Exercises co redea together wub ibe References to the Que ginals from which the Sentences wɛ extracted. By M. Tequel. ST... Dulau, &c. 1000. 10s. 6d.

A Supplement to the Introtution to ide Making of Latin: confisting of fwthr Rules for ibe Purposi: fhewing, în đ great Meajure, zuberein, b fides Cancod and Government, the Difference betwixt the Latin and English kims lies. By John Clarke. 8vo. kuaby. 1799. 35. 64.

Thefe Latin Exercifes are extracts from the moit approved cluical wir. or the

Roman language, and the publisher affumes ho other merit than that of having diligently employed his best care and attention that every fentence should be referred to the proper author with accuracy and precifioni. What he has undertaken he appear to have executed with fuccefs; and, when we con fider the labour employed in ascertaining the different authors of more than two thousand paffages, which had been given in all formet editions without any references whatever, we cannot but applaud the diligence exerted, and recommend the performance as deferving the attention as well of those who are learn ing the Latin language, as of those who may be defirous of recovering what may have been either loft or forgotten by neglect or difule.

Le Negociant Universal, on Recueil dè Lettres Originales de Commerce, ecrites par les meilleures Maifons de Ruffie, Hollande, Angleterre, France, \&t, Par G. Keegan. 8vo. Vernor and Hood.

The Compiler of this Volume fays that his principal defign was to affift youth by putting into their hands original letters of commerce, abounding in variety of inftruction, and well calculated to form their minds not only in acquiring a knowledge of the French language, a just and accurate mercantile ftyle, but also in imbibing real notions of business. The collection appears to us to be well calculated for the purpose proposed, and therefore is intitled to our recome mendation.

APRIL 28.

The

CHILDREN; OR, GIVE THEM THEIR WAY; a comic drama, in two acts, faid to be by Prince Hoare, Efq. was acted the first time at Drury Lane, for the benefit of Mr. Bannifter, jun. principal Characters by Mr. Suett, Mr. Bannister, jun. Mr. Palmer, Mr. We. witzer, Mrs. Jordan, and Mifs De Camp. The plot briefly as follows:

Henry, the fon of Sir Gabriel Willwou'd, and Emily, Sir Gabriel's ward, having formed an early attachment to each other, Sir Gabriel fends his fon to travel on the Continent for a thort time, at the end of which he returns to marry Emily. The young couple, however, have, in the mean time, adopted new opinions, and at their first interview, finding a mutual coldnefs, they foon agree to part. Henry refolves to go back to Italy, and Emily to mix with the gay world. Henry orders his chaise; but the artful interference of their ferv ants, whofe fate is connected with that of their mafter and miftrefs, recals to obfervation their kindness to each other,

and produces a reconciliation and a wed. ding.

This flight piece, which was well adapted to the talents of the performers, was very imperfectly reprefented. The mufic, by Mr. Kelly, however, met with deferved applaufe, and the house was much crowded.

29. DE MONTFORT, a tragedy, by Mifs Bailey, was acted the first time

The Scene lies in Germany.—Matthias, Count de Montfort, having conceived a violent hatred towards the Marquis Rezenvelt, who lives in the neighbourhood from the fight of an object so irkfome to of his own manfion, in order to be relieved him, takes a journey to Augsburg, a place where he was well known and refpected. He alights at the houfe of Old Jerome, a kind of Hotel, which he had often vifited.-Lady Jane de Montfort is the fifter of the Count, a woman of the moft noble character, fondly attached to her brother, by whom the is held in the most affectionate veneration. The hatred which De Montfort hears towards Rezen

velt, had changed the whole complexion of his character, injured his health, and rendered him a prey to conftant dejection. Lady Jane, by the commanding dignity of her virtues and her endearing tender. nefs, without knowing the caule of her brother's dejection, or enquiring into its nature, had kept his feelings under fome rettraint, but as the had left the family manfion on a vifit, his antipathy to Rezenvelt, embittered by the elevation

and increased wealth of the latter, can no longer be controlled, and therefore De Montfort leaves his house in order to avoid the chance of meeting the man he fo abhorred. Soon after De Montfort arrives at Augsburg, Rezen velt unfortunately arrives at the fame place. When De Montfort learns that Rezenvelt is fo near him, he breaks out into great fury, confidering himself as haunted by an evil fpirit. Count Albert, an inhabitant of Augfburg, hearing of the arrival of De Montfort, vifits him at the hotel Albert foon irritates the feelings of De Montfort by his eulogiums on the pleafantry and worth of Rezenvelt. But though the animofity of De Monfort burits forth whenever the name of Rezen, velt is mentioned, he appears always uneafy when it is noticed by others, therefore when Albert invites him to a feftival De Montfort agrees to be present, notwithstanding he is informed that Rezenvelt is to be of the party. Manuel, the faithful follower of De Montfort, conceiving that Lady Jane, on her return home, would be anxious to know the deftination of her brother, leaves a letter for her, communicating his master's intended route. Lady Jane, therefore, fol. lows him to Augiburg, and goes immediately to the house of Albert, the friend of her brother. Albert holds her character in the highest reverence, introduces her to his wife, and invites her to stay and join the intended Fête, as her brother is expected. Lady Jane confents to stay, concealing herfelt beneath a veil. The company, among whom are De Montfort and Rezen velt, arrive. Rezervelt, ftruck with the figure of Jane, addresses her with peculiar homage. Some converfation takes place between her and her brother, and the latter, affected by her voice, entreats her to throw aside her veil. Rezenvelt, with a fpirit of gallantry, rushes forward to prevent De Montfort from touching her, and the latter, refenting this interruption, Lady Jane difcovers herfelf in order to avert all diffention. De Montfort is at length induced to difclofe his feelings to his fifter, avowing his hatred to Rezenvelt, and alledging as the caule the malignant gibing fpirit of the latter, which thwarted him while a boy, and which was till vented against him during the progrets of both of them to manhood. This oppofition of temper had once involved them in a contention of arms, in which Rezenvelk was fuccefstul. Lady Jane in vain

VOL. XXXVII. MAY 1800.

attempts to footh the feelings of her brother, whofe refentment derives in creafing fury from the perfevering taunts of Rezen velt, a man of fpirit, who af cribes the hatred of De Montfort wholly to arrogance and pride, which he is determined to mortify. A formal reconciliation is effected by the entreaties of Jane and the mediation of Albert; but De Montfort being induced to think that Jane and Rezenvelt have conceived a mutual partiality, again indulges the tury of his deteftation, and meditates fome deadly defign against the object of it. Being informed that Rezenvelt is going to vilit a Nobleman a mile or two from Augsburg, and that he is to walk alone through a neighbouring forelt, De Montfort, full of the most desperate intentions, lies in wait for him and murders him. The dying groans of Rezervelt reach a Convent, where a funeral ceremony is taking place. The Friars haften to relieve the tufferer, find the dead body of Rezen velt, and fecure De Montf Ft, whofe agony and horror dreadfully evince his guilt. The corpie is conveyed to the Convent, in which De Montfort is imprifoned. Lady Jane, alarmed by the fudden retreat of De Montfort, and ap prehenfive of confequences, follows him, and arrives at the Convent, to be a wit. nefs of the difgrace and mifery of her brother. At length the remorfe and per turbation of De Montfort is too strong for his frame to refift, and he expires, the victim of penitential agony. The world no longer prefents any hope of confolation to the afflicted Jane, and with her determination to pafs the remainder of her life in the Convent, the Tragedy concludes.

This Play is one of a feries intended to illustrate diftinct paffions. The paf fion exemplified in the prefent is hatred, and the features are certainly pourtrayed with great force. But though drawn with great ftrength, the paffion itself is of fo hateful a cait, that the mind revolts against the probability, and refutes its affent to the existence of fo deteftable a dispofition. De Montfort, independent of this circumftance, is distinguished for the nobleft and moft amiable qualities. He adores his fifter for the lofty dignity and engaging tenderness of her character, and yet he cherishes the molt deadly hatred against Rezenveit, because the latter is too lively, and of too latirical fpirit. Thele are contradictions which, however, the theatre may tolerate; few

Ddd

dramatic

dramatic pieces are free from objections

as prominent.

The alterations introduced are faid to be by Mr Kemble, whole acting, to, gether with that of Mis. Siddons, was without fauit. The other performers had but few opportunities of fhewing their talents; but what little they had to do, they did with propriety and ipirit.

A Prologue, in vindication of British genius again foreign rivals, was spoken by Mis. Powell. A very elegant Epilogue, to confirm the fentiments inculcaled by the events of the piece, was fpoken by Mrs. Siddons. The Prologue was written by the Hon. Francis North; the Epilogue by the Duchefs of Devonfhire. The munc incidental to the piece was furnifhed by Mr. Shaw and Mr. Kelly.

MARCH 1-PAUL AND VIRGINIA, a muncal drama, by Mr Cobb was acced the first time at Covent Garden. Characters as follow:

The

Mr. TOWNSEND.
ME, INCLEDON.

Mr. MUNDEN.

Mrs A.ILLS.

Mr. MERY.
Mr. CLAREMONT.

The Fable of this Piece is two fold. The ferious part of the Story arifes from the elopement of Julia, which is suppoted to have happened previous to the opening of the Play. Julia quitted her father's houfe, in order to avoid a marriage with Captain Maxim. She went off with Clermont, who, inftead of torming an honourable union with her, makes liCentious propofals, which the rejects with difdain, and flies to the protection of Mits Goodly, a worthy woman, who had been greatly indebted to the Burleigh family. Penitent for her fault, on dif covering the perfidy of Clermont, Julia folicits an interview with her father, who is inclined to forgive her, though of a very fiery difpofition; but as the refufes to difclole the name of the man with whom the eloped, fearful of involving her father in danger, he obliges her to quit his houfe. It appears that Clermont is fully fenfible of his misconduct towards Julia, and defirous of atoning for it, but In order to cannot difcover her retreat. try the feelings of her lover, Julia, with the affittance of Mrs. Goodly, affumes male attire, and paffes for one of the pert puppies who parade Bond freet, and jottle every perfon, man or woman, who is not "one of us." In this disguise the again enters her father's house, where the addreffes her felf in a style of fashionable flippancy to her fifter Fanny, who quits the room, and who leaves Julia in company with Clermont. Julia contrives to turn the converfation upon fubjects fuitable to her fituation, and having fe verely wounded the feelings of her lover, and proved his repentance, is then only folicitous to manifelt her own innocence to her family. Old Burleigh, in order to hear fomething about Julia from the young men who were in the habit of vifiting his houfe, induces Mrs. Goodly to invite fome of them to tea with her, conceiving that under the difguile of a female he may, perhaps, diicover from their converfation which of them had feduced away his daughter. Burleigh being of a paflionate difpofition, and

much

much inclined to the practice of fwearing, defires Mrs. Goodly to nod whenever he is going to indulge himfelf in that practice. The young men affemble at Mrs. Goodly's, and Burleigh as an old woman and friend of Julia, is introduced to them, Julia in difguile appearing among them. The difcourie foon turns upon Julia and her elopement, and Burleigh, the supposed old woman, is the fubject of much raillery. At length the feelings of Burleigh are fo much irritated that he throws off his difguife, and wants to fight with the whole company. Finding, however, that the general fufpicion of taking away his daughter falls upon Clermont, the latter is required to give him fatisfaction, Clermont owns his guilt, but being appealed to by Julia, ftill under her dif guile, whether the had not retained her innocence, he pronounces her a miracle of virtue, and avows his readiness to marry her immediately, if after fuch base conduct he fhall be thought worthy of her hand. The proof of Julia's innocence, notwithstanding her Indifcretion, reconciles Burleigh to his daughter, who difcovers herself, and is taken into fa.

vour.

Such is the outline of the fericus part of this drama. The comic fenes chiefly

The

refult from a fcheme of Sir Marmaduke Maxim to obtain a wife by advertising in the newspapers. The advertisement, which he contrives to get inferted in the public prints, reprefents him in the prime of life, though he is in reality incumbered with age and all its infirmities. advertisement is anfwered by Victoria, the fitter of Burleigh, an old maid, who had in her anfwer as much mifreprefented her perfon as Sir Marmaduke had done his own. After a ludicrous interv ew between the parties, thus whimsically brought together, paffed in mutual reproaches on account of their mutual dif appointment, they feparate in anger. The piece concludes with the content of Burleigh to the marriage between Julia and the penitential Clermont; Fanny and Algernon, the youngeft fon of Sir Marmaduke; and Captain Burleigh and Laura Goodly.

There is more merit in this comedy than in most of the productions of the day. The ferious part of the drama arfords a good leffon to thofe young ladies who are too ready to quit their paternal roof, and confide in the profeffions of a lover, whofe pallions rather tend to his awn gratification than to the permanent

happiness of the object whom he pretends to adore. It alio affids a good leflon to fathers, not too rigorously to attempt to controul the pallions of their daugh ters, and force them into connubial ties adverte to their inclinations. Thefe interefing monitions are strongly impressed by the miseries which Burleigh and Julia bring upon themselves, and which. if the latter had not been imoreffed with a fenfe of wounded pride, might have ter minated in hopelets anxiety on the one part, and infamy n the other.

12. LIBERAL OPINIONS a comedy, by Mr Dblin, jun. was acted the first time at Covent Garden Theatre. Characters as follow:

Friendly,
Liberal,
Frank Liberal,
Mildmay,
Chace,
Ephraim,
Groute,

Mrs. Howard,
Mariana Howard,
Fanny Liberal,
Lucretia Liberal,

Mr MURRAY. Mr, MUNDEN. Mr L Wis.

The

Mr..JOHNSTONE,

Mr. FARLEY.
Mr FAWCETT.

Mr MRY.

Mifs CHAPMAN.
Mils MURRAY.

Ms.ILLS

MIS. DAVENPORT. FABLE.

wh has acquired a fortune in bunnels, Mr. Liberal, a very benevolent man, Lucretia Liberal, who is fupp fed to be has retired into the country. his Coutin, worth fitty thousand pounds, refides in the house with him, and u on the privi lege of her wealth, aflumes the direction of his family. She determines that his daughter Fanny thall marry their neigh bour, 'Squire Chace, a rugged Sports.

man.

Fanny, however, had previously conceived a partiality for Mildmay, who had rifqued his lite in protecting her from brother, and is in fuch an embarrassed a ruffian. Mildmay is the friend of her ftate, that he is obliged to fly into the country, from the purfuit of Bailiffs. In this fituation he meets unexpectedly with Fanny Liberal to whom he is equally attached. Though Old Liberal

is a very worthy man, and an affectionate father, yet he tubmits to all the tyraum cal whims of his coufia Lucretia, in hopes his children will be eht by her fortune. Fanny is locked up by Lucretia, in order to be fecured till the marriage between her and Chace (hall be accomplished, By the alittance, however, of her maid Jenny, the and Jenny escape in male attire. They both happen to put on juft fuch a coat as is worn by Mildmay, which coat ferves as a fign for the Ddd a

Bailiffs