THE Sporting Magazine For DECEMBER, 1795. GREY DIOMED, The property of his Grace the Duke of Bedford, of which a beautiful Engraving is given with the prefent Number. HIS famous horfe was bred Tby Sir Charles Bunbury, Bart. and got by Diomed, his dam by Dorimant, out of Dizzy, the dam of Pilot. In our Maga. zine of last month, we had the fatisfaction to prefent our readers with a no lefs celebrated engraving of Efcape, (the property of his royal highnefs the Prince of Wales) which, together with the portraiture before us, were taken by permiffion from the originals, in the poffeffion of Mr. Pollard, who has published two beautiful prints of thefe, horfes, twenty inches by fixteen, the fize of the original pictures, which were painted by J. N. Sartorius, jun, THEATRICAL REGISTER. COVENT GARDEN, Dec. I. COOPER'S MACBETH. MR.i R. Cooper appeared laft night, for the first time, in the character of Macbeth. Of all the arduous tasks an actor can undertake, this is perhaps the moft difficult. The talents proper to fuftain it fhould be prodigious. Figure, action, paffion, voice inexhaustible, and a man of iron, all are requifite, and all feem infufficient, for the vast conception of the poet. Mr. Cooper difcovered new and very uncommon powers: he no where funk beneath his burthens; in various paffages he produced effects fuch as are but rarely feen; and for fo young a man, his performance may, without exagge ration. be pronounced aftonithing. We doubt if the hiftory of the ftage can furnish another exP 2 ample ample of a youth, not yet twenty, having performed, not only Hamlet, but Macbeth, on the London ftage, with great and deferved applaufe. MERRY SHERWOOD. A new operatic pantomime, in two parts, called MERRY SHERWOOD, or Harlequin Forefter, was prefented, for the first time, on Monday evening, Dec. 21. The incidents principally felected from the legendary ballads of the 13th century. The pantomime is invented by Mr. Lonfdale. The fongs ten by Mr. O'Keefe. PART I. Scene 1. A View in Sherwood Foreft. Robinhood's Well-Song, Principal Archer, (Mr. Bowden,) "In Merry Sherwood"-Dialogue ballad, Robin Hood and the Tanner-Song, the "Witch of Sherwood," Mrs. Martyr. Scene 2. A View of the Suburbs of Nottingham-"The Bellman's Chaunt," (Mr. Fawcett). Scene 3. A Hall in the Sheriff's Houfe. Scene 4. A View of the Town Hall of Nottingham. Scene 5. A Country Alehouse writ-Tinker's Song, (Mr. Knight). Scene 6. The Pinfold of Wakefield Town. The overture and mufic (with the exception of a few antient ballad tunes) by Mr. Reeve. The principal vocal characters by Mr. Incledon, Mr. Johnftone, Mr. Munden, Mr. Fawcett, Mr Bowden, Mr. Knight, Mr. Town fhend, Mr. Richardfon, Mr. Haymes, Mr. Gray, Mr. Street, Mr. Linton, Mr. Spoffort, Mr. Tett, Mrs. Serres, Mrs. Mountain, Mrs. Clendining, and Mrs. Martyr. PRINCIPAL PANTOMIMIC CHA RACTERS. Robinhood, Mr. Follett; Arthur of Bradley, Mr. Farley; Little John, Mr. Simmons; Will Scarlet, Mr. Cranfield; Will Stukely, Mr. Williamfon; Lockfley, Mr. Gray; Midge, the Miller, Mr. Street; Clerk, Mr. Rees; Parfon of Bardale, Mr. Platt; Sheriff of Nottingham, Mr. Thompfon; Prince of Arragos, Mr. Holland; Two Giant, Meffrs. Price and Stevent; Harlequin, Mr. Simpfon; and Maid Marian, Mad. St. Amand. The following is a fhort defcription of the fcenery, and fongs, as they follow in fucceffion : Scene 7. Robin Hood's Bower. Scene 8. View in Plumpton Park.-Song, "Allen O'Dale,” (Mr. Incledon). Scene 9. Pollard Wood-Song by the Damfel (Mrs. Clendining). Scene 10. Song, by the Earl's Daughter (Mrs. Serres) The Defeat of the Two Giants--The Princess's Marriage with Will Scarlet-And a grand Dance of Warriors in the Field of Combat. PART II. Scene 1. A view of Scene 2. Fountain Abbey Wall. Scene 4. Nottingham Market Place-Robin's refcue of Will Stukely from the Sheriff of Nottingham-Song, Irish Pilgrim (Mr. Johnstone.) Scene 5. View in BarnfdaleSong, Allen O'Dale (Mr. Incledon.) Scene 6. Barnfdale Church Scene 11, Birkfley Monaftery -Robin Hood's Death-Epitaph and Revivals; Song by the Witch. Grand Scene, representing the TRIUMPH OF ARCHERY. Order of the Proceffion. Banner. "Fabulous Archery." Apollo, Hercules, Diana, Orion, and Cupid; Four Satyrs drawing a moving group of Figures, reprefenting Penelope's Suitors try. ing to bend Ulyffes' Bow. 117 tants. The machinery by Mr. Sloper, and Mr. Goofetree. The dreffes by Mr. Dick and Mrs. Egan. The fcenery, machinery, and dreffes are entirely new, and their fplendour reflects the highest honour on the liberality and spirit of the Manager. The number of fcenes amount to twenty-one, all ingeniously and happily contrived; for candour must over. look the blunders unavoidably attendant on a first representation of fo much difficulty. The archery fcenes had a most beautiful effect. They were managed with much order and regularity. The men proved themfelves to be good shots, and the ladies never failed to hit the mark. Banner. "Ancient Archery," The proceffion, with which the Succeeded by Archers of the fol-piece concludes, was particularly lowing nations; Perfian, Par- pleafing and grand. thian, Scythian, Ethiopean, Ama- In pieces of this nature, if the zonian, Grecian, Thracian, Ly-eye is gratified, the general intencian, Roman. Banner."Archery introduced into Britain." Pageant reprefenting the landing of Julius Cæfar, Saxon Archer, Danish Archer, Norman Archer, English Archer, Pageant reprefenting the Battle of Hattings. tion of them is accomplished.In the prefent inftance, however, we find the entertainment not confined to fcenic decoration and dumb fhew, but enriched with an operatic treat, fupported by fome. of the first vocal performers on the English Stage. The full exertion of the powers of Incledon, Bowden, Johnstone, Townshend Richardfon, Fawcett, Munden, Mrs. Serres, Mrs. Mountain, Mrs. Clendining, and Mrs. Martyr, are called into action; and Banner. "Modern Archery." Grand Meeting of Modern Archers of all Nations; Otaheitan, Peruvian, Eaft Indian, Chinefe, Arab, Turkish, African, North American, Lapland, Ruffian, Polith, Flemish, Caledonian, Eng-fevere must be the combat in lifh, &c. The whole concludes with a grand Dance of Archers, (by Mr. Byrn, &c.) Finale and Chorus, The Dances were invented by Mr. Byrn. The Scenery painted by Mr. Hodgings, Mr. Lupino, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Thorne, Mr. Hol. logan, Mr. Blackmore, and affif which fuch ftrength does not prove fuccefsful. Of more particular criticism this article has fomething to ftate, by which unnecessary exertion may be spared, and very excellent matter improved in its effect. The pathetic fong of Incledon is lifelefs in that particular fituation, and therefore may be omitted without without injury. Munden fings | acquired fome reputation on the the Cuckow fong fo admirably, provincial ftages, is about to make that we wonder it receives no his appearance at Drury Lane. warmer applaufe. The only way to procure this, is by cutting out the fuperfluous bars of fymphony, which drag away all the spirit of the fong. Townshend's beggar is as whimfical comic exhibition as any bal. lad as ever received. On the whole, Harlequin Forefter is fuperior to most things of the kind we have witnessed; it will, no doubt, create many Merry nights at Sherwood, and compenfate the Manager for the vaft expence he has been at in bringing it forward. Mr. Colman's new play is upon the horrible fubject of Caleb Wil liams. To the fhades of mora! depravity in the principal character, he combines fome pleafing traits of ingenuity, and Storace adds the mufic. Mr. Colman, it is faid, has fold his property in the Haymarket Theatre to Mr. Morland, the Banker, and Mr. Conft.-Mr. Colman is to continue Acting Manager, at a falary of 8ool. per ⚫annum. One thousand pounds which Mr. Colman is to receive for his Mr. Kemble is foon expected to come forward in the character of the Plain Dealer. Lee Lewis having failed in his application for a London engagement, means to fet out for America. Report fays, that Mr. Richardfon's elegant pen is again at work, we believe on a tragedy. Reynolds wrote the Tragedy of Werter, when a Weflminster boy -and it must be remarked that he has too much good fenfe to with its re-appearance either in five or three acts. Morton has nearly finished a Comedy-of great promife, when his knowledge of dramatic effect is confidered. Veftris has been permitted by the Directory of France to accept of an engagement at the Opera Houfe-he may be expected to new play, getting up at Drury fent month. If he is to have 1200 arrive the beginning of the preLane Theatre, includes the privi- guineas for dancing one feafon, lege of playing feveral of his pre-furely there can be no prospect fent pieces. of poverty in this country. Madam Mara is accuftoming herself to meet the fashionable world against her town engage-letta at the Opera Houfe will be ment- -- "That when they meet, they start not at each other." Mafter Siddons, fon to the tragic heroine of that name, who has The new fingers for the bur Felici, the Buffo, from Genoa ; and Viganoni, the first Buffo, who, when a lad, about ten years ago, fang in the Haymarket with Allegranti. Viganoni comes from Milau. Mr |