Things are not there fo dull as heretofore, come; When lius, or when Claudius, juft had spoke, He'd think our politics were all a joke ; That Europe trembled at the name of PITT; Then let not foreign ftates our mirth de fpife, 13. An alteration of Beaumont and Flet cher's King and no King, was performed at Covent Garden Theatre, the alterer fuppofed to be the Manager himself. The characters were as follow: Arbaces, Mr. Pope. Mr. Aickin. Mr. Fearon. Mr Hull. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Wewitzer and Mr. Mr. Farren. [Cubitt. Mr. Ryder. Mifs Bunton. Mrs. Bernard. and Queen Mother, Mils Platt. This play was cfteemed one of the best productions of our authors, but the extreme licence of the dialogue had long banished it from the stage. The alterations appear to have been confined chiefly to the omission of exceptionable paffages, the curtailment of fome fcenes and the transposition of others, fo as to render it a connected and intelligible fable. A grand chorus was introduced in the fecond Act, and a Prologue was fpoken by Mr. Farren. Great care appeared to have been taken in preparing this play for reprefentation, but without effect. It feemed to afford but little pleasure to the audience, and after the first night was laid afide. The MUSES in MOTION, Spoken at the Royalty Theatre, by Mrs. In the Characters of the Tragic and Comic Written by MILES PETER ANDREWS, [Scene draws, and discovers the Tragic Mufe, fanding on a Pedestal, as in the Pantomime of Hubfon's Choice. After fome time fhe advances to the front with ber Bowl and Dagger.] NEW to this Stage, befet with Virgin fears, For the first time Melpomene appears; Tho' on thefe boards the oft hath filent ftood With eye uplifted thus---in mournful mood, Fixt as a poft fhe neither faid nor fung: 'Tis the first time the Mufe has found her tongue. What shall the urge to prove her vaft de light, Thus left at liberty to talk all night? But hold:---my Province is to fume and (wagger, Rave, rant, and start, and wield my Bowl and Digger; Oh! would fome wooden Hero now appear! * Whom I might scold and stab without a fear; How I would pull his painted locks about, Seize his glass eye, and tear his blinker out. [A voice is beard from below. that, feems threat'ning from What noife is below, Breaks on our grief, and interrupts our woe? [Mrs. Gibbs, as the Comic Muse, speaking under the Stage. Open the trap, Sirs, quick, and wind me • Alluding to the Figures in the Mock Tragedy of Almirina, But But fhould we both attempt to keep poffeffion, A Dialogue will fend us both to Bridewell; Since then you cannot take us both in keep- Which Mifs fhall stay, the laughing, or the If me ye choose, kind Sirs, for cara Spofa, [Holds up ber fifts. The Comic Mufe with fifts can make difpatch, A very fordas at a Boxing-match. [To the Audience. Methinks you fmile-Sifter, I've got the day Refign you muft, fo fink, and die away. There, going, going, going, going, gone. I've clear'd the Stage; but now how hard To clear myself, and fport the Comic Mask; Methinks he fays, "I hate your foolish "Fegs! cries that short thick Lady in the "Look! fays Mifs Frizzle to her friend Mifs Simper, "How can you like, my Dear, to fit and "I'm all for fun and frolic, mirth and glee, [In an affected formal manner. "But not for iné, Mifs; tho' the creatures fing, "They tell me, your Signors are not the thing." What do I feel--Miss Biddy-pray step down, [Beckoning to the House. The Comic Mufe may claim you as her own. Well, here I am, quite anxious to be feen, Lend me your Mask, that I may take a peep; "It can't be, Dear-Pha! hold thy filly clack; "I faw her riding on the Coachman's back; "Well, let her ride-he's nothing but a child; "Young folks, my Love, will be a little wild: "She knows no harm-No harm, Wife No, Duck, no;" They little think, but I know what I know, [Putting ber finger to her nose arckly. Well, I do like to fee two folks make love: Firt he fmiles thus then he draws off her glove; Then the fays, Don't you then he says, I will, And then the frowns, and tells him to fit ftill. Then he looks glum, and then she pats his cheek; Then they get up, and play at hide and feek Oh! I could act it to the very life, Thefe humble efforts of the Comic Mufe The charge against Delpini was for articulating those words without music, 1 An Account of FREDERICK PILON. To give to departed genius its record and its praife, is a task which, though neces. It has been often remarked, that the lives He was born in the year 1759, in the ci- The re To his dramatic fuccefs, however, there He now felt all the confequences of im- He at to the advice of fome judicious friends, and abandoned a profeffion for which he found himself unfit. He did not long deliberate on his choice of another; for, in 1775, he talents, and commenced a literary adven. repaired to London, as the general mart of turer, Among the first of his performances, was performed by Mr, Henderson, 8vo. 1777." "An Essay on the Character of Hamlet, as That this was written with much judgment add, that it procured him the friendship and and acumen, we need scarcely fay, when we patronage of Mr. Colman, which he long retained. In his Drama, a Poem written in the manner of Churchill's Rofciad, 1775, and Regatta, a Poem on the Fête given on the River Thames in the year 1776, he was lefs fuccessful. In 1778 he produced the Invafion; or, a Trip to Brighthelmfton, In this piece a well timed ridicule was pointed at the apfrom the French upon our coaft. This first prehenfions of those who feared à defcent production was extremely well received ¡— a mock proceffion of fervants armed with Mr. Garrick, contributed not a little to its clubs and rakes, which was fuggefted by fuccefs. the Dramatic Mufe with various fuccefs.From this time Pilon continued to woo He generally caught whatever temporary fub, ject was floating uppermost in the public mind, and immediately adapted it to the ftage. There appears of course, in those productions, more ingenuity than correctness, and more of temporary allufion than of permanent humour.Of the pieces of this detolerably accurate, fcription, the following lift is, we believe, I. The Invafion, or Trip to Brighthelmfton, acted at Covent Garden 1778. Garden 1779. 2. The Liverpool Prize, acted at Covent 3. The Illumination, or Glazier's Confpiracy, a Prelude, occafioned by the Rejoicings Covent Garden 1779. on the acquittal of Admiral Keppel, acted at 4. The Deaf Lover, acted at Covent Gar- acted at Covent Garden 1780. Covent Garden 1780. cule of the Doctrines of Mr. Madan, acted at 8. The Fair American, a Comic Opera, Those who live on the precarious revenues acted at Drury Lane 1782. of Chance, are often tempted to anticipate 9. Aerostation, a Farce, acted at Covent what fortune may not afterwards realize:Garden 1784. 10. All's Well that Ends Well, altered from Shakespeare, acted at the Hay-Market 1785. 11. Barataria, an alteration from D'Urfey's Don Quixote, acted at Covent Garden 1785. 12. The Touchstone, a Pantomime, acted at Covent Garden 1779. In 1786, he prefented his laft Comedy, He Wou'd be a Soldier, to Mr. Harris; we need not here mention with what fuccefs it was performed. It has undoubtedly fo much novelty of structure and originality of character as to rank with the best Comedies that have lately been produced. An unfinished play intitled The Ward in Chancery, of which not more than three acts are completed, is left in the hands of his widow, a young lady of much merit, to whom he was united not more than five months. With refpect to his private character, it must be acknowledged that many of his years were spent in the pursuits of diffipation. MONTHLY Dec. 20. A Dublin Cafile, Jan. 17. This day the Parliament having met, his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant went in State to the Houfe of Peers, and being feated on the Throne, with the ufual folemnity, Scroope Bernard, Efq. Gentleman Ufher of the Black Rod, was fent with a meffage from his Encellency to the House of Commons, fignifying his pleafure that they should immediately attend his * Excellency in the Houfe of Peers; and the Commons being come thither accordingly, his Excellency was pleased to open the Seffions with the following Speech from the Throne: My Lords and Gentlemen, HIS Majefty having been pleased again to call me to the Government of Ireland, I have received his Royal commands to meet you in Parliament. At the fame time that I feel myself highly flattered by this repeated mark of his Majefty's confidence, I muft lament with you the heavy lofs which his service has sustained by the death of the Duke of Rutland, whofe thus Pilon frequently experienced the want of that balf guinea which had been given to the luxury of the preceding day; and his attachment to verifon and turbot has often compelled the omiffion of a more necessary meal. His diffipation, however, was not of that kind which Johnfon has afcribed to Savage-lonely, felf-gratifying and obfcure. Pilon loved the feftivity and the luxuries of the table - but what is yet better, he could fubdue his ruling paffion at the call either of friendship or neceffity; and to relieve the wants of others, could chearfully deny himself the gratification he had intended. His converfation was not diftinguished by many corrufcations of wit, or brilliant effufions of the fancy; but his reasoning was clear, and his diction copious and argumentative. His knowledge of the world rendered him an agreeable companion, while the gentleness of his heart rendered him no lefs acceptable as a FRIEND. CHRONICLE. public and private virtues had fo deservedly conciliated the esteem and affections of this kingdom. His Majefty is perfuaded that you will fhare the fatisfaction which he feels in the present fituation of foreign affairs, and parti cularly in the festoration of the conftitution and tranquility of the United Provinces, favoured by the seasonable and vigorous exertions which were made by his Majesty, and by the brilliant fuccefs of the Pruffian troops, under the conduct of his Serene Highness the Duke of Brunfwick. The measures which his Majefty has adopted on this occafion have been productive of advantages, which, while they have added to the luftre of his Crown, have materially promoted the effential intereft of his dominions. Gentlemen of the House of Commons, I have ordered the national accounts and the neceffary eftimates to be prepared and laid before you; and with the fullest confidence in your zeal and loyalty, I obey his Majefty's commands in recommending to you to provide for the public fervice. My Lords and Gentlemen, My former experience of the affectionate attachment which his Majefty's fubjects of Ireland have tcrne to his perfon and govern, ment, and the very particular intereft which I must feel in your welfare, will never fail I 2 to to animate my endeavours in pursuit of every object which may promote his Majefty's paternal wishes for the happiness of this kingdom. With this view, I must more efpedially direct your attention to the support of that great taple of your commerce, the linen manufacture, to the protection and regulation of the Proteftant Charter schools, to the fecurity of the Church of Ireland, and to those principles, which your wisdom and humanity have already pointed out for the advancement of education and of useful knowledge. I have feen, with particular fatisfaction, your rifing profperity, and the rapid increase of your commerce and manufactures; and I fhall be anxious to co-operate with you in improving the advantages which the credit of the country muft derive from the bleffings of peace: but, while you are fenfible of the value of these bleffings, I am perfuaded that you feel the warmest concern for the honour of his Majesty's crown, and for the general interefts of the empire; and that there is no part of his dominions from which his Majesty would have received a warmer or more zealous fupport, if he had judged it necessary to call forth into action the spirit and refources of his people. [An affectionate and loyal Addrefs to his Majesty in answer to this Speech, was unamimously voted by both Houses; as was also an Addrefs of Congratulation, &c. to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant.] 18. Being the day appropriated for the celebration of the Queen's birth, who will be 44 years of age on the 19th of May next, the ufual ceremonies were observed in refpe& to the ringing of bells, firing of guns, &c. The Drawing room was uncommonly brilliant and crowded, and contained more of the Royal Family, than have been collected at one time in that circle for many years; for befides the Prince of Wales, Duke of York, and the Princeffes, their Royal Highnetes the Dukes of Glocester and Cumberland were prefent. The foreign Ministers also made a fplendid appearance in their dreffes and carriages. His Majefty was dreffed in a fuit of regimentals, of the new uniform of the staff;and appeared in the evening in a fuit of brown velvet, richly embroidered, and was extremely cheerful. The Prince of Wales was arrayed in a fuperb drefs; the coat was of a pale ruby ground, covered with a rich work of white and filver, and beautifully embroidered down the feams with filver: The ftar of St. George was formed of brilliants; the loop also which confined the garter, was of diamonds. The waistcoat was of white and filver, highly rich and beautiful. The hat in which his Highnefs appeared in the evening at the ball, had a beautiful brilliant button and loop. The Duke of York appeared in a fuit of regimentals, with the paraphernalia of the order of the garter, in rich jewellery. His Highness changed his drefs for the ball, and appeared in the evening in a rich gala fuit, of a bright purple ground, splendidly em. broidered. The Duke of Glocefter wore a rofe coloured fancy velvet; and his brother of Cumberland, a mouse-coloured fattin, embroidered. The Queen, as is ufual on her own birthday, was plain, and elegantly dreffed, with. out ornaments; her Majefty's train was a black and orange fmall figured velvet; the petticoat, of orange fattin, was covered with a white crape, in velvet stripes, with a broad border of rich black lace at the bottom. Her Majefty and the three Princesses wore caps elegantly decorated with white plumes of feathers, and small sprigs of artificial flowers, placed with much taste; their ribbons white, orange and blue. The Princefs Royal was in a royal purple and filver tiffue; the petticoat, of the fame filk, was covered with a rich embroidered crape, of a small beautiful pattern, in purple and filver, ornamented with rich embroidered bows, taffels, filver fringe, &c. in a fuperior ftile of neatness and fancy. The Princefs Augusta was in an orange colour and filver tiffue, trimmed with a beautiful embroidered crape, in purple, green, and filver, not quite fo plain as the Princess Royal, but equally elegant, and in the highest ftile of fashion. The Princess Elizabeth wore a coquelicot and filver tissue, the fame pattern as the Princefs Augufta's; her Highness's drefs and ap pearance altogether was much admired. The ornaments were entirely white and filver, of the finest embroidery, filver fringes, taisels, &c. which, added to her Highnefa's natural gaiety and good humour, gave her all the air and splendor of a bride. The Ladies in general were dressed in rich fattin trains, moft of which were striped, and fome in trains a la goutre. The head-dreffes of the ladies were in general high, with caps a-la-Turk, ornamented, with flat white oftrich feathers. The caps were principally formed of gaufree crape and fattin, with bandeau edges with rich blond, the lappets quite flat, and wholly white. Very few flowers worn on the head; the fubftitute for which was wreaths of wheat ears. The fashion of the hair differed from that of last year, by being dreffed lower on the forehead, and the temples more expofed.— The toupee in very fmall curls, fhort curls on the neck, and flowing in ringlets behind. The |