duct, by relating many instances of the cor-
rectness and amiableness with which she
had performed all the duties of a wife.
The Duchess could not resist relating this
adventure to the Queen of Spain, which
created in her Majesty a curiosity to see the
principal actress in it, and the widow was
accordingly introduced. On this occasion,
the Queen took a malicious pleasure in ques
tioning her respecting her deceased husband,
and witnessing her theatrical display of ex-
travagant grief.

THE DRAMA.

DRURY LANE.

Our dramatic records for the week furnish us with but a solitary subject; for the quarto form of our publication, and we may add its greatly augmented circulation, preclude us from noticing any thing so late as the pantomimes on the night previous to our issuing from the press.

Young Clifford, Mr. Wallack.
Warwick, Mr. Burnard.
Jack Cade, Mr. Harley.
Horner, the Armourer, Mr. Wewitzer.
Peter, his Prentice, Mr. Knight.
Queen Margaret, Mrs. Glover.
Salisbury, Buckingham, and we believe,
Exeter, Northumberland, &c.
among the characters, and performed by
Messrs. Bengough, T. P. Cooke, R. Phil.
lips, Powell, &c. while Oxberry, Coveney,
Hughes, and Smith, filled the lower parts as
followers of Cade, &c.

were also

Various questions ensued on the part of the Duke, the answers to which were so well seconded by the fine bedewed eyes of the widow, that, turning to the Minister of War, he requested, as a favour to himself, that he would forward her wishes. The Minister, with great goodness, assured the petitioner he would instantly dispatch the required order to the Marquis de Spinola, and was taking his leave to perform this promise, when that nobleman most opportunely arrived to inquire after his Excellency's health, The Inspector-general was well acquainted with Madame de S; but not suspecting Of the three plays whence this play is the business which had brought her to the compounded, we feel the most entire conDuke's, accosted her with compliments of viction that the first, called "the First part condolence on the irreparable loss she had of King Henry VI." was not written by so recently sustained by the death of her Shakspeare, but by Marlowe, Greene, and husband, an officer for whom he expressed probably Pecle; and brought forward about the highest esteem. This address again 1590, under the title of "The first part of roused all her distressed feelings, and she the Contention of the two famous Houses poured them forth with such lively expresof Yorke and Lancaster; and that the se sion of sorrow that the Marquis de Spinola, cond and third parts, as Malone contends, who was not like the other spectators, in Our single subject is however one of in- were re-modelled and appropriated by our the secret of her real feelings, was quite terest: no less than an effort to bring Shak-immortal hard, from "the True Tragedie of overpowered by his own, till the Minister of speare upon the modern stage under new Richard, Duke of Yorke," of the same authors. War seeing calm succeeding to this last modifications, and from plays which have In the original, the first play commences burst of lamentation thus addressed the sym-long ceased to be acted. While we call this with the obsequies of Henry V., and the pathising Inspector. "The dead husband, a bold, we must also say it is a legitimate speech, Monsieur, is no longer in question; on the and worthy attempt. What we may think Hung be the Heav'ns with black, yield day to contrary, the subject under consideration is of its execution is another thing; our opi- which has been transferred by Cibber to night," the procuring a living one, through whom nion of the merit of the undertaking is de- Richard III.; and dwelling on the wars in the disconsolate widow may be restored to cided. Who the artist is we cannot tell; France, in which the Maid of Orleans is the happiness and comfort. To you she looks the name of Merriman has been mentioned, heroine, it ends with Suffolk's success in nefor effecting this change in her present for- a name with which we are unacquainted; gotiating the marriage of Margaret of Aulorn situation; and for this purpose solicits and though there may be a principal mover your permission that she may marry the of that denomination, we are inclined to vergne to Henry the VI. The second play Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment to which think that the getting up of this drama has through the feuds of the rival Roses, conbegins with the Queen's arrival, and going her deceased husband belonged when liv-been a sort of joint Stock Company business, cludes with the battle of St. Albans, and the ing." in which Mr. Kean has had a large share. triumph of the Yorkists. The third play We have two reasons for this supposition; commences with Henry's adoption of York 1st, because that gentleman is exempted from the management of Mr. H. Johnston of the Duke of York; the turn of affairs at as his successor; details the defeat and death in all plays in which he performs, when he the battle of Towton; the elevation of Edbecomes de facto the acting manager; and ward IV. to the throne, and the civil wars in secondly, because after this play had been which Warwick, (who changes sides,) King cast and the respective parts given out to the Henry, and his son Edward, fall martyrs to actors for study, they were recalled and the best bits cut out of each to be put into the mouth of YORK, aud raise that character to importance sufficient for the leading tragedian.

their rivals.

The Marquis de Spinola replied, "If the Lieutenant-Colonel solicits my consent, far be it from me to throw impediments in the way of Madame's finding consolation for the death of one husband, in the arms of another." The widow then hastily departed, promising to return speedily-which she did, and, with a gay yet modest air, presented the Marquis de Spinola a letter from the Lieutenant-Colonel; on reading which, that nobleman courteously praised the taste shown by the writer in his choice of so amiable a lady, and at the same time com- But whoever were the compilers, the complimented her on her dexterity in making pilation is from the three parts of King Henry an event which threatened to degrade her, the VI., and intituled, "RICHARD, DUKE the means of her elevation; with which oF YORK, or the contention of York and ter his brother, so well known to us as compliment the fair petitioner appeared Lancaster." highly gratified. It was, indeed, a master

stroke on her part, in the success of which the other historical plays of Shakspeare, and she had great reason to triumph. Nor did to the performers in characters nominally she attempt to conceal the pride and plea- the same, or, vice versa it would have been sure with which she glowed, but with much well if the play-bills, in order to prevent animation thanked all present for the good confusion, had distinctly mentioned the drafortune they had joined in procuring her, matis personæ instead of merely enumeand departed with a countenance from rating the actors. The chief were as folwhence all traces of grief had vanished.

When the widow had retired, the whole party indulged in a hearty laugh, and some free animadversions on her sudden transitions from sorrow to joy. The Duchess compared her to the Ephesian matron; but the gentlemen were more indulgent, and the Marquis de Spinola, in particular, endeavoured to soften the indecorum of her con

which there is either no leading character, These three pieces constitute a mass, in (speaking in the stage phrase,) or several which divide the interest. Thus Talbot, Warwick, Humphrey of Gloucester, Cardinal Beaufort, Richard Duke of York, Edward IV. his eldest son, and Richard of Glouces

Richard III., as the action proceeds, become Accustomed as the public have been to in turn the prominent figures. The compiler of this Play strikes out the first and two last of these, and enriches his Duke of York with their spoils, who is thereby rendered more effective in exact proportion as his delineation is removed from the truth of of the Earl of Exeter, of Duke Humphrey, history. In his mouth is put the speeches of Warwick, of Clifford, of Richard his son, of Sir J. Mortimer, and for aught we could ascertain, of sundry others. The temporizing and ambitious York is thus constituted a hero. For example, in the old plays, Exeter's soliloquy, (sc. 1, act iv. part 1st.) "Well didst thou, Richard, to suppress thy voice,"

low:

Henry VI., Mr. Maywood.
Humphrey, the good Duke of Gloucester, Mr.
Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, Mr.

Holland.

Pope.

Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, Mr. Kean.
Earl of Rutland, (his Son) Miss Carr.
Duke of Somerset, Mr. Penley.
Duke of Suffolk, Mr. Ruc.

is given to York, Richard himself. Iu Scene

1, act iii. of 2d part, York accuses Duke
Humphrey of taking bribes of France and
Gloucester answers,
"Is it but thonght so? what are they that think

it?" &c.

The former speech is transferred to Suffolk as against York, and Kean's happiest hit in the Play was the above line in the answer. The bloody Clifford's soliloquy on being mortally wounded, (3d part, act ii. scene 6.) is put into the last scene of the present Play as York's mortal lament, and he is represented, contrary to history, as wounded to the death, in order to make it suit him.

Warwick's appeal to the King, on Duke Humphrey's murder and the rising of the people, is assigned to the Duke of York, who supersedes the former through the whole of this important scene. The bold incitements of Sir John Mortimer and Richard, to induce York to give battle to the Queen, instead of standing a siege in Sandal Castle,

"We'll meet her in the field. York. What, with five thousand men? Richard. Ay, with five hundred, Father, for

a need.

A woman's general; what should we fear! are also given to York, instead of the timid quære which Shakspeare puts in his mouth. Richard's claim to single out Clifford in battle is unreasonably transposed to his father, in fight against Clifford's father, where the same cause of enmity does not exist. "Nay, Warwick, single ont some other chace, For 1 myself will hunt this wolf to death."

other warriors.

DIGEST OF POLITICS AND

NEWS.

already been plundered by Cibber, for his cession of incident; and in spite of the want
Richard III. or we make no doubt it would of the main action being sustained to the
have been laid under contribution on this last and a sufficient interest given to the
occasion; though, from the account we have hero, the attention never flags. It is pro-
endeavoured to give, it will appear that the bable therefore that this play will continue
action terminates very consistently with the to form an agreeable diversity in the course
death of York.
of our amusements, though it does not
Mr. Kean's youthful look was injurious mount to that commanding station which
to the illusion of the scene; it was impossi- the playing dramas of Shakspeare possess.
ble to conceive him the father of two or Some compression and the familiarity of the
three warrior sons; and generally in his performers with their parts will add much
contentions with Somerset and Suffolk (in to its attractions, and we trust it will meet
the former especially, from the petit-maitre the success it deserves.
appearance of Mr. Penley) no fancy, however
powerful, could imagine that the peace of a
nation was at issue. The scolding wanted
dignity and importance. But in fact, the
whole aspect of the play, with only two or The news of the week is unprecedentedly
three exceptions, was too youthful; and scauty. Our readers may, in few words,
scarcely one of the principal characters look-be told that the French budget consists
ed their part.
of 767,778,600 francs of revenue, and of
The feeble and irresolute Henry was ren-
dered almost ludicrous by Maywood, who was
993,244,022 francs, wanted for the pub-
seldom energetic but in a wrong place. The lic service: consequently there is a defi-
exquisitely pathetic soliloquy which he deli- cit of above 225,000,000 of francs. The
vers during the battle of Towton in the ori- loan which we have before mentioned is
ginal 3d part, is here placed in the battle of to meet this deficiency, and its negocia-
St. Albans; but the picture of royal anguish, tion (said to have been successfully com-
and rural happiness, fell lifeless from Mr.
Maywood's lips. It is but fair to acknow-pleted) has lowered the English funds
ledge, however, that the representation of about two per cent.
the monkish and whining monarch is a task The chamber of deputies has met day
of extreme difficulty: such parts require after day to discuss the projêt relative to
more talent and skill than those of bustle the press. The law for placing the
and force, which are infinitely more effec- Journals under government control to
tive, and infinitely more easy to enact.
the end of the session 1818, has been

Of Mr. Kean's York we have already said

so much incidentally, that a distinct criti-separated from the rest, and passed in cism would be merely repetition. His man

ner

the commons.

The remainder of the

A son was born to the Grand Seignior at Constantinople on the 24th October, and named Soliman.

is in circulation.

But we need not pursue these remarks to show that much is sacrificed for the sake of rendering Richard of York a paramount character. Yet, after all, the attempt hasner told in three or four passages; but all the minister's plan is likely to be adopted failed; for, except in three or four passages, build up this into very marked importance, inroads committed on the other parts, to with a few alterations. Mr. Kean was unable to make a strong impression. The rest was all level, and by no failed; and there was much of a level bemeans superior to Warwick, Clifford, and tween it and Suffolk, Clifford, Warwick, and Beaufort. In these, Mr. Rae did justice to The Dey of Algiers has quelled a conThe compiler is judicious in having select-the first, and Mr. Wallack to the second. ed very little from the first part. The scene Both played with spirit and energy: the lat- spiracy against his life, and executed a in the Temple Gardens, (the 4th of act 2nd) ter almost overbalanced himself in carrying dozen of the ring-leaders, Turkish solwhere the red and white roses become the off his father's dead body, and a laugh arose diers. badges of the two factions; that in which at the expence of the modern Eneas. A report that the Duke of Cambridge York is restored to his dignity; and that in Barnard performed Warwick in a man-will espouse the Princess Augusta, which York and Somerset come to a rupture highly creditable to his talents ; youngest daughter of the Landgrave before the King, respecting their partizans and Pope, though correct and impres- Frederick of Hesse, now in her 21st year, and cognizances, are nearly all that are re-sive, failed (who would not?) in depicttained. From the second part, the quarrel of ing the sublime and appalling death of Horner and his apprentice, Peter, is taken, that tortured sinner. Except John Kemand egregiously mutilated. Also Suffolk's ble (and we are not sure even of his powers,) plots against Duke Humphrey; the murder of or his incomparable sister were the actor, the latter; banishment and death of the for- such a scene as this can never reach the vivid mer, with variations; York's strengthening imagination, which its perusal in the closet Mr. Hone has been acquitted on two himself with Salisbury and Warwick; his creates. The other noble performers were revenge of the murder of Humphrey, instead very respectable; Mrs. Glover excellent. other prosecutions for his profane and of being an accessary, as in the old play; The low cast was also well done, though the blasphemous parodies; the juries having his victory at St. Albans, and allowed claim compiler has not made the most of his ma- held that his intention was not to bring to succeed Henry; Cardinal Beaufort's death, terials. The dresses are rich, and calculated religion but government into contempt. the subject of Sir Joshua Reynolds' fine pic for effect; but there is no great regard paid We believe the latter indeed was his chief ture, and the revolt and operations of Jack to correctness of costume. The scenery is design, and are sorry that, this being Cade, with sundry interpolations, and a much to he commended, particularly two the case, he escaped the punishment conclusion not over-consistent. The third new scenes, the Temple garden, and an an- which the use of lawless means so richly part supplies the deposal of Henry, and cient street. events consequent thereupon; the resolution Upon the whole, though there was some- and faith are too firmly rooted to be of Queen Margaret, and the battle of Wake- thing of heaviness about this production, it field, in which York is made prisoner and is certainly an effort deserving of public en- shaken by such men as this Hone, but slain. The remainder of this drama, as well couragement. The dialogue possesses great there is no doubt that his acquittal is calas some passages in its precursors, had force and beauty; there is an endless suc-culated to work great evil among the

We lament to say that the intelligence from the West Indies rather tends to corroborate the afflicting news via America in our last.

merited. We trust that both our law

lower orders. It is not our province to dwell on the atrocious conduct of the rabble insulting justice in her seat, and intimidating her administration. Neither shall we comment upon the wretch ed artifice played off by Hone and his partizans in disclaiming the purpose of republishing these parodies except in the report of the trial, and raising a clamour against any person's being so wicked as to pirate them. The parodies sell at 2d each, and a million of them would not bring as much lucre as Hone expects to gain by the sale of his trial!

Las Cases has published some more garbled letters; he has been sent under the police to Berlin. Masenbach has been condemned to four years imprisonment.

be able to induce their friends (to a certain
degree) to form a part of the auditory," in
other words, money for the theatre and ap-
plause for the actor, are indispensable to this
who can wonder at the shouts which are
honest bargain. Such things being done,
lavished on bad performers and bad pieces.
An auditory of friends, though modestly
limited to "a certain degree," will account
for a hitherto inexplicable phenomenon.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Our Correspondent styling himself “a most the rough Anti-Godwinite," and censuring the Review M. Giseke, a learned mineralogist of Ger- of Mandeville which appeared in the Literary Ga many, who has had the singular courage to zette, because he is "acquainted with minds not pass six consecutive years in the frigid cli- an iota less singular" than that of the hero of the Copenhagen, whither he had previously for- the Literary Gazette is Anti-Godwinite, or ever mate of Greenland, has lately arrived at Novel: is respectfully informed, that no writer in He intends to profit by the collections at pre-he condemns, is only an Anti-Manderillite, because warded his collections of natural history. personal; that our strictures are invariably limited to the works before us, and that the Reviewer, whom sent existing in Copenhagen, and there is he thinks the whole family are exceptions to human reason to hope that he will shortly publish nature, and therefore unfit subjects for a pencil known country. a complete description of a curious but little-pretending to trace and develope human passions.

Who would take a dog with two tails, or a kitten with six legs, as models whence to delineate the characteristics of the canine or feline species?

London: Printed for the Proprietors by Published every Saturday, by HENRY COLBURN, A. J. VALPY, Tooke's Court, Chancery Lane; Public Library, Conduit Street; JOHN BELL Dealer in Newspapers, Sweeting's-Alley, Cornhill; and PINNOCK and MAUNDER, Booksellers, at the Literary Gazette Office, No. 267, Strand, where Communications (post paid) are supplied, and sent Free of Postage by all Book requested to be addressed to the Editor. Also sellers, Newsmen, Stationers, and Clerks of the Roads, in Town or Country.