The learned divine has, aptly enough, "selected the second verse of the fourteenth chapter of Job, for his subject on the much lamented death of the late Duke of Bedford, whose general benevolence, and universal philanthropy, are expatiated upon with christian fervour and earnestness. Remarks on the late Definitive Treaty of Peace, signed at Amiens, March 25, 1802. By William Belsham. MR. BELSHAM clearly possesses talents which entitle his works to considerable respect, but on all political subjects there appears in his writings such an undue bias as renders it impossible for us moderate men to think as he does. DRAMATIC. The Strolling Player; or Life and Adventures of William Templeton. 3 Vols. 12mo. 1802. William Templeton is no doubt an imaginary character, but from the accuracy with which the author describes the wretchedness of a country company, and the whimsical vicissitudes which it is the lot of a strolling actor to experience, he has, very probably, been per sonally engaged in many of the adventures recorded in this history. The composition, though it bears evident marks of carelessness and haste, frequently indicates strong talent; and there is sufficient variety of character and incident to afford an agreeable amusement to novel readers in general, and especially to those of a dramatic turn. The author's observations on the stage, on the qualifications of a public performer, and on the difficulty of acquiring distinction in the profession, are extremely just, and we recommend them to the serious consideration of those who imagine the life of an actor to be that of unmixed and constant pleasure, and who are ready (as too many misguided young persons are) to sacrifice every consideration of family, interest, or reputation, provided they may be permitted to strut and fret their hour upon the stage.' The almost daily increase of private theatres in this metropolis is truly alarming, for beside the number of young persons, without talents, whom they seduce from respectable situations in life, into a state of idleness, poverty, shame, and distress, we fear many an unhappy female has had to lament, in these societies, the loss of that peace of mind which can alone attend a life of innocence and virtue. This subject has not been overlooked by the author of the Strolling Player. "O, self-admiring, self deceived young men ; did you but know what sad experience has shewn to me, then would you be humble, then would your errors cease, and you would ACT LIKE MEN! "I have seen many of you, whose pride has been swelled to an unhappy degree by the injudicious praises of your audience, launch into life as an actor in the country; and there I have beheld you, the very humblest of the humble, and where you have deemed yourselves happy-even in the pity of surrounding strangers. I would not check the blaze of opening merit for the world, but be cautious how you deceive yourselves, or are deceived by others: trust not the flattering plaudits of your friends; for, believe me, it is a poor foundation for your hopes to build on. They are not aware of the fatal consequences, and forget, that what they give from their regard, you receive as the reward of genius; and it is that mistake which often leads you to misfortune. Nor should you much respect the audience of which a private theatre is composed; for they are, for the most part, as Hamlet observes, 'fit for nothing but inexplicable dumb shew and noise.” "It is singular, that parents themselves at times become subject to this mania, and will even bring their daughters to the public eye, expecting that all the world will behold them through the same bewildered medium as themselves.No doubt, this is done for the interest of their child, whom they hope one day to see transplanted to the soil of Drury or of Covent-Garden, and where, perhaps, she may linger in obscurity. But a worse consequence may ensue : she may wander round the country in indigence, and at last, to free herself from hunger and oppression, take shelter in the arms of guilt. us, "But we will forget this picture, and listen to the parent's excuse.-He tells that no harm can follow the innocent diversions of the stage, and that he suffers his daughter to sport upon a private theatre, merely for her own and his amusement !-Weak, and unthinking man! Does he not implant in her breast a rooted love of pleasure? does she not become deluded by the admiring crowd, against which her youthful senses are not proof, and lose the relish for those domestic virtues which render the sex most lovely? Yes; and at last her father sees the effect of his folly, in the perversion of her morals; and then condemns the frailty of his child." We do not rank this among the first order of novels, but it is still a very pleasing melange, and merits considerable commendation. The story is well introduced, and the brief history of Templeton's parents is natural and affecting. Some of the characters are well sketched, and exhibit the force of contrast with great effect. Captain Brent interests by his benevolence and generosity. The oddities of Bantom are very entertaining, and the innocence and sensibility of Carolina render her a particular favourite with the reader. THE BRITISH STAGE. IMITATIO VITAE, SPECULUM CONSUETUDINIS, IMAGO VERITATIS. Cicero. The Imitation of LIFE---The Mirror of MANNERS---The Representation of TRUTH, NEW SYSTEM OF HERALDRY. FROM CHURCHILL. VI. MR. SUETT. From galleries loud peals of laughter roll, · Endow'd with various tricks of face, Embox'd, the ladies must have something smart, Next came the treasurers of either house; MR. J. BANNISTER. When, blindly thwarting Nature's stubborn plan, The clown, who no one touch of breeding knows, Cold and correct, in these insipid days, Where modest Judgment her decree suspends, MR. S. KEMBLE. In a peculiar mould by humour cast; For Falstaff fram'd. MR. WEWITZER. If I forget thee, Wewitzer, or say THE ENSUING SEASON AT THE HAYMARKET Next came the legion, which our summer Bayes, From alleys, here and there, contriv'd to raise, Flush'd with vast hopes, and certain to succeed. MR. COLMAN. Projecting schemes the summer months to cheer, Nature through her is by reflection shewn. MRS. MATTOCKS. In giggling, plotting chambermaids she shone ; For humour fam'd, and humour all her own. MR. KELLY. Whose chief whose only praise is to compile ; MR. WADDY. He pleas'd, when, on some surly plan, He was, at once, the actor and the man. MRS. BILLINGTON AND MR. BRAHAM. If music, sweetly breathing from the tongue, Captives the ear, she [he] must not pass unsung. MRS. SIDDONS. A Form'd for the tragic scene, to grace the stage, Lo Barrymore! He gets applause-I wish he'd get his part. In Dane or Thane he admiration draws, But when, by fond ambition drawn aside, MR. MUNDEN. His speech, look, action, humour, all are just. MR. COOKE. When reason yields to passion's wild alarms MRS. LITCHFIELD. Just her conceptions, natural and great, Her feelings strong, her words enforc'd with weight. Where she falls short 'tis nature's fault alone, Where she succeeds the merit's all her own. |