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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.

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"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,
And thunder Suett's praises—he's so droll!

· Endow'd with various tricks of face,
Great master in the science of grimace;
A speaking Harlequin, made up of whim,
He twists, he twines, he tortures ev'ry limb.
MR. CLAREMONT.

Embox'd, the ladies must have something smart,
Claremont! Oh Claremont tops the janty part.
THE TREASURERS OF COVENT AND DRURY.

Next came the treasurers of either house;
One with full purse, t'other with not a sous.

MR. J. BANNISTER.

When, blindly thwarting Nature's stubborn plan,
He treads the stage by way of gentleman,

The clown, who no one touch of breeding knows,
Looks like Tom Errand dress'd in Clincher's cloaths:
But when bold wits, not such as patch up plays,

Cold and correct, in these insipid days,
Some comic character, strong-featur'd, urg
urge
To probability's extremest verge,

Where modest Judgment her decree suspends,
And for a time nor censures nor commends,
There Bannister shall safe his powers exert,
Nor fail of favour where he shews desert.

MR. S. KEMBLE.

In a peculiar mould by humour cast;

For Falstaff fram'd.

MR. WEWITZER.

If I forget thee, Wewitzer, or say
Aught hurtful, may I never see thee play.
Let critics, with a supercilious air,
Deny thy various merits, and declare
Frenchman is still at top.-

THE ENSUING SEASON AT THE HAYMARKET
THEATRE.

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,
And spin out happy folly through the year.
MRS. JORDAN.

Nature through her is by reflection shewn.
No comic actress ever yet could raise,
On humour's base, more merit or more praise.

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 ;
Whopilfering here and there a bit,
Deals music out as playwrights deal out wit.

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,
With rival excellence of love and rage,
Mistress of each soft art, with matchless skill
To turn and wind the passions as she will;
To melt the heart with sympathetic woe,
Awake the sigh, and teach the tear to flow
To put on Frenzy's wild distracted glare,
And freeze the soul with horror and despair;
With just desert enroll'd in endless fame,
Conscious of worth superior, Siddons came.
MR. BARRYMORE.

Lo Barrymore!

He gets applause-I wish he'd get his part.
MR. KEMBLE.

In Dane or Thane he admiration draws,
And all is silence, sympathy, applause.

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But when, by fond ambition drawn aside,
Giddy with praise, and puff'd with silly pride,
He quits the tragic scene, and, in pretence
To comic merit, breaks down nature's fence,
I scarcely can believe my ears, my eyes,
Or find out Kemble through the dark disguise.

MR. MUNDEN.

His speech, look, action, humour, all are just.

MR. COOKE.

When reason yields to passion's wild alarms
And the whole state of man is up in arms;
Whilst, working from the heart, the fire I trace,
And mark it strongly flaming to the face;
Whilst in each sound I hear the very man ;
I can't catch words, and pity those who can.

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.

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