of Barbary, steered to that of Spain, and in the road fell in with the vessel commanded by the brave Don Sebastian; the consequence of our engagement is well known: yet I must observe, in exculpation of myself and officers, that the two insolent and rapacious Turks fired without any orders from me; they therefore suffered for their crimes.

Sebastian. Most justly, lovely Anna; therefore these English officers, with Don Antonio and myself, have petitioned the Viceroy in your favour. Upon our representation he is satisfied, and, without knowing your sex, praises your courage, while he freely pardons your officers, and as freely liberates your crew.

Governor. Then my happiness would be complete, would Ricote consent to our nuptials.

Ricote. She has a fortune that would not be unacceptable to a prince.

Sancho. But, brother Ricote, would not a prince be unacceptable to her?

Anna Felix. Certainly.

Ricote. Very likely; therefore, my lovely girl, I am determined to make you happy in your own way.

Governor. Neither shall repent their confidence in me. Sancho. Having seen the world, I have no doubt but that she will make a domestic wife, though that is not always the case.

Yet,

Though women are lame,
They're not always tame;

When a lass has had a ramble,

She's no longer apt to gambol.

Don Quixote. To grace this solemnity, I shall achieve the conquest of the Knight of the White Moon.

Sancho. Master of mine, had you not better let the sun gild the nuptials before you talk of quarrel and contest with the Moon? These things are ill examples.

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In wedlock ne'er mention

What leads to contention.

Mencia. Sancho is perfectly right.--I have heard of too much contention abroad to bear the word at home.-(Sings.)

Long therefore may the bond remain,
That England joins to patriot Spain;
And teach us, while on foes we trample,
To profit by our friends' example.

And teach us, &c.

MR. EDITOR,

IN

N all laws it is the fashion to admit enough of the doubtful and uncertain. Whether this be done with a view to practice, or whether it proceed from a defect in language, it is certain, that all new laws and regulations contain expressions of doubtful meaning, and to which every person thinks himself at liberty to affix what meaning he pleases.

The late enactments respecting the Opera have perplexed

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plexed the whole world; and the standing question of the day is, Who and what is this Decorum, which obliges the audience to come in a certain dress, and go away at a certain hour? Discussions are held every evening on the subject; but all that the parties can agree upon is, that the new laws are as perplexing as the Orders of Council, and need as many explanations.

"Decorum requires this, and Decorum requires that! Pray, my Lord, who is this Decorum ?"

"I don't know, upon my word, my Lady—I suppose some new Trustee."

"Perhaps a Master in Chancery-what say you, Sir John ?"

"Quite ignorant of the fellow-one of your newmade Justices, I presume-what's your opinion, Lady Bab?"

"Never heard the name before."

"Nor I."

"Nor I."

"Decorum? now I think on 't-there was a family of this name in Cromwell's time-This may be a descendant."

"Well, but what is the fellow to do after all ?"

"He seems to be a sort of watchman, who is to bawl in our ears, Past eleven o'clock-and a quarter after!"

"But what the d-1 haye we got here? Persons of a description more easily to be understood than expressed.'

"And pray who are they, my Lady?"

"Can't possibly conceive-More easily understood than expressed-Pray, my Lord, what do you make

of that?"

"Am quite at a loss, my Lady-I have always found all descriptions of persons more easily expressed than understood. These door-keepers must be clever fellows."

<< I suppose

"I suppose they will demand to be paid extra for their understanding."

"They can't surely allude to dress."

"O no-that leaves nothing but what is perfectly intelligible-Dress was never more open and candid.* Such, Mr. Editor, was part of a conversation I overheard in an elegant circle a few nights ago; and I really think that a bill to explain and amend will be Yours,

very necessary.

ONE OF THE PIT.

A

WHO DECORUM IS.

[From the Morning Chronicle, Jan. 1.]

CORRESPONDENT in your paper of this: morning, under the signature of One of the Pit," with an air of vivacity, intended, perhaps, rather to court admiration for wit, than to obtain a serious explanation of ambiguous terms in the Opera: House regulations, inquires," who and what Decorum is?" Although I may suspect that this writer is: not wholly ignorant on the point in question, yet as there may be some other individuals of the Pit," who are totally void of all information on the subject,. I take the liberty to mention the following particulars:

Mr. Decorum was an old English gentleman, wholived some years back, generally known and univer. sally esteemed; he mingled in all societies, and associated with all classes; was the avowed and steady friend of religion and morality, polished in his manners, engaging in his appearance ;-and such was the veneration with which he was regarded, that his presence gave a tone to every, company; and a general anxiety prevailed to conform to all that was agreeable to him, and to avoid all that might give him offence. He was possessed of the most cheerful disposition,

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and

and even presided at most of the fashionable amusements of his time, but they were characterized by civility and refinement befitting an enlightened people; the fear of his frown kept all in awe, and rudeness of speech and violation of delicacy were equally unknown. If in his younger days he had ever instanced the frailty of nature, and stooped to indulgences not strictly correct, an impenetrable secrecy veiled his conduct; and never was he known, throughout the whole of his life, to have given the slightest offence to his maiden sister Decency. Such, in short, was the light in which he was viewed, that Vice respected his example, while Virtue regarded herself as unsafe without his protection. It would be endless to detail the beneficial effects produced by his influence, and a most ungrateful task to trace the predominance which Folly and Fashion have acquired over his precepts and observances since the old gentleman's death. This event they were more than suspected of having hastened; and the enmity they evinced towards himself and family, induced his daughter Modesty, an only child, to retire from the world, and live in quiet seclusion under the protection of those friends who still cherished the memory of her father. Common Sense having discovered and admired her in her retreat, an alliance was formed; and the "Decorum," whom it is now proposed to introduce to fashionable life during the ensuing season at the Opera House, is the offspring of this connexion.

I leave to those who can estimate the benefit which society derived from the influence of the grandfather, to expatiate on those which may be expected from a favourable reception of the grandson. To me it appears, that those who are not aware of these advantages, and object to the means by which they are to be obtained, can have but a very small share of that quality,