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MR. TODD'S EXPERIMENT OF A DIVING-MACHINE IN RANELAGH GARDENS, ON THE 23D OF SEPTEMBER.

TH
HIS Gentleman had announced his
intention of defcending into a re-
fervoir of water twenty-five feet deep,
to remain for an hour at the bottom,
and to be surrounded with lights: but,
notwithstanding the immenfe import-
ance of fuch an experiment, provided it
could be completely fuccefsful, there
were not more than 100 fpectators pre-
fent: the trial, however, proved abor-
tive. The apparatus ufed on the occa-
fion was a tub of deal, encircled with
iron hoops, about eighteen feet in
height, and not quite five in diame-
ter; on a level with the top of which
was a fcaffolding. The Operator was
provided with a drefs formed of lea
ther, iron, and copper, in which he was
inferted up to his neck. A wooden
box, with a pane of glafs in front, was
then put on his head; and this being
attached to his leathern neck-piece,
the joining was afterwards fmeared
over with tar; he was then raised by

pullies to the top of the refervoir ;to fupply him with air, a flexible tube of cane, with copper joints, bound with cordage and taried over, was fcrewed into what he called his headdrefs; and a fecond tube was connected in the fame manner for the efcape of the foul air. The whole appearance of the apparatus was extremely awkward: he was fubmerged feveral times; but did not remain under water above five minutes; and his want of fuccefs he attributed to the misfitting of his copperfmith. He forgot to take down his lamp: fo that nothing could be perceived through the panes of glafs, which were inferted about five feet from the bottom of the tub, for the entertainment of the fpectators. When the Operator came out, he acknowledged his failure; but promifed to repeat the experiment at a future period.

THEATRICAL JOURNAL.

WE understand it to be the intention of the Managers of the Winter Theatres, to give every encourage. ment to new Candidates for histrionic fame, in all cafes where there appears a likelihood of their talents deferving the notice of the Public: and hence, the short time that has elapfed fince the commencement of the prefent Seafon, has been very productive of novelty in this point.

SEPT. 27. At Covent Garden Theatre Mr. Cooke undertook the part of Hamlet. We mention this as a novelty; but refpect the general meris

of this Actor too much to enter on the painful task of minutely analyzing his performance of this character. Suffice it to fay, that he completely failed in it, and greatly rifqued his wellearned reputation.

The performance, however, introduced a MISS REEVE, daughter of the Compofer, for the fift time to the Stage, in the character of Ophelia. Her figure is petite, but elegant, her countenance is expreffive, and her voice more pleafing than powerful,

VOL. XLII. OCT. 1802.

She

fung with sweetness and skill some new and fcientific melodies which (we fuppofe with a view of distinguishing her talents) had moft abfurdly been fubftituted in place of the fimple and interefting warblings to which we have been accustomed, and which always charmed the ear. Can anything be more ridiculous, than to hear a poor female, wholly bereaved of her fenfes, executing with the utmost taste, time, and exactness, the divifions and cadences of a laboured and difficult piece of mufic? -The audience were evidently dif gutted with the innovation; though, in tenderness to the fair debutant, they abitained from loudly expreffing their difpleasure. Mifs Reeve feems to have been intended to fupply the vacancy occafioned by Mits Waters's fecefhon from the Stage; and the fpecimens that we have fince had of her talents convince us that the Public will lofe nothing by the change.

OCT. 2. A MR. COLLINS (from the Southampton Theatre) appeared for the firit tine at Drury lane in the characters of Jabel (in the Sew), and PP Robin

1

Robin Rough head (in Fortune's - Frolics). In appearance and manner he is not unlike the late Mr. Blanchard, of Covent Garden. His perfon is neat and well proportioned, his countenance good and his voice feems to poffefs fufficient power and verfatility to render him extremely useful in a wide range of comic characters. His ruftic dialect, gait, and manner, in the Farce, were much applauded.

7. MR. STEPHEN KEMBLE, from Newcastle, (who had engaged with the Proprietors for a few nights' performance) made his appearance at Drury lane as Sir John Falstaff (in the First Part of Henry the Fourth). Mr. Kemble's well-known rotundity of perfon naturally led him to expect that the wits would be jocular with him; he therefore wrote the following humorous defcant upon his own obefity, which was admirably delivered by Mr. Bnnifter, jun. and frequently interterrupted by general bursts of laughter: A Falstaff here to-night, by Nature made, Lends to your favourite Bard bis pond'rous

aid.

No man in buckram he! no ftuffing gear,
No feather-bed, nor e'en a pillow beer!
But all good honeft flesh, and blood, and
bore,
[Rone:
And weighing, more or lefs, fome thirty
Upon the Northern Coaft by chance we
caught him, [brought him,
And hither in a broad wheel'd waggon
For in a chaife the varlet ne'er could enter,
And no mail-coach on fuch a fare wou'd

venture.

Bleft with unwieldinefs, at least his size
Will favour find in ev'ry critic's eyes.
And should his humour, and his mimic
art,

Bear due proportion to his outward part,
As once 'twas faid of MACKLIN in the
Jew,

This is the very Falstaff Shakespeare dres.
To you, with diffidence, le bids met
fay,
[mand his stay,
Should you approve, you may com.
To lie and swagger here another day:
If not, to better men he'll leave his
fack,

And go, as ballaft, in a collier, back.

His performance of the character furnished an excellent treat to the lovers of the Drama, and fhewed him to be an original thinker, and not a copyift from any that had gone before him. His jollity and humour natural and gentlemanly, though occa

fionally, we thought, rather loud and declamatory than luxuriant and facetious. His voice is clearer than that of his brother John's, but not much more various in its tones; yet, from a critically just conception of the part, he contrived to throw a variety and richness into it, that has not been equalled fince the days of Henderson. In the fcene where he fits down to divide the booty, he fucceeded admirably. Nothing could be better defcribed than the gleam of contentment on his countenance, and his chuckling at being fo fortunate, with fo little danger to himself. At Dame Quickly's, after his adventure on the highway, the importance of his manner, the feeming contempt for the Prince and Poins, fucceeded by his confufion and confeffional burft when he faw that he was completely hemmed in, were in the true fpirit of his character. He was greatly applauded alfo on his arrival at Shrewsbury. His difquifition upon honour was given with admirable effect; and his boafting on Percy's death drew down three diftinct peals of of applaufe.

Mr. Pope hit off the part of Hotspur, and Mr. Wroughton that of the King, with much credit; indeed, the piece was, on the whole, well caft, and has feveral times fince attracted full houses.

8. MISS WADDY, daughter of the Comedian, appeared on Covent Garden Stage, in the character of Julia Faulkner (in The Way to Get Married). This very young lady poffefles an interefting figure, and is a promifing Theatrical bud. She was very kindly received, and merits encouragement.

11. MR. DARLEY, returned from America after about feven years abfence, refumed his ftation on the boards of Covent Garden, as Hecate (in Macbeth), with no diminution either in his vocal powers or his perfonal dimenfions. We prefume that he has been engaged in contemplation of the feceflion of Townshend (now mine beft o' the Horns *); who, probably, finds it neceflary to "keep his houfe, that his house may keep him." In point of talent as an aftor, at leaft, the latter had greatly the advantage of Mr. Darley.

13. At Drury-lane, a MR. HARDINGE (from the Philadelphia Theatre) made his appearance in the character of Major O'Flaherty (in The Weft Indian). This gentleman appeared to • At Kennington.

were

be well acquainted with the bufinefs of the Stage. His perfon is manly, and above the middle fize; his voice not much unlike that of Mr. Barrymore; his face, though not very ftrongly marked, feems capable of expreffing all that genteel comedy ufually requires. He fupported the character with feeling and energy; but fometimes, we thought, relaxed from the brogue of the Irish gentleman into that of the peafant. His demeanour, how ever, was polite and becoming, and he met with a very favourable reception. 15. Mr. Braham being fuddenly taken ill, his part in The Cabinet was undertaken at Covent Garden (at a very thort notice) by Mr. WoUDHAM, a trumpeter in the orchestra, and a very young man, who, it feems, had performed two or three times in fome provincial Theatre. As he came for ward with great diffidence, and folely to prevent the audience from being difappointed of the Opera that evening. his endeavours were received with great candour and kindness.

18. Mr. Lewis, of Covent Garden Theatre, was feized with a very alarming illness during the rehearfal of a new Comedy of Mr. Reynolds's. It was obferved, that he had an unufual fluth of colour in his face; but nothing was thought of it. He went nearly through the rehearfal; when, foon after beginning the last act, he fuddenly stood still, and, to the furprife of every one, ceafed to fpeak. The Prompter continued prompting; after

about half a minute, Mr. Lewis ex

claimed-"Ah! ah!" and whirling round, as if by giddinefs, he fell down. Every one immediately flew to his affittance; he was lifted into a phair, his neckcloth untied, and it was thought he had fallen in an apoplectic fit. As foon as afliftance was procured,

he was bled in the arm, but without effect. Dr. Kennedy and Mr. Wilfon then arriving, had him removed

into the Green Room, where he was cupped; and the blood taken in this way happily relieved his head, and reitored him to his fenfes. He was then removed to his own houie, and was next morning pronounced out of danger; but continued for leveral days too ill to retume his profeffional functions.

21. Mrs. Glover (late of Covent Garden Theatre) made her firft appearance at Drury-läne, as Mrs, Oakley

(in The Jealous Wife). This lady's talents are well known; it is, therefore, fuficient to fay, that he played the part with much fpirit and propriety, and was greatly applauded.She cannot fail to be a valuable ac< quitition to this Houfe.

22.

Agentieman of the Navy Office, whote name we understand to be BRAINE, made his debut on the boards of Covent Garden, in the difficult character of Othello. Though poffeffing a good perfon, eafy action and d.meanour, and a jutt conception of the part, he faded for want of powers of voice to exprefs the more violent fenfations that are excited in the Moor. Befide which, we frequently obferved a thicknels, or lifp, in his utterance, which mul for ever bar his way to theatrical eminence. He received a very attentive hearing and much applaufe; but we cannot encourage him to adopt the Stage as a profeffion.

READING SCHOOL THEATRICALS.The annual Play performed by the young Gentlemen of Dr. VALPY'S School (the receipts of which were humanely appropriated to the benefit of The Literary Fund) for three nights attracted all the Beauty and Fashion of Reading and its vicinity. The Play was the Merchant of Venice. The Performers in their refpective characters difplayed much tatte and claihical judgment; and where general excel. lence prevailed, it would be unfair to diftinguish individual merit. Sulice it therefore, to fay, that the young Actors received and deferved the plaudits of very numerous and refpectabie audiences.

Of the PROLOGUE (written by Mr. PYE, the Poet Laureat,) we have not yet obtained a copy. The following, however, was the

EPILOGUE, written by Mr. Bollond, and spoken by Mr. Wheelwright, in the character of Portia.

You, who fo oft before affembled here, In pity's caule have dropp'd the facred

tear,

[lief, With realy hands beftow'd the kind reAnd har'd your comfort with the fons

of grief;

You well I know. Your charity to raise, No beggar's cast requires, nor courrie's phrate. [vail, In feeling minds unvarnish'd truths preBeyond fictitious myt'sy's aitful fare. Рръ

Proud

Proud of the task to my poor skill con

fign'd,

[mind: To-night I plead the cause of injur'd Of mind, whofe bright and heav'n-afpiring flame [frame, Is doom'd to languish in its earthly Extinct its blaze, and chill'd its genial glow,

The sport of Envy, and the prey of Woe. Hope fwells my bofom-on each face I read, [ceed.

The claims of ftarving genius mutt fucLong had our ifle, for virtuous deeds renown'd,

Awak'd the wonder of the nations round;,
Aftonifh'd travellers admir'd, and prais'd
The fumptuous palaces by Pity rais'd.
By wounds difabled in the battle's
rage,
Or worn by toil and faft-approaching

age,

life.

The Soldier bids adieu to worldly strife, 'Mid Chelsea's groves to país the eve of [fleets restore When, crown'd with glory, Britain's The Sons of Valour to their native thore, The hardy Vet'ran views, with fond delight, [his fight The tow'rs of Greenwich bursting on Not fuch the Scholar's fate-no fpacious deme [home Supplied the Child of Science with a Tho' fraught with genius, 'twas his hapleis lot

To toil for empty praife, and be forgot: To ftarve in fecret, or be doom'd to dwell Th' imprifon'd tenant of the gloomy cell; 'Till, prefs'd by ills too great for man to bear,

He funk, at last, the victim of despair. Ah! there-methinks with these affright.

ed eyes

I fee the fhade of famish'd Otway rife! Immortal Otway, darling fon of fame, At once the nation's glory, and her shame. Hark! 'tis the plaintive found of woe I hear,

[ear ; The groans of death now vibrate on my Thy fpirit, Savage, from the dungeon calls, [walls. And fcreams of forrow fhake the folid All's ftill-'tis paft-th' indignant foul is fled, [dead. The Poet's free-he numbers with the Still, till, the fiends their magic fpells

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fues

Her fav'rite toil, her wonted task renews; Roves thro' the maze of fancy unconfin'd, Freedom alone gives energy to mind; Safe from their inalice, fcorns the frowns of men,

And rescued Genius is herself again.

OCCASIONAL ADDRESS, Spoken previous to the Representation of HAMLET at a Private Theatre. IN days of yore, ere Learning's reign was known,

Or Science with its faireft luftre shone, While, yet, the dark, untutor'd, feeble .mind, [hin'd, To rude and favage cuftoms was conA Bard arose to teach th' unletter'd age, And, friend to virtue, rear'd the infant

[plan,

Stage. Mankind with pleasure hail'd the noble Receiv'd its leffons, and rever'd the man To future ages ftill tranfmit his nameAnd Thefpis lives, immortaliz'd by Fame! In after-times, when focial ties began To claim an empire o'er the mind of [contend,

mani

See Greece and Rome with rival arts And the Stage flourish-as the People's friend!

Draw humble merit from its low retreat, And lafh the crimes and follies of the Great ; [bed, Raife the fick captive from his lonely And call down curfes on a Tyrant's head! [Stage, When fuch the ufeful purpofe of the To form the people, and inftruct the

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Whate'er their merit, or how flight their [blame

claim,

Praise where you can-but pause before you
And, as in tome lone, unfrequented spot,
Its fragrance flighted, and its charms
forgot,
[head,
The modett violet hides its drooping
And fhrinks, neglected, on its humble
bed;
[Denfe,
Yet if the morning fun its beams dif
And cheer it with its genial influence,
Its op'ning bud the tottering warmth re-
ceives,
[icaves,
It drinks the dew-drop falling on its
Yields its rich odour to the paffing gale,
And blooms-the pride and envy of the
[ceal'd-
So be it yours to draw forth worth con-
Yourselves fhall reap the harvest of the
field!
J. G. JONES.

vale!

POETRY.

THE RETREAT TO THE COT.
TAGE OF MON REPOS.

A POETICAL OLIO.

BY JOHN, THE HERMIT.

(Continued from page 53.)

OCCASIONAL POEMS, WRITTEN AT
THE COTTAGE; WITH INSCRIP.
TIONS IN THE GARDEN, &c.

XV.

Elegy on vifiting the Remains of a Country-
Jeat, at which, during my Boyish Days,
I had paffed the happiest Moments of my
Life.

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Had robb'd the manfion of its fairStill did its mouldering front, its spacious bounds, [view: Infpire the mind with rev'rence at the Its fruitful orchards, and its garden grounds, [tvo. Produce the means of life and pleasure But vainly, now, its long-lov'd bounds I [ing feet;

trace !

The furly briar retards my wanterAnd fhapeless heaps, which fill'd the ruin'd fpace, [retreat. Bid me, reluctant, from my fearch

this lone vale, by Contemplation 1 feek in vain the lawn behind the gate; [quent tray!

led,

ire

Penfive, and worn with grier,
Q'er all its ruin'd beauties, as I tread,
Remembrance wakes, and paints my
youthful day!

She talks of times when happiness was
mine,
[brow!
When Hope fat finiling on my placid
Ere yet I dropp'd one tear at Sorrow's
fhrine !
[lets vow;
yet I rais'd to heaven one fruit.

Ere

In vain the fmooth-horn box, and

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It is generally believed, that Shakespeare was denied the benefits of a claffical education; and obtained most of his information, and the incidents of many of his plays, from tranflations of French and Italian novels.

"'Tis

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