fwer'd I ; And you'll return to us as melancholy "As an old lion, cr a poor lugg'd bear, “Or a Moor-ditch, a Gib-cat, or a hare :" This was of friendly monitors the cry.But "Plague upon all cowards, an[" Go ye"A London audierce can't affright me "Think ye, my maflers, that I did not ·know ye?" Tho' true, indeed, had I mifcarry'd here, [beer; My fack had turn'd as flat as dead fmall A failure here had driven me from my [vocation." Afham'd henceforth to fay" Tis my But my refolves ill-bodings could not daunt,. [of Gaunt." "For I'm no coward-the not John 'Twas inflinct gave a firmness to my mind, itation, Lady Selina Su"garcane Betty Lilly Mrs. MATTOCKS. Mrs. MARTYR. The firft fcene prefents a romantic view of a village, in which the adjacent manfions of the two families, whofe quarrels give a title to the piece, are beautifully pourtrayed; in the foreground is a ruftic bridge, and a calcade in motion. The piece opens with an affemblage of fportfmen, anglers, and huntimen, one of whom (Squire Foxglove) relates, that Sir Peppercorn Crabítick has broken off a match between his daughter Caroline and Charles, the fon of Mr. and Mrs. Supplejack, because the latter, proud of her own honourable origin, has looked down upon the newly-acquired title and fortune of Sir Peppercorn, whofe greatest pride is to own his obligations to trade and the fuccessful ef forts of his own indefatigable industry. In their mutual anger, the heads of the two families introduce new plans of marriage for their respective offfpring: Lady Selina Sugarcane, the chattering widow of a Weft India Nabob, is brought from town as a match for Charles, and Mifs Caroline is destined by her father to meet the addresses of Matthew Muthroom, Efq. a rich Yorkfhire clothier, who is preferred by Sir Peppercorn for his great fortune, and for the obfcurity of the family he fprings from. Charles, however, by the affiftance of his friend Foxglove, procures an interview by moon-light with Caroline, which is discovered by the vigilance of Argus, a trufty fervant of Sir Peppercorn's, who fuddenly catches the lovers together, and forbids her admirer and his friend ever to approach his houfe in future. clofe prisoner to her chamber; her In A&t 2d, Caroline is configned maid Sufan, however, contrives in the difguife of a Giply to convey a letter to Charles, whofe parents and intended bride the amules by pretending to tell their fortunes. Peter Proteus, who is actuated by gratitude to Charles, and an antipathy to Argus (who had fuperfeded him in Sir Peppercorn's fervice), deceives the latter in the disguise of a Jew pedlar, and effects the escape of Caroline, who, to avoid being seen in her flight, rides from her father's in à poft chaife, which Mrs. Supplejack had prepared to convey Charles to London, in hopes that abfence might detach detach his affections from Caroline, who by this accident is fent away in the self-fame conveyance, and with the very man it was designed to take away from her. Act 3d, after fome preparatory fcenes, difcovers to the enraged parents the joint flight of their children, at a time when each was applauding their own fagacity in preventing the union. -Charles and Caroline are received by Squire Foxglove, the common friend of all parties, who employs his influence with the old folks in their behalf. Mr. Mushroom and Lady Selina, finding themselves equally difappointed in the event of their journies to the village, make a match of it. While Sir Peppercorn Crabitick and Mrs. Supplejack, finding all their plans fruftrated, agree to drop their abfurd difputes about ancestry and trade, and, after the union of the two young lovers, to put an end to family quarrels. Mr. Supplejack and Lady Patience Crabítick moft heartily affent to the arrangement, having been perfectly paffive through the bulinefs, while the joint fervices of Proteus and Sufan are rewarded with a marriage portion. This piece we can only confider as a vehicle for the conveyance to the public ear of fome very charming music by Reeve, Moorhead, Davy, and Braham, which we have no doubt will long continue to be heard with delight. Of the merit of the Opera as a dramatic compofition, the lefs that is faid the better; for it is certainly inferior in plot, intereft, or originality, to any former production of its Author, to whom the Public has been indebted for much theatrical amusement. We must notice, however, that the piece had not a fair hearing; for, about the middle of the fecond act much confufion arole. Proteus, reprefented by Fawcett, here affumed the habit of a Jew, felling flippers and various other articles. Offering his articles for fale to Argus, a cunning fervant of Sir Peppercorn's, he received for anfwer, I never have any dealings with your people."-The Jews, who composed a very confiderable part of the audience, (it being Saturday night) took offence at this expreffion; and the tymptoms of resentment on their part were fo great, that not a • The Jerv and the Doctor, VOL.XLII. DEC. 1802. word could be heard from the performers for the remainder of the act. The clamour, which had for a time fubfided, was expected to recommence with the third act. The Manager, therefore, very judicioufly fent Fawcett forward, in his Jewish attire, who addreffed the audience thus :— "Ladies and Gentlemen, I appear before you on behalf of an Author, who on no occafion has given offence to that part of the audience which, I fear, are now offended. (A long interruption). I with, Ladies and Gentlemen, that you would recollect the other pieces which he has written, containing characters fimilar to the prefent one, in none of which is there a single paf fage that is not rather complimentary than otherwile. (Violent clamour.) The prefent piece contains not a single thought or fentiment in the flightest degree difrefpectful to any part of the audience. (Mixture of biffes and applause.) And, Ladies and Gentlemen, if you fuffer the piece to proceed, I pledge myfelf and its fuccefs upon the truth of what I fay." (Loud applause.) The opera was then fuffered to proceed. A fresh interruption, however, foon' happened, from the circumftance of Fawcett's going off without finging a particular fong, which was given in the printed book. The call for the fong was very general, on which Mr. Fawcett returned, and, addreffing the audience, affured them that his only motive for attempting to omit the fong was, a with to avoid the pothibility of giving offence; but, as it was called for, he fhould fing it with cheerfulness. This he did, amidit a mixture of murmurs and applaufe, and was encored; and nothing further occurred to interrupt the progrefs of the piece, except a flight allufion by Munden to a black mouch. This, however, paffed off, and the piece concluded with considerable applaufe, the chief oppofition being from the gallery, where the Duke's Place company were for the most part fituated. Every attention has been paid by the Manager to the public gratification. The fcenery is picturefque and appropriate; and the mufic combines, in an uncommon degree, fcience, talte, and fpirit; and feveral of the airs will, we doubt not, become popular. and The School for Prejudice. Nnn 18. At A 18. At Drury-lane, a Mr. BARCLAY, from the Margate Theatre, made his first appearance as Orlando in "As You Like It," which he performed with feeling and judgment. His demeanour wants polish; but he poffeffes talents to make a refpectable actor. DUBLIN THEATRICALS. MRS. SIDDONS. The Trustees of the Dublin Lying-in Hofpital have publickly contradicted a report of Mrs. Siddons having refufed to perform for that charity, declaring alfo, that no application or request of fuch a nature was made to her. Relative to this affair, which has occupied the public converfation for fome time paft, Mrs. Siddons thought it incumbent on her to addrefs the Proprietor of the Theatre. The fol lowing is a copy of the letter; and we do not think a more effectual method can be taken to contradict the report alluded to than by the publication of it : TO FREDERICK EDWARD JONES, ESQ. SIR, Why fo amiable a purpose was not immediately promoted, I cannot even guess-but fure I am that its poftponement cannot be attributed to any backwardness on my part. The fame motives which actuated me then, are no lefs powerful now and it will give me infinite pleasure, if, by the exertion of any powers I poffefs, I can be able to promote an important object of public utility. And now, Sir, if I may be permitted to speak of myself as a private individual, I have only to regret the fad neceflity impofed upon me of vindicating my character from the imputation of a failing as unamiable as (I truft) it is foreign to my nature. I regret that I thould be constrained from unfortunate circumstances, to endeavour to rescue myself from an obloquy which I hope I have never incurred by my conduct; I regret that the country in which I am obliged to do fo thould be Ireland. 2 I have the honour to be, Sir, Dublin, Dec. 8, 1802. ADDRESS UPON THE OPENING OF THE NEW THEATRE, AT WARWICK, SEPTEM'BER 7, 1802. Spoken by Mr. RICHARDS. WHAT fairy ground, by hov`ring vifions ied, [tread; With fond remembrance should THALIA Where breathe MELPOMENE her plaintive woes, [Hows; "I take the liberty of addressing you. on a fubject which has caused me much uneafinefs. Public concern is, under any circumstances, well calculated to wound our feelings, but it is peculiarly diftreffing when it is, heightened by injuftice. That reports molt injurious to me have been circulated can ne Jonger be doubted, when I affure you that I understand it is generally believed I refuted to play for the Lyingin Hospital. On this fubject you will, I am fure, be as anxious to do me juf- But thro' the meads where facred Avon tice, as I am folicitous to vindicate Where rife their temple on more hal. myself in the eyes of the publick. I low'd earth [SPEARE birth? therefore beg leave to bring to your Than that which gave immortal SHAKErecollection, that you did me the ho- Here strength and courage manly genius nour of calling on me at my house in fires, [pires; Park street lait fummer, when it was liberally propofed on your part, as it was cheerfully accepted on mine, that I should perform for fome charity: you alfo recollect, that it was confidered by us both as a compliment justly due to Lady Hardwicke, that the thould have the choice of the particular charity for which I was to perform-and you thought it likely that her Exceliency would give her preference to the Lying-in Hofpital. You alfo, Sir, mutt remember, that I was not only willing but defirous of exerting myself for the benefit of fo laudable an inftitution. Here grace and beauty native wit in- The mighty master-glories to unfeld ; Blushes that Hero's innocence approve, In all their brightness, O, could beauty array, No killing froft, no blast of forrow know! war ; Here rofe the cloifter'd domes with While we to worth of ev'ry order bend; Let pure Religion fpurn our honeft aid! And hold the rod for cruelty and fraud ! To Confcience we reflect the latent VERSES, POETRY. Written by a young Gentleman, on his I. DEA II. May no fach falfe ideal blifs, My focial mind deceive; But may the world and I agree Let me for others live.., III. When Noah's dove, with reftless mind, And lonely blifs purfa'd, She foon the vain excursion mourn'd, IV. The fad fequefter'd hermitage Who'e active days are o'er, Whilft bleft with ftrength and pow'r. V. Yet who, with youth and vigour fraught, The fond, the high enraptur'd youth, . That he shall ever, ever prove In his enthufiaftic brain Warwick Caftle, which might well fuggeft gorgeous palaces and cloud-capt towers." the old matters in painting." "Cloud-capt Towers," pointing to to Shakespeare the magnificent idea of ↑ "Mellow'd art," The works of Nnn 2 Some The prudent bee, on bufy wing. Let glory, honour, power, fame, If it be wildom to refufe The honey of the world's applaufe, My paffions let me not defpife, Their useful calls oppofe. oy to my friend, with pureft glow! J Such joy as fires and husbands know: To fmooth the paths of human woe -- LINES ON A BROTHER'S GRAVE. WHY are my eyes with tears fuffus'd? Why throbs my aching breaft, When I behold a kindred grave Invite to fweetett reft ? Is it that I am still denied This manfion of repofe? Honour'd as friends, what blifs they That we fhall from our Mother Earth, yield! Refifted, they may take the field, And prove indeed my foes.. XV. May I receive as if kind Heaven Yet give as if that Heav'n defign'd Thro' whom its grace must flow. |