THE

NEW-YORK THEATRE. HE theatrical season commenced on the 1st of September, with the Comedy of Laugh when you Can.' The part of Gossamer was indifferently played by a Mr. Williams, from the Boston Theatre. Mr. Barnes's Bonus was very creditable, and Mrs. Baldwin did great justice to Miss Gloomly. The afterpiece was the worn-out melo-drama of the 'Broken Sword. We had heard Capt. Zavior's long story almost as often as poor Pablo, -though we had not before seen Mr. Jones in that part. We cannot approve of the change; nor do we consider the managers authorized to vary the cast of a piece in this manner. But they have a very tractable audience to deal with. The 'Belles' Stratagem' and the 'Wags of Windsor,' were played on the 3d, and afforded a rich treat. Mr. Simpson's Doricourt is very fine; Barnes's Hardy deciledly good; Robertson plays Sir George Touchwood better than most of his characters, though he has not improved in it; and Hilson's Flutter is excellent. Miss Johnson made her first appearance this season in Letitia Hardy. Mr. Hilson's Caleb Quotem in the afterpiece was in his happiest manner, and Mr. Pritchard's Looney Mactwolter was a very comical Irishman. The 'Poor Gentleman' was poorly played on the 5th. On the 6th the tragedy of Isabella' was performed, and admirably sustained throughout. Mrs. Barnes's Isabella was in the very first style of acting. We have never seen the part so well played, and we have seen Mrs. Whitlock in it. We are happy to notice this lady's improvement in the modulation of her voice. The curtain rose so late, that we were unfortunately too sleepy to stay to Mr. Hilson's Somno, though we doubt not it would have enlivened our dreams.

On the 8th the comic opera of the 'Maid of the Mill' was revived for the purpose of bringing Miss Johnson forward in Patty, in which she appeared to advantage, though we did not admire her costume. A Mr. Holland, from the Dublin theatre, made his debut in Giles. His performance was on a par with the part. Miss Dellinger gained great and deserved credit in Fanny. We were absolutely astonished at her ease and animation. On the 9th the comedy of To Marry or Not to Marry' was represented. Mr. Simpson's Willowear was very spiritedly "secuted. Misy Johnson was quite inte

resting and naïve in Hester. We cannot but think, however, that she will please more in parts which she has studied less. Mrs. Baldwin was dressed with great propriety as Sarah Mortland, and did justice to that truly respectable character. Or the 10th a novice made his appearance in Hamlet. He entirely failed in his attempt. Mrs. Darley was interesting, but not so impressive as we have sometimes seen her in Ophelia. On the 11th a new melo-drama, called the 'Bold Buccaniers, or the Discovery of Robinson Crusoe' was brought out. It is founded on Defoe's familiar novel. The piece has little merit. Mr. Hilson and Mr. Barnes in Bluff and Nipcheese give it its principal support. The new scenery is very finely painted,—though the back curtain is so scant as not to cover the horizon. This is a common fault in the scenery of this theatre. It is in our opinion very awkward to have the horizon, as it is technically termed, divided into two sliding screens. In the first place they never fit so as to appear united, and in the next place to accommodate these slides the stage is disfigured and encumbered with planks containing grooves for them to run on. The curtain is much more convenient and elegant.

On the 12th the 'Soldier's Daughter' was performed, the part of the Widow Cheerly by Mrs. Young of the Charleston Theatre. This actress was received by the house with the most flattering plaudits. Her face and person are prepos sessing; her voice is unaffected and distinct, and her gesture and movement are graceful and dignified. She was very much wanting, however, in vivacity in the personation of this character. Mr. Simpson exhibited his usual spirit and ease in Frank Heartall; Mr. Barnes's Governor Heartall was in perfection; and Mr. Hilson's Timothy Quaint was one of the most exquisite things of its kind. The

School for Scandal' was played on the 13th. We were present but a few moments. Hilson delighted us as usual, in Sir Peter Teazle. We are astonished at the versatility of his powers. In the course of a few evenings we have seen and admired him in Flutter, Harry Bluff, Caleb Quotem, Timothy Quaint, and Sir Peter Teazle.

The Tragedy of 'Isabella' was repeated to a full house, on the 13th. On the 16th Mr. Young made his appearance the part of Charles Austencourt in the

in

Comedy of Man and Wife.' Mrs. Young played Helen Worrett with some discrimination, but without sufficient sprightliness. Her Priscilla Tomboy in the afterle piece of the 'Romp' was played with life and spirit, and very much to the satisfaction of the audience. Mr. Jones merited commendation in Sir Willoughby Worrett, and Mrs. Baldwin was equally entitled to it in Lady Worrett. Mr. Barnes was very quizzical in Ponder. On the 17th two Melo-dramas were performed, which we excused ourselves from witnessing. On the 18th the tragedy of Pizarro' was represented. Mr. Young played the part of the tyrant with some effect; Mr. Simpson's Rolla was excellent; and Mrs. Barnes was truly interesting in the gentle and affectionate Cora. The Drama of Abælino' was played on the 19th. Mr. Robertson played Flodoardo indifferently well,--as Abelino he grossly misconceived the design of his author, in the interview with the Doge. Instead of assuming an air of impudent, familiar raillery, he stormed and blustered most furiously. Mrs. Young did not appear to feel the character or situation of Rosamunda. We were happy to see Mrs. Wheatly in Iduella. The afterpiece of the ' Spoil'd Child' was admirably played. Mrs. Young made a most mischievous Little Pickle, and Mr. Hilson's Tagg was irresistibly ludicrous. Mr. Jones and Mrs. Baldwin did justice to Mr. and Miss Pickle. The Tragedy of 'The Stranger' was played on the 20th. There was no change in the cast of the piece, the performance of which we have already noticed. On the 22d we were presented with a new Tragedy, called the 'Apostate,' written by R. Shiel, Esq. We find the outline of the fable of this drama sketched in a British Magazine, of which we shall avail ourselves.

"The scene is laid at Grenada, in Spain, during the reign of Philip II. The piece opens with the entrance of Hemeya, the heir of the Moorish Kings, with two of his friends, who endeavour to rouse him to a sense of the wrongs of his oppressed nation. He deplores their hopeless condition and his own; avows his love for Florinda, the daughter of Count Alvarez, and his despair at the encouragement given by her father to the suit of Pescara, governor of Grenada.

The mansion of Alvarez suddenly takes fire; he vows to give his daughter and fortune to the man who shal save her. Hemeya, ignorant of this promise, rushes through the flames and bears the swooning Florinda in safety to the gardens of the casVOL. I. NO. VI

tle, where love and gratitude break the bonds of maiden reserve, and she acknowledges the passion which she had long secretly cherished for her deliverer. Scarcely has Alvarez, in fulfilment of his oath, joined the hands of the lovers, when Count Pescara enters and produces a royal edict, forbidding, upon pain of death, any Moor to marry a Christian woman without previously renouncing the Mahometan faith. Alvarez demands an immediate abjuration of Hemeya, who finding that he must relinquish either his mistress or his religion, consents, after a violent inward struggle, to become an apos tate. At this critical moment, Malec, his old preceptor, who has been endeavouring to rouse the remains of his nation to re-assert their independence, in the hope of placing the crown of his fathers on the head of Hemeya, arrives at Grenada. He employs the strong arguments of patriotism and honour to dissuade Hemeya from his purpose, and has nearly prevailed, when Florinda appears and fixes her hesitating lover. Malec, enraged by the effect of her charms on the mind of his pupil, advances to stab her, but her beauty unnerves his arm, and he drops the dagger at her feet. Hemeya retires with Alvarez to prepare for his abjuration; while Malec repairs to his friends, to acquaint them with the intended insurrection. They are interrupted by the sudden entrance of Hemeya, who advises Malec to fly, advises Malec to fly, as the officers of the Inquisition are coming to seize him. The undaunted Moor commands his friends to withdraw from the danger; but though he has the same opportunity of escape, he, with more resolution than prudence, remains to be taken himself. The servants of the inquisition, headed by Pescara, force the gates; Malec is accused of having endeavoured to seduce a convert, meaning Hemeya, back to the Mahometan faith; but is informed that he may save his life by becoming a Christian. The unhappy prince now perceives the artifice of his rival, who, under the mask of friendship, had sent him with the warning to his preceptor. Malec is led off: Hemeya draws upon Pescara; they fight, but are separated by Florinda, who rushes between them, and the governor retires. Hemeya vows to save Malec or perish; and before he goes, he makes Florinda swear, that she will die rather than become the wife of Pescara. train of inquisitors lead Malec in chains to execution: Hemeya follows in disguise, and with the assistance of the Moors rescues his preceptor from the stake, Matem 8 N

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and his friends fly from Grenada, with Florinda, while Hemeya, left alone to defend the pass and afford time for their escape, is overpowered. Florinda is retaken, and as the only means of saving the life of her lover, she consents, notwithstanding her solemn vow, to become the wife of Pescara. The fifth act opens with an exquisitely beautiful moonlight view of Grenada, and the Moors, from the Alpuxerra mountains, hastening to rescue Hemeya. The scene changes to the prison: Florinda enters in bridal garments to free her lover, who spurns her when he learns that she has married his mortal enemy. Pescara follows his bride to the prison, and, enraged at the affection which she breathes for Hemeya, orders him, in breach of his promise, to instant death. The executioners seize him: at this moment an alarm proclaims the success of the Moors. Pescara attempts to stab Florinda; Hemeya breaks loose, wrests the dagger from his grasp, and plunges it into his heart. The Moors rush in: Hemeya's exultation is complete, till Florinda, pale and faint, declares that she had swallowed a deadly poison before she approached the altar. Hemeya, in despair, stabs himself, and Florinda sinks lifeless on the body of her lover."

From this account of the plot of the Apostate, it will be easily believed that the representation must be interesting. The plot is a good one, and the incidents are skilfully contrived, and conduce to the advancement of the main action. Religion, love, patriotism, and revenge, furnish the motives which influence the conduct of the principal persons of the play, and afford fine topics of declamation. The style of this tragedy, though in the main well-sustained, and vigorous, is too deficient in simplicity and purity to escape censure. Forced conceits are not unfrequently mistaken for fine thoughts, and extravagant hyperbole for genuine passion. With the performance we were, on the whole, very much pleased. The characters were cast exactly right, according to our opinion of the talents of the company, and all seemed to exert themselves to please. We do not now

recollect any tragedy hero to which Mr. Simpson does so much justice, by his representation, as he does to Hemeya ;and Mr. Pritchard, in Pescara, certainly has added much to his reputation; some passages in the performance of the latter were exceedingly fine. Mr. Robertson, in Malec, fortunately found a character to justify all the emphasis he could give it, though he was, here, too monotonous, and we fear he is destined always to be so. Mrs. Barnes's Florinda was, on the whole, so well played, as to add very much to the high opinion of her talents which we have ever entertained. Still we think, and therefore we must so express ourselves, that she sometimes rants: too much praise cannot, however, be bestowed on some passages in her performance; and, in particular, we think the prayer she uttered in behalf of Hemeya, as she leaves him, near the end of the first act, could not have been uttered in finer taste, or with a deeper feeling of devotion and love. As the play, however, has been performed but once, we shall take another opportunity, after it has been more carefully studied, to express our opinion more at length.

On the 23d the operatic romance of the 'Mountaineers' was played. Mr. Young acquitted himself very respectably in the arduous part of Octavian. Mr. Hilson and Miss Johnson, as Sadi and Agnes, contributed much to the mirth and gratification of the audience. They sung several songs and duets with great force and effect. We admire the spirit which animates Miss Johnson, but could wish that she were not always so earnest, so empressé in her dialogue. It is a fault, however, that will soon wear off, though we hope her enthusiasm will not abate. Mr. Williams's Virolet was the same smirking, insignificant nothing, that he makes of every thing. Mrs. Groshon's Zorayda had, as usual, more airs than graces. We did hope that Mrs. Darley, in boy's clothes, would have lowered her key a little; but she pitched her treble at the very top of her compass.

The Apostate was repeated on the 24th.

has been brought before Parliament, by Mr. Bennett, for abolishing the practice of sweeping chimneys by means of climbing boys; and it is anticipated that this inhuman and unjustifiable practice will be forbidden by law. This paternal measure will be aided by the introduction into general use of a new-invented machine for cleansing chimneys, which answers its purpose admirably. It has been stated in a former number of this Magazine, that Spain had applied to England for assistance in her efforts to quell her revolted colonies. In regard to these colonies, England conducts with much caution. She must certainly wish them success in their struggle for independence, yet her government forbears to interfere, although to take part with either the mother country or the provinces would furnish employment for her marine, at this time so desirable. The following short extract from a speech of ford Castlereagh's in the House of Commons, may throw some light on this subject. His lordship says, on the subject of South America, I have to say, that whenever a question shall be raised on the policy of this country towards that, I am convinced the House will be satisfied that nothing has been done for which the government ought to reproach themselves. Commerce has sustained no injury in that quarter from the measures that have been adopted, and it is difficult to show how greater facility for the introduction of British goods could by possibility be afforded. The fact is, with regard to South America this country has nothing to desire. At present some interruptions exists, owing to the war which disturbs that part of the world and to the absence of all settled government, but these are evils which cannot be corrected by Parliament."

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In Ireland, the price of provisions, by the most recent information, was falling, and the sufferings of the poor were likely to be removed. This was ascribed to the fair prospect of an abundant harvest in all kinds of produce.

Died.] In London, on the 8th of July, of paralysis, Mr. Ponsonby, M. P. a conspicuous leader of the opposition. Mr. Ponsonby was an Irishman and educated a lawyer. He was called to the Irish Bar in 1780, and was afterwards sent to the Irish Parliament. During the administration of Lord Grenville, he was made Chancellor of Ireland. Of his character, while a member of the Imperial Parliament, one of the English papers thus speaks. "All men of all par

ties may well deplore the loss of such a man. He gave dignity to the party of which he was the leader, by the talents he displayed in his public, and by the virtues he exhibited in his private character Opposed as we have always been to the line of politics which he pursued, we should be ashamed of ourselves if we withheld our acknowledgment of the sincere conviction upon which he always acted. Hence he was not one of those who "to party gave up what was meant for mankind." One of the principal features of his character was liberality.Knowing that he acted from his conviction of what was right, he never failed to allow the same merit to others, however opposite their opinions and their conduct. And therefore we never heard from him that coarseness of invective, arrogance of censure, or meanness of suspicion, which have been too observable in others.

FRANCE.

It is rumoured that negotiations are on foot between the French government and the Allied Powers, to procure the removal from France, within the present year, of a second fifth of the army of occupa tion; the crops throughout the kingdom are said to be abundant; the enterprise of the people seems to be directed toward the improvement of manufactures and the extension of pacific relations, and the general political condition of France, though reduced, appears tranquil. The negotiations with the court of Rome on the affairs of the French church are said to be definitely concluded. Archbishop Talleyrand Perigord, Duke of Reims, is appointed to the See of Paris.

The French Consul General at Amsterdam has given notice, according to orders from government, that no vessel coming from foreign countries will be admitted in Senegal or in the dependencies of that country.

On the anniversary of the return of Louis XVIII. to Paris, his majesty reviewed 13 legions of the Parisian National Guards. The streets through which he passed were lined with the military, and the white flag and other appropriate emblems were displayed from the windows. The number of men under arms was estimated at 36,000. At night the city was illuminated.

A steam-boat has been invented in France by a Mr. Humphrey, on a principle which renders explosions impossible. This vessel plies between Berlin and Charlottenburgh. A fine steamboat, also, called the Dutchess of Berry, was launched at Rouen, on St

Louis's day, in August. It is said she is not inferior to the best American steamboats.

[Died. At Paris, the Baroness De Stael, after a long and painful sickness, aged 53 years. She was the daughter of the celebrated financier, Neckar, and Susan Curchod, the lady with whom the historian Gibbon became enamoured, during his residence in Switzerland, when a young man.

SPAIN.

Spain is earnestly endeavouring to procure aid of the great European powers, to subdue her colonies to obedience. Report says that the aid of Russia is to be obtained by the cession of California and Minorca. Application has been made to the British government to furnish naval aid, and to prevent her subjects from going to the assistance of the Revolutionists. It is stated that a force of 6000 men are to be sent to South America from Old Spain, and that this force is to be raised by taking from each regiment of the line 11 men.

General Lacy, and four other officers of high rank, have been condemned to death by a council of war, and the senence has been executed. General Milans, and some others, have been condemned par contumace. It is stated, however, that a general amnesty is expected in favour of all proscribed Spaniards.

On the 30th of May a steam boat was launched on the Guadalquiver, the first ever built in Spain.

ITALY.

By a decree of the Neapolitan Government, corn and seeds may be imported, free of duty, into the kingdom of Naples, for eight ensuing years.

The port of Ponte Lago Securo, situated on the Po, near Ferrara, in the Papal territory, is declared a free port; and the free ports in the Roman States are, now, Ancona, Ponte Lago Securo, and, during the fair in Italy, which lasts about twenty-five days, Sinigalia.

The health of the Pope seems to be feeble. He lately returned from his residence at the castle of Gandolfo to Rome, where his welcome was unanimous. He was attended by a large escort, in which were Maria Louisa, the Infante of Spain and his young son, the Princess of Wales, and the Prince of Saxe Gotha.

It is stated that the King of Sardinia has made reimbursements to England for expenses in the war, to the amount of five millions, and that an English frigate

arrived at Leghorn for the purpose

of receiving the money. The harvest in Italy has been abundant.

SWITZERLAND.

Dreadful ravages have been committed in Switzerland by inundations. Houses and bridges have been swept away; fields have been devastated, and large tracts of country laid under water. The loss of property and the distress have been great and manifold.

NETHERLANDS.

Joseph Constant Roorh, editor of the Antwerp Mercury, and M. Conders, of the same city, have been accused of hav ing provoked the people to revolt by articles in said journal, and have been cited before the Special Court for trial. The Spanish consul in Amsterdam has given notice, that the importation of foreign soap into the peninsula and the neighbouring islands, is prohibited. Amsterdam is crowded with Swiss and German emigrants, who are represented as being in the most wretched situation. The government employs as many of them as it can on the works of the Helder, but the women and children are destitute. Many have perished with hunger.

Mr. Gallatin, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary from the United States of America, to the court of France, has arrived at Brussels, from Ghent and Paris. His stay is of some duration, and some negotiation of consequence is supposed to be on foot.

GERMANY.

The minister of the cities of Lubec, Frankfort, Bremen and Hamburgh, has submitted a memorial to the Diet on the subject of the Barbary pirates, and a commission has been appointed by the Diet 'to prepare an opinion on the most efficient means of securing the German navigation against the piracies of the Barbary corsairs, with a view to the report to be made to the courts and constituents of the members of the Diet.'

The Diet of Germany has issued letters of notification to the European powers, to the grand Seignior, and to the United States, announcing, that the Germanic Confederation proposes to treat with the several states as an European power. The last sittings of the Diet have been confidential; but it is reported that they were upon the subject of the internal organization of the confederation. On the 7th July, in a full session of the Diet, the Prince of Hesse-Hombourg, the reigning Landgrave, was admitted, by an unanimous vote, into the Germanic confederation.

As the 99th article of the act of the