532 Dramatic Register--Covent Garden. most useful composers the theatre can boast. The songs, by the same composer, "If it were deem'd a sin to love"-" Dennis O'Larry"-" Wilt thou forget me?" display a taste in the ballad style excolled by few. Vive Henri Quatre, the celebrated National French Air; with an Introduction, and Eight Variations, for the Piano-forte. y Frederic Kalkbrenner. Clementi and Co. 4s. Mr. K. has done as mush for this air as the dry. ness of the thema would permit. Much variety is to be found in the introduction, and the variations display more skill and contrivance than could be expected from such indifferent materials. Yet this air, so repulsive to an English ear, the French are said to admire with enthusiasm! It seems far inferior to the German Vive l'Empereur," or our "God save the King." However, such as it is, Mr. K. has made the most of it, and evinced a [Jan. 1, knowledge of modulation, which leads us to hope he will try his haud on some more fertile subject.. A Duet Concertante, for the Harp and Piano-forte, in which are introduced Three favourite Irish Melodies, viz. Erin go bragh, Gramachrée, and The Bard's Bequest, or the Legacy. Composed by N. B. Challoner. 45. Clementi and Co. The harmony produced by the harp and viand forte is far more pleasing than any thing that can be obtained by two performers on one piano-forte, provided the genius of the different instrumeals be consulted The judicious choice of the Irisu melodies by Mr. Challoner for this purpose, and the transitious from grave to gay, from lively to severe," give the whole by contrast, the best pos sible effect The marking the change of pedals in the harp part is a very useful practice, which wo hope to see generally adopted, for the convenience of lady performers. DRAMATIC REGISTER. COVENT GARDEN.-Dec. 6, a new petile piece was produced at this theatre, called The King and the Duke. We understand it to be from the French, and the plot is certainly neater and more dextrous than the fabrication of our customary writers. A king of Poland, travelling under the disguise of an hussar officer, falls in love with the daughter of an old diplomatic baron, at whose castle he has been entertained. The Duke of Cales, a Pole, has at the same time made pretensions to the lady, and his suit is naturally accepted by the father, even before his arrival from the army. By finding a handkerchief with marks applicable to the duke, the baron believes he has detected this noble suitor under the hussar's disguise. The king favours the deception from its advantages to his courtship; but the real duke suddenly appears with the baron's son. They discover the monarch, and, fearful of thwarting a royal purpose, conceive the enterprising idea of an exchange of titles; and, as the king has usurped the duke, giving the duke the homage of the king. The royal feelings are at first struck with surprise and indignation, but further thought subdues them, and the fictitious duke bows the knee before the real. The embarrassment of the old politician, confused by those puzzling alterations-the perpetual change of his opinions on the merit of the candidates and the courtierly suppleness with which he slides from his promise to his wish-are happily imagined. The daughter's constancy, however, triumphs over the father's vacillation; the king, loved as the colonel, and accepted as the duke, retains his original place in her affections; and the Duke of Cales receives his compensation by an addition to his titles and fortune. Miss Foote was the heroine, and looked pretty and childish; Jones, the monarch; and Abbot, the duke. The entire was well performed, and received with applause. Dec. 14, a most crowded audience assembled to witness the representation of The Gamester. The character of Mrs. Beverley was for the first time per formed by Miss O'Neill, and in a mas ner that we have no doubt will insure its frequent repetition. The talents already displayed by this lady, naturally lead to the expectation that Mrs. Beverley would meet in her with an able and effective representative, and in no respect was that expectation disappointed. This, indeed, is by no means adequate praise The character, with all its difficulties, was supported throughout with a con ception, a feeling, and a pathos, that rivetted the attention of the audience, and repeatedly drew from them the loudest applause. Miss O'Neill entered completely into the spirit of the part, and acted up to every idea that can be formed of it by the most judicious cri tics. In one or two instances she might be thought to fail in energy; but in all the pathetic part of the character-in all of it that interests or affects-the feelings of the audience were entirely with her, and gave a testimony, not to be mistaken, of her excellence as an actress. Her scene with Stukely, where he endeavours to seduce her affections, was admirably managed; nor could there be a better test of her talents than the manner in which she repelled his advances, and his calumnies upon her absent husband. In the concluding scene she was equally great; nor could any 1815.] Dramatic Register-Drury-Lane. thing be more in nature than the hysteric laugh with which she quitted the stage. As a whole, this performance greatly adds to the deservedly high reputation of Miss O'Neill; and the loud and universal applause at its close, testified those feelings on the part of the audience which had been still more unequivocally evinced in the course of it by emotions, the excitement of which afforded the best proof of the powers, the judgment, and the discrimination of the actress. It was, in truth, a display which at once deeply interested the heart and satisfied the judgment. -Young's Beverley was a very fine performance; marked by true feeling and discriminating judgment; varying the passion as the scene required, with admirable skill. Mr. Terry acted Stukely; an unfavourable character; but to which he gave as much expression as it deserved. If his performance had a fault, it lay in excessive care; it was too anxious, and too full of obvious contrivance and determined chicanery. His habit of personating old age has induced him to stoop; and the physiognomy of his Stukely was at once too obsolete for successful love, and too designing for unsuspecting villany. His acting was in general highly judicious. as DRURY-LANE.-Nov. 30, a new piece of spectacle was exhibited at this theatre, called The Ninth Statue, or the Irishman in Bagdad; founded upon the story under that name in the Arabian tales. Its plot is only interesting so far it adheres to its eastern original. The Caliph of Bagdad, young, and inflated with early power, wastes his treasures, disgusts his subjects, and exposes himself to assassination. In one of these attempts against his life, a stranger in terposes, preserves him, and is made captain of his guard. This stranger had lost a daughter some time before; accident discovers her to him in the palace, and her liberation is the price of his service. But the caliph has conceived a passion for her, and is left to struggle between his gratitude and his love. Rebellion gathers round his throne, and a spirit, under the form of his dead father, comes to tell him of treasures which are to fix his power. He follows its guidance, and enters a subterranean ball, where he finds eight statues of dazzling splendour, yet but the pedestal for the ninth, which is announced more valuable than all the rest, and the very centre and perfection of the charm. The genius scarcely relieves his perplexity, by NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No. 12. 553 demanding as its price a maiden whose very thoughts have never erred. A magic glass is given, which is to detect the impure by a cloud upon its surface. The prince commences his tour of discovery, attended by his former preserver, who takes with him his daughter dis guised as a page. The glass is tried with unfortunate success on women of all conditions, till the young page gazes upon it, and leaves it without a stain. Her sex is acknowledged, and the prince thrown into despair by the presence of the genius demanding the performance of the contract, which is to surrender his mistress. He resists, but she is torn from him in a flame. In a moment after, he finds himself in the hall of the nine sta tues, the ninth pedestal still unoccupied. He turns away in scorn of the spirit's broken promise, and the pedestal is filled, but it is with the form of his fair one. The attendants crowd in, and the scene is brightened with the descending pomp of the genius.-Of the merits of this piece as a dramatic production we can say but little. In dialogue, incident, and interest, it is about upon a par with the generality of melo-dramas. Johnstone had a few genuine bulls, and in the delivery of them was always successful. His excellent acting, combined with the lively and spirited performance of Miss Kelly, would have saved a piece of less merit. Considered merely as a spectacle, it is almost impossible to describe its magnificence. We never saw, on any stage, a scene comparable in beauty to that raised by the magician at the end of the first act, where the Genit of Fire and Water rise to pronounce the oracle, and enjoin him how to obtain the ninth statue; it is unparalleled in richness and variety of colour. The last scene is also most beautiful. The piece was given out for repetition with considerable applause. We have to notice the return of Miss Walstein, who had very abruptly quitted London. The cause, as since explained, however, is highly to the credit of this lady's feelings. The illness of her mother impelled her to the step of immediately setting off for Dublin, to com fort, by her presence, the last moments, as she feared, of a beloved parent. Dec. 23, Miss Walstein made her appearance, for the first time in London, in the character of Jane Shore. Her performance, notwithstanding the faultiness of the composition, which abounds in endless speeches, exaggerated passion, and incident of the most dexterous dul VOL. II. 4 D PASSED IN THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FIFTH PARLIAMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.-55 GEO. III. (1814.) [The figure which follows the date of each Act, denotes the number of sheets of which it consists: each sheet is sold for THREE-PENCE.] CAP. CIV. An act for maintaining and keeping in repair certain roads and bridges made in Scotland for the purpose of military communication; and for making more effectual provision for maintaining and repairing roads made, and bridges built, in Scotland, under the authority of the parliamentary commissioners for Highland roads and bridges. July 18, 1814.-3. The expense of maintaining the military and other roads and bridges completed pursuant to the act of 43 Geo. III. to be defrayed one fourth by the public money granted to commissioners, and the remainder by the respective counties.-A sum not exceeding 5000l. for the present, and 2500l. for every subsequent year to be issued to the commissioners toward the repair of roads and bridges. CV. An act to remove doubts as to the duties and taxes heretofore imposed and levied under the authority of the several governments in the East Indies. July 23.-1. This act confirms the power of levying duties by the governments in India. CVI. An act to remove doubts as to the allowance of drawbacks upon bibles and books of prayer to the King's printers, under an act passed in the 34th year of his present majesty. July 23.-1. Printing houses approved by the commissioners of the treasury, to be deemed the usual and ordinary printing house of the King's printers. CVII. An act to render valid certain indentures for the binding of parish apprentices, and certificates of the settleent of poor persons. July 23.-1. Indentures and certificates of settlement made valid, although the churchwardens were not sworn in. The same to be valid if executed by the overseers of the poor. CVIII. An act to repeal two acts of the 30th and 32d years of King Charles II. for burying in woollen, and for indemnifying persons against penalties for offences committed against the said acts. July 28.-1. Persons indemnified from penalties against whom no action has been brought before July 1, 1814.-In actions brought before that day the plaintiffs shall be allowed only their costs. CIX. An act to amend an act of the 13th year of his present majesty, to explain, amend, and reduce into one act, the statutes now in force for the amendment and preservation of the public highways within England and for other purposes. July 23.-1. Upon application of surveyor of highways, justices may direct an additional assessment, not exceeding in the whole the rate of Is. 9d. in the pound. All persons keeping any wheel carriages liable to composition, the rates of which are fixed by this act. CX. An act to prevent the embezzlement of certain property belonging to the hospital for seamen at Greenwich, and to amend so much of an act of the parliament of Ireland, of the 33d year of his present majesty, as relates to payments to out-pensioners of the said bos pital residing in Ireland. July 23.-2. As several of the pensioners and nurses have of late pawned or sold clothes, linen, and other articles delivered to them to wear or use, this act directs that all such articles shall be marked with an anchor, surmounted by a naval crown with two flags over the crown, and the letter G on one side, and H on the other. Pawnbrokers or others receiving goods so marked liable, upon conviction, to a penalty of 101. to be levied by a justice's warrant by distress. CXI. An act to continue certain acts of the parliament of Ireland for prevent ing the importation of arms, gunpowder, and ammunition, and the making, re moving, selling, and keeping of gunpowder, arms, and ammunition, without licence. July 23.-1. CXII. An act for the further encou ragement of fever hospitals in Ireland. July 23.-1. Grand juries may present 2501. at each assize in counties at large, and also in counties of cities and towns, for fever hospitals. No money to be presented unless accounts of icceipt and expenditure be examined before grand jury, CXIII. An act to vest in his majesty, his heirs and successors, for ever, part of the ground and buildings, now belonging to the society of King's Inns, Dublin, for the erecting thereon a repository for public records in Ireland. July 23.-1. CXIV. An act to amend an act made in the last session of parliament, for the relief of insolvent debtors in Ireland. July 23.-1. Insolvent prisoners may be discharged in vacation by one judge of any court-court or judge may amend schedules-prisoners discharged, or remanded under preceding acts, may take the benefit of 53 Geo. III. CXV. An act to amend an act of the parliament of Ireland" for preventing the pernicious practice of burning land, and for the more effectual destroying of vermin." July 23.-1. The receipt of the rent reserved in the lease or demise under which lands are held, for one year, after the death of the preceding lessor or person claiming to be entitled, shall be deemed sufficient proof for recovering the penalty of 40s. for every English acre, for burning land, under the act 17 Geo II. CXVI. An act to repeal the several laws for recovery of small sums due for wages in Ireland, and to make other provisions for recovery of such wages. July 23.-1. 555 One justice empowered to hear and determine complaints of servants, artificers, and labourers, for non-payment of wages-Appeal to quarter sessions. CXVII. An act to extend so far as relates to the building of new churches, an act of the parliament of Ireland passed in the 33d year of the reign of his late majesty, King George 11. intituled," an act for reviving and amending an act passed in the 23d year of his present majesty's reign, intituled, An act for amending, continuing, and making more effectual the several acts now in force in this kingdom for the more easy recovery of tythes and other ecclesiasti cal dues of small value, and also for the more easy providing a maintenance for parish clerks, so far only as the same relates to the more easy providing a maintenance for parish clerks, and to encourage the building of new churches." July 23.-1. Rectors or vicars may grant any part of the glebe land for the site of a new church and church-yard. CXVIII. An act to grant to his majesty certain stamp duties in Ireland. and to explain and amend an act made in the 52 year of his majesty's reign for granting stamp duties in Ireland. July 23.—1. ORIGINAL POETRY. THE CROSS. OF old the Cross, in banner'd pride, (The cross their badge, and crested star,) Fire all their hearts, and thoughts enflame: Enrich'd with gems, it graceful fell It told a breast of stormy mood; RIDDLE. Legs I have got, but seldom walk; WHIMSICOLOS, 556 MARY. Oh! listen, fair lady, awhile To the tale of a poor crazed maid, Whose cheek has forgotten to smile, Original Poetry. For falsehood her love has betray'd. And surely misfortune may claim From the pitying bosom a sigh, When innocence crush'd down with shame, Is left all-deserted to die? In the cot of my father I dwelt ; My father! how deep does he mourn: Canst thou picture the anguish he felt When I left him no more to return? With him was my infancy blest, And blest the first dawn of my youth; Simplicity smil'd in my breast, And spoke the pure language of truth. Young William he courted my love, But his vows were as fleeting as breath; Tho' he swore his affection should prove Unalter'd as truth until death. And his look as an angel's was meck; Love dwelt in the glance of his eye; And my fondness confess'd with a sigh; My innocence William deceiv'd, And left his poor Mary to die. From the cot of my parent I fled; Heart-wrong and forsaken I've stray'd, And no home where to shelter my head; None will pity a desolate maid. But, Mary, not long wilt thou weep,— In the stillness of death thou wilt sleep; [Jan. 1, THE ANTIQUATED COQUETTE. Will you ne'er be persuaded you're old, Nor believe that your beauties are faded? Pray put on a cap-you'll catch coldNor again let your grey hairs be braided. What a killingly sweet-smelling scent! To hang on those lips, oh! what bliss! But your nose and your chin would prevent, I'm afraid, the enrapturing kiss. Than your teeth not e'en ebon more bright, And too useless to chew you your meat. You're yet more bewitching, my fairy,— With one hunch Nature meant you a camel, What a delicate, tapering waist! With the stuff'd-one you're a dromedary. More slender there can't be a ghost; Breathe you free, or are too tightly lec'd; For asthmas the old trouble most. Such sparklers no beau dare despise, |