FLEMING'S SELECT VIEWS.

359

references, indices, and a map, and will form the Illustrated Record of the North of Scotland.

The

North. A MAGNUM OPUS, quod felix faustumque sit. Murrays are a noble family. And yonder lie eight Numbers of a work, in a different style indeed, but illustrative of many of the same scenes- "Select Views of the Lakes of Scotland from Original Paintings, by John Fleming, engraved by Joseph Swan, with Historical and Descriptive Illustrations, by John Leighton." It is published at Glasgow, a city of late years becoming as distinguished for genius and talent in the fine arts, as it has long been for integrity and enterprise in the pursuits of commerce.

Tickler. I know it-I have it; and the two works together bring the lakes and seas of Scotland, its woods, glens, and mountains, more vividly before my eyes, than any other works of art that I now remember.

North. I have often admired Fleming's water-colour landscapes in our annual exhibition here; and Mr Swan has by his burin done them ample justice. None of our southern neighbours should visit the Highlands without being possessed of both works.

Tickler. Pray, what are the two green-board vols. perched pertly near your lug on the surbase ?1

North. "Wild Sports of the West." They contain many picturesque descriptions of the wildest scenery in Connaught, many amusing and interesting tales and legends, much good painting of Irish character; and the author is a true sportsman." Tickler. That branch of our literature is in full leaf.

North. It flourishes. Lloyd, Hawker,* and Mundy, are

1 Surbase-the moulding at the top of the wainscot, rising, in old-fashioned rooms at least, to the height of two or three feet from the floor. The recurrence of this word enables me to correct an error into which I had fallen in vol. ii. p. 136, note. In that page, instead of sabbase we should read surbase— an amendment for which, irrespective of the confirmation which it receives from the text at this place, I am indebted to three ingenious correspondents.

2 "William Henry Maxwell, once an officer in the British army, and at this time a beneficed clergyman in Ireland. His Stories of Waterloo, and other works of fiction, as well as his Life of Wellington, have been very popular."American Editor. 3 See ante, p. 96.

4 Hawker's Instructions to Young Sportsmen.

5 Mundy's Pen and Pencil Sketches in India: being the Journal of a Tour in the various Upper Provinces of India in the Years 1827-29, with Woodcuts and 26 spirited Etchings of Indian Field-Sports by Landseer.

360

MRS JAMESON'S CHARACTERISTICS.

accomplished gentlemen—and, as for Nimrod,' he is "The Great Historian of the Field." But I shall have an article on the vols. at my lug, probably in our next Number-so I need

not

Tickler. Toss them over to me, and I shall put them into my pocket.

North. Not so fast. I never lend books now-for, like Scotchmen who cross the Tweed, they never return home again. Tickler. And these others ?

Characteristics of

North. Two truly delightful volumes Women, Moral, Poetical, and Historical, with Fifty Vignette Etchings, by Mrs Jameson. Shakespeare's Women!

Tickler. It used to be said by the critics of a former age, that he could not draw female characters.

North. The critics of a former age were a pack of fools.
Tickler. So are too many of the present.

North. And will be of the future. All the ancient Dramatists drew female characters well-especially Massinger. But Shakespeare has beautified the sex

Tickler. "Given perfume to the violets."

North. Mrs Jameson arranges all Shakespeare's women into classes :-characters of Intellect-Portia, Isabella, Beatrice, Rosalind; characters of Passion and Imagination—Juliet, Helena, Perdita, Viola, Ophelia, Miranda; characters of the Affections-Hermione, Desdemona, Imogen, Cordelia; Historical characters-Cleopatra, Octavia, Volumnia, Constance of Bretagne, Elinor of Guienne, Blanche of Castile, Margaret of Anjou, Katharine of Arragon, Lady Macbeth.

Tickler. What a galaxy! In every name a charm. In imagination a man might marry nine-tenths of them-a spiritual seraglio.

North. My critiques on Sotheby's Homer seem to have been pretty well liked, though dashed off hurriedly, and I suppose they were not without a certain enthusiasm. I purpose haranguing away in a similar style, for a few articles, on Mrs Jameson's Shakespeare."

Tickler. Do. You are often extravagant-not seldom absurd; but still there is, I grant, a certain enthusiasm

1 Mr Apperley wrote under the signature of "Nimrod" in the Sporting Magazine, and for many years was looked up to as the highest authority on all matters connected with the field, the road, or the turf.

2 See Blackwood's Magazine, vol. xxxiii., pp. 125, 143, 391, 539.

THE THREE FANNIES.

361

North. Don't come over me with the Mocking-Bird. I have frequently observed that whatever disparaging character a man carelessly sports of himself or writings, his commonplace people forthwith adopt it as gospel; and thus a modest person like myself, being taken at his own word, is estimated far below his great genius

Tickler. Hem!

North. This most charming of all the works of a charming writer has revived in me my old love of the Acted Drama. I shall again be a Play-goer.

Tickler. Here?

North. Yes-here and in London, which I shall visit next spring-if alive; and I am engaged, indeed, to dine on the first of May with my friend Allan Cunninghame.

Tickler. I shall be of the party.

North. It is false and most unjust to living genius to say that there are now on the stage few or no great actors. There are as many as ever there were at any one era. Young has just retired; but I trust to see him once or twice again ere I make my final exit-Macready is first-rate-Kean, in some characters, greater than Garrick.

Tickler. But the actresses?

North. A few-and there never were more than a few at any one time—are admirable.

Tickler. Miss Tree I saw lately in Julia in The Hunchback, and she is a charming performer.

North. She is-but there are-THE THREE FANNIES.
Tickler. Eh?

North. Miss Fanny Kelly-a woman of original geniusfine taste-strong intellect—and exquisite sensibility—equal to any part of passion.

Tickler. She is.

North. Miss Fanny Kemble acts nobly, like a Poetess, as she is and equal to either of them in all things, and in some superior to both, is-our own Miss Fanny Jarman. Equal to either in power and pathos, and superior to both in grace, elegance, and beauty. The Three are all as much respected for their virtues in private life, as they are admired for their genius on the stage. And that lends a charm to their impersonations of such characters as Imogen, Desdemona, Ophelia, and Cordelia, which is felt by every audience, and for the want of which no accomplishments can compensate.

362

REPORT ON DRAMATIC LITERATURE.

(Enter LOUISA, HARRIET, and HELEN, with the
Tea-Tray, &c., &c.)

Tickler. Angels and ministers of grace!

North. One or other of you, my good girls, look in upon us, now and then, during the hour, to see if we require any of your services. God bless you. [They curtsy and retire.

Tickler. Eh?

North. Sisters three-and daughters of the Grieve on my little property in Tweeddale, on a visit at present to an uncle, gardener to our friend in Trinity Tower. My worthy housekeeper has a young party in her own room this evening, and these obliging creatures requested permission to be attendant nymphs on the old gentleman

Tickler. They did not call you so?

North. Not to my face, Tim; but depend on't, middle-aged men like us are thought as old as the hills by Miss in her Teens; and as for these pretty creatures, I look on them as mere children. Such a sight as that is good for the eyesightBut pray what were we talking about?

Tickler. Confound me if I remember. have

These witches

North. You see that blue folio? 'Tis the Report from the Select Committee on Dramatic Literature, with Minutes of Evidence. I glanced over it this afternoon, along with Mr Bulwer's excellent speech on moving the appointment of the said Select Committee. Have you studied the Question? Tickler. What Question ?

North. That of the patents granted to the Two Great Theatres for the performance of the Drama.

Tickler. Not I-but let us study while we discuss it. I know no better method of mastering any subject. I forget what you were going to say ?

North. How would you define or describe the "regular drama?"

Tickler. The regular drama is-is,-the regular drama is— that drama which comprehends-or say rather which excludes all dramatic perform-performances-that is compo,-stop, I must correct myself,—the regular drama may, I think, be defined to be that-no-described-as that which,-nay, let me perpend,-why, after you-if you please, Kit-for you have been ruminating on the subject. Pray, North, let me ask

THE REGULAR DRAMA.

363

you-my good fellow-before we go any farther, how would you define or describe the regular drama?

North. I see nothing that can be either added or taken away from the truly Aristotelian definition which you have now given of it; and everything dramatic not included within the terms thereof, may be philosophically pronounced to belong to the irregular drama.

Tickler. Having settled that point, which is at once nice and knotty, we may proceed to overhaul the minutes of evidence, and judge of its bearings on the general question of the patents.

North. Would that worthy Mr Winston had had the benefit of hearing your admirable definition, before he was badgered by the Select. "What do you consider is meant by the regular Drama?" asked one of the inquisitors. And the veteran Ex-Manager of the Haymarket replied-"The regular Drama I consider to be Tragedy and Comedy, and everything on the stage."- "What! Burletta ?"— "Yes-because Toм THUMB was played in the regular theatres, and is printed and called a Burletta."-"What do you consider a Burletta to be?""Recitative and singing; no speaking whatever; THE GOLDEN PIPPIN is a strong specimen of it—and OLYMPUS IN AN UPROAR."-" IS OLYMPUS IN AN UPROAR the regular Drama."—" Yes—for it is played at the regular theatres, and played under license."-" Do I understand you to include every stage representation ?"—"Yes - the regular Drama includes everything.

Tickler. Very sensible.

North. One of the Select then asks Mr Winston what he "considers to be not the regular drama ?" At that he shakes his head, and says, "I do not know; that it is a very difficult thing to ascertain;" but plucking up courage, he adds, "If they can play everything, then everything is the regular drama.”

Tickler. So in a regular drama there is no need for the performers, unless they like it, to utter a single word. North. None in the world.

Tickler. And "Tom Thumb," "the Golden Pippin," and "Olympus in an Uproar," are all strong specimens of the regular drama?

North. Samsons. Mr Winston is then asked if "tumbling be the regular drama?" and his silence speaks consent. So, of course, must be dancing and swinging on the rope.