app.] (a Fairy); Mrs. Yates, (Emmeline); with an epilogue. (d) The music by Mr. Arne.

2.-Tempest. Ed. & Em. 3-Agis and Ibid. 5.-[By COMMAND]~ Zara, Mrs. CIBBER. 7.-E. of Essex and Ib. 9.-M. ado. Ib. (e) 10W. to keep bim. Ib.

cording to the same writer, he also furnished the Parliamentary Debates in the Gentleman's Magazine, from 1743, or 1744, when Dr. Johnson dropped them, till about the year 1760; and held the office of reviewer to the same work, from 1762 to 1772. We are likewise told by Sir J. Hawkins, that Dr. H. thought the complimentary degree conferred on him by Archbishop Herring, entitled him to become an advocate in the ecclesiastical courts, "and that he had a serious design of appearing in that capacity, till his mistake was pointed out. But some of Sir J. Hawkins's assertions are to be received with caution. Dr. H. was one of the original members of the club established by Dr. Johnson in Ivey Lane, in the winter of 1749.

(d) Spoken by Mrs. Yates; written by Garrick. (e) Author's night.

PROVINCIAL DRAMA.

Theatre WOLVERHAMPTON.-This theatre opened Dec. 3, with the comedy of Speed the Plough, and the after-piece of Bon Ton. The manager has picked up two new faces since the last season, and promised us a third. Mr. Asker and Mrs. Dawson have appeared, the former in the vocal, and the latter in the tragic department. Mr. Asker's voice is not unmusical, but he would be heard with considerably more pleasure if he would let us know what he is singing about. Mrs. Dawson's capacity for the stage is dubious. Her figure, gesture, speech, &c. are tolerable rather than striking. She frequently forgets that there is such a letter in the alphabet as H, has a tincture of provincial accent, and does not pay sufficient attention to grace and propriety in her attitudes. The unpopularity of Mr. Fox, formerly so great a favourite, originates in himself, and not in the fickleness of public attachment. A want of deference to the public will never long be countenanced in actors, that have. stonger claims to its favour than Mr. Fox. Independent of this, he is never correct in his parts, and when he is out he does not attend to the prompter, but goes mumbling on a parcel of indistinct words in an under tone, which perplexes the other actors, and often occasions several speeches being omitted, or introduced where they ought not to be. A Mrs. St. John is promised us by the manager, but she has not yet made her appearance. She is to succeed Mrs. Farren in the operatic characters. Mr. G. Shuter, a young man of very promising parts, has been sent by the manager to perform before twelve tallow candles, at an inferior theatre. Why not have sent his candle-snuffers, and kept his actors where their merit stood a chance of being rewarded?

Wolverhampton, Dec. 10, 1802.

CIVIS

1

Theatre HITCHIN-Mr. Lacy's company is now exhibiting here, with tolerable success. The performers are very respectable, and we observe, with much pleasure, the rapid improvement which Miss Maria Taylor, Spilsbury makes in sentimental comedy. We have had occasion to mention this lady's performance before, (under the name of Taylor) at Bedford; and we make no doubt but she will, ultimately, be a useful member of the corps of Thalia.

Theatre PLYMOUTH." MR. EDITOR,-In consequence of the letter inserted in your Mirror of last month, dated Plymouth, Dec. 14, 1802. I wish to avail myself of the earliest apportunity of vindicating myself from so gross an aspersion; and for your very handsome offer of permitting me to say a few words in justification of myself, both as a man and a performer, I beg you will accept my grateful ackowledgments.

'First, I, in the most solemn manner, disclaim all knowledge whatever of the writer of the letter alluded to by an Impartial Observer, and in reply to the assertion" that, from my own report, they were led to suppose I possessed talents of the first order, consequently, previous to my arrival, several plays were cast in which my name was inserted for principal characters," I must observe that the characters alluded to I afterwards performed with Mr. Bannister, but am at a loss to know at what the writer aims when he says by my own report. I was engaged by the proprietor from Guernsey, and the first overtures were made by him to me. Being then a total stranger at Plymouth, and so far off, I I of course could have no opportunity (had I been inclined) to report my own merits. Secondly, the favourable reception I was so fortunate to meet with in Sparkish and Robin, induced the manager to have the following lines printed in the next night's play bills. "Perhaps no audience was ever more fascinated and delighted than by the charming performances of Miss Dixon on Wednesday and Friday last; and as her engagement here will be of a short duration, it is respectfully hoped and presumed, that an early and liberal patronage will be given to her future nights. The company has also been reinforced by Mr. Lovegrove and Mrs. Forbes, who were received with the utmost possible approbation on Friday last, and such arrangments are now made, as will render the remainder of the season particularly worthy the attention and support of all dramatić ́amateurs." A bill with the above is in my possession. This, together with the multiplicity of business (and that of the first description) I was afterwards employed in, by the direction of the proprietor, is, I think, a flat contradiction to that part of the impartial observations where I am accused of not only dissatisfying the proprietor, but the inhabitants, with my performances. As a further illustration of what I have already asserted, I beg leave to subjoin a list of the characters allotted me by the manager."

[Here Mr. Lovegrove transcribed a list, by which it appears that he performed principal characters, (often both in play and farce,) on 37 different nights. This list, however, for the sake of brevity, we have omitted.]

"There is a petitesse in the mention of the benefits that I think despicable, and the writer, whoever he may be, as he is so well acquainted with the con cerns of the theatre, is, doubtless, acquainted with the cause of the failure of mine; if not, I will hereafter assign that cause, together with a simple statement of FACTS,' in my turn, in which the enumeration of some circumstances,

1 VOL. XV.

when made known, may make the Impartial Observer regret ever having ene deavoured to injure the character of an innocent young man.

"Let me now request that the gentleman who did me the honour to speak well of me, who it seems has given offence for so doing, and by that means has made me the innocent victim of spleen and ill-nature, will come forward, and exonerate me from these aspersions, by sending his name and abode. "WILLIAM LOVEGROVE."

"Theatre Royal Bath.

Theatre PLYMOUTH.-"Mr. EDITOR-A letter having appeared in your Mirror of last month from Plymouth, of a most calumnious tendency, I feel bound to say a few words in defence of myself. For your goodness in giving me that permission pray accept my warmest thanks. I give you my word and honour I was not, nor do I know, or even suspect, the writer of the letter wherein I am favourably spoken of. I must here contradict the impartial writer, in that part of the letter in which he says the inhabitants were dissatisfied with me, and a more complete contradiction cannot, I think, be given, than by affirming that (with repeated plays) I performed upwards of forty characters, and those all principal, in three months, bills of which I still have by me. I have the satisfaction and happiness to know I left Plymouth regretted as an actress, and esteemed

as a woman.

"ELIZA FORBES."

The Editor, agreeably to his promise, has inserted these letters, with the omission of one or two passages which did not appear. absolutely necessary. When the letter under the signature of a LOUNGER was received, it was laid by as unfit for insertion, in consequence of the disguise apparent in the hand-writing. It was afterwards delivered to the Printer by a mistake, which was not discovered till too late to be rectified. Our reason for inserting the letter of an IMPARTIAL OBSERVER appeared in the publication of last month; and, to manifest our own impartiality, we have now given a place to the two letters written by Mr. Lovegrove and Mrs. Forbes, in their own vindication. Here, we trust, the matter will rest. We should observe that another Letter of some length, from Plymouth, in refutation of the facts stated by a LOUNGER, was received in December, which we declined publishing for the cause assigned in the Correspondence Page of last Month.

PRIVATE THEATRICALS.

A

THE private theatricals of Dalby-house, near Leicester, that have, for several successive summers, been objects of the greatest attraction and admiration to the lovers of the drama, have been revived during the Christmas holidays, with all their former elegance and splendour. The play of The Stranger, with the faree

of Three Weeks after Marriage, were the pieces represented. The principal male characters were taken by the usual amateurs, E. W. Hartopp, Esq. Mr. E. Hartopp, the two eldest sons of Colonel Noel, Francis Munday, Esq. and Mr. Bilsborrow, and were well supported. The female characters were filled by the three Miss Hamiltons, whose theatrical merits are too well known to need any other comment than merely to say they performed with their usual spirit and excellence. The hospitality and polite attention of the lady of the mansion, the Hon. Mrs. Hartopp, shone as conspicuous on this as on former occasions. The band, formerly of the Melton Mowbray córps of volunteer infantry, filled the orchestra. A cold collation and ball followed, from which the visitors did not depart till the morning was far advanced.

CREWE HALL-Long the acknowledged seat of English hospitality-has this Christmas been the seat of unrivalled festivity. On Wednesday, the 4th instant, there were a splendid ball and supper, to the latter of which near an hundred persons sat down. On Thursday a dinner was given to a seiect party, and in the evening all the visitors of that and the preceding day were gratified with theatrical anusements, the picture gallery having been prepared for the occasion, and fitted up in a very commodious style. The performance commenced with a prologue from Midsummer Night's Dream, but altered and made applicable to the occasion. Midas then followed, and went off with the happiest effect, and the reiterated bursts of applause amply spoke the merits of the several performers: Midas was played with the most successful humour. Mysis was animated and judicious, while Nysa would have insured commendation from the proudest assemblage of London critics. The scene of the celestials was well managed, and Hebe, Venus, and Juno, appeared to influence the hearts of all their mortal gazers. Milas was followed by a new piece, written for the occasion, entitled One bird in the Hand worth tavo in the Bush. It was meant merely as a vehicle for music; the idea, however, is ingenious, and replete with comic effect.

DOMESTIC EVENTS.

We are happy to state, that the claims of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales are adjusted to the satisfaction of all parties. It is intended, we understand, to propose to Parliament, that Government should take upon itself the payment of the unliquidated balance of his Royal Highness's debts, for which the deduction from his income of £65,000 per annum, stands pledged, and which balance now amounts to about £.240,000 and that his Royal Highness shall have the enjoyment of his own income, for the purpose of resuming and supporting the splendour suitable to his rank.

MURDER OF MATHEWS, THE HERMIT-The eccentricities of the above unfortunate old man have for a number of years been the subject of much curiosity to those who have visited Norwood and its vicinage. Upwards of 28

years ago he obtained leave of the governors of Dulwich Common to form himself a dwelling on their ground, in the neighbourhood of Sydenham Common and Dulwich Wood. This dwelling, which was the child of his own fancy, was far secluded from any other, and consisted of an excavation in the earth, thatched in with fern, underwood, &c. In this cave or hermitage he lived for a series of years, his daily employment being to work in the gardens of the neighbouring gentry, by whom, from his simplicity of manners, he was much liked. He always returned to his cave to sleep, and on Sundays used to sell beer to such as curiosity might lead to visit his cell, of whom, in the summer, there were many. About five or six years ago, however, some villains, instigated by the same motive that probably occasioned his death (an idea that he was possessed of money), broke into his cave, beat him in a most dreadful manner, and, agreeably to his own account, robbed him of 12s. For upwards of a year and a half after this he deserted his abode, and usually slept in the stables or hay-lofts of those for whom he had been at work. Drawn, howeve, by some strange impulse, to his former mode of life, he returned to his cave, the construction of which he altered, by digging it with a mouth resembling an oven, into which he had just room to crawl, and when laid down he contrived to press his feet against a board, which, placed at the entrance, served for a door. All these precautions did not, however, save him from the further attacks of his enemies, for, on Tuesday morning, 28th Dec. he was found, near the entrance of his cave, dead, with his jaw-bone broken in two places, and a severe wound in his cheek. The body was discovered by some boys, who, at Christmas time, had always made a practice of paying the old man a visit; he was covered with fern, &c. and under his arm was an oaken branch, about s x or seven feet long, which it is supposed the villains put into the cave in order to hook him out, as the hook part was found broken off, which exactly matched with the stick, and from the nature of the wound in his face, it appears likely the hook had been hitched into his mouth, there being a hole of the size of it quite through the cheek; and in dragging him to the mouth of the cave they must have turned the body, as his head, when discovered, was outermost. His jaw was broken, and, as is the opinion of a professional gentleman on the spot, the extravasated blood getting into his throat, caused suffocation. The deceased had been at the French Horn, at Dulwich, on the Monday evening, and had changed half-a-guinea there, great part of which change he is known to have had about him when he went home, none of which was to be found, as his pockets were turned out. A secret pocket, of which none of his acquaintance had any knowledge, did not escape the prying eyes of his murderers, as it was also turned out. Mathews the deceased, was near 70 years of age, and was supposed to have been induced to adopt his singular mode of living from the affectionate remembrance he entertained of a departed wife, by whom he had one daughter, doing, as we understand, tolerably well in London. He was generally liked in the neighbouring villages, and remarked for the simplicity of his manners, and the punctuality of his dealings; from which circumstance some of the gipsies, perhaps, who infest the vicinity of Norwood, might be led to conceive him worth money. Three men of the above description have been committed by Messrs. Bullock and Bowles, on suspicion of knowing something of tle matter, as they were a part of