And dig, from out the mine of tragic ore, pains, And are determined to be hung in chains ?" Goes your complaint to this?-that we difplay A tale unfuited to the modern day? And warm heroic virtue ftill is ours! No ftation, titles, here exemption claim; Throne, Whom ev'ry British heart delights to own, E'en the beholds her brave undaunted fon In early youth the path of danger run! a While you, reclin'd beneath a fofter (way, Balk and enjoy a bright unclouded day. Deprefs'd by civic ftorms, deform'd with woes, Stung by the pangs of agonizing throes, A Nation falls.-'Tis yours to ftill the form, To raife with gen'rous arm her bleeding form, To footh her fame, administer relief, To clofe the gushing artery of grief, To caft a veil o'er each difgraceful feam, And once more lift her to her own efteem. This Godlike act, which is referv'd for you, With glowing zeal and confidence purfue: This set from future times shall homage claim, Extend your worth, and confecrate your fame. Dec 16. My Grandmother, a Mufica! Farce of two acts, by Mr. Prince Hoare, was performed the first time at the Haymarket, for the benefit of Mrs. Storace. The char:Aters as follow: Sir Matthew Medley, Mr. Waldron ; Mr. Bannifter, jun. Mr. Sedgwick; Mr. Suett; Mr. Wewitzer; Tom, Mr. Bland; Mr. Lyons. VOL. XXV. Florella, a romantic young Lady, having been to a private Masquerade contrary to the will of Sir Matthew Medley her uncle, meets there with Mr. Vapour, a young gentleman whofe father was formerly a par ticular friend of Sir Matthew, and, being much ftruck with him, contrives to drop her miniature, which, from her refemblance to a picture in Sir Matthew's collec tion, had, at his defire, been drawn in the fame drefs. This fcheme fucceeds; and Vapour, who is reprefented as a nervous, fanciful man, falls in love with the miniature, and, going fhortly after to Sir Matthew's, is thewn, among others, the very picture from which the drefs of the miniature was taken, and which proves to be an ancient portrait of Sir Matthew's Grandmother. Florella, highly pleafed with her fuccefs, by the affiftance of Goffip, a whimsical Carpenter, and Jack of all Trades, places herself in the fituation and drefs of the picture, where the is feen by Vapour, who doubts his own fenfes. Charlotte, the daughter of Sir Matthew, taking advantage of these circumftances, introduces Florella foon after to her father, who declares Florella's real name to Vapour, and finally gives her hand to him. Charlotte is at the fame time united to Woodley, who has for two years paid his addreffes to her. The mufic was by Storace, and the piece was well received by the audience." 19. Harlequin and Faufius, or, The Devil will have his Own, a Pantomime, part old and part new, was acted the first time at Covent Garden. Dr. Fauftus has afforded entertainment to three if not four generations. It was first produced at Drury lane in 1723, by Mr. Thurmond, a dancingmaster, and was afterwards fucceeded at Lincoln's inn-fields, in the fame year, by Mr. Rich's more fplendid performance, which received improvements at different revivals of it. At the latter end of 1766 Mr. Woodward made fome alterations, and it was revived with great fuccefs. It is recalls to the remembrance of those who again brought forward with applaufe, and formerly faw it with delight, the recollection of the most enchanting period of life, The opening fcene of Tartarus exhibiting the pun fhments of Sifyphus, Tantalus, Ixion, &c. fo admirably executed by Richards, was first introduced in the speaking pantomime of The Mirror. The reprefentation of the Drury-1 n: fcat. folding, and the change to the view of the outfide of that Theatre, as it will appear H when when compleated, defigned and painted by Malton, does infinite credit to the architectural talents of that ingenious artist, who is to have the entire management of that particular department of fcenery at the Theatre he has thus given fo correct a view of. The Bull-the Irish Sedan Chairs-Study of Fauftus, and Temple of Glory, display at once the ingenuity as well as masterly pencil of Mr. Hodgings. The new mufic is in Shield's happieft manner, and the felections are pleafing and appropriate. 23. A Gentleman, who paffed by the name of Litchfield, appeared at the Hay market the first time in Richard III, and added to the number of unfuccefsful candidates for the Stage which every feafon exhibits. 26. Harlequin Peafunt; or, A Pantomime Rebearfed, was performed at the Hay. market the first time. It is a collection of fome old fcenes thrown together with confiderable art. The first fcene exhibits a winter view of the country, in which a peafant finds a frozen ferpent; he puts it first in his bofom, and afterwards places it by his fire, where it revives, and turns into the Genius of Gratitude, who gives to the peafant the fword of Harlequin. Thus equip ped, the ufual pursuits, tricks, and changes commence. There are some pleafing airs introduced. has tured, or had he tried his abilities in any inferior character, we should not have had occafion to record another failure. If the ftage is intended for his profeffion, let him, by unremitting attention, devote a few years to the ftudy and performance of parts within the reach of his powers, before he aims at the first rank in the Theatre. 14. Heigbo ! for a Mr. Justice Rackrent, Matilda Fairplay, · Husband, a Comedy acted the first time The Characters as Mr. Suett; Mr. Barrymore; Mr. Wewitzer; Mrs. Powell; Mrs. Gibbs; This piece, in the year 1783, was pro duced at Drury-Lane for one night, for the Author's benefit, under the title of "Imitation." The outline of the plan is taken from "The Beaux Stratagem," changing only the matrimonial adventurers into women. The incidents of this piece are entertaining, and the dialogue fprightly, in fome parts approaching to wit, though in others defcending too close towards groffness. K was extremely well acted, and was received with confiderable applaufe, as were also the following Prologue and Epilogue, which preceded and followed its representation. PROLOGUE, WRITTEN BY THE AUTHOR. HEIGHO for a Hufband! The title's no bad But the Piece it precedes, is it mer y or fad? defcant Tho' a faying fo trite no explaining can want. JAN. 6. King Lear was revived at Covent Garden, and the aged and impetuous monarch was perfonated by Mr. Pope, for the first time. The requifites of perfon, voice, and fenfibility which nature bountifully bestowed on this gentleman, with the application which he poffeffes, feem to point him out as a proper reprefentative of this arduous character. For a first appearance allow.nce must be made; but after all the drawbacks which a fcrutinizing examination may require, Mr. Pope's performance will ftill rank high, even in the estimation of thofe who recollect the efforts of Garrick, Barry, Powell, Rofs, or Henderfon; actors whom we do not mean, however, to infinuate deferve equal praife; indeed, the first two left all their competitors fo much behind in Or at home with Mama, reading Novels fo the race, that any new candidate, however promifing his performance, must with these two, at least, of his predeceffors to be no longer remembered. Mr. Pope's reprefentation of Lear both deferved and received applause. A young gentleman, whofe name is 13. faid to be Talbot, appeared for the first time at Covent Garden in Douglas. If this young gentleman had waited a few years, until his perfon, voice, and judgment had been ma her teens, Soon learns of her elders what foft Heigho! Finds means; charming, her tender Heighos! grow each day more alarming: E'en Mama, as Mis reads, can't fupprefs the fweet figh; And, were Spousy but dead, would again Heigho cry. mature, the young Lady, if nothing worth chances, When Proclaims Heigho! aloud, and to Gretas The The prudish coy Females who thirty attain, Cry, Heigho for a Husband at length, but in vain ! For the men fay, No, no! and, the down off the peach, Reject what before they stood tip-toe to reach. The widow of fixty, her feventh mate dead, Cries Heigho! for an eighth, with one tooth in her bead; A Colt's tooth, fome call it, but I am afraid The owner's more properly 'titled a Jade! All ranks it pervades too, as well as all ages, Heigho for a Husband! the Peerels engages ; With four pearls on her coronet in her own right, The Baronefs fighs for five pearls day and night; 0, were the a Countess, how happy her ftate ! She marries an Earl, and is wretchedly great! Should an eye to the pocket pollute our foft fcenes, The Author from Nature to paint only means: From Nature alone? No! he owns it with pride, That Nature and FARQUHAR him equally guide! If therefore you track him in fomething well known, Should be copy with tafte, and his prototype own, No Plagiarist deem him, but favour the loan. EPILOGUE. BY GEORGE COLMAN, JUN. ESQ THERE are fome Hufbands here, as I conjecture, Who, before now, have heard a curtainlecture Our curtain drawn, no lecture can be apter Than one upon the matrimonial chapter, I'll give you mine in brief-and let you know Why Spinfters for a husband cry Heigho! Why men run mad for wives 'till they have got 'em I'll fearch you all, depend on't, to the bottom. How fweetly glide the hours with Man and Wife! First, for a trading pair, in lower life-When frugal Mrs. MuNs, on foggy nights, One fat and cheerless tallow-candle lights, When Spouse and the experience, o'er its gloom, The ftifling transports of the (mall back room, While D:ex minds shop—all topicks as they handle, He (mokes-while Dearee darns, and snuffs the candle. "Lauk! vat a frofty night!" cries the, "I loves "A froft-ve fells fo many fur-fkin gloves. "For my part-" then the darns-" I thinks the tax "On gloves vas made to break poor peoples' backs "I thinks that ve vere tax'd before enough; "Vaunt ve?"-MUNS gives a nod then gives a puff. "Vell, Christmas vill be here, and then, you know, "Our Jacky comes from school, from Prospect Row, "Ve'll take him to The Children in the Vood, "Vere BANNISTER they fay's so monftrous good, "Shan't ve, my lovee that ve vill, adod!” MUNs gives another puff-but gives no nod. "Lauk, you're so glum-you never speaks, [won't.' you don't "Vy vont you talk a bit "" Becaufe I "You von't "-" I won't."Vy then - the devil fitch "Such brutes as you!"-"A brute!-a brute, you-umh " Quit we the vulgar spouse, whose vulgar mind Bids him be grofs, because he can't be kind, And feek the Tonith pair, confign'd by Fate To live in all the elegance of hate; Whofe lips a coarfe expreffion ne'er defiles, Who act with coolness, and torment in fmiles, Who prove (no rule of etiquette exceeding) Moft perfect loathing, with most perfect breeding. When chance, for once, forbids my Lord to roam, And ties him, tete-artete, to dine at home, The cloth remov'd, then comes Ennui and Hyp, The wine, his tooth-pick-and her Ladyship! -" and then he yawns→→→→→ "Pray, Ma'am————` 66 may I require "When you came home?"—and then he ftirs the fire "I mean laft night!"-" Last night ?-as I'm alive, "I fcarce remember-O, to-day at five, "And you?"-" Faith I forget-Hours are beneath [teeth, "My notice, Madam;" then he picks his "And pray, my Lord, to-morrow, where d'ye dine?" [his wine. "Faith I can't tell;"-and then he takes Thus high and low your Lecturer exploresOne bigher step remains-and there he foars. O would you turn where HYMEN'S flame divine, In pureft ray and brightest colours shine, Look on the THRONE-For HYMEN there is proud, And waves his torch in triumph o'er the crowd; There MAJESTY in mildness fits above, And gives fresh luftre to CONNUBIAL LOVE! H-2 POETRY. POETRY. Magnetic links the diftant heay'n and earth With occult charm! as the remotest parts Of Nature, each to other gravitate In bonds of ftricteft love. The fervent pray'r Refiftless climbs heaven's awful height, and ftands Before th' Eternal Throne, with filent tears In holy rapture wing to heaven his foul, Is open'd in his face, and Godhead blazes That cloaths the Alpine ridge or Appennine. Smil'd glowing in their looks, and every limb, Such as impurples heaven, when rifing Morn How unappal'd this meek and patient Encounters all the rage of earth and hell! Run purple, and expand their ruddy mouths Dropping with cordial balm to heal a world! How the triumphant Victim yields his breath Cheat ful amidst the fharpeft pangs of torture! While trembling Nature own'd her dying Lord, And shook th' eternal centre: the pale fun, As confcious of the guilt, obfcur'd his head, And left the world in univerfal mourning. How, in the grave's encircling gloom he's laid Environ'd with cold night: th' infatiate grave, Unable to detain his heavenly guest, Reluctant opes his pond'rous jaws, and yields The facred pledge of peace to man reftor❜d. His fetters broke, fresh as the face of Morn That now had thrice renew'd her fmiling tour Thro' heaven, he fpurus the banded pow'rs of heil, *This poem, which is mentioned in Letter II, Vol. XXIII. p. 413, is not colleted into Mallet's works. ODE ODE FOR THE NEW YEAR, 1794. BY HENRY JAMES PYE, ESQ. POET LAUREAT. I. NURTUR'D in forms the infant Year And the loud tempest sings his birth. Brood the rich germs of vernal life. Frore January's iron reign, And the dank months fucceeding train, The renovated glebe prepare For genial May's ambrofial r, For fruits that glowing Summer yields, For laughing Autumn's golden fields; And the ftout Swain whofe frame defies The driving ftorm, the hoftile skies, While his keen plowshare turns the ftubborn foil, [toil, Knows plenty only fprings the juft reward of When Peace shall re-affume her reign→ Yet never o'er his timid head When Fame, when Jostice calls to Arms. In folds of amity the harpy Race, Or aid the Sword that coward Fury rears, Red with the Widow's Blood, wet with the Orphan's Tears? JIL But tho' her martial thunders fall Vindictive o'er Oppreffion's haughty crest, Awake to Pity's fuafive call, She fpreads her buckler o'er the suffering The plaintive figh, the heart-felt groạn, The ruthless arm of favage license awe, And guard the facred Reign of Freedom and of Law. SONG. BY MR. THOMAS ADNEY. THE comforts of life may be clearly defin'd, And each may come in for his share; All trouble is merely a freak of the mind:Alas! how we're apt to despair! In all fituations a man may be glad, He ne'er was created for woe; [had, Let him feek and he'll find there is blifs to be And plenty of comfort below. Too oft we are careless of what we enjoy, We fuffer each paflion our peace to annoy, Let us look at our neighbours, of ev'ry degree, More wretched and friendless than you! TESTON, NEAR MAIDSTONE, A POETICAL SKETCH. By Dr. PERFECT. WHAT fpot, O Tefton! can with thee com pare, For local beauty and falubrious air! Child of the Mufe! for thee might I ordain His pencil paffive to his plaftic hand, Below, meand'ring in a glen of flowers, The Medway fmooth glides filverly along, |