it so pronounced, though he, that night in particular, laboured under a very severe cold. I wonder whether it is the ludicrous Mr. Huddart" that our Argus has seen perform the above part so much better than the Young Roscius? I have witnessed that gentleman's performance of the part with much pleasure.

Our observer next rolls his eyes to the Young Roscius's performance of Tancred, in Mr. Thomson's play of Tancred and Sigismunda (which was performed, throughout, with great judgment) and deigns to mention one word "above mediocrity,"-" married!!!" It is a simple word, yet, heaven forbid ! for the sake of her that must share with him that blessed state, that it should ever be applied to this learned critic!

He then informs us, that, in the performance of Hamlet, by the Young Roscius," he witnessed imitations of Mr. Young."* Here our noble Greek certainly speaks his mother tongue! Where, in the name of wonder, did this infant ever see Mr. Young perform Hamlet!

66

Again! Master Betty's judgment in "taking his hat off," instead of knocking it off," is to be exclaimed against.

I am afraid, Sir, I trespass on your time by so long a letter, and shall only add, I am glad our judicious "observer" had the modesty to say so little (through motives of delicacy) on our young hero's performance of Achmet on his benefit night. Had he here finished his "woeful tale" it had been well, but he must state what "pecuniary renumerations" this youth had received in addition to "honorary applause," but certainly this is but an error of the press; our learned Argus could not make use of such an expression! no, it were "impossible-it cannot be believed!" But to give you some idea of the merits and demerits of this "theatrical observer," I have herewith sent you his "No. I." Yours,

Manchester, 26th Nov. 1804.

A CONSTANT READER,

DOMESTIC EVENTS.

THE NOTED BLACKMAN.-The great losses sustained by the underwriters, from the numerous prizes made by the Contre Amiral Magon French privateer, commanded by Blackman, render her capture an object of considerable importance. This vessel, for twelve months past, has been a constant terror to the coasting trade. Blackman is generally supposed to be an Irishman, and his crew a mixture of Englishmen, Irishmen, and Americans: he was formerly known in the smuggling trade, in which he gained a perfect knowledge of the English vessels and the coast, which gave him a great advantage over the rest of the enemy's cruizers; for when he perceived an English ship, he knew, at first sight, whether to fly or pursue her. In order the better to delude the traders, he had his vessel painted after the manner and style of our large fishing vessels; and the few hands he chose to expose upon deck, were equipped as fishermen ; on coming alongside any vessel which he designed making a prize of, he boldly jumped on board, and enquired if they wanted any fish (having generally some with him as a blind) when he had an opportunity of observing their force, which, if inferior to his, he had only to call his men from below to take possession of the prize, frequently without either noise or bustle, or firing a gun.

* A performer of great respectability in Liverpool.

The following particulars respecting the celebrated Blackman, are communicated by a gentleman who resided not two years ago at Dunkirk : " He formerly performed with great eclat at the theatre at Dunkirk; but at the breaking out of the Revolution, the theatre being but little frequented, and the war with us following soon after, he, knowing something of nautical affairs, engaged, with some others, to try his fortune by privateering, but adopted a different method from Paul Jones, who was an Englishman and a fighting man: for every vessel which Blackman took was by trick and finesse, by which method, however, he was so successful, that when I was at Dunkirk he sported two carriages, and lived in an elegant house, at the corner of the principal street, leading from the town into the Basse Ville, and was respected as one of the principal merchants there. I had frequent opportunities of seeing him. He stands about five feet nine or ten inches high, is of slender make, dark complexion, and ordinary visage, and appears about forty-five years of age. In his manners he is genteel, is of liberal education, and of good abilities; but, at the same time, is extremely artful. He constantly boasted, that, with a fishing smack not worth £.600, he would, at any time, take an English merchantman worth as many thousands; and that, therefore, he little regarded being taken, which he was three times last war, and remaining in an English prison two or three months, particularly as he could depend upon his partners at home, that they would make the most of the prizes which he sent in ; the number of which, during the last war, amounted to thirtyfour, of different descriptions."

CORONATION OF BUONAPARTE.-The Paris papers received to the 7th instant, communicate the details of this pompous ceremony. Into all the particulars of this ostentatious festival, calculated to impose upon the frivolous minds of the French people, our readers will not, we trust, expect us to enter. The following summary will suffice:-Buonaparte seems to have taken the greatest pains to render the religious part of the ceremony the most splendid and imposing. The presence of the aged head of the church, dressed in his papal robes, of the cardinals, the archbishops, and bishops, threw over it a mask of piety, to deceive the eye of the public, and make the people, he thinks, forget the crimes and blood through which he has waded to the throne. Ambitious of the name of the second Charlemagne, he had the coronation ornaments of that great prince borne before him; and, entering the cathedral of Notre Dame, with the crown previously placed upon his head by himself, and holding in that hand which signed the order for the assassination of the Duke d'Einghein, the sword of justice: he viewed in a long line before him, Marshal Serrurier, carrying the ring of the Empress upon a cushion; Marshal Moncey, with a basket to receive the Empress' crown; the Empress, with the Imperial mantle, supported by the princesses; Marshal Kellerman, carrying the crown of Charlemagne ; Marshal Perignon, the sceptre of Charlemagne ; Marshal Lefebvre, the sword of Charlemagne ; Marshal Bernadotte, the collar of the Emperor; the Colonel-General Beauharnois, her Majesty's ring; Marshal Berthier, the Imperial globes; the Grand Chamberlain, carrying the basket to receive the Empress's mantle. Their Imperial Majesties then received each a triple unction-were inaugurated and crowned, Mass and Te Deum were celebrated, and the Pope, after kissing the Emperor, announced, in a loud voice, Vivat Imperator in æternam—and the audience re♣ peated, Vivent l'Empereur et l'Imperatrice.

The oration of Francois de Neufchatcau, president of the Conservative Senate, declares, that monarchy is the only government adapted to the peace of states. The orator asserts also, the present constitution of France is the only one for these four thousand years, that has reconciled liberty with monarchy. The compact between the prince and the people is much dwelt upon, but never, surely, were terms more grossly or wantonly perverted. Buonaparte reigns by no compact with the people. The power he has usurped, he preserves by a system of tyranny, oppression, and murder; but he has the audacity to declare, in the face of the world, that he possesses it by the will of the people, and the shameless hardihood to promise, that his descendants shall long preserve his throne.

The house of Buonaparte is as yet far from having reigned so long as that of Cromwell, and usurpers cannot expect either allies or subjects to prolong their sway, further than necessity compels.

His Majesty replied in the following terms to Neufchateau:-

"I ascend the throne, to which the unanimous wishes of the senate, the people, and the army, have called me, with a heart penetrated with the great destinies of that people, whom, from the midst of camps, I first saluted with the name of great. From my youth my thoughts have been solely fixed upon them; and I must add here, that my pleasures and my pains are derived entirely from the happiness or misery of my people. My descendants shall long preserve this throne. In the camps they will be the first soldiers in the army, sacrificing their lives for the defence of their country. As magistrates, they will never forget, that contempt of the laws, and the confusion of social order, are only the result of the imbecility and uncertainty of princes. You, senators, whose counsel and support have never failed me in the most difficult circumstances, your spirit will be handed down to your successors. Be ever the props and first counsellors of that throne, so necessary to the welfare of this vast empire."

BIRTHS.

In Bolton Row, the Lady of Lord Chetwynd, of a son. At Culford Hall, Suffolk, the Lady of Lord Brome, of a daughter. The Lady of Lord Bruce, of a son and heir.

MARRIED.

At Viscountess Duncan's, Major Fergusson, of the Ayrshire Militia, to the Hon. Miss Duncan. In the Island of Jersey, J. Le Gros, Esq. to Mrs. Lempriere.

DIED.

At his seat in Derbyshire, Sir H. Hunloke, Bart. In Lower Seymour-street, the Dowager Countess of Shaftesbury. At Bristol, Dr. P. Renaudet, aged 81. At Kedleston, Derbyshire, in his 78th year, Lord Scarsdale. In Upper Sloane Street, the Right Hon. Lady C. Leigh. At Kneesworth, Sir E. Nightingale, Bt. At Mount Clere, Roehampton, Sir J. Dick, Bt. Mr. Alderman Boydell, aged 86.