This little piece is a tranflation from the French, and is intended to ridicule the abfurd and foolish practice endeavoured to be impofed upon the public of Animal Magnetifm. The turn this imposture has taken in England, as one of the Evening Papers has obferved, might furnish charming materials to a dramatick imagination. The pretend ed fomnabulifm of the magnetick art is affociated with that vifionary methodism which has diftinguished the reveries of Swedenborg and Jacob Behmen, in which battered debauches, diseased hypochondriacks, guilty Nabobs, and dreaming old women, are tickling and rubbing each other into fpiriritual vifions and intercourfe in the invisible world.

Mrs. Inchbald's farce received every advantage that acting could afford it, and was honoured with univerfal applause.

The performance was preceded by a Prologue, written by Mr. Woodfall, jun.

May 2. Mrs. Jordan performed the part of Sir Harry Wildair for her own benefit; and had the confined her performance to one evening, it would have been without our difapprobation. Since the time of Mrs. Woffington feveral females have been eager to expose themselves in male characters. This, in particular, we remember to have feen Mrs. Crawford reprefent. On fuch deviations from propriety, we think it fufficient to obferve, that they are offenfive and difgufting; and where talents, as in the prefent cafe, are united, deferve every cenfure that can be bestowed upon them.

5. Mrs. Siddons had her fecond benefit, and performed Cleopatra in Dryden's All for Love, or, The World well Loft. This

part is not the most favourable to Mrs. Sid dons's style of acting. She performed it, however, with a confiderable degree of excellence, and received the applause she merited.

14. The Stone Eater, an interlude by Mr. Stuart, was acted at Drury-lane, for the benetit of Mr. Staunton and Mr. Lamafh. The fable was flight, but connected, laughable and farcical, fhort and pleasant, and appeared to afford general fatisfaction to the audience.

16. Mifs Rofs, who, at a very early age, has exhibited at least a dawn of genius in the Opera lately published by her, appeared at Cover-Garden in the character of Sylvia in Cymon, for her mother's benefit. As we fhall probably fee this young lady again, when the will be unembarraffed by the ap

prehenfions of a first appearance, we fhall defer any account of her performance until that time, obferving only, that the shewed talents which promife to ripen into excel

tence.

22. A Comic Opera, in two Acts, called Marian, written by Mrs. Brookes, author of Refina, was performed for the first time at Covent-Garden.

Marian is involved in tribulation by the ufual tendency of daughters to dispose of their hearts without a father's concurrence. Her lover, however, proves objectionable, not by birth, but by injuftice, which had deprived him of his patrimony; the ufurper of which relenting at the point of death, he is restored to his fortune; and of course to the favour of the father of Marian.

The story and dialogue are fo little raised above common occurrences and converfation, and the ufe made of a pedlar in the infor mation which develops the plot, is a trick fo palpable, that the audience would probably not have endured them, but for the mufick of Mr. Shield.

Hush! Satire-hush-Attraction, lend thine

eye,

And, Flattery, footh our fhort-liv'd vanity;
Infpire fair Julia with pathetic grace,
Brighten each eye-and glow in every face;
Grant ber the power with energetic strain,
To melt the heart, and dignify each scene;
Her wond'rous charms let future ages tell,
And record point where lovely JULIA fell:
Then rife again, fair maiden, try thy power,
In thy own native beauty charm us more;
Put off the Tragic drefs, and play thy part
In happier fcenes, congenial with thy heart,
And if the Fates decree thee foon a bride,
Thy hufband may affume a conscious pride;
The heartfelt pleasure thine-new joys to

trace,

In fcenes domeftic-void of borrow'd grace. Yet I muft own-we matrons think it hard, To be of all our vanities-debarr'd.

Thus I, long chain'd to—matrimonial duty, Wou'd wish, for once, to shine-a wit and beauty;

Then, Satire, ceafe-nor check our modest pride,

This audience pleas'd-thy cenfure we deride.

EPILOGUE,
Spoken by Mifs WATTELL.

BEHOLD the victim of her lover's fury, By Special grace permitted—I affure yeAppears again to plead before this Jury! O'erwhelm'd with grief, for loss of my first lover,

'Twas fure but decent to reject bis brother. I hope you don't fufpect I like another. Yet fome perhaps may think this dress too fine,

or one fo lately doom'd to fob and pine, But that's my father's fault (you know) not

mine;

He bade me banifh grief, and mind my toilet, Beauty he faid was frail, and tears might fpoil it.

'Twou'd be too hard, child-ere your Teens expir'd,

To quit the dear delight-to be admir'd, Thus I'm prepar'd-to dance, coquette, or play,

As whim directs, or fashion leads the way. Hard was our fex's fate, in former times! Their flightest foibles, then, were conftru'd crimes;

Confin'd at home-to fpin, and fay their prayers,

No beaus to flirt with, or to fhew their airs;
Ia dull domeftic duty-ali their merit;
No girl then e'er clop'd-to thew her spirit.
Hail, halcyon days! when belles affert their
right,

In fports, or gambling, fcorn to be outdone, But with like ardour-to their ruin run. Not fuch our plan-our aim has been this night

To mingle moral precept-with delight; 'Gainft paffion's mad excefs to guard the heart,

And leave to either fex-their proper part. 'Tis yours-the bufinefs of the world to guide, And o'er the fterner fcenes of life prefide: 'Tis ours-in gentler scenes to act our part, To foothe your cares with fympathetic art, And with love's milder fway-to rule the

heart.

PROLOGUE.
Written by Mr. GILLUM.

For the FARCE of The GUARDIAN. Spoken by Mr. FECTOR, at his Theatre in Dover, April 24, 1788.

IN BUSKIN now no more I tread the Stage; Daggers are dreadful in this laughing Age. Safe in the Scabbard fleeps the poignant steel, No treacherous rival fhall its sharpness feel; My stock of Poifon too 's exhausted quite, Were I difpofed-I cannot die to-night; And deeds of Suicide, we should remember, Suit beft the gloomy feafon of November! Till then, at least, I fhall my death postpone, And leave ali barbarous bloody acts alone; Nor will I promise then to keep my word, If with your gracious Plaudits now I'm heard; For Beauty's fimiles fhall diffipate each fear, Whilft at this great Tribunal I appear.

Before thefe Judges can I shrink from Trial, Where Candour's pleas have never met Denial?

Each error and defect you'll kindly fcan, And fcorn to follow Perfecution's plan; Though here fo harsh a system can't be found

In other places has it ne'er gain'd ground?
Affum'd HUMANITY's attractive Veil?
Whilft Britons fhudder at fome fancied
Tale,

Meant only as a Tub to catch the Whale!
The brawls of Bramins now invade the ear,
A pair of balf-farvd BEGUMS next appear!
CHEYT SING-a Prince-believe me, 'tis
no joke,

For two whole days was not allowed to Smoke!
Afoph ul-Omrab -and ul-Dowlab fee,
And in their Pockets (carce one poor Rupee !
Here Nabobs, Rajabs are defpoil'd of all-
Hore Indian Ladies left without a Shaw!!
Such Peculation, Robbery, and Plunder,
The hairs of Gamefters ftand aghaft with won-
der!

too much."

If

If woe fetitious muft our minds engage, For MISERY IDEAL-feek the Stage!

Let SHAKESPERE'S Images our hearts affail:
The moft obdurate melts at Lear's Tale.
Who looks unterrify'd on Banque's Ghost,
Or Tyrant Richard ere the Battle's loft?
Hears with a heart unmov'd, Othello rave?
Or Moon- ftruck Hamlet on Ophelia's grave. ?
Who lifts to SOUTHERNE with a callous ear,
Nor yields to OTWAY's tender fcene the tear?
Their claims th' unfeeling dare not difallow;
To fuch pretenfions Envy's felf muft bow.
O could the humble efforts of to-night
From this enchanting circle praise excite,
Our end's obtain'd-nor will we once repine
That others fhare the favours of the Nine;
Their proudest trophies unconcern'd we'll
view,

If our endeavours are approv'd by You.

EPILOGUE

TO THE DEUCE IS IN HIM. Written by Mr. GILLUM. Spoken by WILLIAM FECTOR, Efq. At his Theatre in Dover, 24th April, 1788. FLIRTING her fan-exclaims yon fprightly Mifs,

"All other acting is a BORE to this. "Dear Mr. Fector is fo fweet a Player, "The DEUCE 15 IN HIM I could almost (wear;

"So vaftly droll---fo perfect in his part; "How well he tampers with a Lady's heart." "Hufh---(cries mamma) 'tis shocking 'pon my word;

"Such language, Charlotte, fhould not here be heard.

"I wish to Heav'n this Play-house was burnt down,

"Twill turn the head of every girl in town-"With us, I prophefy, 'twill foon be over, "Bedlam is certainly removed to Dover ! "Had we a man of fpirit for the Mayor, "Who for our morals had a proper care, "He'd put a stop to fuch outrageous doing, "And quell at once the mighty mischief brewing.

PO

ODE

"But what's the power of Aldermen and Mayors,

"When DUKES build Theatres--and LORDS turn Players !"

With due fubmiffion to thefe doubts and
fears,

Permit a word or two on acting Peers.
The stage can never wound a parent's heart,
'Tis Dice and Faro peint the cruel dart.
Eftates by different PLAY are loft and won.
By private Theatres, no heir's undone;
Ye giddy fair, who blindfold Chance pursue,
Refigning even Love itself to Loo,
At fortune's frowns your fluttering bofoms
bleed,

Sometimes moft wretched-when ye moft fucceed.

Instead of Whift, let wit and virtue reign, And mighty PAM no more shall give you pain. Then every figh for tricks and trumps fhall ceafe,

And want of FORTUNE caufe no want of peace;

Then beauty's breast shall no emotions feel,
Nor dread the various turnings of the WHEEL.
Some other plan to please-who'll now jug.
geft?

One has been hinted--but I think in jeft;
To rival him---whose fame all London owns,
Firft in the noble art of Eating Stones.
That this is faring HARDLY, you'll agree,
And fuch a diet---would be death to me.
But yet, were we fome credulous fools to
There's fcarce one thing we should refufe to
follow,

Swallow.

When lawyers reprobate dishonest dealing, And money-lending fharks pretend to feeling; When statesmen power and patronage dif

claim,

Leaving the readier road to wealth for fame; Such tales---I fancy every one will own, Are to digeft---as HARD as any STONE. Eafier than thefe, I'm bold enough to fwear, You could with patience мY performance bear.

Written after vifiting PRESTONPANS.
HEN flain the blooming hero lies
W
Extended on the mournful bier,
Can nature check the fwelling fighs?
Streams not the fond maternal tear?
Away the ftoick's boasted pride,
Which quells the paflions' plenteous tide;

While apathy with dull Saturnian reign,
Damps the sweet fource of pleasure and of pain.
How vain with philofophic rules
To quell the torrent of defire!
Can the rude jargon of the schools
The bright heroic a& infpire?
O fool! whofe unharmonious frame,
Dumb to the voice of praise or blame,

Ne'er

Her lions flumber, heedless of her shame ?
"That nation bleeds whofe piety decays:"
So fung the Lyrist in Augustan days!

Time was whilft Reafon kept within its shore,

Nor madly brav'd the circumscribing line,
Ere falfe Philofophy, with wretched lore,
The Deity would found and Heaven confine;
Whilft men more meek walk'd humbly with
their God,

And cheer'd by Faith, with refignation trod :
Time was, a nation blasted to its root,
Defpoil'd of provinces, and robb'd of fame,
Bereft of wealth, its honour prostitute,
The feeble echo of a founding name,
Had pour'd inceffantly the bitter prayer,
And penitential tears mov'd Heaven to fpare:
But we, a wifer race, import fresh crimes;
Each nation teems an enervating brood,
Eunuchs and Pandars, drain'd from foreign
climes,

Who fcarcely leave us leifure to be good :
For reeking incenfe far and wide we roam,
And pamper Veftris, while we starve De
Lolme.

Hark! fertile mother of impure defires,
Th' Italian Sorcerefs, with her midnight hoft;
Hence facrilegious joys and impious fires,
Difcarded fhame, and reputation loft:
Crimes, tho' exotic, flourish without toil,
When got transplanted to a genial foil!
What wonder, then, in Pleasure's treacherous
tide,

When ftormy paffions fwell the profperous gale,

Whilft warbling Syrens lull the thoughtless guide,

And giddy youth spreads wide the purple fail,

The little skiff of Female Honour shrinks,
Splits on Ambition, or in folly sinks !
Train'd to each meretricious ftealth of bliss,
The tempting leer and animating cheek,
With lips of coral pouting for the kifs,
And fwimming eyes which, more than lips,
will fpeak;

The well-bred matron, lock'd in th' adulterer's

arms,

Gluts with clandeftine joys and furtive charms. *Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth.

At length comes out the thundering Ball of State,

Enjoining abftinence from bed and board;
With mutual tears-of joy they feparate,
The faithless Countess from her worthless
Lord :

Thus thro' the course of infamy they run,
Till the law finishes what luft begun.
Not fuch the loins, impoverish'd and decay'd,
Whence fprung the Chiefs who grac'd Poïc-
tiers' day;

Not fuch the race when good Eliza fway'd,
Burleigh* to guide, and Howard + to obey :
Each age adds fomething to the stock of fin,
And where we pause our children shall begin.
Sept. 1787.

SONG.

On MELISSA SLEEPING,
BY THE SAME.

SLEEP
on in peace, my lovely Fair,
Nor let thy gentle breaft

E'er doubt thy anxious Cynthia's care

To guard thy hallow'd rest.

Be yours the charge, ye Genii mild!
To ope the breathing flowers,
And with aerial mufic wild

To fill these myrtle bowers.

Whilft bufy Sylphs their magic skill

Shall prove upon her eyes,
And on her purple cheek shall steal

The luftre of the fkies.

So may no fprite, in evil hour,

Meliffa's peace annoy ;
But every flying moment pour
A golden tide of joy :

'Till lightly from the startled maid

The painted vifion move, And with new charms she shine, array'd In innocence and love.

OCCASIONAL STANZAS Read after the Dinner at Mr. CADELL'S, May 8, 1788; being the Day of the Publication of the THREF LAST VOLUMES of Mr. GIBBON's HISTORY, and his BIRTH DAY,

'By WILLIAM HAYLEY, Esq. GENII of England and of Rome!

In mutual triumph here affume
The honours, each may claim !
This focial fcene with fmiles furvey!
And confecrate the feftive day
To Friendship and to Fame!

Enough