He is of courfe acquitted, and repaid with gratitude and admiration for the unfounded cenfures of which he had been the object. The parties are now all made happy. Headlong is united to Caroline Mefford, the identical fhe that had fmitten him at Venice. Tranfit turns out to be the fon of Sir Ralph Afpen, who had married in his youth a nymph ftolen from a convent in Flanders. His mate is Eliza Afpen, his own coufin, whom he had married before knowing the relationship that fubfifted between them; but they had been fome time separated, and he had believed her dead. He now finds her with her uncle. The malpractices of Quillet are detected, and he is handed over to the rigours of the law.

From thefe materials the Author (to whom the public ftand much indebted for fome former labours) has constructed a piece which, when tried by the principles of dramatic compofition, poffeffes few claims to public favour. It is the province of the Comic Mufe to deal out fatire upon vice, and ridicule upon abfurdity; but the borrows the mask of Melpomene, and wears it awkwardly, when the attempts to attain her object by uttering prolix leffons of virtuous admonition, and tediously dogmatizing on human fallibility.

Though we cannot fay that the Piece is abfolutely devoid of intereft, yet it is on the whole of a moft fombre defcription, poffeffing little novelty either of plot or character; and what ever feature of originality may attach to the equivocal part of Fairfax, it is fo much forced and diftorted as to be rendered but little pleafing, while it fets nature and probability at defiance. Headlong has little to recommend him to fuperior notice-he conftantly fpeaks of magnanimity, refolution, and elafticity of mind; yet as conftantly be trays a mean, grovelling, and defpondent fpirit. Tranfit, Melford, the honeft Steward, Quillet, and Caroline Melford, do not differ from thofe which we fee every day on the ftage; but Sir Ralph Alpen is too contemptible to escape cenfure; and his niece Eliza is guilty of fuch incongruities as to be incapable of exciting intereft. Had any other actress than Mrs. Jordan performed it, we think that it would have been hiffed off the stage.

The Play, in short, excepting a comic fcene or two, may be faid to confift of a number of detached elaborate differ

tations against detraction, and on the injuftice of deciding in cafes where the character of an individual is at ftake, from being informed of one fide of the question only.

The writing is, for the most part, correct, and the reafoning found; the action is regular, and the plot tolerably well managed, confidering the grave caft of the play; but the fcene is frequently too long, fometimes tedious, and not always either instructive or entertaining; and the language dif plays none of thofe ftriking flathes of wit, or burits of imagination and fancy, which at once illumine and enliven dramatic dialogue.

No Piece, perhaps, ever was better performed than this in all its parts; and it would feem invidious to diftinguith particular merit where all were entitled to praife. It was, however, received with coolnefs the first night, performed to very indifferent audiences for about feven or eight more, and then laid afide.

[Mr. Holcroft has fince published the Play, with a Preface, which, we are forry to obferve, is much more remarkable for fpleen and petulance than for any other quality his play was patiently heard, fo far as we have feen, it has been impartially criticised; and we believe Mr. H. is the only perfon who will be found to testify, that dur. ing the performance "burits of laughter have conftantly accompanied the comic parts, and deep attention and increafing applause the serious fcenes;" that "the attack was planned," and "that the charges brought against the play were falle, ludicrous, and infipid."]

FEB. 2. At Covent Garden Theatre, CAPTAIN CAULFIELD, of the Guards, made his debut in the character of Hamlet; and we have feldom feen a more fortunate first attempt. His performance was not, indeed, equally effective in all its parts, but the rays of genius illumined the whole. Captain Caulfield's perfon is well proportioned and genteel; his articulation diftinct; his countenance, though not remarkable for any fuperior powers of expreffion, is capable of depicting the various emotions which arife from Hamlet's fitua tion; and his difcrimination and feeling feemed generally correct and natural. We have, however, to remark that his deportment, attitudes, and gefticulation, were too evidently the

refult

refult of labour and art. He seems to have confulted his mirror for that action which, in order to be suited to the word, fhould fpring fpontaneously from the momentary impulfe of paffion, or the actual bufinefs of the fcene. He was always in pursuit of fome new attitude; and the refult was, that he produced nothing fteady and effective. By ftooping forward too much, and conftantly inclining his body, he loft much of his height, and injured the graceful effect that would have refulted from an erect carriage, and greater firmnefs of deportment. His addrefs to the Ghoft of Claudius was happily managed, and the foliloquy of

"Oh! what a wretch and peasant slave

am I !"

was delivered with true fpirit and juft indignation. In the two last acts, his voice rather failed him; and thence he could not give the ranting part of the fcene, where Hamlet leaps into Ophelia's grave, with the receflary force and effect; but, upon the whole, he evinced much judgment, and was warmly applauded.

16. Capt. Caulfield undertook the part of Ranger, in the The Sufpicious Husband; but this was a feeble and ineffective performance; and we shall not dwell upon it, because we think that he has talents which in another line of acting may be made ufeful to the stage. 19. A New Historical Play, written by Mr. Dimond, jun. of Bath, was performed for the first time at Drurylane Theatre, under the name of "THE HERO OF THE NORTH;" the Characters being thus represented: Guftavus Vafa Mr. POPE. Cafimir Ru

beniki

Carlowitz

Mr. WROUGHTON.

Mr. RAYMOND.

Sigifmund of Mr. KELBY..

Calmar

Gabriel

Marcoff

Iwan

}

Mr. DowTON.
Mr. BANNISTER, Jun.
Mr. SEDGWICK.

Princess Gu-Mrs. Young.

nilda

SCENE-Dalecarlia, a remote Province of Sweden.

TIME-The early part of the fix. teenth Century.

THE FABLE

Commences with that period of the Swedish History when the renowned Guftavus, overwhelmed by fuperior force, and defpairing of an effectual refiftance, retires to the mountains of Dalecarlia, and feeks, amidst the darknefs of the mine, a fhelter from the perfecutions of his foes. During the period of his concealment, his faithful fubjects, unable to endure the oppreffion of their Danish conquerors, a fecond time throw off the yoke, and contend for their liberties with the fword-fuccefs crowns their firft efforts; and only the prefence of their Hero becomes wanting to perfect their emancipation:

Frederica, beloved by Guftavus, and her father Rubenski, fet forth in fearch of his retreat. Their steps are clofely purfued by Carlowitz, a Chief of the oppofite faction; and it is not without many perils and narrow efcapes, that they reach the mine. Here, at length, they obtain the reward of their adventures, and perfuade Gustavus again to command the patriot army. His people in multitudes flock around the Royal Banner; and the power of the Danes is foon confined within a fingle fortrefs, which Carlowitz is appointed to defend, and where Gunilda, the Sifter of Guftavus, is imprifoned. The great ftrength of the cattle for a while Baffles every attack; but ftratagem effects what force cannot. Alexa, a lovely peafant girl, of whom Carlowitz is enamoured, forms an affignation with him at a postern gate, and while the Governor is loft in the delirium of paffion, contrives to admit her countrymen within the ramparts, the signal being the fixth hour struck by the castle clock, and her finging an air, when the Governor, in keeping the affignation with her, would naturally leave the caftle gate open. Confufion deprives the garrifon of the power of defence; and every where the patriots are triumphant. The Danes then, driven to defperation, drag forth Gunilda from her prifon, and threaten to facrifice her on the fpot, unless their affailants retire. Fraternal affection prevails upon Gustavus, and he instantly offers to withdraw

U

In him who fails, we Rathnefs recognise; Let him fucceed-'tis noble Enterprile! All London lately faw, with trembling ftare, [air, Drop from the clouds, and vibrate in the Rahnefs himself; who dar'd a madman's flight, [night! As if he fought the fhades of endless The boldest bofom felt unheard of fears; In terror, thousands thed hysteric tears! Downward he comes-he falls not yet! but, oh! [throw! The next dread fweep all hope must overTerrific interval! Safe when he came'Twas Enterprise, accompanied by Fame! Purfuing tafte, which changes like the

moon,

An author rifes in his air balloon: Awhile he fails the regions of the air; Dull earth contemning, builds his caftles there :

Onward he foars, with hope of fame elate, Then cuts the cord, and rafhly tempts

his fate.

And wherefore thus expofe himself to fall? Why brave what night the toute heart appai ?

Of modern plays are we not daily told How very vile they are? Unlike the old Strong fenfe, and fterling wit, of thofe blefs'd days, [bays! When bolder bards with glory won the The charge, alas! contains too much of truth! [youth! This the old age of wit, and that the The icourge of fatire now we dare not ufe:

We dread newspapers, magazines, reviews;

We dread the Chriftians; nay, we dread the Jews!

Aptly compar'd to Nature's keencit

throes

Are theirs who face fuch formidable foes. Oh that the flag of peace might be unfurl'd! [out the world! Peace here to-night fweet peace through.

him.