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fide, and woo the genius of the ftream," in which excurfion we fhall have no objection to accompany him.

A Summary Account of LEIBNITZ's Memoir, addreffed to Lews the XIVth, recommending to that Monarch the Conqueft of Egypt as conducive to the establishing a fupreme Authority over the Governments of Europe. 8vo.

"The unequivocal symptoms of a determination in the French Government to perfevere in its views upon Egypt, notwithstanding the ftipulations of the treaty of Amiens, and the interests which that treaty was intended to fecure, render it of the utmost importance, in the prefent ftate of public affairs, that the nation fhould be ap. prifed of the extent of thofe views, and of the circumstances that first opened to the ambition of France, thofe profpects which the directorial and confular governments have fo actively purfued." The pamphlet before us contains the outline of a plan drawn up by the celebrated German Philofopher, Leibnitz, and prefented to Lewis XIV, at the beginning of the last century, urging him to an expedition against Egypt, as the means of procuring for France an abfolute controul over all other powers of Europe. This extraordinary performance, hitherto fecluded from the infpection of the world, now makes its first appearance, and completely developes the views of France, which are, as they always have been, hoftile to this country, and demand more than ever a firm and intrepid refiftance. Leibnitz's memorial contains the whole fyftem of French politics refpecting Egypt, and calls for a very ferious

examination.

The Speech of the Right Honourable Lord Carrington, delivered at the Board of Agriculture, on Tuesday, March 15 1803. Printed by Order of the Board. 4to.

Lord Carrington, in this fpeech, takes occafion to ftate and defend the moft remarkable circumftances which occurred during the three important

years in which he prefided as Chairman of the Board of Agriculture. He has explained the conduct of that refpectable body in fome points objected to them in a fatisfactory manner, and proved that they are intitled to the thanks of the public, for their exertions in the public fervice. Hints for the Improvement of the Irish Fishery. By George N. Whately. 8vo.

It appears from this interefting and valuable pamphlet, that the Irish Fishery, which might be rendered a source of wealth, and the means of employment for thoufands of industrious natives, is retrained in fuch a manner, by lawless violence and ignorant prejudice, as to produce fmall benefit to the country, and little to individuals. The fuperior advantages of the trammel net over the hook line mode of fishing, and the illegal oppofition to the latter, feems to call loudly for legislative interference. Ireland is ftill wanting in civilization for its happinefs, and in that alone.

An

Obstacle to the Ambition of France; or, Thoughts on the Expediency of Improving the political Condition of his Majefty's Irish Roman Catholic Subjects. BJ Thomas Newenham, Efq. 8vo.

The Author of this Pamphlet, who was a Member of the laft Irish Par

He

liament, here produces many ftrong arguments in favour of the Roman Catholics' claim, at this juncture, to an equal participation of political rights with their proteftant brethren. reafon's with great temper and moderation, and enforces his claims in a manner that is calculated to obtain the affent of an antagonist, though there is not much of novelty in what he has advanced. He appears to be a true friend to Ireland; and entertains the confolatory perfuafion "that the long night of delufion is drawing to a clofe; that his countrymen are beginning to open their eyes to their true interefts; and that Ireland will henceforth, inftead of exhaufting, infuse refiftlefs vigour into that truly great nation with which it is now indiffolubly united."

THEATRICAL JOURNAL.

MAY 19.

MRS. GOODALL (after an abfence of fome years) rejoined the London Comedians, and appeared in the cha

racter of Floranthe ("MOUNTAINEERS"),

at the Haymarket Theatre, where the feems intended to take the lead in genteel Comedy,She is a valuable acquifition

acquifition to the Company; who, generally fpeaking, have given great fatisfaction to the town: Matthews, in the comic characters hitherto reprefented by Suett, Fawcett, and Bannifter, has established himself in the Public favour; and Ellifton is all but idolized. There is fome acting in his Octavian, that we think never was exceeded in force and effect.

Their Majesties have shown a marked patronage of Mr. Colman's new fcheme of an independent Company. Within three weeks after his commencement, he was honoured with as many Royal Commands.

27. At Drury-lane Theatre, for the Benefit of Mrs. Glover, a New Comedy, called "THE HIGH ROAD TO MARRIAGE" written by Mr. SKEFFINGTON, (Author of The Word of Honour) was performed for the first time, the principal characters being thus reprefented: Valladio Alceroli

Lodovico

Manfaletto

Bellamanti Livonia Dorinna

Mr. POPE. Mr. RUSSEL. Mr. DowтON.

Mr. COLLINS. Mifs DE CAMP. Mifs CAMPBELL. Mrs. GLOVER. The fcene lies at Ravenna; and the bufinefs of the plot commences with a letter received by Lodovico, the Go vernor of Ravenna, from his friend the Governor of Modena, acquainting him with the elopement of Livonia, his daughter, with the Count Alceroli, who had, as it was imagined, killed his rival in an affair of honour. The inftructions given to Lodovico are, to arreft both the parties, and keep them prifoners in his cattle. Livonia has, however, in a degree, anticipated the intentions of her father, by flying for refuge to Ravenna, and, as a itranger, placing herself under the protection of Bellamanti, the daughter of Lodovico, betrothed to Valladio, who is the friend of Alceroli. Bellamanti is at this time involved in affignations with the Stranger in the garden, Alceroli; and, being wild, is, in confequence of the prompt execution of the arreft by her father, taken and conveyed a prifoner to her own refidence. Alarmed at this contre-tems, the ingeniously perfuades Livonia to pafs herfelf upon the Governor as the Lady who accompanied the Count in his flight. Alceroli is confined in the caftle with his fervant, Manfaletto, a fellow of fome humour; and, through the intercellion of his

friend Valladio, obtains fome hours parole, which he employs in an affignation with his miftreis Bellamanti, in her own apartments. At this interview he is furprifed by his friend Valladio, when an explanation takes place. Livonia is discovered, to whom Alceroli renews his attachment, in which he is encouraged by the forgiveness of her father; and Bellamanti, fully repentant for the flirtations that he had indulged, makes an ingenuous avowal of her faults, and is efpoufed by Valladio.

Such is the plot of a piece which has the merit of just fentiment conveyed through the medium of neat and claffical language, with fome good fituations and incidents. It has, indeed, no great ftrength of character, nor much humour, to recommend it; but it is light and airy in its dialogue, and exhibits fome elegant fpecimens of wit, particu larly in a defence of the Ladies' privilege of talking. A beautiful air of Geminiani's, adapted by Kelly, was introduced; and a fandango minuet, by Byrne and the fafcinating De Camp, was generally encored.

Mr. Skeffington, the Author of this piece, has thewn himself an elegant writer; but as Comedies, his Dra mas feem to want ftrength of cha racter and force of humour. If we might advise him, it would be to try his hand at English Opera, in which line we think he would be more fuccefsful.

Mrs. Glover, who had acted the Chambermaid in the Comedy with great truth of character, difplayed the verfatility of her talents, by affuming, in The Maid of the Oaks, the elegant airs of Lady Bub Lardoon, which the performed with admirable fpirit. Nor thould we pass over in filence the part of Hurry, as reprefented by Mr. Rufel. It was a natural and effective performance.

The fame Evening at the Haymarket Theatre, was prefented a New Farce of Two Acts, under the whimfical title of "MRS. WIGGINS," the principal characters of which were thus reprefented:

Old Wiggins (a gut

tling and eccentric MrMATTHEWS Country Gentleman)) Tom Wiggins (a Stu

dent in the Tem- Mr. H. KELLY. ple)

Trim (his Servant) Mr.J.PALMER. O'Bubble (an Irithman) Mr.DENMAN. Nnn2

Mrs.

Mrs. Chloe Wiggins
Mrs. Wiggins, a vi-
rago, wife of old W.
Mrs. O'Bubble, (alias
Mrs. Calcutta, alias

Mrs. Thomas W 8-S

gins)

Mrs. CLELAND. Mrs.

Mrs. KENDALL.

Dibdin's fong of The Country Club has evidently originated this piece; for there is an eccentricity in the very name of Mrs. Wiggins, which cannot fail of exciting the rifible muscles. The business of the Farce arifes from the fuppofition of there being three ladies of this name. One is the wife of old Mr. Wiggins; another the wife of Tom Wiggins, the fon; and the third a lady whom Tom had honoured with the name before his marriage. The old gentleman had left his house in the country, to avoid the croffnefs and virulence of his virago mate, the very idea of whom makes him thake with fear. But his hopes of fpending his time happily in London with his fon, a dashing Templar, are miferably difappointed; for, go where he will, he is ftill threatened with meeting a Mrs. Wiggins. Although he locks one up in Tom's chambers, another calls for him immediately after at a

ODE FOR

tavern; and while he thinks himself purfued by her, he finds himself in imminent rifque of ruthing into her company. The Piece abounds with whimsical incidents, and broad (but fometimes low) humour. It was well received by a crowded audience; and, notwithstanding fome disapprobation expreffed towards the conclufion, it has fince, with a little alteration, become popular.

We underland it to be from the pen of Mr. Allingham, Author of THE MARRIAGE PROMISE.

JUNE 14. At Drury-lane Theatre, after the Comedy of All in the Wrong, which was admirably acted, Mr. Banniiter came forward, and, in the name of the Proprietors and Performers, returned thanks for the kind and liberal patronage which they had received. Mr. Bannister concluded with announ cing this night as the latt of the season.

23. After the popular Comedy of John Bull, Covent Garden Theatre clofed amoft fuccefsful teaton, in which, report fays, the profits have been 30,cool, The liberality of Mr. Harris in procuring and getting-up attractive pieces, it feems, has met with a proportionate liberality on the part of the Public.

POETRY.

HIS MAJESTY'S BIRTH DAY 1803, BY HENRY JAMES PYE, ESQ. POET

LAUREAT. I.

BRITAIN, alas! has woo'd in vain,
Reluctant Peace! thy placid

charms;
Compell'd, the treads once more th' en-

fanguin'd plain, [aloud for arms. Where Fame, where Freedom, call'd Yet be awhile the battle's found In notes of fellive triumph drown'd: Whether the fiends of Difcord fly Portentous through the fiery fky, Or, bound in Fate's coercive chain, Howl 'mid th' infernal feats in vain, On this aufpicious day the Mufe, -Jocund, with grateful voice, her wonted theme puriues.

II.

Amid the boaft of tyrant pride,

The pomp of ftate, the arm'd array, Can all the fhouts of flavery hide

That flaves unwilling homage pay?

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found?

ELEGY VII.

An Invocation to Death. I SINK beneath this foul-fubduing wound, Ah! where for confolation fhall I turn? Where may the balmy couch of Reft be [urn." -Some spirit whifpers, " In the buried Then cease, my lyre! to fwell thy wonted ftrain ! [my breath! No more; in fruitless vows, I'll waite No more my tongue fhall murmur nor complain, [Death.

For, lo! I feek the marbled fhrine of All hail to thee, whofe never-erring dart, Or first, or lat, all human-kind muft feel! Behold! a willing victim bares his heart, Nor let him vainly at thine altar kneel!

I view no horrors feated on thy brow;
I feel no terrors at thy lifted arm;
But bare my bofom to receive thy blow,
Tho' fcarce with youth's impurpled cur-

rent warm.

No! thou art lovely to my tearful eyes! To me thy face affumes the fmile of Peace! [cries), To me thy voice is fweet, for "Come (it "Come to my arms, and all thy pangs fhall ceafe."

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THO' Fortune dooms thee on this couch to mourn; [blefs thine eyes; Tho' Nature's charms no more thould Why droops my friend, all penfive and forlorn, [fapplies? And fcorns the folace which his lot Repeat that prayer no more! no more repine! [ture's voice l Oh! impious prayer! Oh! deaf to NaComforts, unknown to many a wretch, are thine, [choice. And many a bleffing yet awaits thy Long, long shall life, with fome endear ing Imile, [eale: Cheer thy dejected foul, and bring it Friendship is thine, and Friendship thall beguile [pleate. With many a tale; with many a duty

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FRIEND.

Still, ftill fhall Hope, with an immortal frain, (troul: Lull every pang, and every fear conHope! the foft nurse of every child of Pain! [foul! Hope! the perennial funshine of the

POET.

Yes! Hope once footh'd me with her

voice divine! [morn till morn; Soft o'er my couch the hung, from Taught me in gentler accents to repine, And pluck'd, from Sorrow's breast, th' envenom'd thorn!

Yes! I have heard Hope's foul-enchanting tongue! [eyes!

Seen the sweet radiance of her azure But ah! what falfehoods fpoke in all the [imiles difguile!

fang! What tears, what pangs, her winning Forgive me, if I banish from my arms The flattering forcerefs, form'd but to beguile!

I, long the victim of her faithlefs charms! I, long the dupe of her infidious smile!

FRIEND.

Bid hence the wild fuggeftion of Despair, Of Solitude, of fever'd Fancy born! Behold yon evening fky! how mild! how fair! [the morn! Yet, oh! what tempefts ufher'd in Bid hence that frantic monfler from thy bed, [arms! For fee! fond Hope extends her lovely Should Memory dare uplift her wakeful head, [five charms, And tell ftrange tales of Hope's deluForbear to heed! thy tutor'd foul no [gel ftrain: Should turn, defpondent, from her anTho' her fweet voice deceive thee o'er and o'er, [lieve again. Still in that voice thou fhould't beAnd fee the Maids whofe heavenlygifted fong [row fmile; Brings Eafe delight, and bids e'en SorSee! round thy couch th' Aonian virgins throng, [beguile. Whofe lyres melodious fhall thy griefs

more

POET.

Yes! the lov'd nymphs have deign'd to grace my call, [guil'd; And oft with tales of other worlds beAnd oft, with awkward hand, I fwept my shell, [fer'd, fmil'd. And, midft the ling'ring woes I fuf

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No more I carol amatory ftrains, To friendship's eye fubmit the artless Pourtray the scenes where fylvan beauty lay; [reigns, Or in light meafure fing mellifluous May.

No more I tread the rill-diffected mead,

The thymy bank, and beach-furrounded field, [kins teed. Where bleating ewes and sportive fambNo more the groves their wonted tranfports yield.

Yet not to ease and indolence a prey,

To pleasure's fyren call a willing flave, My unbefriended Mufe thall pentive stray To lone retreats that Medway's cur rents lave.

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There, where the cyprefs and the mournful pine

Join in the breezy dirges of the night, An altar rais'd, and Melancholy mine, I'll tafte her every penfive, fad delight.

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