PANTHEON THEATRICALS.

307

God the Bishop of, backed by the Society for the Suppression of Vice, who have unanimously declared, that the exhibition of girls at that tender age would be more subversive of public morals than the Fair at Parson's Green. The Proprietors of the Italian Opera have also protested against this innovation upon their patent, and assert that the spectacles of pretty young ladies behind their own scenes are sufficient for the amusement of the town, and, consequently, there is no need for encroaching on their monopoly.

We learn with pleasure, however, that, to make amends for this disappointment, two sterling old Comedies are to be produced, à la Elliston, in the burletta way. These Comedies are, The Comedy of Errors, tragedized, and All in the Wrong, farcified. Mr. Caldas has been sent to the Continent to import a proper company. They are expected to begin the campaign next summer. A body of German waltzers are also to be engaged, who will not only dance in the ballets, but instruct our female Nobility and Gentry in that chaste measure.

Notwithstanding we have noticed all these charming designs in petto, we ought first to have observed, that Raising the Wind must be the earliest performance, and that much pains are taking to get it up.-The alterations in the Pantheon, to render it eligible for plays, masquerades, and private waltzing, are to be set about as speedily as possible, so that the public can be in no danger of a disappointment. Buonaparte's improvements on the Pantheon at Rome will be mere baubles to the intended magnificence of this new undertaking.

PICTURE

PICTURE GALLERY.

[From the same, Aug. 22.]

No. I..

THE works of certain eminent Artists have been for some time open for public exhibition; but, although possessing great merit, they have passed without notice in the Newspapers. The following are among the most prominent:

No. VI. The slovenly Letter-writer.-The foreground presents a sheet of Foolscap, with a little fribblish figure of a man writing a letter upon it.The expression of the countenance is that of a pert, perverse schoolboy. He appears regardless of all rule and order; the lines run at cross corners, and the characters are turned the wrong way. A little simple gall supplies the place of ink. On the right stands a black solemn-looking man, pointing out the slovenly defects of the letter, and how to amend it. The first view suggests the idea of a writing-master instructing his pupil; but, on closer examination, it appears to more nearly resemble Lord Eldon commenting upon the Irish Secretary's slovenly letter to the Catholics.

No. XII. The New Mint.-This is a good draft of a very bad design. The colours are black and white, and the piece is printed by copper-plate.The drapery is very light, as is the stuff; the piece wants solidity, and has rather a poor and meagre appearance. The site is any thing but appropriate, being an exact plan of the Bank of England, and not of Tower Hill. The materials in the back ground for the coin bear no likeness to the precious metals. They are heaps of rags. This work was begun by Pittini, and finished by one of his scholars. There are many copies of it, which have been pronounced by the best judges, capital likenesses.

No.

TO THE SUITORS OF MISS T. L

309 No. XV. The Lion taken in the Toils.-This is one of the boldest and most impressive works in the collection. The Lion is a most majestic and commanding figure. A glare of indignation flashes from his eye, and he appears repressed from making a sudden exertion to burst his ignoble bonds only by a figure of Time, who is busily employed in cutting them away with his scythe.-The design of this work is also by the celebrated artist Pittini; but it is the joint execution of a few júnior artists, who studied in his school.-As companions' to it, in the same room, we find the battle in which Joshua commanded the sun to stand still, by Pierino del Vaga, and Gulliver pinned down to the earth by the Lilliputians, by that excellent painter Dean Swift.

(For No. II. see page 313.)

IMPROMPTU,

ON THE DEATH OF JAMES BELCHER, THE PUGILIST,
AFTER A LINGERING ILLNESS.

[From the Morning Chronicle, Aug. 23.]

JEM so many stout bruisers had tir'd out of breath,
That, after long training, he set-to with Death;
But in the last round, the grim king, with a grin,
Hit Jem on the gullet, and Jemmy gave in.

TO THE SUITORS OF MISS T. L

[From the County Chronicle, Aug. 27.]

THOUGH longing long for Long, has prov'd your longing

true;

You long shall long for Long, ere Long shall long for you!

EPIGRAM.

EPIGRAM.

[From the Morning Chronicle, Aug. 27.]

SAYS a Judge on the bench to the culprit, a woman, on the brious prostit a rom

a

"Since your Lordship," says she, "requires my confession,
I own that I once did pursue the profession ;
But now 't is some time since I quitted that line,
For a reason your Worship will hardly divine
There are so many private ones now in the trade,
That a common one cannot contrive to get bread."

TO WY PE.

SUGGESTED EY HIS PRECIOUS POETICAL JEU D'ESPRIT [From the same, Aug. 28.]

ACHILLES, theme of epic song,

Of ancient Greece the glory,

His laurels yields to claims more strong,
Rehears'd in British story-

Bid Hector's shade the proud distinction feel,
And mock his Rival, vanquish'd in his Heel.
While Wy, theme of his own praise,
The Dancing Master's glory!

Waltzes and reels, with wild amaze

Or sings a tearful story

Lo! Hector's shade the proud distinction feels;
And welcomes W- -y, conq'ring with his Heels!

DESCENT OF THE BALLOON.

[From the Morning Post, Aug. 30.]

R. H.

AT a late hour last night, the following curious ac

count came to hand, from an unknown Correspondent. We give it just as we received it, not pledging ourselves for its authenticity,

或

DESCENT OF THE BALLOON.

311

The Aëronauts displayed the greatest possible intrepidity. Mr. B. scarcely even trembled till the Balloon had cleared the trees. Then, however, from the novelty of the scene, he felt sensibly affected, and, sinking back, in the weakness of the moment, his flag fell from his hand. On looking after it, the effect of what he saw turned his stomach. After he had lightened his chest, and the Balloon, a glass of brandy, in a great measure, recovered him. London now appeared to their view it seemed not much bigger than a haystack. Mr. B. could not believe that it was the metropolis, till Mr. S. pointed out to him London Stone, in Cannon Street, which satisfied him. The Monument seemed to be about the size of a candlestick, and the Tile Kilns near Stratford seemed like a couple of extinguishers belonging to it. Passing over Ilford, they heard a cracker go off. This Mr. S. took as a compliment, and waved his flag in return; which seemed to be understood, as another cracker was heard shortly after. They were then out of sight of the earth. Shortly after they saw Epping Forest: it seemed about the size of a gooseberry-bush. They now saw water at a distance. Mr. S. was apprehensive they were near the sea, and the grapplingirons were accordingly thrown out. The water ultimately proved to be a horse-pond, and they found themselves fast approaching the village to which it belonged. One of the grappling-irons unfortunately caught the clothes of an old apple-woman: she had, however, presence of mind enough to cling to her stall, which, with herself, was dragged after the car with inconceivable rapidity. The other grappling-iron shortly after caught one of the hind legs of a donkey who had come to offer his assistance, attracted, as it is supposed, by the voice of Mr. S. The animal roared out aloud, and the sound is described by the Aëronauts as having the effect of thunder on those in

the