Nov. 19. Two Faces under a Hood.-Midnight Hour.

20. Id.-Arbitration.

presence, we should say that he was prudent to make Mrs. Dickons the "Two faces under a hood," for he needed all her countenance to save him from damnation.

mi suona."

sung

"Your

Miss Bolton "Claudine lived contented," a beautiful air, without giving it any effect, and was sadly out of tune. In the second act, however, she repaired her negligence, by singing « Welcome freedom,” in a very pretty style. To this air there is a flute obligato, which is exceedingly sweet. Mrs. C. Kemble acquitted herself with her usual spirit. In the duet already mentioned, and in "The man I don't like," she was excellent. We cannot say so much of her " I once was cheerful." Every note of Mrs. Liston's "All in the silent convent cell," with an organ accompaniment, was thrilling music-" la dolcezza ancor dentro Mr. Incledon was in fine voice, and gave "The blast of wur," with great animation. He should have had more to do. charms may of lovers attract you a crowd" was very well sung by Mr. Bellamy; but we advise the omission of entre nous, tacked to the end of each stanza, which is, according to his character, ridiculous. Now we are advising, we counsel Mr. Jones never more to attempt to sing, nor again to connive at sinking himself, by being induced to accept of such a wretched part as Count Ignacio. Mrs. Davenport is a Mother Abbess, which she played very well according to her conception, but she certainly made a little mistake-her abbess is not intended to be the lady that " every body calls mother."* In the third act Mr. Shield has adapted his fine glee, The Loadstars, to the words, O, happy wedded youth, which was nobly sung by Bellamy, Incledon, and Taylor. The duets, trios, chorusses, and finales, are, as we before observed, full of dramatic effect. Of this description also is the comic song, "Who'll serve the king," which was rattled through with all Mr. Fawcett's rapidity and good humour. He did much for the piece. In the finale to the first act Mr. Shield has introduced a fugue with great skill, and the music is altogether a monument of his extraordinary genius, taste, and science.

After all this dealing with the music, something more should perhaps be said of the opera, but here we know not how to proceed. We are really and in truth friendly to Mr. Dibdin, but we think that it would not be to shew a due regard to friendship, or any respect for criticism

* Mrs. D.'s judgment appears to have been governed by that which on the first night struck the fancy of the Duchess of ------------, who, on seeing in the third act a nunnery and barracks placed close to each other, pleasantly and critically observed, to Mr. Skeffington, that it was exceedingly convenient for the soldiers!

criticism, to praise, or even excuse what he has done. We shall, however, dwell no longer on his greatest demerit, which looks to the injury done to Mr. Shield, for we are well aware that Mr. D. and his brethren, as well as the players, are so little able or inclined to distinguish between just censure and rank abuse, that they will perpetually suffer their vanity to ascribe to the latter what belongs exclusively to the for

mer.

The return of this admiráble composer to the theatre, is what we have long desired, and as he is fostered by the public, so shall we think with respect, or disrespect of the public taste. We hope that he will soon take the field again with one better able to fight by his side. Poets in him have an advantage which composers rarely afford. They furnish the music from their port-folios, and must have words written to crotchets ready cut and dried; he, on the contrary, has the pride and good sense to despise this barbarous trade, with the genius and ability to suit the sound to the sense. From late experience we do not speak, but we suppose that such a thing may be found, as an opera-poet who can write sense.

THEATRICAL CHIT-CHAT.

Miss Mellon is about to try the benefit of the country air and exercise. She has lately been treating for a little estate at Eversham, valued at four thousand six hundred pounds. Mr. Wewitzer, who is very fond of hock, and who, quoad HOC, thinks Miss Mellon exceedingly agreeable, enacts the part of agent in these delicate concerns.

An opera in five acts is in preparation at Drury; the music by Braham and Reeve, the piece by Mr. Byerley. It is highly spoken of.

Mr. Bland, the husband of Mrs. Bland the singer, is dead. His disconsolate widow, formerly Miss Romanzini, is of the Jewish persuasion, and follows their form in her mourning, which is confined to letting the beard grow!

On the 11th Nov. just as Mrs. Siddons had taken her position as the statue of Hermione, her muslin train caught fire at the lights placed behind her. The man who attended the lamps instantly extinguished it, and most judiciously concealed the fact from her till the end of the play.

In Green Street, Manchester Square, there is a piece of ground to let on building lease, but whether the erection is to be a theatre or a chapel is not yet decided. The Circus company and a congregation of Presbyterians are at issue on the point. The longest purse seems to be with the latter. An agreeable contest to the proprietor.

On the 29th Oct. Mr. Watts moved the court of chancery to exclude Mr. Taylor from the management of the Opera-house. Lord

Eldon, alarmed at the application, said, very good-humouredly, “No, I'll be manager of no more theatres. I am manager of three now-Drury Lane, the Circus, and I forget the name of the other.-I can't have the Opera fixed on me." This matter is still before the court. In the mean time, Mr. J. D'Egville, for Mr. Taylor, advertises his arrangements for the ensuing season, and signifies his very natural wish to touch the subscriptions; but Mr. Const and Mr. Lowton, trustees of the Opera-house, seem, by the advertisement of Nov. 17, to think such an indulgence not wholesome to the concern. We have not done yet. Since writing the

above, we have seen Mr. D'Egville's further advertisement, Nov. 18, disclaiming all thoughts of receiving subscriptions. If these differences be not speedily reconciled, we hear that, at the request of certain persons of distinction, the lord chamberlain will licence another operahouse.

On the 14th Nov. Mr. Barrymore left Drury Lane theatre in a very unhandsome manner. He had been fined for not attending rehearsals, which fines he called on Mr. Wroughton to remit, at the moment the stage was waiting for him in Claudio, in Much ado about Nothing, refusing otherwise to proceed with the part. Luckily Mr. Siddons was able to undertake it at the short notice, and Mr. B. was dismissed.

In Three Weeks after Marriage, Nov. 17, Mr. Holland played Sir C. Racket, an apology being made for Mr. Elliston's "sudden and serious indisposition." Mr. E. repaired immediately to Bath: how much of the waters he drank we cannot say, but he performed a part there at the theatre that night, and returned next day as well as could be expected!

Mr. Sheridan insists on the incapacity of the lord chamberlain to grant licences, and intends without delay to suppress all the minor theres within a certain bound.

Mr. Dibdin says, He'll be damned if he ever writes another opera. We think it very likely !

Mr. Shield has composed the music of a farce, which will probably be played at Drury, as the principal character was long since written for Mr. Johnstone.

A melo-drame is in preparation at Covent Garden-music by Mr. Davy. The principal character, a blind boy, by Mrs. C. Kemble.

ASTLEY'S PAVILION.

A change of performances took place at this theatre on the 23d of November, when the skill and ingenuity of the two Astleys were made remarkably conspicuous. Things incredible seem to encourage rather than deter the endeavours of some men. We had lately a minuet by two horses: Mr. Astley, Sen. now presents us with a cotillon and country dance by eight. It is a very extraordinary exhibition. Added to this, Mr. Astley, Jun. has invented a new pantomime, called " The

Orcadian Genii," which does great credit to his ability in this line. Madame Mercerot, who plays in the ballet of action, entitled Edward the Black Prince, is a clever actress, but she is too big with child to take the sword and mingle in the fight. Though she conquers her man, and the odds are we know not how many in her favour, her feats are more alarming than agreeable. We regret the absence of Mrs. Astley. The deserved applause, with which she is always received, might, we think, tempt her to return.

ROYALTY THEATRE.

The Circus company are well attended here, which we ventured to prognosticate, from a knowledge of their merits, and those of their ingenious manager, Mr. Cross. A new serious spectacle from his pen, entitled Cæsar and Clara; or the Koromantyn Slaves, is in preparation.

PROVINCIAL DRAMA.

MANCHESTER, Nov. 14, 1807.-CATALANI.—On Thursday, Nov. 5, Madame Catalani made her first appearance before a Manchester audience, in the concert given under the direction of Mr. Yaniewicz. The fame which this singer has acquired throughout Europe, was certainly the cause of many people forming too high an opinion of her charms, and thus being disappointed in their expectations on hearing her. Notwithstanding this, she met with great applause, and, in my opinion, very deservedly so. She is indeed a most delightful singer, and has shewn us vocal music in the highest degree of perfection! Her natural powers as well as her own merits claim the highest admiration, which, I trust, every friend of music will pay her as a tribute of gratitude for the exquisite treat she afforded her auditors.

On the first evening Madame Catalani sang Son regina," of Portogallo, "O quanta l'anima,” of Meyer, “Nel cor piu non mi sento,” of Paisiello, and a bravura song of Paisiello, the whole of which contributed to shew her voice in all its different beauties, which leaves all others in the dark, not only by its enchanting melody and sweet tones, but also by its power and wonderful execution.

On the second evening, the 6th Nov. Catalani repeated "Son regina," which she gave, if possible, with still more effect than on the first night, and thus has she concluded her engagement, which, though short, may never, in point of excellence, be excelled by any other singer that may succeed her.

Yaniewicz played with his usual fire and energy, and is doubly entitled to our thanks, by his having the merit of bringing Catalani to Manchester.

Theatre SWANSEA.-The last performances at the new theatre in this town, were three farces, on Friday the 25th of September, for the benefit of Mrs. Cherry (the manageress), when we were gratified with a third representation of Mr. Sheridan's Critic. This is a piece that less than most others will bear frequent performing during the same season in a small town; but Mr. Cherry was induced to treat us so often, from repeated solicitations to him after it was first performed, and those entreaties proceeded, principally, from his masterly performance of Puff, On each of the nights that it was played, at the close of the first act, where Puff says he has a few paragraphs to scribble, &c. Mr. Cherry embraced an opportunity, then very conveniently offered, of making several interpolations, principally local, that were replete with wit* a and ingenuity. On the night of the 25th (the Critic was the last piece performed) this situation (third act) presented him with a favourable opportunity of delivering an address to the audience, such as is usual on closing a theatre. At the period in which Puff looks over his memorandums and matters to send to the papers, he professed having a paragraph, prepared for insertion in the Cambrian paper, which he designated the "Puff preliminary," and was as follows. Swansea theatre. On Friday last our theatrical campaign closed for the summer season, to a most crowded and brilliant audience. The manager, according to ancient usage on such occasions, at the conclusion of the performances, stept forward, with all that easy grace, and elegance of manners, with which he is so peculiarly gifted, and thus emphatically addressed the audience—“Ladies and gentlemen, since first I have had the honour of directing your theatre, it has been my constant study to render the entertainments therein worthy the patronage you have so liberally "bestowed. Expence and labour were secondary considerations with me, and never placed in competition with my desire to merit your approbation. If efforts so zealously exerted have given the wished-for satisfaction, my end is answered, and my labour overpaid. On the part of myself, my wife, my daughter, and every other member of the theatre, whose cause you have collectively and individually espoused, I beg leave to return the sincerest acknowledgments that gratitude can give, and to take leave for the season, with the most cordial and heartfelt wishes for your health and prosperity.

May the herald of peace, the olive-crown'd dove,
Alight on your shores, and from realms above

In words of sweet import its mission explain,
That Plenty and Peace divide here their reign.

Mr. Cherry must be strangely altered since he left us. Ed.