fascinating as our Vauxhall. The fireworks are fine; and the music, of various descriptions, in all quarters of these gardens, gives a life to the scene, which animates and pervades the multitudes that crowd them every gala-night. Should St.. Swithin smile on their endeavours, the managers will enjoy a meed equal to their deserts. PROVINCIAL DRAMA. Theatre SWANSEA.-At length an event so tediously meditated, so anxiously anticipated, and so unaccountably delayed, has arrived, by the erection of a "new theatre" in this populous town and place of fashionable resort. Very soon after the building commenced, (early in the last winter), many applications were received by the proprietors from divers heroes of the sock and buskin for the management, and of all the candidates, Mr. Cherry, of Drury-Lane theatre, was the successful one. It was generally supposed that the building would not be accomplished by the present season, but the most unremitting exertions proved the contrary. Mr. Cherry had all the scenery and decorations prepared in London. He arrived here himself the latter end of last month, and immediately announced, by what is called a (huge) "posting bill," the opening of the theatre on the 6th inst. with "Love in a Village" and "The Quaker," "Young Meadows" and "Steady," by Mr. Incledon. Mr. Cherry had, previous to his leaving London, sent off his scenery and theatrical paraphernalia, by a waggon, from London to Bristol, to be conveyed from thence to Swansea, by sea, (there being a communication between these places twice or thrice a week), they were accordingly shipped on board a packet, on the 2nd inst. but contrary winds prevented her reaching Swansea till the morning of the 6th, (a passage usually performed in twelve hours); thus circumstanced, human efforts could not have rendered the theatre fit for a dramatic representation on that evening. I will not attempt to describe Mr. Cherry's state of mind on this occasion; but, as his only resource, he published a hand-bill announcing Mr. Incledon's entertainment "The Traveller." This performance required no scenery. The house was well filled and ample tribute paid to the masterly exertions of the vocal hero, particularly his Storm, and those of the natives, who had not before heard him, were almost petrified. On the 7th, Mr. Incledon performed Young Meadows and Steady. On the 8th Mackheath, (the farce was the Irishman in London); and on the 9th, (his benefit and last appearance), Campley and Tom Tug, with various songs. On each of the three last nights the house was thronged. I shall not attempt to describe, minutely, the internal appearance of the house, but I think that, in elegance and beauty, it would make a conspicuous figure compared with most in the kingdom. When full, I am informed it produces about eighty guineas. The Swansea races were last week, and the Birth Day, with Two Strings to your Bow, were performed, by the desire of the stewards, on Friday, when the theatre closed for nine days, under the following circumstances. Immediately after Mr. Cherry had taken the theatre, he engaged several performers from Bath, supposing that that theatre would have closed by the Swansea races, as it had been accustomed to do, but it was not announced, till too late for Mr. Cherry to make any other engagements, that it would not close till the 20th inst. Mr. Cherry's present company, consisting of Messrs. Cresswell, Treby, Mills, Serjeant, Sparks, &c. Mrs. Cherry, Mrs. Sparks, Mrs. Gunning, and Miss Cherry, if otherwise calculated, not being sufficiently numerous, he has therefore wisely delayed the theatrical business till the arrival of Messrs. Gattie, Cunningham, &c. from Bath. Swansea is, at present, very thin of company, owing to a report, (very erroneously circulated), that a fever prevailed there. We wish Mr. Cherry every success. July 12th, 1807. T. S. Theatre, NEWCASTLE.-Faulkner and Co. the managers, were wise to engage Miss Smith-who is in herself a host. She performed most of her favourite characters, and recited Collins's Ode on the Passions, with so much success, as to produce the following jeu d'esprit from Mr. John Adamson, of Gateshead. Sweet maid, thy charms some other pen may find, Anger, revenge and jealousy display, Pity, content, or hope's deluding ray; "Twould melt a heart of stone, to see thee weep, K-VOL. 11.. When horrid dreams have all their powers combin'd, Go, shine, like her now, grown old in fame, Of "greatest Ac "ho has acquired the name; Go, display thy powers to th' admiring age, And rise another Siddons on the stage; May thy great soul each softer passion feel, Nor on thy calm repose, the fiercer steal; But to thy fondest hope thy wishes crown. June 27. Theatre PLYMOUTH.-Under the management of Mr. Farren, this theatre has, during the present season, been very productive. Miss Duncan was engaged to perform a certain number of nights here and at Dock, where she has been received with that applause, to which her great merits entitle her. She was ably supported by Mr. Farren, whose versátility, and equal cleverness, are hardly exceeded by any performer not engaged in London, where, we have no hesitation in thinking, his talents will eventually place him. Theatre Royal WEYMOUTH.-The veteran Hughes's company having been performing at Exeter during the assizes, will resume their campaign under the generalship of Sandford, whose character as a man, and respectability as an actor, justly entitle him to the consideration and esteem, in which he is held throughout the whole of the west of England. NOEL DESENFANS, ESQ. The late Mr. Desenfans possessed knowledge and abilities which qualified him for a higher situation in society than he was ever disposed to assume. He was born, and received his education, in France; he was a fellow student with Monsieur De Calonne, between whom and himself a friendship began very early in life, which 66 grew with their growth, and strengthened with their strength." Mr. Desenfans, when he died, was only in the 62d year of his age. He had been in this country between 30 and 40 years, If this gentleman had been a native of Britain, and had devoted himself to the profession of the law, or to the enlarged views of the politician, it is very probable that he would have made a conspicuous figure in the state. He was profoundly aequainted with mankind, but his knowledge of the human heart did not produce the least tendency towards a misanthropic spirit. On the contrary, he was always active in the cause of humanity; ready to patronize unfriended genius, and mitigate distress. It was not necessary to make any particular appeal to his benevolence, whenever there was an opportunity for him to promote the happiness or relieve the wants of his fellow creatures. Upon all such occasions he went silently and immediately in pursuit of his object, and the first proof of his liberality generally was found in the grateful acknowledgments of those whom he had assisted. This gentleman's taste for the Arts has long raised his name in the estimation of all good judges. Painting was the favourite object of his attention, but he did not consider that, or its kindred Arts, merely as opening a field for the efforts of genius; he beheld in them the sources of national opulence and honour, affording scope for still higher purposes, by elevating the human character, illustrating the truths of religion, promoting the interests of morality, and conferring the most gratifying recompence on those, who dedicate their powers to the improvement, happiness, and security of civilized life. In the year 1799 he published a short work, in which he presented a plan for advancing the British Arts, by the establishment of a national gallery, in order to give encouragement to rising talents. According to this plain, the gallery was to contain portraits of all who distinguished themselves in the service of their country, as well as representations of the achievements, in which their heroism might be signalized. The plan altogether is the work of a mind animated by the most enlightened and capacious designs, and was formed upon such principles that, while it was intended for the national honour, it might have been accomplished without any burthen upon the public. The only ground of complaint that has ever been alledged against Mr. Desenfans, implied that, in his partiality to the ancient masters, he overlooked living merit. This complaint, however, could never have arisen if his character and conduct had been properly known. The truth is, that in the work alluded to Mr. Desenfans speaks very highly of the merit of English artists, and declares that "this country now possesses the first painters and the best engravers." But his respect for British talents was not manifested only in complimentary language, for, notwithstanding the vast sums which he must have devoted to the collection of pictures which he has left, and which, for its extent, is one of the most valuable in Europe, it can be proved that he absolutely expended nine thousand five hundred pounds in the patronage of British artists. In the year 1802, Mr. Desenfans published a descriptive catalogue of a collection of pictures, which he was commissioned to purchase for the late amiable and unfortunate King of Poland, who had honoured him with the appointment of consul general of Poland in Great Britain. This collection was chosen with great taste and judgment, and consisted of admirable works from all the different schools of most celebrity. The catalogue is not only a just and candid account of the merits of the respective works, but, besides all its instructive comments and sagacious reflections, is rendered very entertaining by anecdotes of the several masters, historical notices, ingenious strokes of humour, strong marks of good sense and unaffected piety. Mr. Desenfans, in private life, was distinguished for a liberal hospitality, firm friendship, and affable and courteous manners, the natural result of an excellent heart, and an expansive mind. The foregoing tribute to departed merit is a mere outline of an individual whose memory is entitled to esteem and regard, and whose character could only receive adequate justice from a congenial spirit, equally intelligent, enlightened, and comprehensive. DOMESTIC EVENTS. FRANCE, RUSSIA, AND PRUSSIA.-Peace was signed on the 8th, between France and Russia, and the ratifications were exchanged on the 9th, on which day peace was also to be signed between France and Prussia. EGYPT. The troops, under General Fraser, having been defeated, with the loss of one third, are returning to England. EARTHQUAKE AT LISBON.-The Princess Elizabeth packet, arrived at Falmouth, brings intelligence that the inhabitants of Lisbon were thrown into the utmost consternation, on the evening of the 6th ult. by a violent shock of an earthquake, which lasted for about ten seconds, and during the time it lasted was nearly as violent as the dreadful one in 1755. Fortunately, however, the damage was not so great as might have been expected. Three houses were thrown down, by which two men were killed, and about thirty persons wounded. Several persons also had their arms and legs, broken, by jumping out of the windows, under the apprehension of the houses falling upon them. The shock was also felt at St. Ube's, Oporto, and generally throughout Portugal. It was felt on board the Lively frigate, then about eight leagues off the Rock of Lisbon. The Washington packet was left at Lisbon. EXTRAORDINARY CASE.-A few weeks since the wife of a labourer, after being brought to bed and safely delivered, was seized with an insatiable appetite for food. Her husband being incapable of supporting her unnatural craving, obtained admission for her into St. Bartholomews hospital, where she remains at present, in a most dreadful situation. She eats incessantly, and is supplied daily with three pounds of beef, a quartern loaf, and a proportionable quantity of drink. On one |