Feb. 8. Macbeth.-Id.

Feb.

one, except Mr. Kemble, and occasionally fine, as in the scene succeeding the loss of the jewels, it is, on the whole, such a piece of acting, as, assisted by the really ludicrous craft and cunning of Mr. Cooke's Stukeley, and the comical whining of Mr. Murray's Jervis, would never have exposed the Gamester to the reproach of a “ a distress too deep to be borne." From that sort of full dress Mr. Young's person enjoys no advantage of dignity or good effect. Why a domestic tragedy should, at this hour of the day, be played in court dresses, is, we think, unaccountable with reason.—The ladies too appear hoopless and unadorned—surely that which is good for the goose is good for the gander It is impossible to conceive any thing more clumsy and inelegant, than the lower part of the person of Mr. C. Kemble, in the dress he wore on this occasion. His Lewson, however, was played with his usual good sense and propriety. Bates, by Mr. Waddy, in a full suit, also powerfully conduced to soften the distress of the Tragedy.-" Talk to him," says Beverley to Bates," of the thoughtlessness of the times-you have a face for it." Of Mrs. Siddons it is unnecessary to say a word. To use the language of Bacon," the eye was not dimmed, nor the natural force abated."

After the Gamester, a new farce was presented, called "Is he a Prince?"

A Correspondent in our last, looking to the licentious use made by certain Dramatists of the works of our neighbours, has happily turned "Hos ego," &c.

"The Wits of France may write the plays,

"But English Blockheads wear the bays."

Such, however, is not exactly the case here; for, though Is he a Prince? is, as we understand, a translation from the French, the translator is neither an Englishman nor a blockhead. It is the production of a very clever young foreigner, Mr. Greffulhe, the translator of the Portrait of Cervantes. (See p. 52 and 56. July, 1808.) The totus teres atque rotundus, applies (if we may so speak) more to this petite piece, than to almost all we ever beheld from a French source. The happy invention of materials, and the minute neatness of their work, have al ways excited our admiration, but a more finished little dramatic bijou, has rarely been turned out of their hands. It is a perfect picture of German manners-a Teniers in his most decent garb. The dialogue, free from the laboured witticisms of our English blockheads, is carried on in an easy unaffected flow of language. The characters and plot are developed as naturally as can possibly be required in a farce, and the whole is adapted to our stage, with infinite credit to Mr. Greffulhe.

*The definite article would have been more proper.

The

Feb. 10. Exile.-Is he a Prince?

11. Henry VIII.—Id.

13. Lear.-De la Perouse.

14. Gamester.-Is he a Prince?

15. Oratorio.

16. Man of the World.-De la Perouse.

The scene lies in Franconia, and the knot arises out of the family pride and vanity of Lady Crackenberg, (Mrs. Davenport,) who, knowing that the young prince of Anhalt has sat for his picture, gets the painter to make a copy of it for her to wear at court, on his succession. When it arrives, it is brought to Miss Crackenberg, (Miss Norton,) who is looking at it, and the one of her lover, Captain Lindorff, (Mr. Jones,) when the mother enters-in her confusion she gives up the miniature of her inamorato, and all the business and intricacy of the piece naturally follow. Captain Lindorff comes with a recommendation to the Baron, as a keen sportsman, but, in truth, clandestinely to see his love, when he is taken for the Prince incog. and his servant (Mr. Farley) for a nobleman in disguise, the consequence of which is, that a former lover, a vain coxcomb, (Mr. Liston) is made to resign in favour of the supposed Prince. This leads to some very entertaining equivoque, or confusion, and the nuptials are about to be solemnized, when Mr. Bluffberg (Mr. Fawcett) the uncle of Lindorff, appears, who being taught, for the sake of getting rid of him, to believe that he has offended the Prince, is, contrary to expectation, determined to apologize; on thrusting himself, however, as he thinks, into the Prince's presence, he discovers his Highness to be his hopeful nephew. The eclaircissement then takes place, and the choice being left to Miss Crackenberg, she gives her hand to Lindorff.

Baron Crackenberg, and his neighbour, Mr. Bluffberg, two old sportsmen, were admirably performed by Mr. Munden and Mr. Fawcett. Mrs. Davenport, Mr. Liston, Miss Norton, and Mr. Farley, exerted their best powers, and excited universal approbation.

THEATRICAL CHIT-CHAT.

DRURY-LANE. "A hundred pound missing." Vide official dispatches received by the board, from the commander-in chief at the Siege of St. Quințin.

Mr. Henry Kemble, son of Stephen Kemble, made his debut in Frank Heartall, at the Whitehaven theatre, on the 30th Jan.

Several scandalous impositions have lately been practised, by intimidation, on the actors. The scoundrel has been apprehended.

P-VOL. T.

Mr. and Mrs. H. Siddons will leave the London boards for the Edinburgh, on succeeding to the patent of that theatre. Taking this mite from the tragedy of Drury, is robbing the poor-box.

The pro

Miss Gayton is about to be married to a man of fortune. spect of her dancing days being over, affects Mr. D' Egville, with very serious and sincere alarm.

KING'S THEATRE.

The Opera is evidently losing ground in fashionable estimation. The house being divided against itself, and the consequent uncertainty and disaffection existing amongst the performers, which have led to the nonengagement of either Billington or Catalani, all tend powerfully to abate the rage for this exotic amusement. The parties should have the sense to know, and the prudence to take advantage of the reflection, that there is no medium in this pursuit-it is all enthusiasm or neglect.

The ballet-master, however, continues his diligence. A new comic ballet, called, Don Quichotte, ou les Noces de Gamache, was produced by Mr. D'Egville, on Tuesday, the 14th Feb. The dances and divertissement are delightful, but the first act is heavy, both in quality and quantity. Boisgirard mistakes the character of the Knight of the Woeful Countenance, when he makes him a ruffian. Deshayes was full of grace and the fandango of Vestris and Angiolini, admirable in every respect.

The engagement of a Madlle. Carnivale, a dancer-lately arrived from Lisbon, is in contemplation. But singers--the Opera requires first-rate singers. Head, more head is wanting here-they have heels enough.

OLYMPIC PAVILION.

The success of this elegant little resort of the lovers of extraordinary sights, and merry drolls, continues to keep pace with the unwearied exertions, and admirable ingenuity and invention of Mr. Astley, jun. A new grand spectacle has been produced, called The Seven Capes, which affords infinite satisfaction to crowded houses. The ballet-action of the whole of the company is very meritorious, but Mrs. Astley's performance outstrips, as usual, all competition. The new rope-dancer, nick-named Sig. Woolfordini, might as well have been called, Sig. John Bullini.

COVENT-GARDEN.THE NEW THEATRE.

THE ceremony of laying the first stone of the new theatre, in Covent-Garden, took place on Saturday, Dec. 30, and furnished a very grand and interesting spectacle. The whole was under the direction of

Mr. Kemble, who paid every possible attention, as well to the accommodation of those who were admitted to see the formalities, as to the ceremony itself. The streets surrounding the theatre were lined by the Life Guards, and detachments of infantry were placed in situations to secure a facility of access to the doors of admission, and keep off the crowd. Covered platforms were raised within the interior of the building, for the accommodation of the spectators, and an open platform, from the grand entrance in Bow-street to the north-east part of the building, where the stone was laid, was railed off, and the flooring covered with green cloth, hordered with crimson, directing the progress of the Masonic Brethren to the spot where the ceremony was to take place. At the north-east extremity of this platform, in a raised gallery, were placed the bands of the Life Guards, and of the Coldstream; and at the opposite side of the platform, the Duke of York's band was stationed, and played, alternately, the most admired martial pieces. A marquee was also erected, provided with refreshments; and a covered way built up for the Masons to retire to in case of rain. The Grenadier companies of the Foot Guards, were stationed at the grand entrance door, flags were hoisted at the four corners of the building, and about forty Life Guards, who were Masons, lined the space along which the procession was to pass. The company began to assemble as early as ten o'clock, and before twelve the seats were crowded with elegant females, the gentlemen standing on a raised platform behind them. The other parts of the stage erected for public accommodation, were also crowded, and the workmen employed upon the building were placed on scaffolds at a greater distance.

At twelve o'clock, deputations from all the Masonic Lodges in town, assembled at the Freemasons' Tavern in Queen-street, and at half past walked in procession to the Theatre, each wearing the insignia of a Mason, to meet their Grand Master, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. On their arrival at the theatre, they were welcomed to the place assigned them by the bands, playing the old tune attached to the song of A Free and Accepted Mason. The grand officers, preceded by the Chevalier Ruspini, as Grand Tyler, proceeded to the marquee, to receive the prince when he should arrive.

Shortly after the arrival of the Prince was announced, the Guards ordered arms, and the band played God save the King.

Mr. Harris and Mr. Kemble, the latter of whom was made a Mason only on the preceding evening, both wearing the insignia of Masons, received his Royal Highness as he alighted from his carriage, and conducted him to the marquee, where the grand officers were waiting his arrival, the band playing, The Grenadier's March. The Prince was accompanied by the Duke of Sussex, the only branch of the royal family,

who is a Mason, except his Royal Highness, and Earl Moira, as Deputy Grand Master. Colonel Bloomfield, one of his Royal Highness's household, was also of the party, dressed in the old uniform.

The company all rose as his Royal Highness passed along the platform, the gentlemen remained uncovered, and the workmen gave three cheers, the band playing, "God save the King." A royal salute of twenty-one guns was then fired, from carronnades placed in the building, and the upper part of the stone was raised for the purpose of the ceremony.

After the Prince had passed a short time with the Grand Officers and others in the marquee, he came forward, uncovered, and prepared to lay the stone: the Grand Treasurer of the Superior Lodge deposited a bronze box, containing divers coins and medals of the present reign, in the cavity of the foundation stone; and the cement being prepared, the Prince, as Grand Master, spread the same abroad with his silver trowel, and the stone, weighing upwards of three tons, was then let down, the bands continuing to play a martial air. The Senior and Junior Wardens, and the Deputy Grand Master, the Earl of Moira, having severally presented his Royal Highness with the plumb, the level, and the square, and the Prince having applied them to the fabric, and pronouncing the work correct, he gave the stone three knocks with his mallet, and the ceremony of placing the stone finished.

Three cups were then given to his Royal Highness, containing corn, wine, and oil, which he scattered and poured upon the stone; then placing a plan of the building in the hands of Mr. Smirke, the architect, he desired him to complete the structure, according to that plan. His Royal Highness then turning to Mr. Harris and Mr. Kemble, wished prosperity to the building, and the objects connected with it, and prosperity and happiness to the proprietors and managers.

The ceremony being finished, the band played Rule Britannia, and the Prince, the Duke of Sussex, and the Earl of Moira, were escorted back to the Prince's carriage, by the managers and the grand officers, under a second salute of 21 guns.

1

The brothers of the Masonic Lodges then returned to their Hall, in Queen-street, and the Grand Lodge was closed, after making a formal minute of the proceedings. Sir John Eamer and Mr. Alderman Newnham were among the grand officers. The Prince looked extremely well, and wore the insignia of Grand Master of the Masons. The Duke of Sussex also appeared in good health and spirits, and walked side by side with his royal brother. The servants of the Prince wore their full dress liveries, and he was attended by the gentlemen of his household, in the same way as when he goes to court.

Among the articles deposited in the box, inclosed in the foundation,