ERRATUM.

In our last, p. 303, after "the known imbecility of Louis XIII." insert" and

the number of years that had elapsed before" Anne, &c. This curious paper was written Oct. 17, 1789.

Ridly &C. Se

Wr Mathens of the Theater Royal Drury!

Lane?

Published by Verner Hood&C Poultry 31 Dec. 1806.

MONTHLY MIRROR,

FOR

DECEMBER, 1806.

THE

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF

MRS. MATHEWS.

[With a Portrait.]

HE lady whose portrait accompanies this brief memoir, is the daughter of Mr. Jackson, who had the honour to be a pupil of the celebrated FoOTE; but his professional efforts were of short duration. He died at Bath, while our heroine was an infant. On the stage of that city Miss Jackson made her first appearance. One of her earliest performances was the Page, in the musical farce of the Purse; a character which, with the person of a child, requires more than a child's capacity to do justice to it in the representation. The infant debûtante acquitted herself to the perfect satisfaction of her audience, and afterwards rendered herself acceptable in some other parts of a similar description.

At a very early age she indicated a partiality to MUSIC, and her voice affording every promise that with proper cultivation it might prove the means of obtaining for her both profit and distinction, she was articled to Mr. KELLY of Drury-Lane theatre. The tuition of that gentleman and Mrs. Crouch, assisted by a good ear and correct taste on the part of the pupil, effected so rapid an improvement, that she was very soon introduced on the boards of Drury-Lane theatre, and performed Juba in the Prize, Dick in the Shipwreck, and other juvenile parts, which had previously been in the possession of young Welsh. She also played Ghita, in the Siege of Belgrade, for the benefit of Mrs. Crouch. Such was her proficiency, that, at the expiration of three years only of her article, she accepted a regular engagement in the York company, where she appeared in the winter of 1799, in the characters of Amanthis and Rosina. Here she immediately became a favourite, and sustained all the principal operatic characters, as well as the heroines in sentimental comedy, for which the delicacy of her form, her youth, and a pleasing style of delivery, peculiarly qualified her.

In this company, besides the advantage of professional practice, Miss Jackson found in TATE WILKINSON, the manager, a friend who was always ready to afford her the best advice and assistance. That

respectable veteran treated her with the indulgence which her sex and youth required, and, considering her as an innocent and unprotected female confided to his care, his conduct to her in all respects was that of an affectionate parent to his child.

In this circuit Miss Jackson received the most signal marks of attention and regard from the natives of Yorkshire, whom she never mentions without expressing the most lively and grateful sense of their kindnesses.

In March 1803 Mr. Mathews had the happiness of receiving her hand in marriage. She of course accompanied him to the Haymarket, when Mr. COLMAN, resolved on establishing a company independent of the winter houses, invited her husband, who had acquired considerable reputation as an actor, to take the lead in comedy at the LITTLE THEATRE.

From this period, the progress of Mrs. Mathews on the stage is well known to our readers. At Drury-Lane she has lately been brought forward in several very difficult characters, and, in all, her vocal efforts have been honoured with the most encouraging and unanimous plaudits of the audience. In a few seasons she will probably hold a very distinguished rank on that stage. Her voice is daily improving in sweetness and strength of tone, in flexibility, and in compass.

Her figure is symmetrically proportioned, her features interesting and expressive, and her deportment easy and graceful.

For her domestic character, we refer the reader to the biogra eal sketch of her husband, inserted in a former number of this work.

ANECDOTE OF A CORNISH BOROUGH.

FROM THE LOUNGER'S COMMON-PLACE BOOK,

A LAUGHABLE story was circulated, during the administration of the old Duke of Newcastle, and retailed to the public in various forms. This nobleman, with many good points, and described by a popular contemporary poet, as almost eaten up by his zeal for the house of Hanover, was remarkable for being profuse of his promises on all occasions, and valued himself particularly on being able to anticipate the words or the wants of the various persons who attended his levees, before they uttered a word; this some times led him into ridiculous embarrassments, but, it was his ten