electrcial shock, every countenance changed, and the most serious and silent attention visibly appeared in every countenance.

His reasoning with Nerestan, why he should not deliver up Lusignan, was bold and manly, while his pity for the unhappy monarch was expressed in a manner truly pathetic. From this the transition to the firm and resolute (speaking of Zara) was incomparable. His receiving and reading the letter was very natural, and shewed the prince. The ironical manner of his upbraiding Zara, afterwards, while a multiplicity of passions seemed struggling in his bosom, would have done honour to the first tragedian on the stage. In a word, the whole was far superior to any thing that could possibly be conceived, and the frequent interruptions given to the performance, by loud and reiterated bursts of applause, testified how agreeably the audience had been disappointed. He was announced to personate the character of Young Norval, on the ensuing evening. This was received with the loudest acclamations,

The noise he had made through the town, brought together another brilliant assemblage, but with different sentiments than on the former night:-then we went prepossessed against a representation that appeared to us in a light highly ridiculous-now, to behold an effort of the most astonishing natural genius the world ever produced. To use the author's own words, he was

"Mild with the mild,

"But with the froward he was fierce as fire."

His manner of informing Lord Randolph who and what he was, was indeed beautiful; and when the chief replied

"Was ever tale

"With such a gallant modesty rehears'd ?"

the whole audience approved, like a sudden clap of thunder. The scene where his mother discovered herself to him was so truly affecting that there was scarce a dry eye in the theatre :-his breaks were bold and natural, and received that warm applause they so well deserved. The scene with Glenalvon was indeed a master piece. The gentleman who performed this character appeared to be the best tragedian of the company, but the "young and blooming Norval soon made him shrink"-not "beneath his sword," but beneath his grace, action, and forcible manner of delivery. His speaking these lines"I'll tell thee-what thou art

"I know thee well"

was far beyond any thing I ever heard.

His third appearance was in the Peruvian hero, Rolla! We have had several who were accounted capital performers in this character, but the best judges here allow this young Roscius to stand foremost on the list. The hero's famous speech to animate the soldiers to repel their invaders, was delivered with grace and energy, and at the same time with the nicest discrimination. His scenes with Alonzo, Elvira, and Pizarro were more natural, and by far better acted, than by any other Rolla I ever saw. The manner of his taking the child was much admired. Perhaps his strength would not permit him to take it in the unnatural manner all the other Rollas do. I say unnatural,—for can any person suppose that the amiable and humane Rolla, who loves Alonzo and Cora with such affection, and so dotes on their child, that he condescends to prostrate D D-VOL. XVI.

himself to Pizarro for its preservation-I say, is it reasonable to suppose that this great hero should rudely seize the beloved infant by one arm, and run the risk of dislocation, by swinging it over his head, as Tallyho the huntsman would a dead fox after a hard chace-and "all for what?"-to shew his own figure to advantage! Abominable.

His fourth, and I am sorry to add last appearance, was in Romeo. Here he was both the lover and the hero! In the garden scene he was modest and highly interesting. Juliet might indeed call him the Tassel-Gentle; but I am sorry to say most of our great Romeos, as they are vulgarly styled, are so totally ignorant of that beautiful metaphor, that they resemble more the blood-stained vulture. The scene with Tibalt was spirited and manly, but that with the friar was expressive of great judgment. All through the last act we never saw grief, rage, and despair more happily blended.

When Garrick and Barry were contemporaries in this character, the critics of those days, while they admired the beauties of both, agreed in opinion that, in the garden and last scenes, the one was as much too tame as the other too boisterous:--:---our young hero evinced great judgment, by avoiding both.

Report says this young gentleman is a native of Shropshire, but has been in this country a few years, and, what is very extraordinary, he is said to have seen but one play in his life, before he trod the boards himself.

His form is majestic, his action graceful, his countenance beautiful and impressive, and his voice musical and manly. In short, were this rich and invaluable flower but taken from its present barren, and carefully transplanted into the genial soil of London, there to be tenderly nurtured, it would become the delight and admiration of the world, and Britannia might then justly boast her own Roscius!

I am, Sir, yours, &c.

CRITO.

Theatre SUNDERLAND-opened, for six nights only, on Monday, July 18th, in order to display the powers of Mr. C. Kemble and Miss Mellon, who performed Shylock, Don Felix, Octavian, Hamlet, Lovel, Belville, and Count Almaviva.- The Romp, Donna Violante, Lady Contest, Agnes, Miss Lucy, (Virgin Unmasked) Kitty, Miss Peggy, Jacintha, Nell, Lady Caroline Braymore, and Susan.

The present company is the best Mr. Kemble ever brought to Sunderland : it consists of Messrs. Kemble, Bland, Jones, Noble, Kelly, Suett, Mara, Musgrave, Chippendale, Elliot, Robson, Liston (who was re-engaged with Mr. K. after performing a few weeks with Mr. T. Wilkinson) Lee, from the TheatreRoyal Edinburgh, and Lindoe, who is excellent in sentimental characters, from the Norwich theatre. Mrs. Kemble, Mrs. Bland, Mrs. Jones, Miss Jones, Miss Kemble, Mrs. Noble, Miss Benson, Mrs. Mara, Miss Wood, from the Theatre-Royal York; Mrs. Chippendale and Mrs. Lee from Edinburgh.

Theatre Royal BRISTOL-opened the 19th, with Speed the Plough, preceded by an occasional address from Mr. Charlton, for the benefit of the fund at Lloyd's. The house was crowded; indeed, nothing less could have been expected, from the exertions of the liberal and patriotic spirit of the inhabitants of

this city. Elliston, contrary to report, resumed his character of Bob Handy. Mrs. Johnstone, the favourite of Melpomene, and of Bath and Bristol, again takes the lead in tragedy.

New Theatre SOUTHAMPTON.---This elegant playhouse, built on the plan of Drury Lane, has lately been opened. Two hundred persons at least were turned away from the doors on the first night. The theatre is situated in French Street, and the whole of the building has been designed and executed under the direction of Mr. Joseph Slater, of this town. The announcement of the opening was accompanied by the following address, from Mr. Collins, the manager. "In the projection and execution of this building, it has been his most anxious endeavour to erect such a one as to be worthy of the taste and liberality of Southampton and its neighbourhood, humbly trusting it will in no way be found deficient in point of general accommodation, beauty, and elegance.

"He submits the new theatre, then, to the attention of the public, with the most entire confidence in their generous patronage and support; at the same time, respectfully informs them, that the very great expence attending the undertaking, makes the raising the price of admission unavoidable. When it is considered that the summer theatres of Bristol, Brighton, Weymouth, Margate, Cheltenham, and many others, have been long considerably advanced, from the great difference in the price of every article (and that not few) consumed in a theatre; it is humbly presumed such a measure will be considered as wholly indispensible."

Mr. Dowton performed Sheva and Sir David Dunder, for the benefit of Mr. T. Collins, of Drury Lane, on Wednesday the 14th Sept. Among the company, which is very respectable, we particularly noticed the merits of Mr. Maxfield, Mr. Warren, and Mrs. Leach.

DOMESTIC EVENTS.

VOLUNTEER CORPS.-The following is an authentic copy of the resolutions moved by Mr. Sheridan, respecting the volunteers, as they stand on the votes of the House of Commons:

MERCURII, 10 DIE AUGUSTI, 1803.

Resolved, nem. con. That the thanks of this house be given to the several volunteer and yeomanry corps of the United Kingdom, for the promptitude and zeal with which, at a crisis the most momentous to their country, they have associated for its defence.

Ordered, nem. con. That a return be prepared, to be laid before this house in the next session of parliament, of all volunteer and yeomanry corps, whose services shall have been then accepted by his Majesty, describing each corps, in order that such return may be entered on the journals of this house, and the patriotic example of such voluntary exertions transmitted to posterity.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do signify the said resolution and order by letters to his Majesty's Lieutenant of each county, riding, and place, in Great Britain, and to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

The foregoing will be communicated by the Lord Lieutenant to the commanders of the several corps, and by them read to the officers and men. The reply of each corps will, it is presumed, be transmitted to the Lord Lieutenants, to be by them transmitted to Mr. Speaker, in order to their being entered on the journals of the house.

A letter from Novar, of the 4th August, states the following distressing accident:---"Yesterday the Lady of Sir Hugh Munro, of Fowlis, went to her usual place, in the Bay of Cromarty, to bathe, taking three of her servant maids along with her; and, as was always her practice, a servant was placed at a considerable distance, to prevent any person from passing that way while she was bathing. Mr. Finlater, a merchant, coming near where the servant was placed, was alarmed by loud cries and shrieks, and insisted on going forward to see what was the cause, but the servant prevented him, saying he had orders to stop any person going that way, and that the cries were only occasioned by his lady and the maids ducking. Mr. F. however, not being satisfied with this, persisted in his determination, and instantly getting into a boat, made for the place, which he had no sooner reached, than he saw the four bodies floating on the water. He soon got them into the boat, and made for the shore. One of the servants revived when in the boat. Medical assistance was immediately procured for the lady, and likewise for the two servants; but though every effort was made to recover them, all proved ineffectual. It is supposed that some of them had gone beyond their depth, and the others, in attempting to save them, shared their fate: but no positive information has yet been obtained from the maid who survives."

An expurgatorial index for Shakespeare has been submitted to the consideration of the Chief Consul, in which sundry passages in Henry V. and other historical plays, are branded as highly offensive and seditious. It is thought that, with certain alterations and lowerings, some of the other plays, not having an immediate political tendency, may still be permitted to hold a subordinate rank, and be acted in their turn after Racine and Voltaire, if ever the French shall get possession of the English stage.

Literal copy of an advertisement in a German newspaper.---" Wanted. A person who will play the devil in the new tragedy of The Count of Lubeck. A person of downcast look, heavy brows, and a deep guttural tone, will meet with a preference."

A person of the name of Macdonald hired himself as a substitute in the Army of Reserve, for a parish in Northumberland, at the rate of 3s. per lb. At this high rate of flesh he proved to be of much less value than he expected, as he only obtained about nineteen guineas and a half.

In the mail coach which runs from New Haven, in Connecticut, to Bennington, in Vermont, the passengers pay according to weight: when a lady exceeds sixteen stone she is rated as luggage.

Muly Moloch, Emperor of Morocco, spent his whole reign in devising plans to keep the minds of his subjects engaged. "If a parcel of rats," said he once to the British ambassador, "are permitted to remain in a bag, they'll eat it; but if you keep shaking it, they will not." Buonaparte seems to be of the same opinion with regard to his slaves.

Napper Tandy died at Bordeaux about the middle of August.

When Gen. O'Kelly was introduced to Louis XIV. soon after the battle of Fountenoy, his majesty observed that Clare's regiment behaved well in that engagement. "Sire, (said the general,) they behaved well, it is true, many of them were wounded, but my regiment behaved better, for we were all killed!”

EXECUTION OF HADFIELD.-Carlisle, Sept. 23.-I now send you the account of the execution of Mr. Hadfield. His irons were struck off this morn ing about ten o'clock; he appeared as usual, and I did not observe any alteration or increased agitation whatever. Soon after ten o'clock he sent for The Carlisle Journal, and perused it for some time; a little after he had laid aside the paper, two clergymen attended, and prayed with him for about two hours, and drank coffee with him. After they had left him (about twelve) he wrote some letters, and in one he enclosed his penknife; it was addressed to London. The sheriff, the bailiffs, and the Carlisle Volunteer Cavalry attended at the gaol door about half past three, together with a post chaise and a hearse.. He was then ordered into the turnkey's lodge for the purpose of being pinioned, where he enquired of the gaoler who was going in the chaise with him? He was told the executioner and the gaoler. He immediately said, "pray where is the executioner? I should wish much to see him." The executioner was sent for: Hadfield asked him how he was, and made him a present of some silver in a paper. During the time of his being pinioned he stood with resolution, and requested he might not be pinioned tight, as he wished to use his handkerchief when on the platform, which was complied with. He then left the prison, and wished his fellow prisoners might be happy. When he came in sight of the tree, he said to the gaoler, he imagined that was the tree, pointing at it, that he was to die on. On being told yes, "O! a happy sight, I see it with pleasure!" Then he desired the hangman to be as expert as possible about it, and that he would wave a handkerchief when he was ready. The hangman then having fixed the rope in its proper place, he put up his hand and turned it himself. He also tied his cap, took his handkerchief from his own neck, and tied it about his head also. Then he requested the gaoler would step upon the platform and pinion his arms a little harder, fearing, lest, when he lost his senses, he might attempt to lift them to his neck. The rope 'was completely fixed about five minutes before four o'clock; it was slack, and he merely said, "May the Almighty bless you all!" Nor did he falter in the least when he tied the cap, shifted the rope, and took his handkerchief from his neck. He hung in the midst of a great number of spectators for one hour, when he was cut down and interred in St. Mary's church-yard, the usual place of interment for those who come to an untimely end; the parishioners of Burgh objecting to his being laid there.

ASTLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE.---About half past two o'clock on Friday morning, Sept. 2, a thick fog and black smoke was seen by the watchman to issue out of the back part of Astley's elegant little theatre, near Westminster bridge. The alarm was immediately given, and the doors were burst open.--No sooner was the air introduced, than the flames broke out in the interior part of the building, where the scenes and machinery are kept. The performances on Friday night were the Heroine of China, and the Invasion. In the latter there is a brilliant display of fireworks, illuminations, &c. Our readers will ea