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17.-Pizarro, got up with great pomp and expence of dress, decoration, &c. was acted for the first time at this theatre; but, besides the force of prepossession, which is in favour of the exhibition of this splendid spectacle at DruryLane, there are more rational grounds for its effect being necessarily grander at that house: the vastness of the theatre, and the height from the stage, which there fore admits a bolder expanse of scenery, (height and distance being both among the sources of the sublime) contribute to furnish a much more magnificent coup d'ail than this popular olio of music, pageantry, and pantomime, can possibly present at its rival theatre. Under this impression, we, from the first, questioned the policy (to say nothing of the illiberality of the measure) of acting this drama in opposition to Drury-Lane. It is true that the original Rolla and Elvira are now at Covent-Garden, and the merits of Mr. Kemble and Mrs. Siddons in these parts are unrivalled, and transcend all praise; but the popularity of Pizarro was never occasioned by individual actors in it; it was produced by a combination of glare and bustle, and music and procession, aided by novelty of subject, and those captivating flourishes of loyalty and patriotism, which are so palatable to the English people. The furor is now over, and Pizarro must take its humble station with the other gingerbread productions of the day, destined like them to re-appear at irregular inter vals, for a night or two, as a revival, with a fresh coat of gold leaf and spangles.

A great novelty in the attraction was Mr. Cooke's Pizarro. On his appearance he was received with the most rapturous applause; but he soon betrayed evident marks of indisposition, and, after a few ineffectual efforts to proceed, he was obliged to withdraw. This disappointment caused a violent uproar, which lasted a considerable time. In the end, Mr. H. Siddons came forward in his stead, and the play, which had advanced into the second act, was, by desire of the audience, recommenced at eight o'clock. Mr. H. Siddons, whose readiness in these emergencies is surprising, acquitted himself with great credit, and was fervently applauded.

The piece has been superintended with infinite care, and liberality is every where conspicuous among the paraphernalia. The dresses are remarkably splendid, but Ataliba looked more like a king of the gypsies, or a chimney sweeper on May-day, than the sovereign of Quito, owing to the numerous tinsel devices which decorated his robe. It may be said that the dress is according to the costume of Peru; but supposing this, though we doubt it, what signifies the costume of a dress being correct, if the effect of it be dull, offensive and ludicrous, in a play whose immediate object is to dazzle by splendour, and fill the spectator with admiration and delight? Costume, with respect to the stage, is only to be considered as a ground-work on which taste and fancy are to build its ornaments.

20---Pizarro.---Mr. Cooke being recovered from his indisposition, appeared this evening in the Spanish General; it is a character that should be respectably sustained, though it rather affords an opportunity for good'acting in others, than requires the exertion of any particular talent in its own support. Orozimbo, Rolla, Alonzo and Elvira, have each in their turn a peck at poor Pizarro, who listens very quietly to their several reproaches. Mr. Cooke, however, gave a stronger effect to some of the passages than they have hitherto produced, and his · acting of the part, altogether, stamped additional value on the performance.

22.---Mr. Braham and Madame Storace made their first appearance for the season, in the opera of Family Quarrels, and were received, as they deserved, with the most enthusiastic applause on their entrée.

25.---Henry V.---Mr. Kemble's animated and dignified performance of Henry has before received our most particular notice. He is indeed " every inch a king," and worthy to represent the gallant hero who won the field of Agincourt. The play was very appropriately acted on the anniversary of that battle; and the thin attendance did not damp the ardour of the actors, nor the enthusiasm of the audience. The Tale of Mystery followed, in which Mr. H. Siddons, for the first time, appeared in Romaldi.

Nov. 2.-Much ado about Nothing.-Miss Brunton performed Beatrice, as her second character, and appeared to much better advantage than in Lady Townly, though, considering her total inexperience with the stage, she certainly displayed the most promising talents in that arduous character. Miss Brunton's figure is extremely handsome and striking; her features are expressive of archness, vivacity, and all the joy-inspiring attributes of the comic muse; her voice is also exactly calculated for the lively dialogue of elegant comedy. Her tones do not so well accommodate themselves to serious speaking, as appeared from the scene of Lady Townly's repentance; but the provoking raillery and smart replies of Beatrice she gave with considerable point, and we think every expectation may reasonably be indulged of her future eminence, in the higher walks of comedy. Lewis, in Benedick, as in all his other characters, is unrivalled and inimitable.

3.-ARTHUR AND EMMELINE ;---not precisely Dryden's, as the bills announced, but Garrick's alteration of Dryden's opera, was revived with an expence somewhat improvident. There is but one speech in the piece that applies' to the present circumstances of the country; and magicians, and good and evil spirits, and all the monsters of the world of fairies, seem no longer in fashion; for the house was the worst within our recollection, and very few remained to watch the fall of the curtain. We shall thus quietly dismiss the masque of Arthur and Emmeline, once so popular on the stage; but we must not forget to observe, that Mrs. H. Siddons, in Emmeline, delighted us with one of the most interesting, chaste, and captivating specimens of acting which we have witnessed, on either stage, for a considerable length of time.

5.-Fair Penitent---and (1st time) Raising the Wind.-The only principal novelty in the cast of this tragedy is Mr. Cooke's Sciolto; the other important characters having been sustained at the other theatre by the same performers. Mr. Cooke was very impressive throughout the part, and in the last act the con-. fict between honour and affection, the rigid duties of the judge and the agony of the parent, were powerfully depicted. In the dying scene he was equally happy. The new farce is the production of a Mr. Kenney. The principal character is a Diddler, a man who lives by his wits, or by levying contributions on those who have none. The idea is not new to the stage. Lackland, and Spunge, in Reynolds's Cheap Living, are the dramatic progenitors of Diddler; but the author has shewn considerable skill and neatness in the conduct of his piece, which is full of life and bustle, and distinguished by several of those whimsical situations which it is the legitimate province of farce to exhibit. The success of this pro- . duction the ingenious author may in a great measure claim as his own just due, but much of it is also undoubtedly owing to the exquisite comicality and inexhaustible spirit of Mr. Lewis in the principal character. We have a right, from this pleasant specimen, to expect much future entertainment from Mr. Kenney, whom we congratulate on the dexterity he has shewn in raising the wind. well-written prologue preceded the performance.

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12.-Three per Cents; or no Wife no Money.-Some opposition being made to this comedy, towards its close, the author immediately withdrew it, though we are of opinion that if it had been performed a second time, with the objectionable points expunged, the piece would have gone the usual number of nights. It will not now be necessary to go into any detail of the plot, &c. Mrs. Cresswell from the Dublin stage, afterwards made her appearance in Virginia, (Paul and Virginia :) she sings very sweetly, is an interesting figure, and seems to possess more merit as an actress than belongs in general to professed singers.

14---Mrs. Creswell in Ophelia, confirmed and increased the reputation which she acquired in Virginia.

16---Lock and Key.---Mr. Byrne, in Incledon's part of Cheerly, was favourably received. He sings with some degree of taste, and would be an 'acquisition to the theatre, were it less rich in vocal merit of the most exquisite order.

DRURY-LANE.

Oct. 27th.---Edward the Black Prince was performed on this evening, as a play in unison with the feelings of the nation at this interesting crisis. It was well acted by Pope, in the Black Prince, Raymond, Barrymore, and Mrs. Young; and was prefaced by some animated lines from the classical pen of Sir James Burges. The audience was not numerous, and it is somewhat remarkable, that the plays which are revived for the purpose of meeting the sentiment which now fills the bosom of every Briton, are played almost to empty benches. Is it that Englishmen prefer the tented to the mimic field? It is certain that they want not the eloquence of poetry to inspire them with patriotic ardour. The Wife of two Husbands-Scapin in Masquerade-Hearts of Oak, &c. in our next.

PROVINCIAL DRAMA, &c.

Theatre Royal LIVERPOOL.—The managers of this theatre have been trying the experiment of a winter company, and, considering that the times are not favourable to dramatic amusements, the result has been as successful as could reasonably have been expected. Braham and Storace, however, did not attract, so much as might have been imagined from their very superior merits, and their immense popularity in London. Cooper, who played a night or two in the summer, on his way to Ireland, has since rejoined the company, which now consists of Messrs. Young, Mathews, Cooper, H. Lewis, Grant, Smith, Howard, Shepherd, Shaw, Ryley, Penley, Benwell, Woodward, Moreton, Pos tlethwaite, Banks, Hamerton, Mrs. Chapman, Miss Grimani, Miss Biggs, Miss Smith, Miss Sims, Mrs. Margerum, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Kennedy, Mrs. Penley, Mrs. Moreton, Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Shaw. Mr. Mathews, the popular comedian from the Haymarket theatre, made his appearance in Pedrillo, and Sir David Dunder;-he was received with the loudest applause, and is become a vast favourite with the town. His Old Wiggins, Dan in John Bull, and Risk in Love laughs at Locksmiths, have been particularly admired. Mrs. Mathews is the Lydia in the last mentioned piece, which she renders extremely interesting. Mr. H. Lewis is constantly improving in his profession, and promises become a very excellent comedian.

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Theatre COLESHILL.-" We have a company of comedians here, of which Tillyard is the manager, and who is so good a one, that, with the assistance of eight others, he manages to perform many plays, which require twice the number of persons in London. A Mr. George is the Roscius of the company. I am informed that George is not his real name; only assumed, I suppose, on account of his relations, "who had rather have seen him starve, than he should have turned stage-player." This is the common cant of theatrical candidates. They have performed several comedies, in a style which would not have disgraced a better theatre, viz. Laugh when you can, Wives as they were, Beaux Stratagem, Poor Gentleman, &c. We have had but few tragedies, though it may be truly said of the theatre, that there" blood has been shed ere now in the olden time," for it was once a slaughter-house. I saw Pizarro, which, I assure you will bear no comparison with the representation at Drury-Lane, and in one instance our manager fairly outdid his London rival, for he advertised "the virgins of the sun to be performed by some ladies of the town!"

Blue Beard, declared in the play bill to be the most striking and delightful drama ever represented on the British stage,' was performed for one of the benefits, with Richard III. as an after-piece ! !

"The success they have met with has been considerable, considering the smallness of the place. Coleshill and its environs boast of many people who have taste and spirit to encourage the Brief chronicle of the times.'

"P. S. On the night I was there, there were upwards of FIVE POUNDS in the house!!!"

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Theatre LINCOLN.-Mr. Editor-Having seen, in the Mirror for October, an account of the Lincoln company, which was by no means a candid statement, I hope you will endeavour to give the present one a place as early as possible.

Shakespeare's play of Cymbeline was got up on Friday, Nov. 4, (for Mrs. T. Robertson's benefit) with more splendour and attention than we have seen here for some years. Posthumus, by Mr. Brooke, was sustained with great success, and in a manner that convinced us he spares no pains in endeavouring to improve himself. Mr. Robson's Jachimo was every thing we could wish in point of acting, but his figure is not quite weighty enough for the part; he possesses abilities however which would place him above mediocrity in any theatre. Mrs. T. Robertson was a very fascinating Imogen, and the rest of the characters were well supported. Love laughs at Locksmiths was the farce: Captain Beldare by Mr. Brunton, who improves daily; Risk, by Mr. Adcock, who performed the part extremely well, and gave the songs of the Farm Yard and Miss Bailey with great effect. The sameness of manner, attributed to this gentleman in your last Mirror, we have not been able to discover. Mr. Robertson's Solomon Lob (as are all his countrymen) was very good. Mr. Brown displayed much humour in Totterton, and Mr. Wilde, in Vigil, was very respectable. Mrs. Brunton sang the airs of Lydia in an excellent style, and played the part with her usual naiveté. Our great actor, Mr. Smedley, so outrageously commended last month, was by no means adequate to several of the characters he performed, and Mrs. Smedley, our comedy actress, strange to tell! has not yet made her appearance, except to deliver messages, while little Mrs. Townshend, who has a deal of merit, and plays in the comedy business every night, was entirely forgotten. CANDIDUS.

Theatre SHEERNESS---(Nov. 17, 1803) opened about a month since, with a respectable company, under the management of Mr. Jerrold. On Monday, Nov. 14, the theatre was honoured by the presence of the Port Admiral, and a very brilliant assemblage of elegance and fashion, to see the comedy of John Bull. Job Thornberry was represented by a Mr. Cobham, who entered fully into the spirit of the part, and exhibited, with much pathos, the manly energy and parental affection which the author intended to pourtray. Sir Simon, Frank Rochdale, and Shuffleton, were respectably performed by Messrs. Jerrold, Holding, and Moore, and the sentiments of Peregrine were delivered, by Mr. Sealy, with correctness and propriety. Dennis Brulgruddery was performed by Mr. Davis, who merits a very high degree of approbation, for the comic humour he exhibited, and Mr. Oxberry's Dan was certainly a most humorous and correct performance. Miss Henderson, in the character of Mary Thornberry, was extremely interesting, and Mrs. Jerrold and Mrs. Simcock deserve praise for their performance of Lady Caroline Braymore and Mrs. Brulgruddery.

The farce (Of Age To-morrow) was received with very considerable approbation, and the company seems likely to be successful. The theatre is fitted up with more than usual elegance.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

ON Tuesday, November 22, his Majesty came down to the house, and delivered the following most gracious speech :-

My Lords and Gentlemen,

Since I last met you in parliament, it has been my chief object to carry into effect those measures which your wisdom had adopted for the defence of the United Kingdom, and for the vigorous prosecution of the war. In these preparations, I have been seconded by the voluntary exertions of all ranks of my people, in a manner that has, if possible, strengthened their claims to my confidence and affection: they have proved that the menaces of the enemy have only served to rouse their native and hereditary spirit; and that all other considerations are lost in a general disposition to make those efforts and sacrifices which the honour and safety of the kingdom demand at this important and critical conjuncture.

Though my attention has principally been directed to the great object of internal security, no opportunity has been lost of making an impression on the foreign possessions of the enemy. The Islands of St. Lucia, of Tobago, of St. Pierre, and Miquelon, and the settlements of Demerara and Essequibo, have surrendered to the Brstish arms. In the conduct of the operations by which those valuable acquisitions have been made, the utmost promptitude and zeal have been displayed by the officers employed on those services, and by my forces acting under their command by sea and land.

In Ireland, the leaders, and several inferior agents, in the late traitorous and atrocious conspiracy, have been brought to justice; and the public tranquillity has

Y YVOL. XVI.

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