irritability of feeling, which is the inseparable attendant of genius, we can only say, that he knows too little of the human art to estimate, as he ought, the moral value of human actions; for though weakness and irritability are not to be defended, yet, as they form a part of our nature, and are frequently found united with virtues of a superior order, they should not be too hastily condemned.

Another circumstance contributed, at this moment, to render Madame Catalani less popular, namely, her refusing to sing for a charitable institution. The public erroneously attributed this refusal, as well as her difference with Mr. Taylor, to motives of avarice; but if this were the real cause of her refusal, how can we explain the fact, that she sent twenty guineas as a private donation to that very charity? If this be the manner in which avarice manifests itself, it were well for charitable institutions that all the world were misers.

After the fracas between her and Mr. Taylor, she appeared occasionally at private musical parties. She performed at the principal towns in the three kingdoms; at the grand music meetings at Oxford and Cambridge, and at several charitable institutions. She was at length induced to go to Paris, where the Emperor of France granted her the patent of the Theatre Royal Italian, with a yearly salary of £7000 sterling. This theatre, which was then by far the most elegant in Paris, she managed with great ability for four years, and alternately engaged the celebrated composers, Paer and Spontine, to conduct the musical department, She also engaged the first singers of Italy, both male

and female. The receipts, however, were trifling when she did not sing herself, so that her attention to the interests of the establishment became a fatigue to which her health was unequal, and she determined to resign the charge, and visit the capitals of Europe. She went first to Berlin, where she was received by his Prussian Majesty with the most flattering respect. The Prussians were at a loss which to admire most, her surprising talents or beneficence. Of this she received the most honourable testimonies from all the Prussian courts, and his Majesty sent her, accompanied by a most gracious letter, the grand medal of the academy, (similar to that which the great Frederick sent to Voltaire.) This letter was published in all the journals of the time.

From Berlin she proceeded to Hanover, where she was graciously received by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, and all the ladies of the court. She was crowned at the theatre with her usual success; and after giving a concert for the benefit of the poor, she departed for Stutgard. We are informed that the melody of her voice made such an impression on the late king, who was passionately fond of music, that he pronounced her name a few minutes before his death.

From Stutgard she went to Munich, but, in consequence of some trifling misunderstanding, she departed without singing. She was persuaded, however, to return shortly after, and was affectionately embraced by the Queen, who greatly regretted the mistake which had taken place. The King was not less attentive to her, and recommended her to the friendship of his daughter, the Empress of Austria.

Vienna was the next theatre of Madame Catalani's vocal powers. Here her success was unparalleled ; and a simple statement of facts will easily evince the enthusiasm with which she was received. The great room of the Redoubt was filled to excess, at each of her concerts, though it contains 3000 persons, and the tickets of admission were very high. The Emperor, as a mark of his royal favour, presented her with a superb ornamental of opal, enriched with diamonds. Here her benevolence and liberality to the poor, who always participated in her success, displayed itself as usual. Every mouth resounded her praise, and the magistracy of the city, to testify the high sense which they entertained of her character, caused a medal to be struck, which bears an inscription highly flattering to her.

Madame Catalina had long cherished a wish to visit Russia, from which she had received many invitations. On leaving Austria, therefore, she proceeded to St. Petersburgh, where she commenced with a concert, the tickets for which were fixed at twenty-five roubles. The success which attended her performance the first night, was so great, that several hundred persons were disappointed of seats each succeeding night. She was persuaded to give her concluding concert at the public exchange, where she was honoured with the presence of 4000 individuals. The receipts of this concert she devoted to the relief of two hundred distressed families in St. Petersburgh. Such is the illustrious character who has been charged with avarice in the metropolis of the British Empire! We must confess it gives us sincere pleasure, that it should fall to

our lot to present these proofs of her liberality to the public, or, at least, to that portion of the public who honour our pages with a perusal. At her departure from St. Petersburgh, the Empress embraced her in a most affectionate manner, and the reigning Empress presented her with a pair of gold ear-rings, and a diamond necklace. The Emperor Alexander, not less sensible of her virtues, kissed her hands at her departure, and made her a present of a magnificent girdle of brilliants. She remained four months in Russia, during which time, she gave concerts at St. Petersburgh, Riga, Moscow, and Wilna, which produced her, exclusive of all expenses and the sums she bestowed on charity, upwards of 15,000 guineas. When she went from Moscow to Warsaw, she was presented, on her arrival, with a letter from the Muscovite nobility, offering her, as we have already observed, 240,000 roubles, if she would come and give ten concerts at their ancient capital during the winter. Apprehending her health would not endure the severity of the climate, she declined the flattering and advantageous invitation.

She made her second appearance in England in July last, (1822,) and gave a concert at the Argyle Rooms, on the sixteenth of that month, where she was received with the most enthusiastic applause. Nothing could equal the effect which she produced in singing Rhodes' violin variations. In this extraordinary exercise of her vocal powers, she displayed at once her surprising rapidity, strength, and sweetness. She gave another concert on the 30th of July, the profits of which amounted to upwards of £300, and which she devoted to the funds of

the Westminster General Infirmary; and indeed, the whole tenor of her life shews the mistaken prejudice which had been, at one time, excited against her in this country.

From London, Madame Catalani proceeded to Glasgow, and afterwards visited Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, and Liverpool: here she was joined by Mr. Yaniewiez, who has ever since been the sole director of her concerts. From Liverpool she proceeded to Leeds, and next visited Sheffield, where she was suddenly taken ill, while the audience were assembling, or, rather, after the greater part of them had assembled. The effect of her illness produced a temporary suspension of her vocal powers, and she continued for three days in this alarming state. She left Sheffield without a concert, promising to return shortly, which she did, after visiting Birmingham, Bath, and Clifton. From Sheffield, she proceeded to Nottingham, and from thence to London, where she still continues. During this excursion, she has cleared above £6000, over and above the heavy expenses, which she must have necessarily incurred. She is now performing in London, where her success is without example. At this, however, we feel no surprize; for, since she first commenced her musical career to the present moment, she has been not only the first singer in Europe, but, in fact, the only singer who may be truly said to have had no competitor. The public mind never hesitated a moment, between the comparative merits of her and any other performer; and when we say the public mind, we do not mean the English public alone, but that public, of which all the nations in Europe are