all his relations; Clotaire caused his son Chramne to be burned alive, with all his family, in a hut ; Chilperie had his son Sigebert massacred; princes, grandees, and prelates, were assassinated by the orders of the horrible Fredegonde, who would have suffocated her own daughter had she not been snatched from her; Theodobert poignarded his own wife, and was afterward, by the orders of his brother Thierry, hurled down from the walls of Cologne; a queen, nearly eighty years of age, was tied to the tail of an untamed horse, by Clotaire II; and a lord, named Boudillon, was scourged with rods, by order of Chilperic II, because he had dared to make representations to him on the enormity of the public burthens. All these horrors were committed without any remonstrance or complaint being made; and these facts doubtless only accord with a despotism of the most confirmed and malignant kind. A law of the time also corroborates this assertion, If any one kills a man by order of his king, or of his chief, having this authority over his vassals, let him not be sought, nor exposed to any inconvenience, because the order was from his lord, which he could not disobey; but let his chief protect him, or if he be dead, let his son take care of him, or whoever he be that succeeds to the deceased lord.' That all this was not usurpation, but that the subjects acquiesced in these enormities, appears from the following address of Gregory, of Tours: Ifany one of us departs from justice, you can correct him; but, if you violate it yourself, who shall call you to account? We make remonstrances to you, and you listen to them, if it seems good to you; but if you reject them, who will condemn you; unless it be him who says of himself that he is Justice?' In order to prove that some of the services due from vassals could only have been imposed with the intention of degrading them, M. Levesque relates that, when the kings of England held Guienne, the lady of Corbin was their vassal for the fee of Tuyosse; and that, whenever the sovereign passed that way, the lady was obliged to accompany him as far as the oak of Condal, with a cart full of combustibles, drawn by two cows without tails. When they arrived at the oak, fire was to be set to the combustibles, and the cart was to be consumed so far as to set the cows at liberty. The lord of Grians was bound to meet the king at a certain inclosure on his lands, with a taper of black wax, of a pound weight, and to accompany him with it, lighted, as far as St. Sever. To shew the abject condition of burgesses, there is an anecdote related of Henry, Count of Champagne and Brie, who was surnamed the liberal, on account of his generosity. He often advised with a burgess named Artaut, of whose prudence he entertained a high opinion; and the beneficence of the count to the burgess was such, that he became rich enough to build the castle of Nogent l'Artaut. One day, as the count was going to mass, a poor gentleman introduced to him his two daughters, praying him to aid him in their establishment. Artaut was behind the count, and, without giving him time to answer for himself, he told the gentleman that the lord had made so many gifts, that he had nothing more to give. Sir villain, you lie grossly,' said the count to him, when you say that I have nothing more to give: I have, and I will give yourself to him. Immediately he seized him, and said to the gentleman take him, my friend, I give him to you, and engage him to you.' The poor gentleman was not astonished, but immediately griped his prize closely, and did not let him loose till he had engaged to pay him five hun dred livres; a sum equal to twelve thousand and five hundred livres of our money, and of far higher value on account of the depreciation of specie since that period. Poetical Portraits, No. I. LORD CHANCELLOR ELDON. 'There's no needle In a sun-dial More trem❜lous than himself, in any thing SIR WILLIAM GRANT. A judge, a man so learned,— So full of equity,—so noble,—so notable; Itself cannot excuse or malice vitiate.-The same. When forked lightnings, glitt'ring in the sky, And Hope is from her anchor riv’n, Of yawning horror? shall the electric bolt Traverse with awful course the nether world; And the dire falcon shake her clapping wing ?Relentless Fates! will ye still fan the gale? And must your minds from Mercy's call revolt? And must she from her iron throne be hurl'd? Nor lyric song, nor hallow'd hopes assuage The haughty arm of your terrific rage. Vain were our hopes, and vainly poets sing; Or shall I raise my wakeful eye From pole to pole,—or soars it to the sky, 'Tis Horror's blackest form alone I can espy. Bellona now no longer drives her car Her restless steeds, no longer driv'n The peaceful chorus, and the fire-side,- The overflowing bowl; When the terrific cannon's bore Sends forth its deadly messenger no more, When jarring battles cease, And the proud Mars is from his chariot hurl'd, 'Tis then that sacred heav'n Smiles all propitious on this nether world, And neither fears can terrify, nor blessings cloy. And drink the essence of the vine, Each passing year shall hoary Time Write in his catalogue, till the huge roll And, in dire tumult whirl'd, Borne on the wings of time, may we prepare No longer plant her furrows in our brows; Nor godly gifts abuse, In justice arm'd, and bearing virtue's shield! Then mem'ry shall paint, in glowing hues, Each blissful moment,-and our souls shall rise To purest region, and the happiest world, From the low bed of death, to the exalted skies! *.T. DRURY LANE.-On Monday night, the comedy of the Dramatist was performed at this theatre; the characters were well cast and well sustained, but the impatient Gods' would not permit it to be heard very distinctly; they had assembled for a treat of another description, that of a new grand Christmas pantomime, called Jack and the Bean Stalk, or Harlequin and the Ogre. The classical story on which this pantomime is founded, has long been familiar in the nursery; and, we must confess, that it has been adapted to the stage' (to speak technically) with great fidelity. For the benefit of such of our readers as are unacquainted with this often-told tale, it may be well to state that Jack, the hero of it, is a poor and idle but good natured lad, who, being sent to market to sell a cow for his mother, is, on his return with the money, met by a good fairy, Arpa, who, after putting his humanity to the test, by assuming the garb of poverty and soliciting relief, changes, into beans, the money which Jack had received. His mother, on discovering the metamorphosis which has occurred, throws the beans with indignation into the garden, and declares she will never see him again unless he produces the money he has received. While Jack is ruminating in front of his mother's cottage, the bean suddenly sprouts up, and the stalk soon reaches to the ceiling. At the same time, a voice is heard, encouraging him to ascend the bean in the following terms: The seed is sown, The stalk is grown, Then, up Jack up, and the day's your own. Jack, having bad this advice given to him in a dream, does not now fail to obey it. He reaches the castle of the Ogre, a ferocious giant, whom he kills, and releases Janetta, a female slave to the Ogre, and a little dwarf who had also been kept in thraldom. The genii of the Harp, (Arpa) now appears, converts Jack into harlequin and Janetta into columbine. The Ogre's wife, an ugly old enchantress, conjures up two evil spirits to pursue the fugitives, who are changed into clown and pantaloon; they, annoy the lovers, by perpetual efforts to separate them, but in vain, as they are all rendered unavailing by the kind fairy, who gives a magic wand to harlequin and a flageolet to columbine, but with an injunction never to use it except in a case of extreme danger. That emergency at last arrives, the flageolet is softly blown, the scene instantly changed, and the lovers carried to Arpa's palace and there made happy. The metamorphoses, in this pantomime, though not very numerous, were effective. A patent' phlebotomizer,' who lets the lancet fall like the axe of the guillotine on the patient, is turned into a schoolmaster with a rod. A shaving machine is converted into the Attorney-general; and a set of tea equipage, which explode as fire-works, and whirled the clown and pantaloon for some time in the midst of them, drew down torrents of applause. A view of the exterior and afterwards of the interior of Exeter Change, in which the wild beasts broke loose, to the great terror of the crowds of fashionable visitors who were assembled, afforded much amusement. Among the scenery, which is very excellent, we were particularly struck with the interior of the Ogre's castle, by Marinari; a marine view, by Andrews; a view of Piccadilly, with the scaffolding for the new buildings, which changes into the County Fire Office. These two scenes were painted by Holloghan. Miss Povey, who played Jack, executed two songs very prettily. Bologna as harlequin, Miss Tree as columbine, and Southby as clown, were all that could be wished, and the pantomime was completely successful. COVENT GARDEN.-On Monday night, after Lillo's tragedy of George Barnwell, which, according to long established usage, has always been played on this evening for the moral instruction of house-maids and apprentices, a new pantomime was produced, called Harlequin and Don Quixote, or Sancho Panza in his Glory. This pantomime differs materially from other pieces of the same class in having excluded those old favourites, clown and pantaloon; and, in having admitted something like a dialogue, and a story approaching to regularity. It was, we suspect, owing to this deviation from what had seemed to be the imprescriptible usage of pantomimes, that this piece was, on the first night, less applauded than it deserved. The action of the piece commences in the study of Don Quixote, where his niece and housekeeper are introduced, ADELPHI THEATRE.-Among the pantomines produced with the aid of the barber and Sampson Carrasco, burning Miss Copeland as a Savoyard Peasant, was quite at home. his books of chivalry. The genius of romance descends, The scenery of this piece is very splendid. The enterand after reproving them for their work of destruction, tainments were received with tumults of applause by a transforms the bachelor into harlequin, the niece into co- very crowded audience. lumbine, and the housekeeper into an attendant esquire. They are instructed to lead the knight into perils and ad-at the several theatres on Monday night, that of the Adelventures, and to cure his follies by teaching him experi- phi is not the least worthy of notice, It is entitled The ence. We are then presented in succession with the Fairy of the North Star, or Harlequin at Labrador. In principal adventures of the hero of mock romance and the sixteen new and well painted scenes, which are sucthose of his faithful follower, Sancho Panza, personated cessively presented, we were much pleased with a View of with great humour by Grimaldi. The knight and the Dover, by Phillips, a young artist of considerable pro'squire are attended by the faithful companions of their mise. Paulo was the clown, and Miss E. Dennett cofortune, Rosinante and Dapple. There are fewer changes lumbine, and it will be admitted that they could not and tricks of transformation in this pantomime than usual. have found better representatives. The celebrated shawl The most whimsical was the equipage prepared for Te- dance by the three Miss Dennetts, which was introduced, resa and Sanchica, when sent for by Sancho to partake in contributed much to the success of the pantomine, which his Baratarian honours. The washing tub is changed into was quite complete. an elegant gilt chariot, which, with three swine harnessed to it, and a game cock on the coach-box, as driver, is drawn off in triumph. EAST LONDON THEATRE.-George Barnwell was performed at this theatre on Monday, Mrs. Waring sustaining the character of Millwood, and Mr. Rae that of young In order that the audience may enter into the wild ima- Barnwell; of the merit of this performance we have alginations of the knight-erraut, and understand the mo-ready spoken very favourably, and an improved acquainttives of his actions, it has been most ingeniously contrived ance with it gives us no reason to retract our opinion. that his fancies should be realised for a moment, and that Miss Price was the Maria of the evening, and played the the objects should immediately afterwards resume their na-part with that correctness and chastity which always distural shape. Thus, in the adventure of the windmill, no tinguish her performances. The new Christmas pantosooner has Don Quixote cast his eyes upon it than it turns mime is entitled, The Fire King, Harlequin, and the Wainto an immense giant, and the flour sacks become as ter Queen; it contains several good tricks, and fourteen many distressed damsels, who implore his pity; but, or fifteen new scenes, some of which are very ingenious; while he turns to take his lance and shield, the giant re- that of the palace of the Fire King is very splendid, and solves itself again into a windmill and the ladies into sacks; was much applauded. A Mr. Guerint, who is new on and the gallant knight, who does not perceive the altera- these boards, played harlequin, Miss Hart, columtion, is caught by one of the sails, and whirled round se- bine, and Mr. Kirby, clown, all in a very spirited manveral times, to the great terror of his faithful 'squire. Aner. The house was excessively crowded, and the perflock of sheep also turn, at another time, into a battalion formances gave entire satisfaction. of Moorish soldiers, with drawn scymitars and flying colours, and, at the moment of attack, resume their helplessness with their original form. The scenery, chiefly executed by Messrs. Grieves, Pugh, and Whitmore, is of the most varied and splendid description. Some slight opposition was made to its announcement for repetition by Grimaldi, but, on the second night, it was received with unqualified approbation. THE COBURG THEATRE.-The principal novelty at this theatre, is a melo-drama, called Richard the Third, founded on the tragedy of that name; it retains all the striking incidents, and was prepared, principally, for the introduction of Mr. Booth, formerly of Covent Garden; the celebrity obtained by this gentleman, with the characteristic gaiety of the season, produced the most noisy and overflowing audience ever witnessed; not one word could be heard of the performance in any part of the house; but the story being well known, and the action good, kept the whole assembly in good humour. When the curtain fell, Mr. T. P. Cooke came forward to announce the repetition of the piece, but the call for Mr. Booth being general, the former gentleman retired, and the announce ment by the latter was received with acclamations. SURREY THEATRE.-Mr. Dibdin opened this house for the season, on Monday night, with three new pieces, several new performers, and all the old favourites of the 'Surrey.' The first was a burletta, called Small Profits do Great Things, in which Miss Witham from Drury Lane theatre, niade her first appearance, and sung two popular songs with great effect. A serious Melo Drame followed, entitled the Force of Conscience, or the Accusing Spirit. It is founded on Mr. Galt's drama of the Witness, The principal characters were well supported by Mr. Bengough, from Drury Lane Theatre, and Miss Taylor. The scenery was very splendid. The last and best piece was a comic romantic Burletta, called Mouse Traps, or the Mountain Cottager, in which Chatterley as a drunken Innkeeper and Fitzwilliam as the Cottager, played admirably. Mr. Payne from the Liverpool theatre made his first appearance in this piece as a Captain of Banditti, in which he sungLet Fame sound the Trumpet' in a manner which strongly reminded us of the better days of Incledon. His voice is not very powerful, but possesses much sweetness; and he displayed considerable skill and taste in its management, particularly in the lower notes. Ilumbine. ASTLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE. -The Eastern melo-dramatic spectacle of El Hyder and a new Pantomime form the holiday treat at this house. The former has been produced with a degree of splendour equal to, if not surpassing any thing we ever witnessed at a minor theatre, and the latter is also remarkable for the beauty of its scenery. This piece is called the Three Wishes, and is taken from the often-told tale of the Wishes and the Black Puddings. From this source, the author has contrived a very interesting introduction to his Harliquinade, of which, however, our limits will only allow us to say, that it was well received. The tricks are not numerous, nor very good. We were much pleased with the graceful and lively manner in which Miss Adams played co Literary and Scientific Entelligence. Irony and Sarcasms.-Irony and sarcastic jeers have, in my opinion, no force in themselves. If aimed at a man of firm' and mean spirits, they not only grieve, but sometimes kill. mind, they evaporate; but if, indeed, they are levelled at low For instance, Socrates, when satyrised and ridiculed on the stage, laughed at it; but Poliager hung himself. A newly discovered Fishing Bank.-We understand that a Fishing-bank has within these few years been discovered, which is supposed to extend about 150 miles in a south-western direction from the Shetland Islands. It joins the fishing-banks on the western side of the Orkney Islands, and is believed to bend wisdom of the Barbarians? For not one amongst them has fallen No Atheists among Barbarians.-Who will not extol the westward as far as Cape Wrath in Sutherland's Fire, and the into Atheism, or hath doubted, whether there be gods or not, Lewis Isles.-This great Bank has already become an object of and whether they take care of us or not. None of them, neither some notoriety with the Dutch and French fishermen, who are Indian, Celtic, or Egyptian, adopted such opinions as did to fish upon it next season. One French vessel, said to belong to Eaémeras the Messenian, or Diogenes the Phrygian, or Hippo, St. Maloes, fished two cargoes of fine cod upon it, in so short or Diagoras, or Socias, or Epicurus. The forementioned Bara period in the summer of 1819, that she returned to France with barians asserted, that there were gods, who exercised a proher second cargo in the month of July. A number of decked vidence over us, and predicted certain events by birds and boats or small vessels, manned with eight hands each, belong- tokens, and the entrails of animals, and other prognostications: ing to the Shetland Islands, rendezvoused last summer, in Scel-all which things are arguments to inen, of the superintendence loway, and the other boes or bays on the western side of Shet- of the gods. They also tell us many things are foretold to them land; they were extremely successful, having actually caught for in dreams, and by the stars. From a firm faith in these prinseveral months together, at the rate of about 1000 fish per week, ciples, they religiously offer sacrifices, and live in pure and holy manners, and perform ceremonies, and observe the law of orgies, and do many other things, which strongly express their worship and reverence of the gods. for each boat. The position and circumstances of this valuable fishing-bank has for some years attracted the attention of Mr. Stevenson, engineer to the Commissioners of the Northern Lighthouses, under whose direction a new Lighthouse is now erecting on Sumburghead, in Shetland.-Mr. Stevenson's inquiries were originally directed to this great bank as a subject interesting to Natural History, and connected with his investigations regarding the bed of the North Sea, or German Ocean; and we are happy to learn, that he is now enabled to delineate its general outline on the map of the North Sea, and give soundings of the depth of water on a range of from 30 to 60 fathoms. As no trace of this great bank is to be found on the charts of these seas, it would certainly be an object of national importance to have its limits accurately ascertained, and the soundings correctly laid down upon the charts of the coast. Mr. Stevenson further suggests, that this bank should be called Regent Fishing Bank, to mark the period in which it has been discovered. Misrepresentation.-This expressive word is peculiar to the English language; there is nothing exactly equivalent to it in the French, nor, we believe, any other European language. It is descriptive of the art of disguising objects; of depriving them of their natural appearance without changing them entirely. To make a misrepresentation is not to advance a fact which is groundless; it does not even consist in falsifying or preventing the principal circumstances of a fact; it consists in placing the fact in a false light, which gives it altogether another appearance from that which it ought to have. The Goodnatured Author.-The late M. Segur, among other literary productions, supplied the French theatres with a number of pleasing trifles. If he was not always successful, he was at least always gay in his reverses. When his works were ill received by the public, he consoled himself for a failure by a bon mot; he made even a point of consoling his companions in misfortune. About twenty years ago, a piece of his was brought forward called the Yellow Cabriolet which happened to be damned on the first representation. Some days afterwards a piece, by another author, was presented, which was equally unfortunate. The author, petrified at his failure, stood for a moment immoveable. Come, come, my dear Sir,' said M. Segur, 'don't be cast down, I will give you a seat in my Yellow Cabriolet! Parliamentary Bulls.-On account of the great number of suicides a member moved for leave to make it a capital offence, A Young Lady, who has had the advantage of Superior Masters in the vicinity of London, and who can have unexceptionable recommendations, is desirous of engaging herself in a Nobleman or Gentleman's family, either residing in England or going to France. She is competent to teach French and English grammatically, Geography, Writing, and Arithmetic, Music and Dancing. She is a Member of the Church of England, and has been accustomed to the Tuition of Children for the last four years.-Letters addressed, post paid, to J.J. 47, Chaucery Lane, will be immediately forwarded and punctually attended to. Just published, with a beautiful Copper-plate Engraving, royal 12mo, hot-pressed, in boards, price 58. HUMOUROUS RECITATIONS, in Verse: with PRIDE and PREJUDICE; or, Strictures on the Public Schools. Published by Pinnock and Maunder, 267, Strand. By JAMES RONDEAU. This day is published, in 3 vols, 12mo. price 16s. 6d. THE BLACK CONVENT, a Romance, 2 vols. 11s. BRAVO OF BOHEMIA; or, the Black Forest, 2nd Edition, 4 vols. |