many beauties, that the piece will never fail to attract for a few nights in a season.. The whole strength of the theatre is employed in the cast:--such names as Wroughton, Barrymore, C. Kemble, Raymond, Powell, Holland, Miss De Camp, and Mrs. Powell, in the characters, French and English, of this play, are seldom to be seen annexed to so many indifferent parts. We are sorry to remark, however, that there was considerable confusion in the representation→→→→ such as we hardly ever before witnessed, and which proved highly injurious to the effect. The Queen of France, too, though announced to be played by Mrs. Powell, appeared in the person of Miss Tidswell, and Mr. Cooke, who hadi previously exhibited himself in Sir Grey, Knight of Northumberland,' was suddenly metamorphosed into Montjoy, the herald, and read the French king's message to the English monarch. Dowton's Fluellen has been well studied, and, after a few repetitions, he will get more into what Nym calls the humour of it,' which Baddely, we remember, hit off very happily. Miss De Camp spoke the few broken sentences of Catherine incomparably.

19. The great mistress of the tragic scene made her first appearance, this season, in her own character of Isabella. The house was crowded to welcome the return of this unrivalled actress, whose talents, we were happy to find, are as brilliant and powerful as ever.

COVENT GARDEN.

Nov. 19.-Macbeth.-The loss of Mr. Pope has rendered a variation necessary in the cast of this tragedy. Mr. Murray takes Mr. Pope's character of Macduff, and Mr. Cory succeeds to that of Banquo, heretofore sustained by Murray. Macbeth and his lady continue with Mr. Cooke and Mrs. Litchfield.

26.-Midnight Hour.-Messrs. Munden and Fawcett have relinquished the General and Nicholas, in favour of Mr. Emery and Mr. Blanchard, who proved themselves worthy to succeed two such eminent comedians.

27.The Gamester. Besides the novelty of Mr. CooKE in the part of Stukely, a gentleman of the name of BROWNE, who, at the time Mr. Palmer embarked in the Royalty scheme, filled that actor's situation at the Haymarket with great respectability, made his first appearance on the Covent-Garden stage, in Mr. Beverly, and was received with the most flattering applause. Mr. Browne delivered the text with the most critical propriety, and, throughout the whole character, displayed very superior judgment, and strong sensibility. In the scene with Stukely, after the loss of the money arising from his wife's jewels, and in the last act, he was particularly impressive. Mr. Browne, in countenance and person, reminded us a good deal of the late Mr. Farren, and the tones of his voice occasionally resembled Mr. Wroughton's. He trod the stage with freedom, his action was unrestrained and judicious, and his manner and appearance were very much those of a gentleman. Mr. Browne's time of life is, perhaps, a little too advanced for the representative of Mr. Beverly, whose addiction to gaming is only entitled to compassion as the vice of a young man ; but there are many eharacters in which that circumstance would prove rather serviceable, than otherwise, to Mr. B.'s reputation as an actor. Of Mr. CooOKE's Stukely, formed, as it is, upon a plan totally different from that which guided Mr, Palmer in his fine per

formance of this character, it is impossible to speak too highly. The hypocrisy and artful insinuation with which he urges the "damned counsels" that drive Beverly to his fate-the cunning and malignity which manifest themselves in his countenance, and delivery, during his soliloquies, while building upon the success of one stratagem the design of another, more deeply diabolical-his boldfaced villainy in the scene with Mrs. Beverly, in the third act, and his stronglydepicted confusion on the appearance of Lerson, in the last, by which all his schemes are frustrated, were respectively specimens of such highly coloured and masterly acting, as an audience has seldom been indulged with. The soliloquy in which he intimates his intention to try the conjugal fidelity of Mrs. Beverly, was exquisitely finished. In speaking of Mrs. Litchfield, we shall borrow the sentiments of one of our best diurnal critics,* who has weighed with candour the difficulties under which any actress must appear in a character which has been so forcibly and affectingly acted by Mrs. Siddons.

"Mrs. Litchfield possesses all the intellectual powers requisite for a first-rate actress, and her voice, in volume and flexibility, is exceeded by few on the stage. The appearance of Mrs. Siddons in this part is certainly much more dignified, and in the last scene she impresses a still deeper sense of the horrors of her situa tion, but those who have not seen this inimitable actress, will not be able to form a much higher conception of conjugal love, proving, by the severest trials, its delicacy, its tenderness, its constancy; of firmness amidst difficulties; of dignity in distress; of despair when misfortune becomes irretrievable; than the picture of these exhibited by the Mrs. Beverley of Mrs. Litchfield,"

In characters like Old Norval, Tobias (Stranger), and Jarvis, in this play, Mr, Murray is certainly superior to any actor we have ever seen; his performance on this evening was distinguished for fine natural feeling, which, coming from the heart, made its way to it with irresistible energy. Mr. Brunton was unfortunate in his dress, which was totally uncongenial with the manly character of Lewson, but he played the part with propriety, Mrs. H. Johnston, who is always interesting, pourtrayed the amiable Charlotte with her usual tenderness.

DEC. 2.—Mr. Siddons repeated Othello with additional skill, animation, and effect.

9.-Chains of the Heart; or, the Slave by Choice.-A new comic opera by Mr. Prince Hoare, assuredly one of our cleverest and most valuable dramatic writers-but the complexity, confusion, contradiction, noise, folly, and lumber of a modern opera, cannot be brought within the precincts of his cultivated Muse, Mr. Hoare, like other men of distinguished talent, has condescended to invoke the genius of nonsense, and she has plainly told him that he does not wear her livery. We do not mean to say that the opera of Chains of the Heart is destitute of the attractions by which the votaries of that lady are allured; but we certainly think that Mr. Hoare would have been more honourably and successfully employed in a service which demanded the exertions of intellect rather thant he drudgery of furnishing materials for the carpenter and the scene-painter. The following is a sketch of the fable, which is founded on the expedition of the Portugueze against Ceuta, under the command of the celebrated Prince Henry. "The Moors of Africa had, some years before, made a descent upon the bor * Morning Chronicle,

ders of Spain and Portugal, and carried off many prisoners to Ceuta. Villaflor,(a) a noble Portuguese, is supposed to have been one of those who were surprised at this time. He has remained a prisoner for many years, with no comfort, except the society of his son, (b) whom he has called Osmin, and a young girl, Gulnare (c) who had been thrown by the Moors into the same cell with him.. Villaflor had caused both to assume the Moorish dress, for their more effectual preservation.

"Azam (d) the grand slave master, being inclined to make the most of his place, consents to release Villaflor, but demands an exorbitant ransom. Osmin, being arrived at manhood, conceives the design of selling himself at the fair of slaves, which is annually held at Ceuta ; but he is prevented by Gulnare, who, under a strong impression of gratitude and compassion towards Villaflor, offers herself as the victim instead of Osmin, and finds a purchaser in Bensalla, (e) but avails herself of the known generosity of his character to preserve herself for Osmin, and finally to procure her return to him.

"The Portuguese, in the mean time, attack Ceuta by land, while their ships blockade the harbour. Azam, for purposes of his own gratification, having furnished the means of opening one of the gates of the town, the Portuguese troops are introduced by Osmin, and Bensalla is surprised, while in the act of generously preserving Gulnare for her lover, Prince Henry, (f) respecting the amiable character of Bensalla, orders him to be still treated with the respect due to a sovereign."

These materials are of a more substantial kind than those with which the majority of operatic spectacles are constructed; and the author has relieved his historical and serious action with a variety of diverting scenes and characters, which bring the principal comic actors into play, and afford the necessary portion of amusement to honest John Bull and his laughter-loving friends in the galleries.

The humour is supplied by the adventures of Cotillon(g) and O'Phelim, (h) the former of whom was once a dancing-master, and is now a soldier in the Portuguese service; the latter an Irish cook in the same regiment. They are made prisoners, bought by Azam, and placed in the service of Zulima,(i) his favourite mistress, who becomes enamoured of Cotillon, and escapes with him to the Portuguese army.

Mr. Braham and Mad. Storace made their first appearance on these boards in the characters of Bensalla and Zulima. The former is infinitely improved by his trip to Italy. His voice has acquired strength, and to all the sweetness and delicacy which he discovered in the opera of Mahmoud, some years ago at Drury-Lane, he now adds the most consummate science, astonishing flexibility, neatness, and a precision in marking the half-notes which excites very hig a admiration. He gave all his songs with infinite taste and expression, and has learned to speak with more distinctness and energy, and to deport himself with proper confidence. He was received with the most rapturous applause. Storace

retains the vivacity and peculiar humour which pleased so much in the Haunted Tower, Siege of Belgrade, &c. but there seems neither advance nor retrogression in her vocal qualifications. In figure she is, perhaps, somewhat enlarged-and she is certainly not younger than when she left this foggy atmosphere to breathe the air of a clearer and a warmer climate.

Mazzinghi and Reeve are the composers-but, though there are learning and spirit, and tasteful combinations in the greater part of the music, and very grand and striking effects in the finales, there is a want of novelty and expression in the airs, which will prevent the music from becoming very popular. The manager has not been sparing of decorations, and the performers are all entitled to praise, for their exertions.

We cannot close this article without noticing the ill-nature and want of candour which were apparent among some of the audience, on the first night. A party had evidently been formed against the piece, and the indulgences which are in general liberally afforded to the blemishes of a first representation, were, on this occasion, malevolently and unjustly withheld. The second performance met with no opposition, and the opera (now past its ninth night) seems to promise a long and attractive run.

18.-Their Majesties, with five of the Princesses, honoured the theatre, for the first time this season, and commanded Mr. Reynolds' new comedy of Folly as it flies, and Paul and Virginia. They sat in a state box up one pair of stairs, a situation for which Their Majesties have relinquished their former seat, as being too near the pit. It is understood that the visits of Their Majesties will hereafter be made privately.

EGYPTIANA, LYCEUM, STRAND.

The ingenious Mr. Lonsdale, to whom the public have been indebted for various amusements, opened the scenic theatre here Dec. 26, with a Divertisement under the above title, chiefly descriptive of ancient and modern EGYPT. It is impossible to pourtray the exquisite variety of this entertainment; there is abundant food for the eye and the ear. This novel entertainment, so admirably managed, ensures to itself universal patronage.-We shall speak further on this subject next month.

THEATRICAL CHIT-CHAT.

Mr. Lewis's tragedy, which was expected to appear before Christmas, is now deferred for two or three weeks. The author has lately published his play under the title of Alfonso King of Castile.' A new opera for Braham and Storace, of which the report is very favourable, is shortly to appear at Covent Garden. It is the production of Mr. T. Dibdin, and Messrs. Bianchi, Davy, and Moorehead, are engaged to supply the music. The arrangement of the affairs of Drury Lane theatre by the Lord Chancellor will be followed by a dramatic composition from the pen of Mr. Sheridan. It was an express stipulation on the part of Braham and Storace, that they should appear in a new opera, and Mr. Hoare had only six weeks to prepare and produce his Chains of the Heart on the stage.

PROVINCIAL DRAMA.

Theatre SWANSEA-Having before seen some accounts of this theatre in your Mirror, I take the liberty of communicating to you the following. The season commenced August 3d, with "Every one has his Fault," in which Mr. Sedley and wife, from Bath, appeared as Captain and Lady Irwin. Their benefits were well attended. A Miss Grant made her first appearance. As an actress, little can be said of her at present, but her singing is tolerable. Mr. and Mrs. Sennet, from Liverpool, have also appeared for the first time. The regular company is but indifferent, a few excepted, among whom are, Everard, Baker, Gloucester, Mrs. Hazard and Miss Smith: the latter is Mrs. Hazard's sister, and her counterpart. Our old favourite Montague Talbott, played the character of Delepee, for Sedley's benefit, Monday, August 24th, and performed on the four succeeding nights of that week, Rolla, Gossamer, Octavian, &c. The regular season closed on Monday the 2d of November Instant, with the new comedy of "Life," and the Quaker, for the manager's benefit. It is reported that a new theatre will be erected by the next season, the manager is a very worthy character, and deserves encouragement.

Theatre-Royal LIVERPOOL.-Closed on Friday, November 13, with the Fashionable Lover, &c. for the benefit of Mr. Grant, whose laborious exertions and versatility of talent, were welljand deservedly rewarded: indeed, the whole of the benefits, throughout the after season, have been uncommonly productive: even more so than those of the London season. This circumstance is the more extraordinary, as the manager had been playing all the new pieces, such as Deaf and Dumb, Life, the Poor Gentleman, and the School for Prejudice, to almost empty benches. But the town seemed determined to resent the conduct of the manager, in postponing the new plays till the London performers, had left the theatre; and by that means depriving them of a principal source of attraction and support. The following is the amount of the benefits for the after season.

The theatre opened for the winter season on Monday, November 30, under the management of Mr. Ryley.

PRIVATE THEATRICALS.

STRAWBERRY HILL.-The Hon. Mrs. Damer's elegant little theatre has lately been opened. The fourth exhibition, which was on Saturday, Dec. 12th was graced by a very numerous and elegant auditory. The play was an entire new comedy, entitled The Fashionable Friends, found among the papers of Lord Orford, but not written by that nobleman. It consists of very neat and spirited dialogue, with diversified character, but not much intricacy of fable. It was well acted throughout. The prologue was written, as well as spoken, by the Earl of Mount Edgecumbe, and was creditable to the poetical as well as theatrical talents of the noble performer. The epilogue, said to be written by the Hon. Mrs. Lambe, was very appropriate to the subject of the play.