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A word for the author,-Mr. Somerset is an inde fatigable labourer in the dramatic field—but he has not received the encouragement that is due to his industry; and, we may justly add, to his genius. When we consider the very small modicum of talent that is necessary to constitute a successful playwright in the present day, we cannot but marvel that he should lack advancement ;is it, that he possesses not the accommodating spirit necessary to conciliate actors, or those splendid nuals," lessees?-We suspect that it is.-In our critical vocation, we have hardly met with a more deserving author (among the moderns), than Mr. Somerset. He is, (we understand) what very few of his brethren are, a scholar; he is, also, what most scholars ever have been -poor. This is a melancholy reflection, and we write it with bitterness. At ignorance and presumption, we delight to point a shaft-a good cloth-yard, and more; but merit pining in poverty and neglect demands our helping hand, and shall have it;-in such a case, we would desire to soften, if not to retract, our censure:

"But if the muse, too cruel in her mirth,

With harsh reflections, wounds the man of worth,
Asham'd she marks the sentence with a blot,

And hates the line where candour was forgot."

Cast of the Characters,

As Performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, Oct. 29, 1829.

The Conductors of this work print no plays but those which they have seen acted. The Stage Directions are given from personal observations during the most recent performances.

EXITS and ENTRANCES.

R. means Right; L. Left; F._the_Flat, or Scene running across the back of the Stage; D. F. Door in Flat; R. D. Right Door; L. D. Left Door; S. E. Second Entrance; U. E. Upper Entrance; C. D. Centre Door.

RELATIVE POSITIONS.

R. means Right; L. Left; C. Centre; R. C. Right of Centre; L. C. Left of Centre.

R.

RC.

C.

LC.

L.

•.* The Reader is supposed to be on the Stage, facing the Audience.

Costume.

LORD SOUTHAMPTON.-Crimson velvet trunks and tunic, richly embroidered with gold—mazareen blue velvet cloak, embroidered with silver-crimson velvet cap, with white feathers-lace collar and ruffs-pink sash--white stockings-russet boots.

EARL OF LEICESTER. — Crimson velvet shape and cloak, richly embroidered with gold-lace collar and ruffs-blue sash-blue velvet cap, with red feathers -white stockings-white satin shoes.

SIR THOMAS LUCY.-Crimson velvet shape and cloak, trimmed with yellow-white stockings-russet boots-collar and ruff-cap to match.

JOHN SHAKSPEARE,-Gray cloak-doublet and cloak, trimmed with blue worsted binding-drab hat, and black feathers-blue stockings-russet boots.

WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE-Light blue shape and cloak, trimmed with black velvet-black cap and feathers-russet boots. In the court scene, in addition to the preceding, a short black cloak.

GILBERT SHAKSPEARE.-Yellow doublet and trunks, trimmed with green binding-cap to matchgreen stockings-russet shoes.

DRAW L.-Black velvet shape, trimmed with red satin-small round cap-short cloak--black stockingsrusset boots-large copper-rimmed spectacles, to put on when required-collar and ruff.

SLYBOOTS.-Drab doublet and trunks-cap to match-russet boots-long staff-buff belt.

TARLETON.- Light salmon-coloured shape-red stockings-russet boots-cap, and feather to match.

RICHARD BURBAGE.-Brown tunic, trimmed with black velvet-leather belt-black cap and featherswhite stockings-russet boots.

DOCTOR ORTHODOX.-Black velvet shapesmall cloak-black velvet cap-black stockings-shoes. PETER.-Black cloth shape-very small cloakred stockings-russet shoes.

QUEEN ELIZABETH.-Royal robes of state, of crimson velvet, richly trimmed with gold-white satin petticoat, thickly quilted with gold-brilliant stomacher -long train―large lace frill-white satin shoes-royal coronet

MARY SHAKSPEARE--Drab gown-blue petticoat -black velvet points-old English cap-high-heeled shoes.

OBERON.-White satin tunic-silk stockings-flesh collar-white satin shoes-blue sash-diadem-hunting horn-wand.

TITANIA.-Blue crape, spangled with silver, over a white satin petticoat-blue shoes-diadem-wand.

SHAKSPEARE'S EARLY DAYS.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-Exterior of the House of John Shakspeare, wool-stapler, of Stratford upon Avon, in which our im mortal bard was born.

Enter JOHN SHAKSPEARE,* followed by MARY, his wife, D. F.

John S. Prithee now, dame, seek not to justify such loose behaviour-I tell thee, our boy Willy hath not been home all night.

Mary S. May hap not, goodman John; yet do I, though his mother, feel no uneasiness, being assured that none but the very best of company hath kept Willy from home; for he hath noble blood in his veins-that is, on his mother's side: ay, marry, that he hath!

John S. Tush! noble blood, forsooth! noble nonsense! An he mind not his lawful calling and be thrifty in the wool-market, thereby proving himself more expert in the getting of money than in the lavishing thereof, what will his noble blood avail him? Is he not a loose, wild, hair-brained young spendthrift, I tell thee, dame, his manner liketh me not; no, no! I say again, and again, his manner liketh me not!

Mary S. But it liketh me well, goodman John, to see my boy herd not with boors and clodpoles, but the rather with young gentles of good degree and spirit; thereby giving proof of his noble descent: for doth he not proceed in a direct line,—that is, on his mother's side, from the ancient and honourable stock of the Ardens? +

John S. He doth, dame, I grant you; but what of

History being silent as to the peculiar characters of Shakspeare's relatives, the dramatist is, of course, at liberty to give them such traits as he may think proper. According to some accounts, Shakspeare's father was a butcher, but all agree, he was a dealer in wool; probably both are correct; may he not have united both callings as a source of livelihood?

By marrying Mary Arden, Shakspeare's father obtained a grant of arms from the Herald's College.-The Author.

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