Brief Memoirs of the Dauphin of France. With a Portrait of that unfortunate Youth, copied from an Original, of M. Du Bos.) 498, and his father's parting for exe Register of the Theatre Royal, Crow- May, 31, 1793. le was born on the 27th of March, 5, fo that he wanted nearly two aths of eight years old at his father's rder. The pomp and fplendor of condition was little felt by him, as y fubfifted only in his infancy: as he reafed in age, he encreafed in for7; and came to years of perception en he had nothing but mifery to pere around him. "Yet it is univerfallyULE a Wife and have a Wife, 1 that he poffeffes a promptitude in ry knowledge that his tender age can eive, far beyond his years. Few are the cdotes that can be gathered of one fo ing and fo early acquainted with fufings. To behold a father confined a dungeon, a mother torn down from pinnacle of ftate to be the inhabit of a prifon, and his amiable aunt 1 lovely fifter his companions in forv, muft have borne ftrongly on his lings. The author of "Democratic ge hath very judicioufly preferved ry little trait of the Dauphin's life at came to the knowledge of the pubas may be beheld pathetically reded in the extracts we have given m that Tragedy in the firft fcene of Royal youth's appearance, page Hib. Mag. June, 1793. For the benefit of Mr. John Ryan, formerly proprietor of the Tavern in Fownes's-treet, and Shaw's-court-The appearance of fo very refpectable and numerous an audience fully proved in what a light this honeft and unfornate citizen was held by the public; and of the fairnefs of a character that neither profperity nor misfortunes could tarnish. His only fault was too great creduty; and his ill placea confidence in the fonour of fanie of his cuftomers-and without a pun it may be faid, if Mr. Ryan had not had fo much faith he would have efcaped a bitter retentante. June 3. The tragedy of the Carmelite, with the farce of the Lyar. As this was properly the first night of the after feafun, fo two new perforPPP mers were brought forth: Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock in the characters of Hildebrand and Lady St. Valori.-Mr. Whitlock gave fatisfaction; yet did not efface the impreffion that Mr. Wells had made on thofe who faw that tragedy at its firft appearance in Fifhamble-ftreet. Mrs. Whitlock difplayed the feelings of the mother and the wife, in Lady St. Valo i with great effect. Her figure is rather low, but has fufficient weight Her emphafis was properly placed, and her paufes judicious. Although juftice will not place her on a compleat level with Mrs. Siddons, nor fay, that the is equal in every respect to her fifter, yet her performance is very refpectable, and does no difcredit to her family. If he has not ftudied fo clofely as Mrs. Siddons feem to have done, the mechanifm of the ftage, it is apparent the is more indebted to nature. 4. The Beggars Opera,-Government Night, and as fuch, the boxes free for the ladres. There cannot be a greater burlefque on a theatre, than is ufually exhibited on Government Nights-any piece, and any performers are good enough for the audience. For the rabble of females that crowd the gratis boxes, totally exclude any perfon of rank and character from mixing with the herd; and the other parts of the houfe, are equally afforted. The intention of government is certainly to pay a compliment to the royal family, and accordingly the Lord Lieutenant pays every fuch night a certain fum. If, indeed, ladies were admitted to the boxes, by tickets given them by the mafter of the ceremonies, or the chamberlain of the household; then perfons of character, would not refufe a mark of refpect: gentlemen would pay for the pleasure of attending them; and the other parts of the houfe would be decently filled, to the honour of government and the greater emoluments of the manager, 5. Percy with Comus-Elvina Whidock. Mrs. 6. The comedy of the Jealous Wife, with the farce of the Spoil' d Chid-for the benefit of diftreffed Free Mafons. 7. The Carmelite repeated, with the mufical entertainment of Rofina. 8. No play. 19. Democratic Rage, or Louis fortunate-a tragedy, written Prefton. As this piece had been p fome time previous to the perio and had been read by most peo public curiofity was greatly rail the tragedy itfelf we fhall m ftrictures, as we have inferted extracts from it: therefore we t fine our obfervations folely to the fentation. Painters have, in very frequ the word Coftume; it is derive. the Italian, and hath a very e meaning; as it includes the fex the picture, and the habiliment figures. All thofe muit be adapted to the piece, and a fi falfification of either fpoils he beauty and effect. If a gay appears, in the ftory of Mofes t the rock, in the parched up -If the fcene of the nativity corated with Corinthian pillars, s riched entablatures, inftead of th ble appurtenances of the ftable leham-If the nine virgin Mufes prefented in the prefent fashion minent pads, Portia with an ho long ruffles, or Alexander the with a bag wig, thefe would faults against the coftume. Ta hath alfo its colume, the fcenery, and decorations, thould affort flory, place, and perfons of th reprefented thereon; and a fir the propriety of either can be fult only of grofs ignorance, parfimony, or filly affectation. In the tragedy of Louis the nate an error in the coftume ca eafily take place; the fcenes of the perfons reprefented, their ages and general appearance are alm verfally known. The drefs of th at the time of his execution was ly recorded; the habits of the Culottes and troops of the fe Paris were univerfally known; of cloaths of the royal prifoner been declared; their being dep every mark of royalty, of every of ornament and fplendor, had b nounced in the proceedings of the 793. Theatre Royal, Crow-street. onal Convention. Yet in fpite of all efe informations, that would have een fufficient hints for Mr. Woffingon's direction of his puppet fhow, we ound a moft miferable neglect of cofume on the theatre royal. The king vas not only dreft in black velvet, but dorned with a ftar and ribbon, in which treble blunder was committed. The rofs was that of St. Louis, whereas the kings of France never wore that crofs out at chapters of that order, when troffes are beflowed. The only ftars worn by the French monarchs were thofe of the order of the Holy Ghoft, the ribbon of that order is blue, whilft that of indeed was St. Louis is red. The queen dreft with propriety; but the princefs Elizabeth, and the princefs Royal, refolving to be fine, in fpite of propriety, difplayed fuch head dreffes as no perfons in their deplorable fate would think of; and their robes fhone with splendid various coloured foylesili befitting the gloomy place of their confinement-but, O lamentable! to fill up the measure of abfurdity, the French national guards that conducted the king to the fcaffold, were dreft in British regimentals: and poor father Edgeworth (who had been fomewhat unaccountably omitted by the author) was added only as a dumb attendant in the proceflion; marching on, like an undertaker's mute at a funeral. It is really a pity fome few words were not put in his mouth by the perfon who wrote the mad fpeeches for the queen, fpoken the first night, but very properly omitted at the following reprefentations, because they appeared, when added to Mr. Prefton's words, like patches of frize fewed on a Sattin robe. The performance of fome of the characters demands particular notice. The king by Mr. Clinch was very respectable. Mifs Duncan's dauphin was tender, delicate and affecting. The only fault, (which was a defect of nature only) was that he appeared too old for a boy of eight years. Orleans by Mr. Palmer was characteriftic; Mr. Well's Roberfpierre bold and manly. 483 reprefentation of the queen, and the other pro 11. Just in Time, with the mufical 12. Democratic Rage, repeated, with 13. The Lord of the Manor, with the interlude of Hard Times, and the farce of the Romp-for the benefit of Miss Brett-Hard Times was only an additional drawing name to the original appellation of the Stone Eaters. This might have pleased in London, where a man had exhibited himself as a Stone Eater, with as much celebrity as Mr. Powel the Fire Eater; but as he never appeared in Dublin, the joke here was not understood. 14. Democratic Rage, a third time. be no 16. Democratic Rage for the fourth The performance of this tratime. gedy was carefully avoided if not (as fome fay) refufed, whilft it remained in manufcript, fo there can hopes of fecing it performed for the benefit of the author. It was great theatrical policy to wait till it was printed and thus became the property of the public, without any defalcation of the third nights to the poet. 18. No play. mer. 19. Love makes a Man, with the FarHere the public had novelty, Mr. Munden making his firft appearance here in the characters of Don Lewis, and Jemmy Jumps. It is but juftice to fay be was excellent in both, poffefling the Mr. vis comica to a very eminent degree. 20. No play. Whitlock wanted an appearance of age, for the veteran admiral Kerfaint; and Mr. Davenport had not the fire requifite for the daring, hardened, open villain, Marat. Mrs. Whitlock attained excellence in her 21. Love makes a Man, and the Fur22. No play. mer, a fecond time. Ppp 2 (Tobecos ued.) The The Vicitudes of Fortune. A true Story. An Original. viving parent; they mutually ftrove to diminish each other's forrow, and fo fa: fucceeded, that in the fpace of fix months, (Embellished with a Picturefque En- though they never ceafed from a tender TH graving.) HOSE who have lived any confiderable time in the world muft have remarked the ftrange viciffitudes of forture; perfons of the greateft intrinfic merit, and highest accomplishments funk at once from cafe and affluence to penury and forrow; and others rifing as fuddenly, from the very dregs of the people, to fplendor, rank and honours. Thefe changes often attend one and the fame perfon, fo that no one can have any certainty of continuing long in the prefent ftate: yet fuch is the force of innocence and virtue that those who poffefs them will find comfort in the greatest abafement; whilft thofe who are deftitute of thofe confolations, will not enjoy the moft flattering gifts of fortune with eafe and content. The truth of thefe remarks will be evinced by the following true hiftory. At the age of fifteen Lydia Morton, loft a dear and tender mother, who had inftilled into her only furviving child the principles of virtue and honour, found ing them on the firmeft bafis, rational piety. Her affectionate father, who had pared neither pains nor expence to procure for his darling Lydia every accomplifhment, befitting a female, when he loft his wife, transferred the whole fum of his love and regard to his daughter; and feemed to redouble his care and affection. As he was but forty years old when he became a widower, it was thought by many that he would confole himfelf for the death of one wife in the arms of another. To this he was ftrongly urged by many of his friends-but no, faid he, clafping his Lydia in his arms; this is the only wife I will ever embrace, she is my child, my friend, and my wife. No my darling no ftepmother fhall ever frown on the child of my dear, dead Maria; thy tender father will fu ply her place and add the mother's attention to his own.. remembrance of Mrs. Morton, yet refignation to the will of haven, produced a calm, that bordered on happinets. One whole year had the father and daughter lived comforts to each other; for one whole year the hours and days had paffed in tranquillity, and Lydia thought her happiness fecure, when the was defined to feel the common lot of human nature, a reverfe of fortune, and aggravated forrow. Mr. Morton was the younger brother of a noble family, and having received at his father's death a younger brother's portion, had employed it in commerce. His integrity had procured him many friends, and his induftry had been fo crowned with fuccefs that he had lodged fix thousand pounds in the funds for his dear Lydia. This fum, with what he hoped to be able to accumulate by commerce (in the exercife of which he fil continued) and might leave her at his death, he thought would enable him to expect at her marriage a fettlement that might fecure an independence during her lite. As the had now paffed her fix teenth year and was both beautiful and accomplished, he feriously thought on a proper hufband for her. Several he had recommended, but refolved never to let her give her hand without her heart accompanied it; though the fin cerely esteemed fome of them, not one but was indifferent to her in the light of an hufband. She had not yet feen any man that had touched her heart, and the felt not the lealt inclination to alter condition in which the was happy. Mr. Morton had a brother, Sir Ro bert Morton, who poffeffed the family eftate and title, and was two year's older than Lydia's father. He had led a life of pleasure that prevented him from thinking of marriage; and indeed having conftantly conforted with the worst part of the female fex, he had contracted fuch a bad opinion of the whole that he would never venture on a wife. His Lydia, although the felt her lofs moft exceffes and debaucheries had brought feverely, yet received great comfort from on a premature old age, and rendered mmarisiony of bon fux, him to emas ed debilitated that he |