and another looks upon him as the Mr. Windham, it appears, wished perfect English gentleman.' As to to reconcile cruelty to christianity! being a cavalier,' he might as well A violent and sudden death with him have been called an accomplished was turned into the jest of killing off; light-horse-man; the phrase is non- the effects of peculation and prodisense, and may be pardoned for the gality were softened down by the sake of it's drollery; but that a man, ideas of cheeseparings and candleto all appearance so hypocritical, so ends. And though a member of a crooked in politics, and so wanting in church which prays every day for moral sensibility, should be termed peace, he was the constant advocate the perfect English gentleman, is a for eternal war! gross libel on the openness, manliness, and fine feeling, of the English character; and till Mr. Windham be proved a different person from what he seems to have been, he will be considered, I am afraid, a Frenchman of the worst kind, a sacrificer of substance to shew, designing in the midst of his frankness, and unfeeling in the midst of his gaiety." He has bequeathed the familyestate in Norfolk, valued at 6,000l. per annum, to Mrs. Windham, for her life, which is afterwards to devolve on Captain Lukin, of the navy, and his heirs; and has left handsome legacies to his two other nephews in the War Office. THEATRICAL RECORDER. under the title of "The Doubtful Son, This drama, which is from the pen of Mr. Dimond, has for its groundwork a plot of considerable interest, but our limits do not permit us to follow it with that minuteness which story: The fatigue of her journey brings on a premature labour, which the infaut rabella then suggests the idea of substituting Leon, her child by her former husband, for that of the Marquis of Lerida, and she adopts that plan.— Travels until time had rendered the difference of age in Leon imperceptible, and he is presented to the Marquis on his return from America, as his would be necessary to shew how that son. Between Rosaviva (who passes interest is produced. We can only for the ward of the Marquis, but who state the principal points of the is really his daughter by a Mexicau lady) and Leon a strong attachment The Marquis of Lerida had married has taken place. At the period when at an early period of life, the heiress the piece commences, the Marquis of an ancient wealthy Spanish Gran- has begun to entertain suspicions dee, and a few months after his mar- of his wife's virtue, which are heightriage, being appointed governor of ened by the successful villainy of his Mexico, proceeded to South America, Portuguese secretary, Malvolio, who, leaving the Marchioness pregnant.- sprung from the lowest station in life, This lady, it appears in the sequel, but possessing uncommon subtlety, in had been previously and secretly mar-masking every bad passion, worms ried to a dependant of her father, who himself into the confidence of his prowas killed in a battle with the Moors. tector, the Marquis, and even obtains The birth of a son discloses to her sufficient influence over the Marfather the secret of her marriage. He chioness to learn from her the secret takes the child from her; by exciting her apprehensions for its safety, conpels her to marry the Marquis of Lerida, and to conceal from him the story of her former marriage. On the departure of the Marquis to South America, she sets out to visit her son, who was nursed in a hut in the Pyrenees. of her former marriage, and the birth of Leon. Malvolio takes care to intimate to Leon that Rosaviva is his sister, and, by the influence he has over the Marquis, prevails on him to consent to his marriage with his daughter. Contracts are signed, by which the castle of Lerida, and all the estates of the Marquis, are conveyed performers in general sustained the to Malvolio, and Leon is disinherited. characters assigned to them with suitIn the mean time, however, a stranger able effect. Mr. Sowerby, who made appears, who exercises a mysterious his appearance for the first time on authority over Malvolio. He had the London stage, supported the chabeen his associate in former guilt, racter of Malvolio very well, but we and by a train of circumstances his must see him in other parts before we villainy is unmasked, his marriage can give an opinion of his merits as with Rosaviva prevented, the Mar- an actor. He appeared rather formal chioness, after a disclosure, restored in his manner, but that the hypocrisy to the confidence of her husband, and of the character in some measure reLeon made happy. quired. He endeavours to imitate Mr. John Kemble. The piece was heard with approbation throughout. It will be perceived from this sketch, that the plot of the drama is more romantic than probable. The story, indeed, seems suited to the climate where the scene is laid. It is truly Spanish in the singularity of the events, and in the exaggeration with which the passion of love is depicted. But though the story, as a whole deviates from probability, the incidents are introduced with great skill, and a perfect knowledge of stage effect. The developement of the plot is ingeniously protracted, and the attention is powerfully riveted to the termination of the drama. The character of the Marchioness is involved in mystery until almost the last scene. The audience are kept ignorant of her first marriage, while Leon is known not to be the son of the Marquis. This was risking a great deal, for it is no easy task to interest the feelings in behalf of a person guilty of so gross and base a deception as she is supposed to have practised. When, however, the suspicion of criminal intercourse is removed, it has the effect of diminishing the disapprobation which the less offence, the imposition of the child on the Marquis, is in itself calculated to excite. This ameliorating effect is also aided, by making the artifices of Malvolio prevent her from disclosing her story to the Marquis, when she is anxious to throw herself on his generosity. Upon the whole, the moral that every deception is evil, and that confidence ought never to be withheld in those relations of life which render it a duty, is well inculcated. There is a scene at the end, in which Malvolio, when his arts are discovered, claims the house and property of his patron, which bears, perhaps, too close a resemblance to one in the comedy of The Hypocrite. The dialogue is well written. The UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. XIV. LYCEUM THEATRE. Monday, July 16, a new opera made its appearance, under the title of "Tricks upon Travellers," the author of which we understand to be Sir James Bland Burgess. The scene is laid at Seville, and the following is the substance of the plot: Don Ramirez, a Toledan gentleman, and Donna Clara, have interchanged vows of mutual fidelity; but the lover proves inconstant, and having heard of the immense fortune of Donna Laura, a lady of Seville, he deserts, his mistress, and sets out for that city, The piece opens with the arrival of Don Ramirez in Seville, who is bent on this fortune-hunting expedition, accompanied by his servant Diego, and strongly recommended to the father of Laura, who awaits his arrival with impatience, as his future son-inlaw. The affections of Donna Laura, however, are engaged to Don Carlos de Guzman, a nobleman, from Madrid, unknown to her father. Don Carlos, as usual, has also his valet, Pedrillo, who is active and adroit at intrigue, and the counter part of Diego, the other valet, who is as remarkable for his clownish simplicity and good nature. In the course of the piece these two characters are played off against each other, and produce a variety of laughable situations. The forsaken Donna Clara also sets out for Seville, accompanied by her steward, Bertran, and her waitingmaid, where Bertran having discovered that Don Guzman was looking out for a duenna to attend on his daughter, waits on him in the character of a country school-master, to recommend I Donna Clara in that capacity as his be said to rise much above mediocrity, daughter, and widow of Vincent either in the language or sentiments, Runez, a farmer. Succeeding in his never disgusts us by puns, or by the attempt, Donna Clara and her two sickly affectation of thread-bare senattendants prepare to wait on Don timent. There is also a considerable Guzman in their assumed characters. degree of bustle and intrigue going While the negociation for Donna forward, which serves to keep alive Laura's marriage was going forward, the interest of the piece. The songs she had bestowed her affections on a with which it is interspersed appear nobleman, Don Carlos, whose servant, to us superior to the dialogue. Pedrillo, undertakes to delay the nuptials. The contrivances adopted by him, first separately, and afterwards in conjunction with the feigned duenna, form the business of the piece, and as they ultimately prove successful, the drama concludes with the union of Carlos and Laura, and of Clara and Ramirez. Of these materials the author has contrived to form a very passable opera, which, though it can hardly The music throughout, by Messrs. Reeve and Horn, is extremely good, and some of the songs were rapturously encored. The performers exerted themselves to the utmost, and did full justice to their parts. Upon the whole, though we cannot give this piece unqualified praise, yet it forms a pleasing entertainment, and may contribute to the public amusement It was given out for repetition, amidst loud applause. FACETIOUS AND ECCENTRIC. MISCELLANEA, SIR, MY LORD, perhaps got title.-I say I not like that, all very shocking.-I go to see Chelsea-all old men sit on grass, in shade WHEN you write to me, some of fine tree, fine river run by-beau time ago, to give my thought tiful place, plenty to eat, drink, good of what I see good and bad this coat, every thing very good-Sir country, that time I not speak English Gore he tell me King Charles and very well-now I read, I write much King James.-I say, Sir Gore, they little better-now I give to you my not Mussulmans, but I think God love think. In this country had not too them very much. I think God he much, every thing very good-but love the King very well for keeping suppose I not tell something little bad, up that charity-then I see one small then you say I tell all flattery-there- regiment of children go to dinnerfore I tell most bad thing. I not like one small boy he say thanks to God sach crowd in evening party every for eat, for drink, for cloathes-other night. In cold weather not very good little boys they all answer Amen, then now, hot weather, much too bad. I cry a little-my heart too much very much astonish, every day now pleased.-This all very good for two much hot than before, evening parties things-one thing God very much much crowd than before.-Pretty please-two things soldiers fight much beautiful ladies come sweat that not better because see their good king very good-I always afraid some old take care of old wounded fathers and lady in great crowd come dead, that little children.-Then I go to Greennot very good, nd spoil my happi- wich-that too good place-such a mess. I think old ladies after 85 years fine sight make me a little sick for not come to evening party that joy-all old men so happy, eat dinner much better. Why for take so much so well-fine house-fine beds-all trouble? Some other thing little bad. very good.-This very good country-Very beautiful young lady, she got English ladies very handsome, very ugly fellow for husband, that not very beautiful-I travel great deal, I go good, very shocking.-I ask Sir Gore Arabia, I go Calcutta, Hyderabad, why for this. He says me, perhaps he Poonah, Bombay, Georgia, Armenia, very good man, not handsome no mat- Constantinople, Malta, Gibraltar, I see ter, perhaps got too much money, best Georgian, Circassian, Turkish, Greek ladies, but nothing not so beau- "The time arrives when nature calls for tiful as English ladies-all very clever rest, guest. The saint he followed where the matron Survey'd the chamber, furniture, and bed, care, him there." -speak French, speak English, speak And to the room prepared she leads her Italian, play music very well, sing very good-very glad for me if Persian ladies like them; but English ladies speak such sweet words, I think tell a little story, that not very good. One thing more I see, but I not understand that thing good or bad; last Thursday I see some fine carriages, fine horses, thousand people go to look that carriages; I ask why for, they say me, that gentlemen on boxes, they drive their own carriage. I say, why for take so much trouble. They say me, he drive very well, that very good thing. It rain very hard, some lord, some gentlemen, he get very wet: say, why he not go ide? They tell me good coachman not mind, get wet every day, will be much ashamed if go inside, that I not understand. siderable time, the saint says to his After pondering the matter a con A Poetical Saint. A popular preacher in this metropolis, who sometimes amuses himself with tagging rhimes together, has published a composition addressed to Barried woman, which he calls"A clownish poem on the Shunamite, A sinner called to be the Lord's delight, By the despised William Huntington, Both known and trusted now in Paddington." Then comes a literal direction prefixed by the poet. "To Mistress now at number eight, Tis by the new St. Luke's that's built of In Old-street end, you'll find the dame's late, abode, In Winkworth's-buildings, on the City road!" servant, "I'll find the bottom ere I sleep to night, Gehazi, go and call this Shunamite." But still unable to divine her meaning, or her wishes, «He says, Gehazi sec this woman's care, And tell me now what I shall do for her." Whether this Gebazi had received a hint does not appear, but it seems he was at no loss to understand the matter. "Gehazi answered, she's a barren styl'd, For I have heard she never bore a child; Her other self to nature's charms is cold, She can't expect a seed, her husband's old. The prophet now construes the matter plain, A And bids his servant call her up again; A letter is subjoined to the poem, Paschal lamb was too big for an hinting to the husband that if the Israelitish family, the master was to invite his neighbour: he, it is supposed, saw also in this saint an exemplification of his own doctrine; viz. that a christian should learn to be comely in his walk, by the hegoat,'" The Retort Courteous, It seems to have been the pious writer's intention to describe the progress of his labour of love, with this An Irishman passing along the good woman, under the story of the street, and coming in contact with a Shunamite. He commences with the barrow and a woman selling potatoes, first visit of Elisha, by whom himself upon the pavement, exclaimed in a is to be understood, when she, finding great passion, What the devil are he is to come that way again, impor- we obliged to go out into the dirt for tunes her husband to let her furnish your accommodation? And why not, a bed room on purpose for him: which man alive, replied the woman, Don't is scarcely finished when he calls there. I bring my potatoes here for yours? She treats him with the best her house They are some of the real Munsters! affords, when at last, On a late double Charge of Bastardy. Sometimes to tell a man his own, Is reckon'd most uncivil, Two Rev'rend Beaus, can one suppose, The Chace and the Church. A gentleman lately passing through a village near Southwell, in Nottinghamshire, gives the following account of his journey-I here, (says he), perceived a rustic-party arrayed in holiday attire, entering the churchyard. I suspected a wedding, and mingling with some of the byestanders, was much amused with the appearances of joyful expectation, coyness, and archness, which were depicted on the countenances of the bridal groupe, as they waited in the church porch the arrival of the parson. After a short time the clerk arrived, and never surely before did the presence of a parish clerk produce so sudden an effect; the few words he uttered were electrical. The bride coloured as red as scarlet, and I saw suggested that they might get a li cense. "So we may," said the bride, recovering her spirits, "and then parson must do his work." "I think he ought to give 'em the licence," said a farmer. "He will see 'em hanged first," said another; "I know he wants to go a hunting to day, and he won't thank 'em for stopping him." "What your clergyman is a sportsman?" said I. "Aye, that he is, and a keen one too," replied the rustic. "He never stands for a hedge or gate, nor a field of corn, but dashes over, dogs and all; that is, as long as they bent his own grounds, because he likes to keep his own hedges and fields in nice order, you see. I could tell you," said he, some funny things about n; but, see here he comes with the young couple to finish the job." 66 I entered with the bridal train into the church; the ring was scarcely placed on the bride's finger, when the mellow sound of the hunting horn floated in the air. I perceived its instant effect: the parson hastened to the end of the ceremony, and the conclusion of the scene cannot be better described than in the words of the old song: One day he had a pair to wed, The fox came by in view, sir, And bid the pair adieu, sir. He swore that night to bed they might, the tears ready to start in her eyes; the bridegroom looked foolish, the bridemaids tittered, and the bridemen began to condole with the lovers."What is the matter?" said I; “Oh matter enough, I think," said one of the party, why our parson forgot to The late rage for visiting the waterpublish the bauns for the third time ing places has induced a pleasant melast Sunday, and now he says they dical writer to observe, "that the can't be married to day." "But I will domiphobia, or fear of home, may now be married to day, though," sobbed be justly opposed to the hydrophobia, the bride, "I know, or else I won't or fear of water, because a patient inbe married at all, that's what I won't." fected with the former complaint,'so "Oh don't ye say so now," said the far from betraying any dread of water, bridegroom, tis ail along o'parson, is for the most part impelled by an you know: it be no fault of mine. I almost irresistible impulse to places be willing enow." "Don't talk of of resort, where that element is to be willing, but see what's to be done, Roger, for I won't be sarved so; 1 did'nt come here to be made a fool of, no, I did'nt, nor I won't nather; I wonder parson an't ashamed to sarve a poor girl so; a body might die an old maid for what he cares." Here I found in the greatest abundance; while London, which at other times serves as a nucleus for an accumulated population, seems to exert a surprising centripetal force by which a large portion of its inhabitants are driven to a distance." And it may be added, are |
