we would prefer a little less of the Marquis and The which period, his continued aspirations for a more attenuated figure formed his chief employment. In the piece in question, this disposition did not forsake the Stout Gentleman, for all he did was to breathe prayers "" for thinness," and suffer himself to be hunted backwards and forwards by the populace of || Ramsgate, who, from the trick of some wag || (although, to us, his wit was of the most mysterious nature), mistook the aforesaid Stout Gentleman for Sir Walter Scott, or as he was denominated "The Great Unknown." During our whole practice we never witnessed a piece more insulting to the common sense and patience of an audience than the Stout Gentleman, which received the most decided condemnation. We cannot avoid expressing our surprise that Mr. Mathews could have thought Mr. Lloyd susceptible of the least humour or amusement, even though performed by the Hogarth of the stage. Jonathan in England, The Bashful Man, and The Boarding House, have been played with success. FRENCH THEATRICALS. THEATRE FRANCAIS.-Première représentation de Sigismond de Bourgoyne, tragédie en cinq actes, et en vers, de M. Viennet. THIS author, who produced, some years ago, a tragedy of Clovis, has just introduced on the stage another character of those dark ages, the annals of which, according to a French historian of the last century, offer nothing but a confused mixture of barbarous names, of cruel deeds, of obscure and complex interests, of invasions and wars-the details of which weary the mind without imparting to it any useful light. His present hero is Sigismund, King of Burgundy, who was assassinated, with his wife and children, by Clodomir, King of Orleans, and eldest son of Clovis and Clotilde. These dreadful murders were perpetrated out of revenge: Gourdebaud, the father of Sigismund, had formerly put to death Chilperic, King of Burgundy, with a view to take possession of his throne, and, as is well known, Chilperic was Clotilde's father. We presume all our readers are acquainted with the Stout Gentleman, a sketch by Washington Irving; a sketch in itself highly dramatic, and from which circumstance we augured greatly of a farce, bearing the above name and having Mathews for the corpulent hero, produced at this theatre in the course of the foregoing month; but, alas! how vain are human hopes! the Stout Gentleman, of whom we had treasured up a hundred pleasing associations, which even to the lobby-door we were again enjoying; the Stout Gentleman, whose mysterious ebullition of loyalty and ultimate disappearance into a stage-coach had made us laugh Sidonie, wishes to marry her, and the news of even at our own disappointment-when pro- || duced in the face of open day, turned out to be not worthy the discovery; for at the English Opera he was simply Mr. Llewelyn Lloyd, the fat Welchman, introduced some seasons since by Mathews in his adventures At Home-at || In the first act, Clodomir, King of Orleans, has defeated Sigismund, King of Burgundy, whose wife, the beautiful Sidonie, is his prisoner. Clodomir, smitten by the charms of her husband's death having just been brought to town, he resolves to obtain her hand either by force or consent. Sidonie, who alone knows that her husband is still alive, rejects his offers, and implores Clotilde's protection against the fury of his passion. In the second act it is determined that Sidonie is to be shut up in a convent, and she repairs to it. A stranger, under the name of Count Godefroy, wishes to speak to the King, and being admitted to his presence, says that he was an intimate friend of Sigismund, and relates all the particulars of his pretended death. The stranger is no other than Sigismund himself. The King, wishing Sidonie to hear the account of her husband's death, sends for her, but he is informed that she is now in a convent, with her children; and in the highest degree of exasperation, he swears he will carry her off with his troops. Still it appears that there is, in the two first acts, some monotony and a want of interest; and that, notwithstanding the importance and multiplicity of the events in the fifth, its length exceeded the limits of the patience of many spectators. It is said, that the success of this work is entirely owing to the novel situation which occurs in the fourth act. The character of Avitus, which is only accessory, is well delineated. His prediction is conformable to history. According to Gregoire de Tours, he spoke thus to Clodomir:-"If, in the fear of God, you listen to better advice, and do not suffer these people to be killed, God will be with the victory; but if you put them to death, you shall perish in the same manner, given up to your enemies; and it shall be done with your wife and sons, as you will do with the wife and sons of Sigismund." The third act begins with a long and umin-you, and where you are going you shall gain teresting account of Clodomir's irruption into the monastery, and his bringing back Sidonie, whom he wishes to lead immediately to the altar. She still perseveres in her refusal, and at last tells him that Sigismond is not dead. "Do not flatter yourself," says the King; "there is now in the palace an ocular witness of his demise." In the first scene of the fourth act, which is the most interesting in the piece, Sigismund, through the contrivance of the venerable Avitus, a bishop, has an interview with his wife and children. In this meeting, Sigismund, listening only to his paternal love, urges Sidonie to accept Clodomir's proposal, as the only means of saving their children. "Let us," he says, "make a double sacrifice; your duty is to live; mine is to die." Clodomir comes in; he recognizes Sigismund, and leaves him the option to die, or to abdicate and spend the remainder of his days in a monastery. The re-appearance of Sigismund has not abated the violence of Clodomir's love, and in the fifth act he renews his intreaties and his threats to Sidonie. A letter is brought to her, which informs her that Sigismund has killed himself in his prison. Sidonie faints; and when she recovers, seeing herself deprived of all hopes, and having no other resource to pre- || serve her children, she at last gives her consent to the fatal union: but, at this moment, Clotilde comes and informs her that her sons have just been murdered in her arms by some refractory soldiers. Sidonie, struck by this unforeseen blow, sinks down and expires in the presence of Clodomir, whom Avitus had just prophetically warned of the dreadful fate which awaits him in his turn. It is known that the prediction was fulfilled: some time after, Clodomir was slain in battle, and of his three sons, two were unmercifully slaughtered in the arms of their grandmother by their uncle Clotaire; and the third, Clodoalde, the only one who escaped, retired to a monastery, situated within two leagues from Paris; and from that circumstance, a village which was built afterwards near his retreat, was called St. Cloud, where there is now a royal residence. FINE ARTS' EXHIBITIONS, &c. MEXICO. ALMOST without a figure, London may at this time be said to be "out of town." At the fashionable watering-places, all is life and gaiety; while, in the metropolis, the genius of dulness enjoys an undisturbed repose. A new book, a new exhibition, is indeed a rara avis. Mr. Bullock, we find, has announced the approaching close of his interesting exhibition of Ancient and Modern Mexico, preparatory to his again quitting England for that country. Few men have done more for the diffusion of science and the arts than this ingenious naturalist; and we regret that, instead of engaging in distant speculations, he is not now enjoying an honourable retirement in his own country, where his active mind might still occasionally engage itself in those pursuits which have contributed so largely to the edification and rational entertainment of the rising generation, to whom he must be considered as no inconsiderable benefactor. According to all accounts, there is a great deal of bustle and a fine display of passion in this tragedy, and the fourth act particularly excites a lively interest. The poetry is also highly If in the outset he had consolidated his two admired for its general purity and elegance. | Mexican exhibitions, as he has since done, we have no doubt that they would have been as popular as any of his previous endeavours. Mexico is a focus of such interest, its early antiquities are so curious, the produce of its luxurious climate is so extraordinary, and these are so accurately displayed in the exhibition,|| that, now the whole may be seen for the lowest sum the public have been accustomed to pay for such sights, we cannot suppose that any individual of taste remaining in London will suffer the collection to be dispersed without embracing the opportunity of inspection thus afforded. BURMESE STATE CARRIAGE. THE Burmese imperial state carriage, which was captured at an early period of the present sanguinary Indian war, has just reached this country, and is now preparing for a public exhibition. It is one of the most splendid works of art that can be conceived, presenting an entire blaze of gold, silver, and precious stones. Of the latter, the number must amount to many thousands, comprehending diamonds, rubies, sapphires white and blue, emeralds, amethysts, garnets, topaze, cats'-eyes, crystals, &c. &c. The carving is of a superior description, the form and construction of the vehicle extraordinary, and the general taste displayed throughout the whole design is at once so grand and imposing, yet at the same time so chaste and refined, as to defy all rivalry even from European workmanship. The warlike power and resources of this surprising people are at present exciting universal astonishment and attention: this new object attests the fact, that, in taste for design and skill in the execution of works of art, their talents have been no less hidden and unknown to us. The carriage stands between twenty and thirty feet in height, and is built to be drawn by elephants. been completed in a volume consisting of six numbers, containing twenty-four plates, the finished drawings for which were made by Dewint, from Mr. Hughes's Original Sketches. The publication altogether displays great taste and beauty, and novelty of illustration. Tour of Jamaica.-Mr. Hakewill's picturesque tour of Jamaica, the publication of which, to be completed in twelve numbers, commenced about a year-and-a-half ago, is proceeding with the spirit and talent by which it has been uniformly distinguished. London Costume.-The first number of this work, intended to illustrate the civil and military costume of the city of London, was published about fourteen months ago. It contained a respectable-coloured portrait, drawn and engraved by Mr. T. L. Busby, of Sir William Curtis, Bart., in the Lord Mayor's robes of office. Numbers II. and III. with portraits of Alderman Heygate, and the late Sir John Silartist, have since appeared. vester, the Recorder of London, by the same tended, we believe, to embrace about eighteen portraits, will probably be more approved for its utility in presenting an accurate display of city-costume, than admired as a work of art. This work, in The Duke of Richmond.-A portrait of His Grace the Duke of Richmond, admirably engraved by Scriven, from a painting by C. E. Ambrose, has recently appeared. Scriven, we believe, is the first engraver of the day in the dotted style, of which the head before us exhibits a masterly display. The likeness, too, is finely and forcibly preserved. Etchings from Wilson.-To the admirers of English landscape, and in particular of the production of our first painter in that branch of the art, Mr. Hastings, a collector of His Majesty's Customs, has imparted much gratification by presenting about forty etchings from FINE ARTS' PUBLICATIONS, &c. the works of Richard Wilson, some memoirs of his life, &c. Lady Ford is the owner of the Picturesque Tour in the Pyrenees.— An octavo volume, entitled “A Picturesque and Descrip- pictures from which these well-executed etchtive Tour in the Mountains of the High Py-ings have been made. We shall not be sorry renees," and containing twenty-four coloured to find this the precursor of other works of the views of the most interesting scenes, mounEnglish school, similar in character. tainous, rural, architectural, &c., is unusually pleasing and attractive, at least in its pictorial character. The views are small but neatly executed; and the accompanying descriptions, though not remarkably happy in style, convey amusing information. Views in Provence, &c.-A work entitled "Views in Provence and on the Rhone, engraved by W. B. Cooke, G. Cooke, and J. C. Allen, as Illustrations to an Itinerary on the Rhone, by John Hughes, A. M.," has lately The Children in the Wood.-A charminglyexecuted line engraving by Greatbatch. This is one of the few subjects which always seem to please. The figures in the composition are designed by J. H. Benwell. The Village School in an Uproar.-This is a very successful mezzotinto engraving, by C. Turner, from the picture of Henry Richter, in the possession of H. Chamberlayne, Esq. All the delicacy, force, and general manner of the original are happily preserved. Literary and Scientific Intelligence. The improvements at this time in contem At Carlisle, the third annual exhibition of plation in the metropolis are of the most mag-painting, by British artists, was opened for the nificent and imposing character, and altogether worthy of the reign of the present Sovereign. Application will be made to Parliament in the ensuing session, for leave to form a new street, so as to continue Pall-Mall-East eastward from the King's Mews as far as St. Martin's church, and to widen the communication between Cockspur-street and Craven-street, between the south front of the Union Club House in Cockspur-street and the north side of the Strand opposite Craven-street; to form streets on the north and south sides of St. Martin's church till they intersect the Strand nearly opposite the north end of Villiers-street; to widen St. Martin's lane on the east and west sides south of Hemming's-row and Chandosstreet; to form a square or open space opposite Charing-cross, which square is to have the Union Club House for its boundary to the west, and west side of St. Martin's lane for its boundary to the east; also to form a new street from the south end of Spring-gardens to Whitehall and Charing-cross, in the line of Buckingham-court; to widen the south side of Downing-street; to improve and alter the south side of Downing-square and the north side of Fludyer-street, &c. We hear also of a new street, to lead northward from Waterloobridge into the New-road.-In the city, a company is forming, under the auspices of the Dukes of Bedford and Devonshire, to effect considerable improvements in the area and avenues round St. Paul's cathedral, conformably, in a great measure, to the plan originally proposed by Sir Christopher Wren. On this occasion, the intended architect is Mr. Elmes. Captain Clapperton sailed from Portsmouth in the Brazen sloop, Captain Willes, on his expedition to Africa, on the 27th of August. His associates are Captain Robert Pearce, and Messrs. Morrison and Wilson, surgeons of the Royal Navy. The travellers are to land at Benin Captain Pearce and one of those gentlemen are then to endeavour to penetrate to Timbuctoo by an eastern route; while Captain Clapperton and the other are to attempt to reach Soudon by the north. It is understood that the King of Soudon is warmly in favour of the expedition. Mr Addison, of London-street, Fitzroysquare, has nearly completed a magnificent terrestrial globe, of three feet in diameter, presenting a superficies of 4,000 square inches. The projector has availed himself very extensively of new and original geographical information from all quarters of the world. A new and extensive cavern has lately been discovered near Matlock. It is stated that numbers of invalids have derived extraordinary benefit from drinking the strong saline water of the spring recently opened in Windsor park. A panoramic view of Liverpool has been mentioned as in a forward state of preparation. season on the 31st of August. The Pleasures of Memory have lately been translated into French verse, by M. Albert Montémont, whose translation of the Pleasures of Hope was well received by the Parisians. A French translation of the Border Minstrelsy is also shortly to appear in Paris. Some of the Waverley novels have been translated into the Russian language. Albacine, a sculptor, of Rome, has finished a statue of Achilles, of the size of life, of which the Duke of Devonshire is the purchaser. Report speaks highly of the work. Prometheus devoured by the Vulture, forms the subject this year for the grand prize of sculpture at the Royal School of the Fine Arts in Paris. All the efforts are said to be failures. A French sculptor, observes one of our contemporaries, is like a man who engages to write a tragedy, and produces only a melodrama. A new picture has lately been opened at the Diorama in Paris, representing an effect of fog and snow. The view is taken across a Gothie vestibule, in perspective, behind which nothing is at first discovered but a dim horizon: by degrees, the fog disperses, and affords peeps of a vast forest of firs and larches, in an immense valley; to obscurity, a brilliant light gradually succeeds; the vapours rise, the sky is illumi nated, and the tops of the mountains show themselves. The illusion of these efforts is really delightful. Rothmüller, the keeper of the Prince of Esterhazy's gallery of Pictures at Vienna, has invented a new method of colouring, in oil, engravings and lithographic prints, to which he has given the name Eleochalcography. This invention gives to prints the appearance of having been executed by a painter with the utmost care. The Emperor of Austria has granted to Rothmüller a patent for twenty years. In this country, Mr. Smithson has discovered a method of fixing crayon colours. If we understand him correctly, he applied drying oil diluted with spirit of turpentine to the back of his picture, which was drawn on sized blue paper, pasted on canvas. "After a day or two," says Mr. Smithson, "when this had grown dry, I spread a coat of the mixture over the front of the picture, and my crayon drawing became an oil painting." M. Schönstadt, an optician, of Vienna, has invented, in the form of a common walkingstick, an instrument which he calls a perascope. By means of this instrument, a person may look into a garden, or other place, enclosed with a wall or paling, and observe every thing that passes in it, without making an opening in the fence, and without being seen himself. It may also be used to look from any part of a room, through the window, to see every thing passing in the street below, not only straightforward, but to the right and left. A keyed trumpet constructed of wood, and intended as a substitute for keyed trumpets made of copper, has been invented at Haarlem. M. Lebrun, of Lyons, has invented a machine, by which one man can weave five pieces of silk at the same time. Thus, what before cost four shillings weaving, may now be done for one shilling. Works in the Press, &c. In two parts or volumes, 8vo., Letters to a Friend, on the State of Ireland, the Roman Catholic Question, and the Merits of Constitutional Religious Distinctions. By Edward Augustus Kendall, Esq., F.S.A. By the same author, Ancient Knighthood, and its Relations with the past and present State of Society, and particularly with the Modern Military Profession. Also, by Mr. Kendall, Zoological Errors, and Mytho-Zoology; or, Inquiries concerning Sea-Serpents, Crakens, Unicorns, Werewolves, Ogres, Pygmies,&c. An Historical View of the Hindu Astronomy, from the earliest Dawn of that Science in India, down to the present time; by Mr. Bentley, a member of the Asiatic Society. The Fruits of Faith, or Musing Sinner, with Elegies and other Moral Poems; by Mr. H. Campbell, The Life of the late Dr. Parr, by Mr. E. H. Barker. Sephora, a Hebrew Tale, descriptive of the Country of Palestine, and of the Manners and Customs of the Ancient Israelites. 2 vols. post 8vo. among many others, contributions in verse and prose, from the pens of James Montgomery, Esq., Rev. G. Croly, Rev. R. Polwhele, J. H. Wiffen, Esq., Henry Neele, Esq., Rev. J. Blanco White, J. Bowring, Esq., T. Harral, Esq., Rev. G. Woodley, Rev. W. B. Clarke, W. C. Stafford, Esq., H. Brandreth, Esq., Mr. J. Bird, Miss Landon, Mrs. Hemans, Miss Mitford, Mrs. Hofland, Mrs. Bowdich, Miss Pickersgill, Mrs. C. B. Wilson, the late Mrs. Cobbold, Miss Hatfield, &c. &c. &c. The highly-finished engravings, fourteen in number, are executed after the designs of Westall, Singleton, H. Corbould, Prout, Hills, Pugin, &c., by Heath, Finden, G. Corbould, Le Keux, Winckle, and other eminent artists. An annual work is announced under the title of Janus. We are promised the first volume before the termination of this year. The prospectus states, that the most distinguished literary men in the kingdom are engaged in the undertaking. It will appear in one volume, post 8vo, and will consist of Tales, original and translated, occasional Essays, popular Illustrations of History and Antiquities, serious and comic Sketches of Life and Manners, &c. &c. Next month will be published, a translation of La Motte Fouqué's charming Romance, the Magic Ring; a work which came out long before Ivanhoe, and is said to rival that chefd'œuvre's delineations of tournaments, tilts, and all the life of chivalry. Mr. Allan Cunningham is preparing for publication, Paul Jones, a Romance, in 3 vols. post 8vo. Shortly will be published, a Historical Novel, in 3 vols. 12mo., entitled William Douglas; Nuga Sacræ, or Psalms and Hymns and or, the Scottish Exiles. Spiritual Songs, in a pocket volume. Outlines of Truth. By a Lady.. A New Edition of the Miseries of Human Life, with some Posthumous Groans. Sketches of the Twenty-four Classes of the Linnæan System, with Fifty Specimens of English Plants, taken from Nature, their Place of Growth, Time of Flowering, and Medicinal Properties. A Novel, by Mr. Galt. A work, on the plan of the German Literary Almanacks, will be published early in November. Intended more especially for the religious reader of Literary compositions, it will contain only such productions as have an obviously religious or moral tendency. It will consist of tales, essays, and poetry, by about twenty-five of the most popular writers of the age. The illustrations (twelve in number) are by Martin, Westall, Corbould, Wright, Brooke, &c.; and the engravings by Heath, Finden, Mitchell, Melville, &c. &c. The proprietor of Smirke's Illustrations of Shakspeare has nearly ready for publication the First Part of a Series of Plates, in continuation of that undertaking, which will consist of Engravings from Original Designs, by the most celebrated Artists of the present day.. The forthcoming volume of the Forget-MeNot will be ready for delivery some time in November. The literary department embraces, No. 10.-Vol. II. Nearly ready, in one volume, 12mo., the Cook and Housewife's Manual; containing the most approved Modern Receipts for making Soups, Gravies, Sauces, Ragouts, and Madedishes; and for Pies, Puddings, Pastry, Pickles, and Preserves; also, for Baking, Brewing, making Home-made Wines, Cordials, &c. &c. The whole illustrated by numerous Notes, and practical Observations, on all the various Branches of Domestic Economy. By Mrs. Margaret Dods, of the Cleikum Inn, St. Ronan's. In the press, a valuable work, entitled the Contest of the Twelve Nations; or, a Comparison of the different Bases of Human Character and Talent, in 1 vol. 8vo. The Speeches of the Right Hon. George Canning, his Majesty's principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, on various Public Occasions in Liverpool, will soon be published, in 2 vols. A Translation of the Six Cantos of Klopstock's Messiah, in Verse. Instructions for Cavalry Officers, translated from the German of General Count Dismark, by Captain L. Beamish, of the 4th Dragoon Guards. A Treatise on Epidemic Cholera, and Sketches of the Diseases of India, including statistical and topographical Reports, &c., by James Annesley, Esq., of the Madras Medical Establishment, will soon be published. 2 E |