conjunction, a poem entitled the of Upper and Lower Canada. Mr. Enodiad, embracing the History of Heriot will first give an account of Moses from the period of his leading his voyage from England to the the Israelites out of Egypt, to his Azores, of which he will introduce death upon Mount Horeb.

A new edition of Palmerin of England, corrected from the original Portuguese, by Mr. Southey is in the press, and will shortly make its appearance. Mr. Southey has also in the press, a Translation of the Chronicle of the Cid, from the Spanish.

Lord Woodhouselee is engaged in writing the Life of the late Lord Kaimes, which will make its appear, ance shortly.

Miss Porter has nearly ready for publication, the beautiful moral Aphorisms of Sir Philip Sidney.

Mr. Macdiarmed has in the press, in quarto, the Lives of Eminent British Statesmen, commencing with Sir Thomas More.

a better description than any now existing in our language; he will then conduct his readers up the River St. Lawrence, by land and water, across the several lakes to Lake Superior, describing in this immense route every prominent feature which can be interesting to political economy and commerce. This work will be illustrated by a great number of plates.

Miss Owenson will shortly publish a volume of Original Poetry, under the title of the Lay of an Irish Harp.

Mr. Bennet of Pythouse, in Wiltshire, is preparing to lay before the public a number of original Letters of Charles I. and his Friends, which have been preserved in his family.

Mr. Thomas Belsham is preparing for immediate publication, an Abstract of the Evidences of the Christian Religion, which he delivered to the congregation at the Chapel in Essex-street.

Dr. Scott, the Orientalist, is preparing a new edition, revised and translated from the complete manuscript copy brought over by Mr. Montague, of the Arabian Night's Entertainments, with notes illustrative of About two years ago, the king of the customs and manners of the coun- Naples presented to the Prince of try. The additional tales, which Wales six of the Manuscripts found have never been translated, are equally in the ruins of Herculaneum, and we interesting and excellent. The trans- are sorry to learn no progress has yet lations of this work, which have al- been made in the unrolling of them. ready appeared in the English lan- A corner only of one of the rolls was guage, have been made from the ver- unfolded, and the whole was aftersion of M. Galland, who, it is well wards submitted to the action of known, trusted to an illiterate ver- steam, under the direction of an emibal translator, being himself wholly nent Chemist, but without the deignorant of the Arabic language. sired effect. Instead of feeding and giving pliability and consistency to the tinder, it has more firmly united the mass, and in a great measure obliterated the writing. The ill success of this experiment has discouraged further attempts on the other five rolls.

Mr. Blore is employed on a Topographical History of the County of Rutland.

Captain Williamson, from whose designs and notes, that magnificent work, The wild Sports of India, has been published, has undertaken a Tour through Great Britain for the purpose of making a complete Agricultural and Statistical Survey of the Island; the result of which will be published in a description of Great Britain, to be printed in numbers with illustrative plates; the whole to make at least six volumes in octavo.

Mr. Heriot, postmaster of British America, has availed himself of the opportunities afforded by his official situation, and is preparing for publication a splendid work, descriptive

CROONIAN LECTURE.-Mr. Pearson of Golden-Square, Surgeon, read the Croonian Lecture on Muscular Motion this season to the Royal Society. It occupied the greater part of two evenings, in the course of which the lecturer entered into an elaborate detail concerning the heat and pulsations of animals in different latitudes, in order to ascertain their effect on their muscles. As an instance: in this climate the pulse of horses beats 36 times in a minute,

that of cows 48, and that of men about Blood he regards as essential to life 72; in Lapland and the other high only as a stimulus to muscular irrinorthern latitudes, the human pulse tability, and the abstraction of blood does not beat more than from 45 to occasions death through the want of its 50 times in a minute. Mr. Pearson stimulating powers to the muscles. The has made numerous experiments on stomach he considers as the most imthe muscles, in all which he found the portant organ of the human frame, muscular irritability completely de- and its irritability is so excessive, that stroyed by plunging them in water a blow on it will instantly destroy at the temperature of 96°; electricity, life, though the heart can support a after such immersions, sometimes wound some days. gave slight symptoms of excitability, BAKERIAN LECTURE.-The subbut no human effort could ever again ject of the Bakerian Lecture, this restore the muscular fibre to its pro- year, which was delivered by Proper tone and vigour. Cold produced fessor Davy, was on some Chemical similar effects on the muscular fibre Effects of Electricity. This ingeby instantly destroying its irritability. nious Chemist has proved that even Hence the necessity of great caution in distilled water there is combined in applying warm water in cases of both vegetable and animal matter, suspended respiration, as heat may besides nitrogen gas and salt. Hence. be equally as bad as cold with regard he has ascertained that Electricity to its effects on the muscular fibre, does not generate fixed alkali, but which by Mr. Pearson is considered only evolves it. in some degree the organ of life.

ENTERTAINMENTS AND EXHIBITIONS.

THE THEATRES. F ever the memorable sentence of Solomon, that there is Nothing New under the sun,' were peculiarly applicable to modern concerns, it is eminently true of the present productions of our dramatic writers. It is not to be disguised, that there seems an alarming dearth of inventive genius among us. We abound in books which convey no information, in novelswhich exhibit no one feature of novelty, and in plays which are wholly destitute both of plot and interest.

These animadversions will be considered as severe by those only who are not accustomed to scrutinize the objects to which they refer. Our theatres, in particular, call loudly for the remonstrances of criticism, and for the salutary interference of public opinion. As they are conducted, and (if things are permitted to continue in their present course!) as they will be conducted, they impeach our national discrimination, and must disgrace us in the eyes of those intelligent foreigners who happen to visit them. This country, however, is not without merit, which, if cherished and displayed, would attract and justify general patronage; but interest, trea

chery, and cabal, in almost all departments, leagued with power, are enlisted in opposition to the progress of real talent.

Time was, when the conductors of dramatic amusements paid a becoming deference to the judgment of their patrons; when, if they could not produce any thing deserving the approbation of the spectators, they had not effrontery enough to oppose the reprobation of an audience; when, indeed, they possessed not the audacity to renew, night after night, exhibitions which had been decidedly condemned on the first attempt publicly to establish them. Those times are past; and, perhaps, with them, "the hope of such hereafter!"

What should controul the insolence of theatrical managers? what should correct the errors of theatrical performers? Public Reprobation, and Public Opinion. What?-the free, but not illiberal, application, of Censure! the powerful, but not ungenerous, language of Truth!

DRURY LANE, Dec. 10.-A new after-piece, under the whimsical title of Mr. Hwas acted at this theatre, the story of which is simple, and may be given in a few words.

Jan. 12, 1807.-This evening was exhibited a new Opera, in three acts, called False Alarms; or, My Cousin. The literary department by a Mr. Kenney, and the principal portion of the musical one by Mr. Braham.

The scene lies at Bath, where Mr. H-, and the music, machinery, dresses, a gay West Indian, makes his appear- and decorations were all in their kind ance. From his easy and elegant ad- fanciful and splendid. The scenery dress, and from his attluence and splen- was extremely beautiful, particularly dour, he gets introduced to the most the hall of Audience, the view of the fashionable circles, and so smitten interior of Bagdad, the Arab's cave, with his abilities is a Miss Lucinda, the Sultaun's pavilion, and the conthat she promises him her hand. Dur- cluding scene of the pantomime. ing ail this time, he passes under the anonymous distinction of Mr. H—, and is put in frequent pain by the impertinent enquiries of the ladies to discover his surname. This, at a route, he inadvertently betrays, and lets slip the name of Hogsflesh! The We avow ourselves attached to this ladies instantly discard him,all but Lu- our elder playhouse; a house long cinda, and her scruples are overcome since established in public estimation; on his friend Belville producing a li- a house, in which many of our greatcense from the king, allowing Mr. Hogs- est performers have acted their most flesh to change his name to Bacon. distinguished parts. It is not withThe author of this piece has kept out regret, therefore, that we contrast his name a secret. In the course of its former effulgence with its present the first act various marks of disap- obscuration; that we contemplate, probation were expressed, and when we will not say the setting, but certhe name Hogs flesh came out, the roar tainly the eclipse of this dramatic luof censure was truly imperious, and minary, which was once hailed, as a the curtain fell amidst a violent cla- star of the first magnitude, in the mour of applauses and hisses. There firmament of histrionic glory! were some good points in the dialogue, False Alarms, notwithstanding the but the vulgarity of the hero's name, efforts by which it is favoured with a and the subterfuge and transition into temporary popularity, has seriously that of Bacon, excited the contempt alarmed us for the reputation of Druryof a most numerous and respectable Lane Theatre. After a season which audience. hitherto has been uncommonly defiMiss Ray, from the Theatre Royal, cient in public amusements, we did Cheltenham, made her first appear- hope that, in this new" Opera, ance at this theatre, on the 18th of at least "something new" would be December, in the character of Albina elicited for the gratification of the Mandeville, in Reynolds' comedy of town. It is, however, a piece entirely The Will. This lady appears to be without stratagem to exercise curiabout twenty years of age, and seems osity, and without incidents to awaken endued by nature with a lively genius interest. It is a production which it and considerable discrimination. The would be in vain to attempt to anapart she sustained is versatile and ra- lyse, and upon which it would be ther whimsical, and she did it every worse than superfluous to offer any justice. Her transitions for the affection she bore for Howard, to the duty she owed to her governess, Mrs. Rigid, were extremely well managed. tier person is neat, though petite, and she looked very smart while disguised in a naval uniform. She was most favourably received.

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critical reflections. Much of the music is excellent, a few of the songs are tolerably written, and the performers certainly make the best they possibly can of their different parts. There is some good singing by Miss Duncan, who accompanies with the harp: we wish we could observe as much in Dec. 26.-A new comic pantomine commendation of her acting, when was brought out at this theatre, cailed she assumes the male attire! Braham The Enchanters; or, Harlequin Sul- is, of course, a host on this occasion: taun: the plot of which difiers but he too, is seated on the stage at an inliftle from those of the general run of strument, the piano, which, however, pieces of the same description. It was we suspect, is nevertheless played agreeably interspersed with a variety by some one in the orchestra! of tricks that argued much ingenuity; COVENT GARDEN, Dec. 11.—A

new Piece, called Arbitration, or Free writer has been pleased to call “Inand Easy, was produced at this Thea- fant Institutes," they may neverthetre. The Dramatis Personæ, are less, on the present occasion, have Mr. BLANCHARD their memories either refreshed or in

Sir Toby Tritely

Thoro

Jack Familiar

Chequer

Nisi Prius

Lady Litigious
Harriet Seymour
Mrs. Chequer

formed by applying to their grandmothers, nurses, nursery maids, and maiden aunts. We shall therefore proceed to offer a few observations on the pantomime itself, without thinking it indispensabie to enter into the particulars of the adventures upon which it is founded.

Mr. SIMMONS Mr. LEWIS Mr. LISTON Mr. CHAPMAN Mrs.DAVENPORT Miss LOGAN Miss TYRER. PLOT.-Sir Toby Tritely and Lady Litigious have had a law-suit about a Among he persons of this drama, cornmill and lands, which is referred Mother Goose might be expected to to the arbitration of Jack Familiar, a occupy a distinguished and effective young barrister, whom Sir Toby, in his situation. This, however, turns out eagerness to influence in the decision completely the reverse. She is introof the difference, invites to his house. duced in a scule, and about to be Familiar once arrived, sets free Har- examined before the magistrate, riet, whom her guardian Sir Toby has Squire Bugle afterwards Clown, a confined, in order to force her into a part inimitably sustained by Grimarriage with Thoro. The young maldi), when Colin (Mr. Bologna, lady escapes in male attire to an inn, Jun.), afterwards Harlequin, interwhich is kept by Chequer, who, not- feres on her behalf; for which he is withstanding his wife's jealousy, takes gratefully metamorphosed by Mother her under his own protection to the Goose, put in possession of the Golden house of Lady Litigious. Her lady- Egg, and thus enabled to obtain, from ship receives the distressed damsel, the grasp of Squire Bugle, and in with the treacherous view of deliver- spite too of Avaro (Mr. L. Bologna) ing her to Thoro, in liquidation of a the girl's father, his beloved Colinette debt. Jack Familiar being invited to Miss Searle, afterwards Columbine. visit Lady Litigious meets and marries Harriet; and on looking into the papers, under which the litigating parties claim, awards that the property belongs not to either of them, but to poor Chequer.-This farce contains a good deal of lively dialogue, and several very ludicrous incidents. There are in it several comic songs which were received with great applause.

Such is the plot of this piece: but how Mother Goose got into the dilemma in which she is first exhibited to the spectators, and why she does not subsequently contribute essentially to the progress of events, as well as the hurried and unsatisfactory manner in which she is made to develop the catastrophe, these subordinate points (for subordinate considerations they frequently seem to be with modern dramatists!) it would be vain in us to attempt to elucidate.

THE usual holiday amusements commenced at this theatre, on Friday, December 26, with a pantomime entitled HARLEQUIN AND MOTHER GOOSE; With some delightful scenery, not OR, THE GOLDEN EGG. Regarding, a few excellent tricks, tolerable dances, these exhibitions merely as a species of christmas gambols, we should have treated the present one rather with indifference than reprehension, had we not considered that entertainments of this description are fast superseding the higher order of histrionic representations, and that, in verification of the language of one of our poets,

and attractive music; with all these allowances in its favour, and endeavouring to divest ourselves of the dislike which we certainly feel to the very principle of pantomimic amusements, we have not done with our strictures on the present performance.

Simmons appears quite to mistake the part of Mother Goose. He wadMen are but children of a larger growth.' dies, grumbles, squalls, and stretches Most of our numerous readers, if and tumbles about, like any thing exthey are not already acquainted with cept an old beldame. He evidently the story of Mother Goose, or if, un- forgets that he is in the feminine chaluckily or negligently, they have really racter, which, in his hands, excites forgotten this portion of what one only ridicule and disgust. Miss Searle

had neither the simplicity of a Coli- the principal character in which was linette, nor the sylphid agility and supported by Madame Catalani. The graces of a Columbine. Of Grimaldi professional fame which this celewe are sorry to say any thing but wha is brated singer has obtained on the concommendable; yet his dance with tinent, attracted one of the fullest Harlequin, when the latter had admi- houses that has ever been known at rably assumed the appearance of a the commencement of a season. wheel-barrow Girl, was in the highest point of voice, feeling, and deportdegree offensive. Disgraceful, how- ment, she has never been equalled. ever, as the Clown's attitudes and The volume and compass of her voice motions on this occasion were, his are astonishing. Upon a first hearacting was loudly applauded, and this ing, it is impossible to measure with portion of it encored, by a house precision its extent upon the gamut, crowded with spectators!! but we believe it comprehends more notes than have ever been included in the compass of any female voice. The tone of it is rich, mellow, and substantial. There is no labour in her singing; she filled the whole of this immeuse theatre with as much apparent ease as if she had been practising in her drawing-room. For neatness and rapidity of execution, she is almost equal to Billington, while in her voice, feeling, and deportment, are discovered the combined excellencies of a Banti, a Mara, and a Grassini. The power and effect with which she sustained some notes towards the top of her voice, were really astonishing. They struck and hung upon the ear like the silvery tones which are sometimes drawn from that exquisite instrument, the musical glasses.

One main defect, as we conceive, pervaded the whole of the New Pantomime. There was too little of Harlequin in it, there was too much of the Clown. This fault we are not unwilling to attribute-and, perhaps, we ought also to ascribe many other errors to the same cause-to the vitiated taste of those who at present frequent our theatrical exhibitions; who prefer sound to sense, distortion and ranting to elocution and dignity, tricks to plots, and glare to grandeur; who esteem the mountebank rather than the actor, and who look to the scenepainter more than the author.

Pantomime nevertheless, (were the performance of it extended to private theatres!) might prove as beneficial to the state as Bull-Baiting and Boxing are affirmed to be. He who can inure himself to sustain blows and kicks and falls, without feeling them, is in fair training for a much higher scene of heroism. If this end be certainly effected, it is not worth disputing about the means by which it was accomplished.

It had almost escaped us, that MASTER SMALLEY was introduced, in Harlequin and Mother Goose, as a Cabin Boy. He did not look to us so juvenile as some persons represent him. He has evidently been somewhere accustomed to public scenes: he has neither the trepidation nor the gait of a theatrical novitiate. He already treads the stage with confidence, looks fully in the faces of his auditors, and seems to anticipate their applauses. His voice is good, but his pauses and emphases are not always judicious; and his manner is still ungraceful.

Her merits as an actress, too, are of the first order. The character fortunately afforded her some fine opportunities for attitude and expression. In her interview with the Ghost of Ninus, and her manner of following it, she reached all the dignity and passion of the Tragic Muse.

Madame Catalani, in stature, is of the middle order. Her countenance is extremely expressive, and with a piercing and intelligent eye, she possesses a smile truly fascinating.

In the ballet department there is a most miserable falling off. Since the riot which happened in Gallini's time, on account of the deficiency of dancers of acknowledged superiority, there never has been so poor a company as the present. Deshayes and Parisot, as old favourites, must be excepted. There was a new dancer KING'S THEATRE.-The entertain- from Paris, Mademoiselle Presle, of ments for the season commenced at whom it can only be said, that she this theatre, on the 13th of December, had more force and elasticity, than with the serious Opera of Semiramide; grace or playfulness.