PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS, FASHIONS, MANNERS, FINE

ARTS, &c. &c.

- TO SHEW THE VERY AGE AND BODY OF THE TIME HIS FORM AND PRESSURE

THEATRES.

SHAKS.

COVENT-GARDEN.

N Thursday, the 29th, a period too late for us to notice it in our last number, was represented the new comedy of “ Folly as it Flies," the annual tribute of Mr. REYNOLDS's muse.

The scene is laid in London, and the following is a brief outline of the plot.

Sir Herbert Melmoth, a baronet of great property, marries his ward, Ellen Arundel, and has, by a former marriage, a son named Leonard-in consequence of the extravagance of his present wife, he is compelled to apply to Leonard to join in cutting off the en tail of his estate.-Leonard, perceiving the money will be soon squandered by Lady Melmoth, refuses to sign the conveyances, in the hope of preserving his father from ruin.-His refusal enrages Sir Herbert, and they part; but meeting accidentally, Leonard advises his father to separate himself from his wife, and offers to give him the estate, if he will resign her to Malcour (a former lover, and to whom Leonard thinks she is still attached.) Sir Herbert relates this interview to his wife, and adds, that he was so incensed at the insulting proposition, that he produced a pistol, and swore he would perish at his son's feet, sooner than ask his assistance-that Leonard tried to force the weapon from his hand, and, in the struggle, it unfortunately went off and wounded him.-Sir Herbert supposes the wound fatal, and Malcour receives Leonard into his house, and confirms this supposition, by reporting he is dying, and threatening to accuse Sir Herbert. Lady Melmoth entreats Malcour to save him--he offers to grant her request on the most dishonourable terms-she treats him with scorn, and vows she will acknowledge the crime, and die instead of her husband. Leonard overhears this, and comes from his chamber supported by

1801.]

AND IMPARTIAL REGISTER.

his father, who relates that the ball was instantly extracted, and that the story of his danger was planned by Malcour, to shake the virtue of Lady Melmoth; Leonard then embraces Lady Melmoth, and gives the estate to his father.

From these scanty materials Mr. REYNOLDS has composed a piece which, without any just claims to the rank of legitimate comedy, holds out to contempt and reprobation the follies and vices of modern extravagance and dissipation. He has also combined, with considerable effect, the pathetic and humorous; and if he occasionally fails, in the genuine delineation of nature, it may at least be said of him, "Dulcibus abundat vitiis.”

His allusions are generally neat and appropriate; and the attention of the audience is kept alive by an almost inexhaustible fund of incidents, and a striking and happy contrast of light and shade.

The characters of Tom Tick, the money borrower; Post Obit, the legacy hunter; Dr. Infallible, the nostrum monger; and Shenkin, the honest Welch servant; are admirably suited to the talents and manner of the respective performers. In the first and second the piece received the most essential support from the whimsical eccentricity of LEWIS, and the rich humour of MUNDEN. KNIGHT gave a correct delineation of the faithful Cambrian, and SIMMONS was very respectable in the manufacturer of specifics. The feeling and discrimination displayed by Miss MURRAY, in Lady Melmoth, are entitled to particular encomium.

MURRAY, H. JOHNSTONE, WADDY, and WHITFIELD, conferred every possible interést on their respective parts.

The Epilogue, attributed to the pen of Mr. Serjeant SELLON, is distinguished, like the play, for many excellent points at the follies of the day.

Mrs. BILLINGTON came forward, at this theatre, on Friday the 13th, in the part of Clara in the comic opera of the Duenna.

We have little to add to our former observations on the extraordinary science and taste of this accomplished singer. Her airs, particularly that of "When Sable Night," were executed in a style that gratified the most ardent wishes of the amateurs; and her bravura, composed by NASOLINI, may be justly considered aş a chef-d'œuvre.

DRURY LANE.

The managers of this theatre have furnished no novelty worthy of notice since our last publication, if we except the Clara of Mrs. BILLINGTON, and the Isaac Mendoza of QUICK; who, after an absence of several years from the boards of the metropolis, appeared in that character. He was received with general plau dits, and performed the part in a manner worthy of the reputation which he acquired on the first representation of this excellent opera.

The differences between the proprietors of this house and Mr. KEMBLE, have been adjusted to the satisfaction of the parties,

and

and this eminent tragedian continues to perform his principal cha

racters.

Mrs. SIDDONS is also, in consequence of an adjustment with the proprietors, to resume her situation; and the company derives a considerable accession of strength from the junction of Mr. and Mrs. Pope, late of Covent Garden theatre, who have been engaged at a large salary.

KING'S THEATRE.

Several new arrangements have been made in this establishment, particularly in the corps de ballet, which promise a source of great amusement to the public.

The place of DIDELOT is to be supplied by VESTRIS, with whom a treaty is on the tapis, and the entertainments in this department are to be brought forward with unusual splendour.

A grand serious Opera, designed to display the powers of BANTI; and a comic Opera, composed by SALICETTI, are both in preparation.

UNION CLUB, CUMBERLAND HOUSE.

We have, at the request of several correspondents, made every possible enquiry into the present state of this excellent institution; and are happy to announce, that its list of members is graced by the names of the first characters in the British Empire. The arrangements made in CUMBERLAND HOUSE, for the accommodation of the society, collectively and individually, are formed upon a scale which is equally extensive and convenient; and the embellishments of the interior part of the building are distinguished, for elegance of taste, and appropriate magnificence. The UNION promises to prove the grand point of concentration for talent, rank, and respectability, throughout the three kingdoms.

PARISIAN THEATRICALS.

THEATRE DU VAUDEVILLE.

To watch constantly the news and reports of the day, to catch at the follies of the moment, and to hold up the mirror to the ridiculous vicissitudes of fashion;-such is the province of the Vaudeville. But since the year 6 it has been accustomed to review each season without restraint, either as to things or persons which have fixed attention. The shafts employed are not of that sort which become blunt by use. L'Hotel garni, ou la Revue de l'an 9, is a satire in action, instead of a Vaudeville in circumstances.

It would be too long to detail here all that has been thought worthy of remark in the review of the year 9. That year is wretched. There they have seen nothing which does not merit an epigram. Leur maurais œil, peutetre, etoit de ce coté." Aeronauts, neologists, vaccinators, journalists, men of business, artists, &c. &c. all Paris is put under contribution; one of their arrets deserves notice.

A distinguished critic lately wrote that he should not be surprised to see the crowd admiring, at the saloon, the picture of "la Glaneuse," and despising the first rate beauties contained in a crowd of other productions of our young artists. The authors of "L'Hotel garni" have also taken a review of the Saloon, who would believe it? It is precisely that "Glaneuse" that they have alone remarked: it is to be regretted that they have not also made a couplet upon the merit of the "Trompe l'oeil," it would have produced an effect after that in which they seem to praise Alexander, only because he was able to pull Apelles to pieces. The author of L'Hotel garni have represented many personages; there are, however, some of them, the ridicule of whom is very striking, and whom they have forgotten. Such are those merciless sticklers, against all that exists, indefatigable apologists of all that has been, sacrificing every thing to the pleasure of a bon mot; seeing, in the greater number of events, occasion only for an epigram; working every day for an evening impromptu; uniting, at the end of the year, the couplets of every month, and placing them by will, or by force, in a general picture-frame; erecting the scene in a tribunal without appeal, where the absent, who cannot defend themselves, are condemned to submit to the public laughter; giving deformity to the mask of Thalia, and a dangerous employment to the whims of Momus; erecting into a right the custom which public weakness has suffered to be established at the Vaudeville, that of giving to fallen pieces the appearance of success, and the honours of numerous representations. These men are yet wanting in the episodiè scenes of the Hotel garni; let them appear, and the applications will enliven the pit.

COMMERCE, USEFUL ARTS, &c.

IT is estimated that the produce of the Spice Islands last season will afford ample means to fill up two ships at least. One thousand five hundred tons of spice have been warehoused in good order. The company's ships Britannia, Captain Thomas Barrow, and a new ship of 800 tons, to be commanded by Captain Locke, are appointed to bring the spice home.

The following is a valuable composition for colouring and preserving gates, pales, barns, &c. Melt two ounces of resin, in an iron pot or kettle; add three gallons of train oil, and three or four rolls of brimstone. When the resin and brimstone are melted, and become thin, add as much Spanish brown, or red or yellow oker (or any other colour you want, ground fine with oil) as will give the whole as deep a shade as you like. Then lay it on with a brush as hot as you can. Some days after the first coat is dried, give it a second. It is well attested that this will preserve planks for ages, and prevent the weather from driving through brickwork.

VOL. 2.-NO, 11.

Y Y

The

The weight of the Regent Diamond, though considerable, is far from being as great as that of some of the other diamonds in the world. That in the possession of the Great Mogul, mentioned by Tavernier, weighs 2794 carats, and is estimated in value at 488,470l. sterling. The diamond called the Tuscan, belonging to the Emperor, weighs 130 carats, and is estimated in value at 108,680l. In the North of Europe the most valuable brilliant is that presented by Count Orloff, in 1772, to the Empress of Russia on her birth-day, which cost 104,000l. and which weighs 193 carats. This disproportion in value between the two stones, arises from the superior water of the former. A diamond carat is four grains.

PRIZES FOR STOCK CATTLE.

Lord Somerville has given notice of his intention to offer two annual prizes of 501. each, in due proportions; one to the first and second best yoke of fat oxen, which shall have laboured a given period, to provide corn and other food for man, but shall never once have consumed it; the second, to all breeds of short-woolled sheep (hitherto so much neglected), giving the preference to those most productive in food and raiment.-This prize is designed to counte nance farmers in their usual course of profitable husbandry, rather than those who are ambitious of keeping on cattle too long after they are ripe.

INDIA SHIPPING.

The annual tonnage of the East India Company is 30,000 tons on the average of the last four years.

The average peace freight of the whole number of ships built for the India commerce since the system of competition was established in 1796, namely 18 bottoms, is 191. 11s. 5d. per ton to all parts; and even from this rate a reduction may be expected if a judgment is to be formed of the average of the last 12 ships engaged, which appears to be 191. 6s. 8d. per ton to all parts.

The peace freight of the old regular bottoms employed in the Indian commerce (as distinguished from that of China) in the four years preceding the adoption of the new system, namely in 1792, 1793, 1794, and 1795, was

To Madras and Bengal

251. 10s.

}

To Bombay, Bengal, and Bencoolen 241. 10s. per ton. The sales of the East India Company's goods, which, in Feb. 1793, were estimated, at an average, to amount to 4,988,300. amounted last year to the sum of 8,337,066!.

POLITICAL