five years. and could plainly be heard by the people who and delivered in a halter to a person named flocked from every part to dig them out. One Houseman, who had lodged with them four or of them survived till four o'clock the next morn ing, at least he was never after heard. He had previously said that both his fellow sufferers were dead. No labour was spared to get them out; but as the people encreased their exertions, the earth fell in more and more, and at last completely buried the poor colliers in her bowels. It appears that the quantity of rain which fell during the last month, was 3 inches 27-100ths. That of the corresponding month in 1805, 2 inches 44-100ths; in 1804, 4 inches 18-100ths; and in 1803, 2 inches 29-100ths. The quantity of rain in the preceding months, exceeds that of any other during the last two years, excepting the month of November, 1804, when it measured 5 inches 44-100ths. Smith, a notorious deer-stealer, was apprehended in London, by the Bow-street Officers, on Thursday week, by virtue of a warrant i-sued by the Magistrates of Northamptonshire, which was also backed at Marlborough-street office. The charge against the prisoner was, for deer-stealing in the park of the Earl of Pomfret, in Northamptonshire, where the depredations had been committed to a considerable extent, as well as in various other parks in that county. It was stated that a white buck had been selected for Christmas dinner in Earl Pomfret's park; but that he was stolen, when the keepers sought to catch him for slaughter. The prisoner was represented as belonging to a gang of offenders of this description, soiae of whom were in cus ody in the country: he was the Robin Hood of the gang; and when committing depredations in the forests, his bravado and fierceness often struck such terror in the minds of the keepers, that when he was even known to be posching alone, none dared approach him. The prisoner, acTuesday a most disgraceful scene was witnessed cording to his own account, had carried on a sucat Hull. A man named John Gowthorpe ex-cessful trade in this way many years with impuposed his wife for sale in the market about oneni y. He did not consider deer-stealing as any o'clock, but owing to the crowd which such an moral offence, but merely sporting, which he extraordinary occurrence had gathered together, had been brought up to, and which he could he was obliged to defer the sale, and take her never desist from. He was ordered to be conaway. About four o'clock, however, he again veyed to the county gaol of Northampton. brought her out, and she was sold for 20 guincas, On opening the vault belonging to the family of J. Norris, Esq. in the church of St. Peter's Maneroft, Norwich, on Monday se'nnight, a live bat was found there, of a greyish colour, where it probably had laid in a torpid state, companion for the dead, more than $2 years, the distance of time since the vault was before opened. PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS FOR FEBRUARY. The public places for the last month have pro- || tainments, formed an agreeable melange for the duced no striking novelties. A farce of Dibdin, evening. Among the latter was a Ballet, entitled senior, has been performed at Drury-lane, and The Fair Circassian, in which Parisot displayed, condemned; it was too much in the simple bal- in the favourite shawl dance, her accustomed lad style, to please the present taste, but it was grace and agility. A Tributary Sketch, to the driven somewhat harshly from the theatre. memory of Mr. King, under the title of "ThaSince the Travellers, Drury-lane has exhibited lia's Tears," was received with great approbano novelty worthy of notice; but at Covent-Gar- tion-Mrs. Jordan, who represented Thalia den, a comedy is in preparation from the pen of mourning the loss of her favourite son, gave to Cumberland. The task of criticism, therefore, the Sketch much interest.-It contained some becomes light in the present number of our mis-merited eulogies on the deceased, which were cellany. We shall mention, however, the principal theatrical occurrences of last month. DRURY LANE. Wednesday, Feb. 11, a very crowded and elegant audience occupied this theatre, in order to pay a tribute of respect and gratitude to the memery of the late Mr. King. The performances were for the benefit of his widow. The comedy of The School for Friends, with several enter admirably delivered by those eminent favourites of the town Messrs. Wroughton, Bannister, and Dowton. The vocal parts were sustained by Messrs. Braham, Kelly, Miller, Mrs. Bland, and Signora Storace. The Sleeping Beauty concluded the amusements of the evening. The Travellers, produced in the latter end of January, continues to draw the most crowded houses, and is every night received with applause no less abundant than just. OR, BELL'S COURT AND FASHIONABLE MAGAZINE. 57 The music of Corri has justly exalted his reputation to that of one of the first composers of the day; he has displayed an originality and force of genius, which many are disposed to envy, and few can excel.We repeat that Corri's name will in future rank high in public opinion. The songs 66 Deep in the Fountains of this beating Heart;" and, "He was famed for Deeds of Arms," are full authority for this criticism. We should not say thus much, but that we understand that some artifices have been practised to destroy or undervalue the fame which he has so justly acquired, by ascribing his music to other composers. We are satisfied that he is original. The admirable singing of Braham has principally conduced to the popularity of this Opera. COVENT GARDEN. On Tuesday, Jan. 29, a new Farce, entitled We Fly by Night, from the pen of Mr. Colman, was produced: it is from the French of Picard. Mr. C. has reduced it to the broadest farce, and, after his usual manner, has sacrificed every thing to caricature and laugh. We have not room to enter into the plot, nor is it worth detailing. The music was by Kelly, and some of the songs were composed with the most bewitching simplicity. They received full justice from Miss Tyrer. This farce was successful, and has become extremely popular. On Monday, Feb. 10th, after an absence of five years from this Theatre, Mr. Pope made his appearance in Othello. This actor has acquired a considerable reputation in the part, and many of the best judges esteem Mr. Pope's Othello as the best performance of the character on the stage. We are not altogether of this opinion, though we are far from thinking humbly of his talents. The character of Othello is in one general tone of passion; he is always frantic with jealousy and blustering with rage. The part, therefore, requires great natural powers, and not much of taste or discrimination. Every part is prominent, and easily caught; the beauties are so marked and positive, that they display themselves in all the force of their native grandeur, without requiring the taste or skill of the actor to elevate them into notice. We have heard it remarked by one of the best actors and critics of the day, that Othello was by far the easiest of all the great characters of Shakespeare. Mr. Pope has a good voice, and a good delivery; he is skilful in the common mechanism of action and of passion, and well versed in the business of the stage; he knows when to strike his bosom, and when to wring his hands; when to start, and when to stand stock still, without bcNo. I. Vol. I. || ing reminded by the prompter; he knows his part off hand, and he speaks up. With such qualifications no actor can be an indifferent Othello; Mr. Pope is one of the best. ORATORIOS. On Friday, Feb. 21, the Oratorios commenced at Covent-garden Theatre, under the auspices of Mr. C. Ashley. We have to congratulate him upon the arrangements he has made for affording pleasure to the public. He has availed himself of the vocal powers nor only of Signora Storace and Mrs. Bland, but of Mrs. Salmon, late Miss Munday, and Mrs. Dickons, formerly Miss Poole. Besides Mr. Braham, || there were four who appeared, for the first time, Mr. Doyle, a fine bass; Mr. Gibbons, Mr. Pyne, and Mr. Smith. The Dettingen Te Deum constituted the first act, in which Storace sung "Holy, holy Lord," in a very fine style. The remaining acts were selections. Mrs. Bland, in the air, "What blessings," by Dr. Arne, was encored. The trio, "Like a bright cherub," was given with great effect by Mrs. Bland, Mrs. Salmon, and Mr. Pyne. A compliment was paid to the memory of Nelson, in a Scena, by Storace. It was called "Britannia at the tomb of Nelson." It was somewhat dull, and the music was not altogether worthy of the subject. The anthem, "Hear my prayer," by Mrs. Bland and Mrs. Salmon, was extremely pleasing. Mrs. Salmon has great sweetness and flexibility of voice, and well accorded with the divine tones of Bland. The grand treat of the evening was Braham, in "To arms, your country's cause." Though so arduous and trying a song, he was encored, and sung it the second time, if possi ble, better than the first. We never heard him more applauded. There was a strength, an ardour, and sublimity, in his style, which admira bly corresponded with the music. When Braham stands upon his naked powers, and rejects all petty artifice and meretricious ornament; when he treats music as a science, and not as a system of tricks; when he sings for the sake of diversifying melody and augmenting pleasure, and not to surprize by experiments on his voice, or excite wild amazement by the stratagem of this art; when he condescends to be simple-to be himself; we then acknowledge powers, eminent beyond what we have ever heard, and so transcendant, that we cannot conjecture an excellence beyond them. Mrs. Dickons afforded us great pleasure; she has a very excellent voice, and much taste and science: she executed the difficult song, "Sweet bird," and Purcell's sonata, "From rosy bowers," with prodigious effect. We have seldom seen a performer more applauded, or one that gave new being to the landscape, it may be conceived more general satisfaction. cess. KING'S THEATRE. that the scene is truly magnificent, and that the illusion presents to us an instance of what scenic exhibitition may attain under liberal and scientific direction. On Tuesday, Feb. 10, was produced a new Ballet, entitled Tamerlane and Bajoze. It is In point of richness of scenery and dress, there taken from the grand Opera of Roxana, written has been nothing at all equal to this Ballet, since by MAGNOCAVALLO, and which had great suc- Iphigenia. But, in point of affecting dramatic Mr. Rossi has, however, made a most subject, the Author was limited. It is rather to sensible alteration in it. We have upon this oc- be praised for its extraordinary magnificence than casion the pleasure of bearing testimony to the its emotion. The plot is not so highly wrought complete success of the Artist. It was received up as to keep the soul in suspence, or to excite throughout with unmixed and universal ap- any sudden impulse, either of terror, surprize, plause. It has indeed every thing to recommend indignation, or joy, though all of these are alterit; and it is an admirable instance of the advan-nately aroused in degree. The whole rests on a tage which the Arts derive from the Theatre, story, so simple and manifest, that the spectator since, in truth, it is a study for the pupil in all anticipates the villainy of Bajazet, and the magthe theatric arts. The first scene, and the open-nanimous forgiveness of Tamerlane. Still the ing of the Ballet, are the most impressive things want of surprize may proceed from its being a we ever saw upon any stage. The curtain opens well known story. If the same thing had been with a battle, which is raging on a most extended represented of names unknown, it might have scale on the stage-and aloft on bridges flung awakened more curiosity, but might have also across the torrent that falls from precipice to pre-made the fable more inexplicable. cipice on the abrupt declivity of a mountain. This gives a depth and distance to the perspective admirable in the contrivance, and which, even in painting, would fill the mind with the idea of all the variety and horrors of a battle; but when this effect is heightened by the actual motion and bustle of the combatants, incessantly changing their position assailing and assailed-driven from post to post-and at every instant giving a BIRTHS. In Portland place, the Countess of Mansfield, of a son. At Linley Hall, Salop, the Lady of Richard Congreve, Esq. of a son. At the Government-house, Guernsey, Mrs. Doyle, Lady of Lieutenant Colonel Doyle, of a daughter. Friday evening, in Norfolk-street, Grosvenorsquare, Lady Ogilby, of a daughter. On the 6th inst. the Lady of Sir William Ramsay, Bart. at his house, in St. Andrew'ssquare, Edinburgh, of a son. It is, upon the whole, a grand Ballet, every way worthy of the King's Theatre; and we cannot help expressing our surprize and pleasure at their producing so much illusion on so short a stage. We have no doubt but that the house will be amply rewarded for the spirited expence which has been incurred, and as to Mr. Rossi, the Author, it secures him the most solid popularity.-It is a master-piece. At Shroton-cottage, Dorsetshire, the Lady of Lieutenant-Colonel Seymer, of a son. At Weymouth, the Lady of Captain Vernon Graham, of twins, sons. MARRIAGES. At Mary-le-bonne, Richard Charles Headgraves, Esq. of the West Suffolk Militia, to the Hon. Cassandra Twisleton, youngest daughter of the late Lord Saye and Sele. At Chiswick, William Devaynes, Esq. M. P. of Dover-street, to Miss Wiseman, of New The Countess of Aylesford, Packington-hall, Bond-street. Warwickshire, of a daughter. On the 11th inst. at Waterville, county of Kildare, in Ireland, the Lady of the Right Hon. Lord Dunboyne, of a son. Lately, the Lady of Sir Thomas Whichcote, Bart. of a son, at his seat in Lincolnshire. On the 4th inst. at Little Bookham, Surrey, the Lady of Major-General Manningham, of a daughter. Feb. 13. At St. James's Church, by the Rev. George Knott, Captain Wheatley, 1st Regiment of Guards, son of William Wheatley, Esq. of Lisney, in Kent, to Miss Hawkins, daughter and co-heiress of the late George Edward Hawkins, Esq. At Storrington, W. Chamberlaine, Esq. of Rolvenden, Kent, to Miss T. Bishop, daughter of Colonel H. Bishop, and grand-daughter of At Mill Hill, Feb. 14, the Lady of Charles Sir Cecil Bishop, of Parham-park, Sussex. Drake Garrard, Esq. of a son. In Dublin, John Crampton, Esq. M. D. to |