MR. TODD'S EXPERIMENT OF A DIVING-MACHINE IN RANELAGH GARDENS, ON THE 23D OF SEPTEMBER. THIS Gentleman had announced his intention of defcending into a refervoir of water twenty five feet deep, to remain for an hour at the bottom, and to be furrounded with lights: but, notwithstanding the immenfe importance of fuch an experiment, provided it could be completely fuccefsful, there were not more than 100 fpectators prefent: the trial, however, proved abortive. The apparatus uled on the occafion was a tub of deal, encircled with iron hoops, about eighteen feet in height, and not quite five in diame ter; on a level with the top of which was a fcaffolding. The Operator was provided with a drefs formed of lea. ther, iron, and copper, in which he was inferted up to his neck. A wooden box, with a pane of glafs in front, was then put on his head; and this being attached to his leathern neck-piece, the joining was afterwards fmeared over with tar; he was then raised by pullies to the top of the refervoir; THEATRICAL JOURNAL. WE understand it to be the intention of the Managers of the Winter Theatres, to give every encourage ment to new Candidates for hiftrionic fame, in all cafes where there a pears a likelihood of their talents deferving the notice of the Public: and hence, the short time that has elapfed fince the commencement of the prefent Seafon, has been very productive of novelty in this point. SEPT. 27. At Covent Garden Theatre Mr. Cooke undertook the part of Hamlet. We mention this as a novelty; but refpect the general me its of this Actor too much to enter on the painful talk of minutely analyzing his performance of this character. Sutfice it to fay, that he completely failed in it, and greatly rifqued his wellearned reputation. The performance, however, introduced a Miss REEVE, daughter of the Compofer, for the first time to the Stage, in the character of Ophelia. Her figure is petite, but elegant; her countenance is expreffive, and her voice more pleasing than powerful. She VOL. XLII. OCT. 1802. fung with fwsetnefs and skill some new and fcientific melodies which (we fuppofe with a view of diftinguifhing her talents) had moft abfurdly been fubstituted in place of the fimple and interesting warblings to which we have been accustomed and which always charmed the ear. Can anything be more ridiculous, than to hear a poor female, wholly bereaved of her fentes, executing with the utmost talle, time, and exactnefs, the divifions and cadences of a laboured and difficult piece of mufic? -The audience were evidently dif guited with the innovation; though, in tenderness to the fair debutant, they abftained from loudly expreffing their difpleafure.-Mifs Keeve feems to have been intended to fupply the vacancy occafioned by Mifs Waters's feceflion from the Stage; and the fpecimens that we have fince had of her talents convince us that the Public will lofe nothing by the change. OCT. 2. A MR. COLLINS (from the Southampton Theatre) appeared for the first time at Drury lane in the characters of Jabel (in the Jerv), and PP Robin Robin Rough-bead (in Fortune's Frolics). In appearance and manner he is not unlike the late Mr. Blanchard, of Covent Garden. His perfon is neat and well-proportioned, his countenance good; and his voice feems to poffefs fufficient power and verfatility to render him extremely ufeful in a wide range of comic characters. His ruftic dialect, gait, and manner, in the Farce, were much applauded. 7. MR. STEPHEN KEMBLE, from Newcastle, (who had engaged with the Proprietors for a few nights' performance) made his appearance at Drury-lane as Sir John Falstaff (in the First Part of Henry the Fourth). Mr. Kemble's well-known rotundity of perfon naturally led him to expect that the wits would be jocular with him; he therefore wrote the following humorous defcant upon his own obefity, which was admirably delivered by Mr. Bannifter, jun. and frequently interterrupted by general bursts of laughter: A Falstaff here to-night, by Nature made, Lends to your favourite Bard bis pondrous aid. No man in buckram he'! no ftuffing gear, venture. Bleft with unwieldiness, at least his sixe Bear due proportion to bis outward part, Jer, This is the very Falftaff Shakespeare drew. And go, as ballaft, in a collier, back. His performance of the character furnished an excellent treat to the lovers of the Drama, and fhewed him to be an original thinker, and not a copyist from any that had gone before him. His jollity and humour natural and gentlemanly, though occa fionally, we thought, rather loud and declamatory than luxuriant and facetious. His voice is clearer than that of his brother John's, but not much more various in its tones; yet, from a critically juft conception of the part, he contrived to throw a variety and richness into it, that has not been equalled fince the days of Henderson. In the fcene where he fits down to divide the booty, he fucceeded admirably. Nothing could be better defcribed than the gleam of contentment on his countenance, and his chuckling at being fo fortunate, with fo little danger to himself. At Dame Quickly's, after his adventure on the highway, the importance of his manner, the feeming contempt for the Prince and Poins, fucceeded by his confufion and confeffional burft when he faw that be was completely hemmed in, were in the true fpirit of his character. He was greatly applauded alfo on his ar rival at Shrewsbury. His difquifition upon bonour was given with admirable effect; and his boafting on Percy's death drew down three diftinct peals of of applaufe. Mr. Pope hit off the part of Hotfpur, and Mr. Wroughton that of the King, with much credit; indeed, the piece was, on the whole, well caft, and has feveral times fince attracted full houses. 8. MISS WADDY, daughter of the Comedian, appeared on Covent Garden Stage, in the character of Julia Faulk ner (in The Way to Get Married). This very young lady poffefles an interefting figure, and is a promifing Theatrical bud. She was very kindly received, and merits encouragement. 11. MR. DARLEY, returned from America after about seven years ab fence. refumed his station on the boards of Covent Garden, as Hecate (in Matbeth), with no diminution either in his vocal powers or his perfonal dimenfions. We prefume that he has been engaged in contemplation of the feceffion of Townshend (now mine boft o' the Horns"); who, probably, finds it neceffary to "keep his house, that his house may keep him." In point of talent as an actor, at leaft, the latter had greatly the advantage of Mr. Darley. 13. At Drury-lane. a MR. HARDINGE (from the Philadelphia Theatre) made his appearance in the character of Major O'Flaherty (in The Wel Indian). This gentleman appeared to At Kennington. were be well acquainted with the business of the Stage. His perfon is manly, and above the middle fize; his voice not much unlike that of Mr. Barrymore; his face, though not very ftrongly marked, feems capable of expreffing all that genteel comedy ufually requires. He fupported the character with feeling and energy; but fome times, we thought, relaxed from the brogue of the Irish gentleman into that of the peafant. His demeanour, how. ever, was polite and becoming, and he met with a very favourable reception. 15. Mr. Braham being fuddenly taken ill, his part in The Cabinet was undertaken at Covent Garden (at a very short notice) by Mr. WOODHAM, a trumpeter in the orchestra, and a very young man, who, it seems, had performed two or three times in some provincial Theatre. As he came for ward with great diffidence, and folely to prevent the audience from being difappointed of the Opera that evening, his endeavours were received with great candour and kindness. 18. Mr. Lewis, of Covent Garden Theatre, was feized with a very alarming illness during the rehearfal of a new Comedy of Mr. Reynolds's. It was observed, that he had an unufual flush of colour in his face; but nothing was thought of it. He went nearly through the rehearfal; when, foon after beginning the last act, he fuddenly stood still, and, to the furprife of every one, ceafed to fpeak. The Prompter continued prompting; after about half a minute, Mr. Lewis exclaimed-"Ah! ah!" and whirling round, as if by giddinefs, he fell down. Every one immediately flew to his affistance; he was lifted into a hair, his neckcloth untied, and it was thought he had fallen in an apoplectic fit. As foon as affiftance was procured, he was bled in the arm, but without effect. Dr. Kennedy and Mr. Wilfon then arriving, had him removed into the Green Room, where he was cupped; and the blood taken in this way happily relieved his head, and reftored him to his fenfes. He was then removed to his own house, and was next morning pronounced out of danger; but continued for feveral days too ill to resume his profeffional functions. 21. Mrs. Glover (late of Covent Garden Theatre) made her first appearance at Drury-lane, as Mrs, Oakley 22. A gentleman of the Navy Office, whofe name we understand to be BRAINE, made his debut on the boards of Covent Garden, in the difficult character of Othello. Though poffeffing a good perfon, easy action and demeanour, and a just conception of the part, he failed for want of powers of voice to exprefs the more violent fenfations that are excited in the Moor. Befide which, we frequently observed a thickness, or lifp, in his utterance, which muft for ever bar his way to theatrical eminence. He received a very attentive hearing and much applaufe; but we cannot encourage him to adopt the Stage as a profeffion. The Per READING SCHOOL THEATRICALS. The annual Play performed by the young Gentlemen of Dr. VALPY'S School (the receipts of which were humanely appropriated to the benefit of The Literary Fund) for three nights attracted all the Beauty and Fashion of Reading and its vicinity. The Play was the Merchant of Venice. formers in their respective characters difplayed much taste and claffical judgment; and where general excellence prevailed, it would be unfair to diftinguith individual merit. Suffice it therefore, to fay, that the young Actors received and deferved the plaudits of very numerous and refpectable audiences. Of the PROLOGUE (written by Mr. PYE, the Poet Laureat,) we have not yet obtained a copy. The following, however, was the EPILOGUE, written by Mr. Bollond, and spoken by Mr. Wheelwright, in the character of Portia. You, who so oft before assembled here, In pity's caufe have dropp'd the facred tear, [lief, With ready hands beftow'd the kind reAnd fhar'd your comfort with the fons of grief; You well I know. Your charity to raise, No beggar's cant requires, nor courtier's phrafe. [vail, In feeling minds unvarnish'd truths preBeyond fictitious mylt'ry's artful tale. P P 2 Proud ed eyes I fee the thade of famifh'd Otway rife! Immortal Otway, darling fon of fame, At once the nation's glory, and her fame. Hark! 'tis the plaintive found of woe I hear, [ear; The greans of death now vibrate on my Thy ipirit, Savage, from the dungeon calls, [walls. And fcreams of forrow fhake the folid All's ftill-'tis palt-th' indignant foul is filed, [dead. The Poet's free-he numbers with the Sull, till, the fiends their magic felis renew, Oh! hide the horrid vifion from my view! Milguided youth, thy mad design forego, Swift from thine impious hands the poi[thy breath, ion throw : Bear, bear thy fate, 'till Heav'n demand Drink not-the vial's drugg'd with dou. ble death: To rude and favage customs was conA Bard arole to teach th' unletter'd age, And, friend to virtue, rear'd the i fant [plan, Mankind with pleasure hail'd the noble Receiv'd its leffsons, and rever'd the man : To future ages ftill tranfinit his nameAnd Thefpis inves, immortaliz'd by Fame! In arter-times, when social ties began To claim an empire o'er the mind of See Grecce and Rome with rival arts [contend, And the Stage flourish-as the People's friend! man; Draw humble merit from its low retreat, head! We [blame. Praife where you can but pause before you Ad, as in i me i ne, unirequented ipot, Its ragrance flighted. and its charms forgot, (head, The m det violet hides its droping And inrinks, neglected, on its humble bed; [penfe, Yet if the morning fun its beams dif And cheer it with its genial influence, Its op'ning bud the toftering warmth receives, [leaves, It drinks the dew-drop falling on its Yields its rich odour to the paffing gale, And blooms-the pride and envy of the fceal'd vale! So be it yours to draw forth worth con- POETRY. THE RETREAT TO THE COTTAGE OF MON KEPOS. A POETICAL OLIO. role, I paufe! for here the ancient manfion [bride: Where dwelt Agreftes and his frugal The hand of Time, e'en then, with fecret [eft pride. blows, grounds, Had robb'd the manfion of its fairStill did its mouldering front, its spacious bounds, [view: Infpire the mind with rev'rence at the Jts fruitful orchards, and its garden [too. Produce the means of life and pleasure But vainly, now, its long-lov'd bounds I trace ! [ing feet; And fhapeless heaps, which fill'd the The furly briar retards my wanderruin'd space, [retreat. Bid me, reluctant, from my fearch I feek in vain the lawn behind the gate; In vain the fmooth-thorn box, and spiral yews; [ftate, In vain the fpacious hall, devoid of And Memory weeps, regretful, as the It is generally believed, that Shakespeare was denied the benefits of a claffical education; and obtained molt of his information, and the incidents of many of his plays, from tranflations of French and Italian novels. |