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But the music by Arne more than compensates for the wretched poetry of the recitative. We have nothing like it, except in the Comus by the same composer. It is of the English school through all its variety of tones, and proves of what our national music is capable. Hence, when worthily represented, it is always well received, and by the force of its music has borne upits bad poetry for an hundred years. Braham, in Arbuces, was all that the audience could wish; it afforded im am. ple means for the display of his inimitable powers, and he used all his

means.

Miss Stephens sung with her usual taste and sweetness. It is a true musical treat to hear Brahanı and this lady at the same time.

Duruset was much applauded in Ar

taxerxes.

Incledon was much missed in Artabanes: this character was his chef d'œuvre. Taylor might have supplied his place with credit.

After the Opera of Artaxerxes, a new dramatic piece, in one act, called "Three Miles from Paris," was represented for the first time. It is one of those trifles which, to animadvert on seriously, would be like breaking a butterfly on the wheel. The main object of the piece is to exhibit Mr. Denning in a variety of characters, probably attempted from a recollection of the great success attendant on The Actor of All Work.

The plot (if such it can be called) is simply this:-Motley (Mr. Denning), servant to a Colonel in an English regiment, falls in love with Louisa (Miss Mathews), the niece of a rich widow (Mrs. Davenport), who keeps a tavern at the distance of three miles from Paris. His great object is a desire to convey a letter to his beloved, for which purpose he assumes the character of a French courier, an English grenadier, an author, and a sailor. The aunt contrives always to be present at their interviews, and detects every attempt

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to deliver the love-billet, except the last. The tar, by climbing up the signpost, and throwing down his hat, which he requests the aunt to pick up, avails himself of the opportunity to give the letter to Louisa, who is seated at an adjoining window. His master arrives at this juncture of time; the niece elopes, and the parties are married.

The

The dialogue is sprightly, and occasional bursts of loyalty run through the whole. We are sorry to say that Mr. Denning's performance did not partake of the sprightliness. The part of the French courier was decidedly the best; the mixture of broken English and coarse French was weil managed. author was flat and uninteresting and although he was travelling with the laudable view of paying his creditors with the profits arising from the sale of his intended tour, we augur, that if his writing be no better than his acting, they will be little benefited.

It was, on the whole, quite as well received as its merits deserved, and when announced for a repetition, the sense of the house was most decidedly against it.

"The Point of Honour," a Drama in three acts, has been revived, when Miss O'Neill appeared, for the first time, in the part of Bertha, and as the situation is good, whatever may be the dialogue, she represented it with her usual vigour. The other characters in this piece acted as well as their several parts would admit.

Lwy Bertram, the part in " Guy Mannering," usually undertaken by Miss Stephens, was on the 24th inst performed by a Mrs. Garrick, from the Liverpool theatre. This lady, both as an actress and a singer, displays considerable selfpossession and experience of the stage. Her voice and style are good, and ber musical talent is far above mediocrity; some of her upper notes are a little harsh and imperfect, but her lower ones are remarkable for smoothness and flexibility.

PERFORMANCES.

Dec. 26. George Barnwell Harlequin Gulliver or the Fiving Island.

27. Guy Mannering-Ditto.

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Guy Mannering-Ditto.

Point of Honour-Husband and Wives—
Bitto.

15. Artaxerxes-Three Miles from ParisDitto.

16. Retribution-Ditto.

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THE SURREY THEATRE,

Drc. 29.-A crowded audience, on this evening, again gave testimony to the very superior merit of the various performances with which this Theatre recentis opened, and which have comma ded success, because they so pecu larly deserved it. The Christmas Tale (originally produced at the Theatre Royi. Drury-Laue, while under the mangement of Mr. Garrick) consists in the love of Floridar for Camilla, for whose sake he vanquishes a host of demos, formerly held captive by his faiter, ad to whom his imprudence had given freedom The hand of Camiles promised as the reward of their subjection. Love and valour triumphs, the Sorcerer is overthrown, and the piece cu cudes with the union of the lovers, in a splendid scene of Bonoro's Fairy Region.

In adding to the very powerful exertions of all the performers, we cannot ontit noticing the highly successful debut of Miss Cherry, late of Drury-Lane, who gives battering promise of powers which will be an acquisition to any stage. The speaking Pantomime of the "Touchstone, or Harlequin Traveller," opens with an aërial combat between two Genii. The evil spirit is victorious, and his discomfited rival is, by the power of his art, plunged into the cleft treak of a withered oak. From this imprisonment she is, however, speedily released by Harlequin, and in addition to the magic sword, usually presented en such occasions, rewards her deliverer with a talismanic touchstone, which has the power of extorting truth from all on whom its potency is exercised. The pleasantry and witticisms, arising from its effect on the various characters, are highly entertaining throughout the progress of the piece; and Harlequin Traveller proceeds in the usual routine of a pantomimic journey in various parts of France and Engled, until his adventures termiBate in the magic abode of the Fairy

Feridon.

Columbine, and that the more subordinate characters were equally well supported, we need add nothing more relative to its performance. The holiday audience were also entertained with the terrific evolutions of Mr. Mackintosh on the Corde olante, and a whimsical Ballet, which displayed to much advantage the talents of Miss Simpson, and Messrs. Giroux, Kirby, and Dore. The scenery and dresses are in every respect worthy of this Theatre's former fame, and are equally splendid and appropriate in all of the evening's entertainments.

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JAN. 5, 1818.-In addition to the amusements of last week, a new grand serious Melo Drame was produced tonight, under the title of The Knights of the Lion," and was received with every applause which its most sanguine friends could have auticipated. Clotilda, Countess de Neuberg, is accused of the murder of her husband and infant son, and the interesting plot of the picce arises from the developement of her innocence, and the discovery of her accuser's guilt; many of the situations are highly dramatic, and the denonement is most powerfully effective. Miss Taylor, Mr. Huntley, and Mr. Cordell, made their first appearance this season, in characters well suited to their respective talents; and the scenery and machinery amply merited the applause with which the entire performance was received by an overflowing audience.

JAN. 12.-The admirable Burlesque of Don Giovanni" was revived with every cclât which attended its unprecedented popularity when first produced.

JAN. 19. At this Theatre novelty is the order of the day, or rather of the night, for we were this evening gratified with the performance of a new Burletta, entitled "Tom Jones, or the Foundling." When we state, that the outline of Fielding's admirable Novel is strictly adhered to, and that it was supported by all the strength of Mr. DiRDIN's corps dramatique, it is almost needless to add, that it was pre-eminently successful, and continues to draw crowded houses. Huntley's Tom Jones, and indeed all the principal characters, were supported in a way that reflected no less credit on the performers than on the manager. PERFORMANCES.

This langhable extravaganza is an altered revival of a Pantomime written by Mr. Dibdin's justly celebrated father, and is reproduced with new incidents and logue more suited to the present da. When we say that Fitzwilliam and Mrs. Bryan were the Harlequin and

ur.
Dec, 0, to Jan. 7, 1918. Christmas Tale-Love and
tatt-The Touchstone or Harlequin
Traveler.

Jan. 5 to 11. Love and Lancet-Knights of the
Lion-Touchstone Christmas Tale,

1818.

Jan. 12 to 17. Christmas Tale-Don Giovanni-
Knights of the Lion.

Jan. 19 to 24. Love and Lancet-Tom Jones or The
Foundling-Knights of the Lion.

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Besides, what disgrace to the Muses and me, If doctors join med'cine and verse for a fee!

Man's knell will be rung in poetical chime, And death-warrants sign'd in hexameter rhyme."

The God of the Pestle and Mortar replied, "Not me, but fair Ida, Apollo should chide; She rivals my skill with a whim or a jest, And keeps for my patients a new med'cinechest.

But let not my foes on her promise relySuch smiling physicians cheat ofter than 1: Their spells may bid head-aches and heartaches depart,

But take for their fees both the head and the heart."

.:

TIME TO BEAUTY.

W With festive dance and song,

HILE others grace thy natal day

A pilgrim leaves his lonely way

To mingle in the throng: When thou art near, a ling`ring pace, A scanty lock, a wrinkled face,

No more to me belong;

For smiling Beauty best can prove
How swift my silver pinions move.
I will not boast how oft and bright
This day I mean to bring,
Tho' many a downy plume last night
Thy bounty gave my wing.
Thy hand my rosy crown bestow'd-
To thee my sparkling glass I ow'd,
Now take my offering:

Sent in his 80th year, in reply to a versified prescription.

Thou canst not reach so rich a prize In Pleasure's gayest Paradise! Midst sands that sparkle in my glasa

No purer gem 1 find;

;

The rest may glitter, break, and pass,
But this remains behind;
Pride may the modest pearl disdain,
Or Love a brittle semblance feign,
But Pride and Love are blind
They mock my pow'r, yet I alone
Their fraudful counterfeits make known.
Receive my gift!-of Nature's wealth
Thy mind has ample store;

Of Pleasure. Honour, Hope, and Health,
I cannot give thee more.
The gem which none of these can buy
Will youth's ethereal light supply,

When thou like me art hoar;
I give what Fortune cannot lend-
Time, only Time reveals a friend!

Jan. Ist.

CHRONOS. V.

THE DIRGE OF ROYALTY. "She pass'd-like a dream of the morn ing."

OH! say not that the fairest flower

That bloom'd in Albion's princely
bower,

The flower we loved, and cherish'd most,
Is nipp'd by Fate's untimely frost-
Oh! say not, that our star of light,
Which shone, in native splendour bright,
liath quench'd its beams in CHARLOTTE'S

grave,

As sinks the sun beneath the wave.
Yes! like that glorious orb, whose rays
Seem holier in their parting blaze,
Than when, o'erpowering every eye,
They glow in noontide majesty,-
Her gentler spirit seem'd to shed
More radiance round her dying bed,
That when, so late, we saw her move
The idol of our pride and love.

Stranger!-if thou wouldst seek to learn
The praise that must not stain her urn,
Go-read it in the altered cheek

Of those who weep.-but cannot speak.-
Go,-ask yon Briton, whence the grief
That seems to rend, yet mock relief?
Unbidden tears will swell his eye,
And sorrow speak his heart's reply.
Blest saint!-if from thy glorious sphere
Thou look'st on aught that loved thee here,
Thou'lt grieve,-if angels grie: can know,-
For those thus left to moura below;-
Thy country's hopes thus withering fast,
Beneath affliction's chilling blast.

All bounteous Heaven!-whose chasten-
ing hand

Thus sorely smites an erring land,
Abasing her high soul of pride,-
In mercy turn thy wrath aside.

-In pity thea hast quench'd the ray, That brighten'd on His mental day, Whose soul, shut out from earthly bliss, Had sunk beneath a stroke like this.— In grief.—in penitence adored, Oh! sheath thy dread avenging swordAnd from the dark enshrouding gloom That wraps Her loved, lamented tomb, Let Her example beaming pure, Teach us enmurmuring to endure The scourge of an offended God, And bend in awe beneath his rod,

With meekness bow before th' eternal throne,

Hadst thou, my Cot, been on a splendid scale,

Oh, what a credit hadst thou been to me! Alas! to prove a credit unto thee, My greatest efforts could have no avail. Thou art not fine,

And who in such a house can ever hope to shine?

Scarce thon afford'st me room to read and write,

But ev'ry village has its library now. Round thee I thought the learned beams. would flow,

Of Him who gave, and has but claim'd His And I should share a portion of their

own!

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STANZAS TO MY OLD HOUSE.

MY poor old Habitation, fare thee well!

Beneath thy roof eight winters I have pass'd,

And now I close thy doors and shutters fast,

Leaving no living thing in thee to dwell: Save mice and rats,

That will with freedom rove, unscared by ruthless cats.

With ling'ring step thy threshold I descend,

And seem reluctant from thy walls to part,

Small, inconvenient, it is true thou art,

light. Illusions all!

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ON THE SUDDEN DEPARTURE OF A FRIEND. FOR JAMAICA,

ND is he gone upon the deep,

Yet thou art large enough to hold a friend, AA stranger-and alone?

I ask'd no more;

The bouse that holds a friend contains an ample store.

But thou wast much too paltry,—much too small

To please the glitt'ring world's fastidious

eye.

My richer neighbours, riding careless by, Look'd up and saw thy narrow stateless wall,

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For she has charms

Nor did those eyes in sorrow weep?
Nor did his spirit moan?

And did not then a sigh,—a tear,-
His parting sorrow tell?

And could he leave his kindred here,

Nor breath a last farewell?
And was not then a Mother's gaze,
A Father's blessing given?
And did not he in silence raise

His hands in pray'r to heaven?
And were his smiling Sisters then,-
His Brothers,-all forgot?

And could he calmly leave them-when,
Alas! they knew it not?

And did his bosom feel no pain?
No dreary thought oppress,

That he might ne'er return again,
To share their fond caress?

To lall the drooping soul, or dissipate And was not home a sacred tie,

alarms.

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Nor all the sports

Where boyhood's days were past? And could he leave so hastily,So silently, at last? And was there not one parting word,One tender look bestow'd?

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And was there not a pray'r preferr'd
To bless that lov'd abode?

No:-with the star of day he rose
And launch'd upon the deep!

of fashion's favourite walks, or love's li And they, who smiling did repose,

entious courts,

Awoke at Dorn, to weep.

M.

CHRONOLOGICAL SKETCH OF THE MOST REMARKABLE EVENTS FOR THE YEAR 1817.

JANUARY,

20. Five of the Spafields rioters tried for their lives, and Cashman, a sailor, found guilty.

21. Watson the elder tried for maliciously stabbing John Rhodes, at Highgate. He was acquitted.

27. A Meeting of Reform Delegates held at the King's Arms, Palace-yard.

28. This day both Houses of Parliament met. His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, on his return to Carlton-House, was shot at. According to the statement of Lord James Murray, two shots perforated the glass of the royal carriage.

31. A Common Hall, held at Guildhall, at which the Corporation of London voted various resolutions relating to the reduced state of the country, expressed in a petition to the Prince Regent.

FEBRUARY.

2. Lord Sidmouth delivered, in the House of Lords, a Message from the Prince Regent, laying before Parliament the famous Green Bag full of documents relating to seditious practices in London and various parts of the kingdom.

4. Committees ordered to be appointed in both Houses of Parliament, to examine and report on the aforesaid seditious papers, 5. The above Committees appointed.

The Court of Common Council addressed the Prince Regent on his providential escape from the traitorous attack made on his Highness during his return from the Parliament House.

6. Lord Cochrane presented, in the House of Commons, the Spafields Meeting Petition, signed by 24,000 persons. It prayed for Annual Parliaments, Universal Suffrage, and Amendment in the Public Expenditure. Laid on the table. He also presented a Petition from Manchester, signed by 30,080 persons, praying for Reform in Parliament, and Economy in the Public Expenditure. It was rejected for its indecorous language.

7. Sir F. Burdett presented a Petition from Manchester and Salford, signed by 6,000 persons, praying for Reform. Also one from Leeds, signed by 7,000, having the same object.-Laid on the table.

9. Evans, of Newcastle-street, apprehended on a charge of high treason,

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Mr. Hone also appeared, and complained of the illegality of his arrest on Lord Ellenborough's warrant, for a libellous publication.

21. Extraordinary Phenomenon seen at Rheims. Luminous purple and red circles

seen in the sky. 24. R. G. Butt found guilty of publishing libels on the Lord Chief Justice.

30. This day the Right Hon. C. Abbott resigned the situation of Speaker in the Honse of Commons.

JUNE.

2. Mr. Manners Sutton chosen Speaker of the House of Commons.

3. The late Speaker created Baron Col

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