The Present of a Mistress to a young Servant, consisting of Friendly Advice and Real Histories. By Mrs. Taylor, of Ongar. 3d edition, 3s. 6d.

Des. Erasmi Rot. Concio de Puero Jesu olim pronunciata a Puero in Schola Joannis Coleti Londini instituta, in qua præsidebat Imago Pueri Jesu docentis specie. 10s. 6d.

NATURAL HISTORY.

General Zoology, or Systematic Natural History; commenced by the late George Shaw, M.D. Vol. IX. in 2 parts, 8vo. 21. 12s. 6d; royal paper 31. 16s.

NOVELS AND ROMANCES.

Sancho, or the Proverbialist. 8vo. 6s. This being a work of fiction, we have placed it under the head of romances, though it ought perhaps rather to be considered in the light of a reli gious tale. Latterly, the active zeal of certain persons, not only sectaries, but members of the established church, has induced them to adopt this kind of writing, for the purpose of enforcing particular tenets of theology under the quaint denomination of evangelical doctrine, in contradis tinction, as it were, to the plain and practical faith of our ancestors. The ingenuity of these good people is truly admirable; and it reminds us of another part of their conduct, that of adapting psalms and hymns to popular song tunes, under the convenient plea that the devil ought not to engross all the best music for his votaries This conrse of trenching upon every brauch of science and literature has been carried so far, and is at present so much upon the alert, that we shall not he surprised-notwithstanding the anathena de. nounced against the drama-to see tragedies and comedies written in scriptural phrase, to shew the effects of supernatural conversion. The history of Sancho may be summed up in few words. This personage is brought up under a maiden aunt, who imparts all her instructions for the formation of principle, and the guidance of practice, in senten tious maxims and grave saws, that, properly limited and defined, are very excellent, but when made general rules, are as likely to lead a man into wrong as right. So it happens to poor Sincho, who is disgraces at school by making aunt Winifred's advice," to take care of number on," a dispensation for purloining a penknife. After this, though he does not actually become unprincip cd, he contracts a narrow mind into complete selfishness, which very naturally renders him a misanthrope and an infidel. But the death of the oracular virgin, who leaves him a pitiful legacy instead of an estate, and the liberality of a religious aunt who relinquishes the latter in his favour, effects an alteration in his sentiments and manner of life. Sancho the proverbialist, therefore, is now changed into a pious believer, and he recorda his story for tne ed fication of his fellow-creatures.

537

Adolphe. Par M. Benjamín de Constant, Author of "The Tragedy of Walstein," &c.

12mo.

Edgar, a national tale. By Miss Appleton, Author of "Private Education," &c. 3 vols. 12mo. 21s.

Wanderings of a Goldfinch, or Characteristic Sketches in the Nineteenth Century.

8vo. 12s.

4S.

Amurat Prince of Persia, an Arabian Tale.

POETRY.

The Talents run Mad, or Eighteen Hundred and Sixteen ; a Satrical Poem, a Three Dialogues. with Notes. By the Author of "All the Talents." 8vo.

The poetry of this satire is infinitely superior to that of the far-famed Pursuits of Literature; and if the notes are less learned than those tagged to that piece, they have the merit of being more witty and even caustic. The whining cant of our pretended patriots, who make great lamentation upon the extravagance of royalty, is properly ridiculed in the following lines and anuotation, which we select as a sample of the entertainment afforded by this vigorous performance.

FRIEND.

Yet, see what waste of wealth! Pagodas rise;
Thatched cots and gilt pavilions fright our eyes!
AUTHOR.

When fishmongers build castles-for a king
To build a cot is no such mighty thing:
But oh! how Cr-vy, M-lt-n, M-re would stun
If Windsor's mile of tow'rs were now begun!
Yet England now could purchase England then
Ten times, and leave behind another ten.
Haste then ye stables, ask the lords'assent;
Ye pig-sties rise by act of parliament!

Pagodas rise, &c.] If, as the cabal assert, the Prince sacrifices public good to personal prodigality. it is astonishing that he should never have chosen for his ministers those men who formerly worked heaven and earth to procure him liberal supplies from parliament. What ingratitude! As for royal expense, the Duke de Berri alone has a larger income than any four of our own princes; and the British throne and court cost less than those of the first-rate powers in Europe, and not more than several of the second-rate. Still, talk of expenditure to the cabal and 'tis nothing but the Prince! the Prince! the Prince!--the Prince has misapplied the public money. What money-the droits of Admiralty? No; but the salaries of miners: he has given them to here loyal men, instead of cobins. This is the true secret, why he who was once the darling of opposition, has now become its utter

aversion."

This is a stroke so completely ad hominem, that it is impossible either for the party or their admi. rers to avoid feeling the lash; though there is little hope that it will produce a biosh ormation,

The Ruby Ring, or the Transformations. By Eliza Lucy Leonard. 12mo. 4s. 6d.

The highly romantic, though at the same time strictly moral tale, of "The Ring of Amurath," so well known to all the admirerso: oriental taste and literature, is here turned into very elegant verse for the instruction and entertainment of young persons. The story has lost nothing by being lowered from the swelling diction and splendid embellishment of its Asiatic original, to he simplicity of narration necessary for the juvenile understanding; but we can venture to say at the

538

same time that the poetry is excellent, and that the book cannot fail to give delightful amusement to readers of every description. It is beautifully printed, and the plates arc designed and executed in a very superior style.

Eura and Zephyra, a classical tale, with Poetical Pieces. By David Booth. 8vo. 6s. 6d. The Bridal of the Isles, a mask; with the Epithalamium of Julia and Manlius, from Catullus, and other Poems. By Charles Knight.

Waterloo. By Henry Davidson, esq. advocate. Svo. 5s. 6d.

Ilderim, a Syrian Tale: in four cantos. gro. 45. 6d.

Poems, including Correct Copies of Fare Thee Well, &c. and five others never before printed. By Lord Byron. svo. 25.

Essays in Rhyme on Morals and Manners. By Jane Taylor. fc. 8vo. 6s.

Thanksgiving Ode, Jan. 18, 1816, with other Short Pieces chiefly referring to recent Public Events. By Wm. Wordsworth. 8vo. 4s. Ines and other Poems.

Svo. 8s.

The Stage in 1816, a satirical poem in three parts, with notes and illustrations. Part I. 3s.

Melancholy Hours. fc. svo. 6s.

The Restoration of the Works of Art to Italy. 8vo. 35. 6d.

POLITICS AND POLITICAL ECONOMY.

Historical Review of the Policy of the British Government in the Treatment of its Catholic Subjects, with a Consideration of their present Claims. By Henry Wm. Tancred, esq. barrister at law. 9s.

The Tenth Report of the Directors of the African Institution. 25.

The Revolutionists and the present Ministry. Translated from the French. 8vo. 3s. 6d. On the State of Europe in January, 1816. By George Ensor, esq. 3s.

The Penal Enactments of the Slave Registry examined, in a Letter to Chas. N. Palmer, esq. M. P. 2s. 6d.

The Question of the Necessity of the Existing Corn Laws considered in their relation to the Agricultural Labourer, the Tenantry, the Landholder, and the Country. By Chas. Henry Parry, M.D. F.R.S.

8vo. 8s.

Observations on the Intended Amendment of the Irish Grand Jury Laws, now under the consideration of the House of Commons; to which is added a Plan for the General Survey and Valuation of Ireland and for the Commutation of Tithes; with important Hints relative to the Internal Economy of Ireland. By Wm. Parker, esq. 8vo. 5s.

Thoughts on the Alleged Depression of Agriculture, By Peter Richard Hoare, esq.

1s. 6d.

TOPOGRAPHY."

The History and Antiquities of the Cathedral Church of Salisbury, illustrated with a series of Engravings of Views, Elevations, Plans, and Details, of that Edifice; also Etchings of the Ancient Monuments and

[July 1,

Sculpture; including Biographical Anecdotes of the Bishops and of other Eminent Persons connected with the Church. By John Br ton, F.S.A. 4to. 31. 3s.

The ingenious author of this volume is already well known to all the lovers of archæological re searches by his various productions illustrative of British antiquities. In the volume before us he has exhibited that rare contempt of private inte rest which occasionally accompanies a devoted attachment to any particular pursuit. In the sam ber and style of the engravings, as well as in the quantity of letter-press, he has exceeded his pro

mise, and incurred in every part of the work as expense, not only much beyond the first calculs tion, but greater than can be repaid by the sale of the whole impression. The original prospectus promised only 30 engravings and about 80 pages of letter press; whereas 31 plates with three woodcuts, and nearly double the quantity of literary matter are here given. On this subject he observes: that although in point of calculation of loss and gain, and in direct expenditure, the practice of exceeding original promises in literary works is very uncommon, and may appear more generoas than prudent, the author has already tried the experiment in The Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain; in the prosecution of which be greatly surpassed his first calculations and stipula tions in each department, but without raising the price to the publisher. A continually increasing sale was the result, and very general approbation the reward." It cannot be doubted that a like result and reward will attend his liberal conduct in the present publication.

The first five chapters are occupied with a history of the establishment of the see of Salisbury, and a brief account of the 57 bishops who have presided over it down to the present time; the sixth de scribes the cathedral; and the seventh contains an account of the monuments within it, and anec dotes of the persons to whom they were erected. The literary execution is distinguished by neat. ness and perspicuity; and the author has happily avoided that prolixity into which the professed antiquary is but too apt to fall. The engravings, consisting of general views and details of the venera ble and beautiful cathedral, chiefly executed by Le Keux, after drawings from the able pencil of Mackenzie, are highly creditable to those artists.

This publication forms the commencement of a series, illustrative of all the English cathedrals, in which the author has made considerable progres. It will be followed by the History of the Cathedral of Norwich, with 24 engravings, and that of Winchester with 30: and if the same attention continue to be paid to the execution, both literary and graphic, as is manifested in this volume, we shall not be surprised if the value of each portion be considerably enhanced before the author has com pleted his plan.

A Description of the principal Picturesque Beauties of the Isle of Wight. By Sir H. C. Englefield, bart. With additional Observations on the Strata of the Island and their Continuation in the adjacent parts of Dorsetshire. By Thomas Webster, esq. Illustrated by maps and nearly 50 engravings from original drawings by Sir H. Englefield and T. Webster. Imp. 4to. 71. 75. large paper, 10l. 10s.

An Analysis of the Mineral Water of Tunbridge Wells, with some Account of its Me

1.816.]

dicinal Properties. By Charles Scudamore, M. D. To which are annexed, Observations on the Water with which Tunbridge Wells is chiefly supplied for Domestic Purposes. By Thos. Thomson, M.D. 3s.

VOYAGES AND TRAVELS.

Travels in Europe and Africa. By Colonel Keatinge, Author of a History of the Conquest of Mexico, from the Spanish, &c. &c. comprising a Journey through France, Spain, and Portugal, to Morocco, with a particular Account of that Empire. Also a Second Tour through France, in 1814, in which a Comparison is drawn between the Present and Former State of that Country and its Inhabitants. Illustrated by numerous plates. 2 vols royal 4to. 41. 4s.

Above thirty years have elapsed since the first of these tours was undertaken, and why so inte resting a journai should have been withheld from the public during that long period we are not told. It seems, however, that there were secret and strong reasons for the delay, which having now ceased to operate, the work has been committed to the press with the additional account of a visit to France subsequent to the Revolution. At the be. ginning of 1785, Colonel Keatinge formed one of the suite of Mr. George Payne, then engaged as consul-general and envoy at the court of the Em. peror of Morocco. The opportunity thus afforded of gratifying a preponderating love of travel was gladly seized by our author, who passed through France and Spain to Cadiz, where he embarked for Mogador in South Barbary, and arrived there on the twenty-fourth of March. Our limits will not allow of any particular notice of his descriptions and observations made in the first part of the route; but the reader will be entertained and informed by the account of Spain, the face of the country, the state of literature, and the manners of the inhabitants. On Africa the author is very dif fuse, throwing his eyes round in all directions for objects on which to exercise his spirit of inquiry. Natural history in general, and geology in particular, excite much of his attention, and this part of his work will be found highly valuable. Yet his manifest bias for these pleasing pursuits did not make him indifferent to moral and political obser vations He has described the Moors, Arabs, and Jews, with a masterly pencil; and while contem. plating the existing tribes spread over that part of the continent of Africa, his mind is carried back to ancient times and other races of men. Many curious disquisitions are in consequence the result of his reflexions; and he has besides enlivened his desultory pages with numerous illustrations of early writers and sketches of history. Of his manner, the following compressed relation of the entry of the embassy into Morocco will furnish a pleasing specimen.

"The cavalcade was formed in part in a respect. able park by the alcaids, and amounted to about forty files: and when we approached the city our cavalry began to exercise their feats of horsemanship. Thus we proceeded to the capital, which was concealed from view within the vast but open groves of lofty palm trees, which occupy the horizon, while their tops present a parallel level of verdure bright in the mid-day sun. Above this line of foliage, so peculiarly characteristic of place and climate, and to triple height, rises the tower of the great mosque, insulated, of dingy red, and its spire, with three golden balls transfixed, glisteuing in the

539

blaze of day. The vast and snowy masses of Atlas seem here almost impending upon the right; its base still, however, invisible, through the purple dusk of the atmosphere, the accumulated fleeces of the nebulous region or zone of the mountain, forming to the eye the foundation of these aspiring peaks, brought forward in powerful relief of colour with the strong deep blue of the heavens above them, and the glare of a mid-day sun, and sky without a cloud. So extraordinary a combina. tion, such extreme contrasts, do not exist elsewhere on the face of nature. With the notions the ancients had on the subject of mythology, it was impossible that they should not have selected such a site for their gods. And no where on earth is a parallel to it. Such was the remotei scenery; that at hand afforded less pleasing observation. Our route was intercepted by lines of deep pits (the ventilators of the city aqueducts, round which no cautionary care is bestowed, while the earth crumbled under our horses' fett, from the undermining of myriads of rats, wherewith this plain is infested, being as it were one vast burrow of these animals. Proceeding onward, we crossed meadows of superlative beauty, and then came under the shade of the vast and open palm-forcet which invests the city up to its very battlements. Just within the verge of the wood we found mounted to receive us the governor of the city at the head of a great body of horsemen, all in white clothing, designated as we were given to understand by the style aud title of the Sultan's friends, and a corps of cavalry of about four hundred under five stan. dards, two red, two green, and one striped green and red. On our cavalcade joining them, the standards were faced about, and formed in our fronts. We were next met by a large groupe of musicians and dancers, dressed in red and white, in front of whom, borne on a man's shoulders, was a young Moor, who being, on coming up in front of us, set upon his heels, by the exercise of them speedily announced the nature of his office, it being no other than that of maitre de ballet to the court of Morocco. For on his signal and example the groupe began a vile, and to our ideas extravagantly gesticulated dance to the music of their hand drums, while the cavalry performed their evolutions of advancing against us at full speed, hallooing and firing their muskets pointed at our faces, and occasionally discomposing the regularity of our march. Our advance was thus continued towards the city, where vast multituds received us with loud buzzas: and all the wall tops and battlements covered with crowds of women muffled up to the eyes. Exhausted by heat, deafened with noise, and nearly stifled by crowd and dust, we entered the venerable gate of the city, and proceeding through new crowds between dead walls, over heaps of dilapidated ruins and suffocating dunghills, we found ourselves at once in a delightful garden, secluded, silent, shaded, verdant, and cool. These precincts, allotted to lodge the Bri tish embassy, are not extensive; not exceeding in their area two acres of ground; but they are not the less adequate to every required purpose in a climate and situation where all invites to repose. The wilderness style predominates, and to pleasing effects; the trees, which are all fruit-bearing, being planted without order. Beneath these, fountains throw up water, and in the centre of the garden is a colonnaded summer-house of several apartments, around a hall wherein a fountain plays. And the lodging rooms adjoining are dark and cool, the former a circumstance of no small luxury here, The fruit trees, chiefly orange, lemon, and pome

540

granate, are now in bearing, and no object can be scen beyond the walls of this retreat, save the Suowy peaks of Mount Atlas. As much pains seems to have been taken to obtain humidity for this garden, as we see employed with us at home

sunk and levelled to receive and retain it.

Shade

[July 1,

take some farther notice of its valuable contents in our next number.

Observations on England; of its Lam, Manufactures, Commercial and Civil Polity,

seems no nuisance, but rather a nurse to the tender crop below, and these square compartments for produce (the soil is a black vegetable mould) are formed by raised walks of a breadth of several feet, of masonry, four or five feet above their level. These walks being very neatly incrusted over their whole surface with gay painted small tiles, the ground where of is white; it may be judged how effectual this arrangement must be for the purpose of retaining humidity, which in fact is all that it is here requisite to produce." The importance and intrinsic excellence of this volume will lead us to

These Observations are marked by an unaffected simplicity and caudour that never fail to interest, combined with a shrewdness and good sense which command respect. We can promise those readers who are inclined to take up this volume no small amusement from the manner in which the auther has freely expressed his sentiments respecting out country and nation; and we are even of option that many parts of it are calculated to afford a formation to natives of England itself.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

The benefits which have been frequent during the past month have of course prevented the production of many noveltics at either theatre. At this house, on the 21st of May, a new afterpiece, entitled Oberon's Oath, or the Paladin and the Princess, was represented for the first time. It is a fairy tale dramatized, and though an amusing trifle, and the vehicle of some agreeable music, yet it had to encounter considerable opposition. Some judicious curtailments and alterations afterwards procured it a more favourable reception on four successive nights; but anxiety for the fate of this performance is presumed to have abridged the life of its author, Mr. Benjamin Thompson, whose case is noticed in another part of this number.

On the 12th of June was produced a new farce, in one act, under the title of The Man his own Master. Harley, as a footman, the principal character of the piece, who personates his master; and Oxberry, as the steward, revealing his dishonesty to the 'squire (Barnard), who arrives incog. to take possession of an estate which he has never seen, impart the chief interest to this little piece. It was most favourably received, and has been several times repeated.

June 13, Mr. Kean made his second appearance as Kitely, in Every Man in his Humour, having previously acted the character for his own benefit on the 5th. Although, from the nature of this part, it is not possible that his performance of it can acquire so high, a degree of popularity as he has gained by others, that call forth the more tempestuous passions; yet there are passages in his Kitely which, in our opinion, rival his happiest efforts. Such is the second se ne in the third act,

where he is about to disclose to Cash the suspicions he has conceived respecting his wife's virtue; but doubtful whether his servant may be trusted, he determines to lock up his jealousy within his own bosom, at length involuntarily betrays it, denying, at the same time, that it is the secret to which he has been alluding. In the dialogue with Dame Kitely (Mrs. Horn), in the third scene of the fourth act, the confidence which be affects to repose in his wife's virtue, while the green-eyed monster is evidently preying upon his vitals, produces a mature of discordant feelings which is admirably represented by Mr. Kean. Oxberry, in Stephen, was a coxcomb as ignorant and as silly as the author could have wished for: Munden went through the transformations of Brainworm with his accustomed humour; and Harley personated Bobadil with an effect which somewhat less of vulgarity would not have injured.

On the 14th, Mrs. Mardyn, after a long absence from the theatre, undertook, for the first time, the part of Mrs. Brady, in the Irish Widow. Certain rumours which have gone abroad respecting this actress, who is charged (though, as it is said, most unjustly) with having been the cause of the separation between a noble lord and his lady, which has lately attracted such general notice, caused her to be received with loud expressions of disapprobation, which, however unmerited they might be in this instance, yet teach the salutary lesson, that the public is not wholly indifferent to the moral character of its servants. The indulgence of the audi'ence had been previously solicited for her on the ground of an accidental sprain of her foot; and under such circumstances, it cannot be surprising that her

1816.] performance fell far short of what might have been expected from her previous efforts. She repeated the part, however, on the 20th, with great spirit, and loud applause. Her elegant figure appeared to much advantage in the uniform of a captain of dragoons, and might have struck terror into a bolder man than Mr. Whittle.

On the 20th we witnessed the representation of Othello, by Kean, with renewed delight. Our sentiments upon his personation of the "ensnared" Moor have been fully stated in one of our preceding numbers. We have remarked on the pathos that this great actor very often infuses into a single word. In addition to the examples already noticed, we cannot forbear adverting to the manner in which after Iago has infused the poison of jealousy into his mind, and, perceiving his agitation-observes, "I see this hath a little dashed your spirits,"-Othello replies, "Not a jot, not a jot!" The look of anguish, the closing of the eyes as if to repress the tears wrung from his tortured soul, and the affected carelessness of tone must be witnessed by those who would appreciate their effect. In the line, "I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips," the pause which is introduced before the word kisses, as if his tongue revolted from the task of expressing the odious thought, is another of those beautiful touches which render the whole of the third act of this tragedy, in Mr. Kean's hands, one of the most horribly beautiful and impressive exhibitions that the histrionic art can boast of. Neither do we know of any actor, whose countenance is capable of such expression as Kean's. He has been censured for want of dignity; but we apprehend that what ever degree his features might gain of the latter quality, they would lose in a like ratio of the former, which gives such powerful effect to the portraitures of this performer. The want of this expression, in our idea, renders Pope an unsuitable representative of the wily and dangerous Iago. On this subject our great poet proved his knowledge of nature, when he put into Cæsar's mouth this wish:

Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o'nights:

Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much-such men are danger

ous.

Though duly sensible of Mrs. Glover's professional merits, yet we will presume to remark that her fine person would, in our estimation at least, appear to greater NEW MONTHLY MAG. No. 30.

541

advantage and effect, if it were somewhat less exposed than it is left by her present mode of dressing.

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

The success attending the production, of the tragedy of Bertram at the other house, led to the attempt to introduce a rival to it upon these boards. Adelaide, or the Emigrants, from the pen of Mr. Sheil, a barrister, of Dublin, was brought forward on the 23d of May. Though new to the English stage, it has been frequently represented in the Irish metropolis, where, as on the present occasion, Miss O'Neill personated the heroine after whom the piece is named. As it has not been repeated, we regret that we missed the only opportunity of judging of its merits; especially as the strong panegyrics of some of the diurnal critics, and the equally strong animadversions of others, leave the matter completely in doubt. As, however, this tragedy is in the press, our readers will soon be enabled to form their own opinion upon the subject.

The lovers of the stage have been gratified during the past month by the reappearance of Mrs. Siddons, on the 31st of May, as Queen Catherine, in Henry VIII.; and on the 8th and 22d of June, at the express request of the Princess Charlotte of Wales, in the character of Lady Macbeth. Though it cannot be denied that the hand of time has left its traces on the countenance of this great actress; yet it must be admitted, by all who have seen her, that without any deficiency of physical powers, the energies of her mind are youthful and vigo rous as ever. We have been informed, that some critics affected to quarrel with Mrs. Siddons, for presuming to shew herself again upon the stage, after having once taken leave of it. If age had sensibly impaired her faculties, we should have deprecated such a step as an injus te done to her own fame; but so long as the exhibition of her extraordinary talents delights the friends of the drama, we see no reason why she should not possess the same liberty to return that she had to quit the stage. The extraordinary circumstance, too, under which these performances were undertaken, ought to close the mouths of these suarlers, who are by no means compelled to partake of a treat which they cannot relish.

On the 15th Mr. John Kemble finished his performances for the present season with the character of Pierre, in Venice Preserted. To dilate on the excellencies VOL. 5. 4 A