The Press. — London, England, 1853-11-19 00:00:00

NOVEMBER 19, 1853. rect. The work ix barren of incident, and destitute of interest for the general reader. The verses pre. Axed to the chapters, some from Longfellow and Hood, are pretty. The literary taste of the author is good, and the appreciation of Amy Herbert just. We fancy a lady wrote these " Home Sketches," and that they would not have been published except at the request of others. The Napoleon Dynasty. By the Berkeley Men and Another. London: Clarke, Breton, and Co. Tins volume is a reprint of the American work of the same title. The style is sharp, strong, and readable, fully up to the mark of good pamphleteer ing, never lower, and never higher. the object of the work is to give a favourable picture of the " House of Bonaparte " from a democratic point of view, and to advocate the political system of the Empire. Although, in its reprinted edition before us, the work has been "adapted for English circula• tion," there are so many offensive passages still in terspersed through its spirited narratives and lively sketches, that it is impossible to suppose that the volume could ever become popular in this country. Those, however, who wish to have a summary view of the " Napoleon Dynasty," and to know " Who's who !" amongst the numerous race of the Bona partes, may consult this volume with nth-wady. A Whom, and other Tales. By the Author of " Olive,' "The Head of the Family," ,t e. ,te. London: Smith, Elder, and Co. Timis volumes are a collection of tides reprinted from various magazines. They will not add to the literary reputation of the writer, and it would have been better for her not to draw attention to the ear liest. specimens of her composition. She lia.4 greatly improved slim these desultory• pieces were published. It is very• rarely that collections of magazine papers like these are successful. Headers of fiction wish to have their interest sustained by a long story• during three volumes, and not frittered away upon mere anecdotes and brief sketches of superficial nature. The only chance of making short pieces in fiction permanently Mlzsetive is by elaborating the style with exquisite art, after the fashion of Etalzae. Such condensation, however, can scarcely be expected from writers who must produce their six vultures every year. PEIIIOIIICAL LITENATUIE. The Chnrch of Engla►d Magazine. November. Edinburgh : Pet 4 )(she. LORD ABERDEEN'a conduct in the affairs of the t %arch of Scotland is the first and best article in this number. On the failure of the noble lord as an ecclesiastical legislator it is said :- - of all those who attemplt•l to udrisinister ft healing measure, Lord Aberdeen seemed to be the most trusted, and the most likely to succeed. The Chinch leaders, especially Dr. Chalmers, }laid hint c 1614. They I ted bins tint from Diablo-house to front I talmulitly to Edinburgh. from Edinburgh .es...lion.ea 0: ...lea . to ',timbal, besieging - with the t tit i I i respect, and their prodigiiitts sense of his talentsand worth. The bill was brought into the House of I.ortls early in May, 11440; but, as is gel Tally Lunt Aberdeen committed a grieves a Mu tiler, soil was the (muse of all the mischief that followed, by sbando ' g his niessure at the very time when it only wanted firmness mid delis' till the part of the Legislature to heal the divisions i n sh e Church by a declaratory enactment, and proem the Dis ruption." So much for the Premier's " want of firmness and decision," as admitted by an tinpritimliceil writer. After recording the "grievous blunder '• of Lord Aberdeen, the article gives an instance of his wa►t of energy : "Of one thing we may he assnred, that in POI his lordship believed his bill wuald 11111Ve a healing illeW4llll . . and maintain the integrity of the Church. Such 'wing his conviction, the quest' arise.{. Why dill he give it ups' His reasons fur the abandonment were, that he a as opposed by the Whig leoveniment. and by a majority of the f Assembly. hint the excuse is unsatisfuet,,ry. The Aleb bonnie Ministry was then so weak that it an.. beaten OH almost every question: and 11 gli the bill was negative , ' in the i'enerid Assembly by 211 against 131. the Intuit lord himself admitted • that it was received by a large hotly of the parochial 4 'hutch of Scotland wills milked approba ti .' It had the approval of Sir I:4 11 Wirt PI 1111 . the pukes of Botecleueli and Argyle, of the Marquis of Init, . of the Earls of Haddington and lialloway, alio soul,' have supported it with all their influence. N ions 11. titious trout Scotland, and a document signed by a thousand names, were presented in its favour. But the golden opportunity was lost." History will base to record other "gi&len oppor tunities" lost by "antiquated imbecility " in affairs ••f even more momentous importance than those of the Church of Scotland ! This magazine is obviously improving in ability. The articles on " Professor Mtutrice," •° The Conflicts of Science," antl "Notices of Australia kle ilitereNt iug to general readers. THE PRESS. 111 W MUSIC. My Beaut(iul Thrush. Written and Composed by Ilaytliorne Reede. London : Addison and A PItETTY song in I: major, compound triple time, gracefully arranged. The melody is sweet : the staccato passages in the accompaniment give it a light, tlowing character, and assist the 1•1•111.14•ATioss 1:1). qf I." f or i u, i i rANxtr.did Felix. W. Wortgartli. tlllcrt em.l w , s u h v a ti. I'. and lli+iiodott. The Thelh.l. C . WhOolo ri • • W. and F. .4 Pamphlet IdrON flu /freioNal Coimoot. %. .1 II1 , 10;%#IY. • lerietal IJlxrnli.nr, 111.4.4..t.1et• awl t 0. Poona. M lathe% .truold. Loomomo. tiro% o. and I•o. The safer Penny. Nn. I. Ti , tiPOS the New. Spoleto _l Tr I. lyi• lb. A. Fitipatik . k. 11.. pt Alla TI.. Tile& .in , l Ihe prama. 11.~YMAHKF:'1 'I IIF:.1T1U . 1/x Saturday night a new farce, dignified in the play bills with the title - Petite Comedy" isle), by Mr. Thomas Morton, was produced at this theatre. The plot, which is not remarkable fur novelty, turns upon the ancient and favourite expedient of everybody mistaking everybody for somebody else; and the author, by the exercise of eonsiderable ingenuity, has contrived out of slight materials to construct a piece which amused the audience highly. The prin clod diameter was exceedingly well acted by Miss Reynolds, who was very nicely dressed, and looked remarkably well. Honourable mention must also lie Math' of Mr. 111114:4011P, who, its il print &slot., raised, many at hearty aunt well deserved laugh. The success of the piece was a n eq ui viwi d ; and we have no doubt it will run. lin Monday night this new farce wits preceded by The Lady (of 1. !Malt. which, from the contrast it presented to the succeed ing entertainment, might more properly base been styled A Sod Piece 4 nosincex. Acting, dresses. and decorations were all much below par. Mr. a VandembritY idi a very moderate Claude Nelnott.., and poor Miss Reynolds was so totally Int of her element as Pauline that we finite pitied her. We think her most ill-advised to art such parts ; for, setting aside any question of physical force, she is so unacquainted with the principles of passionate deelit 'nation that throughout the play she was constantly inaudible in all parts of the theatre. We have not space to notice fully *comic opera by Mr. E. Fitzwillitten, performed for the first time on Thursday, anti we therefore postpone our remarks until next week. At the outset of Mr. Duckstone's career as it ma- IMP! we had occasion to rebuke hint severely for exhibiting placanis reflecting upon the peculimities of a brother actor and manager. Though we hose as yet noticed no repetition of this offenee, we still $11411...Ct him of a disposition hi putt' his performance more than is creditable to the director or the first theatre in London. We do not charge him with transgressing after the manner of the putter general Mr. Webster, and the " deathless " Mr. E.'l'. Smith, whom " fortuitous, but aceidental," eiremnstancUs have rendered a worthy successor of the im lid bard, Alfred Iltum ; but, in a friendly spirit, we would counsel hint to follow the example of Mr. Kean, Mr. Mathews, and Mr. Wigan, and trust 10 the merits of Isis performances, and the talent of his company, rather than announce to the world that. Mr. ti. V andenhoff has emoted a sensation 0111111 to that produced by any tragedian of the day, i.e., equal to nothing : and that s uc h and such a play has been Ireceived with cheers and laughter by a brilliant and fashiiunable audienee. LYCEUM. THE fertile pen of Taylor has furnished this theatre with a new one-art piece, whirl* was re presented for the first time on Wednesday last. The mistakes and miseries of two attortirps, itssimiated together in an ill-starred partnership, furnish the materials for a very clever sketch of professional life in an attorney's office, which is, perhaps, gill' corrret in its demils to be relished by the uninitiated. Like all Mr. Taylor's productions, it is remarkable for smaii and witty dialogue and originality of thought; but, it' it is intended that the piece should obtain any lasting popularity, galore labour must be bestowed upon it with a view to condensation and general im provement. Mr. Charles Mathews, as a " fast Wilt. :ley." was %en successful, and he was ably supported by Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, Mr. It. !taker, and the principal members of his company. 41 Thursday night the theatre was closed in ronsequence of the company having received a command to perform before her Majesty at Windsor Castle. ALE LPH 1. if persons of a melineholy urn of raimi wish to laugh till their 'Odes sale, let thorn go to the Idelphi and see the new farce, entitled Whitebait at Cireensvic h. 691 Mr. Keeley is of course the life and soul of the piece. lie represents a foundling tJohn Susan), who, from tit:ees'innhws embraced the profession of a waiter, but whose real object in life is to discover his absconded father, by nubbins of an advertisement for the apprehen sion of the said parent. stating his name to be Benialnin end his height ft. 7 in. John Small thereforeearries a measure in his poeket and ascertain' the height of all suspicions lien:outs. This original mode of pro ceeding, and his suipeeed knowledge of the seen• is of the other characters, give rise to a series of mis takes and situations that are extremely diverting. It is impossible topraise Mr. Keehby's acting too highly. In rendering the diameter of John Small, which is the blowiest of the broad. he displayed a knowledge of his art which probably escaped the notice of ordinary observers ; and his mode of measuring Mr. Ittuzarot, wi he really supposes to he his father, tl gh irresistibly vomit.. was full of earnestness end r ee li ng . With the exception of Mr. Buzzard, the other parts were well sustained. Mrs. Leigh Murray, who we regret to see so m. 1410111, was very good as Miss Lucre tia : and Miss Maskell needs only study t o ma k e , herself one of our most promising young actresses. This Parer--which will be the better for curtailment, especially in certain portions which remind us rather too strongly of Iltosh Money—is, upon the whole, one of the best we Huse seen of lido, but we should wish the suppression of some very coarse jokes and whieli ant discreditable to the good taste of both author mid actor. STRAND. pleasant little place of amusement, having been greatly improved amt redecorated, has opened for lively new season, under the direction of Miss Re becca knees. Though burlempies and light musket interludes seem the order of the day, a n ew fain' has been pithilleetl, entitled .1 I 'heap Excursion to Brigh • ton, in which all sorts of tricks are played upon II steers in the Eel lie eine il+i,uding house," and which draws roars of laughter. The author of this piece must be a bold man. inasioneli as he has espoused the cause of dear hotels against the prevailing en An "cheap " biecemmodation. Truly we think rim, , courage entitles him to sympathy and support. Mr. Hiartmtnne end Mr. Fawcett Smith are the low come dians of the ottahlishouent, and are nightly weaved with notch favour by that portion of the public that frequents this theatre. 'he playbill assures to that several novelties are in the coune of pre paration. IWe haw. reccivrd the folk•vilsiq lett*, (tom as unkadowa cones• rosollasst, Whother thu listionuatlima It etwiveye be "a past fart In thestri..ala," tor a sae.. leiaz, we leave to the ludipleaui 41a 41i$444.eising publl.•. I Till El)lToit TIIF: Sir,—The point is often discussed, whether the English are a playgoing people or not. Rent assured that the Londoner% will till a theatre as in•adily Ili any foreign folks, if managers will hut offer a good bill of fan., and last, 1 nit not least, eondescend to 11044111110 the second or third best character in the piecem they itroduce (e.g., Mr. Wigan in Mr. Tom Taylor's well written and admirably-cose.tructesl comedy of and l'asmiton ). This praiww•silly ecample iv about to be followed at another moat t Winn., in the blrtheunling pantomime. idea 41104.4 1144 p0.4,44....4 the 0141'111 of as you must remember that inimitable artn.t perfl•rming Harlequin Fat, in the opening of the pantomime linr/rgain Fat, Harlequin Bat. Pantomime projects are ever clothed in the darkest veil of .....n•cy, hut this year a 111111 bas transpired. A popular artist, the author of playbills tragical historical tragical comical-leistorical•pastond, ropleto with classical learning 41141 antiquarian renewal, will put its an appearance as The Magician in the opening of the pannanime. A graceful and eccentric comedian, to the greats satisfaetion of his numerous admirers, hots accepted the part of the " itlippered Pantaloon," whilst an elegant and easy representative of walking gentlemen will sustain the character of a " phore, afterwards a pair of tongs." 'These arrange menu are admirable, and promise a great treat to the supporters of native , talent ; but the manager is ill athiseol in allowing two of the gentlemen in quest' to rehearse their comic patatonti 111 l • bur.inems During the serious scenes of Alureo Spada, and thus enable the public to anticipate his eliiistutas budget of novelty a n d "startling effects."---Your obedient semnit, jot:. ?dit. It. SMITH . .. "'l • ",rK 111 , Eruorc."—The Yankees are certainly very anilatiote4. A 'ware of our English Smiths have le•vu content with the managements of " I 'miry Lane" tool " Blanc," lint nothing leam than a panorama of " IF:ttrope" Mill 141100 A " Mr. J. It. Fnlitls, from America." 111% I'e• sent pictorial achievement is even an ittiproiement on lisoortnas or the 111144issippi." awl it iS well worth being visited. The four tiewn iu lierlin would of tbemaelvea be enough lin ob. exhibition. £ssuag4 the acme' which gave moat pleasure to a crowded audience on last Wednesday were Hamburg by night, and Milau Cathedral illuminated tut 'nosing