The National Register. — London, England, 1815-11-05 00:00:00

1 THE NATIONAL REGISTER: DR.eI3I4TIC REGISTER. DRURY LANE. Miss Nash, whose first appearande we noticed in Our last, has since confirmed the favourable opinion which we expressed of her writs. Her voice is rich and harmoniotia l and the skill with which she manages it, considerable Her ornaments, however, are perhaps too luxuriant, and the beanties of execution too often substituted for those of expres , ie. ; but defects of this kind are to be liild rather to the charge of the public than to that of the singer; for who can resist the certainty of being loudly applauded for brill ant nothings by the many, whilst simplicity of tones *ill only secure the approbation of the few ? Or Tu , sday last Mrs. Manly!, assumed, for the first time, the part of the Widow theerly in Cherry's Comedy of the Soldier's Daughter. This character rises above the giddiness of eytreme youth, and only displays the levity and spirit of a fashionable lady. 'his difference ought to have been Mote carefully marked. Mrs. Mardyn re tained too much of the wild restlessness of a hoyden. Her ge,ticulations were sometimes too hurried, and not suffi cieiitly graceful ; but the expression of her countenance, the spelling ailimatibn of -her eyes, the melody of her tones, and the general propriety and energy of her action, greatly overbalanced these defects, which - a little attention and -elf-command will easily and entirely remove. The liberal applause which now falls to the share of this lady, in whatever Character she appears, will no doubtencourage her so to exercise her judgment as to attain the elevated rank in comedy to which her abilities, well conducted, cannot fail to raise her. A new farce, called Twenty per Cent, was produced on Thursday evening. It is a trifle of the lightest texture, evidently of French origin. Its dialogue is lively, and the plot, though rather extravagant, not deficient in interest and amus' ment. Mr. Dun.cford, A young man of fashion, (Mr. Barnard), during his abode at Bath, has got at once ) deep in debt and in love. He courts a young widow of quality (Mrs. Orger), who returns his passion so far as to be jealous of a lady who is reported to have been seen in his apartments, but who in fact was no other than a she rifF's officer. Unsatisfied by his explanations and those of his servant (Mr. Harley), she determines to go and sur prise him with her maid (Miss Kelly), and ascertain the fact. She finds him, not indeed with a lady, but with an old usurer of the name of Gripe (Mr. Bartley), who has called to be paid a debt of 1732/. On this emergency the wits of the valet are set at work : he represents Gripe to the lady as his master's father, and with difficulty prevails over the usurer to play that part in order to secure his money. The pretended father sanctions his son's union, and retires to draw the marriage settlements. Meanwhile the teal father (Mr. (lattie) arrives at the lady's house, and after making himself known, and ascertaining the trick at tempted to be played upon her s agrees to counteract it, by appearing as her father before the impostor. The usurer arrives with the marriage deed, which he has drawn on the back of his bond ; but when he presents it for signature to the lady, her pretended father tears it as an attempt to impose on his daughter. At this moment all the young man's creditors are set !dose on Old Gripe, to obtain payment, for the debts of his supposed son, After much merriment caused by his distress and selt'-etposal, he is sent away with mere legal interest iustead of twenty per cent ) the 115 bond having been destroyed ; young Dunsford is forgiven, and the lovers are united. Although Written in an easy style, this piece is less in debted for its favourable reception to the author, than to the spirit 'and exertions of the performers, who did more than justice to its merits. It will continue to please and to amuse for a short time, for its eiCeilencies are not of a nature to cast root on the stage. On Thursday evening, the drama of The Birth Day was revived, to introduce Miss Johnson as Emma and Mr. Dowton as Jack Junk. To Miss Johnson, na►ure has not imparted one of the first requisites for the stage, flexible 'yoke, and this defect can only be remedied by a degree of experience and management which, from her youth, this lady cannot yet have oht4ined.. Her figure is light and airy, her countenance handsome, and hi.r man ner interesting. We have seldom seen a finer specimen of acting titan in that given in all the scenes between Mr. Mundell and Mr. Dowton as Captain Bertram and Jack Junk. They were both natural and affecting. A divertissement, called Caledonian Laurels or the Highlander's Return, was produced the same evening. It is a simple and tasteful Ballet, and afforded Miss smith, and Mr. Oscar Byrne, an opportunity of displaying much grace and agility. The music is well selected ) and the whole gave considerable satisfaction. THE REGIMENT OF WANTS. About the year 1704, a gentleman who was about six feet five inches in height, was walking through the streets of Bath a genteel looking passenger, surprised at his stature, sopped suddenly to gaze upon him, and having contemplated him with minute astonishment, began at last to freiceive that the tall man looked displeased, and that he himself had transgress. ed the rules of good breeding. Ile, therefo. e, apologised-- and having got into conversation with the of ji , et of his won der, ventured to inquire what countryman he was I . lam au Irishman, Sir," said his new acquaintane.e—" Indeed) and pray, Sir, are there many of your countrymen equal to you in stature ?"--‘6 Lotd, Sir," replied the man of length. "I am looked upon as a mere dwarf, in that country. lam a member, Sir, of a volunteer corps near Cookstown, which is divided into grenadiers, battalion, and light infantry men. I am the centre man of the rear rank of the light infantry body, and with the help of high heeled shoes, I d. not much disgrace the appearance of the corps; but, ` 4 ir. if you ho• hour me with your company to-morrow to breakfast litre is my card), I will introduce von to one of our g end , iers amid two of wit- battalion men." The Englishman g'acily a cepted the invitation. At the appointed how he made his appear ance, and was ushered into the breakfast-room, where, be• sides his tall host, he saw three other men, wit , . seemed to him to be the giantic and many-toed sons of the Philistine Rapna risen from the grave. The tali Iliheri.ian introduced his taller ft iends—" This gentleman, Fit," said he, as he pre sented to his new acquaintance a man of eight feet two inches in height, • is Mr. Bums, fly; grenadier of whom I spoke." An uncouth smi'e played on the rough and im measurable visage of this second Goliath, as it soared aloft in the confines of the ceiling. Ile thrust .orth his band. broad as a mall 'hovel and fleshy Asa ham ,f pot k, and gave the Lilliputian hands of the gazing Englishit an a hearty shake. Mr. J. Knipe and his brother, the two tall battalion men, were nuw introduced to the Englishmen. " These Gentle- ibi-44-61 'MIN .. " 6 ' /11 % . " 4 " ; NOV. 5. r~~