The National Register. — London, England, 1808-07-03 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER. 430 have even adapted the Pilgrim hat, and cockle shell. In these days of gallantry, where then is the beau who would not gladly join in a pilgrimage with such companions, were it to Palestine itself ? GIINTLISMSN'S DIRESSIIS. Fig. No. I.—A grass-green coat with covered or metal but tons: white dimity waistcoat; Nankin trowsers and stockings : shoes with strings. Single-breasted coats are by far the most Lroper and gentlemanly, although many continue to be lappelled. ight pepper and salt mixtures, or a sort of horseback mixture, with plain plated, or plated basket buttons, are equally fashion able : striped quilting waitcoats, single-breasted; and white corduroy breeches are worn with these coats. Fon Evemlno Dnnss--Nothing is so prevalent as dark blues and forest greens, double-breasted, with flat full size gilt but tons, and either black velvet collars or collars of the same cloth, according to the fancy of the wearer; white Marseilles quilting waistcoats, single-breasted, are almost exclusively worn; Indian Nankin, or very light coloured kerseymere breeches, with covered buttons and silk strings. JULY 3. 114r1dat1r. Although it be a max ins.by no means unfounded, that the cha racter of a civilized nation is in great measure to be estimated by its dramatic exhibitions, yet it is a maxim by no means uni versal in its application, nor proper to be believed in its fullest sense. The persons of the drama perhaps afford some clue to the character of the nation : but the construction of the fable, and the spirit of the dialogue, do not by any means bear to the disposition of the country in which they appear, the sort of re lation one would be inclined to expect. Thus, although the ' natures of the men and women (of course a little heightened by scenic effect), are drawn from the ordinary personages of real life existing in the respective countries, yet the fable and the dialogue are frequently formed upon principles totally fo reign from the taste of the people before whom the plays are acted. Thus the English, who are supposed alwas to surpass in that which is most solid, and to be surpassed by their neigh. bours in things superficial, have not. for the most part, excel led in the construction of the fable, which is the most solid part of a comedy : but they have comic authors, whose dialogue is of the brightest and most continual wit. The French, whose dis position inclines them.to lighter things, have been wonderfully successful in forming the closely-knit fabrics of their fable : but have been greatly exceeded by the English in the construction o f tlialocue, which in France is not at all beyond the extempora neous capacity of ordinary speakers, but which, in some of the hest English comedies, is almost an uninterrupted blaze of wit. of that we wish to encourage that unnatural aptness at saying good things,which is so perpetually obtruding itself in the playkof 13me of our great wits; hut we think the dialogue of a play should he something,which if if never did actually pass in reaLociety, yet might without utter improbability have passed. We can have no objection to see wits witty ; hut we are not delighted when we find footmen and chambermaids as intellectual as their mar tyr nod mistresses. Allowing then, as we do allow, the superiority of the French over the English authors in the inveotion of droll situations, we most approve, rather than join our cotemporaries in condemn ing- the modern practice of adapting French pieces to the Eng . lish stage, particularly pieces of mere farce. And among these adaptations none has been more happy than the piece, altered from the French comedy Le Portrait de Michel Cervantes, by Mr. Charles Kcmble, aid acted for the first time on Thursday evening, at the Haymarket. The French original is iu three acts : Mr. Charles iCemble has compressed it into two, and re duced it to an afterpiece, entitled Plot and Counterplot, or The Portrait of Michael Cervantes. The fable is composed of the contrivances of two rivals, who ' scheme against each other in order to gain possession of a rum: lady, the daughter of an eminent painter. Having learnt that he has a design of painting the portrait of Cervantes, from ti dead body of that great author, then lying in a neighbourini: church, they employ their information in a manner productive of infinite drollery. ye will not describe to our Reader:3 the mode in which these ingenious intrigues are conducted ; because we are unwilling to diminish the pleasure which they mug needs receive ill beholding the piece itself. We shall only say, that Leon, the more estimable of the two lovers, is ultimately suc cessful, au.d 111:1141e'a the lady. In that kiml of hold broad humour, which constitut;7l the very spirit of farce, *his afterpiece is probably without it superior. It was received throughout with roars of laughter and hums of applause. Some share of the praise which this performance so loudly obtained, was dee to the admirable acting of Mr. Liston and Mr. Fawcett ; whose whimsical and original conceits perpetually drew forth the most genuine of all applause, the hearty laugh of boxes, pit, and gallery. Mrs. Gibbs too acted with great spirit, and deserves much commendation. Mr. Putnam being iiidiAposed, Mr. Charles Kemble represented the character of Fernando, the more active, hut less fortunate of the two lovers. LAW REPORT. COURT OF KING'S BEN CII, SATURDAY JULY 2. SENTENCE OF TUE PROPRIETOR AND PRINTER OF THE INDEPENDENT WIG. The Attorney-General moved the judgment of the Court on the Defendants, the Proprietor and Printer of the independent Whig Newspaper, who stood convicted of printing and puttll4h mg two libels, the one on Sir Simon Le Blanc, n hi e h•tended to bring into contempt the administration of justice, and to holi La abhurreace the verdict of Juries, and ti'e other ou Lord bi" CITY. Tuesday the Lord Mayor ordered the price of Bread to be raised half an assize, or one penny in the peck loaf.—The quartern loaf of wheaten 1204. and household 10Id. EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. --.40.- On Saturday se'nnight, intelligence was received at the East India House, of the safe arrival of the undermentioned ships off Plymouth, on the 24th inst. under convoy of his Majesty's ships St. Alban's, viz. : True Briton, Capt. Clark; Britannia, Capt. Birch ; Notting ham, Capt. Campbell ; Scalehy Castle, Capt. Lock ; henry .Addington, Capt. Kerkpatrick ; Cumberland, Capt. Farrer ; Cuffnells, Capt. Wellhank ; Retreat, Capt. Hay. Sailed from China the 11th of January, and left St. Helena the 30th of April, but did not touch at Prince of Wales's Island. Off the Straits of Molacca, they were attacked by the Piedmon tese, French frigate, but after a few shots she sheered off. The direct ship: to China (except the Surat Castle), Taunton Castle, Hope, Woodford, Earl Camden, and Coutts, arrived at Canton on the 28th December, all well. THE THEATRES. lOVSNT-GARDEN. This Theatre closed for the season, on Monday, the 27th of June, with the tragedy of Macbeth, and a farce called The Portrait of Cervantes, which had been once performed for the benefit of Mr. Munden. Of this farce, altered from the French, it is unnecessary for us to speak, because another piece, taken from the same original, and much better managed, made its appearance at the Haymarket in the course of the last week, and will presently come under our observation. The part of Macbeth, which is not perhaps among the most excellent of Mr. Kemble's performances, was represented by him, on this con cluding night, in a mare animated and poetical manner than we ever saw it performed by him. But an unfortunate lameness, for which an apology was made, prevented him from dis playing his powers to full advantage; if by this lameness the allusion of the scene was destroyed for the mass of the spec tators; however amply the imauties of the performance might be felt hy a discerning few, who estimate the art as an exhibi tion rather of mind than of body, and can tell from what they see existing, how much more would exist if nature did but per mit. Miss Smith, in the absence of Mrs. Siddons from the stage, played Lady Macbeth, and played it with great applause. Between the play and the farce, Mr. Kemble delivered a farewell address, which had, at least, the merit of being short and unaffected. In this address, he returned the thanks of the Proprietors and Performers for the past, and promised their unremitting exertiobs for the future. On the general management of this Theatre, we spoke so largely in our last number, that it must be tiresome to our rea ders for us now to discuss that matter. Till the next season, therefore, we reserve the further remarks that we must mak: upon the government of Mr. Harris, the sovereign of the theatre, upon the shameful misconduct into which he is so fre quently led by his sycophant ministers; and upon that" power behind the throne," which is " greater than tile throne itaell"." . 4 1 II s