The National Register. — London, England, 1813-08-29 00:00:00

AUGUST 29. EN had not thought respectably of him, I shotild a second. I think he would do well to consider the plan be.generally pursues; I may be wrong, so may he; but I can assure him this is good naturedly meant He has said ii uch about HUNTINGDON, or HUNTINGTON, I dont know, at this moment, which, but I mean the Coal-heaver— he might be good, he might not: if the cir umstance of his chapel assignment, that is, his trick to it assigged to him, is a fact, he was a hypocrite and impos ;.His " Bank of Faith" is, from what little I know of it, a libel against the Deity, and his epitaph a piece of presumption paralleled by none of latter days. In fine most sectaries in religion are like sectaries in general politics, noisy, empty, and sel fish. Apologizing for so long intruding on your time, I am, Sir, your Constant Reader, and Old Correspondent, A LAYMAN. Aug. 16, 1813. DRAMATIC REGISTER. ' ENGLISH OPERA. As long as the Managers of this Theatre possess so excellent a C►►mpany as that which they have assembled this season, they need not fear the competition of any rival, whatever its ;directions may be. As long as, with those able pertormtvs, they produce or revive pieces of real merit, they must rest assured of the favour of the Public, and the fulness of their houses ought to quiet their fears, and raise them above all jealousy. Instead of opposing the Pan theon establishment, they ought to consider it as one of the causes of their success, since it has induced them to make exertions which are esery night duly rewarded. This proves bot► the propriety, and the advantage of competition, and ought to he satisfactory to all parties. Never did the Lyceum display a more unmixed as semblage of theatriell merit, and never were its performances more numerously attended. The Public has lately been gvatified at this Theatre with the re presentation of One o'clock, or, The Wood Demon ; one of the most interesting and splendid operas on the Stage. It is brought for ward with every attraction which the united powers of dress, scenery, pomp, magic and histrionic skill can supply. To pai !arise, where all deserve high praise, may seem envious; but it is impossible not to acknowledge, as usual, the pre-eminence of Miss K ELL Y's exertions, and not to a , :mire the excellence of Mr. PHIL- Lies, not only as a singer of the first class, but as a tragic per former of great eminence. From the specimen he gave us in the part of Hardyknute, of his power to delineate and express the tur moil of passions which rend the human breast, he really makes us wish that lie would try that walk of the drama, in which he ap pears as well qualified to succeed as in his own. shalt consider the merits of the two acquisition enabled the Pantheon Company . to represent last Wednemlay for the first time, and every nigiit 'since, the Play of the Mountaineers, in a manner that would not have disgraced an older establishment. .557 Mr. Musnmn, (from the. Theatre Royal Manchester) who as sumed the part of Octavian, is not entirely unknown in this metro polis.. Three years ago, he appeared in th•same character', at the Lyceum; and was received with great marks of public approba tion. These, he continues to obtain, and in some degree, to deserve. With the exception of his countenance, which, from the want of prominent features seems better suited to comic, than tragic ex pression; he possesses many of the requisites necessary to form a respectable performer. His ♦oice is excellent, In richness and power, it surpasses that of most actors on the stage, and enables leim to pro duce those varied intonations, which, when skilfully contrasted, are attended with considerable theatrical effect. His enunciation is clear, his manner impressive, his ;cation good, though not, per haps, sufficiently varied. His judgment seems generally pure, though he sometimes hurries too quickly over passages, which a stronger emphasis would render justly prominent. He has evi dently formed himself on the model of KEMSI.E and Youivc, and with greater powers of voice, displays souse of their excellencies. Too correct to be very spirited, he did not give Octarisn'e hysteric laugh, on knowing Flortuttke, . with armeich effect as we expected, but there is no doubt that. he moist have been considerably checked throughout Iris performunce, though it betrayed no apparent marks of it, by the continual tinkling of the piano, to which he enlist have been entirely unaccustomed. His reception, by a numerous au dience, was most uttering. The next performer, who has attracted our attention, as above the common level, is Mr. ffmr.tsGToa. In the part of Butes:4w Muley lie displayed that mixture of feeling and iu►pettwwty which constitutes the character, with peculiar felicity. He was animated, and natural, spirited without ranting, and affecting without langour. FINE ARTS. -..,,, m - • CHRIST REJECTED BY THE JEWS. Having been lately favoured with a sight of the grand pictnrr, which Mr. WHIT. the indefatigable President of the Royal Aca demy, is now finishing, we feel happy to have it in our power to give an idea of the whole subject and composition to the public, al. though we find it impossible to describe the profound impression which it has wrought Upon our mind. The whole of the design may be divided into five principal groups. On the right of the performance, befnre one of the por ticos which adorn Gabbatha, a paved court belonging to the Pi e torium, the first group stands, composed of Our Saviour, the guards atteneng him, the gratetid centurion, and others. To noble and elegaa figure of Pilate connects the first group with the second, which contains the high priest Cakplian, followed by the rulers of the people, and some of the most inveterate enemies of Christ, mixed in the crowd with Peter, Joseph of Arirnathea, and a few other disciples and friends. The third group, contrasting that of Christ by the character of its personages, yet bearing a pie torial analogy to it by its passiveness • and repose, comprehends the murderer Barrabbas, the thieves condenmed to be crucified. and some Roman soldiers. In oppositiont to this, and in perfect sympathy with that of Christ, the group of the holy wo:neu appears on the foreground ; it contains the mother of Jesus supported by St. John, and surrounded by several women attached by affection, respect, or gratitude to Our Saviour; before them, Magdalen throws herself upon the cross ; and contrasted by the figure of the highpriest, unites this group with the fifth, which, made up of the Roman guards, the executioners and lictors preparing the instri meats for the crucifixion ; and, opposed msst ingeniously to the figures above, closes an uni n terrupted chain of the most interesting objects. As to the executi.in and colouring. we are persuaded that it sur passes nut only what we have seen of late from different haiids, but even the last performances of the venerable Artist whom we can, without flattery, compare to the Sun of a summer day, whose light increases in brightness, splendour and fulness, in proportion with his approaching nearer to the horizon. rATIONALREGISTER. • nat l kvelliad derabio oatare'aitd spirit, we shall ler . .injitle op new performers, whose acquisition PANTHEON. In spite of prosecutions snd fines, this theatre continues to rise in the public estimation, and proportiohate exertions are made by the Managers to deserve the patronage they obtain. Relying at first on the attractions of a new and splendid house, considerably. larger in its dimensions than Covent Garden, painted in the Most tasteful, and ornamented with red curtains to the boxes, in the most elegant manner, their first representations were certainly not dis tinguished by much selection or much histrionic excellence. Suc cess, however, inspires and furnishes the means of success. Tinly have- eni.trged their company, arrd now, with greater powers to please. attempt greater things. Without, at this moment, noticing more particularly Mrs. WYE BROW, %at) maintains her reputation of being the best columbine on the •sage, and in whom feeling and expression are united to agi lity, Mr. BETTERTON, whose veteran abilities are exerted in a. most creditable manner ; Miss SINGLE I ON, whose harmonious and powerful voice, proinkes superior excellence when she shall have acquired greater science; Miss Gut:VILLE, who displays consi•