The Sun. — London, England, 1831-02-01 00:00:00

eludes all persons who do not know the precise number of which their., arty is to consist, or who do not make up their mind to go to the play before three or four o'clock. So far, then, as the clairhs .of the theatres rest upon the sort either of amusement or of accommo dation which is furnished to the public., those claims must entirely fail. The true intere4fs'q the public and of the drama, which are the same, * \VOuld be served by the erection of theatres the dimensUts - of which would enable all the spectators to see and hear the actors and their play conveniently. They should be so arranged that it would be impossible for decent women of any class in society to be offended by the contact of common prostitutes, or of the Jews whose property those unhappy beings are. The right of keeping places in any part of the theatre should not be extended be yond the first hour of the performance ; the boxes, or a large portion of them, should be capable of holding six persons only; and the price of admission, which is ridiculously high, should be estimated so as to pay generously, and to the utmos!, all the persons forming Me company, and all the fair charges of the theatre, and more; but not one shilling in respect of old or new renters, or lawyer's fees, or receivers from the Court of Chancery, or annuitants, or any such dead weights as have crippled the theatres and defrauded the pubic. If the restrictions were taken off, as they are virtually every where but in Westminster, or witlfn the imaginary limits of the Lord Chamber lain's jurisdiction, there can be no question that 1 people would be found ready enough to enter into a speculation so profitable as all theatres have of late proved,—that actors and authors would appear, when small theatres fit for the several purposes should be built,—that the English drama would revive, and the " great theatres" would be left to the only pur pose for which they are adapted,—the representa tion of performances, in which sound is more thought of than sense, and where the eye-sight may be cap tivated without any attempt to interest the under standing.—nmes. RIGHTS OF THE PATENT THEATRES. The arguments on this case were renewed last night. The Court, however, did not sit till eight o'clock, as it was understood that the Solicitor- General's reply would conclude the proceedings. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL replied—He should occupy but little of their time ; not that he under valued the learning, the eloquence, or the acting of any of his Learned Friends, but from a feeling that be was not there as an actor to amuse the public, but as lin advocate, who had to confine himself only to the real points of the case. In the outset he begged to observe, that he certainly had expected that his Learned Friends would have confined them selves to the written case on either side. He had cirefully confined himself to that course, and he, therefore, trusted that their Lordships would not allow their attention to be distracted by what had fallen from his Learned Friends, and who had tra velled entirely out of the written case. Their Lord ships would recollect what he had endeavoured to do in his opening. He had first endeavoured to show, as Mr. Arnold had set himself forward for the peti tion of a boon from the Crown, that his client had some claims to make such a petition, and that his eonduct had ever been such as not to exclude him from such a privilege. It was for this reason that he bad spoken so much of the first representation of Mr. Arnold; and with all the ingenuity which had been displayed by his Learned Friends, at least this was true, that not one of them had ventured to attack the good frith of that first representation ; and he, therefore, begged still to rest much of his client's upon that point. The Learned Solicitor then referred to the joint license granted to Mr. Arnold and Colonel Greville, and contended that it made no difference whether that license had been granted to Mr. Arnold or to the two conjointly ; the act was in itself a single act, and established the case of a permissien being given to perform during the win . ter season. In addition to this, two years after wards, another license, concurrent with the other, was graoted to Mr. Mash, as a respectable trustee for all patties. This went on for three years, and the following three Mr. Arnold was employed as the director of Drury-lane, so that of course in that character it could not be expected that he should use his own license for the purpose of establishing a rival theatre. What then became of the argu ment that Mr. Arnold has been content with a limited license, and had made common cause with Druser-lane and Coven'-garden ? The fact was that he made the same representation then as now, and had always advanced the same claim. It saga true that they did make common cause, but it was on a written st iitement, that Drury-lane and Cc vent-garden could not complain that he showed hims;ll an insidious ally, or had deceived them with respect io Iris demands. Mr. Harrison had relied on the opinion of Lord Sidmouth; but whatever respect Ire might have for that Nobleman, at all events , it teas to be remembered that an opinion was no judgment, and that the Secretary of State had no power of adjudication. But besides this, ;air. Harrison had also altogether failed in showing what I re bad assumed—that Mr. Arnold had been heard on this agitation of the question, and had had full opportunity afforded him of making out a case for himself. A great deal had been said about the • merits of the winter theatres. He had made no eharee against them, and therefore he was much astonished at the display that had been made of good actors and of g ood plays. Not content with this, however they brought an accusation against .Mr. Arnold. They laid to his charge the sin of eeT amission, for they said that he had produced no such plays or actors; but they seemed entirely to have forgotten that it was they who had shut up his theatre far the greater part of the year, and abso lutely prevented his makin g any such efforts. But Mr. Arnold was also accused of the sin of omission, aor it was said that he had stepped out of his license —ebused it—and had actually produced an operetta take„ ficm the Tart:lP of Moliere, under the title of Tire H / poerite. Now it was curious enough that lie teas able to answer this charge by the aid of the Lord Hertford, the Lord Chamberlain, on whom fl:e other ride so =eh relied ; for it actually air , . peered that this very piece was licensed by Lord Hertford for performance at tire Lyceum. Ex uno disce ornnes—be would not enter upon other such point=, for he thought that this one was sufficient to explain the nature of them all. But not content ther own learning, they had called in his Learned Friend, the great actor, from the Hay market (Sir C. Wetherell) to follow on the same side; but it appeared to him that not one of the Anparrations • • • th row n out against Mr. Arnold h a d been substantiated, and it happened here , as it always did in similar cases, that the charge which failed in proof recoiled on the heads of those who made it. He was not there to praise Mr. Arnold ; there was no necessity for it ; all that he had to do was to show that there was no charge against Mr. Arnold's conduct, and that in this point, therefore, Ire was entitled to what be prayed for as much as any other subject of the realm, and which lay within the gift and prerogative of his Majesty, not for the particular benefit of any of his servants or house bold, but for the gem.ral good and advautage of the co . mmuefty at lar ge , M r . H arr i son h a d m o a t ;earnestly divided his - arguments into numerous h ea d s , through which ire had eo intention est following his Learned Friend, who had so far lost in historical research and learning the argue meat in favour of his clients, as to tell them how fond tire English people had always been of plays and acting, and had actua l ly taken them as far back as the times of Fitz-Stephen, the Monk. His Learned Friend had argued that Mr. Arnold had cnrfeited his license, by not using it for some time after it bad been'granted. If non-usage and mis conduct were to Ouse the forfeiture of a patent, then Drury-lane had forfeited the patent in the time of Queen Anne, when for some misconduct a letter was sent by the Lord Chamberlain, which so acted ,fvon the performers as to make them retire mime s:earn, If NI, Arnold's non-usage and unsconduct were to set aside his license, what were they to think of one of the great patent theatres that had been silenced and kept in disgrace for a long time in consequence of the Chamberlain's letter. How then, could persons presume to come before their Lord ships and set forth that ground as a legitimate pre tence for refusing Mr. Arnold an extension of license? After this he should ask their Lordships, with per fect confidence, to consider sir. Arnold and his com petitors as standing upon the same gro un d an d t h e same merits in every point. With respect to the common cause which the little theatres had made with the great Moguls, who fought with elephants,lie could only say, the little potentate of the Haymarket and others would soon find that if Mr. Arnold were defeated they would be likewise swallowed up. A great point urged on the other side was the haul , - rupt state of the two theatres, the difficulties which they were labouring under, and the compassion that ought consequently to be afforded to them. What however was that argument, not founded on public principle, when compared to the disadvantage that at present accrues to public taste and amusement ? Another point was the injury that the landlord of the theatre would suffer from the extension of the license to Mr. Arnold ; but was that to be placed in juxta-position with the public benefit, even sup posing that matters would come to the very worst, as predicted by his Learned Friends, although he did not believe it ? He, however, thought that that Nobleman was too embued with the public spirit, to mind an individual injury when a great public benefit would ensue. But he did not believe that the ground would at all suffer, taking into consideration the number of buildings that might be erected on the site of the two theatres. It had been stated that an immense number of persons were dependent upon the existing monopoly, and that in the event of it being overturned, they would be cast upon the world. It would, indeed, be a great misfortune, and that he should greatly deplore ; bat he did riot believe that it would take place. Those persons who were now crowded in one or two theatres would go to other theatres of smaller dimensions,and become powerful actors at one place, when they had been but minor actors at a former. An allusion had been made to the insolvency of one theatre at one time, and its redemp tion from ruin by the appearance of one or two per formers of very great talent. Was not this a proof that the public loved the drama, when represented with ability, and that the houses would always be filled if there were sufficient attraction ? He did not mean to say that such would be the case if theatres were to be multiplied ad ivinitum ; but that would be an evil that would very soon find its level. The consequence of throwing open the stage would be to encourage the performance of sterling dramas, to bring forward young and rising talent ; whereas it was often repressed at the outset in the great houses; from the inconvenience of their size and the nature of the plays that were performed. He should, therefore, not rely upon the monopoly Statute of James 1., but the simple rational ground, whether or not it was advantageous to the King's subjects to have a fair competition allowed with the two great theatres in representing those amusements which were becoming so general. To conclude, he hoped the question would be taken into considera tion with reference to the public alone. If they did approve of Mr. Arnold's theatre and the perform ances represented, then he would be right ; if they did not approve of them, then he would be wrong, and the great theatres would stand quite uninjured. In sitting down he should leave his client's case with perfect safety its the hands of their Lordships, and he trusted that they would confide in the public discernment as to whether it was expedient to have the time extended for Mr. Arnold's performances. The Solicitor-General having sat down— The LORD CHANCELLOR spoke as follows : When this case was first submitted to the Kiug, his Majesty deemed it to be one of sufficient im portance to demand a more than ordinary consider ation. The prerogative of his Crown, the claims of individuals to his Royal favour—even the pre tensions of private right, appeared to be involved in the discussion. Beyond these matters, others affecting his subjects at large seemed to be con cerned. The interests of genius and of taste—the innocent amusements of the people—their manners —even in some sort their intellectual improve ment, certainly their morals, might by no remote possibility receive benefit or sustain injury from the result. Wherefore his Majesty was graciously pleased to refer the whole matter to his chief law advisers, and was further pleased to permit that the discussion should be carried on in public, to the end that the more satisfaction might be afforded to all who have an interest in the subject matter. This debate is now closed, and, after conferring with the Learned Judges, who have condescended to assist in the proceeding, I shall humbly tender to his Majesty such advice as I shall deans it my duty to lay before him.—The Court then broke up. MAGAZINE DAY. BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE. PART I. Toujours perdrix ! Politics—politics—no thing but politics—such is now becoming the gene ral complaint against this otherwise admirable Ma gazine. The present number is full of them. We have no less than three long elaborate articles on this one subject—a sad dose, and not to be thought of without a shudder, " The South Stack" is a delightful article, descriptive of the Western coast of the Isle of Anglesea, and re plete with anecdotes illustrative of its danger to mariners. " Noctes Ambrosiante" are not so good as usual. They are too grave, too me thodical, consequently not a little out of keep ing. " Ignoramus" puts forth some fine thoughts on the subject of the Fine Arts ;" and " The Story of A zimantium" is an eloquent and impressive tale of the days of Attila the Hun— to whom Mr. Alaric Watts is indebted for his second Christian denomination of " Attila." The tale we see is to be continued, it will be read with general interest. The incidents are really striking. I'AI2T 11. The " Winter Rhapsody," which is de servedly placed at the head of this second part, is in Professor Wilson's very best style. It is full of eloquence, of imagination, of humour (not wit), of feeling, and of snatches of ex quisite criticism on Cowper and Thompson, which none but a poet who has a fine and acute apprehension of his art could have put forth. Above all, the article is as fresh in its descriptions as if Mr. Wilson had now for the first time written upon nature. " Passages from the Diary of a late physician" is a sad story powerfully told, but with ra ther too anxious an eye to effect. If the writer of thin striking paper was less ambitious, he would be more effective, and certainly be more admired by discerning rcAders. Hpwever. Ole :i. nuob of gentlemen who read witty 43V" love ,excitement, and lucre they will find plenty of it, The political diatribe.; are written with Chris topher's usual vigour, awi tinctured with his usual prejudice. His gout 'has clearly not itt proved the old gentleman's temper. NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. We cannot say much for the present number; its chief defect is its tame mediocrity of talent. The articles are readable, but neither above nor below common-place. The highly finished en graving of Mrs,. Norton will, however, in a great, measure redeem it. " The Ballot" is a plain sensible discussion of the advantages and dis advantages of this mode of election ; judgment is given in its favour. " My Sinecure Place" is a somewhat insipid poem of the Haynes Bayley School ; luckily it is short. " Vicissi tudes in a Lawyer's Life" is flat, but the sub ject itself is against it. " Legacy of a Late Poet" is a beautiful collection of small poems, by some one who has much of the genuine poetic spirit in his composition. " Three Days of December in Paris" have little but their title, and even this is now trite and hacknied, to re commend them. " The Sisters" is a sweet poem, in Mrs. Hemans' sweetest manner. " After Dinner Chat" is very so-so. But Homer sometimes sleeps, aliquendo bonus dormitat Homerus, and so may Mr. Poole ; we hope, however, his nap will be a short one, and that he will ere long wake up and give us another sprightly catalogue of the " Incon veniences of a Convenient Distance," or the " Miseries of Packing One's Portmanteau" by an expiring rush-light on a freezing winter's morning. " Sketches of the English Bar— Mr. Sugden," is faithful so far as resemblance goes, and will be read with interest by the few who care one sixpence about the merits or de merits of the Ex-Solicitor-General. " On the Principles of Property'' is an able essay, in which there is much quickness and vigour of thought. " Byron's Last Biographer" is the very essence of critical and splenetic common place. " The Adventure on the Mer de Glace" is well written, and told in parts with considerable energy. Here is a sample : . _ " We continued our course in a sad plight, our minds absorbed in the dangers it was evident we should have to encounter. 'We crossed another chasm over a similar stone, and when down, we found ourselves upon a large berg, cut off from all communication with the lest, except in one place, and that by a passage so perilous that it seemed hopeless to attempt it. It was a narrow wasted ridge of ice, like a wall, the upper edge worn so thin by the actio❑ of the elements as to be but little thicker than a horse's backbone, though it got broader downwards ; it might be twenty feet across. This my companion de clared it was impossible to cross, and we eat down in mute despair. " Here we were, cut off from all hope of assistance, far beyond the sight and hearing of human beings. I hallooed, but I felt at the same time how hopelessly. " In such a situation, how many thoughts crowd on the mind. I thought of home, and of the few still left, who might make a ❑ine-days' wonder of us whilst sitting round a bright fire, should the news ever reach them ; but even that was scarcely probable :—we might be seen, perhaps, but not ❑live, as we could never have survived the night ;—ani what a death to die! by cold and hunger, in regions of ice and snow ! After sitting some time, and taking a gloomy glance around, my companion resolved to try the desperate alternative: he said, truly enough, to remain where we were was certain destruc tion, and we could but attempt to pass over, eve❑ though the failure would accelerate our otherwise inevitable fate. No time was to be lost, and we prepared to cross the ridge, narrow as the bridge which leadeth to the Maho metan paradise, and almost as hopeless to attempt. " My companion took the lead. The end of the ridge next us was somewhat lower than the block of ice we were on, and sunk down in the middle with a slight curve—and at the other end it rose about four feet. My friend sat down with his legs hanging ever the yawning abyss, and lowering himself upon the ridge, placed his hands before him, drew his body along, precisely as you may have seen boys draw themselves along a scaffold-pole laid horizontally : we had the advantage, however, of steadying ourselves by pressing our legs against the ice. Having in this manner got nearly over, and to where it began to rise, the greatest caution was necessary in rising on his feet, in order to draw himself up upon the block of solid ice. " I watched his progress with intense anxiety, and then it was my turn to follow. My heart sunk within me—my companion stood on the other side and encou raged me. I threw my pole over to him, and then sat down ou the edge of this awful chasm. My sensations were horrible indeed ; nothing short of absolute despair would have tempted me to undertake it. However, I stretched my less over this icy saddle : the pelting rain was running off in numberless rills ; the rough, uneven, jagged edge struck a chill upon my very heart; my clothes were stiff and frozen on me ; my hands and feet benumbed with cold ; almost shoeless, and the skin torn off my fingers by the rough ice and small stones scattered over the glacier. I moved slowly and steadily onwards ; I looked down on either side of the yawning gulf below me—l felt the necessity of collecting all my energies --it was the calmn►ss of despair. I uttered no sound; poised as I was, the slightest swerve either way and I should lose 'my balance, and then all would be over. I drew myself along, and steadied myself by pressing my legs against the glassy ice ; and then, when almost over, I had to raise myself upon my feet to mount the solid block—the most nervous of all. I gathered one foot up, and by the help of the pole which my companion extended to me slowly rose and stood upon the narrow, slippery edge, and gained the block in safety." The " Monthly Commentary" is a feeble imitation of the very spirited and sarcastic 64 Notes of the Month," in " Whittaker's Monthly Magazine." It wants lightness, vivacity, and variety. We have already alluded to the portrait of Mrs. Norton, the authoress of the " Sorrows of Rosalie." It is indeed an ex quisite engraving, MONTHLY MAGAZINE. " Europe at the Commencement of 1831," has less reference to the different kingdoms of the Continent than its title would import. It is chiefly restricted to speculations on the future state of England, the monstrous enormity of whose Pension List and Taxation it exposes with infinite animation. " Anecdotes of Bra. zil" are less anecdotical than descriptive. It is, however, a very readable paper. " The Lonely Man of the Ocean" is really a tale of power. The subject, that of a .noble line of battle ship leaving Lisbon at the time that city is infected with plague, which pestilence is na• turally communicated to the crew, all of whom perish save one, is of a revolting character, though it is treated with consummate art. The description of the first victim, and the way in which he is affected, reminds us forcibly of the minuteness of Defoe, though the language is the very opposite of that novelist, being as rich and splendid as Defoe's is homely and fami , liar, This singular tale once read will not be soon forgotten, Byron's Memoirs, by Moore," is a review more energetic than charitable, " The Newspaper Office" is a dramatic sketch descriptive of the mysteries of the office. " Machinery" is an article possessing consider able coiair;on sense, of the practical kind, and deprecating (rather too ,-,vq T rply) the use of ma chinery. " The Desolate" is a capital 'imita tion of Miss Landon's manner, and possesses 1.1)i rare recommendation of good nature. It might ahnoit b 2 mistaken for a sentimental chanson extracted from the Improvisatrice. " Notes of the Month" are less sparkling than usual, but full of excellent matter. .The re marks on that desperate quack Saint John Long. (as the man styles himself) are very feli citous : " St. John Long has distanced the majesty of British justice in the persons of the coroner, the bailiffs, and the Bow-street magistrates, after all. We knew that he would do so ; but in this we take no possible credit to our selves, for every one knew that he would do so. Public opinion is, we must confess, still divided as to the place of his retreat, some pronouncing it America, where his pur pose is, to set up a bank with Rowland Stephenson ; others, New South Wales, by a natural and pleasant anti cipation ; and others, Paris, which of late years has su perseded Philadelphia, and even New York, as the general receptacle of ' the unfortunate brave,' the asylum of those men of genius, who have too much talent to live in Eng land, the favoured spot of regeneration for those brilliant speculators whose conceptions equally outrun their credit and their age. However, the majority are clearly for Paris ; and the objects of the visit are said to be political, and not personal. The friends of the Ex-Ministers, it is under stood, have succeeded in engaging him ; and he is about to put in operation a very extensive system of counterirri tation among the canaille of the French capital. Should his exertions be attended with success, he will, on his re turn, be retained by the Home-office, and despatched into the disturbed districts to counter.irritate the erring dis ciples of Swing.' " On the 'Thole, we are convinced that St. John Long will be seriously missed at the West-end. His house was a pleasant lounge; his chocolate was unimpeachable, what ever his honesty might be ; no one could ever question the strength of his coffee, whatever might be surmised of his science ; and the sandwiches which promenaded the rooms regularly every half-hour, were a triumphant answer to all the aspersions that his patients lived upon air. We have no doubt that it was a much pleasanter place than the bazaars, to which such hosts of old peeresses order their carriages every day at one, with such matchless punc tuality, to buy sixpence-woith of ribbon, and kill three hours. To this, St. John Long's promenade was a para dise. The comfortable manner in which all the comforts of the old ladies were provided for ; the pleasantries aris ing from the ❑ature of the scene between the various rubbed ; the files of young women, with their mouths fixed to gas-pipes, and imbibing all sorts of vapours; and, never to be forgotten in the catalogue of attractions, the men of all ages who came to learn the art of being cured of all calamities, that of the purse inclusive• Then, too, St. John's own judicious generosity; the presents of in valuable snuff, of first-growth Champagne, of Mocha coffee to one, and of gunpowder tea to another, spewed a knowledge of women and human nature, that must, but for the malice of justice, inevitably have led to fortune. What will now become of the Countess, who led her daughters to this palace of Hygeia as regularly as the day came ; and with a spirit worthy of the great cause, de clared that, if she had twenty daughters, she would take every one •f them every day to the same place, for the same rubbing? What will become of the heavy hours of him who declared St. John's gas a qualification for the Cabinet, and that a sick Minister applying to this die penser of all virtue, would be on his legs in the House, and making a victorious speech within the twenty-four hours ? What will become of the battalion of beauties who, at every puff of the gas-pipe, ran to their mirrors, and received the congratulations of the surrounding dan dies, on the revived carnation of their cheeks? ' Othello's occupation's o'er.' But a St. John Long, of some kind or other, is so essential to the West-end world, that a suc cessor must be rapidly erected in his room." In closing our necessarily brief notice of this Magazine, we may remark, once for all, that in point of style it is incomparably the best written of all our monthly periodicals. The language is uniformly classical—frequently energetic and eloquent, and always attractive. MONTHLY REVIEW. The articles in this number are various and for the most part well-written. The most ob jectionable one, as regards argument, is de cidedly the attack on Moore, for his late pub lished second volume of " Byron's Memoirs." The Reviewer, who it seems is " moral over much," deprecates in no very measured terms the remiss, negligent manner in which Mr. Moore has used the pruning knife. He ob jects i►n particular to the glowing details (by him self) of Lord Byron's debaucheries at Venice. The objection sounds well, but there is little in it. The story of Lord Byron's private life—at least where his follies are concerned—is passed over by Mr. Moore with studied brevity. With regard to the anecdote of Margarita, the Vene tian Amazon—so the illustrious poet called her —it is the same sort of thing, only a thousand times better told, that young ladies linger over with delight, in every two out of three of our modern sentimental novels. " Voyages and Discoveries of the Companions of Columbus" is a brief pertinent notice of Mr. Washington Irving's late publication on that subject. The remaining articles we must dismiss with the re mark that they will bear an attentive perusal. ASIATIC JOURNAL. The new series—at least the present null ber—of this periodical is incomparably superior to the former : first, in the extent of its Oriental researches ; secondly, in its condensation ; and, thirdly, in the general interest of its articles.— "The Essay on the Mountains and Volcanos of Central Asia," contains much that is novel and remarkable in geology. At some future day we may probably be tempted to make an extract from it. UNITED SERVICE JOURNAL. The observations on "Duelling," which forms the opening article, are replete with sagacity and sound argument. Of course the writer does not advocate this false system, nor does he alto gether disapprove of it, satisfied that though an evil, it is iN the present state of society a ne cessary one. Till the world is purged of bullies, blacklegs, and swindling fashionable adventurers, who acknowledge no restraint short of the pistol, the duel, we apprehend, can never be dispensed with. By what other means can the weak put a stop to the impertinence of the strong—or the dwarf set the physical energies of the giant at defiance ? " A Morning's Ride in an Indian Camp" will recall many pleasant recollections to the mind of the Eastern traveller. The article is penned in a cheerful spirit of sociality, and is interesting fi om the minuteness and graphic ability of its descriptions. The number is a very amusing one. FRASER'S MAGAZINE. " The Repeal of the Union" is a remarkably well written article—so far as manliness and energy of expression are concerned—though conceived in a very mistaken spirit. The writer unhesitatingly asserts that Ireland is lost, but that one slight chance of safety remains for both countries, and that is by the repeal of the Eman cipation Bill. It will puzzle the most inveterate blunderer to broach a more absurd or mischievous propos;tion than this. " A Day in Kent" is a lively rambling sort of rhapsody, w herein Hogg, the Ettrick shepherd, figures with quite a dray matie effect. " The Only Daughter" is an af fecting tale, told with much tenderness and sim plicity. It reminds us of the best stories of Mr. Moir. " Lady Morgan's France" is a clever and ironical review of a work which, with much ability, affords much scope for ridicule. "On the Vote by Ballot" is a vehement diatribe against this universally popular project of election. The remaining articles are clever, but call for no par- titular notice. But, indeed, smartness and energy are tile chief characteristics of this Ma gazine. IMPERIAL MAGAZINE. We really cannot say much for the present number of this pompous high-sounding miscel lany, which professes to be a record of " religi ous, philosophical, historical, biographical, to pographical, and general knowledge"—and all within the compass of two or three dozen pages ! It contains abundant cant, but little learning; leaves, but not fruit ; rhymes, but not poetry ; reviews, but not criticisms. The Rev. J. Fletcher is the hero of the number, and stares in the frontispiece with all the dapper spruce ness of an attorney's clerk. As an engraving, however, the portrait is respectable, though we cannot speak of it as a likeness, having never yet had the honour of hearing this evangelical gentle man hold forth. MONTHLY NIEDICAL GAZETTE. A great variety of singular medical cases are given in this little useful miscellany, and being not so encumbered with technical phrases as the generality of such statements, they will be read with advantage by the community. DRAMATIC MAGAZINE. A serviceable record of the leading dramatic events of the month, embellished with a portrait of Mr. Macreaay, who is exhibiting much pas sion, to the imminent danger of his equilibrium, as King Henry the Fifth. The attitude of the tragedian in this portrait reminds us of the leaning tower at Pisa. LA BELLE ASSEMBLEE. It is seldom that we have seen an engraving more beautiful than the present of Lady Dur ham. Much of this striking effect is due to the painter, much to the engraver, and much more to the fair lady hersul, whose face, a softened copy of her father's, is of a high aristocratic order, with just enough of pride to extort re spect, and just enough of sweetness and elegance to conciliate admiration. The countenance is all peace and purity. Sir Thomas Lawrence is the painter, and Thompson the engraver of this gem. The literary portion of the work is plea sant and miscellaneous. THE WORLD OF FASHION-GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE OF FASHION. These are smart, flippant productions, ad mirably characteristic of their titles. The wit is precisely fashionable wit ; the knowledge is fa shionable knowledge ; the elegance is fashionable elegance; and, above all, the sentiment is fa shionable sentiment. The interpretation of this sentence is, that the wit is spurious, the know ledge superficial, the elegance equivocal, and the sentiment false and affected. We confidently anticipate that Magazines thus distinguished will obtain a considerable circulation in the world of fashion—for to no other world are they in telligible. We must, however, in justice, ex cept the theatrical notices, which are lively enough. The embellishments also are spirited and numerous. ROYAL LADIES' MAGAZINE. The embellishments of Belvoir Castle, the hereditary seat of the Rutland family ; and of Warwick Castle—the finest castellated mansion in England—the seat of the Earl of Warwick, adorn the present number. The literary con tributions are good enough in their way, but nothing wonderful. LADIES' MAGAZINE-LADIES' MONTHLY MUSEUM. 'We have little more to say of these two works than that they are well fitted for their purpose, and will afford, no doubt, amusement, and per adventure edification, to the fair sex. At any rate their contents are light enough. The poetry in both Magazines is of the usual periodical average of excellence. EDWARDS'S BOTANICAL REGISTER; OR, ORNAMINTAI. FLOWER-GARDEN AND SUMMERY. CONTINUED BY PROFESSOR LINDLEY. No. 12 of Vol. 111. New Series. The noielties introduced to the gardens of this country, through the medium of this work, are unbounded : the present number teems with rich subjects, as the following slight sketch will exemplify, and we are sorry our limits will not suffer us to give the contents more in detail, for the benefit of our fair friends who take pleasure in their gardens and greenhouses. The first subject is a beautiful and interesting little plant, Browallia grandylora" (large-flowered Brow allia). When its habits are more perfectly known, it will prove a great acquisition to our gardens—but, owing to the incessant rains of the late seasw, specimens in the vaoaptriyeenep yellow eel, varying g gro fr u o n m d scarcely opened their flowers ; whereas those in the greenhouse were covered wit h a constant succession of blossoms , pro ducin g a very pleasing pe ye. ff al e e c t p b u y r,e, t Ab h l e un i ee r changeablentzooiideeepwhite, yeitivb (vine-leavedt anemone). One of the commonest, as well as most ornamental, flower-plants of Nipal, where it grows in all the forests of the great valley, and the surrounding mountains, delighting in the most shady, retired, and moist situations, in the vicinity of rills and torrents. It blossoms in the months of August and September, and ripens its fruit soon after. Contributed by the Countess Amherst, from Montreal, in Kent, whither specimens hall been brought by her Ladyship from India, and whose indefatigable and successful exertions in her favourite pursuit of Horticulture and Botany; is as far beyond our feeble praise, as it exceeds any other instance we have ever witnessed. " Rosa raga" (the Ituga rose) is a beautiful garden variety said to hare been raised between R-arvensis and the sweat-scented china rose, As a garden plant it " Anemone, literally from the Greek " wind flower." Its origin was from the tears of Venus.—(From Ler blood sprung the rose ; from her tears the anemone.) Thr plant of the ancients was the modern anemone coronaria. is one of the most valuable that We are i quainted with. Th e bl ossom s grow in b ung are of the size of the sweet-scented china and fully as fragrant ; in colour they are ra d t deeper, especially before being fully e%P an when they approach the tint of the charm variety known in the gard ens as the Double p It is readily increased by cuttings, and wa s i4 c municated by Mr. Clar e , fr om Italy to th e ticultural Society. A beautiful garden card of " Potentilla hoptcoodiana" con tribut e , the Count e ss d e V an d e , " C u phea slav " Lathynts tingita nus ," " Loasa c nbi°s l Jolla," and " Sedum cepra" form the e °ll tb ; of the number, and which completes the volume of the new series. : 11 41F4S OF ST( 3 „Ce t rt„ 4 lZ.,,." Cant ' ,t ? Red. ... Ce nt. Ann. 17211 ,kcki ?Mt. its 26 q,,,C ° 5 :1, tr. to exi 1 51 ;* -17 klmo 18so J 4 7 .11 5, 1980 •••-, stet" or reItEIGI 11114.744,LA BMWs 1 14 4 sonde ve y , 4114,7 1 AYres Bo nds keob londs Iktl4lßonds 12 . 4 s h , t .... ...... bit t . Isnd. VietilttZ44. Bond' FINE ARTS. PORIZICN IT IAU " 0, JAN. 2 sto.tmout, JAN. riItSBURON 'Alp • Col , s J CAN. 17... JA NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLER Y ' o f t f This is the tw en ty- secon d n umber ° w ith elegant and useful wor k, an d o pens r y capital (and not to b e m i s t a k en ) portrait °I .tec etv Huskisson, accompanied by a slight ti- a gleaned chiefly from th e N ews papers 3° Annual Obituary." The portrait of 111e 0 Lord Ellenborough is also a spirited 1 1 ' 9 though the harshness of the features are too courteously softened down by the fly pencil of Lawrence. TU ESDAY EV in particuilselettlitnieosnthiayeterieosnmleez , eli tien of Lc of FISHER'Sartor Exceedingly witVlEWStbe referenceal uN beautiful, i f ENGLAND uhtowhethereh i ovii AND :ew 0 : I - as ouie r' : tl :l iil i sht daaty , s sun .„cs,fo . 4 ,q th e public Devonshire laildscap p e possesses unbounded the 1 un an b d ou s n o ded the tio ers, that the el Mr. Fisher has here done justice to thei r rf ' o c r eui . he the northern and southern coasts of Irelseuctecle 41e !; y a p n e d roc t fe h i e vDe la ri, attractions. The two views of Falmout h f a cilit' e ;!.i t i t Y of cii iio N nd c ( l and Harbour are highly finished, aruP le sv c oth eches 1,14,e,..).,e co:um: f ed yl vouch for the fidelity of their reseu'b i bo , the illustrations of the coast of Antrim Lebo, light 4 defeats the i and animated, and doubtless equally fsithfu ened Gover. VIEWS IN INDIA—PART VI. ,1' th e . o o People. The delicacy and finish of these ill ~, r ' V, 7:C cannot be too highly praised. Ben v i 'e find the Delhi give a very striking idea of v1 103 4 t ; 414 1ay : cities must have been in the days of their'oi, W e (Fron nificence and prosperity. The explanati° l ', s y , , I e King of g J o the accompany the embellishments are s iinlNY riiitiirnitted this eve: neatly written. ti,, l a PPears eertai t li t w e' well i n f orn ) I: tio a r, Whose a lli a 4,, i i a u ' had re ce i ve( to therne day that t union of Bell SCRAPS AND SKETCHES. • ti ll George Cruickshank again, and In r j) glory ! The present number (part the tb` 1 . t"beeleDartliett a h t a o t rs his satirical scrap-book is a side-split rer , , : ll, the Ham will call forth " inextinguishable laugltt e e . r . i n g L . .` ,,.. li . y "Stage-coach," into which, just as it is 3 ''' GE three immensely fat men are scrambl id pr hi box, the roof, and the hind seats bel le d ft hot dispirit t viously filled even to repletion with t:ve lvv 5 0 t kle r . tio r ~ .st oo d outsides, equivalent in the opinion of the '', f il l in order who are looking round at the new-cooler' i: ; I° 4 ll l-1 41 : the greater mournful sagacity, to twenty-four ordirtSli 4te t i'l o th eSt ary for tl vellers—is a master-piece of broad ll° . 1 0 'e thp tj ed :Milne tit The " African Settlement," whose pub licl ot ste A . p 1144,1utv.ith JAN tutions are represented by so many torn is in a higher and severer style of humo ur ' tr t tZ t '.'" , t• ' FI A III7 together the number is a superior one' of' t t t V 'ed vi : t s ° a " would recommend George to try his or 4 , tit,, l l ::::::a ou d ga i l w: ii: l eir . : 1 ; illustrations of Lucian, Rabelais, Pinder. As a lover of the droll--the ~,‘ 0 1 1 , 4 410.1 t,„,„ A vacant, and the irresistible in fun and 11° plai tg i t a !.- 14 I g h L. LIBM3 t i r, p nds he is akin to these celebrated professors. , At t „, ~38ian 4. i v ~ t tiii t, ,a a n x , Bank sl ,_____, , 11 letalli, Ire: ilaustrian 4 No specific orders for preparing f ,. cf Co` : : MaJxsztas' reception have been yet receiveditatclile,o,:i j `l•l:o:enNt{naryea:y.nnovi,gteinVmietataz;i: but it is understood that all is to be in readmit if r: p ; .4 4 -et " happy occasion before the 28th of February' r $ . t 4 : 1 ) it:W' JAN. sumed that their MAJESTIES will stay at or sight months, with the exception of an °' ,J' r , Z,'' ,,,t 7 i4t o . , t 1 . .,t, ft,r. th e me , , visit to the metropolis for the purpose of holdiog ing-room or levee.— tVindsor Express. {Of,, ` 1 ti ,"'-', It ill, The LORD CHANCELLOR is CalliOg ~ „ '1`1: - ' 4 •6 takes turns from all the Chancery offices, which, it n - de q: , Sp ' i e 'Y ki g 'sre Ga - a-: hoped, will pave the way for some reforms in a- e ar resigns ments. i d ' 4 ,40 , ',Y in the His MAJESTY has been graciously I ne r s l ,o : t l i arti t " l a dept grant a free pardon to ROBERT LEE, J° 1114 110 195 1 141%Zelln:1-Q0tflitehine art WILLIAM Brsuor, JOHN COLE, and Jons ." or° : These five prisoners were under sentence of tra°lvrol. 4 41t° a l to ente in the gaol of Newgate, and have obtained thei r ': V' i t Zed t , l :„" i ga the through the intercession of Sir WILLIAM lig ?1 ,: . 11 1 ' , tO P t) , 'try -t a " ? C I. ARDSON and THOMAS WARD, Esq., the late S' eri / . ft` 11.44Jaet th e o 'n.l' 6 'l Lor a J 3 C l4 t tkti o , 5 offer A monument to the memory of I. A . 8 0, I t ,Prod u circ is about to be erected at Bombay. A for, : I ,aa cod. 0 , The Commissioners of Woods s n ',Of er e i t ,' 4 ; 1 4 44 : Q14 th al have at length been induced by the late nol a , ° ;. t ° lse,pf t 1 to il tl e n Lim es fatal accident to Lord RIVERS , to issue orders 10 : se rp , a p , s 'ot lt ,: kr 'tiona tion of a railing round the east end of the 4, , 0, of "int,,i ) j,'houltl River; a measure " most devoutly to be sTi' b t . e a gis' fi t i t ., l4 l) , - „ Y , th .e r occurrence of accidents to foot passengers ja '7,o'i: t e ,:ats o hation ther, through the want of this necessary protec"'" o es , f V t l'et t " offic late become of alarming frequency. The Ta°t c t o 'o, trttleril ooh hein on the breaking up of the present frost, pre ct- a piol. r ( t t , ' ,P 4 it, "Cheer ass diately in the execution of this design. The r t le t V th e that c repro be similar to that placed round the basin in '„,,11 11 ', , b i A th l ' they // Park, with the addition of about eight inche s t° l otli e ,' te et a 4 3r e artn Y wo The Duke of WELLINGTON iS at PrAetti;/ h e w d ttla r a oi nt the tertaining a large party of the Ex-Ministers so" I f 14(14 nu 4. that litical associates at Strathfieldsaye. Sir W ali so' / ' tatiati4t;", ac c ept from Drayton Park, arrived there on SaturdsP. r e , 11'44 to rojetilthert CROZER has been the Duke's guest for some cl s i g o ,j:1 1 1; ;. t k : :• 4 ' it Leolnply that W e understand that the present pl u" ,g,o' I °Pie t t, f ° e the ' t t spect to Buckingham-palace, is, to let it forme-5,0;-,., t(l'tile Diet geed. new square, to be built on the site of the pritet aye`,/ 4, h tlf tree„ 'et , 'et There is still great probability of an arrang";,„ F 4 - '4 k , i -) i n the effect, which shall place it in the hanJs of t ftiO l d a t , t t ashid ti " the I,l a , NORTHUMBERLAND. In this case, the whol e , a be 04; 4 itp - , i t ' 0 ;1 1 4b l' len t tion which looks upon St. James's - park Wit' 0 7 / 4 i` as / 4"e th e i r ` the residence of his Grace ; while the bark -fr° o J . ?, to k i Nfea e , d , t hem t to the gardens, will form one side of the pr(iiec tr ig aj fed t 4 "ell the entrance to which would be through ° je t ," o ' ll' l kta' "a 14 0 1 , ° ver t arch at the extremity of Piccadilly.— Court t il' o pfl pt f s ti lahl e 'rers GOVERNMENT OF CEYLON.- I,'teerOP':i''' 4 10 0 A rJ 4 4 t i ll attne ment of Mr. WILMOT HORTON to the u ° 6e oe r t ‘i' i *tt,", of t h e "e l'7t Ceylon occasions the recall of Lieutenant" i es e yo 4,1'1 comp leteo 11 44 -ea r d i _ / EDWARD BAINES, who has for several Y ea „ r / ire et, li tir ora tt :g . to th, the functions of Government at that et t t l e - d o t: „ 1 0; , :, , 1, , ,,,. ~,,, be Major-General Sir JOHN WILSON is apPoi Major-General Sir Hunsox Lows, as Lie s 0 1 4 t.4t.taLht Presidentunt nor, with the rank of second in eonin"` ° Ooti r g ° 2 " L itt 0 1 (5, 1 4, (~,, ° officer returning home. Although the ne t/ p eigtl4 L 'll t aer t i , ) , L s'y , a civilian, he is entitled to a personal staff, g,` ) O A' ,or 'Zit -It li fi r th 'Me Military Secretary, a Private ditto, and t ' olf e 'ys t n at . 11 o c lef 1 1 k l'et, e s aid Camp, exclusive of other patronage which so otte lg s t ilti ti soe 4t. t hint. The island of Ceylon embraces a° i r so d , e t ,. k U : 4 4 l :[ 4t ' d th n l l of territory, extending 250 miles in log" 11 0 0 4 ,114, t1 of•i. Mn- ' breadth, including the kingdom of gao rl Y:f Sir the 1 ":, 4 % they " ,'Y lency is the eldest son and heir apparent i_' .o6 l . 4 1'r,', 4 1 ' , , sI f t th, y . '72 WILMOT, Bart., of Osmaston. He repre" c4t e i y te r s!' r 4 4 t li °r '° rough of Newcastle-under-Lytne ii,a tlnVe l o x a' it e'', ‘ eup diet' On liaments, and asstitna the'sdrnam.e o f f l l ° a t i es t ° o ol b of Wia.ato, in IsS, the Right Hon, 6 ,'„ 13 , of l % , 1 1 " a l t U ttit p z: married in 1806 the daughter and co-beir-4 . eel l i r, I , l ' l l 4141 - ape HORTON, Esq. . A Elf , ,0 0 tie r , e uni , A new road has been made to j oeildi, . )iv •(1 i.,, from Storey's-gate St. James's Park. to Ste. fa is fe t e l ,t N A N a taat v '' Pimlico, which will be °paned to Garriag! cotes tat oa„), l oad ', Ja.s The other road will be filled up, as it is ju rea ta to iii?` ', I: ;, '' ' ‘ th L e Y Z at ; wit of of the Commissioners of Woods a nd F° °o' et 'te,l 'tat, I,u ground on building leases. ttiti C . 'al th at 1c)( DEW.—'fhe annual average , (I %b or 3 O t 'e , 0I s' -aye Pass' sited in this country is estimated at 3 ow/ 1 ' 0 q ts oo o l3 s: 'Ct4 ,, , tr w atta inches, being about one. seventh of the in the 01 0 3 1 ', e 1 4 t *I ' w moisture supposed to ba teceived frog' 1 2,1 61,i - / 11 ,ilt, tit t•In, JA t h , s,, .d ions, all Great Britain in the year; or ab °ut n o ns"' ' ht‘ ; t he a ions, taking the ton at 252 imperial g a -?ste i ,L u Gazette