The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-10-21 00:00:00

TYIEAPRES%

DIURY.T.AW S.

A new musical drama, entitled, The Fisherman's
Iht, was Ifst night performed at this theatre. It
has been ostentatiously announced as the produc-
tion of Mr. Tontw, the author of The itioney Moon,
but is unworthy of the genius from which that
deservedly-popular comedy emanated. Few of the
poetic race have been more unfortunate than
Timm With a fine fancy and a highly-cultivated
mind, the law was fixed on for his profession. The
bosers of the Miser were, however, infinitely
more prized by him than the Temple-gardens
—and the plays of SHANIPBABB were more
sedulously attended to than the Reports of Cooke.
01 the pleading' he might have drawn up, the
public are ignorant but two of his plays, The
How; Noon and The Curfew, are well known.
These. were allowed to slumber en the shelves of
Drury-lane, sold the death of the author...an event
said to have been hastened by the neglect which
his works had experienced—rendered bins alike
insensible to censure or to praise. The comedy of
The Honey Noon, so strongly attracted the public
attention, that Gentlemen connected with different
theatrical establishments conceived that it would be
a profitable speculation to produce any drama that
conl.l boast of Tout N for its author. Hence the farce
of The Sehool for Authors (the idea taken from one
of MARMONTIte, tales), we, produced at the Hay-
insrket with indifferent success—• comic opera (the
music 1w SHIELD), at Covent-garden, with still
less—and lastly, the inimical drama of The Fisher-
man's list—a structure that cannot possibly last
for mote than a few slights. If the three pieces,
which we have just mentioned, had never been per.
formed, Toms's industry would not, it is true, have
been so apparent, but it is equally true, that his
fame would not have suffered by the omission.
In all advertisement prefixed to the songs of the '
piece last night brought forward, we are in-
formed, as an apology for certain deviations final
the original, " that Mr. T. °BIN'S premature
death occasioned the play to be left in a state,
if not imperfect. at least nnfitted for repre-
sentation." It strikes us, that Mr. TOBIN left
behind him a sketch, which has not been cle-
verly filled up. Tne story, though it contains but
few incidents, might have been more highly and
mote skilfully wrought. There is an abruptness its
the transitions by which some of the scer.es are (Its-
linguishrd, that negatives the presence of a master-
mind. The serious part of the dialogue, which is
couched in blank verve, and contains some beautiful
ideas—the amigo, three or four of which are highly
portical---and a small portion of the jocular divi-
sion of the drama—we believe to have beets written
by Mr. TOBlN—but the remainder appears to us
to be the work of an inferior hand. If it be not
so, the drama must have been penned by Mr.
Toots', at a very early age. The characters were
thus cart :

-- • .
Romeo
Dnrazzo Mr. Pasiiv.
Stepkano Mr. MUNDZN.
PaMaser
Niro:OW . Mr. HARLEY.
Crier. • Mr. MUGRES.
Corniest of Motlona
Lath. Mi.. CAREE/.
Martha

The plot is extremely simple. The Countess of Modena,
yousig, rich, and beautiful, ia courted by two noble youths,
,Rosnon and Durazzo. These heroes agree to decide their
rrespective title to this paragon of excellence, by an appeal
to the sword, mod they meet un the sea-shore for the purpose
of lighting. The Countess interferes in the midst of the
conflict, and the rivals epee to put up their swords, pro-
vided she will declare to which of them she las given her
affections, and bind herself by oath to marry the favoured
lover before sun-rise. After some hesitation she gives her
hand to Romeo. The breast of Durasito is now filled with
the most furious jealousy. He employs two " resolved
villains" to carry off the Counters. Superadded to the
reward which he proffers, they are to wake booty of the vari.
..us jewels which us °assent the person of the Countess. They
succeed is seizing her—hut in placing her is the boat which
is to convey her to • secure cavern at the opposite side of the
boy, her diamond necklace is loosened, and falls into the sea.
It is subsequently hauled up in the net of Nicoliao, so honest
fisherman, who presents it for sale to Balthasar, a Jew. The
latter is perfectly aware of its valise, but pretends that it is
composed only of rock-crystal, and purchases it for twenty
ducats. The Jew, hoarier • proclamation, offering a reward
of one thousand ducats, for the discovery of the persons who
had been guilty of the abduction of the Countess, fit led to
believe, as the lady is stated to have worn a dismoad neck-
lace whets she was carried off, that Nicolino is privy to the
foul deed. Is the hope of gaining the reward, he informs
against Nicotine, who is interrogated before the Judge. He
'positively denies any knowledge of the act, and is allowed
• - wild the evening to search fur the Countess. Change leads
him to the cavern where she is confined. He rescues her

from her perilous situation, and is conveying her to his hut,
when Durazzo, whom ship is lying in the offing, hinds fur
the purpose of carrying bis prey on shore. He discovers
the flight alibi. Countess, pursues, overtakes, and brings her
bark. A storm now arises, and when he is on the point of
placing his prize on board, a thundeibolt strikes the vessel,
mid-she is consumed. Foiled in his attempt to bear her
front Daly, he retires with her to his castle, as the coast.
Rosario discovers his retreat—fires his strong hold—sad re-
covers the enlistees—at whose intercession be spares the
life of his perfidious rival. The union of Roseau and the
ontitess follows of course.

This is a brief view of the serious portion of the
4lrnme. The comic part is computed of the chaste
loves of Leah, • handsome Jewett, and !Vicolino,

the tislierman—end the unholy intrigues of Ste.
phinta, a reverend Judge, and Balthazar, to pro.
cure the favour of Martha, the sister of Mediae.—
She tricks them both, and shames Balthazar so
snuck, that, to el,cape further exposure. hr con-
trails to the marriage of his (laughter, Leah, with
Nicolino. This drams, though supported by the
chief comic strength Of the house, went off hem..
It is almost entirely divested of the ex-
hilarating principles of mirth and humour, and
no mane, la:Weyer great (not even that of SUAR.
SPEARS liirtivelf) can compensate for much x de-
ficiency. We marked Borne, lints of animated
poetry. and a few good repartees—but the wings of
dullness overthadovred the remainder of the die..
Ingsie. The performers meted their beat powsk•rs‘
—Mr. Dowirou appeared as Balthazar—a cha-
racter which embraces every Vice that prejudice hat
attributed to the children of Israel. Such portraits
are illiberal and unjust. Mr. DoWTorr played the
part in a richly.humorous style. Stephano. a con.
rupt old indge—a second .Angelo—who discovers
- -more iwrsuasioa 10 the red and pouting lip of a
pretty girl, than in the speeches of twenty pleaders,
was escellently supported, particularly. in Isis
rourtiag scenes, by Mr. Mu m DUE Mr.
PirdiAo was lively sod agreeable. The viva*
kosane aad Doran°, were respectably stestaiised

v
by Messrs. riamat.tu and Peet.ve.! Nit's. W.
WEST, us the Countess, played her short part with
much feeling. Miss cA aew's Leak evinced no
inconsiderable degree of waioeti—tto4: the charac-
ter of Marsha was ;terrorised by Mesh ligu.t, with
her accustomed libelii.,
~ • -
The overture, by Mr. REfirit, jell pleasing Corfl•
pasha:on. Of the aim, by the same composer. we
cannot speak so fevourehly. A sort of krvoration. ,
by Mr. DAVY, is pretty. It was neatly executed
by MISS POSEY.
The new scenery, particularly the view of an
Italian bay, is very fine.
The name of Toasts disarmed the audience of
their auger during the two first acts—but several
contests between the contents and non-contents
took place ii' the course of the third, and the cur-
tain fell umiikt a loud uproar, which was redoubled.
when Mr. IEI.I.ISTOK came forward to announce
the piece for repetition.
The following Prologue was delivered, with con-
siderable effect, by Mr. POPE :
Though living merit, welt may critics dread,
Yet sure their candour will protect the dead,
Aid Envy's self permit the doser to bloom
That only sheds its fragrance on the tomb.
Such is the lkw'r, that we tranaplant tanight,
Nor need we fear from you—a sudden flight;
From you, who still impart, with shell', jog care,
The fu.t'ring sunshine, and the balmy air.
'Tie yours to make the bud with vigour shoot,
To spread the foliage, and to fix the root.
And brace use Play, whate'er its worth may be,
Whate'er its fate, may urge awe 'Wiring plies.
The Bard has long beets deaf to praise sod blainei
Hie kindred only can enjoy his fame:
That Bard, whose emulative hopes could soar,
To write as British Poets wrote of yore,
And trace the steps of those gigantic MO,
The mighty marten of the music pea,
nal-cage and Magmata, aad rare old Bra.
Here where the rival Muses wont to reign
As if Ohl Drury were their own domain.
Here, then, let Genius, from the grave arise,
To claim sew laurels, as his rightful prize ;
The scenes we now produce, from TOWN,.me,
Whose former works mast ratify kis claim.
Guard then the relique--to him snenery phew
That well-email praise, hr did not live to know;
lu Fame's proud Temple place she votive play,
His Honey Muds—shall guide you on the way.

The epilogue was spoken by Mr. Et.LtsToti.
Mrs. EDWIN, and Mrs. ORDER. it ii a mere ad
capiandum production—in some parts, we t' k,
rather ill-judged. It boasts of the " crops" which
the theatre now produces—adverts to the new
chandeliers—sneers at the lute Committee of Ma-
nagement—and introduces Mr. ELLISTON to the
audience as 66 lessee, actor, cud factotam !"
We subjoin a specimen of the poetry, serious
and comic :

SONG—Miss CAREW.
Sweet are the stolen hours of Love,
When sone our transports rail reprove,
And lips with trrmbline rapture greet—
Oh! then Loves stotrn hour it sweet.

Yet, midst the deer delight we sith.
For, ,A! bow quirk the MOITICIIIII fly;
Est+ other liagerine turns to view,
Aud ere we part uft bid adieu!
Fur seed, e.

SONG-Mr. HASLET.

Mort 6sh that inhibit the sea,
{Pith ray net I can take now sill then,
Yet how touch mate skilful is he,

Who can Shrive as a fisher of men;
For tbo' some are simple as dace.
And Erred! as guilgeous a few,
Y.,1 I fan4y that is nut the caw
With a lawyer, a maid, or a Jew.
Your lawyer, some say, is • abash,
Yet he preys bulk by laud aml by wafer,
And perkily. 'Mould be Desiree the ma►k,
If we dublitl him a black alligator.
To catch him, thee, is bat use rule,

A ►ocue eau twat tamper big brother,

And they telt ate, like Inkra in a pool,
Your lawyers will bite one another,

In clothing a Jew has no snatch,
He•9l slip through your hawds lilts an eel;
And amnia are still harder hi catch,
When of youth the first bluahes they feel;
8., I with patience an angler must wait,
Till older and older they grow,
%Then, like trouts. they'll all rise at leis bait,
Tho' a feather's the very first throw.

COVENT•GARDEN.

The play of Lore fur Lore was again performed,
at this theatre last &gilt. We have little to notice
save the increased effect of the piece, sad of the
abilities by which it is sustained. The Gnome
King. with its magnifier& scenery. aided by the
exquisite singing of bliss M. TREE. and the irre-
sistible humour of Messrd.FARREN and FAR LEY,
passed oft witl► great applause. Miss M. TREE was
loudly and justly encored in one of her tongs. The
whole went off with much eclat.

A person, pretending to he the sister of the Miss
PATERSON. who was married to JEROME BONA'.
PARTE, having lately. in a letter written from Ant-
werp, accented M. DE CAZES of having tortured her,
and deprived her of her property, the Jounce/ de
Paris answers the charge. in an article which states
some facts concerning the Lady in question toot
hitherto known. She who now declares herself. Days
that Paper. the elaiegliter of GEO. WIN. PATERSON,
of Baltimore, maintained. for tea years, that she
was born at Paris, attd that her lather was Count
HERVILLY, who died in England. It has since
been proved, that she was horn neither et Paris nit,
at Baltimore, hat at Strasburg, on the 17th of Maya
1776; that rhe is the daughter of JACQUES OBERST,
Captain in the regitnent Itolum-Soubise ; that she
was baptised wider the mane of Amelia, and nut of
Maria Ursula; and that her mother still lives at
Rochelle. upon a pension of 440. francs, which she
enjoys on account of the services of her husband.
The falsehood Wheels she Ilium !omens respecting het
birth ought to 'credit caution its believing her other
accounts. Being arrested at Rennes for 'editions
expressions, she was tried nt Limoges, and plserp
under swereillasiet at Poitiers. Conducted to Sa-
voy by the measures which the authorities were
obliged to take against her, the Sardinian Govern•
meta relnsed to receive her. She was then rent to
Strasburg, and supported at the expense bides Go-
vernment by the way. With regard to property%
she had none. She subsisted for 15 days on public
01661 It Rennes, when, on her retsina to France,
••fter trowelling in-I'l'lllnd. Ramis. and Germany,
she tried to establids•herrelf, in 1514, as • trochee
of English. The loseipirt of indigence, and route
iositgoifttoot pewee,- were; the ooly book-tortes• or
property fogad Co her Mint we** • •

. .