The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1804-12-06 00:00:00

I

THEATRES.

DRURY-LANS.
List night Their Marecr ix' and the Petisc Esses
onoured this 'I heatre with their presence, to see
Ir. SHER:DAN'S inimitable Comedy of The Selina/
pr Scandal, and the Pantomime of Cinder( Ila. • l'he
OV AL Para v were received with the most entliti-
attic acJaniations. Gad Save to, King" was sung
upon their entrance, and " Thitania" at the
;oncluaon of the Play. Never was there a more
rilliant col d'esil that-t-, the house displayed. The
Royal boxes were fitted up in a magnificent stile.
Filer,' thing bespoke the taste and liberality of the
Proprietors. The Play was admirably performed
4iss Deuces looked and played divinely. Her beau-
ballad, " The Little Potterer," was rapturously
r:ored. His MAJESTY repeatedly expressed his ap-
probation to the Lords in waiting. The house over.
lowed with an elegant audience, all breathing one
iii of loyalty and affeelion for their Kian,
'ad his Family. At the conclusion of the enter-
inments " God save Me King" was again sung.
MaocsTv was, as usual, in regimentals.
II ER Itit 4.1 ESP( —Wore 3 puce color red vibe, embroidered
with ;aid, -nil a prof,odati of lewels. Ile, nearly
the Lone as when she last honourA the Thustre with her
Tare, tbnet and white gloves.
PRINCESS AUGUSTA —A dark round dress with go'd net
stem!, and ornaments, a lace handkerchief, and a quantity of
diamonds; on her head a bandeau of dismundr, and three
white Ostrich feathers.
PRINCESS ELIZABETH—A dark velvet Mtn embroider-
,' anti gold, a lace handkerchief, a diamond iierkiace, soli-
tai"e and mum tier head-dress was a gold net, long black
lice lappets, and diamond crewcut, &c. eke. and five ostrich
Gathers.
PS IN C ESS MA It T—VHal a scarlet robe, richly embroidered
with gia!d, white satin sleeves spangled, a lace tufts; diamond
1016C41, aar.rinea, die. &c.; head-drev.., diamond bandeau,
and three Ceathcrii reclining across the head.
PRINCESS SOPHIA—vA dark robe, lace tncier, aud
profusion of diamonds ; her head dress a mild net, with a dia-
mond bandeau, and one scirlet flat feather.
PRINCESS AMELIA—A dark gown, with a pink satin
lobe, very richly embroidered ; white stories; diamond neck-
lac.• and ear rings. Her hied dress was a black %vivo litnd,au
roseiLd with diamond, and three %Olin. teener's. The Prin.
ces,es wore white muff., tippets, and gloves

COVENT-GARDEN.

ME YOUNG ROSCIUS.
The rovag Roaci•as last night peronated Fie-
derirk, in Lover's Valor. It was his fourth app ar-
ance upon this stage, and his first in this charaatr.
Here, as in his two former characters, &bald and
Norval, filial piety is the prevailing feature. It is,
indeed, more universally diffused and prominent
rhan in either of the former. It is, in fait, the sole
passion that fills his breast, unmixed with love, as in
..4c.4rnet ; or a thirst for military glory, as in You
Norval. litre then, all the disadvantages of hi,
early youth vanish. He is not called upon to pour-
um any passion inconsistent with his years. If an
atior be to draw from his own feeling., wh_ue
can filial affeaion burn with so much ardour as
in the breast of a stripling ju.t old enough to
acknowledge the obligatiori of duty, superinduced
upon the impulse of nittdie? Fancy cannot con.
ceive a more beautiful piatire of a fond and duteous
son, than the portrait exhibited by this wonderful
buy last night. His grief and amazement in the
List scene, on meeting his mother in distress—his
eager solicitude, when he enquires the secret of his
birth—his agitation, while his mother relates her
story—and the struggle between sorrow and pride,
when, on being told of his father's neglea, he
says—

"I will catty yon M my arms to Als.c '—Why
I ever know my father if he is a villain ?—qty h
tied with a mother —No ! I will not go to bin 1 will not
disturb his peace. I leave that task to lii, colu,sitr,ec ,"

were expressed with the most exquisite tenderness
and feeling. True to nature, every tone sinks into
the heart and awakes all its sensibility. The elo-
quence of his pleading eye, when he says to the cut-

uger,—
Good fiend, look A that poor woman. She is perishing in
the putilie rnar'! It amber! Will you give her a 5,,..111
...caner in yot.: hut'-1 beg fur mercy's sake.—lituren will
rea4rd your

was irresistible. It was delivered with an air of

supplication so mournful, in a manner so graceful,
and a tone so pathetic, stubborn inked must be that
heart that must not yield to it. The kind cottager
lost all his merit ; acquiescence could fotm no claim
to goodness where resistance was impossible. This
beautiful passage closes the Ista 1. Frederick leaves
the stage in the beginning of the 2d, and does not
appear until the 3d ad. His absence rendered the
2d ad a chasm. The innocent playfulness of
Amelia Wild iihaim , and the affelation of Count (7atsel,
were exerted in vain to please. The mind had
tasted of more delicious tare, and had lost its relish
for every other. The scene had no interest. It was
Sat and unps:ititable. The 3d se gratified the im-
patient curiosity of the audience. The scene pre-
sents Feeder (1, and the eye rests upon him w ith
content and pleasure. Here he encounters fla rim
and draws his sword. The following
speech, when be is' seized for this offence, was de-
livered with exquisite feeling :

" One favour I have to beg, one favour only. I know rat
I am guilty, awl am read. tv receive the puiiishmeht my crime
4:vervi:s. but I kwe a ea.t'er, Ow is tri.irmg tor loete—,l.
'::r, 1101 cannot pity ,ar; Iviivit..w on her relief. If you .sill
~ict to yonder hut, yi.a wntl find that I do not impnte oat yim
: Fur her it w I drew my sword—for bee 1 ant
ve..ily to die."

Bat the great ar.d prominent feature is the scene
in the fourth aft, with Baron Wildrnhaiin, where he
declares himself his son, and reproaches him with
the neglcit of his mother. And why is it the pro-
minent feature? Because it possesses the greatest
cap.shility, and affords more room for the dis-
play of his astonishing powers. The former
scenes admit of little variety. They arc uni-
formly tender and pathetic, but the follow-
ing passages are full of forceful interest. The
generous youth struggles with contending passions.
lie is alternately overwhelmed with melancholy, or
fired with indignation at his mother's wrongs.
When he announces Baron Walden/aim his father,
Lis attitude is prodigiously fine.
EreacriA.---itermisc I ant ao divagatimate son arty vcdoml
"'utility hat brought,.., up, in µduvet nate:ry. loduatry ana'aled
Ler to give me an educatiail; but We of iNV youth cont-
ntence4 with hardvhie, •.oruvr, and &loge: —My compamonv
hied 1i4814,y ar....m4 Me, ant 1t.t..1 a pleaong touvreet to then
`.cw,_ W u
While bread aaa w-ter nt, .nv food, and no Iwyet
domed to sweeten it. 8.1 lity...3dualest woi that,
Yarns,—lle touches may Ira.!.
Fred? lifter five year. absence fr.am limy mother, I re-
turn 4t ibis v.ny 4y, and Cunt! her dying in the straits fur