The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1821-01-09 00:00:00

'Our readers will at once 'perceive, that in this
play a strong resemblance to both of those
pieces might not unnaturally be expected. The
Prologue, accordingly, bespoke indulgence far too
dose a resemblance to Sitaxirtsx•at ; and certainly
ontwithoot reason, as far as regards the action of
the scene between Montalto and Michael; for with-
out u ing the language of SHANSPItAIty it would
he difficult to run a closer parallel mid§ that he-
tween logo end °Mello, where the fncm.v first rouses
the Moor's suspicions. But with every indulgence
for this glaring imitation (we had almost said parody)
we still have to lament that, of materials so good, •
better play should not have been fabricated. lie
prevailing faults are, prolixity of dialogue and
deficiency of incident. Many of the scenes, par-
ticularly in the first and second acts, are by much
-too long, whether considered with reference to their
:merest, or their' necessity to • clear uuderstand-
•iig of the fable ; turd in the other acts, even
>iie best and mcrrt striking of the situations, the
scene is frespicntly protracted by the length •of
tee dialogue to the destruction of the interest.
°Other scenea there are which might be, and, in-
deed, were better entirely omitted. Among
the latter, we would particularly poiut out
the scene in the fifth act, where, dining the
alarm of the attack on the mottle. officer after
officer comes in and enters into a detail of the
I occurrences in the battle. which have fallen
under his particular observation; • aeries of tedious
sad wholly unireoesaary narrative., which are kept
up for a considerable time before the alarm of hells
ringing, arms clashing, and officers and soldiers
shouting, reaches Montalto, who is only in the next
apartment. The patience of the ..drawee, winch
had admirably sustained the trial of several very
dull and tiresome scenes 111 the earlier part, was
fairly exhausted in this. and we began to feel seri-
ously apprehensive for the fate of the piece. Good
humour was in some degree teetered by the scene
rietres Mertardes was brought in wounded; but
its mineerorary protraction, both before and after
the enhance of Jrdia, nearly destroyer] it again.
Upon the falling of the curtain. the usual tourist
ensued between the contents and set-ormitente; the
firmer ore in general the more noisy, which renders
it frequently difficult to decide upon the majority ;
on this occasion. however, we believe it was coo-
stderahly in their favour. But, so per o lug were
the efforts of both parties for supremacy, that Mr.
Bans: Ann, who came forward to announce the
piece fir repetition, we believe, did utter the
usual form, but most certainly not a word of
what he said could he heard. • The performers
in general exerted themselves to the utmost, and
did ample justice to their respective parts.—
Mr. IVaLeacx gave full effect to the jealous
ravings of Aiontraito, and to the struggles of
a noble red, to overcome suggestions inimical
to its repose, void at war with. its brut feelings.
Mr. CooPElt *cirri well the cool, dissembling
villain Michael, with the single exception of allow.
ing his &Ingo to be rather to i apparent in the
accrue with Montalto, and a mistake, us it 11141/101td
to us. in giving tine ur two purrs asspoken wide.
which *tee mini to be-addressed to Montalto. Mt.
strecewfolly depicted the struggle between
purr seed MUMS and remorse of conscience. Mr.
ou alto actiuttleil himself very creditably in
Kinuiree Mrs. EGERToN gave a forcible &linen-
non of the ambitious, relentless, and vindictive
Italian feniale; but we take this opportunity of
suppoilic *hot we overlooked in another 'Awe, that
tht scene between her and Rosana flaring the attack
of castle, had better be omitted. Mts. W.
Wise was all that could be wished in the tender,
the devoted. the coostant, the injured Jolla. Upon
she whole. the piece, we think. will be found
toter fitted lkie the closet than the stage. Judi-
I lour curtailments and omissions may, no doubt,
ornirlerfnlly improve ; belt we fear it is not des-
tined to a terigtheried run.
'The l'eulogne and Epilorte, which we subjoin,
were spoken; the former, with good emphasise. by •
Mr. Coupe.; and the latter, with much spilt and
vivacity, by Mrs. EDWIN.
PRO LOGI! to
A 111 All MIN ills, a sinking throne.* atom.,
The 1111 of empires, and Ike (-Intl of arse. !
Seel, themes atone, or old, the seise aspplird,
Wiwi, stilted Tragedy, is gorgeous pride,
Sew s'cl Nillere'• truer, nearer woe
tosteh,s•ll, fur all is era mum know.
Thos Gs:44+6v was preis'd In railer days;
Thar King Copheroo stormed in Pistol's phrase;
Tbs., all:aat•usidisr, did Jhamor strut,
Or mob, the Ail, while of wits the butt.

Ah! su•h eel, D4d/11.41 COWS* upon t►e stage,
Dooni'd with bombast to eloy • tainted age,
And e'ca his lightniurfoiliwo, through the gloom,
Now beams abseiled, and shines within a tomb.
. . .

01, foppish taste!' that from the mane co;l7,lllray
The perk where Shaksireares pelf had led the way ;
Well bud he abeam what tares the mightiest beede,
Mat little motive mix wish greatest limas,
Gave elledil iv well as aclious to our ken,
Ilia helves monarch., bat his miosarehe mem.
Ttii, path our Author seeks, sad should be treed
Too near, attracted and too rosily led,
Dare, like the eagle, un the sun to gage,
Anil urge hi. flight through all its brightest blase,
Yet, 111111U111 a native getting still Umpire,
l'ear llorth lila verse, sad oft his fancy fire,
Ye rill net cessaurc.--calmot be severe—
Te AHAMITIUIIII MIS/ be /darnels:a here.

EPILOGUE.
.11hivri;ng wish cold, in spite of frost and fog,
wiertibiorr'il, Sirs, to speak the Epilogue:
Mom is us Epilrigne?—(dear, how I Onkel
'This ell haste an a new Twelfth Cake;
nitro 'lie Cakr's Cut the Image melts away,
Su, Rued hye, itysf, if was eat the Play.
fdinstrOlu'. aced.--ye hisalmaiai, mark tlie Whew.
Clorri-l% your wiwes--Iterd what our bard ha% •poken—
'ilk vire hearts like Mostalto's, will be broken.
A pabeerlote is chaagefel as the dice;
Illhe Baas who writes a drawn, walks us tee.
414 lee! Who &anal .? All the tees is slippiag :
Wtsdp the feast lama e'en Quakers art caught tripping.
Last! grand papa,/6 tries li tlr Charles, in gaiter',
14 num to the fief ;renting, wad wee lbe 'kilter' ;
I do we want to ak.iit"—s Pito! ch ild, you'll
The blockhead., now • Jar, r.u.'t shalt at all.
De stir the tire! I Isiah I liv'd at Eons?s
these !lisps here brought she North Pole home."
The buy prevails, and spite of groans and snarls,
Oat ray tread papa :la.' little Charles,
•1%, *ire all Insilco, mill the lad all laughter,
ILit,' Friday ..t—Time, three; perhaps half after.
%Itll+, moth, walliers crowd the river's edge,
1164 Maly ;kimmirrol float on skast ow sledge !
4' Gewege, toe litre dews that rail—pin!
Aow'sit.p.
'he ire ?".M Very rough"—" &al they
*h&j
"Noma that fat maw. huh."
" klr, 1 beg rietiwar llir, I think you engin."