The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-10-14 00:00:00

.DRURY LANE THEATRE.

Mr. Booth's performance of Richard is like his Brut,:r,
a close imitation of Mr. Kean. As ia often the case v‘itli
copies, it possesses some of the beauties and all the faults of
the original. Generally speaking, however, it has neither
the one nor the other in the same degree. The fault. not
unfrequently are magnified tenfold, and the beauties dwelt
upon and heightened into faults ; it is a weak water-colour
sketch after an original oil-painting. Occasionally there may
occur a happy touch—a brilliant tint—but the general
effect is poor, patchy; the force. depth, and harmonv of
colour that characterise the original are nowhere discoi-er.
able. Mr. Booth has set a model before hint, the perfec-
tions of which he oftener attempts than attains.
times he deviates from his exemplar--generally for
worse, and apparently for the sake of deviation. This is
little things—no doubt with the view of spicing his score
palpable imitations with an appearance of occasional on.
ginality.

" To Particularise--theopeningsoliloquy was much iu the
manner of Kean, with less force, point, spirit, and variety
than be imparts to it. Of the scene with Lady dine Re
may say the same ; the principal and only difference brine,
that Mr. Booth did not, like his predecessor, unmask
hypocrisy to the audience While he concealed it from
mistress. In this instance he may have interpretti
adage

" An est eelare artem" -
too literally. The delivery of the line after the departure
of Anne,
"FA have her, but I will not keep her long,"
was the essence of colloquial vulgarity. We allude fro-e
particularly to the later part of it. Mr. Booth should
member Richard was a Prince, and incapable of hil.ing
like a costermonger. The breacli with Bud:lb/gum, and
the manner of giving the celebrated passage,
" Thou troublest me—l em not in the vein,"
was had—very bad indeed. Subsequently, when news is
brought of Befehingham's revolt, and the King makes in-
quiry whether proper measures have been taken fur 11:s
apprehension, Mr. Booth ranted out
" Has any careful of proclaimed
Reward," &c.
in a manner utterly unappropriate and ridiculous. Tile
point which followed :

"OW with his heatl—ao much for Buckingham."
was successfully delivered in close imitation of and
was received with three distinct rounds of applause. We
are no admirers of the mode in which Mr. Booth drawleA
out the word marked in italics in the address to Loki
Stanley.

" What do they in the North?"
The performer attempted something of a new point in the
passage,

" 'Teas but a dream,"
but we cannot congratulate him on his success. We beg
leave to tell him his conception is not sustained by the
context or the usage of the best actors, and as for the ex-
ecution it was a failure. While on the subject of Mr.
Booth's novelties, we may as well advert to a trick he has
got of altering the text of his author. This he did in more
instances than one last night, and we fear not from inad-
vertence. We have no doubt he is a very clever man, bu:
for our part we are quite content to take Shakspeare as he
stands, without the emendations of Mr. Booth. 11'e con-
clude with requesting the gentleman to favour ng with DJ
more of his new readings, and hope he will be in futt:%,
content to take !Junket's advice, anti
" Speak no more titan is set down for hhn."

The Duke of York inspected the works of his new
residence, in the Stable-yard, St. James's Palace, getter.
day afternoon.

_ ...
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridze arrived at Casc!i
on the 2d instant, on their return from Ittimpt::litin: co
Hanover.

I'rince Leopold arrived at Marlborough House yesterday
,afternoon, about five o'clock, from Claremont.
His Serene Highness I)uke Charles Bernard of Saxe
IVeimar, is making the tour of Canada, from whence be
will proceed to the United States. He has been receiv, d
every where in the British possessions with the most mark-
ed attention.

Prince Tallevrana, travelling with the Duchess of Dino,
his niece, and the Princess of Tiszchiewietz, from Ponia-
towska, has been for some days in this city. They came
from the baths of Bourbon l'Archambaud, and are going
to Switzerlard. Ile has visited many of our principal
establishments.—Lyon: Paper.
Viscount Strangford and the Right lion. Stratford Usu.
ning transacted business yesterday afternoon, at the Fo-
reign Office, Downing-street.
It is reported in the City that Mr. Ifitskission's visit to
Paris is chiefly for the purpose of negotiating a Treaty of
Commerce with the French Government.
Sir Robert Kerr Porter has been appointed to a diplo-
matic situation in South America.
Mr. Morier, we understand, will leave this country, on
his return to Mexico, in about a fortnight.
Mr. Elliston's bodily health, we understand, continues
to improve, and his spirits are remarkably good. Ile is
still deriving benefit front the sea breezes in the lile of
Thanet.

We understand that Mrs. Gould (late Miss Burrell) is
engaged at Covent-garden Theatre, and will shortly make
her appearance in the character of MaCiteaM.
KEENE P. KEAN.—The African votary of Thespis,
7clept Mr. Keene, goes on triumphantly at the Coburg.
fwo suns, they say, cannot shine 1n the Sarre hemisphere,
and the new and the old world have done well to cultange
luminaries.

M PST£ AD C/A:D.—The balls giro!, by die Berl-
hampstead Club commenced on Monday night at tie
the
pointed
King s Arms, and occasioned a most nurajtous meeting
nobility
by tahnedcgluenbtrwye oref,thse,rc
jouohnitlys.
and James G irdon, Esq. M.P. who, it almost unneces-
sary to add, did ample justice to their appointment. About
half-past ten (lancing commenced, and the first quadrille
was led off by the Marchioness of Salisbury and Mr. Car-
-1 don. 'The music was from one of Rossini's operas, and
when we add that the performers were Mr. Payne himself,
with his whole band, there cannot be a doubt of that de-
partment having given the greatest satisfaction. 'f be party,
which consisted of 1.50, did not separate till a very latr
hour, and the separation was attended with many exPre";
'dons of regret, followed by many wishes for another, nna
an early meeting on a similar occasion. Besides the Mar'
quis and Alareltioness of Salisbury, we noticed the Lord
Lieutenant of the County and tbo Countess of Verular...
The Hon. the Misses Grimstone, Lord and Lady Pacre,
Sir John Sebright, Bart. M.P. and family, with a large
party, Mr. and Mrs. Dories and family, the lion. William
Lamb, M.P., Mrs. Pechell and family, Mr. Whitbread.
M.P. and family, Mr. and Mrs. Moore Halsey and family,
the Members for the Borough, and a numerous assemblage
of naval and military officers ; amongst the latter we DO'
ticed many of the " Blues," trio returned to Knights-
bridge immediately after the ball.
A large importation of Westphalia hams has taken PN:c;
in consequence of the &try on them Laying r:! 1:1;e.
(rant it. to t; L IP.: lb.