The National Register.
London, England, 1809-10-22 00:00:00

676

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

OCT o*.

;adies do not throw their arms about whilst chatting with
heir waiting maids i• in short, she ought to remember thaf
genteel comedy is but a picture of life, and that the "saw-
lag of the wind," which may be necessary on a provincutv
ige, is not suitable to a London audience. Some per
solial allusions, respecting her own reception, were aa.
.veered by friendly claps, and her verdict was unanimous.
This week has teemed with novelty.—On the same eveti-
ing Mr. 'inlet made his second appearance on a London
stage, in Timothy Quaint, and in Robin Roughead, in the
firee. We do not consider the charact4 of Timollay as a
Cnir criterion to judge of an actor's merit ; it is a mixture
of Corp 'rat Trim and Caleb Quotem, without either origi-
wality or even a marked expression; much of its wit lies in
tne dress, and depends upon the actor. Of the little given
hum, however, he lost nothing, and he was even impressive
ie the scene of gratitude ; but Mr. Knight casts his eyes
too often on the Gods ; he came on the stage as ifercaeeed
for a,pplanse, aod made bis bow before he had passed the
sale scenes; his looks also, even in this character, were too
stiff, and seemed as if made for the occasion. In the farce
he was more nt home, but his dialect was rather au afflicted
instic:.ty than the pure phraseology of nature ; it is only
in particular words that it appears. He seems not SUili-
t iently to unite '' the action with the word ; he is owe !no-
ment acting, the next speaking ; his varieties of feature
are rather the shiftings of grimace, than changes of ex,
pression much, bon ever, must he allowed for a second
appearance before a London audience; perhaps as he ac-
quires more experience he may be eaablekto throw more
ofinature into his characters.
To those who remember, and who does not ?—the ex-
quisite personification of Donna Violante by Mrs. Jordan, the
attempt of Mrs. Edwin to represent that character en Thurs,
day eventing, iu The Wonder, will appear at least a bold one.
To say that she went through the part with decency would
be far below her merit, yet we feel that indiscriminate
praise would be equal), erroneous. The character of Pio-
tante is one which does not strike at first, it rises in our
estimation as its charms are displayed. The same observa•
lion w.ll also apply to the actress, but on Thursday night
she was not fairly dealt with, as the riotous behaviour of
some jew-looking people in the sties interrupted her in the
interesting c,mfidential scene with Colonel Briton, nor was
until the rioters were turned out that the performance could
t,-ro on. some of our brother critics, in order to chroxicie thei,
impartiality, have drawn a comparison between Mrs. Edwin
and the above-mentioned actress, and they have thrown
out some very severe strictures upon the former; from the
style of the critique, however, we suspect that it was drawn
up at home, at the charge of " want of attention to the bye-
play," seems by no means a judicious one. Mrs. Edwin ii
also accused of acting too much; perhaps the emotions of
her bosom were too powerfully displayed, but we defy the
severest cynic who saw her, on Thursday night, to have re.
mained unclectrified in that scene with the jealous Feii.c,
,Vhen Flora whispers her that the Colonel has escaped, 114:
marks of disapprobation were shown ; she was often ap-
plauded, and in one or two of the most striking passages,
the audience most judiciously sheaved their approval by
'heir silence. There was an attempt at a first appeartlfle
in the farce, by Mr. Horn taking the part of Frederick
he seems to consider singing, not acting, as his duty ; he
therefore, folded his arms twice, made two or three blun
ders, and—this is all we have to say of Mr. Uorn,

It is with pleasure we announce to the inhabitants of Li•
verpool, that Miss Larkman will shortly take her benefit,
We hope that this interesting young Lady may meet wit
that success which her improving genius so higbly merits.

The Royal Jubilee Hat and Bonnet, invented by Mr;. M Mara
of the corner of Southampton-street, Strands have created thk
greatest anxiety in the FaAionable World. as they have kelt
distinguished by the approbation of Ladies orate iratdiitiacOon.

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