The National Register.
London, England, 1811-05-05 00:00:00

THE_NATIONAL TIF()ISTER.

and on each side of them there a gallery filled with musicians'
superbly dressed. The gates open, and a Maguificent chariot
drawn by three Horses abreast, enters, and makes the tour of
the Stage. Tiriour, the Queen, and Ladies, descend from the
chariot, and take possession of the seats prepared fur them.
The gates open again, the chariot retires, and the combat coin-
,
men es.

I do not pretend to be very intimately acquainted with the
tnanner in which tournaments are regulated in 'Fartary, but it
struck me as rather odd, that the combatants, instead of putting
their lances in their rests, and running at each other, should
knock them together with their hands as if they were playing at
single stick. I believe, when warriors fight with lances, they
do not merely try to break a head, like the heroes at a country
fair, when contending for a gold laced hat. This battle, I think,
might be managed better. If the combatants cannot run at each
other in the regular way, to fight with swords only would have
a less ridiculous tifect.

To describe the whole of the scenery would be to trespass too
long on the Reader's patience, if I have not done so already. I
roust, however, in justice to the artists concerned, bay, the
manner in which it is executed, redounds greatly to their credit.
The lover of spectacle cannot desire a greater treat than is here
afforded, and it he is not offended at the introduction of horses.
he will derive considerable gratification from their exertions,
Good music and good acting combine to add to the attractions
of this piece, which if nut entitled to great praise from the critic,.
as a literary production, will yet be found to possess nu incon-
sidarable claim to popular applause as a dramatic performance.

:,~

*.qy

, . .
Amertecins, and this at once set his mind at resti as-it provtli
that the piece was condemned, not for its want of merit, hutifor
the keenness of its satire; There is however, another dais of
persons, he appears rather disposed to conciliate, I mean the
respectable body of Critics. Originally " the Americans" con-
tained some remarks on them, which were exceedingly witty,
if the Intention and opinion of the author may be depended on.
These he has thought proper to cut away :—perhaps though he
did it on account if the praise bestowed on the good Critic.
The genural censure which has been poured on " The Ameri-
cans," may have convinced the author no such being is in ex-
istence. •
With respect to the merits of the piece, as it now stanch, I
must confess that it is better than it was, because it is shorter.
If Mr. ARNO LI) had done by his own Play as Dean Swift did by
that of another author, that is, had be crossed out every other
line, I am of opinion it would have had but half the faultsi
itoriginally contained. The new comic opera is now, as we are
told I/y the bills, received with the most unbounded and undi-
vided applause, and will be repeated every evening till further
notice. This lam inclined to give st.me credit to, from the ad-
mirable manner in which the company of clappers' pWormed
their parts, on Tuesday. The energy with which they vocife-
rated " turn him out," when.any man had so little taste as to
hiss, proved the piece likely to have a run.' Full houses arc of
minor importance, when thy credit of a manager is at stake. It
may be, however, that " The Amt.rican" will bring fed
houses; but, with the itnpressian made on my mind, I would
advise the proprietors not to give a night for the benefit of the
English prisoners in France, while that is performing, eele...s, by
exposing the poverty of their receipts, they wish to gi.t a sub-
scription set on foot for thorselves.