The National Register.
London, England, 1818-01-04 00:00:00

gmatest tortures. No one would be found to Supper
more firmly than he would, the constitutional principle.
which had placed this family on the throne of these
realms. They had heard of an association of Save•
reigns called the Holy Alliance; but if there was to
be such a unicn of Courts, he trusted there would also
be a holy alliance of nations, which was more likely to
(rove favourable to the peace and happiness of the hu.
man race ; and he, being a peaceably disposed man,
would wish to give all the support he could to the latter
alliance. There were still two or three resolutions re-
lative to the publication of the proceedings of the day,
and after he had put them he would take his leave of
the meeting.
Mr. Marsden moved resolutions for defraying the ex.
pence of publishing the resolutions, &c. and thanks
were voted to Mr. Cox, after which the meeting biv'Ae
up about five o'clock.

THE DRAMA.

COVENT-GARDEN.

A new Tragedy in these times is so great a novelty
that it naturally excites considerable interest, not only
among those who are called play-going folks, but also
among those whose regard fur the interests of literature
makes them anxious about every addition which is
made to our stock of national poetry. This feeling suf.
ficiently accounts for a numerous audience at this house,
on Thursday evening, to witness I?etribution ; or, Me
Chitliain's Daughter. The story is supposed to be in
the fourth century. The following are the most strik-
ing features of the plot :—Varanes, King of Persia
has two sons Chosroo and Homed who are both en-
amoured of Zintra the chieftain's daughter. Homed is
the favoured lover, but Chosroo considers himself cer-
tain of success, from the power he possesses over the
life of her father Stales whom he has recently taken
prisoner in an expedition against one of the mountain
tribes. The rivalry of the two brothers, one impetuous,
unprincipled, hesitating at no means to affect his purer
pose, the other less powerful and more virtuous, and
aided by the love of Zimra, occupy great part of the
drama ; but the interest of the piece, rests in an equal
degree on Varanes, who, agitated by the conscious guilt
of having; murdered his brother and predecessor Sapor,
confounded and perplexed in all his actions by the fear
of discovery, joined to the mystery in which the event
is involved, xhibjts a fine moral le,son, and affords some
striking opportunities for the display of talent, to which
Young dil great justice. The outline of the plot is
sufficiently simple, but is involved in its conduct in
much unnecessary intricacy : except in the first act, the
events do not follow each other by a nice adjustment
of cause and effect, and there has been an evident de..
Ire to spin out the materials to an undue extent.
We are yet unable to judge with accuracy on the
merits of the language, Lut we suspect it is better fitted
for the closet than the stage. There are many things
which to the eye of the spectator appear like deviations
from nature, as well as from dramatic unity and effect,
we trust they appear so, from the dialogue having been
but imperfectly heard. For instance, no good reason sp•
pears to justify the sudden return of Sidhes to reason, in
the prison scene in the fifth act. The supposed mur-
der of the King, by his son Chosroo is involved in much
obscurity. The order for the death of Zimra, Hamed,
and Sullies seems most. unnatural, and the sacceeding
serene, were these persons dispute about taking prece-
dcsncy in death is faulty both in matter and manner.—
We do not mention these as important failings nor
are we quite sure that they are failings at all. we only
mention the effect which they produced upon us, which
an acquaintance with the text would probably have re-
moved. In our next number we shall enter more at
length into an examination of its merits.
The following is the list of the dramatis personx
Varanes, King of Persia Mr. Young.
Cht'srd°' I his sons
Hemet', 1. Mr. C. Kemble.
Abdo:, a l'ersian Lord Mr. Egerton.
Hugs, his sou Mr. Abbott.

Sutliu;, a captive Chieftain Mr. Terry.
Sohrah, the King's Chamberlain
Kodad, Confident to Chosroo

Devah, Slave to Chosroo Mr. Jeffries.
Zulus, daughter to Smiles Miss O'Neill.

SMALL. Pox.—ln the general bill of all the christen.
lax; and burials from Dec. 10, 1816, to Dec. 16, 1817.
The report of Deaths occasioned by the Small Pox, is
one thousand and fifty one, which is an increased num-
ber of six hundred and fifty three, as stated in *ha
preceding annual report
A poor sailor in distressed circumstances, a few
days ago was seat to the Small Pox Hospital at Pancras
in an advanced state of continent Small l'ox, from
Cannon Street Road, St. George's in the Ea..t, but he
was so much exhausted, that he died a few minutes
after his admission. This is much to be lamented, as
we know that l'atients arc admitted every day and
hour, by a recommendation signed by a Governor, and
all requisite information is given at the Hospital to
any person who may apply.
Lord Courtenay, since he left England, has received,
by the sale of his property in Ireland alone, no less
sum dm 6 iO,OOOl.