The National Register.
London, England, 1818-10-25 00:00:00

COQ ENT

Tuesday.—We bad hoped the rage for melo-dramatic
representations had subsided ; or, at least, that this
species of entertainment had been consigned to Minor
Theatres. We are deceived; and, it' we may judge
-from the brilliant assemblage which graced the Boxes,
and crowded the Pit, the mania encreases rather than
diminishes. Another of these iwit-d:.seripis was pre-
sented this evening. We will endeavour to give an
outline of the plot, which, we pr;su is founded
the late trial for the murder of M. Fualdes, in France
It is entitled, Proof Pfccumptive ; or, the Abbey of
Son Marco. Romani ( Macready), a determined liber-
tine, seduces his friend Aiberio (C. Kemple) to the
gaming table ; living. by depriving him of his fortune,
to secure his interest with regard to his sister Eraceliac
(Mrs. I,' ;meat ). in pursuit of this cbject, Alberto is
swindled out.of a considerable sum of money : and is
induced, by ille persihuoi.ms of Ins perfidious friend, t.,
yield a reluctant con4ent tl commit a robbery upon
Orsapo, woo IA to
.pass through the r ns of the Alory
with a consid sum of money, he intention o.
paying for an estate he had recently dui-chisel 0r.v,,,t0
resists the importunity of Alberto, and

.~
_s

Tlir, NATMAY. REG I STEIL

Ormtno, and hurls his body into a neighbouring river.
Ernestine arrives at the Algal to meet her husband,
to whom she had been secretly married ; and
who, from a soldier or thrtunts, returns, loaded • with
riches ;ma honours, to claim her father's sanction ; pre-
vious to which he requests an Interview, to arrange
, measures tar the elucilation of the-Mystery. &le, con
s2quently becomes a witness of' tt murder, to which
her brother is accessary ; and being discovered by Ro-
mani, is bound most siterelle to keep the secret, and
her child is retained us an hosts, :or her
During the interview with her husband, however,
some memorials are dropped by him, which, being
found by a cannitry:uan, are brought forward as " pre-
sumptive proof" that Finan:io was the murderer—but
as these papers relate only to his clandestine union, he
, refuses to submit them to the tribunal before whom he
is summoned, and, consequently, increases the suspicion
excited against him : during the trial, the firmness of
Ernestine yields to the danger with which her husband
is threatened-she denounces Romani, and he his
friend. The latter, who had been joined with his
father as judge, poisons himself in despair, and leaves
a written memoratrlum corroborating the tetimony of
Ernestine Romani, in attem»ting to kill himself, is
prevented ; and the curtain drops on the julginent
scene.—Ss much for the plot. Report ascribes this
melange of horror, remorse, and crime to the pen of
Mr. C. Kemble—as a translation—if so, We are de-
ceived is our opinion of his taste. The characters are
superficial, and are Placed before us without poetical
oolouring. The piece retains too many of the peculi- •
arities of its original construction : and has nut even
the merit of novelty, having been already dramatized
at ope of our Minor Theatres. %Ir. C. Kembla and Mrs.
Faueitt made too much of their respective parts: the
former was a continued monotony of whine—and the
latter betrayed her knowledge of the crime she had
witnessed by excessive agitation; and, consequently,
the denouement became comparatively feeble Mr.
Macready gave a specimen of abilities it will be our
pride to draw into notice : in the delineation of the cool
and crafty, yet bold and deliberate villain, he has
scarcely one competitor—and, if we had never seen hint
before, we should, from his personation of Romani,
have 'ranked Nita with those who tread the highest
walk in the Drama. The opening scene surpasses every
thing we have yet witnessed—it represents, in the
fire ground, the ruins of the Abbey—and the per..
spective coinprizes a distant view of Italian scenery,
interspersed with towns and chateaus, and forest-
crowned hills anti rivers meandering through its whole
extent. The effect was beautiful , and the change
from clear moonlight to a heavy storm was managed
with great skill. Though, at its conclusion, some dis-
approbation was expressed, yet the majority of the
audience were in its favour—and, when announced .for
repetition, the AYES HAD IT,
The Wedding Day followed', in which Nil. Farren
gave addititional proof of talent in the character of S r
Adam Contest: he was, indeed, little inferior to the
great original. Mrs. T. Hill, from Bath, formerly
Miss H. Kelly, made a favourable impression on the
audience. Site po.sesses a handsome countenance,
a pleasing voice, although somewhat harsh in the
higher tones, and much vivacity. We cannot, however,
listen to the song, " In the dead of the Night," with-
out calling to our remembrance the spell with which
Mrs. Jordan enthralled us. Alibi; it would be unjust
to make any sort of comparison between a debutante and
such excellence, yet memory delights to dwell on • joys
now past. ' Mrs Hill was most favourably received;
and it is our pleasure to record her as bearing a claim
to patronage rather above the ordinary novelties to
which we have been accustomed.

Thursday.—Miss Somerville, formerly of Drury
Lane, made her first courtesy at this theatre this even-
mg. in the character of Bianca, in Nlillman's tragedy
of Faz.o We are not sure if it be in the, power of an
act.,r to choose his own character for a debut, or whether
thelioi of the Manager decides the point: but this we
know, if the former claim the privilege, Miss Somer-
ville was injudicious in selecting one which bad pre-
viously been sustained by Miss ZYNcil—if the latter,
we deem it invidious, as the reputation of Miss 0 Neil
was considerably raised by her able delineatieu of this
character; and, comequently, the iinnre:sion on our •
minds had been pre-occupied by her excellence. Pro-
vincial report has eulogized Miss Somerville—and we
think deservedly—for althotnlh she has vet much to
learn, and something !o unlearn, she is evidently im-
proved both in the business of the scene, and in her
general conception and delineation of character.. l'he
house was crowded to excess, and Nllss Somerville was
greeted on her entrance with peals of welcome. .She
sustained the part very creditably ; but we would sug-
gest to her judgment the propriety of choosing some
other ground, where we may have the opportunity of
speaking of her endJwments, unshackled by impressions
which the admirable powers of Miss O'Neil 'rive
stamped upon elr memory. Mr. C. Kemble gave her
every support—his Fazio was exec lent.

A new tragedy, from the pen of Mr. Shiel, is in
.considcrubie forwardness at Covent tiardi3l Chcatre.

1"017 TR r.

TIM. FLOWERS.
With eroli expanahr: /Wier we find
Surer plen,ing sentiment :
Love in the Myrtli's bloara
Ii •Inc:ithrgotoe to the l'inlet
e brightens in the Olive's gre.i.
'lope front the 1101'41os:A Iris springs:
And Vilory on the Ltturti glows.
And Wonsan bltsslieb in the Rose !

FRIENDSIITP.
Come, PRIENDSIIM, come. sweetest
Thy joys are exquiNite, tho' Calm:
thou of lore dos: all contain,
Ex;:ept i t danzers and it: !

._....

:341

ANECDOTES OP DISTINGUISHED PERSONAGES, &T.

Lord North, when Minister, (accused of nodding
over the ruins of his country in the House) said. " I
ant not dosing (a cry of bear 1 hear !) nor, as the
Honourable Gentleman stated, am (fast asleep! (hear!
hear l) but this I do assure the Honourable Speaker,
that I would to God that I was."

GENERAL WasnlNcyrosr.—When Col. Washington
had closed his career in the French and 'lndian wars,
and had become a me fiber of the House of Burgesses,
the then Speaker, Robinson, was directed, by a vote of
the House, to return their thanks to that Gentleman,
on behalf of the Colony, for the distinguished military
services which he had rendered to his country. As soon
as Colonel Washington took his seat, Mr. Robinson in
obedience to this order, and following the impulse of
his own generous and greatful heart, discharged the
duty with such warmth of colouring and strength of
expression, as entirely confounded t!:e young' Hero. He
rose to express his acknowledgments for the honour;
but such was his trepidation and confusion that he
could not give distinct utterance to a single syllable, he
oluehed, stammered, and trembled fi►r a second ; when
the Speaker relieved him by a stroke of address that
would have done honour to Louis XIV. in his proudest
and happiest moment : " Sit down, Mr. Washington,"
said he with a conciliating smile; "your modesty is
equal to your valour; and that surpasses the power of
any language I possess."
'KEmaLE.—When this celebrated actor first appeared
in London as Alexander the Great. during his triumphal
entry into Babylon in a splendid car drawn by ele-
phants, he appeared to be suffering under a degree of
alarm, very inconsistent with that inflexible firmness
which generally characterised him—but suddenly,
before he alighted, his fears seemed to give way to
laughter, which he was very evidently labouring to
restrain Upon being interrogated as to the cause of
this unusual appearance, he stated, that at the moment
when he had presented himselfas the Macedonian hero,
au unfortunate dispute between the legs of his elephant
had caused his alarm, and excited his subsequent risi-
bility. The front members moving with a sprightli-
oess which the hinder partf thought inconsistent with
the ponderous body they had to support, exclaimed—
" You front legs, 4—n ‘e, if you go so fast, by G—d
I won't, follow :" " why then, remain behind, and be
d—d," retorted the leaders. This disagreement pro..
ceeding to extremittes had literally nearly thrown the
actor of his guard. The following morning the con-
tending members were lodped off the establishment.
A celebrated performer, during a rehearsal, having by
some accident had a severe fall in a sedentary position,
upon the inquiry of a sprightly young actress us to the
extent of the injury he had received, was answered by
the sufferer. that be was very much hurt upon his
honour. The following morning, the same votary of
Thalia assailed him in time words of Ophelia—How .
does your honour for this many a day ?
HeenensoN.—This celebrated actor war seldom
known to be in a passion. When at Oxford he was
ene day debating with a fellow student, w!io not keep..
ing his temper, threw a glass of wine in :.is face. Mr.
Henderson took out his handkerchief, wiped himself,
and cooly said, " That, sir, was a digression ; now for
the argument?'

-

The Marriage of Figaro is to succeed The Barber of
Sev lk, at Covent Garden Theatre..
Ben lison's ro/poue; or, Ike Fox, is said to be
in the list of revivals at New Drury. This Drama was
re-produced by Mr. Garrick with much success. Should
it again be brougiit on the stage, Mumlen and Kean
will, of course, luwe the two principal charact rs.
The 'Mowing is a list of Actors and Actresses, not
at present engaged at either of our .‘ictropolitan The.
titres:—Messrs Barrymore, Bartley, Bellamy, Betty,
Broadhurst, Brunton, Conway De Camp, Denning,
Dowton, I gluon, Foote, Horn, incledon, Johnstone, .
Mathews, Philips, Pope, Sinclair, Walla& and
IVrench. Nile; lames Bartley, Davison, Edwin, Eger-
ton, H .rn, Mountain, and .Renaud. Misses Booth,
Carew, Kelly, L. Kelly, and Poole —Rae has not vet
appeared ; and it is with regret we learn that srvore
indisposition has prevented hint item resumag
professional duty.