The National Register.
London, England, 1808-02-01 00:00:00

FEB. 1.

only do not feet what they are saying, but really seem not even
to understand it. The pieces that nre represented are often, it
it true, of such a nature, that no powers of acting could make
them effective : bat if they were decently performed, they would
nut at a ays be ab4olutely contemptible: and, besides, we do not
',now why pieces that no acting eau render agreeable, should
ever he acted at all.

Perhaps it will be said. that the English do not careabout good
writing or good acting at the Opera; but this it is impossible to
prove: fortheiracceptanceofthatwhichisindifferent,isnomore
an argument of their iusensibility to that which is excellent,
titan the bread-and-cheese appetite of a hungry man is an ar-
onnent of coarseness in his palate. Let us see good pieces tole-
rably acted, and yv e think it ciliate as possible to create an in-
t( rest in all Opera, of w hich the language is not generally un-
derstood, as it is to create an interest in a Ballet, where there
is no latertiage at all. And the best indication of the public
eagerness for dramatic excellence of every kind, at the King's
Theatre, is the popularity w hich has been acquired by an
Operatic Actress, not in herself admirable, but eminent by'a
comparison «jilt the people about her. We mean Madame
Catalan'. This Lady, if she could be divested of her foreign
avernt, and introduced into any principal character of English
Tragedy, would probably he regarded by the few persons who
really understand the science of the Stage, as a very indifferent
!actress: and when connoisseurs are heard to ex pres an admi-
ration of her talents, as an Actress, they mean to be understood
speaking of her performances, comparod with those of the
ladies and Gentlemen who occupy the interior situations. She
certainly is a good Actrebs,fer the Opera : and so IMaster Betty
was a good Actor, for a bay ; but we v. isle to see the Opera
always provided with performers who may be at least too de-
cent to be used merely for foils. Didone is a very tolerable
piece, fur the Opera ; but no one who sees how much situation
it possasses, can help regretting that it is not positively good.
Madame (atalani herself acted Didane ; and all that voice and
person could convey, was effected by her for the interesting
heroine of Virgil. But if she attires to the just reputation of a
fine Actress, she should recollect that a perpetual smile, even
on her beautiful mouth, will never depict the various passions
of love, grief. anger, and disdain, as they occur throughout the
interviews of Dido with iEneas and hula's. Let us say MI
mitre of her acting, to which we can give only the praise of
" the wickeil compared with the more wicked ;" but conclude
our observations on her !lido, by recording our enthusiastic ad-
nairalion of her J ingi ftg , where she stands unrivalled, except by
Mrs. Billington alone. Madame Ca talani has the peculiar fa-
culty of imparthig interest to the lle•acara : and those critics
ho haye decided that her powers are generally rather astonish-
ing Hum tasciaatitz, will probably coatis an exception to their
tolgmeio , it he ti at the beginning of the second act of Didone,
they hear her sing.. ••Perder(; frt 'Wee Sptrao:o•"
lladame Hus-ek made her first appearance on this stage. as
A:neas. lier fame in the musical world ha been lime; estah-
li•hed ; and on this evening, although touch alarmed. .lie was It
no means deficient in taste or execution. But her acting was so
mach worse than that of any singing Miss whose first appearance
we ever saw on an English Stage, that even apprehension, for
w Welt u e :flys ays feel a great indulgence, w ill not be a suffici-
ent excuse for her very slovenly manner of delivering her reci-
tative. Her dress was as ungrateful as it was inappropriate.
.Caeas io spaugled muslin trowsers !

" lieu, quantum mulcting ab !"

GEN ER Al. WIIITELOCKE's TRIAL.
Our Readers may depend on the accuracy of the follow lug
taleuteutS

nursday. 2Rth 3' a nimey, 1805.
Art an early hour, the Public anxious to witness a trial ofsttch
importance, began to assemble in numbers at the entrance of the
HAL in Chel‘ett Hospital, where a guard was placed at nine
o'clock. At ten, the Members being all in Court, Sir William
Meadons, the Pre4deut, signified hi, intention of proceeding to
the business of the day, when the Ilion 11Ir. Ryder, the acting
Judge Advocate, called over the uames of the Officers summoned ;
being all present, they were arain called over. to assume their
places at the table according to their rank, and seniority, and C 01:•
sitted of the following General Officers, all Senior to the Prison, x :
Sir William Meadows, K. B. President.
General Garth Lieut.-Gen. I.d. Vist. Cathcart
... ....Norton
• .....Lord Lake
Hulse •
Manners
Larl of Clanrickardc ..... Loftus