The National Register.
London, England, 1808-07-03 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

430

have even adapted the Pilgrim hat, and cockle shell. In these
days of gallantry, where then is the beau who would not gladly
join in a pilgrimage with such companions, were it to Palestine
itself ?
GIINTLISMSN'S DIRESSIIS.
Fig. No. I.—A grass-green coat with covered or metal but-
tons: white dimity waistcoat; Nankin trowsers and stockings :
shoes with strings. Single-breasted coats are by far the most
Lroper and gentlemanly, although many continue to be lappelled.
ight pepper and salt mixtures, or a sort of horseback mixture,
with plain plated, or plated basket buttons, are equally fashion-
able : striped quilting waitcoats, single-breasted; and white
corduroy breeches are worn with these coats.
Fon Evemlno Dnnss--Nothing is so prevalent as dark blues
and forest greens, double-breasted, with flat full size gilt but-
tons, and either black velvet collars or collars of the same cloth,
according to the fancy of the wearer; white Marseilles quilting
waistcoats, single-breasted, are almost exclusively worn; Indian
Nankin, or very light coloured kerseymere breeches, with
covered buttons and silk strings.

JULY 3.

114r1dat1r.
Although it be a max ins.by no means unfounded, that the cha-
racter of a civilized nation is in great measure to be estimated
by its dramatic exhibitions, yet it is a maxim by no means uni-
versal in its application, nor proper to be believed in its fullest
sense. The persons of the drama perhaps afford some clue to
the character of the nation : but the construction of the fable,
and the spirit of the dialogue, do not by any means bear to the
disposition of the country in which they appear, the sort of re-
lation one would be inclined to expect. Thus, although the
' natures of the men and women (of course a little heightened
by scenic effect), are drawn from the ordinary personages of
real life existing in the respective countries, yet the fable and
the dialogue are frequently formed upon principles totally fo-
reign from the taste of the people before whom the plays are
acted. Thus the English, who are supposed alwas to surpass
in that which is most solid, and to be surpassed by their neigh.
bours in things superficial, have not. for the most part, excel-
led in the construction of the fable, which is the most solid part
of a comedy : but they have comic authors, whose dialogue is
of the brightest and most continual wit. The French, whose dis-
position inclines them.to lighter things, have been wonderfully
successful in forming the closely-knit fabrics of their fable : but
have been greatly exceeded by the English in the construction of
tlialocue, which in France is not at all beyond the extempora-
neous capacity of ordinary speakers, but which, in some of the
hest English comedies, is almost an uninterrupted blaze of wit.
of that we wish to encourage that unnatural aptness at saying
good things,which is so perpetually obtruding itself in the playkof
13me of our great wits; hut we think the dialogue of a play should
he something,which if if never did actually pass in reaLociety, yet
might without utter improbability have passed. We can have
no objection to see wits witty ; hut we are not delighted when
we find footmen and chambermaids as intellectual as their mar-
tyr nod mistresses.
Allowing then, as we do allow, the superiority of the French
over the English authors in the inveotion of droll situations, we
most approve, rather than join our cotemporaries in condemn-
ing- the modern practice of adapting French pieces to the Eng.
lish stage, particularly pieces of mere farce. And among these
adaptations none has been more happy than the piece, altered
from the French comedy Le Portrait de Michel Cervantes, by
Mr. Charles Kcmble, aid acted for the first time on Thursday
evening, at the Haymarket. The French original is iu three
acts : Mr. Charles iCemble has compressed it into two, and re-
duced it to an afterpiece, entitled Plot and Counterplot, or The
Portrait of Michael Cervantes.
The fable is composed of the contrivances of two rivals, who
' scheme against each other in order to gain possession of a rum:
lady, the daughter of an eminent painter. Having learnt that
he has a design of painting the portrait of Cervantes, from ti
dead body of that great author, then lying in a neighbourini:
church, they employ their information in a manner productive of
infinite drollery. ye will not describe to our Reader:3 the
mode in which these ingenious intrigues are conducted ; because
we are unwilling to diminish the pleasure which they mug needs
receive ill beholding the piece itself. We shall only say, that
Leon, the more estimable of the two lovers, is ultimately suc-
cessful, au.d 111:1141e'a the lady.
In that kiml of hold broad humour, which constitut;7l
the very spirit of farce, *his afterpiece is probably without it
superior. It was received throughout with roars of laughter
and hums of applause.
Some share of the praise which this performance so loudly
obtained, was dee to the admirable acting of Mr. Liston and
Mr. Fawcett ; whose whimsical and original conceits perpetually
drew forth the most genuine of all applause, the hearty laugh
of boxes, pit, and gallery. Mrs. Gibbs too acted with great
spirit, and deserves much commendation. Mr. Putnam being
iiidiAposed, Mr. Charles Kemble represented the character of
Fernando, the more active, hut less fortunate of the two lovers.

LAW REPORT.

COURT OF KING'S BEN CII, SATURDAY JULY 2.

SENTENCE OF TUE PROPRIETOR AND PRINTER OF THE
INDEPENDENT WIG.

The Attorney-General moved the judgment of the Court on
the Defendants, the Proprietor and Printer of the independent
Whig Newspaper, who stood convicted of printing and puttll4h-
mg two libels, the one on Sir Simon Le Blanc, nhieh•tended to
bring
into contempt the administration of justice, and to holi
La abhurreace the verdict of Juries, and ti'e other ou Lord bi"