The National Register.
London, England, 1819-10-25 00:00:00

Cbtatricalfi.

Davav-Ltsts..—On Wednesday evening a new
musical drama, entitled, The Fisherman's Hsi, was
performed at this theatre. It is the production of
Mr Tobin. the Author of The Honey alums. The
serious part of the dialogue, which is couched in
blank verse, and contains some beautifill ideas—the
songs, three or four of which arc highly poetical—and
a small pinion of the jocular division of the drama—
we believe to have been written by Mr. Tobin—
but the remainder appears to us to be the work of
an it&rior hand. The characters are:

Ammo Mr. Misstate
Datazie Mr. PEN LEY
Stephapo Mr. NIUNDEX
Iti/14,zar Mr. Dower),"
Mr. HARLEY
Crier Mr. Hunitzs
emostess of .ILviena mfrs. W. WEST
Miss Ciltr.w
..Ifurriso Miss KELLY
The plot is extremely simple. The Countess of Modena,
young, rich. and beautiful. is courted by two noble youths,
littrsaint i aid Dumas°. These heroes agree to decide their res-
pective title to this paragon of excellence. 1., an appal to the
...mi. and they meet on the sea-shore for tie purpose of fighting.
'fae Count*** interferes in the midst of the conflict, and the
rie.gs agree to put up their swords. provided she will declare to
which of them she ha, given her 'Billions. and Lind herself by
an oath to marry the favoured lover before sun-rise. i'sf et some
lie.itieion she gives her hand to Boom°. The•breast of Durazzo
nor filled with the most furious jealousy. einplovs two
r• runlets! villains" to carry off the Countess. Superadded to
the reward which he proffers, they are to snake booty of the
various jewels which ornament the person of the Countess. They
succeed in sating her—but in placing her in the boat which is
to convey her to a secure cavern on the opposite side of the bay.
diautoad necklace is loosened. and falls into the sea. It is
asiusetputntly hauled up in the net of Nieolino, a fisherman,
who micas it for sale to Balthazar. it Jew. The latter is per
fectly aware of its value, but pretends that it is composed only of
Stock crystal. and purchases •it ter twenty ducats. The .lew,
hearing of a proclamation, offering it reward of one thousand ducats,
•for the discovery of the persons who had been guilty of the ab•
tlittaion of the Countess, is led to believe, as the Lady is statist
to have worn a diamond necklace whenshe was carr'ed off; that
Nieolino was privy to the foul deed. ln•the hope of gaining the
ward, he informs againo Nienlino, who is interrogated 1)4 ire
she Judge, lie positively denies any knowledge of the set, and
I...allowed until the evening to search for the Countess. Chance
leads him to the cavern where she is confined. Ile rescues her
from her perilous.rituation• with is amveving her to his but, when
Dunizzo, whose ship L. liing in the offiiig, lands for the ',unwise
of carrying his Key on hoard. tie discovers the flight of the
Coantess, pursurts, ove:talcs, and brings her back. A storm note
arises, and when he is ou the point of placing his prize oat board.
a thunderbolt strikes the vessel, which is conformal. Foiled in
his attempt to hear her from Italy, be retires with her to his cas-
tle. on thi, coast. Boson.) discovers his retreat—fires his strong
hotel—and recovers the Countess—at whose intercession he spares
the life ot his perfidious rival. The union of Boson° and the
Countless follows of course.
'Phis is a brief view of the serious portion of the
drama. The comic part is composed of the chaste
loves of Leah, a handsome 'Jewess, and Nieholino,
the fisherman—and the holy intrigues of Stephan*.
a reverend Judge, and liallhazar, to procure the
favour of Martha, the sister of Nickeling. She
tricks them both, and shames Balthazar so much,
that, to estakte further exposure, he consents to the
marriage at'his daughter, Leah. with Nieltulisio.—
The perforirters exerted their best powers. Mr.
1)owton appeared as Lia/thazar--a character which
embraces every . vice that prejudice has attributed to
the children cf Israel. Such portraits are illiberal
and unjust. Mr. Dowton played the part in a
richly homourous style. Steplutiso, a corrupt old
Judge, was excellently supported by Mr. Mundell.
Mr. Harley's Nieholino was lively and agreeable.—
The rivals, ilovaila and Dttiviczo, were respectably
sustained by Nlessrs. Hamblin anti Penley. Mrs.
W. West, as the Counkss, played her -short part
with much feeling. Miss Carew's Leak evinced
considerable degree of na;rete--and the character of
Martha was performed by Miss Kelly, with her
accustomed ability.

.7 •
The overture, by Mr. Reeve, is a pleasing com-
position. O the airs, by the same composer, we
cannot speak so favourably. An it/coca/ion. by
MA Davy, is pretty It was neatly executed by
Miss Povey.
The new scenery, particularly the view of an
Italian Bay, is very fine.
The following Prologue was delivered, with.con-
siderablz effect, by Mr. Pope :
Though living merit, well may critics dread.
Yet wire their candour will protect the dead.
And Envy's self penult the flow'r to bloom
That only sheds its fragrance on the tooth.
Ruch is iliettow'r, t 1.1.4 we transplant tnenight,
Nov need we fear from you—a sodden flight
Emil you. who still impart, with shelt'ring care,
The fmt'ring sunshine, and tire balmy air.
*Ti; yours to make the bud with vigour shoot,
To Spread the foliage, and to fix the rout.
And hence our Play, whate'er its worth may be,
N'llate'er in; fate, may urge one soft'ning plea.
The Hard has long been rehear to praise and blame,
His Kindred naly can enjoy his t.,me :
The Hard, W:lthe cloud:se:ire hopes eonld
To write as Britith l'octs wrote of yore,
And trace the sty-ps of those gigantic men,
Themighty o.eostets of the scenic pen,
rt.r..rcitca and Das:it:sits-AL and rare old BEN.
ilet- where- the rival Muses wont to reign
As if Old Drury were their own domain.
Here, then, let Genius, front the .:r.rve arise,
To claim new laurels, as his riglitt:l mite:
The sceacs we now produce. front Tonto came,
Whose former works must ratify his
Guard Cies the rrliepi,:—to his ment'ry chew
That well-carted trader:, Ire did met live to know;
In Fame's proud l'etople plane tler• s :rive pity,
His Hmeey Noun—shall roe: on the wiry.
The Epilogue was spoki.::l by Mr. Ellistoo,