The National Register.
London, England, 1811-07-07 00:00:00

REGISTER.

HAYMARKI:r THEATRE.

The anguish some authors feel when compelled to scratch
out part of what they have written, is really se great, that they
hardly suffer less than a common man would experience, if by
any tyrannical mandate be found himself condemned to mangle
his own child. An author's manner of proceeding in such a
case, has also some resemblance to that of the agonised father
in the situation which I have supposed. Instead of going-about
it with a good grace, and striking with that resolution, which
taste in the one instance, and tyranny in the other, would
require, he tremblingly advances to the dreaded task, strikes
with a faultering band, and where the blow can be ?east per-
ceived, and at length persuades himself, that he bas finished.
what others can hardly believe he has begun.

Of this the conduct of Mr. DII3DIN affords but too perfect an
illustration. After his 64 Round Robin" was hooted from the.
stage on the first night, the public were informed 44 that the
author,•with the greatest deference to their opinion, had with-
drawn it for revisal and correction, and hoped shortly to bring
it before them again in a less objectionable shape." From this,
when I saw it announced for a second representation on the 29th
of last month, I did expect that some alteration of importance
would have been made in it, though I could liardly believe.it
possible to render it what it ought to be, to please an assembly
of rational beings. To my surprise, however, I found that
scarcely any perceptible change had been made. With all his
defireace for the public, IVlr. DTBDIN seems to have had too
much deference' fur his own production to expunge any one part,
which had been objected to by the audience, or to vary any
thing which had, in the first 'instance, excited disaPprobation.
The consequence was, the author's friends were soon put quite
out of countenance; every former unpleasant feeling was revived,
and the piece was damned a second time.
Another attempt was made by the managers of this theatre
to charm the town with novelty on Thursday, when a new piece
was prodaced under the title of " The Outside Passenger.'s
This piece is said to be the production of Mr. BREWER,
" Author of Essays and Characteristics." I cannot boast much
intimacy with his former works, but I must do him the justice
to say, that if he failei of making himself ridiculous before, he
has succeeded to admiration now. I cannot better expose the
absurdity of this thing, than by giving the regular account of the
plot, aes it has appeared hi some of the Daily Papers.
" Two travellers are at an inn on the Portsmouth road ; Fog,
a spruce clerk to a milliner and haberdasher in London, who is
travelling for orders, but whose head is full of poetical quota..
tions, which he murders at every line ; and Seaweed, a veteran,
Alderman Anchovy, Miss Anchovy, Lestina, the Alderman's
daughter, and Captain Pennant, her lover, who is about to
have England, and who is accompanied by the family in his
journey to Portsmouth. The night is inclement, and the Coach..
man intercedes with the party to allow an Outside Passenger.
a respectable old Gentleman, to ride within the next stage,
which is opposed by Miss Anchovg, in language not unfrequtntly
heard on the road ; Captain Pennant, however, generously offers
to ride outside himself, sooner than permit an eldcrly gentle-
man to be exposed to the night, and the strangerris admitted ;
but is obliged to endure some mortitications from the remarks
of Miss Anchovy, who entertains an admiration of Mr. Fog, that
threatens to disturb the peace of Fanny, the daughter of Old
Mulberry, the landlord, who has a liking for him, but cannot
obtain her father's consent. Captain Pennant recognises his old
shipmate Seaweed, and after a little refreshment, the stage being
ready, the passengers depart, with which the First Act con-
eludes. The opening of the Second announces the coach having
broken down, and all is bustle ; Miss Anchor!) is borne in the
arms of Seaweed ; Latina is rescued from the danger by her
lover, to whom her hand is promised by the Aidtrmani in case

be returns richer. Nose of the passengers are hurt, and the
overthrow affords an opportunity to Mr. FNg to explain his love
to Miss Anchovy, who receives him with great condescension
until she hears his situation, and that he has no money nor pre-
tensions to family, when she boxes his ears for his presumption,
which action is reiterated by Fanny, who enters at the moment,
and the unhappy Fog, likely to lose both chances, retires in de-
spair. The " Outside Passenger," meanwhile, receives a pecu-
niary aid from Captain Pennant, and is making some inquiries
into the circumstances of the Captain's intended alliance, with
what appears an unbecoming curiosity, when the company are
disturbed by Seaweed's dragging in poor Fog, who it seems, in
his love contemplations, the night being now fine, had slipt
into a mill-pond, and was saved by Seaweed. Poor Fog, drip-
ping wet, is at length taken away by the relenting Fenny to a
fire to dry himself, when a fresh accident occurs. A &ill'
arrives with a writ against Captain Pennant, for a sum for which
he declares he became answerable for a friend. The Aldesman
s displeased that an involved man should have a claim to his
daughter's hand, and the gallant Captain generously gives up his
pretensions. The " Outside Passenger" now interferes, and
offers his assistance, which.is not attended to ; he next demands
of the Bailiff to witiom the writ is addressed ? 'and then directs
him to let his prisoner go, with which requisition he is unwilling
to comply, until the entrance of a qentionan's Coachman, who
proves the ideptity of the " (Wade Passenger," and that he is
Sir Simon Radius, a Baronet, and the Sheriff of the County.—
Sir Simon does not, however, limit the return he makes for the
Captain's philanthropy merely to a temporary discharge, for
being without children er relations, he settles every thing to the
satisfaction of Mr. Ald&mon dincitevy;and the lovers are united.
He intercedes also with the fair Fanny, and Fog, who reappears
in something of a better plight, is made happy with the req."—
The Moral of the piece is, that sometimes he who confers a
small benefit, meets with an unexpected and ample reward.
After reading the above sketch of " The Outside Passenger,"
together with the moral attached to it, I am di-posed to
think there will be many persons of opinion with me, that Mr.
BREWER might quite as well have employed his talents in dra-
matisi.ng the fable of the " Lion and the Mouse," as in thus
illustrating that venerable moral. Than this Farce nothing can
be more poor in design, or contemptible in execution. :Though
as extravagant as a Pantomime, it is duller than an ;11 written
sermon, lazily drawled out by a drowsy preacher. 'There is
neither originality nor strength of character in it ; and the con-
duct of it is as bad, as the dialogue is insipid. It boasts a tole-
rably well written song or two, and this constitutes in only
merit. Upon the whole, it is a senseless, tasteless performance ;
and though strongly supported by a party on the first night, it
was so completely knocked on the head by the judicious part of
the audience, that though it may stagger on a little Lrther, I
have no doubt but " The Outside Passenger" will soon be thrown
off :lie stage. G.

• THE NATIONAL- REGISTER.

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cesbful, and one sung by Lovrottovt, has been repeatedly calli4
for, not only a second, but a third time. The Farce was much
too long, for an Aftcrpiece, on the tiro night, but it has since
been curtailed. It was• received with the most tumultuous ap-

plause, and seems likely to have a considerable run. The
Music, by Mr. SnuTu, if not strikingly original, is pleasingsend
appropriate. The whole Interior of the 'Theatre has been
greatly improved, and many of the alterations seem really In-
tended for,the accommodation of thepublic.
3lissi 11. KELLY, who performed with great applause last
season at the Haymarket, is engaged here, and has met with
a very flattering reception. She made her first appearance in the
Opera of Plots ! or; Tile North Tower.

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

The Managers of this House seem determined to keep it °pest
all the year. Mrs. JORDAN is now engaged, and is performins
her favourite characters with all her accustomed spirit and suc-
cess. The Widow Cheerty, in The Soldier's Daughter, amil
Donna Violante, in The Wonder, she has already appeared ism;
and she is now announced to sustain several of her favourite
parts in the ensuing week. The Equestrian Company have
been re-engaged ; so that the Summer Theatres may despair cf
being well attended at present. Messrs. Krritrmr: and HARR!,
have grown so ravenous of late, th it poor COLMAN and Mr..
ARNOLD are in danger of being devoured by these mighty Thea-
trical cormorants. G.