The National Register.
London, England, 1816-12-16 00:00:00

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DRURY-LANE..
A new farce was brought out at this .Theatre on
Thursday night, which assumed the somewhat osten-
tatious title of Note Bette. It is one of those absurd
though pretending trifles that we would willingly suf-
fer to creep unnoticed into that oblivion which must in
a day or two close over it, except that custom demands
that a critic should come in at the death ef every drama.
We shall, therefore, merely ratify the hisses which as-
sailed it, by asserting that it deserved them all. We
cannot pretend to enter into any detail of the disjoint-
ed
,incidents which were huddled together in this in-
significant composition. The chief ingredients arc a
quack doctor, a barber, two sign-boardS, and two kicks,
in the seat of honour.

--.oo'-
COVENT-CARDV4.

........
The farce of Love a la fir de—no unhappy satire on
modern manners—was pertinmed at this Theatre on
Thursday night. We experienced a considerable degree
of pleasure in witnessing the revival of a favourite
piece, which affords infinite amusement to our brethren
of the north, in whose society the representative of Sir
Archn (Mr. 11. Johnstone) is supposed to have gradu-
ated in the proficiency of his Scottish utterance. We
yield without the least reluctance, or to the smallest
disposition to the institution of old comparisons, a sincere
avowal of the merits of this perfbrmance, as consisting
in scientific mastership over the auxiliary parts ofcomic
talent, and developing, what is still better, occasional
glimpses of that rich and native humour which bright-
ened the drama of other days. We have not room to
enter into any minute discussion, nor indeed does the
subject require it. In all probability the ambition of Mr.
H. Johnstone will not stop here ; and an occasion will
shortly present itself when a higher effort will demand
from us a more considerate opinion.
A new farce entitled Love and the Toolh7Ache, was
offered to the public on Friday night, and met with but
an indifferent reception. It is, perhaps, not a very easy
or necessary task to define the constituent qualities of
what is sometimes called genuine farce. There is, how-
ever, one rule which we apprehend to be fundamental
and universal in every species of composition--an argu-
ment is not more essential to a discourse, than a plot is
to a dramatic story. The ornaments of a beau are no-
thing without the beau himself; nor is a fable, to which
one or two captivating features are attached, sure of at-
tention, unless it have something like consistency and
verisimilitude to support it. We were dreadfully puz-
zled, it must be confessed, to discover the ultimate
meaning of the author. It occurred to us at one time,
that it was the refornation of a profligate footman : but
we were undeceived in this belief by his detection in a
gross fraud at the end of the piece. The production of
the same effect upon his master appeared then neither
an unnatural or improper design ; but no such result
was intended. The old, and as it were legitimate, re-
source of fierce-writers was appealed to, and transfor-
mations, and disguises, and blunderings, aided by the
terrors of a dentist, furnished a few scenes, to the effect
of which it wash ardly necessary that the exquisite gri-
mace of Liston should contribute. If the excitement of
laughter be, in short, the principal end of farce, a co-
pious source of amusement will be found in this very
ridiculous production.

WESTMINSTER PLAY.

Wednesday last, the King's scholars at Westminster, •
according to annual custom, performed one of Terence's
plays. The piece chosen was The 'Enoch, which,
though not so broadly laughable as the Phoratio, is the
most amusing of the whole six. To say that the drama
was correctly represented would be but meagre praise :
the parts were all tilled up and executed with greatin-
telligence and spirit. The only defects observable were
either such as arose from an inexperience of theatrical
trick, or such as did these actors honour, because they
sprung from the want of power to give affect to cer,
taro sentiments which can only he fully understood af-
ter some hackneyed intercourse with the ways of the
world. It is curious, however, that the part which
seemed to us best acted was that of Pythias, the jiwtme
de chauthre of Thais. The vivacity and apparent con-
sciousness of young White in this part charmed the
whole audience : it was a striking iiiustration of the
fact, that strong animal spirits, joiaed to a quick obser-
vation, will frequently supply the pla-x (as tar as imita-
tion goes) of a long study of men and manners. This
actor, and Mr. Bourne, the Captain of the school, who
perfbrintsl (inalho, seemed to us to enter most fully into
the spirit of their parts : but the Phcrdria of Wild, the
Pamela) of Gater, the Cheerers of Hall, the rheas!). of
Short, and the Thais of Hutchinson, were all calculat-
ed to excite respect for the talents of these difii:rent
youths. We will not, however, invidiously select when
all were worthy of eulooum.
The prologue, which consisted of some very neat
lambics, was spoken by Mr. Bourne it was dedicated
to three topics—a deserved panegyric on the the learn-
' od Dr. Vincent, the late Dean; a, handsome compli-
ment to Dr. Ireland, the present Dean ; and an expres-
loon of gratitude to Dr. Carey, the late Master.

lost w een Geode" ant
the =mitigative advantages of _ _ s__
beim@ eamoor et__
eeremanies at a fashionable watering..
place* es at &gag a mese dancing-master. The lines-
were eteeeding tense, and if not fastidiously modelled;
showed at least an intimate acquaintance with the len-
gulp of the best Roman poets.
A number of Noblemen and Gentlemen am said t•
have become purchasers of the King's Theatre.

TILE ROYAL FAMILY.
BRIGHTON, DEC. I2.—With the exception of the
Prince Regent, who tool• his usual exercise in the
Riding-school, there has been no movement among the
Royal Family during the whole course of the day,
which has ruined incessantly. The imitations to the
nobility to join the evening parties at the Pavilion con-
siderably adds to the bustle of the town, and; above ell,
t.) the interests of the inhabitants. This evening a
number of the nobility are invited to the concert at
nine o'clock.

Mr. Watier, the Prince Regent's steward, distributes
tickets to poor finnil its who ore deserving of a participa-
tion of the royal bounty.
While the Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold
were walking through the streets at Brighton on Wed-
nesday last, the crowd that collected round them, con-
sisting chiefly of boys and girls,. became so great, that
Townsend, who was in attendance, struck several of
the boys with his cane, iu order to clear the way : the
Prince, as became him, desired the officer to desist from
such unjustifiable chastisement. The populace imme-
diately- cried out, " God bless you both ; long live the
Princess and Prince."

w

THE GRAND DUKE NICHOLAS.

--sews
Cuarswon Dec.B,—Thls evening, the Grand Duke
Nicholas and snite arrived here from Derby. On the oth in-
stant Ins Highness and smite left Birmingham, after visiting
Mr. Bolton's manufactories, and all the others at that place
worthy inspection; after which they proceeded to the George
Inn,nt Lichfield, where they dined. In entering Lichfield,
the spring of his Imperial tlighitess's carriage broke, butt,
during the time of dinner, it was repaired. After dinner.
they left Lichfield for Derby, and put up at the King's H•ankl
Inn, where Mete slept.
On Friday morning, his Grace the Doke of Devonshire had
prepared a grand suit of apartments fur his Hlghnt ss and
suite; but his Imperial Highness apologized to his Grace is
not accepting of them, and renthined at the Inn, where his
Grace breakfasted with his Highness and suite. After break-
fast, three of his Grace's carriages, with leer beautiful bay
horses each, elegantly caparisoned, with coachmen, postillions,
and seven footmen in state liveries, conveyed the distinguished
party to the infirmary, and from thence to the china rnanufac.
tory, where his Imperial Highness, with his usual attention, in.
spected the whole process, with which he seemed highly
pleased.
Thence they proceeded to inspect the lead and shot mane.
factory ; after which they returned to the hotel. and pa: Isok
of an elegant collation, prepared by order of the Duke of De.
vouslilic. They then left Derby for Helper lane end, where
they inspected a cotton manufactory, the inspection of %chiefs
detained them upwards of two hours. They then proceeded
to Mattock, where the whole of the party dined. A f
dinner, the party proceeded on to his Graces noble inansion.
Chatsworth. On elite, inc the park, his Imperial Highness it'd
suite were most agreeably surprised at seeing the grand avenue
leading to the house lighted by men on horseback, with lan-
terns and tlantheanx. The t ',aeriar as well u interior of that
noble mansion was brilliantly illuminated. His Imperial
Highness was conducted by. his Grace to a superb suit of
rooms, which was prepared on the occasion, as were aiso the
whole of the other snits. _ _

At eight o'clock dinner was announced, and he dining
room, with the redundant brilliancy of the highly-fini•hed
chandeliers, candelabras, Grecian sod Egyptian lamps, toge-
ther with a quantity of gold and silver displayed on the side-
boards, afforded a most delightful coup d nett. On Saturday
morning the illustrious visitor and Suite, accompanied by his
Grace and the keepers, went out on * shooting party, when
a great quantity of game was Wed. The Grand Duke is an
excellent shot, and particularly fond of the sport. The next
day the whole bf the party were at Castletown, to slew the
peak and ether curiosities. On Monday morning, the Grand
Duke and snite left Chatsworth furobetheld, intending to peas
the night at Leeds.

ROYAL ACADEUY.—On Tuesday night the distribu-
tion of the prizes teal: place at the Royal Actureuty.—
In Painting, the principal prize was allotted to Mr.
Elton, for his copy from Rembrandt ; and the second
prize to Mr. Carruthers, for his copy from T ritan.—ln
the Life Aradent.9, Mr. Leslie obtained the prize for
Drawing.—ln the Antique Sekool, Mr. Shcpperson re-
ceived the prize.—ln Sculphrre, Mr. Behnes—and in
Archilc.-!urc, Mr. Donaldson.
MRS. COUTTS'S SOUP KITCHEN.—This Lady has
adopted a phin to mitigate the sufferings of the poor at
Higlig,ate. I ler regular distribution every Friday is us
follows :-501b. of bear, four ox-heads, with rice and
such other materials as are required to make a strong
soup. She has too two quart and one quart jugs, with
the names of 100 persons, whom she has discovered to
be proper objects of charity, affixed to each. Those who
have wives and families have A two Tian jug of this
soup, and two slices of the beef, and those without chil-
dren half the quantity. By this means, tOO families,
including 69 wises and 390 children, are in sore de-
gree relieved weekly; and our Reader:: will be supiised
to learn, that the expence hardly exceeds two guineas..
How requisite is it then for every Coldly to pursue in
souse degree this praiseworthy course, when so much
rind good is effected at an expence not worthy of men.,
ton.

THE NATIONAL RETSTEIt.
-lowir—
TII E DRAMA. The epilogue was a
Thrace; •ed discussed