The National Register.
London, England, 1811-06-16 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

The name of this piece sufficiently explains the vlot to every
person at all acquainted with the History of England. I there-
fore think it quite unnecessary to enter into any thing like
a minute description of it; and indeed its merits are not
such as to entitle it to particular notice. It gives us rather
a heightened representation of the adventures of the Second
Csbute es, prior to his restoration to the Throne. The Play is
of a serious cast. Mr. DIMON D's former unsuccessful attempts
at humour, seem to have made a proper impression on his
mind. Some of the situations are very good, and the Stage
effect is, in several instances, most striking. Tlic Play is less
interesting than most of this Author's former productions, and
Itilr.DiasaND may, with Much propriety, ni..ke use of the
spliftch addressed on one occasion by the Poet WALLER to the
Item of " The Royal' Oak." On the restoration of King
CiLA R.LF.6 the Second, WALLER presented him with a congra-
tulatory Poem on the happy occasion. His Muse, on the
exaltation of CROMWELL, had furnished a production of the
same sort. The King, on reading the Poem so presented,
ore are informed, told the Poet, that it was inferior to
that which he had written on a fmner occasion in
Fraise of CROMWELL. To this the Bard aptly and wittily
reLlied, "Ma t it please your Majesty, ire, Poets, gene-
xtrally succeed better junction than in truth." This. I must say,
froni Mr. Dim° N eve, appears to be a just observation. 1-le
has been less successful in writing the True story of CUARLES
the Second, than in delineating the fictitious adventures of
"'• The Pet..sant Bev," " The Anthytti Smt," and " The Foundling
of tic Forest." Great allowances are, however, to be made for
the nianitt.r in which it was acted. It is rit,t every play that
could outlive the exertions of the Haymarket actors. Oil Cie
present occasion, though sonic of the principal characters were
very alily sustained, others were so indifferent iy prfermed, that
with an ill-natured audience, they would have caused " The
Aosta' Oak" to be prematurely cut down. G.

Cumberland's Sharpshooters,' &c. The cavalry was stationed
to the rear of the Vainteers across the Heath. The latter made
a fine appearance. A ring of about a mile diameter was formed
by the carriages and spectators, and the spectacle from the heights
contiguous was grand. There could not have been less than
100,000 persons on the ground.
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent arrived on the right
of the lines about twelve o'clock ; his appearance was an•
nounced by a discharge of artillery. A royal salate followed,
and the bands performed " God save the King." His Royal
Highness proceeded down the line of volunteers with a mime.-
rous escort. The Prince wore a Field Marshal's uniform, with
the cordon blue over his shoulder. The Duke of York, and the
Duke of Cambridge rode on his right, and a numerous Staff of
Gene el Officers f 'flowed. In addition to the Noblemen and
Officers, upwards of 2f:00 private gentle. len were in the suite.
The military escort consisted of the life guards, and a detach-
ment from the loth light dragoons (the Prince's own regiment).
His Royal Highness and Staff soon after occupied a station
about the centre of the line of volunteers. According to pre-
vious arrangements, a
.fete de joie then ensued, from the right,
all round the lines. The troops tired in succession, almost in-
stantaneously, produced an effect which words cannot describe.
In tie- sho: t space of four minutes, 24;000 firelocks were dis- •
charged over a considerable tract of ground occupied by the
troops. The feu de joie from the front rank was answered by
the rear rank, and again repeated by the front rank. Three
cheers, with caps in the air, succeeded; the voices of the troops
was grand and impressive. The spectators joined in the joyful
exclamations, and was left in every direction, while echo front
the distant hirs sent back the plaudits. After this scene of
triumph, the troops pasetd in review before the Prince in a
steady manner 'They then marched oft the :ath, to mike
way for the cavalry, which appeared in excellent order. Ater
the review, the Prince, Duke of York, and Duke of Cumber-
land proceeded to the neat and elegant cottage of Lord Var.
mouth, at Putney sic ath, to take refreshment. Lord Yarmeuth
had previously erected in his garden, on a beautiful grass
two Superb marquees, solely for the reception of his illustrious
visitors. The largest formed a pavilion, neat, cool, and elegant;
the inside was lined with printed cotton, the bottom (grass) was
covered with matting ; tables were spread in the must tasteful
order with efreshments, on a rich service of plate; and, in
short, the whole could not be excelled by eastern luxury. An
ailjoiniog tent, not inferior to the first, was appropriated to the
Officers and attendants of the Royal Party.
The Pricce Regelit, Duke of York, and Duke of Cumlierland,
were received, on then- arrival, by a Guard of Honour, iortm d
by the Duke of Cumberland's rifle corps, on horseback. The
illustrious guests were joined by the Duchess of Yea k, and the
Royal Party partook of the tare provided, while the band be-
lcmeing to the Prince's regiment pet formed several pieces of
music. After this agreeable and frugal reFatt, the Royal Visi•
tors left the cottage, and the Regent returned with his escort to
town.

The Volunteers sustained a few accidents, and the spectators
did not escape mischance. Colonel Robinson, of the West-
minster Vohniteirs, we art sorry to learn, was titrowen from his
horse, and dangerously hurt. Oitt of the Voion tefis, at:cur:B:l
to rerot, was tii•owned during I.!ie embarlciaion in the boats of
the Fercibles. Another wi.s thrown front his horse, which
rolled over him, and bruised him severely.
On the Prince Reg...nt's appearing on ',lie Heath, the acclama-
tions of the populace were uubnorided ; and the Royal Com-
tnam eria Chief, as we haveilready said, had his share of gra-
tulacctry applause. •l'he sceliNnt tai; monient was universally
inspiring : it exhihired the Eritish people with one coniintin in-
terest, j-lyfoilv rallying round the illustrious heirs of the House
of Brunswick. •

,The Prince rode his favourite grey charger, svore'the blue
ribbaud, w the Star of the Garter over his Field NlaNiara
tnform, hr
his graceful deportment, gave a prineely 'tnne
to the military character. '1 he vvnole ieft the field AL live u'cluLkt
in the same Lades in which they enter; a it.