Star.
London, England, 1809-08-24 00:00:00

CO YEUT-GARDEN THEM^ RE.

THE SCULPTURE ON THE FRONT OF COVENT.
GARDEN THEATRE.
Within these few days, a great part of the scaf'old•
ing has been removed from the front of Covent Oat.
den Theatre, which is now nearly finished. Two
sheds, one on each side of the Portico, which had
been erected for the accommodation of the Sculptors,
have also been taken down, and thus has been expos-
ed to view the elegant pieces of emblematic sculpture
which have, afforded much gratification to the ama-
teurs, and have greatly excited the curiosity of the
Public.

Crowds assemble every day in Bow-street, to view
those specimens of the fine arts whh.h are repreaenta:
tions of the ancient and modern Drama, hi bnsso-re-
lievo. The designs are classical, and the execution
masterly ; and the following short account of the sub-
jects will, we are pen suaded, prove interesting to our
Readers. The piece representing the Ancient Dra.
ma is to the north of the portico, and that represent.
ing the Modern Drama is on the south side.

THE ANCIENT DRAMA.
In the centre, three Greek Poets are sitting, the two
looking towards the portico, are Aristophanes, repre-
senting the Old Comedy, and (nearest to the spec-
tator) Menander, representing the New Comedy...—
Before them Thalia presents herself with her crook
and comic mask, as the object of their imitation. She
is followed by Polyhymnia playing on the greater lyre,
Euterpe on the lesser lyre, Clio with the long pipes,
and Terpsichore, the Muse of Action or Pantomime.
These are succeeded by three Nymphs crowned with
the loaves of the fir-pine, and in succinct tunics, re-
presenting the hours or seasons, governing and at-
tending the winger' horse Pegasus.
The third sitting figure in the centre, looking from
the portico, is alEschylus, the Father of Tragedy. He
holds a scroll open on his knee ; his attention is fixed
on Wisdom, or Minerva, seated opposite to the Poet.
She is distinguished by her helmet and shield. Be,
tween lEschylus and Minerva, Bacchus stands lean-
ing cn his fawn, because the Greeks represented
Tragedies in honour of Bacchus. Behind Minerva
stands Melpomene, or Tragedy, holding a sword and
mask ; then follow two Furies, with snakes and torches
pursuing Orestes, who stretches his hands to suppli-
cate Apollo for protection. Apollo is represented in
the quadr;ga, or four horsed hariot of the Sun. The
last described figures relate to part of ./Eschylus's
Tragedy of Oreste.r.
THU MODAIRN DRAMA.
In the centre, (looking from the Portico) Shake-
spear is sitting ; the Comic and Tragic Masks, with'
the Lyre, are about his seat ; his right hand is raised,
expressive of calling up the following Characters in
the Tenipeit Caliban, laden, with wood ;
next Ferdinand, sheathing his sword; then Miranda,
entreating Prospero in behalf of her lover ; they are
led on by Ar:el above, playing on a lyre. This part
of the compos;tion is terminated by Hecate (the three-
formed Goddess) in ker car, drawn by oxen, descend.
ing. She is attended by Lady Macbeth, with the
daggers in her hands, followed by Macbeth turning.'
in horror from the body of Duncan behind him.
In the centre, looking towards the Portico, is Mil-
ton, seated, contemplating Urania, according to his
owo description in the Paradise Lost. Urania is seated
facing him above ; at his feet is Sampson Agonistes
chained. The remaining figures represent the Masque
of Comus ; the two brothers drive out three Baccha-
nals, with their staggering leader, Comus. The En-
chanted Lady is seated in the chair, and the series is
ended by two Tygers, representing the transforrn4-
tions of Comus's devotees.

The designs of both Basso-relieyos, and the model
of the Ancient Drama, are by Mr. FLAXMAN. The
model of the Modern Drama, and the execution iu
stone, is by Mr. Rossi.
The Statues representing Tragedy and Comedy,
intended for the niches in the wings of the Theatre,
are completed, and, we understand, will he put up
on Saturday next. Each of the.ie figures is seven feet
high.
TRAGEDY, to occupy which the With in the southern
extremity of the buddihg, or that nearest to Russell-
street, is a fine figure hDlding the Tragic mask and
dagger. The Sculptor is Mr. Rossi.
ComEDY holds the shepherd's crook or pedum, on
her right shoulder, and the comic mask in her left-
hand. this statue, which is the workmanship of Mr.
FlAxmax, is to be placed in the nich in the northern
extremity of the building next to Long Acre.

Yesterday a great number of stage wings, and other
scenery, was conveyed in waggons to Covent-garde*
Theatre. Many of them were 22 feet in height.
Tuesday morning a pitched battle was fought 06
Kennington Common between a Gentleman's coach.
man of Vauxhall and a Waterman of Lambeth, for
five guineas each.:. Wle conflict continued for nearly
thirty minutes, during which much skill was display-
ed by each, and at last terminated in favour of the
former.
Saturday se'nnight, in an awful storm, the lightning
killed a farmer's son named Henderson and four
horses, in a shed at the head of Gallowgate, New-
castle, during the fair. Two other persons, and two
other horses, in the same shed, %%ere snack, but reco-
vered. A cow was killed at, Fulwell.

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