on the acting manager. But opera is always out of time, and tragedy invariably funny, at the Haymarket.

On Saturday, the 1st, Drury Lane commenced its winter season with Tobin's "Honey Moon," and Planche's" Brigand ;" but we must completely forget how the former has been played, to praise it now. Wallack, as the Duke Aranza, was noisy, but not dignified, and Miss Phillips, as Juliana, merely passablement bien, and very so so. Jones, from Edinburgh, however clever in other characters, is very unfit for Rolando,-and the two fair debutantes, Mrs Brudenell and Miss Kenneth, too much awed by the terrors of a London audience, to do justice even to their own abilities in Zamora and Violante, though both promise well. The inferior parts were all far better sustained; but the whole representation passed off with more indifference, and less applause, than we ever witnessed it. Macready has since appeared as Werner and Alfred, with all that splendour of genius which has made those characters his own, and his only; and Mr and Mrs Wood are announced for a first appearance on the 15th; shortly after which, Auber's last new work, "done into English," by Planché, under the title of "The Love Charm, or, the Village Coquette," is "to give the world assurance" of what an opera ought to be. Monsieur Martin's menagerie is in daily rehearsal of the long-promised "Eastern Spectacle," which is to astonish us in the course of a fortnight, though its path to publicity is even now beset with difficulties, which the uninitiated little dream of. Notwithstanding this Theatre justly boasts its conclave of "Seven wise men," or "Council of ten," or whatever other number its gifted management consists of, still, strange to relate, Mr Barrymore, their former pantomimist, having migrated to America, there is not one amongst them competent to superintend the bringing out of this bestial novelty. In which dilemma, therefore, Captain Polhill has called in the aid of Mr Ducrow, who has recommended the engagement of Monsieur Huguet, and his two elephants, who are consequently to add to the attractions of the lions, tigers, boa constrictors, and kangaroos, that are to prowl over the stage which has been immortalized by Garrick, Sheridan, and Kemble! The decorations of the theatre remain precisely the same, with the exception of the saloon, which has been repainted in a very inferior style to that of former seasons. The company en masse seems to possess nearly the same average of talent as usual; though Liston's place will be very inadequately supplied by Harley; and Harley himself be equally missed in his own peculiar department. The first novelty of the new campaign, was a two-act drama, from the French, entitled "Dominique, or, it is the Devil;" which, to the credit of the managers be it recorded, has been already produced at no less than four minor theatres! Its first performance here was on Saturday last. Wallack was the hero, and it was moderately successful.

Covent Garden, which opened on Monday, the 3d instant, also remains unaltered, excepting by the improvement of a new ceiling, which adds much to the beauty of the house. The opening play was " Hamlet," with Young, who announces this as his last season, as the Royal Dane; and never did he portray that difficult character with greater truth and energy, though he has been attacked by one of our contemporaries for using two miniatures of his father and his uncle, in the closet scene of the third act, instead of having, as our critic recommends, two large paintings of them on the walls. To our praises of his performauce, we must add a defence of its propriety, for which we think two plain reasons will amply suffice. Shakspeare's words are, however, "Look upon this picture, and on this!" which must refer to two small portraits held in the hand. Had Hamlet turned his mother's attention to paintings hung against the room, his words must have been, "Look upon that picture, and on that!" whilst it will be, of course, very readily conceded, that the resemblance of a former hus

band, whom she had connived at murdering, to marry with his brother, would have been one of the very last decorations which the queen would have selected for her own private closet. We have, however, seen it played so, we think, by Warde at Covent-Garden; and had we been sceptical before, that would have convinced us, for a more clumsy exhibition we never witnessed; and, excepting as a sort of daring novelty, it would never have been tolerated. The Kembles, Young, Kean, and Macready, all used or use miniatures, and their practice, independent of our own unanswerable arguments, we feel to be quite conclusive. Miss Inverarity and Wilson have returned as full of song as they left us, and Auber's opera of "Fra Diavolo," translated by Rophino Lacy, is to introduce our very best English singer, Braham, alse. Miss Kemble's first appearance will be in Queen Katherine, one of the favourite characters of her late aunt, in a revival of Shakspeare's "Henry VIII," with Young and her father as Wolsey and the King; and Miss Ellen Tree as Anne Boleyn; the ceremony of whose coronation will be introduced in the fourth act, in a style of accuracy, and splendour of costume and arrangement, which is never even attempted at any other house. The company remains nearly the same, with the exception of Blanchard, who is gone to America, and Warde in banco regis.

Of the minors, we can subjoin but very few remarks; Astley's has closed a very successful season, and promises many improvements for the next. The Surrey and Coburg are both doing well, and certainly well deserve to do 80. The latter, in particular, has several really talented performers. Of the Queen's Theatre, Sadler's Wells, the Pavilion, the Garrick, and the Panarmonion, we can say nothing, for we positively know nothing; but the two most popular minors, whose proprietors, however, have made them, like themselves, majors,-Matthews and Yates's Adelphi, and Madame Vestris' Olympic, have reopened as attractively as ever, and with such performers as they both possess, must continue so. In conclusion, then, we take the liberty to add one word respecting ourselves, to relieve the minds of thousands of our kind readers. On the first evening of Monsieur Martin's beasts at Drury Lane, equally for our friends' sakes as for own, we shall take especial care to occupy such a box, as shall prevent any of the lions from making a meal of Peregrine Somerset.

THE EDINBURGH DRAMA.

(From a Musical Correspondent.)

MUSICAL entertainments form, now-a-days, so very considerable a portion of our theatrical entertainments, that we were not a little anxious to hear the "chosen band," whose performances were either to tickle or torture our ears during the season. Considering the present dearth of vocal talent even in the metropolis, and the consequent difficulty of engaging efficient singers for provincial theatres, we have, upon the whole, no reason to complain of our new corps musicale. Since the opening, we have had few opportunities of hearing its strength put forth, except in the opera of Love in a Village, which called upon the respective powers of Messrs White and Martyn, and Misses Byfield and Atkinson; and though by no means an opera fitted to display the best qualities of vocal ability, yet, for want of a better, we must take it, as a partial touchstone of their merits. Miss Byfield is a delightful restoration. Since we heard her at the Caledonian Theatre she is vastly improved. Indeed, with a few exceptions on the London boards, we know of none we could have more desired for our prima donna. Spirited, graceful, and correct in her acting, and with musical powers of the highest order, she unites qualities rarely possessed by those in her walk of the drama. Rosetta must not be looked upon as a test of her capabilities. The operatic airs she sings are chaste and simple, and

she did them all justice; but her fame rests on a loftier claim, that of having succeeded in music of a more classical stamp-and which we look forward to hearing her in again, with the greater pleasure that her improvement in style and execution will enhance our admiration and delight.

Mr White seems to prefer introduced songs to the good old music of the opera, a preference which argues either a perverted taste, or pays a very bad compliment to his audience, for nothing can be given, in their simple and unpretending style, better than the original songs; and we grieve to see them ousted for the substitution of such commonplace namby pamby as, "Oh still remember me," or such unappropriate intrusions as, Orynthia, my beloved." What, in the name of consistency, could induce Young Meadows, in the most critical moment of his existence, to strike up such a formidable bravura, calling in lugubrious recitative, for "his Orynthia," till his lungs as well as our patience were exhausted? Mr White, no doubt, reckoned it one of his best songs, and justified certainly by equally preposterous precedents, in he pops this English scena, to accommodate itself, as it best may, with the unobtrusive melodies of Arne, Boyce, and Galuppi! Mr White's voice is a tenor of an agreeable quality, and his singing would, we think, please, if he would only "bear his body more seemingly." At present his movements are so ridiculously awkward, that any gratification his singing may give, is distracted with the contemplation of his physical gesticulations.

Martyn is a man of very different metal. Hawthorn, though a correct, is but a cold imitation of nature, but he put life into it, and acted with spirit. Like his precursors, he shyed some of the finest airs allotted to his part, but he supplied a good bacchanalian song, which, unlike Mr White's introductions, was highly appropriate. Though his acting was good, we must hear him again before he gets his musical credentials. His voice appears to have scarcely depth enough for a true bass-besides, his lower notes seem rather tuneless. We hope for the best, and are prepared, not certainly for the worst, but to find him but a sorry substitute for Reynoldson. Miss Atkinson is evidently a novice in her profession, and being but "a pupil," must not be dealt with harshly. She has much to do and undo; but with diligence she may come to manage her voice, which was rather de trop for the simple little ditties of Madge. Mackay's Justice Woodcock always makes us laugh-Mrs Nicol's Deborah is faultless, and Stanley was abundantly clownish, selfish, and unfeeling in Hodge, the best drawn character in the opera, which has few intrinsic merits of its own to recommend it, and owes its existence almost entirely to the sweet music of which it is the vehicle.

We shall have more to say on these vocalists when we have heard them in music which will put their powers to a proper test.

A new Annual is announced for 1832-The Bouquet.

A translation from the German is on the eve of publication"Memoirs of the Poles under the Government of the Grand Duke

Constantine," by Harro Harring, late an officer in the Russian Imperial Life-Guard. This work was suppressed by order of the Prussian Government.

Mr Frederic Madden is preparing for publication the ancient

Scotch Metrical Romance of Sir Gawayne and the Green Knizt, from a unique MS. preserved in the British Museum. Mr Maurice Cross, Secretary of the Belfast Historic Society, is editing" Selections from the Edinburgh Review," comprising the best articles in that Journal from its commencement to the present time, with a Preliminary Dissertation and Explanatory Notes, Mr Henry Sewell Stokes will shortly publish "The Song of Albion.”

Heeren's Reflections on the Politics, Intercourse, and Com. merce of Society, is about to appear in an English dress. "The Usurer's Daughter," is announced as from the pen of a contributor to Blackwood.

Selections from the Poems of Southey are about to be published,

uniform with those from Wordsworth.

The Rev. H. C. O'Donoghue is preparing a Sketch of the Prin

Mr James Steele, the author of a Discourse on the Ministry of

cipal Events connected with the History of Modern Europe. Angels, and other works published in Inverness, is at present publishing, by subscription, a small volume, containing three religious discourses;-1. On the Character of Angelic Beings, as developed in Scripture; 2. On the Resurrection of our Saviour; 3. On the Sin and Danger of Apostasy from the Christian Faith. NEWCASTLE. In addition to the usual exhibition of painting and sculpture in Blackett Street, Mr D. Dunbar has this year opened an exhibition of productions of the latter art alone. It contains many fine casts from the antique, and several creditable productions of modern art. The schism was occasioned by a ridiculous prudery on the part of the managers of the Blackett Street concern-of which they have already had ample cause to repent. CHITCHAT FROM GLASGOW.-You cannot form a notion of the intense excitement that prevails here on the present position of the Reform question. Business is almost suspended; even a newlydiscovered play of Shakspeare would not at this moment be looked at. The Chameleon, you may well judge, is looking blue, lest, when it comes out of its shell, it should not be red (read). Paga nini performs here on Thursday. This second Orpheus may, perhaps, soothe the turmoil.

Theatrical Gossip.-Somerset is at his post, and there is nothing stirring among the provincials.-A new law is contemplated by the legislature, relating to the Drama, by which the Lord Chamberlain, for the time being, shall be entitled to a complete jurisdiction over all the theatres in London and its environs; at present, the control of the Lord Chamberlain extends only to DruryLane, Covent Garden, the Haymarket, the Italian Opera House, the Adelphi, the English Opera House, and the Olympic Theatre. Madame Pasta, Rubini, and Lablache, are now performing in the Italian Opera at Paris, where Pasta has been more successful, and is in higher favour, than at any former period. Notwithstanding the great paucity of English residents in the French capital, and the somewhat diminished ardour for theatricals in general, the conservatoires of the Italian Opera have little cause to com plain.-Madame Malibran is, at present, pursuing a most success. ful exercise of her professional talents in the French provinces. In the theatre at Lille, for one evening's performance, about ten days ago, she received three hundred pounds sterling.-Alfred has been busy this week putting the last hand to his new edition of the Talmud, but his duty has been ably discharged by his substi. tute.

WEEKLY LIST OF PERFORMANCES.
October 8-14.

LITERARY CHITCHAT AND VARIETIES.

We have seen the specimen sheet and plate of the Chameleon, which, as is done with the Annuals, is issued or sent ont as a pilot balloon. It is very beautiful; and if the whole work resembles it in execution, it will really deserve the distinction of being the first "Scottish Annual," as well as being the only one wholly

from one hand.

COOPER'S "Bravo" is nearly ready for publication. "The Literary Jewel, or Diamond Cabinet Library," is preparing for the press. The first volume contains the works of Burns.

A "Diamond Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland," is in the press; to which will be appended the census of 1831.

Mr D. C. Read of Salisbury, is about to present the public with a Series of Etchings, which have already met with high enco miums in the circles of taste.

About Christmas may be expected, "The Founders of the Commonwealth; comprising Political Memoirs of Eliot, Pym, Hampden, Vane, and Algernon Sydney; with incidental notices of the most eminent republicans."

LITERARY CRITICISM.

ANNUALS.

The Amethyst; or, Christian's Annual for 1832. Edited
by Richard Huie, M. D., and Robert Kaye Greville,
LL.D. Edinburgh: William Oliphant. London:
Simpkin and Marshall.

The Amulet. A Christian and Literary Remembrancer.
Edited by S. C. Hall. London: Westley and Davis.
1832. Edinburgh: John Boyd.
The Juvenile Forget-Me-Not. A Christmas and New
Year's Gift, or Birthday Present. 1832. Edited by
Mrs S. C. Hall. London: Westley and Davis.
Edinburgh: John Boyd.

us.

THE full spring-tide of annualism has again set in upon First was heard, like the roar of many waters, the various announcements, and the sough of preliminary puffs. Then came a few stray plates, like the firstling waves wreathing round our feet, and again receding, or drunk up by the thirsty sand. More like to the heaving billows of the rising sea, "The Landscape" and "The Picturesque" flung themselves down before us. And now they are pouring in on every side, tumultuous and triumphant, gorgeous as the hues of the dying dolphinemerald, regal purple, and sunny amethyst.

We have got among the good-boy books this week. First comes" The Amethyst,"-first, because it is a stranger, and as such we give it welcome. Of Dr Huie we know nothing further than what we gather from his writings-that he is an excellent, amiable man, and not much of a poet. But who knows not Greville? We speak not of him in his botanical capacity—where also he stands high-but in his public capacity of missionary of the Temperance Society, anti-slavery orator, and exhibiter of water-colour paintings. In enumerating his favourite pursuits, we have described the character of his mind. Elegant and tasteful-tant soit peu puritanical-amiable, benevolent, and unwearied in well-doing-gentle to a degree rarely found in the ruder sex, yet not without a spice of the devil if roused as he is, so is his Annual in every respect save the last.

The preface speaks thus: "The editors of the Amethyst have given to their work the name and external appearance of an Annual, in the hope that many may thereby be induced to purchase and peruse it, who might otherwise have overlooked or neglected a publication professedly of a religious character. But while in sinless compliance, as they trust, with the taste of the day, they have thus adopted a prevailing form of publication, it has been their undivided aim to render their work subservient to the advancement of pure and undefiled religion, by soliciting the aid of those friends only whose views of divine truth were sound and evangelical. The editors have refrained from adding to the price of their work, by the adoption of costly embellishments. The setting of the Amethyst is plain, but the metal is pure, and the gem itself is genuine." Nor is this saying a word too much. A spirit of elegance breathes throughout the work, purified and ennobled by the most amiable Christian feeling.

續

Price 6d.

We need only say, that among the contributors we find Friends Opie and Bernard Barton, the talented editors, the Rev. Edward Craig, J. Montgomery, the Rev. William Ellis, Dr Belfrage, Hetherington, &c. &c. The following beautiful and judicious remarks, will give the reader a fair idea of the prose contributions :

"Religious sensibility is certainly not a thing to be afraid of. Though it sometimes evaporates in extravagance, this is more likely to be the consequence of coercion than of indulgence. It is in most cases the mere fermentation of feeling that has been long suppressed, and is then suddenly and injudiciously excited; and it is thus the result, not of stimulants, but of discouragement. Had the mind been always accustomed to a holy familiarity with religion, there would be little danger of its running into excess.

"The early developement of a suitable sentiment, then, is the best antidote against this evil. And there are touches of much that is beautiful and affecting in this early and habitual developement. When it really is the object to promote a filial sympathy with God, there is a constant eliciting of feelings and deepening of impressions, which are all good and heaven-like. The wants and occupations of life, instead of stifling interest in divine things, are only means of quickening spiritual sense, and of drawing the child of heaven nearer home. The objects of affection, and the incentives to devotion, are multiplied by a sensibility which endears to us our blessings, as well as reconciles us to their removal; and which is ever drawing some precious illustration of Scripture from the simplest occurrences of private life. And it is therefore this, which, by making us happy in the thought of God here, fits us for the scenes and the songs of his presence. Sensibility is no sign of weakness; it is rather an element of strength; yet of course it may be caricatured. We may be shocked by the erotic familiarity of one enthusiast, or nauseated by the puling sentimentalism of another. This is only to allow that there may be fantastic or fanatical abuses of any thing.

66

"So, again, weak people are sometimes pious Christians; and then, with much of what is engaging in their singleness of eye and simple-heartedness, there will be much which, if not very wrong, is still very childish. We shall be offended by their perpetually spiritualizing trifles, or wearied by their religious commonplaces; but we must confess that religion is still their redeeming point, and that they would be much less pleasing without it.

"Neither should we wonder if mere natural sensitiveness is sometimes mistaken for religious feeling. People constantly mistake counterfeit for true emotion. The novel-reader, who sits in luxurious grief over the woes of Clarissa or Corinna, and wipes her eyes with a complacent sense of her superior sensibility, has no sympathies for vulgar misery; and so a person may be melted by the pathos of religion, and touched by its glorious and glowing pictures, and even have a relish for Christian fellowship, and yet be very far from religious. He may have experienced nothing but a burst of poetic feeling, or a sentimental interest in what is affecting and romantic,