descend. Four persons, with Home himself, reached the ground in safety. But the rope broke with the fifth, who was a tall lusty man. The sixth was Thomas Barrow, a brave young Englishman, a particular friend of Home's. Determined to take the risk, even in such unfavor able circumstances, Barrow committed himself to the broken rope, slid down on it as far as it could assist him, and then let himself drop. His friends beneath succeeded in breaking his fall. Never theless, he dislocated his ancle, and had several of his ribs broken. His companions, however, were able to bear him off in safety. The Highlanders next morning sought for their prisoners with great activity. An old gentleman told the author, he remembered seeing the commander Stewart,

Bloody with spurring, fiery red with haste,

riding furiously through the country in quest of the fugitives."

"Mr. R―d's Dream.-The legend of Mrs. Grizel Oldbuck was partly taken from an extraordinary story which happened about seventy years since in the south of Scotland, so peculiar in its circumstances that it merits being mentioned in this place. Mr. R-d of Bowland, a gentleman of landed property in the vale of Gala, was prosecuted for a very considerable sum, the accumulated arrears of teind (or tithe), for which he was said to be indebted to a noble family, the titulars (lay impropriators of the tithes). He was strongly impressed with the belief that his father had, by a form of process peculiar to the law of Scotland, purchased these lands from the titular, and therefore that the present prosecution was groundless. But, after an industrious search among his father's papers, an investigation of the public records, and a careful inquiry among all persons who had transacted law business for his father, no evidence could be recovered to support his defence. The period was now near at hand when he conceived the loss of his law-suit to be inevitable, and he had formed his determination to ride to Edinburgh next day, and make the best bargain he could in the way of compromise. He went to bed with this resolution, and, with all the circumstances of the case floating upon his mind, had a dream to the following purpose. His father, who had been many years dead, appeared to him, he thought, and asked him why he was disturbed in his mind. In dreams men are not surprised at such apparitions. Mr. R―d

thought that he informed his father of the cause of his distress, adding that the payment of a considerable sum of money was the more unpleasant to him, because he had a strong consciousness that it was not due, though he was unable to recover any evidence in support of his belief. 'You are right, my son,' replied the paternal shade; I did acquire rights to these teinds, for payment of which you are now prosecuted. The papers relating to the transaction are in the hands of Mr. a writer (or attorney), who is now retired from professional business, and resides at Inveresk, near Edinburgh. He was a person whom I employed on that occasion for a particular reason, but who never on any other occasion transacted business on my account. It is very possible,' pursued the vision, that Mr. may have forgotten a matter which is now of a very old date; but you may call it to his recollection by this token, that, when I came to pay his account, there was difficulty in getting change for a Portugal piece of gold, and that we were forced to drink out the balance at a tavern.' Mr. Rd awaked in the morning with all the words of the vision imprinted on his mind, and thought it worth while to ride across the country to Inveresk, instead of going straight to Edinburgh. When he came there, he waited on the gentleman mentioned in the dream, a very old man; without saying any thing of the vision, he inquired whether he remembered having conducted such a matter for his deceased father. The old gentleman could not at first bring the circumstance to his recol lection, but, on mention of the Portugal piece of gold, the whole returned upon his memory; he made an immediate search for the papers, and recovered them, so that Mr. R- -d carried to Edinburgh the documents necessary to gain the cause which he was on the verge of losing. The author has often heard this story told by persons who had the best access to know the facts, who were not likely themselves to be deceived, and were certainly incapable of deception. He cannot therefore refuse to give it credit, however extraor dinary the circumstances may appear. The circumstantial character of the information given in the dream, takes it out of the general class of impressions of the kind which are occasioned by the fortuitous coincidence of actual events with our sleeping thoughts. On the other hand, few will suppose that the laws of nature were suspended, and a special communi

cation from the dead to the living permitted, for the purpose of saving Mr. R-d a certain number of hundred pounds. The author's theory is, that the dream was only the recapitulation of information which Mr. Rd had really received from his father while in life, but which at first he merely recalled as a general impression that the claim was settled. It is

not uncommon for persons to recover, during sleep, the thread of ideas which they have lost during their waking hours. It may be added, that this remarkable cir→ cumstance was attended with bad consequences to Mr. Rd, whose health and spirits were afterwards impaired by the attention which he thought himself obliged to pay to the visions of the night."

The British Institution, third Survey. A Scriptural piece of considerable merit is entitled," the Angels announcing the Birth of Christ." Mr. Saint-Jobn Long is the artist who produced it. An originality of manner, a skill in composition, and good coloring, entitle it to praise.

Mr. Singleton's Conflict is a fair specimen of talent. A critic, mingling (from a sense of duty) censure with praise, says, "If, in addition to the excellent qualities of this highly-respectable artist, he had, in early life, avoided the fatal error of substituting, for a constant reference to nature, an ideal style, which, however fluent and elegant, palls upon frequent repetition, we have no doubt that he would have been one of the most distinguished painters that the English or any other school ever produced."

Of the six pictures exhibited by Mr. Uwins, the Morning of the Wedding seems to please the most. From having been one who appeared to trust entirely to his own memory for the proper tints and surfaces of objects in nature, and consequently almost uniformly failing to produce the requisite effect (for dame Nature never fails to desert those who fail in proper homage to her), this artist has changed his style of coloring and choice of subjects, much for the better.

The Trial of Charles I. in Westminster Hall, by Mr. Ramsay, is rendered a very interesting picture, by the important historical event which it illustrates, and also by the manner in which this story is told by the artist. It is indeed a striking piece; and, while we are viewing it, it appears to us to be almost impossible for any one who has read the novel of the Disowned, not to think of the history of the young and enthusiastic painter Warner, who had chosen this as the subject of the painting on which he was to build his hopes of fame-hopes which were blasted

VOL. X.

by the supposed severe criticisms of Sir Joshua Reynolds, which, being overheard by the sanguine young artist, made him destroy his picture, while the effects of the animadversions destroyed himself.

Some of the landscapes are very skil fully executed. Mr. Crome's two representations of shipping by moonlight are good examples of the variety of lunar effect, and remind us of the style of Vanderneer.-Mr. Danby's scene near the falls of the Conway, is a fine instance of depth of tone and appropriate coloring.Mr. Barrett's Morning has a beautiful and Claude-like effect: it seems to be instinct with light and life; and Mr. Hofland's Moonlight is as correct in composition as in character.-A scene on the coast of Spain, by Mr. Rogers, looks better in the foreground than in the distance.

Miss H. Goldsmith's view of the islands in the Regent's Park, reflects credit on her tasteful pencil. Who would have imagined, a few years ago, that so plain and unornamented a surface would have been so rapidly converted into gardens and plantations, decorated with villas, watered by lakes, and transformed into every variety of picturesque beauty?--The view is well selected, and executed in an artist-like manner.

Society of British Artists.-The members of this association follow the encouraging maxim, "Go on and prosper." Their present exhibition is better than the preceding one. Some of the portraits are excellent, more particularly those of Mr. James Montgomery the poet, Mr. Mott, the hon. C. A. Murray, and Mr. Adolphus the barrister. Mr. Dawe's portrait of the presumptive heir to the crown is also a faithful and spirited representation. Mrs. Pearson's Corinna seems intended for a real person, and is a very pleasing specimen of her talent.

The Departure of the Israelites out of

22

the Land of Egypt, by Mr. Roberts, may be said to place that artist in a new light. He was before known almost exclusively as a landscape painter; but, in his present performance, he has directed his admirable skill in architectural drawing to an historical subject, and has succeeded so well, that we hope to see more of similar productions from his pencil. The massy and extensive piles of Egyptian architecture are painted with a force, and at the same time with a minute correctness, never yet seen in any pictures in which they have been introduced. He has managed with a happy effect the multitude with which he has filled up the middle part of the picture. The nearer figures are well conceived, and tell the story with great power, while the distant host, "the 600,000 men," the "flocks, and herds, and very much cattle," are all so well indicated, and so skilfully arranged, as to convey an adequate notion of the grand and picturesque scene to which they relate. The perspective, the distant effect of scene, and the eternal pyramids wrapped in the mist of morning, are painted with great delicacy and skill.

There is a piece by Mr. E. Prentis, well calculated for moral effect. It is entitled, the Profligate's Return from the Ale-house. The artist (says a critic) must have well studied the chief character in this scene of domestic misery: a face of more intense and revolting brutality we have never seen upon canvas; and it loses nothing of its force by the contrast which it exhibits to the half-hidden countenance of the suffering wife. The various indications of want in the apartment are ingeniously conceived, and exceedingly well executed.

Mr. J. Inskipp displays two interesting pieces. One represents a young lady reading what seems an old romance. The subject and its treatment are not unlike one of Mr. Newton's favorite pieces; at the same time, the style of countenance, to our taste, is of a higher character. The coloring is rich, and the figure is well re

lieved by a dark-brown wainscot in the back-ground. The other, entitled the Sibyl, has, in some respects, higher claims to merit. A young lady is supposed to have her fortune told. Her figure is pretty and graceful, while that of the gypsy is hit off with admirable ease and truth.

Works of a New Sculptor.-A rising artist, of the name of Thoms, is now exhibiting (in Bond-street) two remarkable figures, sculptured in a kind of hard sandstone, representing the Tam O'Shanter and Souter Johnny of Burns' inimitable tale. The great wonder is, that they should be the production of a man who has not had the advantages of education in his art, and who has hitherto followed the humble occupation of a journeyman mason. The talent he has displayed is, however, of so unquestionable a kind, that we think he may bid farewell to tombstones and window-sills, and attain the higher rewards and distinctions which await the possessors of real genius. The quiet humor of the Souter, and the uproarious mirth of Tam, are given with admirable correctness, and a close observation of character. The workmanship of the dress and limbs is very clever; but the faces, although full of humor, betray a vulgarity and want of power in the mechanical execution. This only proves that the artist has much to learn of the details of his art, while there is quite enough of merit besides, to prove that he has the right feeling necessary to ensure success in a more exalted effort, when additional practice and study shall have given a finish and force to his talents. He is unfortunate, too, in his choice of the material; the speckled brown stone in which he works is very unfavorable to the expression of the human face. As a beginning, and as an effort in a new line of sculpture,-for it has hitherto been commonly thought that stone was incapable of expressing any but deep and quiet feelings, these figures are exceedingly interesting. They are destined, we understand, for the tomb of Burns.

MANY musical publications, of various degrees of merit, have appeared for the gratification and instruction of amateurs; but we can only take notice of a few.

The "Christmas-Box, a new musical Souvenir," may be recommended as a

pleasing compilation. It is formed of reminiscences of those gems of melody and harmony which have lately become popular, collated, arranged, and adapted to the piano-forte, by N. B. Challoner.

The favorite airs in Pacini's opera,

THE re-appearance of Mademoiselle Garcia, now Madame Malibran, excited a strong sensation among the musical amateurs. This lady's voice is sweet and flexible, but it is not faultless; the execution is good, but it is not perfect; she never offends, but she rarely astonishes. This can hardly be considered a fault; and yet, with her style and her evident attempts to astonish, like Catalani, one would sometimes be disposed to think that there is a failure. If, however, Madame Malibran, as a singer, is inferior to Pasta, she is, as an actress, quite equal to that lady; and this we think, is no mean commendation of her powers. It is quite delightful, after the ennui of witnessing the wretched acting of most of the English singers, to see a character of such depth as Desde mona represented on the Italian stage with as much fidelity as if it had been enacted by Siddons or O'Neill. In person, Madame Malibran has neither been favored nor neglected by nature; she is of the ordinary size, and of a figure rather well than ill-formed; her face is not handsome, but it is very expressive; and she seems to have a thorough command over every feature. Donzelli, as the jealous Moor, surpassed all his former efforts it was, indeed, a matchless performance. He has certainly more breadth in his singing than any other person in his line, and he has the rare merit of using his falsetto, which is of the richest kind, with discretion and propriety, pass ing to it from his natural voice without that break, or, as it is technically termed, bridge, which is so displeasing in most other singers. Levasseur, as the father,

sang the bass part with great skill and sweetness; and Curioni, as Roderigo, was very effective; but the part of Iago was most wretchedly represented. In a divertissement, a new dancer, Madame Vaque Moulin, made her first appearance; she possesses extraordinary talent, and displays a style of great neatness and

execution.

Eager to gratify the public taste for an union of fine music, expressive dancing, and splendid scenery, M. Laporte lately produced the ballet of Masaniello, ou le Pêcheur de Portici. It has met with decided approbation. Coulon, in his dancing and his acting, was excellent. Pauline, Leroux, Rinaldi, and Mons. Frederic, also elicited well-merited applause. The dresses are magnificent, and the costumes perfect. The most effective scene is the fish-market at Naples, where a national dance is executed with much spirit, and concluded by a devotional chorus. The music is chiefly selected from an opera composed by Auber on the same subject, the remainder being supplied by Mr. Bochsa.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

AFTER the representation of Venice Preserved in an excellent style, as far as Young and Cooper and Miss Philips were concerned, M. Manche and M, Daras exhibited a great number of gymnastic feats, with which, it appears, they have been recently astonishing the court of France. Some of their feats are of a very extraordinary nature, and prove that they possess a degree of muscular power which is rarely bestowed upon man, When they threw themselves into attitudes, which they did with grace and agility, we were much surprised at the

perfect developement of the muscles of the breast, back, arms, legs, and thighs. They stood out as boldly as if they had been chiseled by a sculptor, and appeared to be of almost Herculean proportion. The most curious feat was, when the taller of the two fastened himself to a pole, fixed perpendicularly in the centre of the stage, by the feet, and then threw his body out nearly in a horizontal position, while his companion held fast by his hand; and, while they were in that situation, the pole being made to revolve rapidly by a sort of windlass, they were carried round with alarming velocity.

The entertainments concluded with a melodramatic fairy tale, entitled Thierna na Oge (the Land of Youth), or the Prince of the Lakes. It embraces several of the popular superstitions of the south of Ireland, but is founded chiefly on the legend of O'Donoghue and his White Horse. This was, as the story goes, a famous chieftain, remarkable for the justice and wisdom with which he governed the district bordering on the lake. Being, however, engaged in the unfolding of some prophetic events, which were to take place in future, he rose and deliberately walked into that portion of the lake which was under the lofty cliffs of Glencar, and disappeared. He appears riding on his white horse, on the lake, once in seven years, to the great astonishment of the natives. While he thus appears, he is surrounded by fairies, spirits, and others of his court, which he holds at the bottom of the lake. The subject is one well calculated to give scope to the scene-painter, for the purpose of rendering this spectacle very imposing. The plot seems to be this:-Dame Kearney has a pretty little daughter, who is an object of attraction to all the neighbouring swains. Glencar, the lord of the manor, is also attracted by Kate Kearney, and is determined, if possible, to effect her dishonor. In this he is assisted by his servant, Samson Sinister. In order to deceive Kate the better, Glencar, whose person was unknown to Kate, presses his suit honorably, under the name of Patrick Barry. Among the girl's admirers, Dan O'Reilly seems to be the most devoted to her; but she receives him coldly, as her heart seemed pre-occupied. Glencar prevails upon her to meet him in the neigh bourhood of the bay, for the purpose of carrying her off to his castle. Dan is informed by O'Donoghue, or his fairies, of the intended meeting, and previously conceals himself among the cliffs. The par

ties appear, according to appointment, and poor Kate is on the point of being carried away by force, but is rescued by Dan, who receives a shot in the shoulder for his interference. During the struggle, Kate ascends the cliffs, and plunges into the lake below. O'Donoghue saves her life, and takes care of her in his palace below. Dame Kearney then accuses Dan of the death of her daughter before the young lord, who declares him guilty, and condemns him to be hanged. By the intervention of O'Donoghue and his spirits, he is released, and Samson hanged in his stead. In conclusion, Dan, as a reward for his constancy and troubles, receives the lovely Kate in marriage.

The success of this production mainly depends on the brogue and wit of Dan O'Reilly, in which Mr. Weekes succeeded à merveille. He sang a song so much in the style of the Munster-man that it was encored. Mr. Harley, as Samson, contributed a great deal to the success of the piece, as also did Mrs. C. Jones, in the representation of the Old Lady of the Lake. The scenery is very splendid. The bay of Glena, by moonlight, in the first act, attracted much attention, and was greatly applauded. In the second act the hall in the palace of O'Donoghue is splendidly painted, and the last scene, representing the ascent of O'Donoghue and his court to the surface of the water, is admirable.

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

As the return of Easter suggested the expediency of producing, according to annual custom, a striking entertainment, a supernatural story was embodied for the occasion. A new musical tale of romance was brought forward, under the title of the Devil's Elixir, or the Shadowless Man. The main plot is taken from Hoffman's extraordinary romance which bears the first title; and some use has been made of Peter Schlemilh to supply that part which relates to the loss of the hero's shadow. The author has, however, managed his materials so ingeniously as to give to the performance a more original character than such pieces of late commonly present. The play, as represented, runs thus:-Francesco, a Capuchin monk, is tempted from his religious vows by the beauty of Aurelia, who is the betrothed of his brother, count Hermogen. He has, unluckily for himself, the custody of the relics belonging to his convent, among which is a flask containing the devil's elixir, seised by St. Antony in a