land (at the same hour not intending to depart | rank of rational beings; and the progression of progress of society have necessarily moulded if an engagement could be made at home, or, the higher orders of society towards perfection man, nor have we any wish to deprive him of at all events; to return as soon as possible); of in mental acquirements; we cannot avoid being those sympathies which the refinements of edu being dead, or mad, or made a Savage of some- astonished that so little effort is made to pre- cation have implanted in his bosom. We where in America (while perchance enjoying serve health, that state of our corporeal frame would even acquiesce in the propriety of the London, its beef-steaks, porter, &c. &c. with which alone fits us to enjoy the independence man of fortune, who spends half of the day on an appetite provoked by the voyage across the of wealth, the splendour of rank, the gratifica- horseback, drinking his bottle of Champagne Atlantic); these buffoon expedients, and other tion of command, and the power of knowledge. or of hock, provided the repast of which it irregularities belonging to his professional ca- We observe man struggling to obtain these forms a part were enjoyed at an earlier hour: reer, must be abandoned by Mr. Kean, if he possessions; suffering willingly fatigue and and could look, without a shake of the head desires to hold a distinguished place in the toil, anxiety and care, privations and hardships; upon the evening party of the woman drama; since he must be sensible even now, and, without repining, submitting to press a fashion, in the height of the season, if it be no that he ought to recover as much as he can of restless pillow, in the hope of an imaginary crowded to suffocation, and the last coach i reputation, in order that the theatre may not, enjoyment from the acquirement; but, never-announced before midnight. Neither do w when he plays, have to regret the absence of theless, forgetting that the very means by hope to be regarded as belonging to that clas its greatest ornaments and supporters a fair which the object of his desire is to be attained, of ascetics, whose acerbity has curdled the fe proportion of the female sex. undermine his constitution, and render him drops of the milk of human kindness wit unable to enjoy the possession, were it actually which Providence had endowed them, and wh within his grasp. It is true, that the light delight in finding fault with every thing, with which has beamed upon us has shed its rays out knowing why or wherefore. We are mo also upon the art of healing, in common with tals; and every thing connected with mortalit every other branch of knowledge; that disease interests us. If we attack errors which a is more easily detected, better understood, and entrenched behind long-established custom, more effectually cured, than it ever was; but it shall not be until we have given a fair summo is not less true, that diseases are as numerous, of surrender, and proved the necessity for the and of as frequent occurrence, as they ever dislodgement. were; and that the means of preventing their approach are equally despised by the patient and neglected by the physician. Letter on the Affairs of Portugal, published by E. Wilson: sixteen pages as a letter, signed by "A Dog" and a miserable dog he seems to be; for he contends that Don Miguel should be King of Portugal de jure, and that jesuitism, the inquisition, and despotism, are infinitely better than a free constitution. Such is the nature of the Series of Essa which we presume to offer to the pub through the medium of this Journal; and they will require more space, and comprehe a greater variety of discussion, than the us extemporaneous matter of our Reports, we p pose to print one of them every fortnight, u the subject be exhausted. To preserve, ho ever, the consistency of the matter of these ports with their name, the alternate Rep shall contain also a sketch of the diseases wh have prevailed during the month; a portion our duty which we fear some of our read consider to have been too long delayed, which we therefore hasten to perform. An Exposition of Fallacies, &c. pp. 64. Iatchard; is an essay by T. Perronet Thompson, of Queen's College, Cambridge, originally intended as a Review in the Quarterly. It is a very logical We have been led into this train of reand able performance, which strikes down many flection by observing the effects of the holifallacies broached by Ricardo and Mills; and days which have just terminated, upon those does especial service by demolishing the worth- around us, of every age and rank and conless scribes of the Westminster Review, &c., dition: and although we have assisted in drainwho have openly dared to inculcate a practice ing the wassail bowl, in allowing the dawn more detestable than infanticide, to reconcile to blush upon our social hilarity, and the their theory of keeping the population within mid-day sun to unseal our compressed eyelids; the measure of the supply of food. We always yet we cannot conceal from ourselves the folly think it the only pity, that such premature cal- of the chase of pleasures which tend to shorten culating bloodhounds were not the victims of that life which they are designed to cherish, or the infernal processes they recommend ; but to crowd its closing hours with a countless train were unfortunately born to consume the bread of pains, misery, and remorse. But merely to Notwithstanding the variable state of of more human beings.* reflect upon an evil, and to moralise upon its weather during the last month, disease has consequences, without endeavouring to avert caused the mortality which we generally The Use of the Chlorate of Soda, by A. G. them, is both an idle and an ungracious occu- prevailing at the commencement of winter. Labarraque, pp. 36, translated by James Scott, pation; we have, therefore, determined to lay the metropolis. The remittent and typl Surgeon, and published by J. Scott and Glen. before our readers a Series of Essays on the in-fevers which have ravaged many districts denning, and S. Highley. A valuable and fluence of diet, exercise, education, and society, the midland and western counties, have useful publication, in which a multitude of ex- upon health; and to point out what we con- rare in London; and, with the exception periments and cases are detailed, shewing how ceive to be injurious in each of these, in the few acute inflammatory attacks, rheumatis efficaciously the chlorates of soda and lime different stages of life, infancy, youth, man- the disease with which the physician has ch may be employed in preventing contagion, and hood, and old age. In performing this task, we had to grapple. It has been successfully atta purifying tainted atmospheres. The proofs are not sanguine enough to anticipate from our with calomel, tartar emetic, and opium, in cited are very striking; and wherever foul labours a reformation in the habits of man- doses, at bed-time, for two or three succes drains or pits are to be examined, long-buried kind; for as well might we attempt to change nights, following the bolus with a brisk ca corpses disinterred, mephitic vapours encoun- the hue of the Ethiopian: but we shall enjoy tic draught, containing a drachm of the wi tered, &c. &c. this pamphlet deserves the most the gratification of having performed a duty, colchicum in the morning; and as soon a and of holding up the mirror of truth, so as intermission is fully formed, administering to display Folly in all her nakedness and de-sulphate of quinia, in doses of two or t formity. grains, every third or fourth hour. But a As we are anxious not to be misunderstood, have no intention to introduce or encou and are aware that there are individuals who quackery amongst our readers, we advise derive a malevolent gratification from throwing to depend on their medical friends for a false colouring over the motives, however application of these means. Several cas rational and unpresuming, of any one who at- sudden death have been caused by inflamm tempts to rectify abuses, we beg that our of the bowels; and the profession as well a readers will not suppose that we belong to public have deeply to regret the loss of o those enthusiasts who worship nature in her its brightest ornaments, Dr. Mason Goo wildest and most deformed state, who com-an inflammatory attack brought on by exp pare the habits of civilised man with those of to cold. The variations of temperature ca the human savage, and see no perfection in any of the customs of life which do not approach to those of that period of primeval felicity, when earnest consideration. The Providential Agency of God, a Sermon by the Rev. E. Edwards; Marsden, Yorkshire (Manchester, Sowler; London, Longman and Co., &c. &c.); an excellent sermon, the proceeds of which are for an excellent purpose-the support of the Rev. Author's Parish Sunday School. ARTS AND SCIENCES. MEDICAL REPORT. WHILST we glory in the "march of intellect" These pestilent wretches, by disseminating low-priced pamphlets and even handbills, have been inciting the ig norant to a crime, which, if the unhappy mother should die, as is very likely, is a capital felony !! "richer in the skins they wore, And saw more heaps of acorns in their store." be too much guarded against at this seas 19 January, 1827. for study. The Battle of the Standard: a spirited and well-composed subject, of the first order. The onslaught is fierce, and the horses and their riders superbly depicted. A companion to the above, with landscape. Two large pictures, representing Two Nymphs resting on festoons of fruit; one of these is in the highest state leaves and fruit are done in the most masterly manner. of preservation, and is most beautifully executed: the A Sketch of a Sacrifice in chiaro-scuro; so extremely betray her charge, and let in Disease to seize | most field crops, and on grass lands, found that I composition. The head of Innocence, a perfect model upon her worshippers." fourteen bushels to the acre had the maximum of benefit; and that its fertilising effects appeared to diminish after using twenty bushels, on to forty, which quantity proved destructive both to grain and grass," (p. 23). Hence, it is recommended in the Farmer's Journal for destroying thistles. Mr. C. has written on the use of salt in horticulture, in the Gardener's interesting, that the spectator is mortified beyond measure Magazine, (Vol. I.); and some valuable in- at its faintness in the upper parts. Two pictures, each representing a Cupid playing with formation on its use in growing different exo-festoons: two most beautiful specimens of colouring and tics, has been given by Mr. G. W. Johnson, of grace. Great Totham, Essex, in the January Number of the same work. FINE ARTS. FRESCO PAINTINGS, BY PAUL VERONESE. Upon the whole, we can only repeat our admiration of this matchless collection, which it I would fill us with sincere regret to believe any difficulties of the times could prevent from becoming national property. We speak within bounds, when we express our conviction, that many hundred of the most various and exalted studies of almost every kind, and such as are not elsewhere to be found in Britain, are presented to the eye of the youthful artist, in these forty splendid compositions. THE APOSTLES. AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR DECEMBER, AND KALENDAR FOR JANUARY. THE influence of the weather, both on the operations and products of agriculture, is so great, that any person conversant with the art as practised in this country, may form a tolerably accurate guess of what is going on in the fields in the country, from what is going on in the atmosphere about London. No autumn could have been more favourable for country labour and the growth of plants, than that which is just past; accordingly we find “a vast breadth of wheat and winter-tares sown; the early-sown wheat is equal to any thing ever witnessed for luxuriance and stoutness; much So long ago as the 31st of December, 1825, in of the forward wheats fed down by the sheep. our No. 467, we gave a detailed account of The great plenty of green food has economised some Fresco paintings by Paul Veronese, the hay and straw, and prevented an inordi- works belonging to the highest class of art, nate rise of price." But as the great drought which (detached from the walls of the Palace of summer prevented the rising of turnip-seeds alla Soranza by a curious process, and transferred till the beginning of autumn," his crop, as to canvass) had been safely brought to England well might be expected, has produced little else by M. Vendramini, the eminent engraver, at IN our Gazette Varieties of November 18th, but green tops," but these in great abundance. Brompton. We described the mode of per- we noticed, on the authority of" An AnonyIt is easy, having the data of scanty crops of forming this remarkable operation, so essential mous Correspondent," the purchase of six picstraw and hay, and turnips all tops, to foresee, to the preservation of the noblest productions tures of the Apostles, for a very small sum, at that should the winter prove severe, it will of the greatest masters, otherwise passing ra- an auction in Greek Street; for which the be one of the most difficult and expensive." pidly, through decay, into oblivion; and we writer assured us, now that they were cleaned Such a summer as the last, is calculated to congratulated the country on the discovery and and their value ascertained, 15,000 guineas bring into notice the value of Mangold, (which practice of a mode which could make the chief were demanded! We were, we confess, startour contemporary reporters persist in spelling ornaments of Italy familiar to us at home. led to hear of such a sum for six heads; and mangel), or field beet, because the seeds of this Referring our readers to the Gazette alluded though we inserted the paragraph, we menplant, requiring to be sown a month earlier to, we have now farther to state, that the tioned its origin, accordingly. We have, since, than those of the turnip, rise before the drought remainder of this magnificent collection have seen these pictures several times, and have no has exercised its full influence on the soil. also arrived, and been deposited with the reason to regret the mode we took of mentionHeavy crops of grass, too late in the autumn former gratifying importation. The whole ing them to our readers; for, allowing them for making hay, remind the reading agricul subjects now in M. Vendramini's possession to possess very considerable merit, the gross turist of the judicious plan of Mr. Lawrence, of thus amount to forty; and we do not he- exaggeration of our correspondent's estimate is mixing such grass with dry straw, and form- sitate to express our opinion, that such an extremely palpable. It seems to have been ing it into ricks for winter use: accordingly, addition to our school of art (such a school of intended not so much as a puff for these proMr. Lawrence's plan is now resorted to. If art in themselves) has rarely been brought to ductions, but as a general inducement to purthe green herbage be chiefly clover, and if a the metropolis of any people, however rich, chasers to fool away their money on dark and little salt be strewed over each layer of the however powerful, or however anxious to disguised pieces of canvass at sales, in the hope green material, the result will be, a tolerable adorn their capital with the best specimens in of meeting with such prizes as the lottery used fodder; "but autumn crops of grasses used in the world. "None but children (said Michael to afford, and with about as much chance of this way, unless the weather be very favour- Angelo) should paint on canvass; men should success. With regard to the paintings in quesable for drying them, lie so compact, as to be-paint a fresco only:" and when we look upon tion, which are now deposited by their owner, come mouldy" which clover and tares do the finest of these performances, consider their Mr. Harwood, in the Egyptian Hall, and to be enly in a slight degree. It is easy to conjec- extraordinary beauties, their grand draperies, seen by private cards, we consider them to be tare, that under all the circumstances of the the free, commanding, and natural attitudes the genuine and able works of an ancient past year," winter tillage" must be in a "for- of the figures, the purity of colour, the ease master. Whose they are, appears to be a proward state;" and "the price of store cattle and grace of outline, the force and simplicity blem with connoisseurs; one says Zurbaran moderate." Thus, you see, Mr. Editor, how of expression, the breadth, the keeping, the (a follower of Caravaggio, who flourished in well theory, and what actually happens, go taste of the accessories; and, in short, in al- Madrid at the beginning of the seventeenth hand in hand in making up our Reports, which, most every part, some happy perfection of art, century); another thinks Juanes, who painted dull as they are, you still seem to think worth we are strongly inclined to subscribe to the with still higher eclat nearly a century earlier, a place in your valuable columns." axiom of the noblest Roman of them all." in Valencia, where many of his performances still However, though we cannot be entertaining, If we speak of these paintings with enthu- remain; and, though perhaps it might be more yet, as we hope to be useful, we shall conclude siasm, it is because it is impossible to see them readily refuted from our better acquaintance by recommending to your practical readers a without feeling, not only that Paul Veronese see no reason why a pamphlet on the Use of Salt as a Manure, by was a greater painter than is generally known name better known than either in England, W. Collyns, Esq.; published in Exeter. It in England; but also that his art is a more ele- that of Spagnoletto, might not be brought has gone rapidly through four editions, and is, vated and elevating art, and competent to pro- forward to swell the list of guesses. But, be in style and price (one shilling), well adapted duce nobler emotions, than easel pictures, of the artist who he may, the subjects are in a for conveying information to the practical far- the most elaborate finish, can impress upon the high, though not in the highest style; and of mer. The object is to shew cultivators "how mind. We have bowed to the highest efforts some worth, though (in our opinion) nothing they may avoid their heavy lime bills;" the of oil-painting, in their golden frames, and en- like the worth ascribed to them. Even were ans is by sowing their lands with salt in dowed with all that can be conceived of charm they by a known painter of acknowledged rank, any quantity not exceeding thirteen or fourteen and exquisite sentiment; but we never felt from it would be absurd to consider them of any bushels per acre; and the end is," to convert them, that painting possessed such a magic extraordinary value; and they cannot acquire the dead vegetable exuvia so abundantly exist- and creative power, as in gazing upon the more from the accidents of being nameless and ing in or on almost all soils, into that state of chef-d'œuvres among these frescos. The addi. fortunately recovered from obscurity. We reckon decomposition in which they most readily be- tions recently made are— them to be each about equal in market price come the pabulum or food of their living sucto what a head by Spagnoletto would bring. cers." (p. 7.) Particular care must be taken They are much in his manner; especially not to exceed fourteen or fifteen bushels per the St. Bartholomew, the finest of the six, in are; for Mr. Collyns, who has tried it on which there is great breadth and great vigour. 66 a Eight fine busts in imitation of bronze. A Venus and Cupid drawn in a car through the clouds: with the artist, we The St. John differs from all the rest, and was probably an experiment in imitation of some other hand than that which the painter had taken for his usual model. They are, generally, richly coloured, and in a vigorous style; the shadows bold, but not black, and the expression varied and masculine. NEW PUBLICATIONS. Their Royal Highnesses Prince George and THESE children of the Duke of Cambridge, Thomas Campbell, Esq. Painted by Lonsdale; engraved by S. W. Reydolds. W. Sams. WE have not seen a more striking likeness of the distinguished Poet than is here traced from the strong and characteristic pencil of Lons true to character, we dislike the print: and ORIGINAL POETRY. THE SCOTS SOLDIER'S LAMENT. HAME frae the wars, broken, frien'less, and poor ; Hame frae the wars to my Scotland I came dearie No longer shone there, darting love through Nae bosom o' truth for the wounded an' wearie, Nae lips of affection to sweeten my rest. No; my wife an' my wean i' the cauld grave are sleeping, was unquestionably a man of very superior talents, both as a warrior and statesman. He was the son of Gilbridius or Gilbert, Thane of Kintyre; and in those turbulent times the father and son appear to have undergone many vicissitudes of fortune. In consequence of some calamitous events, the particulars of which are now lost, Somerled and his aged sire were once forced to take refuge in a cavern on the eastern shore of Morven, at this day distinguished by his name. The son daily went to a river in the neighbourhood to angle for salmon, on which they depended for food. The natives were struck with the noble aspect and the manly and athletic figure of the stranger, and concluded that he was a person certain his name. of superior rank, though they could not asThey were at that time harassed by the tyranny of the Danes, who had then possession of the country, and they determined on applying to Somerled for aid and advice. He appeared with his fishingrod as usual, and a party of the inhabitants communicated to him their sentiments, offering to place themselves under his command, and submit entirely to his authority. He listened to their proposal, and said that, provided he hooked a fish by the first cast of the line, he would assent to their offer. And thou, O my Scotland! art hameless to me; weeping, Ance sae warm, now 'tis chill-Oh! as mine Then I'll e'en lay me down by my hearth-stane dale. He is seated in a musing attitude, with The Rear Admiral Sir John Poo Beresford, Bart. H. R. H. the late Duke of York. AMONG the tributes which the arts have offered to the memory of this illustrious individual, we have to notice a medallion likeness in coloured wax, sent to us, with the name of Thompson upon it. It is in profile, on a blue ground, in a deep black frame, and bears a strong resemblance to H. R. H. when in the prime of life: it reminds us, indeed, of Nollekens' fine bust, taken (if we remember rightly) some thirty years ago. It may well be placed among the other recollections of the deceased, which are preserved by public and private attachment. Voyage Pittoresque et Militaire en Espagne. Par M. C. Langlois, &c. Engelmann and Co. And dream o' my dear i' the land o' the leal; And heal the deep wound that time ne'er can SONG. IN early youth, when hope was high, Gone the dear dreams of early youth. SKETCHES OF SOCIETY. NO. VII. REGINALDUS. directing each of them to furnish himself with the raw skin of an animal. Somerled made choice of ground favourable for his purpose, having a round hill in his front; and wishing to impress the enemy with a high opinion of his force, he made his people first march about in their ordinary dress, then with their coats off, and a third time with the skins around them, and the bloody side out. The stratagem succeeded. The Danes, terrified by the formidable number of their opponents, betook themselves to flight; and having given to his father the command of the main body, Somerled pursued them with a chosen band, whose intimate knowledge of the country enabled them to intercept the enemy in a narrow pass, still pointed out by the natives. Here Somerled encountered them, and, with his own hand, slew their leader. Very few of them escaped; and the cairns which cover their graves are yet visible. Tradition asserts that Somerled immediately took possession of the castle of Kinlochaline; and that his descendants retained this district for several centuries thereafter is well known. On the death of Somerled, his son Reginald SOMERLED, King of the Isles, Lord of Argyll became King of the Isles, and never, at any and Kintyre, having fallen by the hand of an period of his life, acknowledged allegiance to assassin at Renfrew, his army dispersed, and the kings of Scotland. He soon quelled the returned home without a battle. His eldest insurrection in the north, which was unhapson, sometimes called Donald, and at other pily created by his own younger brother Antimes Reginald, in the numerous traditions gus, who, with his three sons, fell in battle: referring to him, was, at that time, engaged in thus Reginald and Dugald, Lord of Lorne, suppressing an insurrection in the northern inherited the whole dominions acquired by extremity of his extensive territories. He left Somerled. that enterprise unfinished, and hastily repaired to Kintyre to pay the last tribute of respect to the remains of his brave and illustrious father, who was buried in Iona with extraordinary pomp. Reginald was frequently induced to interfere in the broils which then distracted Ireland, a country that has been a prey to fends and THE third livraison of this clever lithographic factions longer perhaps than any other in publication has issued, in regular course, from Europe. He more than once effected a rethe press, and consists of Views in Catalonia. Somerled had bequeathed to his son Reginald conciliation among the petty princes; but no The March upon Vich is one of the most spi- the kingdom of the Isles, with the lordship of sooner had he withdrawn his forces than their rited and best executed specimens we have yet Argyll and Kintyre; and to his son Dugald ancient discord again prevailed. His daughter seen, and affords a complete idea of a warlike he assigned the extensive districts of Lorne, married Allan, Earl of Galloway, the most attack. The Vue de la Vallée de la Fluvia à Morven, and Ardnamurchan. The two brothers powerful subject in Scotland; and he obtained Castelfollit, with Guerrilla prisoners, impresses certainly succeeded peaceably to these lands; some lands in Galloway, for which he swore the mind with the painful anticipation of one a circumstance which proves that the army of fealty to John, King of England, having of those atrocities so frequent in this sangui- Somerled had not been vanquished at Renfrew, entered into a treaty, of which a copy is still nary struggle; and, therefore, though perhaps as the Scottish historians assert. Somerled extant, and begins as follows:-"Omnibus and their name. DRAMA. Christi fidelibus, presentem cartam inspecturis, | countenance the issuing, directly or indirectly, the robe of Amenaïde torn off to make a turReginaldus Rex Insularum salutem. Sciatis of orders, for the purpose of forcing applause. ban; the doliman of a pasha reduced to a quod divini • Domini Regis Angliæ Besides that the undertaking must of necessity peasant's jacket. Is any particular costume Joannis contra omnes mortales quamdiu become the dupe of this abuse, the public also suddenly necessary? Immediately they cut, vixero et inde ei fidelitatem prestiti." From is grossly deceived by it; and, above all, people they pare, they disfigure, even an entirely new Donald, King of the Isles and eldest son of who pay, and who like to go to the theatre at dress, in order to save the manager's money. Reginald, it is well ascertained that the great half-past nine o'clock, find no unengaged place Soon after, however, an opera is performed clan of Macdonald have derived their descent in the pit, which is already encumbered by the which requires the identical costume that has bespoken clappers. The payers are obliged to thus been mal-treated; and the manager lays stand, pressed upon and elbowed by the crowd, out thirty pounds, in consequence of his wish and heartily provoked at their situation. The to save five! An able manager who estaProtagoniste appears. Instantly two hundred blished order in the wardrobe, would save bespoken clappers burst forth, without rhyme several hundred pounds a year, and satisfy or reason, splitting the ears of the honest payers, every body. In the meanwhile, it is easy to insulting their opinions and tastes, and proving conceive to what a degree confusion and disto the clear-sighted how imbecility itself may gust prevail in this branch of the service. be cried up. Strange contradiction, which The Treasury. I have already observed, ought not to be quietly tolerated in a polished that the treasury ought to be as punctual and country! A director who has common sense exact as the Bank. The director ought to speought therefore rigorously to proscribe the sys-cify in the engagements the fixed periods of tem of orders. But as it is impossible entirely payment; and on the evening before the day to deprive artists of the pleasure of obliging of payment, information of it ought to be their most intimate friends, it would be well to posted up in the green-room. Without this, establish the following regulations :the King's Theatre will never do any good. The King's Theatre; Foreign Artistes, &c. (Concluded from Number 520.) First female singer, seria Seconda Donna Orders to Orders to the Gallery. 6 3 4 3 4 2 4 2 2 0 2 3 3 If a Rent of the House. The rent is exorbitant. The house is not worth such a sum. good manager were to place himself at the head of the Opera, he should, above all, acknowledge only one proprietor; and not embarrass, himself with the creditors of Mr. C. or Mr. W. With the intrigues connected with the possession or the recovery of the property, the manager should have nothing to do. He should be a stranger to the labyrinth. His duty should be to pay punctually one person only; and for that purpose I would fix the rent at 9,0007. sterling the season; to be paid in three 1. The principal male performers to be allowed to dis-equal portions, like the salaries of the perpose of one box, on relinquishing their pit orders. 2. The principal female performers to be allowed to dispose of one box, on Tuesdays only; retaining their orders. Baritono Primo Tenore Mezzo caratere Total every evening... · regulate the exchange, on the part of the other per- formers. Orders. From orders arises one of the most injurious evils in the system of the King's Theatre. What would be said of a person, who, having bought at an extravagant rate (conceiving it to be real) a counterfeit diamond, proceeded immediately to give dinners to every body to admire and praise it? While the dinners asted, he would find flatterers to chime in with him; but the moment his back was turned, they would laugh at his egregious tody; and all that he would derive from his enthusiasm for a false jewel, would be ridicule and the loss of his money. This, however, is exactly what happens to the director of a theatre who has become the prey of the artifices of a juggler. Such a one begins by persuading the director (according to the example of M. Val.......) that "he and four puppets" are sufficient; that, as a consequence of that principle, he ought to be the only person well paid, the only one heard, the only one applauded. But here is the pons asinorum. The director may easily pay; nobody can prevent him; but to procure applause, that is another affair. Nevertheless it is tried. "Come, let us issue plenty of orders. Flock together, beForm of Management. We have now arspoken clappers; the spectacle is gratis. Above rived at the essential point. The Italian all, clap eternally; clap, right or wrong; clap Theatre in London is the most discredited in the sustained notes, clap the drawling notes, Europe, because the persons who meddle with dap the disjointed notes, clap the thin notes, its management do not enjoy the slightest conclap the gruff notes: even when the notes are fidence, and indeed every moment give strikquite out of tune, no matter, clap away; the ing proofs of their unskilfulness, their love of ignorant public must be compelled to think low intrigue, and their bad faith. In several that very fine which is above their comprehenmetropolitan cities, the Italian Opera is under sion." "Yes; but the treasury ?" "True, the direction of the minister of the king's that does not fill; c'est égal; next time, inhousehold; but since in England that would be stead of two hundred orders, we will give impossible, it is absolutely necessary that some three hundred, and more, if necessary; until rich people of fashion should join, and shew Le stunned public renders justice to a new Ballet. Although the principal object of their good taste by becoming the concealed soul ment, to sublime talent." The season, how- my observations is to expose the abuses of the of this establishment. Four of these gentleever, is slipping away; the public does not singing part of the Opera establishment, I cannot men would be sufficient. Their employment reader this justice, and the treasury remains pass in silence the dancing, since it offers much would be honourable, inasmuch as they would ecipty. "There is still time, let us parry the matter for remark. The first thing that strikes appear only as protectors, although at bottom stroke," says the director to himself; cost one with reference to the ballet is, that the they would be the sole speculators. The bewhat it may, let us engage the best female prevailing taste of the English people is not at nefit or advantage which they would derive, inger." The idol of the public, the singer, all considered in it. Every one knows their would consist in the gratuitous admission of perceiving that they cannot do without her, predilection for grand spectacles, fairy_sub- themselves, their families, and their friends, to demands a great deal of money. That is as-jects, brilliant decorations, striking effects. the performances. According to my calcured to her at the banker's; and she fills the Every season, Covent Garden and Drury Lane lations, they would not risk a farthing of their house without orders. The director then be- enter into a competition in furnishing, for own; and, if the management should be well cins to bite his nails. He is sensible to the public curiosity, entertainments, improbable conducted, they would stand a chance of gainquick that he has been the dupe of the juggler; indeed, but gratifying to the sight. Why ing three or four thousand pounds by the end he regrets having thrown away his money; should the Italian theatre alone exhibit for of the season. le regrets not having engaged the valuable the greater part only insipid rhapsodies? The ager from the commencement of the season, cause may be found in the following details. -the more so, as he might have had her for the same sum that he is obliged to give her for alf of it. He sees, in fact, that a juggler is aways a juggler; and that genuine talent is aways honest, and without artifice. He wishes at it is too late! 66 The instance which I have just cited may serve as a specimen of the instances which I hare not cited. In one word, I cannot conve any thing so foolish as to pay an actor or actress largely, and at the same time to 6. The persons having these orders (which shall be dis-" tinguished by a particular form) to occupy only the seats which are placed from the door of the pit to the sixth check, which they must shew to two persons charged with row. For that purpose they will be furnished with a the execution of the rule. One hour after the rising of the curtain, this restriction to cease. Decorations.The decorations of the Opera will not allow of parsimony. A manager who grudges the money which decorations cost him, must be a bad manager. He is a farmer whose economy prevents him from sowing any seed, forgetting that he will reap no harvest. Dresses. One has only to cast a glance over the wardrobe at the Opera-house to have a good notion of chaos. Every thing is in confusion; heaped together pell-mell; in tatters; thrown about among the litter. Half The committee formed, an ostensible director must be appointed, who, under such circumstances, would be only the man of business; to treat with the artists, regulate their engagements, make the payments, and represent the head of the management. His emoluments ought to be arranged in the following manner the committee should, at all events, assign to him the sum of five hundred pounds, for his personal maintenance; but in order to excite his self-love, his zeal, and his good conduct, he should be allowed a third of any profit which at the end of the season may appear to I conclude by declaring that the present condition of the Italian Opera is disgraceful to the capital of Great Britain; but that, however perplexed the concern may appear, it would be very easy in a short time to bring it into a flourishing state. I have unveiled its vices; I have indicated the remedies. Four sound heads, wishing and determining well, would solve this problem admirably.* VARIETIES. A Show.-A fat Southdown Sheep, weighing 200lbs., has been transported from London to Paris, where Monsieur Mouton is made a show, like the learned pig, at the (inauspiciously named) Rue des Boucheries; which seems to promise a catastrophe to the neck of our country-sheep, and a greasy feast to the citizens of Paris, of the nature of which their long-legged wethers can have given them no have accrued. Should there be no profit, the rate engagements, the enormous sum of to the others. The choruses are also abomindirector ought to have nothing but his salary; £7,100!!!!!! and that, with the exceptionably treated. It is on that account that they and ought to lose his office, unless he can shew of Madame Pasta's nights, the house was are so bad. What is it supposed these unhappy that the absence of profit was occasioned by always empty, unless filled with bespoken people receive? One with another (men and circumstances unconnected with his manage- clappers. women comprehended), five and twenty pounds ment. This principle, and this strictness, are A well-known London journal lately stated, for the season; being about eight shillings an indispensable; to repress intriguers, and to with a weak good-nature which made one smile evening; and for that sum they are obliged to encourage valuable and honourable men. with pity, that if the manager had not suc- quit their abodes, and to remain at the King's Qualities of the Director. The director ceeded this year, it was not his fault; for that Theatre from nine o'clock in the morning to must be honest and enlightened, an excellent he had done every thing possible to organise a midnight! It is with them as with the musimusician, a great connoisseur, just, strict, im- magnificent Opera. Poor people! Would they cians in the orchestra. The greater part, that partial, and polite and gentlemanly in his con- like to know what this great manager has is to say, the best, desist, and transfer their duct to every body. He ought not to have any really done to the present moment? He of services to the English theatres. The same of his near connexions filling first-rate engage- fered Porto half a season, which Porto nobly thing occurs with respect to the good figurans ments at the Opera. Free and independent, refused. In revenge, he engaged a French-in the ballet. In short, if we minutely examine himself interested in the welfare of the concern, woman, who having had the effrontery to make the deranged structure of the Italian Opera, he ought to act solely with a view to its pro- a débût in Italy, was forbidden to appear the such as it is at the present day, we shall be sperity. He ought to be the sworn enemy of day after. He neglected to fall on his knees astonished to find a single subscriber with sufficabals and intrigues. He ought to be deaf to and entreat M. Coccia to have the goodness to cient complaisance to spend his money on it. the recommendation of my lord this, or my accept the piano and compose an opera, in O Quacks! when will your reign end? When lady that. Guided by his own judgment, he order to give the same piano to a Frenchman, will the British public drive you with broomought to adopt the good, and to reject the whom in the end he will dismiss, as he is sticks out of their establishment, in which you bad. He ought to encourage talent wherever wholly unaccustomed to Italian music. He cost them so dear? he may find it; and appreciate at its just appointed, as the chief director of Italian mu value the rodomontade of quacks. Finally, the sic, another Frenchman, despised (conspué) by director of the Opera ought to possess a conci- public opinion, intriguing, treacherous, worthy liatory spirit; to treat every body justly, not ca- of figuring in a gambling-house, rather than of priciously; and not to assume ridiculous airs of being placed at the head of a respectable estaconsequence; or give the committee any ad-blishment. He has deprived two useful men vice having a tendency to create prejudice or of bread; the one, the prompter and chorusconfusion. With such qualities, a director master; the other, excellent in his engagement could not be deceived by any person. He as second tenor. He has treated in the same would not have the weakness to lend himself to manner a respectable lady, who discharged her other intriguing directors, deficient in talent, duties with zeal and ability. He has mutistill more deficient in honesty; who contami-lated and frittered away the orchestra, the nate by their presence the temple of the Muses; most important point in an opera. The great who exist only in baseness and artifice; who factotum of the concern has changed nearly dishonour and infect all they approach; and seventeen performers in the orchestra in the who will end by sending to the workhouse the present season; a thing at once, barbarous unqualified and corrupt man who does not and unskilful; for it is well known that the blush to confide to them the management of more an orchestra is composed of steady professors, who know one another, and co-operate, as it were, with one will, the better it is; and that the way never to obtain a perfect union is frequently to change the performers. To shew the wretched management which depresses the nity, in the view of which so many of the vast The Lying in State. Of this grand solemorchestra of the King's Theatre, it will be population of London have of necessity been I will not speak of the number of the other enough to state, that several excellent per-disappointed, a drawing has, we understand, persons engaged. That number must be in formers have left it to go and offer their ser- been made, under the immediate inspection of proportion to the real wants of the manage-vices to the English theatres; whereas, until Mr. Hunt, which will forthwith be finely ment, and to the personal merits of the indivi. the present time, musicians began at the En-lithographed and published. Nothing more duals, not to the importunate applications of glish theatres, and finished at the Italian Opera. gratifying to popular feeling could be done. parties. One point is essential; namely, that Why is the Philharmonie orchestra the best in at the piano of the Opera an italian maestro London? Because it never suffers any change. York. The Courier and New Times NewsMonument to the Memory of the Duke of ought invariably to sit. The native of no other During the management of the rotten manation should be allowed to approach it. An chine called the Opera (that is to say, during Papers have recommended the erection, by Italian maestro is indispensable to the Italian six years), there have been fifty changes in general subscription, of a National Monument Opera; and he ought also to be well versed in stringed instruments only, which is the greatest in patriotic and emphatic language. Of this to the memory of the late Commander-in-Chief, theatrical composition. possible shame. The great ultramontane jac-design we most warmly approve; indeed, it is Conclusion. The management of the Opera, totum has filled the orchestra, not with expe- but putting into voice the unanimous wish of regulated on such bases, and upon such prin-rienced professors, not even with the pupils of the country to propose its adoption. It is ciples, ought to produce a certain profit of four the academy (who, moreover, are not worth or five thousand pounds. The thing is clear. much), but with his own pupils, that is to say, moned; that the competition of every British stated, that a public meeting will be sumLet us suppose that the annual revenue of the with those who have had the good-nature to go artist will be courted; and that a Committee, Italian Opera amounts to forty-five thousand through the course of his own school. He has whose names must at first sight guarantee pounds; the expenses, comprehending every also introduced a great many regimental musitheir independence, impartiality, and compe. thing, that is to say, the rent, the singers, the cians, who are no doubt very well on the ballet, the choruses, the orchestra, the decora- parade; but to accompany an Italian opera!!! best model, will be chosen. This is the only tency for the task of deciding which is the tions, the lighting, the carpentry, the printing, The great factotum, however, haggles about true way to have what will be a suitable tribute the copying, the various persons employed, &c. the shabby salary which he allows them to the dead and an everlasting honour to the will approach to thirty-nine or forty thousand; and here his intrigue comes into full play. Fine Arts and better feelings of the nation. leaving a balance of four or five thousand There are among these musicians some who pounds. To prove the probability of my asser- receive only thirteen shillings and sixpence distinguished President of the Royal Society Sir II. Davy.-We are informed that the tion, it is well known that the existing man- an evening. The others are paid proporager expended, in the year 1826, in foolish tionably. Attempts are made to beat down has been for some time, and continues to be, in a very bad state of health; insomuch, that his speculations upon singers only, holding first- to the last penny these unfortunate persons, who frequently have no other means of living; while no shame is felt at lavishing absurd sums on intriguers! That is the system of this phoenix of directors. All to the one, nothing affairs.* Such a director will employ only incorruptible persons, of unimpeached character. As soon as he perceives that any of those whom he employs puts the machinery of intrigue in motion, he will civilly dismiss him. Is it not a humiliating thing to men of talent, to see, at the very meinent at which I am writing, two intrigu ing Frenchmen at the head of the musical department of the Italian Opera? idea. The Editor in giving place to these rather biting remarks, throws them on public consideration as the opinions of an acute observer: being himself incompetent to the discussion. |