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THE DRAMA.

THE WINTER AND SUMMER HOUSES.

THE past month has been unusually dull in the theatrical world, and has been remarkable only for the closing of a summer house, and the opening of the two great winter houses. The English Opera, after a short season of well-merited success, has closed its doors, and given Mr. Stevenson a brief holiday from his box books. The proprietor has, during the summer, made great exertions for the promotion of the public amusement, and has been unsparing in the expenditure of money to that end. He will have the solid gratification of finding himself well indemnified for his labour and liberality, by the returns of a rare season, and the sense of having fairly and truly advanced the character of his theatre. The production of such music as that which characterizes the wild and original opera of Der Freischütz, was a courageous and hazardous undertaking; but, at the same time, it was one which well became a National Opera House to dare. Its success has been, indeed, singularly distinguished; and, for once, the old proverb of "as the old cock crows, so crows the young one" has been reversed; for the two old cocks, Drury Lane and Covent Garden, have taken up the note of the cockling, and are content" to follow." At Covent Garden, the German opera has been got up with much pains, and doubtless at great cost; but in order to avoid a too servile imitation of the piece at the English Opera House, several alterations have been made in the characters and situations, not at all advantageous to the strange and dreary interest which hung over the one in which Braham sang. Some of the faulty incidents of the German drama have been rigidly and unfortunately adhered to, to the great injury of the finest scene in the opera, the incantation scene. The character of the lover of the huntsman's daughter (very well and boldly acted, and sung by Mr. Pearman) is at Covent Garden despoiled of all its wildness and enchantment; for instead of being

lured by Caspar, the demon's friend, to visit the wolf's glen, and cast the magic balls, the lover is suffered to go singing his way through the three acts with the thorough no-purpose of a modern opera, while a drunken silly woodman (Keeley) is seduced to follow the life of bad lead. The scenery is fine, and the music spiritedly executed; but the whole interest of the piece is, in our opinion, jarred by the injudicious and unnecessary alteration we have mentioned. Miss Paton is the lady that plays Agnes or Bertha; and Mr. Bennett maintains his old plumber work with his accustomed energy.

Drury Lane has opened with a bill of great promise, though at present of very indifferent performance. A new melo drama, founded on that rich Arabian story, The Enchanted Horse, is advertised as coming forth, and will, perhaps, have been produced, ere our present number appears, in which that rider of riders, Ducrow, is " to witch the world with noble horsemanship." There is a list of gentlemen and ladies inserted as the company in the large bills on the sheep's backs about town, long enough to furnish a regiment of local militia. Mr. Elliston engages to produce Der Freischütz, and will, no doubt, melt down the old safety cistern at the top of the house, rather than not follow the example of so judicious a manager as Mr. Arnold.

The Haymarket Theatre still drags on a sickly summer season, in despite of Mr. Elliston's stud, and the Covent Garden bullets. It has tried old comedies and new comedies, old farces and new farces; Madame Vestris's ankle, and Mr. Liston's face; Dowton's chuckle, and Miss Kelly's natural humour; but still the poor pit benches have several bald places nightly, which it is heart-breaking to see. The summer must, indeed, have been a profitless one here, and putting a large stake upon the last hazard of the die, the gamester's old and fatal trick, is not likely to bring back a manager's losses. Mr. Dow

ton, Miss Kelly, and several other of our best performers, have been retained at this late time, to make a season successful. The proprietor had better look to another year for indemnification for the past. A Mr. Hamblin has been enacting Hamlet with tolerable success for one night; but at present he is as like Hamlet

the jeweller, as Hamlet Prince of Denmark. He has the oddest manner of managing his voice and action that can be conceived; and, until he chooses to steady himself into something intelligible, we shall refrain from pronouncing our opinion of his talents as a tragedian.

SKETCH OF FOREIGN LITERATURE.

FRANCE.

The Drama. Notwithstanding the temporary closing of the theatres, on account of the illness and death of the late King, not only several small pieces have been brought out, but a regular comedy and tragedy, in five acts, and in verse. The tragedy is taken from the history of France, and the subject is the death of Marshal Biron, condemned for a conspiracy against the State, having actually entered into engagements with Spain and Savoy, for the purpose of dismembering France. The history is so recent, and so well known in the minutest particulars, that though it may contain good materials for a tragedy, it presents a host of difficulties, especially to a French writer bound down by the unities. On this head no reproach can be made to the author. He had laid the scene in the Bastille, where the Marshal is confined, while his trial is preparing. As he has been obliged to renounce the resources which the subject of fered, it was of course necessary to find others, and to create some characters, to assist him in getting through five acts, which cannot be filled up with nothing. In this he has shown considerable skill. One of the officers placed over the prisoners is an old man almost a hundred years of age, who has fought under five kings, and who, though he has been but indifferently recompensed for his services, is a model of fidelity to his sovereign. The contrast between the serenity and content of this veteran, who finds his reward in the consciousness of having done his duty, and the insatiable and restless ambition of Biron, who, loaded with honours and favours, still thinks him

self treated with injustice, produces an excellent effect; and the scene, where the old soldier, who served with Bayard, and was present at the death of that hero, relates the cir cumstances attending it, with the last words that he addressed to the constable of Bourbon, who fought in the enemy's ranks, is extremely striking from the similarity between the constable and Biron himself. Another character of the author's invention is Edmond, the son of Biron, which he has turned to advantage. It may be objected as a fault that the author makes Henry IV. visit Biron in prison after his sentence has been passed and made known to him. What can be the object of this visit? Is it to induce him to an act of repentance, to own his accomplices, and on this condition, to offer him his pardon? But the author should have recollected that the bare presence of the sovereign, after condemnation, brings pardon with it. Two pathetic scenes,the first, between Biron and his wife; the second, between him and his son, from whom he hurries away, to go to meet his punishment, conclude the piece. In this last scene we learn the noble conduct of Edmond, who, having been sent by his father to join the re bels in arms for him, has recalled them to a sense of their duty to their sovereign. But Edmond, a mere boy of 14 or 15, is too young to take such a resolution; and how can it be imagined that a mob in insurrection would be influenced by a child, refusing the assistance they are going to give his father? The piece was very well received, but the author declined making himself known.

Le Mari à bonnes fortunes, by M.

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Before he de

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to an ambassador.
parts he is to have a farewell meet-
ing with Adele, in the evening, in
the Bois de Boulogne, which joins
the garden. Derville has appointed to
be there at the same time, to meet
a lady, who he has the impudence to
think will accept the assignation
which he has proposed; but she
shows his letter to Adele.
comes, however, finds Charles speak-
ing with a lady, but does not recog-
nise her, being prevented by Charles
from going near enough. He retires,
thinking too, that he has recog-
nized the person, and even goes to
stand sentinel, and hold his cousin's
horse. In the conclusion, Derville,
delighted that he has caught his cou-
sin in an intrigue, relates the whole
story to his wife and mother; but
his triumph is not a little abated
when he learns from the latter the
real state of the case. He confesses
his errors, and promises to reform.
The conclusion was highly ap-
plauded.

The author's design is to prove that the best way for a husband to secure the fidelity of his wife, is to set her the example. Derville, retired in the country with his wife Adele, neglects her in pursuit of new conquests, in spite of the remonstrances of his mother, who points out the folly as well as the injustice of his conduct, and even hints that the presence of his cousin Charles, an amiable young man, who from his childhood had been brought up with Adele, may be attended with serious consequences: but Derville depending on the virtue of Adele, laughs at his mother's apprehensions, and the more so, as Charles, a zealous student History, Memoirs, and Biography. of mathematics, sees in the most-Under this head we have not much beautiful face, only lines and angles. that is new or important. The death Charles, however, is not so insensible of Louis XVIII and the accession as Derville thinks; he has even drawn of Charles X have called forth a vast Adele's portrait, which he has in the number of publications, few of which lid of a snuff-box. Adele having have any more than a temporary insurprised him looking at this por- terest, though others, containing partrait, but without recognising it, is ticulars of the lives of both these curious to know whose it is; and her princes, may, perhaps, furnish a few maid having contrived to get the box facts for the historian. Count Segur in her hands, brings it to her mis- who has published several volumes tress, who opens it. The mother of a universal history, has given to comes in, while she has it in her the public some volumes relative to hand; and Adele in her embarrass- the history of France, which are very ment says she has got Charles to highly spoken of. One of the volumes, paint it, to afford an agreeable sur- containing the life of St. Louis, is prise to her husband, whose birth- sold as a separate work. No part o day is to-morrow. The mother the expected Memoirs of Madame de causes the box to be replaced in Genlis is yet published; but it is Charles's room, and the husband, the probable the public will not have to wife, and Charles, being all as- wait much longer for a work which sembled, she begins to speak of the cannot fail to be highly interesting, mysterious portrait. We know, says M. Ladvocat, the bookseller, having she, that you have privately painted purchased the MS. at the price of Adele's portrait, to surprise her hus- 40,000 francs. The Memoirs of Carband, make no further mystery, not, drawn up, as it is affirmed, from therefore, but produce it. Charles, his MSS. his inedited correspondence, disconcerted, presents it, and is com- and his writings, by P. F. Tissot, plimented by Derville on his talent is another of those attempts to imand the great resemblance of the pose on the public, of which there portrait. have lately been but too many similar instances at Paris. This book is very nearly a reprint of Memoirs of Carnot, published at Brussels, in

Adele and Charles are both sensible that it is prudent to part, and the latter accepts the place of secretary

1817. There is reason to believe that Carnot left no Memoirs in MS. M. Pigault-le-Brun has published his third volume of his History of France.

Fine Arts and Antiquities.-Panckoucke has published the second great portfolio of the Description of Egypt, containing No. 139 to 146. These splendid plates, of the largest dimensions, represent the temples and the magnificent ornaments of the Thebais. Another volume of the text is published at the same time. M. Champollion, who is now at Turin, studying the splendid collection of Egyptian Antiquities formed by M. Drovetti, is going to publish "Letters to the Duc de Blacas d'Aulps on that Museum." The first letter describing the historical monuments, with plates, will appear very shortly.

Voyages and Travels.-The fourth number of Freycinet's Voyage round the World is published; like the preceding it belongs to the zoological department: no part of the narrative is yet printed. Mr. Mollien, author of Travels in Africa, has given to the world Travels in Columbia, 2 vols. 8vo. As they contain the latest account of the political state of that country, they will doubtless find many readers. A Dr. Pichot, has in the press Voyage Litteraire et Historique en Angleterre et en Ecosse; the author is the translator of the complete works of Lord Byron, and of the poetical romances of Sir Walter Scott.

Politics. The change of system at the commencement of a new reign, or rather we should say the abolition of the censorship of the press, which had been most unexpectedly re-established at the close of the last reign, has given rise to a vast number of pamphlets large and small; almost all of them directed against the Ministry; one of the most remarkable of which is the New Reign and the Old Ministry, by M. Salvandy. The enemies of M. de Villele have played him rather an unpleasant trick. On the publication of the declaration of Louis XVIII, dated from St. Ouen in 1814, which was the precursor of the charter, M. de Villèle, at that time Member of the General Council of the Department of the Upper Garonne, addressed to the deputies of the de

partment some Observations on the plan of a Constitution; the leading articles of which he condemns, and says, "Let us return to the constitution of our fathers, which so long rendered France flourishing and happy.” M. Say, well known for many excellent works on political economy, has published an interesting Memoir on the Origin, Progress, and probable Results of the English Sovereignty in India. Though it of course cannot contain any thing novel to English readers, who are at all acquainted with the subject; it is otherwise in France, where the nature of the English power in India is but ill understood. A Notice sur Auvers by Mr. Garonne, is a short, but interesting pamphlet: it contains among other things some particulars relative to Buonaparte's intentions in forming the great naval arsenal and basons at Antwerp.

Novels. We find several mentioned in the French Journals, but none by authors of any note, except "The Gil Blas of the Revolution," by M. Picard; whose name is a pledge of the success of his work. It is in 5 vols. 12mo. The Troubadour, or Guillaume et Marguerite, by Baron Ladoucette, is highly spoken of, as presenting a faithful picture of Provence in the twelfth century. Jean Perthus, or the Citizens of Paris two hundred and fifty years ago, is an attempt in the manner of the Scotch novels, and gives a good picture of France and Paris at the time of the league. But the author has introduced a Baron de Malteste, who is much too fond of developing his political views, and too superior to those around him. When Sir Walter Scott places a personage of his own creation among historical characters, he takes care not to assign him the first rank. The author it appears has in MS. other novels relative to various periods of the history of France.

The Dictionary of Discoveries is completed by the publication of the sixteenth volume; and the seventeenth which entirely consists of tables.

HOLLAND.

The King of the Netherlands has presented Gold Medals to Mr. Bowring and Mr. Vandyk, for their translations of the Dutch Poets published in London.

GERMANY.

While England is doing little or nothing to promote the study of the Sanscrit language and literature, which from her political and commercial relations ought to excite the strongest interest; and while France makes the learned of Europe wait too long for the communications which they have a right to expect from a country, which, besides the treasures of its libraries, possesses so many learned men versed in oriental literature; we see in Germany works in Sanscrit, and upon the Sanscrit, rapidly succeed each other, equally distinguished by the merit of the execution, and by the important aid which they afford towards the study of this new branch of Oriental Literature. It is owing to the enlightened and munificent protection of His Majesty, the King of Prussia, and the labours of M. A. W. Schlegel and Mr. Bopp, that Germany has for years taken the lead of all the other continental nations in the study of the Sanscrit. The latter gentleman has just published "The Journey of Ardjouna (or Ardschuna) to the Heaven of Indra, in Sanscrit and German, by F. Bopp. A Comparative Analysis of the Sanscrit, and the Languages connected with it; by ditto; with other Episodes from the Maha-Barata, now first published in the original Language, translated into verse: with Critical Remarks.-The third and fourth volumes of Raumer's History of the House of Hohenstaufen have been some time published; the fifth and sixth, which will complete the work, will be ready by the end of the year. A Life of the celebrated and unfortunate Ferdinand Von Schill, by J. C. L. Hakem, chiefly compiled from inedited MSS., is a highÎy interesting account of a man who will long be remembered in the history of the struggles of the Continent against the yoke of Buonaparte. Though the German literati continue honourably to distinguish themselves by the publication of useful books, in every department, and by valuable editions of the classics, we have not lately met with any thing that particularly commands our attention. We must, however, mention the "Elements of a new Theory of the Formation of the

Earth," by K. F. Klöden, with seven coloured plates, which has excited considerable sensation in Germany, and has induced the King of Prussia to send the author a gold medal. Messrs. Boisserée, of Stuttgard, have published tenor twelve numbers of lithographic engravings of their very fine and curious gallery of paintings, by the ancient German masters. They are most worthy the attention of the artist and connoisseur; and will convince them, we think, that the German school merits a much higher place in the history of art, than has hitherto been assigned it. Though the Messrs. Boisserée's splendid work, the Cathedral of Cologne, is published at Paris, we rather mention here the appearance of the second number; and have great pleasure in adding, that the King of Prussia has given 100,000 dollars towards the completion of that most splendid monument of German architecture, according to the original plan. It is highly probable that the Messrs. Boisserie, by their magnificent publication, may have contributed at least to induce His Majesty to adopt a resolution so truly worthy of a German sovereign. We regret that the nature of our report does not admit of our doing justice to this great work; but when the whole is published, we may be tempted to dwell upon it at some length; at present we will merely add, that the text throws an entirely new light on the origin and history of that species of architecture, of which the Cathedral of Cologne is perhaps the most glorious specimen; and that it is indispensable to all architects and others interested in these subjects.

RUSSIA.

Inquiries into the History of the Ancient Religious, Political, and Literary Civilization of the People of the interior of Asia; especially of the Mongols and Tibetans, by Mr. J. J. Schmidt. This work, among a great number of facts and curious particulars relative to the history of the two nations above mentioned, and to the introduction of the religion of Boudha among them, contains also a great number of fanciful conjectures, and of etymologies which cannot be maintained.

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