On Saturday night, Nov. 5, Mr. Kean made his first appearance in the character of Macbeth, which the Managers have brought out with a profusion of magnificence, and a propriety of decoration and pomp highly creditable to their || taste and liberality. Our stage seems, indeed,obliged, on important business, to take a voyage to have reached its highest point of refinement, and we much question whether Rome, in all her luxury, and Greece, in all her elegance, could rival a British theatre.

Of the scene in which he murders Duncan we feel unable to convey any adequate idea, by criti-she will accept his hand, and thus preserve hercal exposition: to be valued and felt it must be

self from being treated as an Englishwoman. The In the Banquet scene he was not quite so same decree obliges all the young nobility to successful. He wanted dignity, and somewhat enter the service; in consequence the Duke is of the courtesy of a monarch; but his address to an officer, and the decree is in his favour. The the Ghost of Banquo was in his best style. Upon heroine consents to this marriage, not to save a the whole, Kean's Macbeth is a performance life, which is become indifferent to her, but on which not only does honour to himself, but which the promise of the Duke to embark with her imwill, in conjunction with his Richard and Othello,mediately to Guiana, to where Hermacintha is form a most distinguished era in the annals of condemned to be banished. The marriage takes the British stage. place; but in the moment that the new married

couple join Hermacintha, just as they are about
to set sail, they hear the exclamation of "The
Reign of Terror is at an end." They all come
again on shore; but Mary is still, notwithstand-tinent, from the southern ocean."
ing, the wife of the Duke, who soon shews him-
self unworthy such happiness.

as it may be said, on a floating soil, which is only
sustained by dint of art, and which seems upheld
by Providence to serve as a barrier to the Con-

The following extract is from another letter, marking the good faith of the Hollanders in their dealings.

"I went to visit the bank with M.Vanwilhem ; on my return I held forth, with much energy, on the honesty of the Dutch. M. Vanwilhem was accosted by an agent, who asked his consent to buy up a great quantity of public stock. He consented. After that we visited the apartments; and as we descended, M. Vanwilhem was informed that very bad news had arrived, and that stocks had so considerably fallen, and were yet continuing to fall, that he would lose an immense sum if he paid the price before demanded of him. I could not do otherwise,' said M.

Soon after his marriage, he publicly takes a mistress, while his wife and Hermacintha inhabit one of his estates in the country. It is during these events that Julian is again brought on the scene. But how far the report of his death was erroneous, how, during two years, he never found an opportunity of writing to any of his friends, although he was a prisoner on parole, is not easily explained. However, it is sufficient to say, that he arrives. Still devoted to his Mary, he follows her to Holland, where she has returned with Hermacintha; and very soon afterwards they are informed of the death of the Duke, who has fallen in a duel; but on the night before the || Vanwilhem; it is a great misfortune.' And arrival of this news, Mary fearing that her repu- || tation would be destroyed by remaining in the|| same place with Julian, has departed no one knows whither. Diligent search is made after her; in the meantime the dykes are broken up, and the two lovers are exposed to all the dangers of an inundation. This is their last misfortune, and the work concludes with their marriage.

The following extract on the character of the Dutch, may serve as a specimen of the language, and justness of remark in this romance :

he paid in good letters of change what had so considerably fallen in value. One of my countrymen, dear Julian, was the other day at Mr. Vanwilhem's; he took the liberty of hazarding some pleasantries on the avarice and love of money amongst the Dutch. My countryman has the reputation of a man of business; he dabbles in the stocks, and has made dupes of all who have trusted him. He has almost forget to blush, but he was now put to the proof 'Sir,' said M. Vanwilhem to him, be assured, that if we are so very fond of money, we have good sense enough not to covet any other money than our own. My countryman's mouth was shut; I blushed for him, and we changed the conversation."

We find nothing particularly striking in this romance: there is little doubt but that it owes much of its success to the name of its author; and that man has certainly infinite merit, who after having acted a conspicuous part on the

sole himself with the pursuits of literature, and enjoy at the same time the esteem of his cotemporaries.

"To have a just view of the worth of a nation, we must observe the people in extraordinary disasters and misfortunes:-such as the ravages caused by inundations, tempests, war, sickness, and conflagrations. You will then behold the Dutch, whom many regard as cold and phlegmatic calculators, meet with calm fortitude the stern approaches of death, dispensing with liberal hand their wealth, the fruits of their labour, their wisdom and economy, from several generations, to the poorest of their countrymen, with-theatre of life, can retire into his closet, and conout distinction of religion, estate, or fortune, and always being actuated in their benevolence, not for what is indispensably a duty, but in proportion to the wants of their fellow creatures. From this proceeds that apparent inconsequence in the eyes of strangers, who cannot conciliate the strict economy of a Dutch family, with that prodigious generosity which they display in adversity. It is because the Hollanders always entertain the idea that they ought only to use the gifts of fortune to gratify the wants of an easy mediocrity; and that the remainder should be carefully laid by as the produce of what was obtained by their ancestors "by the sweat of their brow." That to the unfortunate who are in health, they ought only to give employment; but that they cannot do too much for the aged, the incurable, the orphan, and the sick, and in particular for those victims to public calamities, such as inundations, tempests, losses by trade, to all which calamities those are continually liable, who live,

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Mr. Arthur Taylor has in the press, in an octavo volume, a Historical Treatise of the Unction and Coronation of the Kings and Queens of England; with an Appendix of curious documents.

Dr. C. Wordsworth, dean of Bocking, is preparing to publish Sermons on Practical Subjects, for the use of families, in two octavo volumes.

Sharon Turner, Esq. has nearly ready for pub. lication, in a quarto volume, the History of England, from the Norman Conquest to the reign of Edward III. after the manner of the History of the Anglo-Saxons.

The Rev. A. Macauley, vicar of Rothley, in Leicestershire, is preparing a Life of Melancthon, connected with the History of Lutheranism and the Protestant Reformation in Europe, during the sixteenth century.

Successive Opera, or selections from ancient writers, sacred and profane, with translations and notes, by the Rev. Henry Meen, are in the press.

have all their lives been reckoned cowards, merely for the want of seizing a proper opportunity of shewing their valour. How many people have been bereft of fortune, for having let

Select Poems of Synesius, and of Gregory Na-slip a favourable moment, when by displaying zianzen, translated from the Greek, by H. S. Boyd, Esq. with some original poems, will soon be put to press.

The Rev J. J. Holmes has in the press an Elucidation of the Revelation of St. John.

Essays Moral and Entertaining, on the various faculties and passions of the human mind, by Edward Earl of Clarendon, will soon appear in a foolscap octavo volume.

A Diary of a Journey through North Wales, is printing from a manuscript of the late Dr. Sam. Johnson; with prefatory observations, anecdotes, and notes by the Rev. Henry White.

only a tenth part of their talent, they might have prospered! On this principle which I would wish to enforce, I shall be thought perhaps to embarrass myself, when I am asked, to what purpose is the discussion in which I am engaged? What can I have to say after Montesquieu, Addi. son, and Rousseau, at this epocha of happiness and hope, which seems to repel every mournful idea? I may make the reply, that this epocha touches very near to that, when the scourge of suicide made the most terrible ravages in France: then a tyrannic government imposed a silence the most absolute, on the propagation of an evil, to which, at least, it was just enough to confess itself no longer a stranger. I will declare a fact, which it is easy for me to prove, if required, that the ten last years have afforded more instances of self-slaughter, than every century put toge

A General History of Swisserland, as divided into nineteen cantons, with a description of the scenery, manners, customs, laws, &c. of the inhabitants, and coloured figures of the costume, is preparing for publication. The Cadet, a poem, being remarks on Britishther, which have preceded them. One of the India, as it respects the happiness of those who go thither as cadets, is printing in two small octavo volumes.

THE oftener I look out of the little triangular || window of my closet, at this world in which I am but a sojourner for a few hours, the more I become an observer of men and things, and the more I am convinced, that there are neither in physics nor morals such extraordinary events as we imagine, except we reckon those of life and death; other things generally owe their origin to mere trifles. It is not then utterly impossible that this page, on which a friend to humanity traces his reflections, may fall into the hands of some unhappy person, reduced to despair, and afford him some consolation; and after having read it he may be induced, if not to live, at least to wait some time; for it is not only the action of suicide, but its precursor, if I may so express myself, which it is my intention to combat against in this discourse.

Amongst all our talents, that of timing things properly is the most useful and the least general. I am acquainted with some very brave men, who

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causes of this contagion is destroyed, but the traces of it are yet recent; and the evil is not yet rooted out, which it is of so much importance to exterminate. If I add to this subject some few good observations, I cannot be reproached, as Plutarch reproached a certain orator, whose name I have forgot, that his reasonings were mal-apropos.

Cicero maintains that suicide is not a crime, on the score of religion; but every Christian philosopher blames it as a rebellion against the decrees of Heaven,

Considering the relation it has to public morals, suicide has been well attacked by Plato and J. J. Rousseau: it has found, however, if not panegyrists, at least defenders, in Seneca and Montesquieu. Not to shew ourselves undecided amidst such authority, it is sufficient to convince ourselves, that even in adopting this dangerous principle, that a man has a right to dispose of his own life, it is never right to make it a subject of the greatest importance.

We will begin, however, by citing an anecdote, which gave a serions turn to our conversation, during our last supper, to which my friend Clenord came rather later than usual, with a very serious countenance, and for which we insisted on knowing the reason.

"I saw this morning," said he, “a female relation, who is accustomed to reside in the country, and who has been separated from us near eighteen years. I recollect, at the time we last parted, she was suckling a little girl, whom she absolutely idolized. When I just now saw her, my first care was to ask after Herminia (which was the name of the child), and I found that my question was misplaced by the grief which was diffused over the countenance of this poor lady. She turned pale, and burst into tears; and it was

not from her own lips, but from those of another, sounded in vain with the shrieks of love and that I learnt the following detail:despair.

"Madame de Fremeuil (which is the name of my cousin), brought up, with the blindest fondness, a daughter of the most angelic beauty; and did nothing to stop the course of the most lively and susceptible imagination; which, but too often, while it adds to the charms of her who is gifted with it, is only the source of unhappiness to the interesting owner.

"From the age of fourteen Herminia gave herself up to melancholy musings, which were looked on as the effects of a serious and reflecting mind; reading was her chief delight, and maternal fondness, which regulated the choice of her studies, thought it did enough in preventing her from reading dangerous publications: Wether was not of that number; Herminia was delighted with it, and her head was turned with sentimental ideas before the repose of her heart had been troubled by its feelings.

a

"In a mind equally tender, but less ardent, the sorrow caused by such an event might have felt some diminution. Hope might have found something whereon to lean. Herminia opposed herself in secret to every consolation which was offered her, against every sentiment which might turn her from the fatal project she had for the last week resolved on, and on the execution of which I dread to dwell. Her wretched mother found her dead on that bed which was destined to be her bridal couch." Madame de Montliver.-Dreadful catastrophe! Dubuisson.-What folly! Moussinot.-What madness!

1

Duterrier. What a false calculation! Tell me then, why should we not kill ourselves, when evil in this world overpowers the good? I look upon that as a speculative morality which might be undertaken yet before we undertake any thing we ought well to weigh each subject. "Fortune," says Bacon, "resembles a market, where we ought to wait till the price of the dif ferent articles lessens." Why did not the young Herminia wait three months? The peace which we now enjoy would have restored to her her lover She would no longer have any conscription to dread, and she would now have been the happiest of womankind. She made a bad calculation.

“Madame de Fremeuil inhabited a country house a short distance from Charleville; young man, named Victor Despares, whom his father, at an immense expence, had saved the third time from conscription, came to seek, about two years ago, an asylum in that house where his parents were well known, and where he was received with the kindest welcome. There are certain characters and circumstances in life which are almost sufficient to indicate the events which will necessarily follow. These young M. Guillaume.-Cato did not make a better people no sooner saw each other but they loved: one at Utica instead of destroying himself so whatever appeared romantic in their situation, unprofitably, why did not he live to conspire made every obstacle disappear, in the eyes of with Brutus? The consequences attending the Herminia, which might cause their separation; || death of Cæsar might have been very different, and Madame de Fremeuil, who had only to com- and the republic might have been saved. bat against a rising passion, trembled at the idea of its being too profound for her to think of conon- || quering it. She adored her daughter, and every consideration fled before the dread of giving her uneasiness. Victor had neither birth nor fortune; Herminia loved him the better; and her mother, who had so often applauded the theory of such a sentiment, durst scarce make the smallest objections upon the application her daughter now made of it. The marriage was determined on; but it could not take place as long as the young man remained liable to the cruel law, of which he would, if discovered, be exposed to the utmost rigour: every step was taken, and the utmost precaution; they began, in effect, to hope that Victor might obtain a general exemption, and to which he had, certainly, indisputable right.

Duterrier is in the right: it is never right to destroy one's self, and I will bring no other proof than the story of the pretty page of the King John Cassimir, Mazzepas, who was surprised with the wife of a Polish gentleman, and fel! into the hands of his cruel and powerful rival, who condemned him to be tied naked to a wild horse, and abandoned in this state to his misfortune. Before this order was put into execution, a friend of Mazze pas procured him the means of escaping, by self-murder; he chose rather to wait, and submit to his punishment. The horse on which he was mounted was a native of Ukrania; he returned thither, and carried the page, who was almost dying with hunger, wounds, and fatigue, into the midst of the Cossacks; they af forded him immediate help, he remained amongst them, signalized himself in several excursions, became Hetman of the Ukranian Cossacks, and made a figure in history as the ally of Charles XII.

Clenord.-I know but one excuse which can be made for suicide, which is the loss of honour : we may live in sorrow; hope will support us : and even with guilt, repentance may bring comfort; but loss of honour brings only shame, and

it has no remedy but death. We laugh at Vatel who killed himself because the mullet arrived too late; it was, however, only a forced application || of an excellent principle.

high birth, and made it a matter of regret to see such a person doomed to perpetual seclusion.— Rigid in the performance, however, of her sacred calling, Octavia was severe to herself, while she possessed the most unbounded philanthropy for the whole human race. When it was her duty to obey, she was meek, lowly, and submissive; but when promoted to be chief Vestal, she commanded with an authority which made her feared,

Moussinot. I never desired to kill myself but once in my life, it was during the reign of Maximilian: I was then in trade, and I thought myself ruined by a law which obliged me, under pain of passing for a suspected person in my section, to deliver my merchandizes at seventy-though her amiability and accomplishments five per cent loss. I then meant to blow my brains out. Fortunately for that purpose, powder and ball were requisite; I had none at home, and I was obliged to put off the buying some till next day; the night brought with it reflection, and I finished by finding that it was better to calculate on the reign of Maximilian, than to submit to it by dying.

Dubuisson-My greatest objection against suicide is, that it has its source too much in a malady which comes from England, and that we have adopted it as a fashion, with her jockies, dock-tailed horses, Young's Night Thoughts, and spencers. The English kill themselves to get rid of this melancholy: let us allow them then this pastime, which suits neither our character nor our climate.

Fremenville.-I am astonished, gentlemen, that in following this discussion, which certainly cannot be very amusing to Madame Montliver, you have not tried to prove, like skilful moralists, that there is a degree of cowardice in selfmurder; that is one of the paradoxes to maintain the honour of human nature, which I am very fond of hearing,

M. Guillaume.-We are resolved, my good cousin, not to afford you that pleasure. For my part, at least, I am ready to acknowledge, that some courage may be shewn in a contempt of life; I only wish they would make use of that courage to get out of trouble, instead of using it to get out of the world. Suicide, though a courageous action, is not a good one. In that, I believe, we all agree suicide is often a erime, often a madness, rarely admitting of excuse, and always a false calculation.

A FREE SPEAKER.

ACCOUNT OF ONE OF THE VESTAL

VIRGINS.

The beautiful Octavia was destined by her parents to be shut up in the cloister of the Vestal Virgins, at the age of seven years. When she attained the age of seventeen, it is reported that nothing in nature had been ever before seen so supremely lovely; added to the most beautiful countenance, was a certain air of kindness, goodness, and modesty diffused over it, which rendered her irresistibly charming; while a decided air of majesty attending her slightest movements, shewed her born to add dignity to

gained her the love of all who approached her. While she restored to the Vestal Virgins many of the privileges they had lost, for want of exertion in their chief, she carefully studied their diffe rent tempers, and wrought upon the refractory more by persuasion and reasoning than by punishment; at the same time letting them know that she would be obeyed. The order that was observed in the sacred Temple during her administration was admirable; she was happy in friendship, as she met with a kindred mind amongst one of the virgins, and their lives glided on in calm serenity and peace, while age made his advances un perceived and unfeared: over the charms of Octavia he had but little power: possessed of uninterrupted health, she knew the ravages of time only by succeeding years. Her heart in her youth was passionate and tender; she well knew that she was compelled by her state to renounce all the softer inclinations; and one passion took possession of her soul, the love of glory. To be the first of Vestal Virgins, to have her name handed down to latest posterity, was her sole ambition; she laboured unceasingly to attain it, and her wishes were crowned withr success. Amongst the names of Lucretia, Portia, and other Roman ladies of high renown, the name of Octavia, the Vestal, graces the historic page, and will with them be celebrated to distant ages, and kingdoms yet unfounded.

FEMALE GAMESTERS.

A severe moralist once reproached a lady of high rank, on her excessive love of play. "The hours consumed at it," said he, " are at least so much time destroyed." "Alas, yes, Sir," said she, "I have often thought how much precious time is wasted while the cards are shuffling."

A lady who was also fatally addicted to gaming, received under her protection a niece, from Bearn, aged about sixteen, who had just lost her mother. "Would you believe," said she, when she introduced her to her friends, "that this girl knows nothing of the usages of society! How shockingly young people are brought up in the country! They have not even taught her to deal and shuffle the cards!"