minution in the quantity of public amusement and gaiety in France. The immense influx of strangers in 1814 and 1815, might compensate for the absence of the French. The superiority of the last year quoted over all the former, can only be attributed to the return of the nation to their natural and peaceful enjoyments; and we are glad to observe, that in that species of amusement which more especially belongs to the people themselves, such as bals, soirées, and petits spectacles, there is a considerable increase beyond any former year.

In the year 1807, there were no less than twenty-three theatres in Paris; but these, by an imperial decree of August, in that year, were reduced to eight.

are generally in the morning of life; our children are therefore educated and settled in the world by noon; and thus, our business being done, we have an afternoon and evening of cheerful leisure to ourselves, such as our friend at present enjoys. By these early marriages we are blessed with more children; and from the mode among us, founded by nature, of every mother suckling and nursing her own child, more of them are raised.-Thence the swift progress of population among us, unparalleled in Europe. In fine, I am glad you are married, and congratulate you most cordially upon it. You are now in the way of becoming a useful citizen, and you have escaped the unnatural state of celibacy for life-the fate of many here who never intended it, but who, having too long postponed the change of their condition, find at length, that it is too late to think of it, and so live all their lives in a situation that greatly lessens a man's value. An odd volume of a set of books bears not the value of its proportion to the set. What think you of the odd half of a pair of scissors? It can't well cut any thing. It may possibly serve to scrape a trencher.

All these theatres and various places of amusement, are not merely under the general superintendance of the police, but are specially regulated by a code of laws, promulgated successively by the convention, the consuls, the Emperor, and the King, in which all the details of scenic representation, from the choice of pieces to be played down to that of the box-keepers, are minutely regulated. Repugnant as this system of petty legislation is to our feelings as Britons, yet it must be confessed, that it ap- Pray make my compliments and best wishes acceptable pears to suit the people for whom it is intended, and that to your bride. I am old and heavy, or I should, ere this, the regulations themselves are often useful. In whatever have presented them in person. I shall make but small concerns the safety of the audience, we not only think use of the old man's privilege, that of giving advice to the interposition of public authority proper, but that the younger friends.-Treat your wife always with respect; it example of the French government, modified as circum-will procure respect to you, not only from her, but from stances demanded, might be followed with advantage by all that observe it. Never use a slighting expression to ourselves. The regulations for the prevention of fire are her, even in jest; for slights in jest, after frequent banvery strict: dyings, are apt to end in angry earnest.-Be studious in your profession, and you will be learned. Be industrious and frugal, and you will be rich. Be sober and temperate, and you will be healthy. Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy; at least you will, by such conduct, stand the best chance for such consequences.

The French actors form a kind of joint-stock company, and a committee of six, with a commissioner named by the government, is appointed to manage the interests of the society. The committee, however, have little power, the principal authority being vested in the commissioner. The receipts of the theatre are divided into twenty-four equal parts; one part is set aside for unexpected demands; one half part is given to the pension or superannuated fund; another half-part is assigned to the decorations, scenery, repairs, &c.

Biography.

The other twenty-two parts are HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF YORK.

distributed amongst the actors, none receiving more than one part, nor less than one-eighth of a part.

The actors, on entering this society, contract an engagement to play for twenty years, after which they are entitled to a retiring pension of 4000 francs per annum, about 1701. These pensions are payable, half out of an annual allowance of 100,000 francs, (about 42001.) made by government to the theatre, and the other half out of funds raised out of the receipts and contributions of the

actors.

ON MARRIAGE.

By Dr. Franklin, in a letter to a Friend. PARTICULAR circumstances of particular persons may possibly sometimes make it prudent to delay entering into that [the marriage] state; but, in general, when nature has rendered our bodies fit for it, the presumption is in nature's favour, that she has not judged amiss in making us desire it. Late marriages are often attended, too, with this further inconvenience, that there is not the same chance that the parents shall live to see their offspring educated. Late children,' says the Spanish proverb, are early orphans; a melancholy reflection to those whose case it may be! With us in America, marriages

"Still in the palaces of kings, and still
Insatiate, holds his dread carousals-Death!
He knows no pause; nor surfeited as yet

With royalty prolongs his carnival.'—ANON.
ANOTHER of the royal family of Great Britain, being
the fifth within a period of little more than three years,
has paid that debt which the proudest monarch and the
meanest peasant alike owe to nature. Although her
Royal Highness the Duchess of York lived in that unos-
tentatious retirement, which affords little incident to the
biographer, yet her amiable qualities demand that she
should not be consigned to the tomb unnoticed.

Frederica Charlotte Ulrica Catherine, consort of his Royal Highness the Duke of York, is descended from the ancient house of Brandenburg, and is half-sister to the present King of Prussia. She was the daughter of the late King of Prussia by his first wife, Elizabeth Christina Ulrica, of Brunswick Wolfenbuttle, and was the only offspring of that union. Her Royal Highness was born May 7, 1767, and educated under the eye of her mo→ ther, in those strict principles of the protestant faith which govern the ecclesiastical constitution of Prussia.

During an excursion of the Duke of York to the continent, his Royal Highness visited the court of Berlin, and formed an affectionate attachment to the Princess Royal

of Prussia, whose accomplishments and virtues were the she consented, and gave tickets to all her servants. Soon theme of admiration, and the sentiment being mutual, the after, an itinerant Methodist came to preach a charity consent of the parents on both sides was soon obtained. sermon in the same building (the barn), and application The marriage took place at Berlin, on the 29th of Sep- was again made to the Duchess to revisit the place, with tember, 1791, and the Duke and Duchess left the Prus- which she complied; but the servants desired to be exsian capital on the 17th of October following. After stop-cused, on the plea that they did not understand English. ping a week at Hanover, and four days at Osnaburg, (the Oh!' said her Royal Highness, you had no objection bishopric of his Royal Highnesss,) they proceeded to to go to the comedy, which you understood much less, England by the way of Brussels and Lisle, to Calais. In and so you shall go to the sermon.' The Duchess accordthe journey they were much annoyed by the brutal mobsingly went with all her train, and contributed liberally on which then abounded in every town and village, commit- the occasion, as well for them as herself.

ting the most abominable excesses in the name of liberty, Though the marriages of their Royal Highnesses proand insulting as aristocrats all persons who had a respect-mised political advantages, which have not been realized, able equipage. At Lisle, their Royal Highnesses were yet it was purely a marriage of love, and their union has exposed to considerable danger, from the savage rout ever been marked by a tender and mutual friendship. which the arms on the carriage had attracted, and who The state of her Royal Highness's health has long kept possession of the vehicle till they had completely sa- doomed her to retirement; a retirement, however, marked tisfied their revolutionary spirit by obliterating the en- by the most active benevolence. Easy of access, affable signs of royalty. At length, after incurring much incon- and humane, she spent her whole time in promoting the venience, and some danger, the illustrious pair landed at comforts and the happiness of every individual within her Dover, on the 17th of November, and reached York sphere. The children of the whole neighbourhood, who House on the following day, where the Prince of Wales needed her assistance, were clothed and educated under received his royal sister in the great hall, and congratu- her own immediate inspection, and even with her assistlated her in the German language, on her arrival in Eng-ance. Every Sunday, whole troops of her infant proland. On the 23d of the same month, the marriage ce- tegees were to be seen crossing the park, in their simple remony was performed at Buckingham House. The but clean attire, to the mansion of their benefactors, Prince of Wales gave away the bride, who, at the conclu- where they regularly partook of cakes and wine adsion of the ceremony, went to his Majesty, and attempted ministered by her own hand. As they grew up, the to kneel, which the King, with some difficulty, prevented, patronage of Her Royal Highness still extended to them, and raising her in his arms, affectionately saluted her and in the shape of apprentice premiums and marriage portions. presented her to the Queen. Among her own household, not a servant was married but a house was provided for them by the Princess, and the estate and its neighbourhood abounded with cottages so tenanted. Her Royal Highness also founded and endowed two benefit societies; and besides, had a long list of infirm pensioners, who were regularly paid, some five, some ten, and others twenty pounds a-year. The list of public charities also bear testimony to her zealous humanity, and afford ample proofs of the interest she took in every thing calculated to promote the happiness or alleviate the sufferings of her fellow creatures. In short, she never turned a deaf ear to the prayer of want, or the plaint of woe, but had a hand open as day for melting charity,' and the blessing of the poor and the needy is upon her. Unaccustomed to the rude welcome of an English po- It was not merely to all of human kind,' that the pulace, her Royal Highness felt startled at the discord-humanity of her Royal Highness was confined; the very ant music of a band of marrow bones and cleavers, which brute creation shared the benevolence of her nature. Lord greeted her when she went to the Queen's birth-day ball; Erskine, in a beautiful little poem, entitled The and it was with great difficulty that her Royal Highness Farmer's Vision,' thus alludes to this trait in the characcould be made to believe that this curious concert was in-ter of the Duchess of York :tended as a compliment. On its being explained to her, she bowed courteously to the populace, and ordered a present to be given to the performers, who rent the air with acclamations.

On the following day, the Queen held an extraordinary drawing-room at St. James's Palace, for the purpose of publicly receiving the Duchess of York, who went in state. About the middle of the following month, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and Common Council of the city, presented their complimentary congratulations to the royal pair on their marriage. To this address the Duchess gave the following answer: I thank you for your congratulations, so expressive of love and duty to the King our Sovereign, and of affection to the Duke of York and myself. They make impressions on my mind, and it shall be my constant and unremitting study to deserve the esteem of the city of London.'

On the birth day of his Royal Highness in the same year, his amiable consort gave a grand dinner at Oatlands, to all the Duke's tradesmen, allowing each of them two guineas for the expense of a carriage from town. After the entertainment there was a dance, and the Duchess opened the ball herself with the Prince of Wales.

Another pleasing anecdote is related of her Royal Highness, as having occurred about this period. A company of strolling players having obtained leave to exhibit in à barn at Weybridge, petitioned her Royal Highness to honour the performance with her presence; to which

At Oatlands, where the buoyant air
Vast crowds of rooks can scarcely bear,
What verdure paints returning Spring!
What crops surrounding harvests bring!
Yet swarms on every tree are found,
Nor hear the fowler's dreaded sound
And when the kite's resistless blow
Dashes their scatter'd nests below,
Alarm'd they quit the distant field
To seek the park's indulgent shield,
Where close in the o'er-shadowing wood,
They build new cradles for their brood,
Secure their fair protectress nigh,
Whose bosom swells with sympathy.'.

In addition to all these estimable qualities, her Royal 'Highness added a strict observance of all her religious

Fine Arts.

FAMILY.

The best work of one skilful in mere execution, will be comparatively very uninteresting without those three adMR. HOBDAY'S PICTURE OF THE ROTHSCHILD junct charms, which embellish an artist's performances with that beauty, effect, and vigour, which can only cha'Cum omnia ratione, animoque, lustraveritis omnium societa-racterize the productions of those, whose pencils glow rum nulla est gravior, nulla est carior, quam ea familiarum, with forcible impression and fertile enthusiasm-displaycari sunt parentes, cari liberi, propinqui, et familiares.' MR. HOBDAY is one of those artists, who most studiing, not life and motion only, but motive also. Those painters who, whilst they preserve the identity of ously observe, and cautiously follow nature in their works. their figures, endue them with a portion of ideal sentiThe study of the old masters is instructive, acts as an ment, pleasing grace, and happy expression, and who, admirable corrective, and oftentimes leads the painter to adhering to essential truth, reject the defects of imperfect the true principles of the art; but where is the man who forms and expressions, and adorn their own works with an has attained the title of a great painter, merely by study-imaginary elegance of character, imposing yet trueing the works of his successful predecessors, and without adorned yet unostentatious, paint not for their patrons carefully observing nature, with a painter's eye? We only, but for the world at large. We have no hesitation know of none. A just knowledge of the true principles to ascribe to Sir Thomas Lawrence, the foremost station of natural formation is absolutely essential to the success amongst such artists, and we may with truth add, that of the art. To the painter who loves nature as a tutoress Mr. Hobday is one of the number. His portraits possess should be loved, scarcely a scene or an object is uninte- nature in an eminent degree, adorned with the loveliness resting each part of time, and each separate place, afford of beauty, and arranged in the richness of a pleasing comto his scrutinizing mind opportunity for attentive observa-position, which an inventive genius only can supply. His tion and accurate investigation. Every natural appear-portraits have a striking air of historic character, comance and every ocular impression, from the most simple mingled with identical semblance and propriety, and to the most complex-every human action and every coloured with force and richness. He displays in his porvaried expression, from the most common to the most ex-traits, not the mere every-day character of identical phytraordinary, grand, and awful-each separate and collec-siognomy, but he superadds intellectual sentiment and tive character of passion-age-health-beauty, and even commanding vigour;-his sitters appear endued with a deformity itself, attract his attention, invite his delineatory superior force of expression, and with a hively glow of imitation, and demand his most earnest and minute animated character, which although, they have in real life inquiry into their causes and effects, in order that he may only a periodical or temporary existence, yet exhibit upon successfully transfer their expressions to canvass, in lines canvass, a most charming effect. It is a misfortune with constituting forms. The artist who thus properly studies some painters, and particularly with Beechey, that after they nature's principles with studious caution and accurate have drawn a good forcible outline very creditable to research, may, for a while, reside in thehumble retirement their talents, they smoothen it down until it loses all its of modest fame, but ere long his talents will be duly ap- fine force and expressive character, so that their pictures, preciated, and the glory of his powers will burst forth when finished, appear tame and insipid. In our humble above the horizon of sober modesty, which has for a period opinion, scarcely any such smooth softening (however exobscured it from the world, to blaze in future, enduring, cellent in the mind of the painter,) compensates for the and unsullied splendour. His laudable efforts will be loss of a firm, bold, and vigorous outline. We make honourably rewarded with the valuable approbation of this cursory observation en passant, rather by way of comthose, who can wisely distinguish between gaudy ostenta-parison than of analogy; it is well known that Mr. Hobtion and modest truth-between glittering alloy and pure day practically opposes such an impolitic absurdity, and, pearl. And the delightful extension of his individual in his most finished productions, force and vigour are faculties will prove to him, an ample recompense for his never sacrificed to insipid softness. Apologising to our toils, however constant or arduous they have been. He readers for the length of this exordium (although long will find his sphere of vision extended, to a degree almost exordiums are now fashionable) we proceed to notice the equal to the creation of superhuman senses and new work. This picture of the family of N. M. Rothschild, organic powers, the existence of which benefit, we know Esq. consul general of his Austrian Majesty at the British that some ignorant persons rail at as absurd and visionary; court, and the celebrated loan contractor, is in size 14 feet but their opinion being founded upon their own weak, by 11; to the right of the picture is Mr. Rothschild confined, imperfect, and perhaps perverted faculties, is dressed in black, and seated upon a sofa, near to a table of course devoid of truth and experience. The painter covered with green cloth, whereon are laid several letters who wisely studies nature with care, can scarcely exhibit of public correspondence; his right arm hangs elaias in his pictures, dullness or insipidity;-his imagination over the arm of the sofa; in his left hand, he holdsy,n will attain with rapidity and precision, the power of com- opened letter. He appears looking at his family to the bining nature, ease, elegance, and invention, and in pro- right, with an attentive air of affectionate regard. The portion to his success in that happy combination, his style likeness is admirable, and the extremeties are well mamust be effective, consistent, and imposing-that style naged, but we would recommend a little more vigour in which, without the union of nature, must be barren, unin- the features. Behind Mr. Rothschild is an architectural teresting, false, and insipid, but which with nature, will mass of stone, forming the base of a building, and throwbe admired by all sober observers, as beautiful, charac-ing out the figure of Mr. Rothschild with much effect. teristic, grand, chaste, and interesting. That a painter's The dead appearance of the mass of stone is very much powers of invention, composition, and expression,-the relieved by the judicious introduction of a curtain, which supreme charms of the art,—are founded upon the study of is properly toned down with chastening shade. We would nature, is an axiom which we think will not be denied. recominend the introduction of some sculpture or orna

mental work to the left, to lessen the apparent uninterest- inclined to imagine the fine animal himself rather than ing deadness of the stone. To the left of Mr. Rothschild his image on canvass before us; the pupil of the dog's is his lady, attired in a simple yet elegant dress, consisting eye appears attracted by and directed towards the brilliof crimson velvet, trimmed with lace; with her right armant colouring of Miss Rothschild's shawl; this is natural, she holds the youngest child, an infant; with her left hand, as animals, particularly horses and dogs, frequently obshe affectionately holds the infant's left arm. The artist serve with fixed occular attention, any bright or shining has succeeded well in the delineation of this lady's figure: object near to them. In the foreground, in front of Miss. -the fine characteristic expression, chaste propriety of at- Rothschild, is her sister, a sweetly pretty child, apparently tude, pleasing beauty of form, and rich depth and soft- about three years old, who has been playfully amusing ness of colouring, are qualities which excite with lively herself, with a basket of damask roses in her lap, vying feelings of admiration, every observer, independently of with her roseate cheeks; some of the roses lie scattered on the perfection of the resemblance. The fine black hair the ground; her limbs play in youthful undulations; in of Mrs. Rothschild increases the imposing appearance of her left hand she holds a rose, and she holds up her right her interesting features, which glow with the most serene hand and arm towards the place where her father is sitsoftness, and with the sweetest complacency; her arms ting; the very arch and playful infantine expression of (ornamented with armlets,) her hands and her neck are this pleasing child is peculiarly worthy of approbation. also beautifully formed, and admirably painted, but the Behind the two eldest sons of Mr. Rothschild, is an archibust, perhaps, requires a little more shading. What tectural double column; to the left, is an ornamental object in human nature can be regarded as more interest-flight of stone steps leading to a park, which appears in ing and affecting, than a fond mother encircled with her the distance, and through which passes a narrow river or loving progeny, who hail her delightful presence with the stream, over which is thrown a neat bridge. We presume pure pleasure of juvenile attachment? Her motion is sober that the artist intends altering the sky in the distance, as her mind is placid, for if the artist had imparted to which is of too deep an ultra marine, it should be of a her forcible action or extraordinary animation, he would lighter blue, lightened with a few scirrhous clouds; it is have been justly accused of affectation, and ignorance of now too much in the true blue style of Stothard; by the human nature. We expect not to find in the social circle, side of the steps is a group of rose trees in full bloom. To that fire of spirited enterprize, which should be exhibited the left of the double column, and between the other butonly in the representation of extraordinary or awful inci- ment of the building in the foreground, is a most happy. dents, and therefore Mr. Hobday has most prudently dis- piece of landscape, consisting of warmly verdant foliage, played in this picture affectionate placidity and fond illumined by the penetrating rays of the sun, which gleam attachment, rather than forcible action of body and bold through the uppermost parts at the top of the picture. animation of feature; we may be wrong, but we think Over the base of the column, the curling tendrils of the that the figure of the infant in Mrs. Rothschild's arins vine display their twisting points; the whitish bark of the should have been somewhat more vigorous: the artist has trunks and branches of the young trees is well touched. aimed to express, as we imagine, the repose of infancy The trees in the park want a little finishing with glazing upon maternal fondness; but, although we admire the colour. The foliage is admirably conceived, and warmly lower extremities of the child, we fancy that we detect or executed; the top of the butment is much relieved by a observe a portion of insipidity in the countenance, which curtain; the figures rather exceed the size of life,-a quawants some of that fine pleasing character which Mr. Hob- lity which we highly approve of in large portraits, which, day can well display, and which he has most successfully as they are to be seen at a distance have not the effective thrown in Mrs. Rothschild's features. Next to Mrs. appearance of the full life size, without such enlargement. Rothschild, is her eldest daughter-an interesting young This excellent picture is one of the finest groups of por lady of about 16 years of age; she appears regarding her traits we have ever seen. We anticipate that it will rank mother with a most pleasing air of affectionate observation; high amongst the best specimens of English portraitin her right hand she holds her bonnet ;-her fine, open, painting; the pencil throughout has been handled with and interesting expression of countenance is charmingly spirited freedom;-the faces are pleasing and characterattractive, and her attitude, in which nature, elegance, istic;-the positions graceful, interesting, and appropriand ease are admirably combined, is one of the most ate;-the composition is ingenious and clever;-the chiare graceful and appropriate that could be devised; over her scuro judicious;-the outlines are firm, bold, and vigo shoulders, a yellow shawl undulates most gracefully, rous;-the general colouring is transparent, bright, and without injuring by a dazzling effect the appearance of sober, and the flesh colours are rich and blooming;-the the chiaro-scuro. Next to Miss Rothschild, are her two landscape is natural, gay, and sparkling;-the foliage elder brothers, the eldest of whom is holding his hat in bright and transparent;-the animal painting exhibited the dog's mouth, and the younger boy is pointing to the in the dog clear, and the tout ensemble has that general park in the distance. Next to him is the youngest son, charm of fine suavity of tone, denominated harmony. In who has his left arm round the body of the dog, whom this great stretch of canvass, the artist has acquitted bimhe playfully caresses. The figures of the young gentle- self with an ability, which must ensure to him future men are well displayed, and the expression of their features fame, and we trust that his success in the work now under is characteristic and consistent. To the extreme left of notice, will stimulate his many distinguished patrons to the picture, is a very fine favourite Newfoundland dog, new commissions, and himself to fresh and increased ex(once belonging to Mr. Rothschild, but now dead,)ertions. We recommend the attentive study of this picture painted with great effect and truth; it rather appears painted by a clever pupil of Snyders, than by a professed portrait-painter,-a proof of the extensive range of the artist's genius; so complete is the illusion, that we feel

to all those ignorant professors, who vainly conceive that it is not worth their attention to descend to the minutia (as they term them,) of execution and design:

It is always pleasing to contemplate the advancement