ANACREONTIC. Once more, good host! the goblet fill ! Let our sighs in good wine swim. Quaff, again, the genial draught, Wine elates me, cheers my soul; Wine discharges rankling grief; Wine will arm me 'gainst the thief: Death may call us soon away, His mandate we must then obey: The sturdy goblet quickly fill, We can't live to eternity. Nov. 23d 1804. MEMORANDA DRAMATICA. LEOPOLD. HAY-MARKET. JUNE 8.-The season commenced on this evening with Guilty or not Guilty, and Love laughs at Locksmiths. We last month noticed the principal alterations in the state of the company. A Mr. CLIFFORD, we believe from the Richmond theatre, performed the character of Lord Rigid in the comedy, and Mrs. PITT, from the Margate stage, that of Miss Pointer. We cannot very highly compliment either of these performers. The lady's person is not well calculated for the sentimental heroines; and the formal dignity of the nobleman sat but indifferently on Mr. Clifford, who may nevertheless be of use to the theatre, in subordinate characters of another description. H-VOL. XX. 10.-Mountaineers.-Village Lawyer.-Mr. CAMPBELL, a gentleman whom we recollect to have seen at Covent-Garden; who afterwards played Charles Surface at Drury-Lane, and who has since held very respectable situations on several provincial stages, performed Bulcazin Muley, with some claim to approbation. In a character so uniformly tempestuous, it is not easy to avoid the fault of ranting. There is a defect, however, in Mr. Campbell's acting which we fear is habitual to him, a sort of drawl, with too open a pronunciation of the vowels, which give an unpleasing tediousness to his delivery. To use a military phrase, his words hang fire; he seems unwilling to part with them. He speaks, however, very sensibly, and his personal appearance is much in his favour. The little Tyrer was much applauded on her appearance in Agnes. In the Village Lawyer Mr. LISTON, from the Newcastle company, made his debut in Sheepface. After Emery, we believe, Mr. Liston will find no competitor in the line of character he has chosen. This is very high praise considering Emery's great excellence. Mr. Liston's is a quiet style of acting, yet sufficiently effective. He has brought with him no provincial extravagances, and fairly gains the applause which is bestowed on him. We do not mean to say his acting is purely natural, for no acting can be so; the stage requires aids which nature perhaps would refuse to acknowledge: but we may safely say that Mr. Liston never wantonly deviates from her path. There is an archness and a simplicity in his Sheepface, which strongly recommend his performance, and we are not surprised that an engagement so immediately followed his first appearance. Mathews gives Scout, particularly the mock-mad scene, in a style of luxurious and irresistible humour, which we have not seen excelled. Mrs. Powell, late of Covent Garden, performed Mrs. Scout. This lady is a considerable addition to the respectability of the company, and is capable of doing great justice to the Heidelberg characters, &c. which maintain so important a station among the dramatis persona of English comedy and farce. 13.-Road to Ruin.-Jew and Doctor.-Mr. Dowton made his first bow on this stage in Old Dornton and Abednego. He was received with all the honours due to his rank and ability. 14.-Heir at Law.-Agreeable Surprise.-Mr. Liston's second character was Zekiel Homespun, in which he did not appear to such high advantage as in Sheepface. The representative of Zekiel should have a more interesting person. We must do Mr. De Camp the justice to say that his performance of this character is, altogether, the best we have yet seen. Dowton's Panglos is not a lucky effort; but it is probably as good as any other exhibition of it, except Fawcett's, who, we think, in this part, must ever remain unrivalled. We notice the Agreeable Surprise only to remark how well Mrs. Mathews, who performed Laura, acquitted herself in the song. 18.-Review.-Mr. Winston, one of the proprietors, appeared in Caleb Quotem. He has taken Mr. Fawcett for his model, and imitation has seldom been more exact. He was very much applauded, particularly in the song. 19-Their MAJESTIES witnessed the performance of John Bull and Raising the Wind. We were much pleased with Dowton's Thornberry. Denman very much improves in Dennis Brulgruddery, and indeed in all his Irish characters. 22.---Poor Gentleman.---Mr. Winston appeared in Ollapod, which he played two seasons ago, for a benefit at Covent Garden. Though we may not think that Mr. Winston's pretensions are of the very first rate order, we are of opinion that on this occasion he did not meet with that liberality and forbearance which generally mark the conduct of a London audience. Liston was very whimsical and characteristic in Stephen Harrowby, and Dowton in the Baronet "excellent i faith." A Mrs. Mara, from the Liverpool boards, made her appearance in Emily Worthington, and the audience seemed satisfied with her exertions. This lady has since played Helen, in the Iron Chest; Queen Margaret, in the Battle of Hexham; Cecilia, in the Chapter of Accidents, &c. &c. 28.---The Partners, a comedy by Mr. HOARE, was performed for the first and the last time, before the most clamorous, and we may add, the most uncandid audience ever collected before the dramatic curtain. The comedy was certainly not such in all respects as we had a right to expect from an author of such acknow ledged talent and reputation as Mr. Hoare; but the audience, or rather certain parties among them, appeared ripe for mischief. Their cry was "Havoc and let loose the dogs of war," and never was poor author yelped at, hunted down, and worried, by a more hungry and ferocious pack. We shall not enter particularly into the plot or merits of a piece that has been withdrawn by its author; but from the good writing in much of the dialogue; the excellent acting of Elliston, especially in the scene with his partner, where his embarrassments and his pride operate in strong conflict; from the obvious ease with which the removal of seve ral objectionable incidents and expressions might have been effected; and from the recollection of the success, on a second night, of much inferior productions, we could have wished that the comedy of the Partners had been allowed a repetition. 3rd JULY.-Speed the Plough.---Mr, Liston's delineation of countrymen (so happy in the clowns) does not accord with the features of the honest, homely, Farmer Ashfield, who is rather an unique in modern comedy. His performance does not exhibit a single trait of the Farmer. Emery is in the same predicament with this character, Neither should aspire beyond the louts. 18. The VILLAGE, or the World's Epitome. A new comedy in three acts by Mr. Cherry, the representation of which we could not attend ; but we understand it was considered by the audience an unfaithful Epitome of the world; and as such condemned. 19.---A second attempt was made in favour of the Village; but proved unsuccessful. Mr. Elliston was imprudent enough (to use no harsher epithet) to deliver his opinion of the merits of the piece, which excited some disapprobation; and an altercation behind the scenes between him and Mr. Mathews gave rise to some mistatement in the newspapers, which induced Mr. Elliston to publish a letter of explanation. We learn, with much pleasure, that two performers who are engaged so essentially in the business of this theatre, are again upon friendly terms. KING'S THEATRE. THE performances of this theatre closed on Saturday the twentieth of July, with the comic opera of La Cosa Rara, in which the rare powers of Mrs. Billington, Braham, and Morelli, were as usual conspicuously displayed and rapturously applauded. The strenuous exertions and skilful management of Mr. Gould, assisted by Kelly and Jewell, have richly deserved the brilliant success with which they have been crowned. The arrangements were never better planned, and the satisfaction which they have given has been universal. ASTLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE. THE gallant achievements of our brave tars are constantly seized by the summer theatres as fit exhibitions before a British audience-none can be more interesting-none more gratifying. Mr. Astley, Junr. has, with his usual judgment, availed himself of Lieutenant Yeo's intrepidity at Muros Bay, and presented the public with an animated spectacle, in which the utmost liberality, taste, and ingenuity are exerted in commemoration of that dauntless action.This spirited piece, added to Zittaw, or the Woodman's Daughter, with the pantomime of Take Warning, afford together an evening's amusement, full of animation, interest, and mirth. ROYAL CIRCUS. SINCE our last notice of this agreeable resort of beauty and fashion, Mr. Cross has exercised his ready and masterly talent, in also celebrating the bravery of the La Loire, by the production of The Fourth of June; or, Muros Bay. The machinery is planned and executed with infinite skill, and produces the happiest effect. The action is pleasingly diversified and enlivened by scenes in which the bewitching smiles and sportive humour of Mrs. Roffey, and the very tasteful and brilliant singing of Mrs. Stewart, never fail to excite the most rapturous applause. Mr. Montgomery, in Sambo, dances a hornpipe tolerably well. As Bradbury acts in the two following pieces, Imogen, and The Mogul Tale, it would be too much to expect to see him in a third, but we always regret the absence of that vigorous life and spirit with which he animates the scene. He is the very bone and marrow of this company. The equestrian feats of Makeen surprise, by the easy and fearless manner in which they are performed. AQUATIC THEATRE-SADLER'S WELLS. PINDAR begins his Olympic Odes with these words, WATER is best ; and the attractions which it produces at the Aquatic Theatre can leave no doubt in the mind of the manager, that the Theban Bard was right. The cleverness of Mr. C. Dibdin, Junr. is again and again exemplified. Like his father and his brother he appears inexhaustible. An Baratack, or the Water Spectre, a superb Caledonian melo-drama, and the pleasant pantomime of Harlequin and the Talking Bird, are deservedly great favourites with the public. The excellent music of Reeve, like that of Orpheus, sets every thing in motion. VAUXHALL. This country exhibits no scene so abounding in delights as Vauxhall, on a gala night. Every thing that can ravish the senses is scattered there in all directions, and we turn from one charm only to meet a greater. Madame Hengler's fireworks are uncommonly fine, and the band with the Pandeans, Milanese, &c. give perpetual life to the whole. The warm patronage of the public and of noble individuals who grace the walks with their presence, amply testi→ fies the extraordinary merit of the entertainment and of the gratification it affords, PROVINCIAL DRAMA, Theatre Royal RICHMOND.-This elegant little theatre is this season under the management of Mr. Hill of Covent Garden, Mr. Lacy junr. and Mr. Harper, The company is respectable, and the performances are conducted with great regularity. Mr. and Mrs. H. Siddons performed for a few weeks, and Munden appeared three nights, prior to his engagement at Birmingham. Mr. Lacy junr. who played Hamlet, Alexander, &c. at Covent Garden, a few seasons back, is known to be a discriminating and meritorious actor. Mrs. Lacy also (late Miss Hopkins of Covent Garden) in the vocal aud comic department, possesses great merit. Mrs. Green deserves to be mentioned as a clever and extremely useful actress; and some of the other performers are truly respectable. The talents of Mr. Hill and Mrs. Atkyns are too well known to require our commendation. Another Roscius (Master Tokeley of Drury Lane) has played Douglas here with some eclat, under the auspices of Mrs. Jordan. The season has hitherto been more than usually prosperous. Theatre BIRMINGHAM.-The Young Roscius has been playing here, to good houses. He has added to his list of characters Orestes, Osmond in the Cas tle Spectre, Zanga, and Gustavus Vasa. Cooke is now here for a few nights, and Munden. Among the company are Messrs. Barrymore, Harley, Megget, Miss Martyr, Mrs. Stanley, Lancaster, (late Twisleton) Miss Norton and Mrs. Johnstone from Drury Lane. The town is certainly under great obligations to Mr. Macready for his very spirited management of the theatre. Theatre Royal, EDINBURGH.---Supplementary to my account of our theatricals in the Mirror for March, I now transmit you a statement of the bene fits, the accuracy of which may be relied upon. Mr. Young, (Wives as they were, &c.) ....... ......... £. 98 (Mr. Dwyer would not play the part allotted to him) Mr. Eyre, shared with the manager (School for Reform) 92 103 Mr. Toms, (First night of To marry or not to marry).. 133 ............. 104 ................... 185 180 Mr. Dwyer, (School for Scandal, last night of the com pany's performance) not certain, but not under MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS. This statement shews that Messrs. Turpin, Toms, and Dwyer, particularly the former, maintain the pre-eminence, both in merit and in popular estimation. An inclination seems to exist rather to underrate the talents of Turpin, by oblique surmises, and invidious comparisons. Whether he may or may not have been too much in the fore-ground the two last seasons, is foreign to the question.Almost all our modern pieces have a countryınan for their leading character, and if brought out in Edinburgh, Turpin is unquestionably entitled to play that part, which, I venture to assert, he ought to hold in any theatre in the three kingdoms, excepting only Covent Garden. His unremitted attention to his profession, to the business of the scene, to the very minutia of the art, joined |