the infpection, and with the approbation, of other people. "It might be more agreeable to the Company that their own fervants and dependants fhould have, either the pleasure of wafting, or the profit of embezzling, whatever furplus might remain, after paying the propofed dividend of eight per cent. than that it fhould come into the hands of a fet of people with whom thofe refolutions could fcarce fail to fet them, in fome measure, at variance. The intereft of thofe fervants and dependants might fo far predominate in the court of proprietors, as fometimes to difpofe it to fupport the authors of depredations which had been committed in direct violation of its own authority. With the majority of proprietors, the fupport even of the authority of their own court, might fometimes be a matter of lefs confequence than the fupport of those who had fet that authority at defiance. "The regulations of 1773, accordingly, did not put an end to the diforders of the Company's government in India. Notwithstanding that, during a momentary fit of good conduct, they had, at one time, collected, into the Treasury of Calcutta more than three millions fterling; notwithstand ing that they had afterwards extended, either their dominion, or their depredation, over a vaft acceffion of fome of the richeft and moft fertile countries in India; all was wasted and deftroyed. They found themselves altogether unprepared to ftop or refift the incurfion of Hyder Ali; and, in confequenee of thofe diforders, the Company is now (1784) in greater diftrefs than ever; and, in order to prevent immediate bankruptcy, is once more reduced to fupplicate the affiftance of government. Different plans have been propofed by the different parties in parliament, for the better management of its affairs. And all thofe plans feem to agree in fuppofing, what was indeed always abundantly. evident, that it is altogether unfit to govern its territorial poffeffions. Even the Company itself feems to be convinced of its own incapacity fo far, and feems, upon that account, willing to give them up to government." On thefe, and other obfervations, which Dr. Smith has added to his original work, we fhall only remark, that they feem entitled to a more than common fhare of attention; as they are not cafual ideas, fuggested by a prefent occafion, but conclufions drawn from a fyftem, which is established on the moft folid principles. THE ENGLISH THEATRE, AND REGISTER OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENTS. May 28. HE Fiaggiatori Felici, though only a revived entertainment, appeared to be entirely new, both from a number of fongs equally remarkable for excellent compofition, as for the manner in which they were executed, and from the great abilities of the beft troop of comic performers ever imported from Italy. Signora Ferrarefe was eafy, fpirited, and appofite to the character of Flirtilla. Her firft duet with Babini, beginning à Paris tout eft charmant; and her fong, Se vi vedi, were delivered with fo much excellence, that they were, with burfts of applaufe, unanimously encored. Her air, Con grata voce, was of a piece with the reft of her fongs; but in this the divided the best-earned applause with Mr. Patria, for his accompany ment on the hautboy. Signor Babini's first appearance in the comic was a masterly piece of acting, whilft the natural harmony of the moft enchanting voice created a doubt which deferved most praife, the actor or the finger. His caricature on the depraved tafte of French mufic, was much admired, and repeated with additional merit. Tafca was excellent. Poor Morigi did all he could; and confidering that he 3 M 2 had THEATRE-ROYAL in the HAY-MARKET. May 28. Mr. Colman commenced his campaign this evening with the mufical comedy of Two to One, and the farce of A Mogul Tale; but as the characters were perfonated by the fame performers as last year, there is little more to obferve, than they feemed quite at home, and went through their parts with great fpirit.-Confidering the number of public places that were open, we think the little manager ought to be highly gratified at fo refpectable an appearance in his favour. June 26. A new entertainment, called A Beggar on Horfeback, by Mr. O'Keeffe, was performed at this theatre for the first time, the principal characters in which were 'Squire Cogger Nephew Mr. Parfons. Dozey James Mr. Burton. His Son Scout Conny Nancy Mifs Barnevelt Mr. Painter. Mr. R. Palmer. Mr. Edwin. Mrs. Wells. Mifs Francis. Mrs. Webb. The fable is briefly as follows:Cogger having taken a fancy to Nancy, a country girl, who had been hired to live with him in the capacity of a houfe-maid, permits Conny, her brother, whom he has likewife engaged to live in his family, to take a variety of liberties, under an idea, that by fing his influence over the fifter, he fhall be able to gain the girl over to his will. Conny appears firft as foot- duces duces Cogger's nephew, and the proves the very girl he had taken a liking to in the country. The old gentleman having loft his Nancy, is refolved to get another, and feeing her advertifement in the paper, thinks it will anfwer his purpose: upon applying to the house, the landlady mistakes again, and fhews him into the managerefs, by which an equivoque takes place, and the agrees to give him an engagement; his nephew, however, appears, confeffes his love for Nancy, and his willingness to marry her; the uncle applauds his refolution, gives his confent, and pardons all his former follies; Conny is likewife forgiven, who promises in future to be content with any fituation they will put him into. -Such are the general outlines of the piece, fraught with fcenes full of laughable incidents. There is no great originality in the characters, but though they may be recognized as old acquaintance, they are of that number when in poffeffion of fprightly dialogue, which was the cafe last night, that will always be received with pleafure and approbation. With regard to the performers, it is fufficient to fay, that Edwin, Parfons, and Mrs. Wells were quite at home. Young Bannister made his character very refpectable; nor were Mrs. Webb, R. Palmer, and Barrett undeferving of praise in the little they had to do. LA FIERA DI VENEZIA. May 25. DELPINI, who may be called a caricature of buffoonery, having informed the public, that fomething fhould be feen, to furprise, aftonish, and confound; that the Pantheon fhould be transformed to the Doge's palace; that there fhould be celeftial mufic; that there fhould be the Fair of Venice in all its glory; and that there fhould be a profpect of the fea-great were the expectations formed; but how vifionary are our hopes! The poor Pantheon fuffered a terrible reverfe; the beautiful dome was concealed by a piece of dirty canvas, ftudded over with filver-paper ftars, and hung with feftoons of flowers and Cupids, wretchedly painted. Feftoons alfo were hung over the orchestra gallery, with pieces of gauze faftened to them; thefe had the appearance of a washer-woman's lines, hung with wet linen. A like decoration, with Veftris-blue stuff, was ranged along the gallery and in other parts of the building. Such was the fituation in which the temporary palace of the Doge was found, by a very fashionable, though not numerous company. Among the vifitors were the Prince of Wales, the Duchefs of Devonshire, the Ladies Salifbury, Melbourne, Effex, Duncannon, Horatia Waldegrave, Betty Delmé, and Julia Howard, with feveral other ladies of distinction, beauty, and rank. The Lords Salisbury, Waldegrave, and Duncannon were alfo prefent, with Meffrs. G. and F. North, Col. Tarleton, Mr. G. Hanger, Mr. C. Wyndham, Captain Conway, Mr. Crosbie, &c. &c. The amorous corps made a gay appearance; Mrs. T-le attracted every eye, and Mifs Frederick was much admired. Some few characters appeared, the two beft deferving notice were a Noodle and Doodle, one of whom fung fome good imitations of Johnstone and Edwin. The firft incident that occurred worthy record, was the entrée of a group of Punches; they were confidered by the company as a banditti compofed of the Delpini family. Thefe were fucceeded by a fet of affaffins, each armed with a dagger, in character.company were foon relieved from this nuifance, by the arrival of the fupperhour. SUPPER. -The A most elegant repaft was spread. The dishes were various and excellent. Every table was plenteously furnished. Soups and hot dishes were fupplied to all who demanded; and in addition to a delicious confectionary, may be men tioned tioned fome good wines, French as well as Portugal; together with Rhenish. THE FAIR. At the found of a trumpet, the fair was announced open. It was conftructed of booths, formed in the fubterraneous apartments; in which boots, fhoes, caps, bonnets, &c. all formed of paper, were difplayed. The booth where the lottery was held, exhibited a few real caps, aprons, &c. At the extreme end of this apartment was a view of buildings, terminating with the fea: a platform was raifed, on which two of Delpini's fquadron continued finging duets; and from the affinity of the painted fea, gave the fpectators an idea of two pirates hanging at low-water mark. Here the company were foon furfeited, and filed off to the upper regions, where they unanimoufly voted the Venetian Fair a complete humbug, ABBEY INTELLIGENCE. fune 2. THE felection of this day confifted of nine of Handel's beft compofitions, and were recommended by a performance, fuch as perhaps was never heard before in this country: we muft even give it a preference over the mufical feftival of last year. The infrumental performers amounted to fix hundred and ten, and it is to their praife that the utmoft unifon and perfection of playing was discovered in the piano and forte paffages. The choruffes and vocal parts were fung with charming effect. Their Majefties and five of the Princeffes were present; and an affemblage of two thoufand five hundred auditors befides. THIRD DAY. The Meffiah of Handel, is indifputably the first of that mafter's works. This fuperior merit, with the royal patronage, fituation, fome degree of novelty, and orcheftra emulation, were circumstances that concurred to give it recommendation; and indeed fuch was the public opinion of its effect, that it is to anfwer their curiofity the repetition of next Saturday is ordered. 66 Of the performance of yesterday, we must fay, that Mr. Harrifon, in "Comfort ye my people," and "If God be fent for us," acquitted himself highly to his praife. Reinhold's beft performance was, Why do the nations," &c. Tafca fung "Behold I tell you a mystery!" with great effect. Norris does not poffefs extravagant powers, but he is always correct. Mr. Knyvett was hardly to be heard in He was defpifed," &c. but he im proved in the duet with Harrifon. Bartolini is not defigned for facred mufic, and we will fay nothing of him. Mifs Cantelo merits approbation for the ftyle and truth with which the fung every recitative and air affigned to her, nor is Mifs Abrams to be forgotten on the score of defert. Now we 66 come to Hecuba!"Of Madame Mara let it be faid, that Nature has given her powers, and education has made her a finger.While we fubfcribe to this merit, we will venture to reprove that lady for her very unfeemly conduct.-She yefterday made herself an exception to all the other performers, and though they rofe to take a part in all the choruffes, the fingly kept her feat, with the most fupercilious confequence imaginable.And to add to this infolence, took her departure from the orchestra immediately after fhe had fung "I know that my Redeemer liveth!" Although their Majefties and four of their il luftrious defcendants were auditors! The inftruments went together in fine unifon; the paffages were played in good time; but in regard to the paufes, which the Conductor introduced in the choruffes, they were beyond all rule and example too long. Mr. Bates will do well to avail himfelf of this hint, and not allow his organ fo much breathing time in future. Fewer da capas alfo in the laft chorus, unless he imagines that his audience are mufic-mad, or all bit by a tarantula, and that he wishes to fend them dancing out of the Abbey by way of a cure, IRISH PROPOSITIONS, as fent up from the COMMONS to the LORDS. 1.THAT HAT it is highly important to the ge neral interests of the British empire, that the intercourfe and commerce between Great-Britain and Ireland fhould be finally regulated on permanent and equitable principles, for the mutual benefit of both countries. II. That it is confiftent with the effential interefts of the manufactures, revenue, commerce, and navigation of Great-Britain, that a full participation of commercial advantages fhould be permanently secured to Ireland, whenever a provifion equally permanent and fecure fhall be made by the parliament of that kingdom towards defraying, in proportion to its growing profperity, the neceffary expences in time of peace, of protecting the trade and general interests of the empire. III. That towards carrying into full effect fo defireable a fettlement, it is fit and proper that all articles, not the growth or manufacture of Great-Britain or Ireland, except thofe of the growth, produce, or manufacture of any country beyond the Cape of Good Hope to the Straits of Magellan, fhould be imported into each kingdom from the other reciprocally, under the fame regulations, and at the fame duties (if fubject to duties) to which they would be liable when imported directly from the country or place from whence the fame may have been imported into Great-Britain or Ireland refpectively as the cafe may be; and that all duties originally paid on importation into either country refpectively, except on arrack and foreign brandy, and on rum, and all forts of ftrong waters not imported from the British colonies in the Weft-Indies fhall be fully drawn back on exportation to the other; but, nevertheless, that the duties fhall continue to be protected and guarded at prefent by withholding the drawback, until a certificate from the proper officers of the revenue, in the kingdom to which the export may be made, fhall be returned and compared with the entry outwards. IV. That it is highly important to the general interefts of the British empire, that the laws for regulating trade and navigation fhould be the fame in Great-Britain and Ireland; and therefore that it is effential, towards carrying into effect the prefent fettlement, that all laws which have been made, or fhall be made in Great-Britain, for fecuring exclufive privileges to the fhips and mariners of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British colonies and planta tions, and for regulating and restraining the trade of the British colonies and plantations, fuch laws impofing the fame reftraints, and conferring the fame benefits on the fubjects of both kingdoms, fhould be in force in Ireland, by laws to be paffed by the parliament of that kingdom for the fame time and in the fame manner as in GreatBritain. V. That it is further effential to this fettlement, that all goods and comanodities of the growth, produce, or manufacture of British or foreign colonies in America, or the Weft-Indies, and the British or foreign fettlements on the coaft of Africa, imported into Ireland, fhould, on importation, be fubject to the fame duties and regulations as the like goods are, or from time to time shall be fubject to, upon importation into Great-Britain, or if prohibited from being imported into Great-Britain, thall, in like manner, be prohibited from being imported into Ireland. VI. That in order to prevent illicit practices, injurious to the revenue and commerce of both kingdoms, it is expedient that all goods, whether of the growth, produce, or manufacture of Great Britain or Ireland, or of any foreign country, which fhall hereafter be imported into Great Britain from Ireland, or into Ireland from Great Britain, hould be put by laws to be paffed in the parliaments of the two kingdoms, under the fame regulations with respect to bonds, cockets, and other inftruments, to which the like goods are now subject in paffing from one port of Great Britain to another. VII, That for the like purpofe, it is alfo expedient that when any goods, the growth, produce, or manufacture of the British Weft-India iflands, or any other of the British colonies or plantations, fhall be shipped from Ireland for Great-Britain, they should be accompanied with fuch original certificates of the revenue officers of the colonies as thall be required by law on importation into Great-Britain; and when the whole quantity included in one certificate shall not be shipped at any one time, the original cer tificate, properly indorfed as to quantity, fhould be fent with the first parcel; and to identify the remainder, if fhipped within a time to be limited, new certificates fhould be granted by the principal officers of the ports in Ireland, ex-tracted from a register of the original documents, fpecifying the quantities before shipped from thence, by what veffels, and to what ports. VIII. That it is effential for carrying into effect the prefent fettlement, that all goods exported from Ireland to the British colonies in the Weft-Indies, or in America, or to the British fettlements on the coaft of Africa, or to the countries beyond the Cape of Good Hope to the Straits of Magellan, fhould from time to time be made liable to fuch duties and drawbacks, and put under fuch regulations as may be neceffary, in order that the fame may not be exported with lefs incumbrance of duties or impofitions than the like goods fhall be bur thened with when exported from Great-Britain, IX, That it is effential to the general commercial interefts of the empire, that fo long as the parliament of this kingdom shall think it advifeable that the commerce to the countries beyond the Cape of Good Hope shall be carried on folely by an exclufive company, having liberty to import into the port of London only, no goods of the growth, produce, or manufacture of the faid countries fhould be allowed to be imported |