Obrázky stránek
PDF
ePub

THE

HIBERNIAN MAGAZINE:

O R,

Compendium of Entertaining Knowledge,

For JANUARY, 1782.

Letters between General Murray and the Duc de Crillon; with a ftrong Likeness of General Murray.

[blocks in formation]

Fort St. Philip's, oɑ. 16, 1781. "When your brave ancestor was defired by his Sovereign to affaffinate the Duke le Guife, he returned the answer which you thould have done when the King of Spain charged you to affaffinate the character of a man whofe birth is as illuftrious as your own, or that of the Duke le Guife. I can have no further communication with you but in arms. If you have any humanity, pray fend cloathing to your unfortunate prifoners in my poffeffion; leave it at a diftance to be taken up for them, because I will admit of no contract for the future, but fuch as is hoftile in the most inveterate degree, I am, Sir, &c.

,

JAMES MURRAY. P. S. Your foldiers do not act with that ronor they hould do, they having attempted to corrupt one of my drummere yeflerday, who was at your first post." Hib. Mag. Jan, 1781.

Anfer from the Duke de Crillon.

Mahon, Oct. 16, 1781. "Your letter places us each in our proper ftation; it confirms me in the esteem I have always had for you, I accept with pleasure your last propofition, and am,

Your Excellency's &c.

B. B. DUC de CRILLON. P. S. Your drummer fhould not have mixed himself with the foldiers from my firft poft; I fhall give orders to punish thofe who have committed the offence you complain of; I fend the cloaths for the prifoners in your poffeffion.

B. B. DUC de CRILLON.”

British Theatre,

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

He appears in the character of an Indian prince, endowed with affluence, and defirous to experience the different fcenes and amufements of this quarter of the world. Thus difpofed, and not having hitherto formed any plan for himself, Virtue appears, and endeavours to perfuade him to conduct himself by her precepts and example. Pleasure inftantly fucceeds, deriding the advice of Virtue, and at-. tempts to feduce him to her alluring paths.

While he remains in fufpenfe between them, Virtue discovers, on one fide of the ftage, a view of her temple fixed on a teep afcents hard to climb, but promifing immortal happiness, if he will endure the toil. Pleasure, on the other fide, lays open her flowery bewitching bannts. Le is alternately tempted in a pleafing duet; but, after fome conflict, yields to the intreaties of Pleasure, notwithstanding which, Virtue is anxious to reclaim him, and fends an attendant gchius to watch over and protect him in the perils, the knows he muft encounter.

Harlequin purfuing Pleafare, receives from her a word, poffeffed, with magic powers, and his firft adventure is at a gaming table, Surrounded by a motley band of gamblers, he lofes all his money at hazard. Thus beggated, they turn him out, and return to play, when he unexpectedly rifes through the centre of the table, repairs his loffes, by fweeping off the money, and disappears.

The hero is next difcovered at the Pantheon, where, after a variety of tricks and events in his progrefs thither, he takes a Venus from among the mafks, and follows her to her lodgings. This proves to be a miferable place, and a plan is laid to yob and murder him, between her and-a grenadier, whom he cuts in two with his magical fword, and immediately renouncing her enticements, changes the feene to Bridewell, where his masquerade enamo rata receives the punifliments due to her wickednefs.

An humourous fong by the keeper, and chorus between the perfons confined in 'Bridewell, conclude the first part of the

'entertainment.

and becomes enamoured of Colombine, who appears in the character of a virtuous girl, daughter to a fea lieutenant. Many fharpers are attempting to feduce her from her friends, whom Harlequin frightens away, by animating fame of the animals in the Museum, who afterwards form a ludicrous dance.

Harlequin, till in purfuit of Columbine, fees the lieutenant arrested, and torn from his wife and daughter. He first comforts the afflicted females, then follows the lieutenant to prifon; he is fhocked at the horrors of the place, bestows charity among them; and learning, they were rather confined for imprudence than crimes, he transforms them to failors, and the fcene changes to a magnificent view of hipping, Neptune in his car, drawn by Tritons, a lion guarding the British crown, Britannia feated on a globe, and above all, Fame and the gentus of England, fupporting the buft of his Majefty. The new formed failors teftily their defire to ferve King and country, and finish the fcene with finging and dancing.

A moft pleating view of a cottage fucceeds, fuppofed to be the abode of Colombine's family, to whom Harlequin reflores the refcued lieutenant; they express their acknowledgments, and invite Harlequin in. He is following, when Virtue makes her laft trial of him in the babit of a poor beggar. He relieves her, and the is invited into the detrage; they are all discovered there, and after giving food to the beggar woman, with great tenderness, they are interrupted with mufic; Virtue drops her rags, and appears in her own character. She praifes Harlequin for his attention to her inftructions, and in requital, promifes to tranfport him to his own country, where he is to be united to bis beloved. Colombine. The fece accordingly is changed, and the piece cludes with an exact reprefentation of a proceflion at an easiern marriage.

con

The tory, we find, is new and natur and, couldering where the fcenes are lai dramatically powerful. Contrary to th ufual culiom of pantomime, it holds ou an excellent moral, which certainly ough to be the aim of every theatrical exhibi

At the commencement of the fegondtion, part, Harlequin is feeu repenting of his purfit after Pleasure, and abandoned to defpair, is attempting to put an end to Baimfelf when Virtue again comes to him, profeffes to have delight in his penitence, and promiles to him every bleflieg, if he will tread in der Pathe Mufeum, where

His

cautiously avoide the loofer females,

In point of fcenery, perhaps, there ne ver was so splendid a spectacle. The views of the temple of Virtue, and the temple of Pleasure, were admirably contrafted, and beautifully palated. The garden fcene into which Plealure introduces HarPlequin, is also a very mafferly work. The

naval perfpective, with Britannial holding out an olive branch to the belligercat

powers

1752.

Account of a new Pantomime called, The Choice of Harlequin.

powert, is capital beyond defcription: and the two laft fcenes of all are remark. ably grand and picturefque. The mufic is part of it excellent, and worthy of the fon of Dr. Arne. There are fcenes of this pantomime that discover an intimate knowledge of human nature, and do the contriver of them infinite credit. The proceffion also is ftriking, and totally new of its kind. In getting up the Choice of Harlequin, the managers have evidently fpared no expence to entitle it to public applaufe; and we shall be much mistaken if it does not draw large receipts to the treafury of the theatre.

The Choice of Harlequin is not only beautifully ornamented by the pencil of the artifts, but moft elegantly dreffed, and very ably acted. Mrs. Martyr fung her airs delightfully; and, confidering that Mrs. Morton undertook her part at a very fhort notice, on account of the fudden illness of Mifs Morris, the deferves the manager's warmeft thanks, for acquitting herself fo refpectably. Bates did ample juftice to the part of Harlequin ; and Mifs Matthews made as much as it was poffible for her to do, of the part of Colombine. Stevens alfo merits confidetable praife, for his fingular ingenuity in contriving to render fo very birren a character, as that of Mafter Jackey, (the Beutenant's fon) for a moment laughable, We know not who Mr. Darley, the reprefentative of the old lieutenant, is, but we feel ourselves obliged, in justice to a franger, to declare, he exhibited a fine manly voice, and a better tafte, than is every day to be met with, in his finging the air in the fecond act. Mrs. Kennedy's found pipe, was a powerful aid, though it was used but for a fingle fong; Robson, Baker, Doyle, and the rest of the performers, are entitled to great praife for the fpirited manner in which they fung the catch, and fupported the whole of the gambling feene. Eagan was fuccefsful in a great part of his two comic fituations. Edwin was fo characteristic in his rolling and flatby manner of finging the air allotted to the keeper of Bridewell, that had we not known him from his youth upward, we fhould have fuppofed, he had been both born and bred in that prifon.

The scene of Sir Ashton Levers Mufe. um was an excellent reprefentation of the original, and the wild beafts, that were animated by the motion of Harlequin's magic dagger of lath, did the property man great credit.

This pantomime was received with Arong marks of applaufe, by a very mised, a very noify, and a very troublefone

audience. As a fhew, we repeat it. The
Choice of Harlequin, far out-does all the
pantomimes that have yet been seen.-As
a ftage entertainment, it has confiderable
claim to approbation; and we add with
pleasure, it flands as high in the public
favour as any, the most popular after
piece of the theatre.

'A lift of the characters that appear in
the proceffion at the end of the new pan-
tomime entitled, The Choice of Harle-
quin, or the Indian Chief.

24 Cooleys carrying different articles.
8 Spearmen.

6 Tom-toms.

12 Cooleys carrying lights and transpa
rent lanthorns.

12 Dancing girls.

4 Ticktaws.

16 Spearmen, with lances and targets.
18 Seapoys, in the uniforms.

8 Hircarrars.

8 Chubdahs.

8 Chuta Chubdahs.

The bridegroom, mounted on an
elephant.

6 Cofmadors.

6 Deberfhes of the family.

8 Sons of the Debershes.
8 Slave boys.

12 Boys and girls to carry beetle-nut
and rofe-water.

A woman richly dreffed.

12 Women in white.

The bride, carried on a palanquin. 4 Girls with chowries. 4 Ditto with cross pots. 12 Flag-bearers.

3 Men finging very loud.

12 Women, followers of the bride,
6 Trumpeters.

6 Men with ticktaws.

1 Man, bearing English colours. Cooleys are common porters, or carThey alfo till the riers of burdens. Spearmen have the employment pointed ground, and perform other menial offices. out by their titles.

Tom-toms are drummers. Tom tom is the name vulgarly given to the Indian drums ufed in proclamations and rejoicings.

Dancing girls. Though the fe are by no means the most fplendid, they are perFrom the most bps as entertaining perfonages as any in the whole proceffion. diftant ages the Afiatic world has observed the custom of employing women trained dancing at public feftivals and religious up and hired for the purpose of finging and ceremonies. We find that, "when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philigines, the women came out of

all the cities of Ifrael finging and dancing to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with inftruments of mufic."

It is ftill an univerfal practice among the Gentoos, to entertain a number of such women for the celebration of their folemn feftivals; and in many parts of the Decan a band of them is kept in every village at the public charge; and they are frequently difpatched to meet any perfon paffing in a public character, exactly conformable to the reception of Saui, by the wo. men of Ifrael. Probably, their being expofed to general view, and to a free converfation with men, (fo contrary to the referve and privacy of the rest of their fex in Afia) firft betrayed them into prof titution. In former ages, indeed, a wan ton feems to have been no fuch defpicable character as at prefent, fince one of the first acts of Solomon's government that was thought worthy to be recorded, was a decifion from the throne, upon the fuit of two harlots. In Afia, however, the profeffion of finging and dancing, by diftinct fets or companies, has formed thefe women into a kind of community. Now as the policy of a good government will always look with an eye of regard upon every branch of fociety, it was but juft and proper to enact laws for the fecurity and protection of this public body, as well as of the rest of the ftate; particularly as the sex and employment of tho who compofed it rendered them more than ufually liable to infult and ill usage. Their wages, privileges, and immunities, were, therefore, minutely fettled by ftatutes formed equally as a check on their own conduct, and the improper freedoms to which they might be liable on account of their venality.

An alteration was made in the conduct of the proceffion, the fecond night, which had a good effect. The duet fung by Virtue and Pleasure, was introduced juft in that part of the pageantry where Co lombine is brought forward in her palanquin, and after the two characters had Concluded their feveral parts of the air, the orchestra refumed the march.

The leventh night the following alterations and additions were made, and introduced in the fecond act. Among the company prefent at Sir Afhton Lever's Mufeum, an old beau is feen, who purhafes a monkey, which he leads home to his houfe. As foon as the fcene changes, two bailiffs appear in the ftreet, with a couple of writs in their hands, which they gave us to underftand, are defigned for the feparate arrefts of the old lieutemant and the old beau.-As foon as the former comes forward, he is ferved with

the writ, and hurried away to a coach which he and the bailiff enter. Before it. drives off, the lieutenant's fon has a fcuffle with the coachman, in hopes of rescuing his father, but that not availing him, he fetches Harlequin, and craves his affiftance. The motley bero draws his dagger of lath, and changes the coach into a pump, by which means the lieutenant efcapes, and the bailiff is feifed by the fon and the mob, and pumped most heartily. We next fee the old beau arrive at his door with the monkey, and just as he enters, the other bailiff comes on, and endeavours to procure admittance, under pretence of delivering a letter; but the beau's fervant knowing him to be a catchpole, will not open the door; the bailiff thereupon retires, and dreffing himself like a baker's man, comes on with a loaf under his arm, and thus difguifed, is fuffered to enter the house. The scene is then fhifted, and the beau and the monkey appear in the former's dreffing chamber. The beau undreffes himself, and having put on his night gown and cap, retires to bed. As foon as he is gone, the monkey, who had watched the beau's actions, puts on his cloaths and rocolaur, and wig; while he is diverting himself with the reflection of his figure in the looking-glass, the bailiff enters, and mistaking him for the beau arrefts him, and hurries him away to prison. The old lieutenant is next feized once more, and conducted to jail. As foon as the monkey is delivered to the keeper; he puts off the cloaths, jumps upon the jailor's neck, and, after throwing the whole prifon into confufion, is at length carried off by the turnkeys, to the great diverfion of the prifoners, and the no small ridicule of the bailiff.

The idea of these additions being perfectly pantomimical, and the effect provokingly laughable, they ftrengthen and improve the entertainment more than can be conceived. Now the whole of the pantomime is a rich performance, as well as a moft fplendid spectacle, and will, we doubt not, continue to draw crouded houfes for many, many nights to come.

There having been fome mistakes in the paper, with regard to the appropriation of the respective scenes to the artists who really painted them, we take this opportunity of doing thofe gentlemen the justice, which their respective merits and happy exercife and display of talents, in decorating this pantomime, fo well deferve. The firft fcene, (with the two beautiful views of the Temple of Virtue and the Palace of Pleafure) comes from the powerful pencil of Mr. Richards. The land

kip curtain, the allegorical fcene, rocks, &c. the cave scene, the infide of the licutenant's cottage, and the elegant eaftern palace, are the work of that excellent artif, Mr. Carver. Sir Afhton Lever's mufeum is done principally by Mr. Cotton, junior. The outfide of the lieutenant's cottage was painted by Mr. Hodgings, and the beautiful perspective in India, in which the pageant is exhibited at the clofe of the pantomime, is the joint work of different artists,

Colonel Ifaac Haynes's State of his Cafe to the Rebel Congrefs, delivered to a Friend before his Execution.

good as go to colonel Haynes in the Provoft's prifon, and inform him, that, in confequence of the court of enquiry held yesterday, and the preceding evening, on his account, lord Rawdon, and the commandant, lieutenant colonel Nesbit Balfour, have refolved upon his execution on Tucfday the 31ft inftant, at fix o'clock, for having been found under arms, and employed in raifing a regiment to oppofe the British government, though he had become a fubje&t, and had accepted the protection of that government, after the reduction of Charlestown. (Signed)

C. FRASER. Major of the town.

[ocr errors]

terefting papers, refpecting

ecution of col. Ifaac Haynes, the late commander of a regiment of American railitia, who was executed at Charlestown, for being found in arms against this coun try, after having taken the oaths of allegiance to it on a former capture. They were delivered by himself to a friend who visited him, on the 2d of Auguft, two days previous to his execution, with an exprefs injunction that he should tranfmit them to the delegates of South Carolina, at Philadelphia, to be laid before congress, and afterwards to be made public.

No. J. To Mr. HAYNES,

SIR, 26th July, 1781. I am charged by the commandant to inform you, that a council of general of ficers will affemble to-morrow at ten o'clock, in the hall of the province to try you. I am, &c.

C. FRASER. Major of the town. No. II. To Mr. HAYNES. Thursday Evening, 26th July, 1781. SIR,

I am ordered by the commandant to inform you, that inftead of a council of general officers, as is mentioned in my letter of this morning, a court of enquiry, compofed of four general officers and five captains, will be affembled to-morrow at ten o'clock, in the Province-hall, for the purpose of determining under what point of view you ought to be confidered.

You will immediately be allowed pen, ink, and paper; and any person that you chufe to appoint, will be permitted to ac company you as your counfel, at the fame hour and place. 1 am, &c.

C. FRASER. Major of the town. No. III. To Mr. HAYNES, in the Provoft's Prifon. MEMORANDUM.

Sunday, 29th July, 1781, The adjutant of the town will be fo

te Rawdon, and Balfour. In the Provoft's Prifon, 29th July, 1781. My Lord, and Sir,

On Thursday morning I had the hoHour of receiving a letter from major Frafer, by which he informed me, “That a council of general officers would be affembled the next day for my trial," and on the evening of the fame day, I received another letter from the fame officer, aquainting me, "That inftead of that, a court of enquiry would fit, for the purpose of deciding under what point of view I ought to be confidered." It was alfo told, "That any perfon whom 1 should appoint would be permitted to accompaby me as my counfel." Having never entertained any other idea of a court of enquiry, nor heard of any other being formed of it, than of its ferving merely to precede a council of war, or fome other tribunal for examining the circumftances more ful. ly, excepting in the cafe of a spy; and Mr. Jarvis, lieutenant marfhal to the provoft, not having fucceeded in finding the perfon whom I named for my counsel, I did not take pains to fummon any wit neffes, though it would have been in my power to have produced many; and I prefented myself before the counfel without any affistance whatever. When I was before that affembly, I was farther convinced that I had not been deceived in my conjectures; and I found that the members of it were not fworn, nor the witneffes examined upon oath; and ali the members, as well as every other perfon, might eally have perceived, by the questions which I asked, and by the whole tenor of my conduct, that I had not the least notion that I was tried or examined upon an affair on which my life and death depended. Neither do I believe that the members themselves had an idea of that fort.

In the case of spies, a court of enquiry is all that can be neceffary, because the imple

« PředchozíPokračovat »