I may Whose ripling waves the water lily shews Plagiarisms are frequently discoverable in this drama; such as Yet Fortune frown'd upon his noble birth.'- Yet a secret grief Has like a worm conceal'd within a rose Gnaw'd at thy heart, and fed upon thy bloom.' Worse than these, however, are some attempts to paint or describe Nature without attending to or studying Nature; thus at p. 4. Flowers of unnumbered tints' are represented as growing under trees which exclude the rays of the sun;-and a still greater mistake occure at p. 21. where the moon is said to be so much in her wane as to afford but half her light,' and yet is described as appearing in the dusky gloom of the evening. In the character of Theodora, we discover many traits of refinement and delicacy which probably would have escaped a male-writer: but beauties of this kind are better adapted to the closet than to the stage. Voltaire has observed justly of the latter, that plays must in some measure resemble scene-painting, and that "quelquefois il vaut mieux frapper fort que frapper juste." Art. 40. Maximian; a Tragedy: taken from Corneille. By Lady Burrell. 840. pp. 98. 35. 6d, sewed. Leigh and Sotheby. 1800. This play is not to be considered as a simple translation from Corneille, though it is moulded on his original. In our opinion, it would require a much more nervous strain of poetry than that which is possessed by this fair author, to reconcile the longueurs of the French stage to English readers. Of all our dramatists, Rowe has perhaps. approached nearest to the French school, and several of his plays continue to be represented: but they are supported by the merit of some happy passages, and by the aid which he drew from Shakspeare, and some of our then neglected writers. We possess a beautiful fragment by Gray, in the style of Racine; yet perhaps we admire it the more because it is incomplete. A single act may be read with pleasure, when the attention would be fatigued by going through four four others.-Ease and grace in writing are not sufficient qualifications for a task so arduous as the present. The strength of a Parnassian hero is requisite here; and his Pegasus, instead of a lady's pad, must be a charger of the first vigour and spirit The language of Lady Burrell is generally correct, but it wants the fire and force of the French Dramatist. We have remarked also some oversights respecting the costume. Thus, at the opening of the play, we are told that the clock strikes ten, a circumstance which certainly never occurred in antient Rome; and in p. 3. Maximian looks at his watch, though no such instrument existed at that time. These are trifles: but our theatrical exhibitions are so much more correct thanformerly, that even mistakes like these demand notice. Art. 41. MISCELLANEOUS. Memoirs of Hyppolite Clairon, the celebrated French Actress: with Reflections upon the Dramatic Art: written by Herself. Translated from the French. sewed. Robinsons. 1800. 2 Vols. 12mo. 8s. Of these memoirs we have already given our opinion, with considerable extracts, when we examined them in the original We shall now therefore point our attention chiefly to the merits of the translation. We can perceive that the person, whether male or female, who has been at the trouble of transfusing into our language the contents of this spirited and entertaining work, has read and reflected more than he, or she, has written. A preface is added by the translator; which, though little more than an argument to the book, contains some judicious remarks on the drama and on human life: but it is not well composed, and is manifestly the production of a person who is unused to the press. The promiscuous use of the numerical one, and the Gallic pronoun one, is more frequent than we have seen it elsewhere. Preface, p. xxi. After twenty years of brilliant success, one has a right to give advice as a lesson. She was one of the most illustrious actresses of her time.'-In the text, we have lay for lie; refrain laughing, for refrain from laughing; I was ceased to be disturbed altogether,' for it ceased to disturb me. The inaccuracy of style, which most frequently occurs in this translation, is the omission of which, and that, as a pronoun and a conjunction. The epithet harmonious is used for melodious, more than once. Ways for way. Dubellay, for Dubelloy. We cannot quite accord with Mademoiselle Clairon herself, when she says, p. 165. I agree that (the) comic-opera and the ballet absorb every thing else; and that, at present, performers in that line. are the most essential part of the theatrical company. The talents required for such situations are in the reach of every one, whatever may be their educations.' Surely a voice must be given by nature:-it may be improved, but not acquired; nor is the necessary knowlege of music attainable by singers of mean capacities. * See vol. xxvii. N. S. p. 557; and vol. xxviii. p. 519. It It is but justice to allow that the style of the translator improves as the work advances; so much, that in the second volume we have scarcely any material inaccuracies to censure, except the frequent use of learn for teach; and, on the whole, we may venture to assure the English reader, that he will find much entertainment in these memoirs. Art. 42. An Account of Two Charity Schools for the Education of Girls and of a Female Friendly Society in York: interspersed with Reflections on Charity Schools and Friendly Societies in general. By Catharine Cappe. 8vo. 38. Johnson. 1800. The schools of which this pamphlet gives an account are the Spinning and the Grey coat schools, in the city of York. The origin of the spinning school, and the whole progress of its establishment, concur in an eminent degree to prove what useful parts of charity are direction and good management. Towards the close of the year 1782, two ladies, painfully impressed by the behaviour of a set of children employed in a hemp manufactory in their neighbourhood, determined to try if something could not be done to mend their condition. On the 7th of Novem ber, having been encouraged by some donations and subscriptions from a few particular friends to whom they had communicated their design, twenty-two young girls were entered with a mistress who was engaged to teach them to read, knit, and sew, in the evening after they had finished their work in the manufactory.' Other ladies soon joined, and took an active part in forwarding these charitable purposes: but it was not till May 1784 that the plan of establishing a spinning school was fully digested; when an offer was made to the parents, of allowing wages to the children equal to those which they earned in the hemp manufactory. This was accepted by most of them, and the children were immediately taken under the protection of the ladies. The visible good effects of the plan of management, adopted for the spinning school, occasioned an application to be made to the ladies who patronised it, from the governors of the Grey coat school, requesting their advice and assistance in reforming that institution; and afterward, at the farther request of the governors, the ladies undertook the whole conduct and superintendence of the Grey coat school setting an example of active charity which is well worthy of being imitated. The different regulations, with an account of every part of the disbursements, and the whole economy of the management, are explained in this pamphlet ; and the expences of the former are compared with those of the improved plan.-An account is also given of every particular respecting the plan and management of a Female Friendly Society at York. This publication is well calculated to invite and encourage the more opulent members of the community, to examine into and take a share of the direction of our public charitable institutions. If the sale of it should be more than sufficient to defray the charges of printing, &c. the benevolent writer purposes that the profits shall be applied towards a fund for the benefit of the members of the Female Friendly Society, of which she has given an account. Art.. Art. 43. The Wrongs of Unterwalden. Originally published in Sept. 1798. Translated by the Rev. Weeden Butler, M. A. of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. 8vo. 29. Cawthorn. 1799. This pamphlet gives not a general history of the French attack on the liberties of Swisserland, under the insidious pretence of union and alliance, but a declamatory account of the contest between the Republican troops under Gen. Schawenburg, and the cantons of Schwitz, Uri, and Unterwalden; particularly the latter; 1600 of whose valiant sons, after having fought for thirteen hours against a body of 16,000 Republican troops, were at length obliged to yield to such superior numbers, and to take refuge in the mountains. The enormities perpetrated by the French, after the defeat of this little army of heroes, are here described with a very warm pencil; a pencil better fitted perhaps to give strong colouring than a just likeness. At all events, the picture is such as must interest every friend to humanity and freedom, and extort applause and sympathy for the brave inhabitants of Unterwalden. Art. 44. St. Godwin: a Tale of the Sixteenth, Seventeenth, and Eighteenth Century. By Count Reginald De St. Leon. 12mo. PP. 235. 3s. 6d. Wright. 1800. Blessed (say we) be the man who invented laughing," Sancho was never more relieved by sleep than we, who are obliged to wade through a mass of dulness, are by a hearty laugh; we hope, therefore, that Mr. Godwin will not be offended, if we confess that we have been amused by this burlesque on his St. Leon. (See page 23 of the last Review.) It is written with some humour and pleasantry; and it glances not only at the incongruities of St. Leon, but also at the singular opinions delivered by the Author in his book on "Political Justice," and in other publications. CORRESPONDENCE.. We cannot discover any ground for the dissatisfaction apparent in the letter of our respectable correspondent at Troston. With regard to the extent of the article in question, and to the degree of praise contained in it, we shall abide by our judgment and taste; leaving to others the free exercise of their capacities in these respects: hanc veniam petimus damusque vicissim. The concluding monitory remarks were not designed to convey any imputation in the present instance, for we had no private information on the subject to warrant any censure but they were meant purely as cautionary, and to call to remembrance the consequences of injudicious patronage in former cases. -The trifling mis-statement of a christian name we shall correct in our notices of errata. A Reply to the Speech of the Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, in February last, is received: but the subject is now out of time. Lieutenant Foster's Translation of the King of Prussia's Military Instructions was mentioned in our 2 3d vol. N. S. p. 327. Review for September, p. 11. 1. 14. put a comma after Scio." P. 40. 1. 8. from bott. for persue,' r. peruse. P. 56. 1. 6. for George,' r. Robert. P. 112. 1. 7. for 'were,' r. was. SU THE MONTHLY REVIEW, For NOVEMBER, 1800. ART. I. An Account of an Embassy to the Court of the Teshoo (Tisu) Lama in Tibet: containing a Narrative of a Journey through Bud, tan, and Part of Tibet; by Captain Samuel Turner. To which are added, Views taken on the Spot, by Lieut. Samuel Davis; and Observations botanical, mineralogical, and medical, by Mr. Robert Saunders. 4to. PP. 500. 21. 2s. Boards.. Nicol. 1800. the I year 1772, the Rajah of Budtan, descending from the lofty mountains which constitute his domains, over-ran with little opposition the district of Cûs-behar, a tributary dependence on the Suba of Bengal. The English government detached a military force, which repelled the invaders; and was preparing to carry its arms into the Budtan territory, when, at the intercession of the Tisu Lama, a peace was concluded with the Rajah, and the former boundaries were restored. Mr. Hastings judged the opportunity favourable for the esta blishment of a commercial intercourse between the inhabitants of Bengal and their northern neighbours; and for ascertaining the actual state of countries hitherto unexplored by Europeans; excepting where they had been marked by the wandering footsteps of the Romish missionaries, whose habits and views seldom accredited the veracity of their narratives. Mr. Bogle was accordingly deputed on an embassy to the Tisu Lama; he reached Deseripghè in October 1774; and after having resided there and at Tisulumbu till March 1775, he returned to Bengal: but his death, soon after his return, deprived the world of the information which he had acquired during his residence in Tibet. Among the tribes which constitute the religious votaries of the Lamas (Pontiffs) of Tibet, are numbered the Manchu Tartars, whose chiefs fill the throne of China. When the late Emperor, Kienlong, had almost attained his seventieth year, the Tisu Lama was earnestly solicited to honour that anniversary with his presence. Accordingly, the Lama began his journey from VOL. XXXIII. Tisulumbu |