PROPOSITA PHILANTHROPICA. AFRICAN INSTITUTION. Ata General Meeting of the Subscribers held at the Freemasons' Tavern, March 25, H. R. H. the Duke of Gloucester, Patron and President, in the Chair. A Report having been made to the Meeting, by the Board of Directors, of their proedings during the past year, it was resolved Leanimously, on the motion of Mr. Spencer Stanhope, That the Thanks of the Meeting be returned to the Directors for the report now read, and that the substance thereof be printed. The Earl of Moira having informed the Meeting, in a very impressive speech, of his haring recently learnt that Sir Sidney Smith had been presented by the Prince Regent of Brazil with an estate, and with a number of Negro Slaves to be employed in cultivating it, and that the use Sir S. Smith had rude of this gift, was immediately to libee the slaves, and to allot to each of them portion of this estate, to be cultivated by ther, as free labourers, for their own excluere benefit, it was resolved unanimously, on emotion of Mr. Wilberforce, That his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester be requested to communicate to Sir S. Smith, Le high sense entertained by this Meeting, of his admirable judgment and liberality in the above instance, and to return him their Warmest thanks for a line of conduct which iso truly honourable to the British name and character, and which may be expected to be productive, in the way of example, of the happiest effects. The thanks of the Meeting were presented to H. R. H. the Duke of Gloucester, for his indefatigable exertions in promoting the objects of the Institution, and for his able conduct in the Chair-and to Mr. Macaulay, for his assiduous attention to the interests of the society. For some interesting Original Papers on the Slave Trade, addressed to the SPANISH DEPUTIES now in England, see page 163. JOCIETY FOR BETTERING THE CONDITION OF THE POOR. For the able Report made and presented to this Society by Dr. Garthshore and Mr. Colquhoun, vide page 144. FIRCULATING CHARITY-SCHOOLS IN NORTH WALES, By the Rev. T. Charles, of Bala. In my travels through different parts of North Wales, about 23 years ago, I perceived that the state of the poor of the country in general was so low, with regard to religious knowledge, that not one in twenty, in many parts, was capable of reading the Scriptures; and in some districts, upon particular inquiries, hardly an individual could be found who had received any instruction in reading. A few friends set a subscription on foot to pay the wages of a teacher, to be removed circuitously from one place to another, to instruct the poor in reading, and in the first principles of Christianity, by catechising them. This work be➡ gan in the year 1785. At first only one teacher was employed: as the funds increased, the number of teachers proportionably increased, till they amounted to 20. The fruit of these circulating-schools are our numerous Sunday-schools all over the country; for without the former, we could not have obtained teachers to carry on the latter, and I find we cannot go on without some of them. There are yet many dark places in different parts of the country, where none are found able and willing to set up Sunday-schools. My only remedy, therefore, is to send thither the circulating-schools Besides, I find it absolutely necessary that the circulatingschools should occasionally revisit those places where the Sunday-schools are kept, to revive them, and reanimate the teachers and the people to carry them on. The funds of the schools are at present very low. At first I hired teachers for £8 per annum, now I pay 15; so that I might keep 20 then, nearly at the expense of 10 now. CHARITY FOR THE BLIND. The Rev. W. Hetherington,in the year 1774 enabled the governors of Christ's Hospital, London, to pay annuities of £10 each, to 50 blind persons. Other benevolent persons have since made such munificent additions to Mr. Hetherington's Fund, that the governors are now enabled to extend the annuity to four hundred other persons. The petitioners must be persons born in England (to the exclusion of Wales and Berwick upon Tweed) aged 50 or upwards, -who have resided three years in their. present abode,-who have been totally blind during that period,-who have never begged, nor received alms, nor have been deemed objects of parish relief; but persons who have been reputably brought up, and who need some addition to what they have, to make life more comfortable under the misfortune of blindness. The Governors lately advertised, that, from th 15th of October to the 3d of November, in every year, they are ready to issue from the counting-house of their hospital, upon the personal application of a friend, petitions for any blind persons duly qualified,-the great extent of the charity rendering it impracticable to attend to letters.What a noble charity is this, by which £4,500 is annually distri buted among 450 distressed objects! DIDASCALIA. DRURY-LANE THEATRE. Another new farce, entitled the Unconscious Counterfeit, was performed at this theatre for the first time on Feb. 9. Cap. Dashfort, the nephew of a nobleman, flies from his London creditors into the mountains of Wales, where he is benighted with his lacquey; and in the midst of au harangue on the beauties of romantic excursion, is set upon by thieves. The two travellers escape to a hospitable mansion-house, the owner of which has received a letter apprising him of the visit of a friend's nephew, who is to marry his daughter, but means to come upon him incog. The old gentleman instantly determines that the benighted officer is the man, and accordingly facilitates the intercourse between his daughter and the stranger, who, delighted with her appearance, resolves to make use of his good fortune. though he has no idea of the father's mistake. In the meantime, the real incognito, Belville, who had already captivated the young lady's heart at a ball in the neighbourhood, arrives at the mansion, but finds the bloom of the business brushed away by the stranger. His arrival is soon followed by that of his uncle Chucklebag, who is an old usurer, and principal creditor of Dashfort, whom he has pursued with great ardour into Wales. The equivoque is then well carried on between all the parties, and the whole matter is of course cleared up on a general meeting of the parties, and the piece ends. From these materials the author has con trived to make a tolerable farce; in point of merit, rather above what we have lately witnessed, unencumbered with despicable puns and contemptible clap-traps. On Thursday, Feb. 23, a new opera was performed at this theatre. As we could not gain admittance, we have had recourse to the report of a respectable print, which, we understand, upon the credit of several of our friends who were present, is a true and faithful account. A second representation was advertised, but the melancholy event of the conflagration of the theatre prevented it, and at the same time deprived us of the satisfaction of judging for ourselves. "Mr.. Ward, secretary to the board of management of this theatre, a gentleman and a scholar, who ought to have known better, has condescended to take advantage of his hold of the managers' ear, and has " them a song of sixpence," in hopes of getting "a pocket full of rye.". In other words, he sung has insinuated into the house an opera, w proves that there is a " lower depth" Messrs. Dibdin and Hook's "lowest deep found." It was produced (animus memi horret), under the title of the Circas Bride; and discovers about as much no of dramatic invention and sprightly writ as would be found in the first scene-sh the managers might pitch upon. The dents are brought about with as unwield gait as that of an elephant; the turns are those of a crocodile, and the points des that name about as much as the head chub fish. The action is occasioned by wars of the Tartars and the Circassians which, by a new sort of "Modo me The three English persons are made to inter Two of these are sailors, and are kind end to give us frequent assurances, by their wo of that bravery which we know English ors to possess, only by their deeds. sort of rubbish is falling into its just disrep and the clap-traps on this occasion ca only hisses: the galleries are "old birds this time; and what plot the opera cont is wholly stale and anticipated. of composition, than the dialogue; hu "The songs are somewhat better, in p these, we are well informed, Mr. War indebted to the contributions of every fr he had, who could put a rhyme toget and, looking at some of the songs, we sh Love, he told his servants to get the mai not wonder if, like Valentine, in Love crambo of an evening, and put down th sults of their invention. One of the songs in the opera, is the production of James Smith; and another, which is quite the worst, of Mr. Hook; and, in s the lyre of the Circassian Bride is struc as many hands as that of Collins's Ode of Passions, with this difference, however, it does not produce such beautiful and va tones as that of the lyric poet. "We have hitherto been wholly silen specting the music of this opera, becaus did not wish to involve its consideration worthy of it, and from which we shal that of the opera itself, which is wholly happy to see it eternally severed. It is composition of Mr. Bishop, and is in n places original; and beautiful in the hig degree. There is a quintet of the hig merit; and an excellent duet, admin adapted to the style of its singers. But ne this, nor Helm, nor hauberk's twisted mail, CONFLAGRATION OF DRURY-LANE THEATRE. We mentioned in our last number the deracion of Drury-lane Theatre by fire: the following are some of the particulars attending that calamity :— Saturday, Feb. 25. At half past eleven o'clock, last night, this magicent edifice appeared almost one immense blaze of fire. The night was dark, but in a moment the atmosphere was illuminated, and the light was as strong on the steeples and the roofs of the houses for miles round as in the brightest sunshine. The fire had in a Banner seized upon every part of the building at once, and raged with irresistible fury. Such was the fierceness of the flames, that the un wieldy mass of fuel, which this superb pile darded, was almost exhausted before two o'clock this morning. The advantage of having a great public structure of this kind, in an isolated situation, was apparent on this melancholy occasion. Although the engines could not arrest the progress of the flames in the theatre, they were able to play upon the gurrounding buildings, and thus saved the ghbourhood from destruction. In contemplation of fire, there was a reservoir full water on the top of the building, which fell From the theatre down to St. Clement's burch, which had been perfectly dry an bour before, was scarcely passable at two clock from the depth of the water. The Thames appeared like a sheet of fire, and the wind, which blew from the south West, wafted the burning matter aloft in the mosphere for many miles round. When the leaden cistern fell in, it produced a shock resembling an earthquake, while the matter forced up into the air, seemed like a shower of rockets and artificial fireworks combined. At three o'clock the walls fell; and most fortunately, they fell inwards; had it been otherwise, their great weight must have crushed a number of houses. It being a Friday in Lent, there was no performance, and the house was shut up. The building of this immense theatre cost 200,000l. The property in scenery, dresses, decorations, music, &c. &c. is almost incalsulable. The house, it is said, is insured to a considerable extent. It is reported that one man lost his life by a fall of one part of the wall in Princes's-street. One of the fragments of a lofty wall, with several loose stones, seemingly nodding to its fall, during the forenoon of Saturday, excited great apprehensions lest the populace, pressing from all parts, should be too near at the time. The fre, at the same time, continued glowing in the remains of the building like so many A party of the horse-guards patroled the streets in the vicinity, and remained upon the spot during the greatest part of Saturday. The spectacle of such an immense building on fire, was strikingly impressive on the ob and other villages situated upon the eminences servers at Hampstead, Highgate, Islington, near town, during the night. which were emitted from this extensive buildThe effect of the immense floods of light ing, and, by reason of its great height, which other part of the heavens apparently very dark, enlightened all around, was, to render every although this had not been previously remarked to any uncommon degree. The moon shone; buther light was comparatively feeble, and of a most disastrous and melancholy blue. The same was observable of all the lamps in the that rose into the atmosphere, that the clouds streets. So great was the volume of heat gently floating over or near the burning space were dissolved, aud gradually thinned into transparent vapour. Never did the inhabitants of the metropolis behold so near an approach to the spectacle of horrors; as there was no earthquake, not a volcano, as on this occasion; but without its running lava, nor sulphureous stench. The and that the flames would be checked 'ere spectators knew that the building was isolated,. they could make any further progress, after they had destroyed the theatre itself. That was considered as doomed to destruction, the first moment of the flames' appearance. The cause of this disaster is, with the greatest probability, laid to the want of caubeen employed to effect repairs rendered netion in some plumber's workmen, who had den thaw following. cessary by the late severe frost, and the sudBut the blame due to their negligence is diminished by the consideration of the alterations made in the construction of various parts of the theatre since it had been finished. To accommodate some of the smaller rooms, understood to be dressing rooms, several small fire-places had been built, and the chimnies necessary to these were not conducted with consummate skill. We have been told that Holland, the architect who built it, warned Mr. Sheridan of the possible consequences of these chinnies; observing at the same time, that as "the skeleton of the build ing, contained much timber, only those who tion and anatomy could estimate their impor were intimately acquainted with its constructance." The fire lighted by the plumbers is supposed to have heated a beam or beams, and gathering strength, it acquired a power which defied all endeavours to suppress it. in the construction of this edifice, was inThe immense quantity of timber employed tended, it is said, by the architect, to facili tate the passage of sound, the theatre being very large; indeed, the space to be filled by the voice of the actor was too extensive for pleasant speaking or convenient hearing. .... The Performers having obtained permission to perform three nights at the Opera House, the following Address, written by Mr. Eyre, was delivered by Elliston on the occasion-it is certainly more congenial to the matter than the extempore piece of oratory (preserved in the archives of the Literary Panorama, Vol. V. p. 302.) spoken by Mr. J. Kemble, in consequence of the misfortune of Covent Garden. Oft have you seen, upon the silver tide, A floating bulwark, Britain's guard and pride, With tow'ring masts, that ages might defy, (Those nával pillars of her victory), With gaudy streamers, and with sails unfurl'd, Looking defiance on the wat'ry world! Her crew, as hardy as the rocks, that brave The bold invasion of the furious wave, With dauntless valour, send on ev'ry breeze, These sounds of triumph-"Britain rules the seas!" Yes, on her foes her vengeance she can pour Upon the world's wide seas, and nearly lost ; Alluding to the figure of Apollo, which stood at the top of the theatre.-By the bye, when this theatre is re-erected, we trust we shall see Chris tian Shakespeare in the place of Heathen Apollo -the father of the English Drama surely cannot be considered as unappropriate for such a situation, if there must be a figure in this dreadfully high situation. Alluding to Mr. Taylor, of the Opera-House, who gave the free use of his theatre, for three nights to the company. The following boast was uttered in the epi spoken at the opening of Drury-lane theat 1794, on which occasion we were presen was spoken by the present Countess of D then Miss Farren: Our pile is rock, more durable than brass, The very ravages of fire we scout, We'll undertake to drown you all in hali minute : Behold, obedient to the Prompter's bell, No brook of broadcloth shall be set in motion The curtain was here drawn up, to sh piece of water on the stage, filled from the servoir on the roof of the theatre. A bridge thrown over the water with an arch, and a rowed in a boat under the arch, while the m played "The jolly young Waterman." The curtain was afterwards dropped in joints, and stage was completely separated from the audie Several men then came forward with sledge h mers, and beat the curtain, to convince the dience that it was IRON. The reservoir had on the morning of the been emptied for the purpose of being staunch and for which a fire had been lighted in the fee-room, adjoining the reservoir; the reser being therefore in this state, could be of no in stopping the conflagration.-The iron cur had been some time since removed, from its b found incapable of being let down, from rust other impediments. Patheon, Oxford-street, opened 1772, convented an Opera-house 1784, burnt down 1792. Astley's Amphitheatre burnt down on the Duke Yak's birth-night 1794, rebuilt and burnt atwa asecond time in 1803. Royal Circus destroyed by fire on the Prince of Wales's birth-day, 1805. COVENT-GARDEN COMPANY, HAYMARKET. On Thursday, March 9, a new comedy, as it was called, but we cannot tell why, entitled Independence, or the Trustee, was performed at the little theatre in the Haymarket for the first time, and, as we judged from its reception, for the last time; but the perseverance of the managers willed it otherwise. The hero of this thing is a village grocer y-clep'd Ben Balance, whose honesty constitutes the plot of the piece; having been left trustee to the will of an old gentleman, he carefully sees that the right heir has justice done him. The son-in-law of the deceased failing in bribing honest Ben Balance into a compliance with his grasping views on the inheritance, has recourse to another stratagem, and gets him arrested, when appearing before the magistrate, the whole plot is developed, and the right heir produced.-This, with a little love, forms the plot of one of the most contemptible pieces we ever remember to have witnessed. Our readers may judge for themselves by the following specimen of the wit, which is part of the principal scene A new farce called Is he a Prince? said to be translated by Mr. Grefulhe, from the German, was produced at this theatre on February, 7. The young Prince of Anhalt, after succeeding his father, has just returned from his travels, creates a great bustle among the courtiers, but particularly in the bosom fan old maid of quality, who sends to the Prince's portrait-painter for a likeness of her sovereign, in order to surprise him with the delicate compliment of wearing it on her introduction at court. The miniature arrives, and is given to the care of the lady's niece, who, while she is comparing the portrait with that of her secret lover, Capt. Lindorff, in surprised by her impatient aunt, to whom, in her hurry and confusion, she gives the Cap-in it. tan's likeness instead of the Prince's. The ant, who has not seen the young Prince dace he was a child, relies implicitly on the emblance; and, in the mean time, Capt. Lindorff himself arrives with a letter of introduction to the old lady's brother, a sporting Baron; the old lady perceives the likeness, it is whispered all over the family, every one concludes that it is the Prince incog., and trea the Captain as his Serene Highness. The astonished officer is gradually initiated by his servant into the unavoidable, but seasonable nature of the joke; he acknowledges a passion for the young lady, and his proposals are of course received with ecstacy, to the great annoyance of an awkward føp, who at length, however, like a true courtier, upon a gracious reception from the Prince, turns with the breeze, and becomes a suitor for his new master. At this time, Mr. Bluffberg, the acle of Lindorff, arrives on a visit to his old friend the Baron, but the Prince, much alarmed, pretends that he cannot see him, and warns the Baron how he receives a mau entirely out of favour at court. This advice produces some amusing scenes, and the piece ends, as usual, with the marriage of the lovers. This is a pleasant farce, and was received with considerable applause. The plot and Incidents are adroitly managed, and have a very good eflect. There are allusions to the horrid faree now playing in Spain, by the ruffian Buonaparte and his august brother Joe, and some have other allusions, not origally intended. Inside of Ben Balance's Shop. Enter a Man. Benj. Balance. What's your pleasure, sir? Man. A pound of nine shilling green. Ben. Yes, sir. [Takes down the canister, weighs the tea, puts it up in a paper, twirls about the twine, and finishes with a slap on the counter.] Any thing else in my way to-day, sir? Man. No, sir.-[Exit Man.] Enter a Woman. Ben. What's your pleasure, ma'am? Ben. [Twirling the package.] Got some fine cloves, ma'am, some excellent Turkey figs, or some Woman. No, thank ye.-[Exit Woman.] This and such like trash was heard by the audience with the greatest candour, except an occasional groan, until the last scene, when it was universally condemned; and yet the next morning the liberal managers (with that deference to the opinion of the public, about which they affect so much, and about Another specimen.-When Mrs. Balance asks her husband what she is to do with her fine clothes?" he replies, "Do?— why, as I do by my bad bills; when I cannot find the indorser, I always return them to the drawers." |