556 not a laugh of that kind which the vanity of the fpeaker might lead her to expect. The performers acquitted themselves well, particularly Mrs. Kemble, whofe beauty of perfon and delicacy of manner gave fome intereft to a character that never appeared in real life. One abfurdity feemed to ftrike every beholder on the reprefentation of this play, which was, that Mrs. Wilfon appeared as a fine lady! This was high life below flairs with a vengeance. Where was Mrs. Mattocks in this cafe? Dec. 23. The Manager, according to annual cuftom, prefented the town with a new pantomime entitled Friar Bacon, or Harlequin's Adventures in Lilliput, Brobdignag, &c. This pantomime commences with Friars Facon and Bungy, who are difcovered in the ftudy, watching the brazen head they had made, and from the fpeech of which, according to the well-known legendary tale, they were to acquire the power of encircling England with a wall of brafs. A chorus of impatient enquirers without, vociferoutly demand to know if it has fpoke; when they are filenced, the friars, unable from inceffant watching to keep awake any longer, call on Harlequin (who appears in the capacity of Bacon's fervant) and charging him to wake them on the leaft fymptoms of the head's being about to fpeak, they both fall into a profound fleep. Harlequin, inftend of following the directions he had received, amufes himfelf with the words that ifiue from the opening mouth. It firft articulates, Time is next, Time was-and lastly, Time is paft, when it falls to the ground, and breaks to pieces. Friar Bacon awakes with the noife, denounces vengeance against Harlequin for his difoocdience, condemns him to perpetual filence, and goes off in a rage. Friar Bungy then rifes from his flumber, laments the fad accident which has happened, but pity fuperfedes his refentiment, and he gives Harlequin the hat and fword to direct his future fteps, and to protect him against the implacable revenge of Friar Bacon. At this period the pantomimical business com- remains remains in his box till two children are paffing by in the morning to school; after they have fung a very humourous and characteristic duet, one of them tears a leaf out of his book, and lights it at the watchman's candle, and fets it on his toe; he fnores out an oath or two, cries the hour, and falls afleep again. Harlequin and Columbine, alarmed at the gigantic appearance of the figures, hide themfelves in a pair of boots that are ftanding at the door. An officer and his girl, who were before feen to walk into the bagnio, are, with others, frightened by the watchman's cry of fire, and appear at the windows in great confufion, which finishes the firit act of the piece. The fecond act prefents Harlequin and Columbine returned home again a variety of perplexities, which are always expected to form part of a pantomime, fucceed each other. Bacon and Bungy oppofe each other's efforts to accomplish the fate of Harlequin, which at laft depends on his fuccefs in a hall of combat, where Columbine is AS this department of our Magazine is intended to record public entertainments in general, we cannot conclude the bufinefs of the month without mentioning the opening of the Opera Houfe for the feafon. Under the aufpices of Signor Gallini the houfe was opened on the 29th of November, when a ferious opera called Silla was reprefented for the firit time-We fhall not trouble our readers with the plot nor the poetry of this ferious piece, which, to confefs the truth, deferves rather the appellation of Silly than of Silla. It was originally written about fix years ago at Milan, by one Signor Gamera, a difciple of Metaftafio, but whofe poetical talents are not much fuperior to thofe of the famous poet of Matera, who was fent to the gallies-alla galera-by Pope Sext. V. for the fake of the rhyme. Silla in the Hay-market has been difhed up in the form of a papieris--an harmonical pudding, made up of varicus tunes, introduced ad hum by the performers-It is not a little frange that the fole objection pronounced to be the reward of the victor. In this laft fcene a variety of feats are performed by groupes of combatants, chevaliers, and Amazons, &c. The conqueror throws off his difguife, proves to be Harlequin, receives Columbine for his reward, and the piece concludes with a grand chorus by the priefts of Hymen. The fcenery of this pantomime is equal and in fome refpects fuperior to any thing ever produced in any theatre. The view of the Lilliputian country is truely an excellent painting, and the whole pantomime forms an affemblage of fine fights, such as cannot fail to recommend it to the town. It is impoffible for the graveft to avoid laughing, and when we are tempted to do fo throughout the piece, and that at the expence neither of virtue or decency, it abates fomewhat of that averfion which we fometimes entertain against this fpecies of entertainment. The mufic is the production of Mr. Shields, but unlefs in the overture, we did not difcover the hand of a mafter. which can be urged against this opera, with regard to the mulic, lies in its fuperlative excellence. When the author of Paftor fido fubmitted his poem to the opinion of Cardinal Gonzago, he compared it to a feaft, where the viands were entirely of fugar, and thereby became difguftful. The obfervation of his eminence is applicable to all the operatical pafticcios in general, where the fingers, regardlefs of the ncceflary interpofition of the fhades, the chiarofcuro, have no other aim but to elevate and furprize, not knowing that a chanjon à boire will fooner gain the favour of an audience, than all the elaborate divifions and fub-divifions of their arie di bravura. As to the particular merit of the fingers that appeared last Saturday night, the mufical accomplishments of signora Lufini, the first woman, deferve the higheft encomiums, and do great credit to the mufical taste of Signor Gallini, who engaged her in Italy. She is a good stage figure, and not only a most delightful warbler, but alfo an excellent actrefs: fhe was univerfally encored encored in the rondeau in the fecond act. The vocal powers of Signor Uttini, the tenor, feemed rather deficient, though evidently directed by the precepts of the beft fchool. Signora Catenacci is very well for a fecond part. As to Signor Pacchierotti, and Bartolini, their mufical fame is too well established to need any panegyric at our hands. The ballets confifted of two light but interesting divertifements compofed by M. Dauberval, and executed in fuperior file, as ufual, by Le Picq, Slingfby, and Madame Roffi. It is a worth obferving, that no theatre in Europe ever muftered at once fuch a fet of capital dancers as the Opera-houfe this feafon; for, befides the three we have juft mentioned, fince that time Monf. Veftris, jun. has appeared, and been received with the moft encouraging congratulations. The decorations were, for the greate part new, and produced a ftriking effect. We certainly do not mean this as any compliment adequate to the deferts of Mr. Novofieliki, the triumphs of his genius having fhone forth in objects of much greater confequence. SATURDAY, Nov. 22. R. Pembridge, lat. accomptant to the Pay-Office, was brought before the Judges in the Court of King's-Bench, when Mr. Bearcroft, on the part of Mr. Bembridge, addrefled himfelf to the court in a long and able fpeech, praying for a new trial. This application, however, though fupported with very powerful argurents, the court did not think proper to comply with, and Mr. Bembridge being then in the custody and prefence of the court, their lordships declared their intention of taking that opportanity to proceed to judgement. Mr. Juftice Willes, as fenior puifne judge, proceeded to a full and elaborate revifion of the circumitances that had tranfpired in the evidence adduced againtt Mr. B. in his trial; and after commenting upon fome of them, with much point and Jeverity, concluded with pronouncing the judgement of the court, which was to this eflect:"That he should be fined in the fum of two thoufand fix hundred and fifty pounds, and be This morning early, on a fudden diffolution of the fnow in the high lands, which had fallen in a very great quantity the latter end of the preceding week, the river Wear role very fuddenly, overflowed its banks, and covered all the low ground in the vale between Stanhope and Bithops Aukland, and in different places has done great damage to the lands bordering upon the river: many acres have been entirely wathed away, and many more greatly injured by the gravel and fand lodged upon them. Except the dreadful inundation in 1771, on the fame day of the month, the oldeft perfon living does not remember fo high a flood as the prefent, which, from its long continuance, ha. done more damage to the adjacent lands than that of 1771. The breat-work on the fouth fide of the river adjoin A tryal came on before Lord Loughborough in the Court of Common-Pleas, at Guildhall, on an action brought against the India Company for not providing for and fending home the foreign failors, who were hired abroad to aflift in navigating the Company's fhips to England, fince which, for their fupport, they have been obliged to beg about the streets of this city; when, after a hearing of two hours, a verdict was given against the Company, that they should allow each man (as they were acknowledged to be good failors) 365. a month during their stay in England, and to be clothed and fent home at the Company's 's expence. TUESDAY, 9. This morning, about a quarter past nine o'clock, the following convicts were brought out of Newgate, and, after about half an hour spent in prayer, were executed on a gallows erected upon a platform oppofite the priton, it having been judged expedient to make fome alteration in the mode of conducting malefactors to execution, viz. John Burke, John Wallis, alias Fox, Richard Martin, Frances Warren, alias Ballinger, George Morley, Samuel Willon, John Law. ler, William Munro, William Butby, and Fran cis Burke. They were attended by the two theriffs, under-theriffs, &c. with a number of conitables. The whole building was hung with black. WPDNESDAY, 10. This being the anniverfary of the inftitution of the Royal Academy, a general allembly at the Academicians was held at the Royal Academy, Somerfet-Place, when Edmund Garvey, Liq. was admitted an academician, and received his diploma, figned by his Majesty. Council. Vifitors. Charles Caton, J. Singleton Copley, Benjamin Weit, Eiges. THURSDAY, 18. The feffion at the Old-Bailey, which began on the 10th, ended. Twenty-three prifoners were capitally convicted and received fentence of death, and above eighty were convicted of divers felonies. MONDAY, 22. This morning was executed at the new gillows, oppofite the debtors gate, Newgate, Joha Clark, for the wilful murther of Thomas Johnfon. He was turned off about twenty min tes after eight, and having hung the ufual time, was cut down, and carried to Surgeons-Hall for diffection. In this department of our work, we profefs fimply to record facts, without investigating caules, or anticipating confequences. When, however, we touch on political fubjects, it becomes neceffary to chronicle the opinions and even the rumours, as well as the events of the time. Though the Eaft-India bill was carried through the Houle of Commons by fo great a majority, a ftrong oppofition to it was expected in the Houfe of Lords, and various rumours of his Mjetty's being adverfe to the bill were in luftriouly propagated, though they obtained but little credit. On Monday the 15th of December, on the fecond reading of the bill, counfel having argued, and gone through a large body of evidence in fupport of the Company's petition against it, declared their inability to proceed further then, and requested the indulgence of the Iioufe till next day. A motion of adjournment was carried against the miniftry. And on Wednofday the 17th the bill was rejected by a majority of nineteen. This was evidently and avowedly efflcted by the influence of the crown against the miniftry, though the Price of Wales voted with them. In the Houfe of Commons, the leaders of the coalition inveighed against this indirect exertion o. influence, and the fecret advirs of the king, a declared their refolution of keeping poflion of their places, till actually difmilled from them by his Majesty. Accord ingly, on Thunday the 15th, the feals of their refpective offices were required of Lord North and Mr. Fox, by a special meffage from the King. On Friday Mr. Pitt was announced firit Lord of the Treafury, Lord Gower, Pres Three filver medals were given, viz. one to Mr. William Artaud, for the best drawing of an Academy figure; one to Mr. Thomas Proctor, for the belt model of an Academy figure; and one to Mr. Thomas Johnton, for the beft draw-dent of the Council, and Lari Temple, Sect ing of architecture, being the elevation towards the principal court of one of the pavillions of Greenwich Hofpital, nearest the river, done from actual mealurement. tary of State. Man time Lord North and M.. Fox were fo completely followed by the whie fequel and dependence of the coalition, from the fubordinate office, and headed to ftrong a party, and held fuch high lang sage in the Houfe of Commons, that Loid Temple religned, erher through timidity, or a difference of opinion wit Mr. Pitt; men were afraid to accept places of ponability in fuch a critis, and the great othee of itate literally went a begging. On Mɔr day the 224, the Hufe of Commons voted an addrefs to his Majetty, beleeching him not to im, de the parlament in the important bulinefs of the tedion, by a duiolation which was unt verfally expected as the first act of the new cabinet. His Majesty returned for anfwer, that he would not exercife his prerogative to interrupt their meeting, either by prorogation or diffolution. On Tuesday Lord Thurlow accepted the great feal, the Duke of Rutland the Privy Seal, and the Marquis of Caermarthen and Lord Sydney were fworn into their offices as Secretaries of State. Lord Howe is to prefide at the Admiralty board, and the Duke of Richmond at the board of Ordnance; Earl Temple to go to Ireland, and Mr. Kenyon and Mr. Arden to be Attorney and Sollicitor-General. As it is confi. dently afferted that this arrangement cannot laft beyond the holidays, we thail not enter into a more minute detail. His Majesty's affurance to the Houfe of Commons is conceived by many to extend no farther than the prefent feliion, and that it will be the limit of the prefent parliament's duration. As a document to pofterity of the notorious and barefaced corruption practifed in the reign of George the Third, we thall fubjoin an advertisement copied from the Morning Chronicle of Monday the 22d of December, while the belief of a diffolution was prevalent and univerfal: "A certain diffolution approaching, a gentleman repeatedly fuccefsful in accommodating thofe who laudably afpire to public confequence, and who, at the prefent juncture, has it in his power to accommodate, upon terms peculiarly eligible, offers his fervice to any qualified gentleman, of the above inclination, to whom, on an interview, he will be as communicative as the nature of the cafe will admit, and manage the business with fuch fcrupulous delicacy and honour, as cannot fail of enfuring approbation. Letters from principals (only) of a ferious, candid, and liberal complexion, directed to J. Brent, at Young Slaughter's coffee-house, St. Martin's-lane, will be refpectully noticed." SCOTLAND. IN an island on the Coul of Strathnaver, fire of Sutherland, called Iland Na Roan, which tands on a rock fome hundred yards in height, and about a mile in length and breadth, a piece of earth, fome hundred yards in chicumference, has intely funk in, and formed a laye it near the centre of the inland, fo deep that the bottom of it cannot be feen. There are four fa- . milies living on the island, who were not fenfible of ay tremor or thaking of the earth when this happened. IRELAND. We will not hold ourfelves refponfible either for the truth or credibility of the following article; but in this age of philofophical wonders, no man ought to pronounce rathly on the probability of any phenomenon. Credulity and fcepticifm are equally repugnant to true philofophy. We hall, therefore, record it as it has been communicated to the public, and leave it to thole who may have opportunity and inclination to enquire into the reality of the fact, and its caufe: N Wednesday the 12th of November, the Langrithe crizer, commanded by James Elutow, Fig, on her way to Beliaft from Dub lin, where fhe had been altered from a fchooner to a brig, about eight o'clock in the evening, a few miles from the Isle of Man, stopped on a fudden, and began to fink; fhe funk fo low that the water was entering her ports; all hands were called on deck, and expected every moment to go to the bottom. The boat was then hoisted out, which inftantly went down; nothing was now expected but fudden diffolution, when luckily the righted, and purfued her voyage. She arrived at Belfast the 18th. No perfon on board can poffibly account for this extraordinary circumstance, nor was a fimilar intance ever known, except in the year 1759, when a veffel bound from Lifbon for this town, under full fail, was topped in the fame manner, and nearly covered with water, after which the righted, and on that very day and hour there happened a moit dreadful earthquake at Lisbon. PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. On Friday the 28th of November, the grand national convention, confisting of five delegates from every county, and three from every city in the kingdom, which affembled by appointment, at the Royal Exchange in Dublin, on the 11th of November, agreed to fixteen refolutions, on the fubject of parliamentary reform. On Saturday the 29th, in the House of Commons, Mr. Flood, feconded by Mr. Brownlow, moved for leave to bring in a bill grounded on thefe refolutions; which was negatived, From the LONDON GAZETTE of Tuesday, Nov. 25. Extract of a Letter from the Prefident and Sele Committed at Bombay, to the Select Committee of the Court of Directors of the Eoft India Com pany, dated 27th June, 1783, received over Land, the 21ft of November. UK last letter left General Matthews, with 'his whole force collected, in poffeffion of Onore, and under pofitive orders to make an immediate attempt upon the city of Bednure, in cafe the intelligence then just received of Heider's death proved well founded. In purfuence of thefe orders, the General proceeded to Cundapore, which he reduced after fome flight refittance, and from thence reprefented, in very frong terms, that the condition of the army was not fuch as would warrant the attempt upon Bednure, but that, |