however, by the assistance of his friend Foxglove, procures an interview by moon light, with Caroline, which is discovered by the vigilance of Argus, a trusty servant of Sir Peppercorn's, who suddenly catches the lovers together, and forbids her admirer and his friend ever to approach his house in future. In Act II, Caroline is configned close prisoner to her chamber; her maid Susan, however, contrives, in the disguise of a gipsy, to convey a letter to Charles, whose parents and intended bride she amuses by pretending to tell their fortunes. Peter Proteus, who is actuated by gratitude to Charles, and an antipathy to Argus, (who had superseded him in Sir Peppercorn's service) deceives the latter in the disguise of a Jew, and effects the escape of Caroline, who to avoid being seen in her flight, rides from her father's in a post-chaise, which Mrs. Supplejack had prepared to convey Charles to London, in hopes that absence might detach his affections from Caroline, who by this accident is sent away in the self-same conveyance, and with the very man it was designed to take away from her. Act III, after some preparatory scenes, discovers to the enraged parents the joint flight of their children, at a time when each were applauding their own sagacity in preventing their union.-Charles and Caroline are received by 'Squire Foxglove, the common friend of all parties, who employs his influence with the old fellows in their behalf. -Mr. Mushroom and Lady Selina, finding themselves equally disappointed in the event of their journies to the village, make a match of it. While Sir Peppercorn Crabstick and Mrs. Supplejack, finding all their plans frustrated, agree to drop their absurd disputes about ancestry and trade, to try the union of the two young lovers, to put an end to Family Quarrels.-Mr. Supplejack and Lady Patience Crabstick most heartily assent to the arrangement, having been perfectly passive through the business, while the joint services of Proteus and Susan are rewarded with a marriage portion. This constitutes the foundation of an Opera, which promises to reward its author with additional fame and fortune. Yet, it had nearly suffered damnation on its first performance, by a seemingly strange circumstance, which we will endea vour to develope in the sequel. Our Author, like the sage Physician, wisely appropriates his prescriptions to the constitution of the patient. Thus, knowing the partiality of John Bull for bustle, variety, and character; and also to laughter, and a good song; he has brought the whole of those requisites into the present composition, and seasoned it with a "few flashes of wit," bons mots, and repartees. Indeed, when we consider the nature and tendency of comedy, to satire, folly, and affectation, by public ridicule, we must allow that our Author has happily succeeded.— Some grim, vinegar critics, will contend that comedy is degraded by its aproximation to farce; and that Mr. Dibdin's pieces are all of the latter description. In replying to this, we hope to be clearly understood as not merely vindicating an individual, but opposing the evidence of popular opinion to that of insolated partiality. A dramatic writer who wishes, or expects to succeed in the present state of society, must not run counter to the expectations and partiality of it; nor will he be likely to derive much useful knowledge from that class of critics who fix their standard of e cellence in the Greek, Roman, and our English classics. A living Au- they refused every overture of pa thor must hold "The mirror up to nature." And, as the goddess is continually changing her features, by the modification of fashion, so must the writer catch every variety, and incorporate it in his Drama. Besides, the frequenters of the Play House are more partial, and reasonably so, to Thalia, than Melpomene: and the prudent dra matic caterer appeals to them, for popular approbation and support. Though we could easily illustrate the foregoing remarks, by an examination of theatrical annals for the last ten years, yet obstinacy and prejudice would not yield to reason and fact. However, as some are happily unprejudiced, let us appeal to them on the present occasion, and relate a few circumstances concerning Family Quarrels. By some very unfair proceeding, a story had been circulated among the Jews, that Mr. Dibdin had ridiculed or satirised their tribe in his new piece. This roused the Israelites, and they consulted means to damn the opera; which they endeavoured to effect the first night of its representation, by assembling in great numbers in all parts of the House. cification, even from a beautiful woman*, and continued clamorous till hoarseness and fatigue dampt their damning spirits. The Christian auditors finding themselves thus insulted, resolved to support their own characters, and defend the whole theatre on the future part of the evening, and the following nights: this they have done effectually, and the Israelites will have cause to blush, if a blush can permeate their beards, for their folly. Mr. Dibdin and Mr. Cumberland have, perhaps, misunderstood the character of these gentlemen, and judging from their own dispositions and virtues, have made three or four of them, honest, good men; this was a satire not to be borne, and they resolved to hurl their indignation against the former writer for his falsehood. Who is most to blame, time will discover. The plot of Family Quarrels is simple, the incidents natural, and calculated to keep expectation alive; the characters in general well drawn and strongly coloured; and the songs emanate from this piece with more propriety than from any other we are acquainted with. The play strongly cast, and its music composed by men of great talent. Its effects are the most powerful we ever 'witnessed. Before the curtain drew up they Though we have bestowed praise, began an opposition, and continued yet we could easily find fault; but to disturb the audience and players that was not the intention of our all the evening; man determined on essay. Besides, we think that many mischief, cannot sit easy, but imme-,,of the diurnal critics have been diately Mr. Fawcett appeared in more censorious than discriminatthe assumed dress of a Jew, the ing. stified plot burst forth in disgraceful uproar, and though the players and christian auditors solicited, and begged for peace; the bearded enemy refused to capitulate. Nay, so savagely warlike was their conduct, Operas are generally the most insipid, and unnatural monsters of the brain; but here we find some Rhyme and Reason" in the songs, and in their mode of introduction. LITTLE B. 66 * Miss Waddy with great energy of expression intreated silence. DEATH DEATH OF MR. ROGER KEMBLE. N Monday morning, December 6, died in London, in the 82d year of his age, Mr. Roger Kemble. This gentleman's name will always be memorable in Dramatic History, on account of those talents in his offspring, which have so eminently contributed to give lustre to the English Stage. Mr. Roger Kemble, very early in life, ventured upon Theatrical Boards. He married Miss Ward, the daughter of Mr. Ward, a contemporary with Quin on the London Stage, and who afterwards became the Manager of a very respectable provincial company of performers *. By this Lady †, who has the misfortune of seeing her venerable associate in life drop into the grave before her, he had a numerous train of children, to whom he gave all the advantages of education, which it was in his power to bestow, and whom he had the pleasure of seeing arrive at an height of fame and fortune by the fair exertion of industry and genius. Mr. R. Kemble possessed a very good understanding, and was well acquainted with life. He was a respectable actor, though he never appeared more than once on a London Stage, when he performed The Miller of Mansfield, in the Haymarket Theatre, for the benefit of his son Stephen, and dis * Acting at the Theatres in Stafford, Lichfield, Coventry, &c. + Of the professional abilities, anu the private virtues of Mrs. Kemble, every one who knows her speaks most highly; and to her admirable example, in a great measure, is, doubtless, to be attributed, the high rank and reputation held by her children. Their surviving offspring are, Mrs. Siddons; Mr. John Kemble; Mr. Stephen Kemble; Mrs. Twiss, formerly Miss Frances Kemble; Mrs. Curtis; Mrs. Whitlock, formerly Miss Elizabeth Kemble, now the first actress in America; Mr. Charles Kemble, of Drury-Lane Theatre; and Mrs. Mason, late Miss Jane Kemble, of the Theatre, Lancaster. This was long after he had given up the management of his Theatres, and had retired into private life. He acted to serve his son on his benefit night; and the curiosity of the public to see him was so great, that hundreds could not gain admission. FEAST FEAST OF WIT; OR, SPORTSMAN's HALL. HE Duke of Grafton being for- house-lamb, belonging to Mr. Ste Thunting near Newmarket, a phen Rouse, made his appearance Quaker, at some distance, upon an adjoining eminence, pulled off his hat, and gave a view holla!-The hounds immediately ran to him, and being drawn off the scent, were consequently at fault, which so enraged the Duke, that, galloping up to the offender, he asked, in an angry tone -"Art thou a Quaker?"—"I am, Friend," replied Broadbrim. “Well, then,” rejoined his Grace, 66 you never pull off your hat to a Christian, I will thank you in future not to pay that compliment to a Fox." as A man, whose name was Cotton, having a dispute with a neighbour, they agreed to decide the business by their fists; and the former being vanquished, a punning spectator observed," Cotton is Worsted." A gentleman who suffered much under a painful disorder, was ordered to take a dose of laudanum, but fell asleep before it was administered. His friend, a gentleman from Ireland, roused him vehemently from his nap, exclaiming, " You must not sleep till you have taken the sleepy-potion." at the entrance of the church, and baa'd; in consequence of which his master, Mr. S. Rouse, was obliged to get out of his pew, and turn him out of church. A poor Irish labourer lately applied to a lady for her interest to be admitted into an hospital, as he was very ill. The lady said, she only subscribed to the Lying-in Hospital. "That's the very one I want," cried Pat, in an extacy, 66 as my landlord threatens to turn me out ; and if he does, I have no place to lie in." A personable young woman advertises, in a provincial paper, for a service. She says she is well qualified to manage a single gentleman. Lately, at a company dinner of paper-makers, printers, &c. at Edinburgh, one of the toasts was 66 May rags clothe the company.' The band very appropriately, played, "We'll a' be happy in our auld claise."-Another toast was"Mr. Addington, and the rest of the peace-makers."-The band immediately struck up, "De'il tak' the wars. -One of the toasts on this occasion intimated that the gallant 42d had turned the French Invincibles into Invisibles! The music echoed it with "Scots, wha ha'e wi' Wallace bled?" and "The Highland Laddie.” SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. UR sporting friends will be happy to hear that the King's Plates for the year 1802 are all receivable. During the war they were kept back, particularly towards its conclusion. Paris, Nov. 27.—The First Consul still pursues his labours with very little relaxation. The day before yesterday he took the diversion of the chase; but, in the midst of it, he was thrown from his horse, and fell upon his head. His companions were greatly alarmed for his safety, as he remained for some time without motion; he was merely stunned by the fall, and had received no personal injury. The fact was, that his mind being occupied with other matters, very different from that in which he was engaged, he clung, but mechanically, as it were, to his horse, and was flung from his seat by a sudden spring of the animal. In a similar state of mind, he narrowly escaped a few days before, from being overturned into a deep ditch, when taking the air with Madame Bonaparte in an open carriage. upon her return at St. Faith's, it was thought proper to give her water, although before she had drank only wine and porter mixed. She faultered much before reaching the starting place, and on her arrival, being quite spent, she was obliged to give in.-Many bets, to a considerable amount, were depending, the odds being in favour of the mare. He had agreed to sell her for 401. if she had won, and it is believed, had she not drank water, that would have been the case. A PONEY,only four years old, and not exceeding twelve hands high, the property of a horse-dealer, at St. Pancrass, was engaged lately, to trot five miles in twenty minutes, which was performed on the Hatfield road, one minute and a half within the time. A GREAT number of people assembled at Two-mile-bridge, near Dublin, on Monday the 13th, to witness the decision of a bet, for fifty guineas, that a mare belonging to Captain Robbins, of the 12th Light Dragoons, should, in a sporting manner, clear a six-feet wall. She per• formed it evidently with ease, carrying a lad of eleven or twelve stone weight. A MATCH for 200 guineas was this month run upon Warwick Course, between a horse the property of Mr. Canning, and another belonging to Mr. Hawkes, which was won by the former by only half a neck; a very excellent and well contested race. Bets, before start ing, |