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sued between them and a young man in black, who pushed John Pearce down, and struck him; that while they were resenting this the constables came up, and insisted upon turning them out of the Theatre, which they resisted, as not being the cause of the disturbance. He offered testimonies of his good character, but the magistre observed these were of no use, as no testimony of that kind could disprove the act of rioting. John Pearce made a similar defence.

Mrs. Luker said she was a milkwoman, and lived in Cradle-court, Red-Cross-street; that she went with the prisoners to the Wells, that they had an altercation with a man and woman, and that she frequently begged them not to quarrel, but they would not mind what she said: Mary Vine said the man in black was very abusive, and that a young woman with him called her a dd b-. She concluded her defence in the same way as the other prisoners. It appeared that Mary Vine had struck a woman in the face several times.

The magistrate (Mr.Baker) having considered the evidence, said, Mr. Dibdin, there does not appear sufficient ground from the evidence to attach to the prisoners the Intention of producing the calamity that has occurred, though there is every reason to conclude that it was in consequence of this disturbance they created; and as they are clearly convicted of any unwarrantable riot, it remains with you to proceed against them for that misdemeanour.

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produce, by their behaviour, the awful calamity that had ensued; but as the disturbance created by them was certainly the originating cause of it, and as the result was so dreadful, he felt it his duty as manager of a theatre, and a servant of the public, to prove against them, as a satisfaction due to the community at large, and a warning to others in future. They were accordingly committed for trial; but allowed to be admitted to bail; which indulgence, however, they could not all avail themselves of; and those who could not were of course remanded to prison.

During the examination the coroner's jury were present, and repeated their observation, that the proprietors of the Wells had acted in the most honourable and humane way on the occasion.

In consequence of this most calamitous accident the Theatre closed for the season. Such was the event of a disturbance trifling in itself, but rendered important by its consequences; and it will, we trust, be a caution to the public to avoid conducting themselves indecorously in popular assemblies, or giving way too suddenly to the panic of momentary and unsubstantiated alarm.

With respect to fire it may be observed that of all public theatres none are so secure from fire as Sadler's Wells, there being constantly on the premises (under the stage) a reservoir of water nearly 80 feet long, and from 20 to 30 feet wide, and several feet deep; and watermachines, as well as common engines, are always in readiness, so that in a few minutes the whole Theatre could be perfectly deluged upon the least actual alarm.

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This Number is embellished with the following Copper-plates,

1 The TENDER AVOWAL.

2 Mr. YOUNG in HAMLET.

3 LONDON Fashionable FULL DRESSES.

4 New and elegant PATTERN for the BORDER of a DRESS.

LONDON:

Printed for G. ROBINSON, No. 25, Paternoster-Row;

Where Favours from Correspondents continue to be received.

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TO CORRESPONDENTS.

W. M. T.'s Contributions, which we are always happy to receive, arrived too late for insertion this month: the piece he has pointed out shall certainly appear in our next-The manuscript of the Temple of Wealth has been sent according to his directions.

The Essay on Public Speaking is intended for our next.

Democritus is under consideration.

The contents of A. Z.'s packet shall be inserted occasionally.

THE

LADY'S MAGAZINE. MAGAZINE.

FOR NOVEMBER, 1807.

THE TENDER AVOWAL,

A TALE.

[With an elegant Engraving.]

DON Gabriel Alvarez was a Castiliau gentleman of high birth and unblemished honour. In the bloom of youth, elegant in his manners and deportment, sensible, brave, and generous, he possessed the most perfect esteem of all his own sex to whom he was in the least known, and the tenderest regard of all the other sex who had enjoyed the pleasure of conversing with him." Among these latter one of superior charms and merit had triumphed over all her rivals, and firmly attached to herself his heart. Donna Serafina Estella, the daughter of a Spanish nobleman, distinguished for the services he had rendered the state, was a young lady of matchless beauty, of great spirit and vivacity. Her charms, at first sight, fired Don

Gabriel with all the enthusiasm of love, which became stronger and more violent the more frequently he saw and conversed with her. She, likewise, in her turn, felt a warm and most sincere affection for him, but this she carefully concealed in her breast. The only frailty in her character was, that exulting in her power, and rejoicing in the potency of her charms, she delighted to alarm and perplex her lover, and exerted all her resolution and art to prevent his discovering the real secret of her sentiments in his favour. If at any time her behaviour had been such as to fill him with hope and confidence, she seized every opportunity to repress the emotions of gratitude in which he was disposed to indulge, by a studied

coolness and indifference, which plunged him again into all his former doubts and uncertainty. The state of mind to which he was thus reduced was harassing in the extreme, and frequently excited in him a resolution to break his bonds, and never even think of her more; but at the moment he determined to enforce his resolution, a favouring smile, or some gracious act, as it appeared, of peculiar kindness, would confirm him in submission to his pleasing bondage, and revive all his ecstatic hopes. In this perpetual round of doubt and vexation, of hope and despair, he had long continued, repeatedly forming resolutions, which he never had the power to fulfil.

The brother of Serafina, Don Miguel, observed the conduct of his sister with indignation, and expostulated with her on her behaviour towards a lover of such distinguished merit, who was so fondly, so romantically, attached to her. What a wretched triumph is it,' would he say to her, to be able to boast that it has been in your power to convert the strong sense of Don Gabriel into the most egregious folly. I know well, that in the indulgence of this most idle vanity, of this most contemptible coquetry, you frequently give yourself pain in an equal degree to that your strange conduct creates in his breast; and also subject yourself to the hazard of losing a lover who truly deserves to be, and who, I would persuade myself, is actually most dear to you notwithstanding.'

Still, however, no satisfactory answer could be obtained from Serafina; she still continued to tantalize her lover, and wantonly display her power, to which he

fondly submitted, Being completely intoxicated with that passion which so irresistibly sways the heart; which subdues the mighty, and makes fools of the wise.

At length Don Gabriel received a notice from the war-office that the regiment in which he held a commission had been ordered to march to Cadiz, there to embark immediately for South America, where it was to be stationed for five years. By the same notice he was ordered to set out for Cadiz, and join his regiment within twentyfour hours, as otherwise, such was the expedition necessary to be employed, it would probably sail without him.

He

This order was like a thunderbolt to Don Gabriel. His beloved Serafina-his hopes and fears— his perplexing uncertainty, rushed, as may naturally be imagined, into his mind, and filled him with the most painful anxiety. seemed now likely to be compelled to fulfil those resolutions which he had so often made, but had not been able to carry into effect. He must now consent to separate himself from Serafina for a long time, and, against his will, try the effect of those (to him) violent remedies-absence and distance.

While these thoughts occupied his mind, and he was considering how to proceed, his friend Den Miguel waited on him. To him, as may readily be supposed, he showed the order he had just received: Well,' said Miguel, when he had looked at it, I know not but this may be as it should be-you will now be compelled to shake off the chains of my coquetting sister-your honour will now demand this sacrifice, You must with all speed make

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