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The tragedy of Brutus has been performed at this Theatre. Mr. Kean, of course, acted the Roman Patriot, and never did we see him in fuller possession of his powers, or more competent to afford gratification to every admirer of the genuine drama, and every friend to manly and classical ambition. He received throughout the performance the most animated testimonies of general approbation.

The tragedy of Cymbeline has also been performed, and a young lady, whose name is Williams, assumed the part of Imogen. Miss Williams is not entirely new upon the stage, for she has played at Bath and elsewhere. She is scarcely of middle stature, her form is slight, her features good and intelli

gent are distinguished by a pensive, thoughtful cast, extremely appropriate to the expression of a deep and quiet grief. Her voice is indifferent, but its ordinary tones are low and sweet.. Her general style of speaking has much more to do with art than with nature. In some passages, however, she delivered herself up to the illusion of the scene, and she proportionably succeeded. Her performance, on the whole, was very well received by a crowded house. Mr. Kean sustained the character of Posthumous most admirably. Mr. Young's lachimo was excellent, and we certainly never saw him play the character so well. Mr. Cooper's Guiderius was a sensible performance.

COVENT GARDEN.

The tragedy of the Earl of Essex, by Jones, has been represented, and was very strongly cast, followed by the new pantomime which is now firmly fixed in the favour of the public. Though very simple in its structure, and limited in the number of its characters, this tragedy has survived for no short period, partly on account of the interesting historical foundation on which it rests, and partly from the rude fidelity with which the author has represented nature in her conflicts with passion and calamity. The part of Earl of Essex was consigned to Mr. Macready, who entered fully into its spirit, and displayed the qualities of that unfortunate nobleman powerfully and judiciously. Miss Lacy ably sus tained the character of Elizabeth, Miss Kelly supported the part of Rutland, and we exceedingly regretted that she had so little to do. Her performance was excellent, but the character infinitely beneath her great talents. Mrs. Faucit performed Nottingham very well, but nothing could render a character so repulsive interesting, and which history has done so much to render odious, and poetry so little to redeem. The tragedy was received with much applause, which was a tribute paid to the performers only, not to the play.

Miss Paton made her first appearance since her illness in the Opera of Artaxerxes, and performed the charac

of Mandane. She gave all the airs with that perfect execution which can only result from the combined influence of nature and art. Mr. Pearman as Arbaces, Mr. Durnset as Artaxerzes, Mr. Isaacs as Artabanes, and Miss Love as Semira, acquitted themselves in a creditable manner. The abridged comedy of the London Hermit followed, which was succeeded by the new pantomime of Harlequin and theOgress, which produced bursts of laughter by its tricks, and admiration, by the rapid execution of the changes, and its magnificent scenery.

Shakspeare's historical play, King Henry the Eighth, has also been represented at this theatre. A Mrs Ogilby made her first appearance in the character of Queen Katharine. Her person is well adapted for the stage, to which she is evidently no stranger. She is above the middle stature, her countenance rather strongly marked, and her voice soft and harmonious. She went through the part in a meritorious manner and was much applauded. Mr. Macready sustained the character of Wolsey, and although it is too quiet, too much in repose for him, yet he could not fail to please us. His sorrow was natural and penetrating, and his reproaches bitter and caustic. Mr. Egerton, as the King, successfully represented the rude and overbearing spirit of the character.

POLITICAL DIGEST.

FRANCE.The pacific news from France, which arrived immediately after we had written our Political Digest for last month, filled every English heart, that throbs in unison with the canse of humanity and rational liberty, with sanguine hopes, that the peace of the Continent would not be disturbed by those Canons of arbitrary power, now happily rendered obsolete by the general diffusion of knowledge. These chearing anticipations appeared to derive confirmation by the dismissal from the French Cabinet of the Duke de Montmorency, whose situation was im mediately filled by Viscount Chateaubriand, who advocated peaceful measures at the Congress of Verona, in opposition to the Duke. M. de Villele's note, addressed to the Spanish Government, also appeared by its pacific tone to encourage those pleasing expectations. But during the present month, the political horizon has again been overcast with a dense cloud of fears and apprehensions. The Bourbon Government of France seem determined to exert their strength in Spain, and will, if successful, without doubt, bestow on the French people the same blessings they are now preparing for the Spaniards an increased Royal prerogative-a diminution of the representive power the re-establishment of the Inquisition-and all the long train of political blessings that render a King independent on his peos ple. Will the French, whose fickleness was once proverbial, fight against those principles of liberty, for which they have so much and so long suffered? If they can be thus base, they deserve all the evils which such a struggle must produce, whether they are victorious or conquered; if victorious, they will be only forging in Spain fetters for themselves; if conquered, they will be doomed to expiate their crime of unprovoked aggression by the humiliating submission to a foreign conqueror. We, however, hope better things from the French people; they have tasted of liberty, and found the draught sweet; they have afterwards drank of the cup of misfortune, and found it bitter. To turn this bitter into sweet, they must assist the friends of constitutional liberty, .not oppress them. Let them imitate the generous English, who, from one end of the kingdom to the other, sympathise with the Spaniards, and heartily wish them success in the perilous conflict that

now seems impending. Let, also, the Bourbon Government of France imitate the present enlightened policy of the English ministry, if they be desirous of securing the present dynasty.

We have been led into this train of reasoning by the late events, and by the conviction that this war against Spain would not be long waged, before the French troops would turn against the Ultras of their own country, rather than fight for those of Spain. Accounts from the Army of Observation confirm this opinion, for according to the Courier Francais, several officers, who were at the bridge of Llivia, when Mina showed his amicable disposition towards the French troops, have been dismissed. A Major of the 18th, a Captain of Grenadiers, and six other officers of the same regiment, áre mentioned as no longer forming part of the Army of Observation. The 32d, some companies of which witnessed the defeat of the Army of the Faith on the 28th and 29th, has lost 350 men by leave of absence being granted them; they have taken the road to Perpignan, to return to their respective homes.

During the late negociations between France and Spain, the English Ministry have conferred on their country and themselves an imperishable honour, by twice offering the mediation of this country, first by the Duke of Wellington, and secondly by Sir William A'Court. This mediation has been refused by the French Bourbons, whose conduct reminds us,

Quem deus vult perdere, prius dementat.

The French minister at Madrid, it seems, has orders to quit Spain, and troops are certainly moving southward to reinforce the Army of Observation. The King is understood to be inclined to peace and quiet in his old age, but it would appear that there are more powerful personages at the Thuilleries than bis Majesty-a sort of ultra imperium in imperio, by which war has been decided on. The approaching meeting of the Chambers is regarded as likely to prove decisive of this longagitated question. But let the decision be what it may, it is impossible that hostilities can take place for some time, for the season alone must occasion considerable delay.

SPAIN. We cannot look back upon the recent history of this noble country without gratitude and respect. We cannot forget that it was mainly owing

to the struggles of this magnanimous people that the entire continent of Enrope did not, ere this, succomb to the yoke of one solitary despot. The people of all European countries can never forget the gratitude they owe to Spain, it belongs only to emperors and kings and princes to prove themselves ungrateful, and to bury in the ruins of a great nation their benefactors and deliverers. The attempt, however, will be in vain, and the iniquity of the measure will, we hope, be equalled by the humiliating nature of their defeat.

The Ambassadors of Russia, Prussia, and Austria, at Madrid, have delivered most insulting communications from their respective governments to the Spanish Ministry; and nothing can be more manly or more just than the brief contempt with which the Spanish Minister, San Miguel, answers the several notes of the Envoys. To the Prussian's cant about the "good wishes" of his master, the Spaniard replies with a happy pleasantry, that the "good wishes" are mutual. To the Austrian's pretence that the Court of Vienna cannot in conscience maintain its diplomatic relations with Spain, he makes answer, that Spain is quite indifferent 'on that score, and incloses the passports. And to the Russian's impudent string of flagrant falsehoods and insulting expressions, Senor San Miguel returns a just and spirited reproof of the 66 very insolent tone" of the Note, and adds an intimation, that the sooner he leaves the Peninsula, the better.

These Notes have been taken into consideration by the Cortes, and the prudent and magnanimous manner in which all parties coalesced for the purpose of strengthening their government, and repressing the insolent interference of the Holy Alliance, must for-ever endear them to the whole Spanish nation and their posterity. As we have not room for the insertion of the Notes of the Allied Sovereigns, we will only insert an official Spanish document, by which those Notes may be easily inferred.

Note transmitted to the Charges d'Affaires at the Courts of Vienna, Berlin, and Petersburgh

"Under this date 1 communicate to the Charge d'Affaires of his Majesty at the Court of, by royal order, the following:

"The Government of his Majesty has received communication of a Note from to its Charge d'Affaires at this Court, a copy of which Note is transmitted to your Excellency for your information.

"This document, full of perverted facts, defamatory suppositions, accusations equally unjust and slanderous, and vague requests, does not call for any categorical and formal reply on any of its points. The Spanish Government, deferring to a more convenient opportunity the exhibiting to all nations,in a public and solemn manner, its sentiments, its principles, its determi nations, and the justice of the cause of the generous nation at the head of which it is placed, is, for the present, content to declare

"1. The Spanish Nation is governed by a Constitution, which has been solemnly recognised by the Emperor of Russia.

"2. The Spaniards, friends to their country, proclaimed, at the commencement of 1812, that Constitution which was abolished by violence alone in 1814.

3. The Constitutional King of Spain freely exercises the Powers which the Constitution has bestowed upon him.

"4. The Spanish Nation does not interest itself with the internal go vernment of other nations.

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"5. The remedy of the evils, which afflict the Spanish Nation is for its own consideration alone.

"6. Those evils are not the result of the Constitution, but rather of the efforts of its enemies to destroy it.

"7. The Spanish Nation will not acknowledge the right of any Power to interfere in its affairs.

9. The Government will never deviate from the line traced by its duties, by national honour, and by its unalterable attachment to the Constitution sworn to in 1812.

"I authorise you to communicate verbally this letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Power with whom you reside, and to supply him with a copy if he require one.

"His Majesty hopes that the pru dence, zeal, and patriotism which distinguish you, will suggest to you a conduct firm and worthy of the Spanish name, under existing circumstances.

"The above is what I have the honour to communicate to your Excellency by order of his Majesty, and I seize this opportunity to renew the assu rances of my distinguished considera. tion, praying God to preserve your life many years. I kiss your hands.

Your attentive and constant servant, "EVARISTO SAN MIGUEL." The Spanish Government are actively preparing for a warlike alternative; and the drawing by lot for the army goes on very actively in all the pros

vinces. The Cortes have placed at the disposition of Government all the active militia, so that in the month of March they will have on foot an army of 150,000 men, without comprehending the national militia, which amounts at least to 100,000 men, and who are distinguished in nothing from the troops of the line. Some battalions coming from the interior are on their route for Navarre; others are marching upon Arragon and Catalonia; these three armies will form a body of 80,000 men.

The Cortes have passed a decree on the subject of the reclamations made by England for losses to her subjects by piracies and captures for violation of blockade in the West Indies. Spain admits the claims generally, leaving their particular amount to be determined by future arrangements; and a sum of 40,000,000 of reals (400,0007.) is inscribed in the Great Book, to answer them when adjusted.

PORTUGAL.-A circumstance has occurred relative to this country, as honourable to the good faith of the English government as it must be gratifying to all the Portuguese. England will not suffer its ancient ally to be overrun by the armies of the Holy Alliance. Jo a recent sitting of the Cortes the Minister for Foreign Affairs informed the Cortes, that his Majesty having required from Great Britain a frank declaration of its views in regard to the menacing attitude of the Holy Alliance towards the Peninsula, the British Minister made the following reply. The English govern

ment having solemnly declared, in the face of the world, that it does not assume the existence of a right of intervention in the internal concerns of other states, England will feel herself obliged to lend to this kingdom all the succour of which it may stand in need, as often as its independence may be menaced by any other power, in any manner whatever." This promise, which is only the repetition of that which England has made under other circumstances and at various times, has no relation, and can have none, with our political institutions; its object being simply to declare that those institutions have not changed, in any manner, the relations which heretofore existed between the two countries.

TURKEY AND GREECE.-The Janis saries are quite paramount at Constantinople. The Sultan has been obliged to issue a decree in which the deputies of the Janissaries are made a necessary part of the Divan; and great powers had been given to the Ulemahs or lawyer-priests. The heads of Haleb Effendi, of the grand Vizier, and of the Director of the Customs, have been brought into Constantinople; and a few ships of the Turkish fleet defeated by the Greeks, having arrived at that city, the principal officers were instant. ly beheaded. -Chourschid Pacha, suspected of having plundered the treasures of the famous Ali Pacha, of Janina, has forfeited his head in conse quence of this accusation, whether just

or not.

MONTHLY MEMORANDA.

The following ministerial changes have, we understand, been determined 00:-Mr. Bragge Bathurst retires. Mr. Vansittart takes the Duchy of Lancaster, and is to be raised to the Peerage. Mr. Frederick Robinson is to have the Chancellorship of the Exchequer; and Mr. Huskisson is to succeed Mr. Robinson as President of the Board of Trade. Lord Francis Conyngham is appointed Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in the room of Mr. Backhouse. Right Hon. C. Arbuthnot to the office of Woods and Forests. Mr. Lushington takes Mr. Arbuthnot's situation at the Treasury, and Mr. Herries is to be appointed to the Secretaryship which Mr. Lushington held, Mr. Turner, who has lately gone to Madrid from the Foreign Office, is deputed to attend the Commission there, with the particulars of the claims on the part of British mer

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chants, for the losses sustained by them in the South American Seas.

At a Court of Directors held at the East India House, Richard Thomas Goodwin, Esq. was appointed to a seat in Council in Bombay, in the room of Guy Lenox Prendergast, Esq. and James Joseph Sparrow, Esq. was appointed a Provisional Member of Council at Bombay.

The Reverend Reginald Heber is appointed to the vacant See of Calcutta. Mr. Heber goes out to India forthwith.

Very numerous and respectable meetings have been held in the counties of York, Herefordshire, Somersetshire, Norfolk, and Berkshire, for the purpose of passing resolutions relative to the distressed state of agriculture, and the propriety of petitioning for parliamentary reform. Similar meetings are soon to be convened in the counties of

Middlesex, Lincoln, Devon, Kent, and Surry.

Wilton, lately celebrated for the manufacture of carpets, flannels, and other branches in the woollen trade, is nearly depopulated by the emigration of the principal manufacturers to Kidderminster. The three inns are metamorphosed into pot-houses, and not 401. a week paid to the tradesmen, who, but a few years ago, generally received 5001. to circulate among their neigh bours.

Mr. Telford, engineer, has reported the practicability of making Norwich a port, by cutting a navigation to the sea for vessels drawing ten feet water, either by Yarmouth or Lowestoffe expense by way of the former estimated at about 49,0001. by Lowestoffe 96,0001.

FASHIONS FOR JANUARY.-Walking Dress. The braided pelisses, which were but partially patronised on their first appearance, are now in high favour with these ladies of rank who may be said to lead the fashions. Over a round dress of milk-white bombasine or Norwich crape, is a close pelisse of puce-coloured cachemere, ornamented down the front and round the border with a peculiarly rich braiding in silk, the flowers of which represent the Ca. ledonian thistle; two beautiful long branches of the same braiding rise from the points that terminate the bot tom of the facings, and from a superb ornament in front, on each side of the border. The ornaments across the bust consist of a braiding in foliage only; but it bas a very rich appearance, being composed of several rows reaching across the front to the fore part of each shoulder. The mancherons are plain, and are almost close to the sleeve; these are finished with one row of leaves in braiding. A belt of black velvet, fastened in front with a polished steel buckle, confines the pelisse round the waist. The bonnet is of puce-coloured velvet, lined with white satin, and crowned in front with a plume of white ostrich feathers: a veil of Chantilly lace is thrown carelessly across the brim of the bonnet, but this is not always adopted.-A single frill of the finest Mechlin lace is worn round the throat; and a muff of the white Siberian fox, with halfboots of puce-coloured kid, and light doe-skin gloves, finish this promenade dress.

Morning Dress.-Roman dress, or blouse, of fine cambric muslin; the body and skirt are in one, and of nearly equal fulness, which is prin.

cipally collected in the front and in the middle of the back, and confined round the waist with a red narrow baud, fastened by a steel buckle; it is made high, nearly to the throat, and is gaged with four rows of pink braiding. The sleeve is easy, and has an epaulette with full trimming, braided at the edge, and a double ruffle at the wrist; round the bottom of the skirt are five narrow flounces, edged with pink braiding. Cap of sprig net, with border of British Lisle lace; cottage front; the caul rather full, and separated half way into eight divisions, edged with a rouleau of satin: four, alternately, are fastened to the headpiece: the others are trimmed with lace, and rather elevated, forming a light and elegant crown; a wreath of delicate flowers, the forget-me-not and the heliotrope, decorate the front.Coral ear-rings, rose-coloured gloves, and corded silk shoes.

Ball Dress. White crepe lisse dress, worn over a bright pink satin slip, the corsage of white satin, cut bias, and fits the shape.

It is ornamented with simple ele gance, being separated into narrow straps, nearly two inches deep, and edged with two small folds of crepe lisse set in a narrow band of folded white satin, finished with a tucker of the finest blond lace. The sleeve is short, of very full white crepe lisse partly concealed by two rows of white satin diamonds, edged with pink crepe lisse, and united by half a dozen mi nute folds of white satin; at the bottom of the dress is one row of large full puffs, or bouffantes of white crepe lisse; between each are eight white satin loops, attached to bouffantes, and surrounding a cluster of half-blown China roses. The hair, without orna nament, à la Grecque. Ear-rings, necklace, armlets, and bracelets, of dead gold, with pink topazes and emeralds interspersed, and fastened by padlock-snaps studded with emeralds, Long white kid gloves. Pink satin

shoes.

Mr. Putnam's readings and recitations at the Argyle Rooms were very respectably attended; the company were warm in their applauses, and received the announcement of a repeti. tion for Thursday, the 6th of February, with evident satisfaction. Mr. Put nam is equally happy in the selection and the delivery of his pieces; and, while he seems studiously to avoid all meretricious ornament, he never fails in bringing out the discriminating cha racter of the various styles,

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