tranflated by Mr. Kemble, was acted the first time at Drury Lane. The characters as follow: POLANDER. Prince Lupaufki, Mr. Aikin. Mr. Kelly. Mr. Palmer. the prince himself arriving, the impofture is discovered. Lodoifka, fondly attached to Florefki, informs her father how barbarously she has been treated by Lovinfki, who, determined not to lofe her orders the prince, Lodoifka, Florefki, and Varbel to be inftantly feized. The Baron, refolved to get rid of his rival, is giving directions Mr. Bannifter, jun. for his execution, when Kera Khan, Mr. Caulfield. Mr. Truman. Varbel, Adolphus, Guftavus, Sebaftian, Mr. Fairbrother. Michael, Mr. Bland. Cafimir, Mr. Benfon. Stanislaus, ift Page, 2d Page, Mr. Webb. Mafter Walsh. Princefs Lodoifka, Mrs. Crouch. Guards and Attendants, &c. &c. with the horde of Tartars, ftorms the caftle, and refcues them-The lovers are united, and the piece concludes. This piece comes from the French theatre, and promises to obtain a setfettlement in England. The serious dialogue is forcibly written, and the comic contrafts well with it. The fcenery is extremely splendid, and the mufic fuch as might be expected from the known abilities of Mr. Storace. 10.] The Natural Son, by Mr. Cumberland, formerly performed in five acts, was reduced to four by the author, and acted at Drury-lane. The omiffions were chiefly the exclufion of a character called Rueful, which certainly added nothing to the merit of the play. In its prefent ftate it is much improved. Memoirs of Mrs. Mary Fitzhenry, formerly Mrs. Gregory, the celebrated Actress. Lodoiska had been bethrothed, with DISTINGUISHED public talents united with private worth deferve prince Lupaufki's approbation, to count to be commemorated, and when the Florefki; but the lover having oppofed latter is difplayed in fituations of danthe prince at an election of a king, he ger and difficulty, it becomes a duty to withdraws his confent to their marriage, point out the poffeffors to the notice and conceals his daughter from the and imitation of the world. Mrs. count, who whilft in fearch of her, FITZHENRY's maiden name was FLAwith his faithful fervant, Varbel, en- NAGAN, the daughter of mine hoft of counters Kera Khan and his Tartars in the old ferry-boat, at the lower end of a foreft, preparing to attack the baron Abbey-ftreet, near the fite of the new Lovinfki's caftle; an engagement en- Custom-house, in Dublin, but afterfues, when Florefki, having vanquished wards removed to the Batchelor's Kera Khan, gives him his life; in re- Walk. She was born about the year 1732, turn for his generofity, the Tartar pro- and refided with her father, employmifes his everlasting friend/hip, and for ing herfelf in the bufinefs of embroi the prefent leads away his horde. Flo- dery, to which she had been regularly refki discovers that Lodoiska is confined bred. In this fituation fhe would freby the baron, to whom he had been quently amuse her mind, at intervals, entrufted by her father, in the tower of with a play-book, a conftant compacaftle; he and Varbel gains admit- nion, as the fat at her frame working e as meffengers from Lupauski, but for her fupport, and contributing, a with laudable attention, to that of her aged father. The houfe being contiguous to the river, the captains and officers of the fhips lying in the vicinity made it their place of rendezvous, and fome of them occafionally lodged and boarded with the good landlord of Old Ferry-boat. One of them was captain Gregory, then in the Bourdeaux trade, who obferving her filial attention, her prudent unaffected manners, her induftry, and her many engaging qualities, was captivated with her, and offered her his hand. With the confent of her father fhe accepted him, and their union feemed to promife that degree of happiness which her irreproachable conduct deferved. Providence, however, referved her for a fevere difappointment in this refpect, for the had not been long married before her husband was unfortunately drowned. About the fame period fhe alfo loft her father. Being therefore left to the exertion of her own talents for fupport, The fortunately determined on the ftage; and being known to Mr. Luke Sparks, in London, fhe wrote to acquaint him with her refolution to try her fate before the public, defiring him at the fame time to prepare the way for her appearance with the manager of the theatre he was engaged in. But," fays Mr. Victor, whofe words we now quote, "fo many unsuccessful attempts having been made within these few years paft, it feemed irrational to encourage a woman to undertake fo long and expenfive a voyage and journey, without any other hope of fuccefs than her own inclination, which is too often miftaken for genius. Her friend in London, therefore, advised her to procure the opinion of fome perfon in Dublin, whofe judgment could be depended on; and unfortunately (as I then thought it), that choice fell upon me; because no tafk can be more difagreeable than that of being obliged to tell people unwelcome truths, and the odds were greatly on that fide of the queftion. This of fice was preffed upon me by a perfon I could not refufe, who carried me one morning to the mufic-hall, where the lady and her friends were waiting, with Mr. Bardin, lately an actor, who was provided to rehearse the scenes of Haftings and Alicia. At the introduction I remember I too honeftly confeffed my difpofition of mind, almoft to a breach of good manners. When the rehearsal began, Mrs. Gregory had not spoke above three or four fpeeches, before I left my feat and ftopt them, by faying, Madam, the beft apology I can make you for what I have already faid is, by this early declaration of my opinion, that you have it in your power to be an actrefs of confequence: now, Madam, proceed as long as you pleafe, I fhall attend with pleasure." When the rehearfal was over I confirmed my opinion in the ftrongeft terms, but that was not fufficient, I was requested to give it in a letter to Mr. Sparks in London, which I wrote as foon as I returned home, on which he was fent for to Covent-Garden." Her first appearance on the stage was Thurfday January, 10th, 1754, in the character of Hermione in The Distrest Mother, and her reception was equal to the warmeft expectations of her friends. Mr. Murphy, who then wrote The Gray's Inn Journal, gave the following account of her performance. "On Thursday laft the audience was greatly furprized at the appearance of a new actrefs on this ftage (CoventGarden) in the character of Hermione, and it was univerfally agreed that it was the beft firft attempt they had ever known. This actress came on without any previous puff to prejudice the town in her favour; a modeft prologue was fpoke on the occafion, in which the only begs to be endured, though the convinced every body that she poffeffes all the materials to form a great actrefs, her perfon being tall and graceful, ber features well difpofed, without any dif proportion, and her voice clear, full, and harmonious. She had not the pitiful ambition to overdo her part, but her elocution was perfectly natural, and the exertions of her powers in fome paffages fhew what the is capable of when her fears have fubfided. (Gray's Inn Journal, No. 16.) Another (if another) periodical writer, in a paper entitled, The Gray's Inn Journal, or Craftsman, No. 1265, fpoke of her in the following terms: "A modeft prologue, pertinent to the occafion, which Mr. Smith fpoke with great happiness, was all the information the town received of this lady before her appearance. The first night of her performing, the panic which fo numerous an audience as appeared upon the occafion ftruck in her, prevented her for fome time from exerting her powers; but as foon as the got the better of this tremor, her auditors were agreeably furprized with a performer that did not only promife an equal with any upon the English theatre, but really was competitor with the most celebrated that now treads the ftage. "The majefty of her perfon is undoubtedly far fuperior to that of any modern actress: the propriety of her action is moft happily adapted to the fentiment fhe expreffes; her voice, which is clear, diftinct, and harmonious, she makes ufe of to great advantage by never mifapplying an emphafis: She treads the ftage with that particular eafe which few attain to after many years practice." Mr. Murphy's favourable opinion of our actress's powers continued beyond the firft notice of them. On the fucceeding Saturday, 19th January, he inferted the following in the Gray's Inn Journal: "Mrs. Gregory, who appeared here in the character of Hermione, continues to rife in reputation every night, and never fails to draw a numerous audience. I look upon it to be a peculiar degree of merit to adventure on the ftage, unheard of and unknown, without friends, and without any kind of party in her favour: with thefe difadvantages, to extort the general applaufe, and be in every fcene the moft confpicuous figure, though performing with practifed and experienced players, is the mark of an uncommon genius. She is perfectly miftrefs of graceful deportment, natural and fenfible elocution, and a conformity to nature without any trick or affectation, Every caft of her eye, every attitude, and every motion of her arms throughout her part, are all in character, and there is no reafon to doubt but he will a very confiderable addition to the The fuccefs of Mrs. Gregory occafioned a report that Mr. Barry, apprehending the would interfere with Mifs Noffiter, had refused to perform Oreftes; and this report gained fuch credit, that he judged it neceffary to publish a contradiction in all the papers. During the remainder of the feafon Mrs. Gregory only performed one new character, viz. Alicia. At the clofe of the feafon fhe was engaged by Mr. Victor for the Dublin theatre, to which the became the principal fupport for several years. In the winter of 1756-7 the returned again to Covent-Garden, and performed a few nights on fhares, to her own and the manager's emolument; and in the fummer of 1757 fhe united herself in marriage with Mr. Fitzhenry, a young lawyer of family and abilities, whofe progrefs in his profeffion was threatened to be impeded by his marriage. We are perfuaded it will reflect no credit on the liberality of the then gentlemen of the long robe, that they demurred to his appearance amongst them at the bar on account of the profeffion of his wife. Had he been his miítrefs, the objection would not have occurred; and that fuch an objection fhould be started, feems very much to impeach the delicacy and morality of the Irish bar. In the year 1765 Mrs. Fitzhenry again returned to London, and was engaged at Drury-lane, in the opinion of many, as a curb on Mrs. Yates. In confequence a violent oppofition took place, and Mrs. Fitzhenry (notwithstanding her good character, and great abilities) was feverely and cruelly treated. This had nearly proved of fatal confequence to her fame as an actress in Dublin, the ill report being trebled to greet her return. But real worth, and the high efteem fhe was held in by the worthy, baffled her enemies. She was foon reinftated in her former fituation of public applause and private eftecm, and for years her profeffional emoluments were large enough to enable her to secure a ftate of independence for herself and family. She loft her husband fome years before her own death, and was a fecond time left a widow. This was an afflict ing ftroke, as he well deferved her affections. She was remarkable in the expreffion of maternal tenderness, and now had an opportunity of fhewing it to an amiable fon and daughter, to whom the proved an admirable mother, and prudently continuing her profef fional exertions, realized for them a very ample fortune. Actuated by motives of parental regard, fhe retired from the theatre fome years before her death, which, to the infinite regret of her numerous friends, happened at Bath in autumn 1790. church; the hat pleafed mightily. Yet every thing did not fuit, for Ifaac wore a cap; it was therefore determined that by the next Sunday, he fhould buy a perriwig. He recollected the place of his late purchase, and that alfo for a rider, about fourteen guilders, fupplied him with a good wig. Behold Ifaac and his wife ftrutting forth, the envy and admiration of all his profeffion. One of thefe acquaintances happened however to laugh at him for wearing a fine hat and peruke, with a short jacket without any cuffs or collar, a conference was held, and for a few guilders more, Ifaac fhone forth in a The Progrefs of Extravagance. pretty decent half caft black coat and EVERY body who has feen Am- ruffles. All was ftill tolerable, Ifaac fterdam, muft know that a very laboured as ufual; and their money, ufeful clafs of men, called the Croyers notwithstanding the late purchases, did refide there. They generally trundle not decrease. a wheel barrow before them, attend mercantile houses, carry letters, meffages, burthens, and make out to procure a comfortable fubfiftence; and fome of them fomething more. Ε Near Ifaac's lowly habitation, was the refidence of a barber; his lady kept the beft company in town and entertained very genteely; indeed_fhe gave the ton to the whole ftreet. PerThere was one of thefe whofe name ceiving Ifaac to mend in his Sunday apwas Ifaac. He was called Ifaac the pearance, the thought it her duty to Croyer. He feemed to be at the top bring Ifaac's wife forward, as Ifaac in of his bufinefs, and was computed to time might be a customer. Ruminabe a warm fellow and was worth ting upon this, when fhe was returning 10,000 guilders, nearly 1000l. currency. from carrying a new dreffed wig home, As Ifaac had acquired this property by the ftopped to fee the old woman; and induftry and attention, fo he laboured juft to chat a bit with her. The Croycheerfully to increase it by oeconomy and frugality. Naturally parfimonious he and his wife feemed to have no other view than the increafe of their guilders. They lived in a kind of a cellar kitchen, which, though fometimes damp, was always comfortable. An adjacent old clothes man furnished their wardrobe. Thus fituated, as our Ifaac was returning from his accuftomed fervices, he wheel-barrow. After fome reflection fopped at a place called Rag Fair. and talk with his wife, he hired a small, Seeing a hat nearly new and likely to decent little house. This required very cheap, he bid for it, and on 3000 additional guilders a year, rent, paying five guilders, a very fmall fum To be fure the houfe must be painted; confidering its real value, the hat was and no foul could endure it without beIfaac's. Although he had never in- ing white washed; and as the cough dulged him felf in fuch extravagance and dampnefs continued, the barber's before, his wife (notwithstanding the wife told the old woman nothing would to drefs) cure it but a carpet; and he would go off natural averfion of women er came home in the evening; my dear,' fays his wife, do not you find our kitchen grows very damp; blefs me (says fhe, coughing) it will certainly kill me, I fhall die of a confumption. A conftant repetition of the fame thing, fometimes forces conviction. He determined to hire a small room in a garret, but he did not know what to do with his liked the bargain well enough, as it come the next day and drink tea with On the following her. This was a fore ftroke: Ifaac day Ifaac and his wife as ufual went to and his wife had never drank tea in was but for once. company. This lafted three years. ftile; and they hardly knew the use of of any perfon of her acquaintance. the carpet. The bag of guilders was Dinners, fuppers, tea parties, all conhowever broke in upon; and confider- tributed to her amufement, for Ifaac, as ing every thing, Ifaac's wife was told it is the duty of all good hufbands, deat the tea table, that in the course of nied his wife nothing. His friends too two or three years the might be pretty were very kind. They would often genteel, if he would but keep high borrow 20 or 40, 100 or 200 guilders from him. If Ifaac had not been a The barber's wife had fome grand gentleman, and a man of honour, they acquaintances, among others was declared they would not have condeYffrow Vander Flifs, a very handfome fcended to make the loan. lady, about as big as an hogihead: her One friends however overlooked this. To morning Mynheer Vander Flifs fent the Yffrow, Ifaac's wife was introduced. in his account of wines, groceries, &c. She lived in a high house, which served as Ifaac, was alarmed at the amount. a ftore houfe for Dutch cheese and her- The bag of guilders was reforted to, but rings. Ifaac's wife became quite polifhed; that was infufficient. Three days after Ifaac himself was introduced to Myn- an officer of juftice feized the property heer, who very civilly treated him with and the perfon of the Croyer. The fale a bottle of his own brewing wine. On of the former barely fatisfied his crethe Sunday following, Ifaac, inftead of ditors; the latter was liberated from regaling himself in his walk with a prifon. Ifaac and his wife execrated light, cheap beverage, was in a circle their firft ftep from their former fituatiof Dutch wits. They talked about the on. The wig and the hat were confifheries, ridiculed the ftates, and abu- demned to the flames. The charity of fed the ftadtholder. Ifaac became a fome well difpofed burghers induced new man, he got the newspapers read them to lend Ifaac at 100 per cent. into him, learnt to drink claret on Sun- tereft, a fufficient number of guilders day, and talk politics. His wife one to purchafe himself a wheel barrow evening was taken very ill. After fome little time, however, fhe got over her fit. Ifaac tenderly inquiring after the reafon of her illnefs, was very much enraged to find that in a felect party, that afternoon, Mrs. Van Spachad declared that the could not ftay where Ifaac's wife was; he was a Croyer, lived in a fmall houfe, and trundled a wheel barrow when the Croyer heard this, he fwore he would challenge her. His wife, however, would not fuffer him to rifk his life, and therefore very prudently exchanged the chailenge in hiring a larger houfe, and burning the wheel-barrow; the rent startled Ifaac, : it was three hundred gilders more than ever he had given. But this was laughed at by a large party of friends who came to spend the afternoon and evening at his houfe. Launched forth into the circles of fplendour and gaiety, their company was univerfally courted, and their table generally honoured with friends and acquaintances. Ifaac's wife had the finest carpets, the beft furnished houfe, and the greatest quantity of plate that he might affume his former occupation. And it is a standing proverb to this day at Amfterdam, when a man or his wife forget their fituation, and afpire beyond their circumftances, to fay, "he's turning Ifaac the Croyer." No man trufts him after this; and his character is blafted for ever. Original Letter from Chriftopher Columbus to Ferdinand, King of Spain. Extracted from among the Journals of the Council of Famaica. Jamaica 1504. DIEGO Mendes, and the papers fent by him, will fhew your highness what rich mines of gold I have difcovered in Veragua, and how I intended to have left my brother at the river Belin, if the judgements of heaven and the greateft misfortunes in the world had not prevented it. However it is fufficient that your highness and your fucceffors will have the glory and advantage of all, and that the full difcovery and fettlements are referved for |