THE MORAL POETS OF GREAT BRITAIN.-No. II.

WATTS.

ALTHOUGH the name of Isaac Watts, be not associated with any pre-eminent and long poem, for reasons we shall presently offer, we consider him entitled to an early notice, in our Sketches of the British moral Poets. We beg our readers to understand, that, in wandering through the extensive Valley before us, we shall, at times indeed, rest under the shadows of the lofty, the towering, the expanded Oak, but we shall not, therefore, neglect the sweetness of the Briar rose, the gracefulness and purity of the Lily, or the still less obtrusive beauties of the Primrose and the Daisy: there are inducements for offering our tribute of admiration to all; our readers must bear with us, whilst we endeavour to select for them.

Watts is, certainly, one of the very best of the English Lyric Poets. His popularity has, and ever will continue to be, unbounded. His works have exercised more influence, over the youth of the successive generations which have followed each other, than any uninspired production; whilst, not unfrequently, they offer enjoyment and consolation to maturer years. For we have heard of Christians, when sickness had enfeebled the mind, as it had debilitated the earthly form-when the eye could no longer see, and the ear could no longer hear the words of Sacred Writ, and, when memory herself had become treacherous; we have heard, that at such a moment, hymns and spiritual songs of youth, would rush upon the mind with all the freshness of early remembrance, and, in a holy hymn, the soul would breathe itself away, and be at rest!

We need not then advert to our earlier years alone, to acknowledge the influence of the poetry of Watts. Has it not, in many instances, regulated our manhood? Were not the advantages of industry irresistibly enforced, in the example of "The little busy Bee?" When the nursery was in an uproar, and the faithful attendant exhorted, and called for peace in vain, was not the whole scene changed in a moment, when she exclaimed,

"Oh! children, you should never let.

Such angry passions rise;
Your little hands were never made

To tear each other's eyes!"

And, have not our too-dormant feelings of humanity been cherished into sympathy, by our recollection of the beautiful stanzas, commencing with

"Whene'er I take my walks abroad,

How many poor I see."

Yes! the best feelings of our nature have been excited and exercised, by the influence of the poetry of Watts; and, although he had been unknown as an author, in any other department of literature, he is entitled, in this alone, to rank as an important benefactor to his country.

The life of Watts appears to have been as virtuous and pure, as his poetry is sweet and expressive.

Dr. Isaac Watts was born in Southampton, Hampshire, in the year 1674. His parents were dissenters,

whose pious and respectable character did not shield them from the sufferings of persecution, entailed upon too many of the worthy men, who, at that period, did not choose to sacrifice principles, they believed to be formed, on a true interpretation of the Divine Word. About the year 1690, our poet was sent to London for his education, and there placed under the tuition of an eminent Divine, Mr. Thomas Rowe. Here Watts' early piety manifested itself, in the attention he paid to religious duties, and here, it is probable, he first woo'd the Muse.

Having successfully pursued his studies, under the superintendence of the clergyman we have mentioned, he was, in 1696, enabled to accept of a favourable situation which presented itself at this time, that of tutor in the family of Sir J. Hartop, Bart., at StokeNewington, whose son continued, for several years, the pupil and scholar of Watts. This employment was, probably, very agreeable to him, as, in after life, the education of youth seems often to have employed his attention, to which subject he has devoted several chapters in his "Improvement of the Mind." In 1698 he began to preach, and was at once received as an assistant, to Dr. Chauncey, whose pastoral charge he succeeded to in 1702, and over which he continued to preside for life.

Now settled according to his wishes, he did not relax in the cultivation of his talents, nor did he neglect those charities, so appropriate to the christian character; for, although the income of Watts amounted to little more than ninety pounds a-year, he devoted one third part of it to the relief of the poor; and, although he was zealous in his studies, and ever solici tous for the spiritual welfare of his flock, he was also enabled to compose the numerous prose and poetical works, that have rendered his name so celebrated in literature, and conferred benefits so invaluable on his countrymen.

His lyric poems, his psalms and hymns, and his divine songs for children, evince his poetical talents; his treatise on logic, and his sermons, prove the power of his mind and his fervent piety. He died at the age. of seventy-four, a faithful pastor, a sincere friend, and a genuine christian.

The great charm of the poetry of Watts is its extreme simplicity. It is never so very high as to enrapture, nor so deep as to agitate. It is not so imaginative as to obscure, nor so unadorned as to be uninteresting. It touches the heart by its appeals to our best feelings, and leaves a delightful impression, by the distinct, although common images, that it introduces. Whilst there is not a verse which he who runneth may not read, each stanza is expressed in harmonious numbers; so that both the mind and the ear are gratified, and, as the moral is in all cases apparent, the heart is made better by their perusal. It cannot be assumed that Watts possessed the grasp of mind requisite for a poet of the first rank; at the same time, he never loses the dignity that is due to his subject, by descending into familiarity; and his hymns, addressed to infant minds, never degenerate into puerility, but sustain throughout a very appropriate degree of elevation. The productions of Watts, are also solemn and impressive occasionally, when his subject leads him to such compositions. We never hear the

following lines, without tacitly acknowledging their

power :

Hark, from the tombs a doleful sound,

Mine ears attend the cry,

Ye living men, come, view the ground
Where you must shortly lie;

Princes this clay must be your bed,
In spite of all your towers-
The hoary and the reverend head
Must lie as low as ours.

Great God is this our certain doom,

And are we still secure?

Still walking downward to the tomb,

And yet prepare no more!

There are many beautiful expressions in the following, taken from the thirty-third edition of his large collection, printed in 1771 :

PARADISE ON EARTH.

Glory to God, who walks the sky,

And sends his blessings through ; Who tells his saints of joys on high,

And gives a taste below.

When Christ, with all his graces crown'd, Sheds his kind beams abroad,

'Tis a young heaven, on earthly ground, And glory in the bud.

When shall the time, blest Jesus, when
The shining day appear,

That I shall leave the clouds of sin,
Of guilt, and darkness here.
Up to the fields above the skies
My hasty feet would go;
There everlasting flowers arise,

And joys unwithering grow.

We shall now conclude our quotations; for, why should we quote, when all our readers are familiar with the original? The astonishing popularity of Watts' lyrics is, in their case, a sufficient testimony to their value; and we doubt not, that popularity will be sustained, as long as the importance of early acquainting youth, with the true principles of piety, shall be acknowledged.

DEATH OF CRABBE.

ANOTHER of Britain's celebrated Poets has quitted our sphere, but has left to his country an intellectual legacy, perhaps scarcely less valuable than that of any of his imaginative contemporaries. The Rev. George Crabbe expired at the Rectory house, Trowbridge, on the 10th of this month, in the seventy-third year of his age. It appears that Mr. Crabbe was born in 1754, at Aldborough, in Suffolk, where his father held a situation in the Customs. Report states, that "he was originally intended for the medical profession, and that he served an apprenticeship to a provincial apothecary." Be this as it may, it is certain that he early testified a taste for the waters of Helicon, and thereby soon attracted the attention of many eminent persons, from his more than ordinary talents. At the age of twenty-four he went to London, and there gained the friendship of Burke, " at whose recommendation he published, in 1781, his poem of The Library.'" The "Village" was published soon after,-a poem which "gained for his genius the high and enviable approbation of Dr. Johnson." Previous to this, Mr. Crabbe had entered the University of Cambridge, and had taken orders, and soon after he accompanied the Duke of Rutland, as chaplain, on his appointment to the Lieutenancy of Ireland; through whose patronage he afterwards obtained some small church preferment. It was not till 1807, upwards of twenty years after the publication of the "Village," that Mr. Crabbe again presented himself as an author. This was a collection of Poems, which being favourably received, induced him to print "The Borough," in 1810, "Tales" in 1815, and "Tales of the Hall" in 1819. Although the three latter works were eminently successful, their Author

was not tempted to publish any more. It is said however, that a MS. Poem has been lying some years in the hands of Mr. Murray, which now probably will be rendered patent to the public.

At present we have not room to enter into any analysis of Mr. Crabbe's works, or of the peculiarity of his style. This we intend doing in the course of our remarks on the "Moral Poets of Britain." In the meantime, suffice it to say, that Mr. Crabbe's poetry, like that of Cowper, is at once homely in its style and mechanism, while it is stamped with a character of truth which more than atones for its defects. It has been well remarked, by an able critic, now also no more, when, speaking of Mr. Crabbe's writings, that his best pieces are flat and uninviting at the commencement, but his power is felt as we advance, and at the close, we are surprised often, and delighted to find ourselves overwhelmed with pathos of the deepest kind; though raised out of very humble materials, and with little help from those illusions which form the staple resources of poetry. Like a Dutch painter, he is content to copy nature with a severe fidelity, without seeking to exalt her beauties by the fictions of fancy. His pencil is hard and dry, but has unerring precision; and he keeps strictly within the limits of actual existence neither magnifying the virtues the powers of human nature beyond their natural dimensions, for the sake of effect."

nor

Independent of the literary reputation which Mr. Crabbe enjoyed, such was the high estimation in which he was held in the town of his religious labours, that, on his decease becoming known, the shop windows of the whole of Trowbridge were immediately half closed.

ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND.

THE cultivation of the mind is the most noble subject that can occupy the time, and engage the attention of mankind; it is agreeable and remunerating; for it yields both amusement and profit. The advantages resulting from it can be observed every day of our lives, they can be recognised in our ordinary transactions, as well as in those of superior importance. It is an ennobling employment; for it promotes the comfort and dignifies the character of man. It crowns him with laurels less fading than those gained at the olympic games, which were in most cases but the trophies of physical excellence, rewards which frequently exercise an injurious influence upon the intellectual faculties, making us more easily the victims of those unhallowed propensities and passions that are hostile to our best interests. To enlighten the understanding, we must have an obstinate perseverance, an insatiable desire, an ardour sufficiently lively to surmount all difficulties in acquiring it. If we are sensible that our personal perseverance, our desire and ardour are incompatible to the task, we must take courage by the example, the experience, and the entreaties of our friends, picturing occasionally to excite ambition, the applause and rewards which are due to learning as its legitimate inheritance. Some are so eminently gifted with natural qualifications for study, that what is often a toil is to them an amusement; and yet it is often observed, that ultimately the attainments, even of such persons, rank no higher than those of ordinary abilities, being generally as deficient in application as their contemporaries are in natural endowments: so that, were nature and industry to enter the lists in the field of competition, the victory would be doubtful. Circumstances and situations have much sway over the mind. The indigent and obscure possess not the means, nor does the unlettered and unknown consider the intrinsic value of literary acquaintance, which cherishes a laudable emulation, pressing us onwards in the attainment of that high reward-the honour of citizenship in the republic of letters.

But the right improvement of the mind is chiefly

dependent upon the following, viz.-Reading, conversation, observation, contemplation, and study. These are the bases of real knowledge, and according to the manner in which they are applied are we to form an estimate of our acquisitions. When reading, let our books be select, and a little diversified: let due discrimination be observed in assenting or objecting to the opinions and positions of the author, as we find them in accordance with our judgment. When conversing let a proper respect be yielded to the remarks and suggestions of those who are advanced in years, or who, by education, may have a more accurate and luminous knowledge of the subject in hand, giving our arguments in a careful and unassuming manner, exposing and reprobating all unchaste expressions. When engaged in contemplation, be particular in the selection of themes, having this truth impressed upon the mind that to receive an important benefit, the cause must be in keeping with the effect desired. By choosing subjects lofty and extensive, we cannot fail of having our ideas refined and amplified, while at the same time, we must avoid what is too complicated, and beyond the limits of our understanding-remembering that contemplation is the employment of the seraphic host, and remembering also, that if intelligent we are consequently accountable beings-when unveiling and surveying the fair goddess, nature, in all her loveliness, see that we render her not that supreme adoration which is the prerogative of her creator. When engaged in study, let all thoughts that are unconnected with, and foreign to the subject, be banished and forgotten, that we become not the victims of ambiguity and unrequired volubility. The style must be elegant, especially when intended to delight the taste, as well as to improve the mind-and aware, also, that consistency is the gem that shines most brilliant in the beauties of illustration. The young and inexperienced are in imminent danger when following the path strewed with exuberant imagery-they are bewildered in the unnecessary profusion-they grasp at the shadow which eludes their endeavours, and, when sensible of the futility of their efforts, are apt to give no better character to the loftiness of imaginative excellence than that of enchantment. In observation, strive to divest the mind of every prepossession, which, being always either favourable or depreciating, disqualifies it for rigid examination. To search for truth, truth of course must be the guide. The decisions of the insecure and unthinking, upon matters in general, display much of the servility of the painter's pencil-at times forming wreaths to adorn the brow of the gladiator, the voluptuary and the profane, and then clothing them with a dress emblematical of their conduct-a mirror of the defilement that bas polluted their soul. Observation is the very element of experience; a profound knowledge of things is the consequence of persevering and just observation. The world has never witnessed a sublime poesy, a sound philosophy, or a mechanical talent, enriching the intellect of the unobserving. Of all these methods for obtaining information, study may justly claim to be the most useful and satisfying. We gain, by study, an intimate acquaintance with ourselves. Study will make us acknowledge, less reservedly, the genius and good actions of others; for it is admitted that, when we perceive our personal frailties, we will the more readily confess the superiority of others.

The path to honour and reward is, indeed, cheerless at first; but we must proceed, and be animated with the spirit that incites the navigator to explore the inhospitable regions of the North Pole, and the traveller to climb the rugged snow-covered sides of Mount Blanc. Those literary pursuits that we find to be most congenial must, of course, have an ascendancy over others, or our aspirings after eminence will be unrewarded. Give a proper deference to those studies that best accord with present business and expectations; let practice, not theory, be the aim of our

endeavours; if we reverse it, a few years will suffice to shew, that our hopes have been as transient and delusive as the visions of night.

del

The progress which the arts and sciences have made towards perfection has been rapid and gigantic. A new and splendid epoch in the annals of our land has commenced. Enlightened and charitable sentiments have succeeded to priestly intolerance and laical apathy. The prejudices of country, of youth, of education and of religion, are checked by the derision of an observing world. Like the Israelites of old, that sojourned by Euphrates' stream, we may now tune our harps; but our themes will not be those of painful recollections, but of delightful anticipations and heartfelt gratitude.

RELIGIOUS NOVELTIES.

"CONJECTURES concerning the Identity of the Patriarch Job, his Family, the time in which he lived, and the Locality of the Land of Uz," is about to be published, by the Rev. SAMUEL LYSONS, B. A.

The "Criterion, or Miracles," examined by JOHN DOUGLAS, D. D., Bishop of Salisbury, is in the press.

J. B. B. CLARKE, M. A. is about to publish volume II. of a Concise View of the Succession of Sacred Literature, in a Chronological arrangement of Authors and their Works, from the invention of Alphabetical Characters, to the year of our Lord 1300.

FOREIGN LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

THIERSCH, the author of the Homeric Grammar, is about to visit Greece, where he will remain till the spring.

At the commencement of the year 1832, a new Medical Journal was published at Berlin, under the title of Berliner Medicinische Zeitung, in weekly numbers, containing the most recent and interesting intelligence respecting Natural History and Medicine. It is edited by Dr. J. J. Sachs.

At the same time was commenced, a new Law Journal, entitled 'Juristische Zeitung für die Konigl. Preussischen Staaten,' in weekly numbers.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

THE STAR OF JUDAH.

ENCAMP'D upon the sunny plain,
The tents of sacred Israel shone.
The cloudy pillar, rear'd its form,
On the blue sky, alone.

The Tribes all sing, with voice of Psalms,
The death-devoted victims, bleed.
The altar, crown'd with sacred fire-
Priests for the people plead !

The Prophet view'd the wond'rous scene,
His soul, in vivid rapture rose,
No curse escap'd his quivering lips,
And thus, his blessing flows.

"How goodly, Jacob, are thy tents,
That as luxurious vales, appear!
Or gardens, by the river side,
Which the young cedars rear!
From the high rock, I see thee come,
From the green hills, and waters clear.
The people, who shall dwell alone,
Held by Jehovah dear!

A Star shall rise, whose bright expanse,
O'er Israel's sons, shall calmly shine;
A sceptre, never to depart,

O, Jacob! shall be thine!

For ever shall his name endure,

And as the shout that hails a king,
The wonders that thy God hath wrought,
Prophets and seers shall sing!

I cannot curse whom God hath bless'd,
Then, impious king, thy offering's vain"-
The prophet left the wond'rous scene,
And homeward turn'd again.

ORATORIO IN THE EPISCOPAL CHAPEL.

Ir is now some years since the last attempt was made, in this city, to try Sacred Music in the high walks of the Oratorio; and, however faulty may have been the last attempt, which was made to revive a taste for this species of music among us, the individuals that were instrumental in getting up the Thursday's programme are entitled to our best thanks. It does not require us to tell our musical readers how difficult it always has been to get up a chorus in a country where there is no regular set of cathedral choristers. So necessary is the assistance of these persons found, even in the metropolis, that no Oratorio ever takes place, without certain of them being brought from the provinces to assist those which the choirs of St. Paul's and Westminster can always furnish. If such be the case in London, it cannot, certainly, be expected that the Episcopal choirs of Glasgow can furnish a sufficient number of vocalists, for performing the choruses of Handel and Haydin with the effect, which is ever produced at the various Festivals throughout England. The wonder is, how they could even do as well as they did; for, it is only fair to state that, both the "Hallelujah Chorus," from the Messiah, and the "Heavens are telling," from the Creation, were very respectably got up. What sublime specimens these two choruses afford, of the two great heroes of sacred harmony! How glorious their effect, when performed as they ought to be! In the music of the one, it is not difficult to conceive that the Heavens are proclaiming the power of the Mighty Creator, to the astonished angels; or, in the other, that grateful men are pouring forth, all that mortals can do by sounds to God, for his unspeakable gift! The invention of the Oratorio has been ascribed to St. Philip, of Neri, who was born in 1515, and who founded, at Rome, the Congregation of the Oratory. This poor ecclesiastic, anxious to turn towards religion the mania which the inhabitants of Rome displayed for the theatre, formed the idea of having these sacred interludes, written by good poets, set to music by good composers, and performed by the most celebrated singers. The experiment succeeded to the utmost of his wishes. Crowds were attracted to these concerts, which took the name of Oratorios from the church of the Oratory, where they were performed.

The solos were better sung on Thursday than we expected. Miss PHILLIPS, in "Ye Sacred Priests," shewed very considerable talent and taste, and, from her efforts that day, has risen very much in our estimation as a vocalist. Miss PAXTON shewed, throughout, the possession of a sweet and sonorous voice, but she is still deficient of that confidence in her own powers that is so absolutely necessary to constitute an effective singer. The execution of the instrumental part of the Musical meeting was entitled to our best praise. We formerly stated, that we considered the Band of the Fourth Dragoon Guards as one of the very best English bands we ever heard, and the performances in the Chapel, on Thursday, more firmly fixed us in the opinion we had formed.

The Chapel was well filled, and, we trust, that the religious Institution for which the Oratorio was got up will be benefitted by that day's Musical meeting. Let us only add, that we hope to live to see the day when the study of Sacred Music, in all its departments, will be more attended to here than it now is, and when the advice of Bishop Atterbury, on this point, as connected with the employment of the Saints in Heaven, will be more generally followed by all our Christian community.

MISCELLANEA.

THE immense continent of Australasia, or New Holland, is supposed by some to have been formed, at different times, from what is called the old world, so different and peculiar are many of its animal and vegetable productions; and the idea of a later formation, receives countenance from the existence of immense tracts of marshy land discovered in the interior, into which rivers flow, but seem not yet to have worn down a sufficient outlet, or discharging channel, towards the ocean.-Dr. Arnott.

Whatever be the bitter stream of cares and anxieties which the events of life send into the soul, there is, yet, an under current, which, springing from religion, sets out to the ocean of eternal good, and, as it flows onwards, is purifying and sweetening the whole tide of human ills and sorrows.-Dr. Muir, Edinburgh.

Many elegant and admirable sentiments, and descriptions of things, are found among the Poets, well worth committing to memory; and the particular measures of verse greatly assist us in recollecting such excellent passages.-Dr. Watts.

CHRISTIAN UNITY.

We have had several letters, respecting our Saturday's papers on Christian Unity, approving of our views, and exhorting us to persevere in the course which we have commenced. The following epistle, from its caligraphy, intimates that it is from one who has seen even more summers than ourselves, and it is therefore better entitled to the consideration of our readers, than the theories of young and immature intellects :

To the Editor of THE DAY.

SIR, I am happy you are in part realizing the days of our fathers, by your entertaining and moral instructions. I would wish to see a few more of your Saturday's papers; and, although they may not please all your readers, they would be an intellectual feast to a great number. For this end, I send you an extract from a work very little known, with a sketch of a sermon--a rough outline, full of massive and brilliant thoughts, ample and extended reflection, and sufficiently indicating the intellectual powers and the pious feelings of the distinguished mind from whom it originated. You will perhaps object against extracts, and wish your paper all original ;-you will find this difficult, and almost impossible. You must bring out of your treasure things new and old; only in this way you will ascend to a perfect day. The extract is upon unity of religious views, which, I am afraid, we will never arrive at till the Millenial days.

EBENEZER.

"What is the most proper way of bringing about union and har mony among Christians? The scriptural method is, to seek for union, not by conforming ourselves to one another, but by all seeking conformity to Christ. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Let, then, every one press forward to a high and holy scriptural and spiritual standard of faith, and hope, and love of doctrine, and practice of devotion and charity. And, though herein those who lead the devotion will seem to be separating themselves, not only from the world, but from the church, yet the end will be that of getting nearer and nearer to the same point. All the radii of the spiritual circle will meet at length in the true centre of union. All will come, in the unity of faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, into a perfect man-into the measure and fullness of Christ. This is the only true spiritual union, but real invisible. Whatever union you form, cling to this. This is union to one who never changeth; the first dawning of it is peace, and the perfect sunshine of it is blessedness in heaven for ever and ever."

ILLEGITIMACY OF THE GLASGOW DRAMA.

Good, my lord; will you see the player well bestowed?

SHAKESPEARE.

WE happened to be at the theatre, the other night, when an occurrence of rather a curious nature took place upon the stage. The Manager was performing the part of M'Gilpin, in the Highland Reel, and was amusing his audience with all the grotesque transitions into which he has the happy power of metamorphosing the human face and figure. In this manner he took off some of the most absurd traits in the character which he was representing, and elicited more laughter from the galleries than from the pit or boxes. In one of the scenes, however, when he wished to express contempt by a significant gesture, he kicked out his leg in a manner not the most elegant in the world. This active pleasantry was quite familiar to the frequenters of the theatre; but somehow it did not please upon the present occasion. A gentle hiss was all that followed it; yet even this slight mark of disapprobation sufficed to irritate the dignity of the person by whom it was elicited. Indignant that the critics of the upper regions should presume to censure a stroke of genius which they had frequently applauded, the Manager stopped his acting, and directed a look of unutterable surprise to the quarter from which the noise proceeded. This produced only a temporary quiet; for, as soon as the obnoxious motion was repeated, the hissing was recommenced. A second time the Manager paused, and, in tones which spoke the most sarcastic contempt, told his rebellious favourites to amuse themselves." They followed his advice; for, no sooner was the Manager's kick given a third time, than the marks of displeasure became more violent than ever. This was too much, for the commander to be braved on his own quarter-deck, and accordingly, he advanced to the front of the stage, and, in a speech that was meant to be in the heroic style, but which was rather ludicrously contrasted with his comfortable night-cap, dressing-gown and slippers, enquired "what was wrong, and what was the cause of the disapprobation?" Of course, no answer was returned, and the Manager took the opportunity of setting forth, in an extemporaneous speech, his long acquaintance with the stage, a circumstance which he thought was sufficient to make him "understand his profession." Now, if the Manager will have a moment's patience, we will answer his question, and explain to him the delusion under which he is labouring, when he supposes that the mere fact, of having been long a servant of the public, is as much as to be a good servant of the public. At the same time, however, we must premise that, if he shows himself as impatient of reproof as in the instance we have related, he will receive no benefit from our remarks, and we shall therefore consider it lost labour to revert again to the subject.

Mr. Ålexander has performed his duty faithfully in some respects. He has been at considerable expense in decorating and enlarging his house, and in fitting it for the accommodation of the public. He has adorned the interior in a style suitable to its dimensions; he has got scenery which is not deficient in effect, and a wardrobe which, if used with judgment, and supplied with some things which are now wanting, might render

the adornments of his stage more appropriate than those of many provincial theatres. As he says himself, Mr. Alexander has been many years in the employment of the public, and he is now devoting a great portion of his time to the duties of his situation. Besides this, we may add that, he has done a thing highly creditable to himself, in paying all his debts. These are instances which shew that the Manager of our theatre is both punctual and active, and that no man could be more fit for the business part of his profession. But energy is not all that is required in the Manager of a theatre, nor are all the exertions which Mr. Alexander has made, sufficient to procure him the approbation of the public. A quality that is wanted more than any thing else, is taste; for upon the developement of it depends the encouragement and the very existence of the stage. Unfortunately, it is in this point that the performances in the Glasgow theatre offend most. The players whose names are daily exposed in the Dunlop Street hand-bills are, most of them, so notoriously unfit to fulfil the expectations of the public, that every person in this city, except the friends of the Manager, has long ago desisted from encouraging them. Some of them, no doubt, have powers for particular characters, and might appear with advantage, were they confined to their particular line. Miss Richardson, for instance, would she consult some judicious adviser, might, we think, improve herself into a very good actress of passionate characters, and Miss Philips has life enough for a spirited heroine. We do not mean our strictures to apply so much to the females; but, if we turn to the other sex, we may well challenge Mr. Alexander to produce us one of his company who is at all tolerable in tragedy. Some of them have acquired that habit of mouthing the parts which Shakspeare remarks is only becoming in a town crier, and the monotonous drawl in which every thing is spoken by others, can only be relished by those who go to the theatre to sleep. It is their general fault that they make no difference between the pronunciation of an impassioned and of an unimpassioned speech, but deliver a calm soliloquy with the same modulation of voice, and with the same punctuation with which they rant a burst of fury. Instead of appearing to address each other, they evidently direct all their discourse to the audience, and, without seizing the moment for reply, according as the sense of the passage dictates that it should be immediate or not, they invariably allow just a certain space of time to elapse before they frame their lips into articulation. One speaker follows another, just at his regular distance, and in his regular tone. There is no energy in his manner, no nature in his language, no soul in his acting.

We should be extremely sorry to injure any one in procuring his means of livelihood, and we are, therefore, above all things desirous, that our remarks should not hurt the individuals by whom they are provoked. Our advice to the Manager is, that he should employ his present performers, but only in such parts as they are really capable of performing. It is no secret, that the work which they have at present to do, is too much for them, and that one great cause of their deficiency is, that they are obliged to depend, in a great. measure, upon the prompter. If they have not time