As you Like it.

Adam is a most interesting old man, and though little seen, must always remain in the recollection of a diftinguishing spectator; we dont recollect to have received greater pleasure from any body than Mr. MOODY, in this faithful steward: whose tender sensibility must sit well also upon the feelings and expression of Mr. HULL.

Touchstone, in sentiment and expression, is made up of whim, a character quite outré; therefore in action cannot be tied down to any exact line of nature. Mr. MACKLIN marked the meaning of this character very strongly, but wanted volubility; Mr. WOODWARD is extremely pleasant, and indulges an extravagance not cenfurable; however, in respect of pointedness and spirit properly mixed, a forceable yet free articulation, Mr. KING stands foremost in our estimation.

We remember to have had the fingular pleasure of seeing no less than five ladies perform Rosalind with great merit, whose names we shall fet down in the succession allotted them by our judgment; Mrs. BARRY, Mrs. PRITCHARD, Mrs. WOFFINGTON, Miss MACKLIN, and Mrs. HAMILTON; the three former had a very evident fuperiority over the two latter, and the two first we deem so equal in merit, that we only prefer Mrs. BARRY as having a more agreeable, characteristic appearance; Mrs. WorFINGTON'S figure was unexceptionable, but her ut. terance and deportment were too strongly tinctured with affectation, especially for the rural swain; there is a peculiarity and embarrafsment of expreffion in this

1.

As you Like it.

this part which requires good natural parts or able instruction, to hit it off happily.

Celia has a good deal of pretty, unimpassioned speaking, as well calculated for Mrs. BADDELY and Mrs. W. BARRY as possible, nothing is wanted in the part which those ladies cannot agreeably furnish; and Audry in Mrs. BRADSHAW's hands, deferves the tribute of laughter, for being well figured, and as well spoke.

It is almost needless to remark, that as not one of SHAKESPEARE's pieces is without abundant beauties, so not one can claim the praise of being free from egregious faults; however, in As You LIKE IT, the latter fall very short of the former ; and we make no fcruple to affirm, that this piece will afford confiderable inftruction from attentive perusal, with great addition of pleasure from adequate representation.

We are now come to the end of our first volume, with the very fingular fatisfaction of not having one material objection, either public or private, offered against our humble endeavours, notwithstanding that living authors and performers have been treated with undifguised, and we hope liberal freedom; if any person mentioned in the foregoing sheets can prove a trace of partial, interested friendship, unbecoming timidity, or determined malevolence; if the praise and censure alternately bestowed on the fame persons do not appear founded upon reason and nature, or at least the offspring of involuntary error, the authors of this work will then give up all claim

to

As you Like it. to the unbiassed veracity they originally professed; and they once again declare, that no connection or view whatever, shall, in the continuation of this work, warp opinion: several attempts have been made for that purpose, but without effect; which they hope will prevent any future ones; critics, like the Roman, should exercise justice, even upon a fon.

It was intended to add an investigation of each performer's particular requifites and defects, but by respectable advice, which we shall always follow, that part of our design is deferred to the last number of the fecond volume; to which also we shall add a differtation upon public elocution in general, and lay down rules by which most of our criticisms on performance may be tried.

We have nothing further to add at present, but cordial gratitude for the very candid reception we have met; and hope that our lips, as several there must be in such a variety of confiderations, may be pointed out with the same spirit of kind censure, we have used to others; in the fulness of heart we declare that praise in every instance has given us con. fiderable pleasure, and the irksome neceffity of finding fault, has furnished an equal degree of pain.

The lift of theatrical mushrooms is also by defire poftponed to the end of the next volume, when it will no doubt be confiderably enriched.

The End of the FIRST Volume.