OR, THEATRICAL POCKET MAGAZINE. WHOLLY DEDICATED TO THE STAGE ORIGINAL DRAMATIC BIOGRAPHY WITH OCCASIONAL Notices of the Country Theatres, THE WHOLE FORMING A COMPLETE CRITICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL "The play, the play's the thing."-HAMLET. VOLUME III. From June, to December, 1822. C.D. LIBRARY Embellished with Elegant Portraits of the princi London: PUBLISHED BY T. and J. ELVEY, CASTLE STREET, HOLBORN; To whom all Communications "for the Editor," post A new Volume requires a new bow from its editor, and a seasonable compliment or return of thanks. We may say of our work" vires acquirit eundo," and we can but observe, that the grateful sense we entertain of the public favour is quickened by the continued partiality which is shewn to our labours. Professions we have now no more to make, nor is there any necessity at this period of our labours to have recourse to them. A work that has stood the test of public opinion through three Volumes, must be supposed to possess some solid pretensions to public favour; and the Editor and Proprietors may without vanity conclude, that their exertions have at length entitled them to the entire confidence of their subscribers. We will still continue our endeavours not to lose this hold on their good opinion; and we take it for granted, that the best means of securing it will be by adhering to the plan and principles which have conducted "The DRAMA" to its present enviable pre-eminence and prosperity. For the information of the Theatrical world, and those who may intend to purchase our publication, it may not be irrelevant to state, that our intention is to form in this work a complete Cabinet or Library of the choicest Dramatic subjects, to the utter exclusion of all extemporaneous matter whatever, and by so doing supply a desideratum so long required in Theatrical Literature. This at tempt has succeeded to our utmost wishes, and we trust our work will be found to contain the most interesting subjects; we are convinced, that, although devoted to one object solely, it has never been the receptacle of dulness or insipidity. 66 The remarks on the professors of the histrionic art, are written with a lenient, (but not partial) hand, as we cannot but feel that they are men and brothers" always bearing in mind the wholesome hints which CUMBERLAND throws out to critics. It will also be found we have never extenuated a fault which might easily be corrected. The Minor Theatres have also been particularly. attended to, a proceeding which appears to have given the highest satisfaction to our readers. We also congratulate them and ourselves on the variety of interesting information we have received from Country Correspondents, and though the narrow limits of our work preclude our inserting the whole of the Letters we receive on those subjects, we feel a pleasure in finding our fame has so spread itself, and are equally indebted to their authors. The miscellaneous department will be found to have received a considerable accession of strength. The Biographical division also has not been neglected -and take them "for all in all," we think the pages here embodied will convince our readers that their encouragement has not been wholly unmerited, as they will perceive we have suffered no dramatic plant or flower worthy of our culling, to be neglected, cast carelessly aside, or "waste its sweetness on the desert air." December, 1822. |