could think on, to amufe the impatient audience, who knew nothing of the woeful diforder that reigned behind.

-The performance was fuch as might naturally be fuppofed from the fituation and temper of the Dramatis Perfona. The GHOST compofed himfelf far better than I expected,-except, that in the closet scene, he exerted more violence than became his character,—and rushing in, too eager. ly, dropped his coat of mail which was accidentally untied. However, as his fhirt happened to be clean, he might pafs in it full as well for an inhabi tant of the other world, as he did in his old leathern armour.

OPHELIA's dirty filk gown, had' been deftined for a woman far more flender than herfelf, on which ac

count, the robings pinned almoft at her hips, and left her in great diffi-,

culties to form, a convenient fto-.

macher. Neither fhe, nor the QUEEN

could raise a pair of gloves,—and the latter having fcalded her arm, by. taking off a pot from the fire, was.. compelled to appear with it bound round with old linen, which, in. truth, but ill became the majesty of DENThe play was received with, great indulgence, and excited much.. more mirth, than it did either terror. or pity.

MARK.

I have often confidered myself, when behind the fcenes of more re-. fpectable theatres, to be in the fitua-. tion of those who are in reality about. fuch elevated characters in life, as on the ftage are only perfonated. They stand in a very different point of view

to

to those who obferve them near, wher they are not acting their parts,-and who see what poor flimfy materials contribute to deck them out, as objects for the public eye!.

-It is of much moment, on which fide of the curtain we contemplate either men, or things!

It were next to impoffible to fee fuch noble scenes, as are interfperfed in this whimfical tragedy, blundered. through, and converted to farce, without their exciting a hearty laugh; and yet, on the best-regulated theatres, how few are there who can fupport. a fine drawn character chaftly, and admirably throughout?-The dignified fcenes of the Tragic Mufe, befides an harmonious voice and ear, fuperadded to very many personal accomplishments in the player, demand

strong

strong judgment, and delicate feelings, - -and those who poffefs this affemblage of endowments (a few exceptions allowed) rarely choose to expose their talents in a fituation of this nature. Should any future fashion render the profeffion eligible, there would be found, with fuch advantages, no mystery in it,-nor would the ftage feel the want of as great ornaments, as it hath hitherto ever boafted. The fame argument must

inevitably appear juft, with respect to the lighter fcenes of the drama;-it being difficult for an actor, without the aid of a very fuperior genius, to delineate, with ease, and propriety, manners which he is not familiarized to himself. Hence it is, that the characters of genteel comedy, are those which in general fuffer the moft in

repre

reprefentation, while the ftrongmarked features of common life, rarely fail of receiving their due codouring.

AS CLERMONT and I, between the play and the farce, were debating thefe matters, on an old form, which ten minutes before had conftituted the Throne of DENMARK-Our neighbours, fays my friend, understand this bufinefs better; their natural vivacity, and habitual politenefs, give them great advantages on the stage,

and their's is the only ftage I have feen, where their people of rank and fashion are perfectly well perfonated.

When they get into their buskins, I own there is far more declamation, than I think natural but their dramatic compofitions are excellent, →→ I know not whether a long abfence from