THE EMERALD. The young, the gay, the volatile, are its only inhabitants-as we progress in age, we recede from her capital and oftentimes find ourselves beyond the limits of her power, when we have most necessity to be within her borders. It is then we recollect the pleasures she afforded, and when we are obliged to be wise remember the bliss of delusion and the ignorance she created. LODOISKA. FOR THE EMERALD THE ORDEAL.....No. 18. 1=3 "Immortal Shakespeare rose ; Macbeth (Shakespeare) and High Life to admit the influence of particular dispositions," and that "the course of conduct of the agents." this observation applies to the charac ter of Macbeth, after visiting the witches' (cave the subsequent events determining his conduct) we do not agree that it is sufficiently general to or even enough so, to include the whole be applicable to the whole production, of any particular character. There are some of the finest touches of nature in the previous parts of the characters of Macbeth and his wife. In his progress towards guilt, and in guilt, we see the "terrible graces" of nature constantly displayed; and in Lady Macbeth, such unexpected and uncommon shoots of character spring out, as it were vain to expect in other works. The moral of this play is strikingly impressive, while kind. It shews the horrors of an af it is of the utmost consequence to manflicted conscience, in its most "terrible aspect," the futility of ambition and the danger of power, and convinces us of preternatural conjurers, and the fatality the folly of believing the predictions of of vile impostures on the credulity of the simple, and desires of the pas the action necessarily determines the But though sionate. The story for the most part is his torically correct; and the scenery of Dunsinane, the disposition of Macbeth, and some other characters agree ancient accounts. with We shall confine our few observations on the representation of this play to the personation of Macbeth by Mr. Fennel. We had derived so much satisfaction from Zanga, that we could not but regret, not being able to witness the whole of his succeeding character. THOSE persons who are most willing to excuse the faults of Shakespeare, must exercise their greatest lenity in considering the play of Macbeth. It contains passages, incidents and characters which, in a work of any other author, would be scouted with indignation; but which from Shakespeare are palliated, excused and vindicated with all the cogency of argument, and fervor of eloquence. The witches are introduced; and while we view them with disregard, with incredulity and with displeasure, we satisfy ourselves for not expressing our disapprobation, by reflecting on the time in which the many virtues and many vices, intimateMacbeth is painted as composed of play was written, the compliments in-ly blended-exhibiting in the progress tended king James by their introduc- of his ruling passion, ambition, where tion, the obvious consistency of his no- only every person is vulnerable, how ble extravagance of fancy, and singular the beneficent mind may become inhu adaptation of the language and deport- man, how those persons, naturally vir ment to such supernatural agents, and tuous, after once becoming corrupted, on the reverence which Shakespeare's may grow more vicious than others, genius inspires, not only in his works originally of depraved dispositions. It in general, but in this very play. We has long been disputed in what manner are astonished at the grandeur of its the actor should delineate various traits fictions, the felicity of its language and in the part of Macbeth, particularly the the energy of its character. It is said, dagger soliloquy. Some actors, after "it has no nice discriminations of char- the first sight of the imaginary image, acter;" that "the events are too great keep their eye constantly riveted on the supposed object until it is presum- This is the reading of Mr. F. differ ed to disappear at the phrase 'tis no ing from the text, by making a full stop such thing." But Mr. Fennel very ju- at "hangman's hands," instead of, at diciously conducts it in another way."their fear." The present seems the He starts suddenly at the sight of the better reading, as it gives a reason why dagger he endeavours to seize it, is Macbeth could not pronounce amen. disappointed, and on the suggestion of On the other hand his listening their its being “a false creation proceeding fear, affords no argument why those from the brain," seems for a moment he awakened should ejaculate their to lose it; then as the text indicates, prayers, compared with the single senhe looks again and says, "I see thee sation arising from their seeing him yet," and makes a comparison between with his " hangman's hands." Other the dagger in his hand and the one be- variations were noticed; some com. fore him; he again loses it in the re-mendable, some objectionable. flection " my eyes are made the fools o' th' other senses;" and again he sees it, when the phrase "I see thee still" occurs, until finally it disappears. the last view the object alters, for "On the blade and dudgeon gouts of blood At In the scene of the third act, after he becomes King his soliloquy relative to Banquo and his issue was well delivered. "Tis much he dares, And to that dauntless temper of his We know not why mind should be marked. Which was not so before," seem apparent to his sight. This manner we think both consonant to human nature and conformable to the text :but though this was Mr. Fennel's con-is ception, we cannot think his execution was by any means adequate to the utterance of this soliloquy; for he gave it without appearing to produce any extraordinary effect. rebuk'd"; "upon my head they plac'd The phrases, " under him my genius a fruitless crown"; "no son of mine succeeding"; "for Banquo's issue have I filed my mind" &c. were uttered not only very correctly, but very powerfully. was original on our stage, and bore the In the banquet scene, his conduct the marks of reflection; and in the cave with the witches we were highly grati But it was not the cold solemnity of Quin, nor the imbecile genius and cramped dignity of Mills; the liquid sweetness of Barry, or the unvaried ac-fied. tion of Mossop, which could give full In conclusion-we esteem Mr. Fen effect to the terrible agonies of Mac-nel's Macbeth, remarkable for accuracy beth; it was reserved for Garrick alone of costume and demeanor; for force to acquire admiration from the accura- of apprehension and correctness of decy of his deportment and discrimina- livery; but by no means eminent for tion of his look; to terrify with his high wrought passion, or admirable exvoice and dismay with his elocution.-pression of countenance. He only could shew the Thane, from the first prediction of the witches, until his desperate fight with Macduff Othello (Shakespeare) and the Jew and loaded with disgrace, tortured by disappointment and black with crimes. Doctor. Monday, Feb. 23. Mr. Fennel's readings are generally it is needless to repeat. The character of Othello as a play, correct, but sometimes pedantically sin- constantly been lavished on it that panePraise has so gular. To find varieties of meaning in gyric is exhausted. The parts of Othelthe obscure passages of Shakespeare islo and Iago, to be completely personathe English stage can afford, if we exted, require the gratest acting which cept Lear and Edgar. neither uncommon nor meritorious ; But Mr. Fennel generally satisfies the judgment while he pleases the fancy the other He varies the text in this instanceHence it is that we so seldom find ourselves per"One cry'd God bless us! and amen!fectly satisfied; and hence too the variety of satisfaction we derive, as the actors may approach or recede from excellence. For it by no means follows that we shall be displeased though. th [man's hands. As they had seen me with their hangListening their fear, I could not say amen," &c. 12 performance should be far from complete; for a tolerable personation of Othello and Iago necessarily includes the idea of considerable talent. Mr. Fennel as Othello, did not gratify We were sometimes is as a whole. pleased, oftentimes indifferent and now and then disappointed. He quelled the brawl very well and as a general should do. His deficiencies were most conspicuous in the "handkerchief scene," in which he caused no sensation, and in his three several demands of "the handkerchief," he was tame and unaffecting. There is commonly a total sinking of sound in the conclusion of many of his lines: so that the sense is unintelligible. When Mr. F. turns his back he should force his utterance; as those auditors towards whom his back may be directed, cannot hear a sentence distinctly. The last scene was happily conducted, and we were gratified with much that it contained. Ön the whole, we do not place Mr. Fennel's Othello in the highest station, in the field of histrionic exertion. Mrs. Shaw gives effect to Emilia but we still echo in Mrs. Shaw's ears comedy! comedy! comedy! as Lord Chesterfield repeated to his son the graces! graces! graces! Roderigo as the performance of Mr. Downie, deserves to be mentioned with respect. The representation of this tragedy, was on the whole respectable, and though many were rather disappointed, few were displeased; though none were wrought to rapture, there were some who were raised to approbation. Hamlet (Shakespeare) and Poor Soldier. Wednesday, Feb. 25. THE HEART WANTS SOMETHING It consoles us for TO BE KIND TO. the loss of society to see even an Mr. Usher has much improved in his animal derive happiness from the personation of Iago even since he last endearments we bestow upon it.— performed it. In his scene with Ro- The simplicity of this truth, says derigo, where he requires him to "put an elegant moralist, in no manner money in his purse" and the subsequent soliloquy, he evinced more force of ac-diminishes from its eloquence.tion and propriety of passion, than we What sympathy in the expression, think we ever saw him exhibit. In oth-what delicacy in the circumstance— er parts he shone; but in none so conspicuously. We are happy in affording Mr. Fox in Cassio, much praise for the correctness with which he performed it, as well in respect to the language as the action. This approbation we offer with the more satisfaction, because we fear we have appeared to censure him with too caustic a severity; the present palliative As Cassio's may alleviate the pain. inebriation was rapid, his recovery may be supposed to be sudden: we think however the gradual approach of soberness should be more distinctly remarked. He is evidently to seem intoxicated when Othello questions him, "How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?" Mrs. Powell in Desdemona, played as she has usually done; without much force of utterence or true expression of face; but where she did not shew judgment she evinced modesty. How must it be experienced by the sorrowing and forsaken female who retains her love for virtue, though she has once deviated from its path, and evinces in her distress an heroic fortitude, while her soul shudders with all the delicacy of feminine softness. at all. Here is one. You may ob- Au'il est heureux de se défendere It is almost impossible in a translation to preserve the exact force and relation which belong to the words; the following IMITATION will convey some idea of it. How happy to defend our heart Dress is such an important subject to women, that I must refer to it very This song has such a resemblance frequently. Two chief ends scem to to meaning, that the celebrated Ton- be pursued by those who imitate the great in this particular, namely, that it tenelle hearing it sung, imagined he should show their wealth and proclaim had a glimpse of its sense, and de- their uselessness. When the cost of a sired to have it repeated. Do you gown excels the countess's which it renot perceive (said Madam de Ten-sembles, by fifteen shillings a yard, the cin) they are NONSENSE-VERSES?wearer feels an immense satisfaction no matter though her dress be but a (Amphigourie.) It resembles so publication of her vulgar mannersmuch, replied the malignant wit, elegance is in her opinion a saleable the verses I am accustomed to hear commodity-she has the draper's bill on the stage, that it is not surpris-in her pocket (I hope receipted.) In ing I should for once be mistaken. The following little Song is the production of one in that unfortunate class whose genius and activity of mind have ranked above the situation in which poverty compels then to move. It was the last coinplaint of the author. The verse is elegant and flowing, but the circumstance is more interesting than the verse. A new-fallen lamb, as mild Emmeline past, In pity she turned to behold imitation, however, it often becomes necessary to caricature the mode and to exhibit in full extravagance, that which when modified by taste and worn with propriety was graceful and becoming. The flow of her drapery and slight texture of her attire proclaim the would-be Grecian nymph to be a mere mincing mammet," or in her own language, a very fine lady-they cannot possibly denote the industrious house. wife or the helpmate of man. The conclusion of an address by the Editor of the Port Folio to his patrons, in the usual elegant and forcible manner of that classical scholar, may with propriety be offered to every reader of a literary journal. too, a most virtuous nation, whom the Spaniards have considered as barbarians, have more reason to return the appellation. As the Editor has formed a connection at once powerful and friendly, in consequence of which the buttresses of They may with more propriety business will not hereafter be shaken ; consider their invaders as uncivilas it is determined that nothing either ized, who have carried the cross in in the mechanical execution, or in the one hand and the sword in the othliterary department of The Port Folio er, and were rather seeking the shall be omitted which can give value gratification of a cruel avarice than to the work; and as it imperiously demands much labour, and is attended the extension of their religion or with great expense, may he, in no airy the glory of their country. The dreams, discern sufficient proofs of pub-recollection of their conquests is sufficient to fill one with horror. every lic favour. The task of a Journalist is often invidious and often irksome.Without a spirit of candour among the various tribes of readers, vain is attempt to please. Captiousness cavils, fanaticism whines, and party prejudice yells; but in the manly exhortation of EDMUNDBURKE, "applaudus when we run; console us when we fall; cheer us when we recover: but let us pass on-for God's sake let us pass on." EPITAPH On Mr. Wm. Picket-burnt to death. So unaffected, so composed a mind, So firm yet soft, so strong yet so refin'd, Heaven as pure gold by flaming tortures tried The angel bore it, but the mortal died. Translated for the Emerald from the French of M. Fleury. Si voluimus, magna sæpe ex parvis intelligemus. CICERO. It is difficult to determine wherefore those people have been at all times reproached as barbarians who have often less deserved the name than those who applied it. The Greeks and Romans were accustomed to consider in this manner the rest of the world, and in our time we have applied the same degrading epithet to the Chinese, the most numerous and best governed people upon earth. The Peruvians The Africans have been always termed barbarians, and without doubt there are some, who believe Africa to be fertile in nothing but various species of monsters. Wherefore should we submit to these prejudices? It is possible that even in Africa may be found men; even there perhaps we may find heroes. Glory, courage, justice, genius are independent of the soil; they are she creates the occasions which degifts which nature distributes when mand them. The following little history may confirm our opinion. The Portuguese had established themselves on the coast of Africa at no great distance from the kingdom of Morocco-they had constructed forts for the purpose of retaining the subjection of several neighboring settlements which they had reduced to their obedience. They converted many to the catholic faith, extended their conquests and in the year 1516 contracted a kind of alliance with some neighboring cantonments of Moors and Arabs whom they rendered tributary to Don Immanuel, then king of Portugal. A settlement near Safy, called Uledlembran saw not with-out uneasiness and indignation the servitude of its neighbors and that which threatened itself. These |