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its delicious juice, its flavour, and its salu-, brity. An excellent comfit is made of this fruit, by the addition of a kind of almonds. This fruit is named jamuani; and is absolutely unknown in Europe. The tree rises to the height of 11 or 12 feet; its leaves have the same colour, and general appearance, as those of our apricot trees: only, these leaves are somewhat more lanceolated, and spread about the middle. The Cashmirians cultivate the tree in the open field only, and never graft it. They do the same by a kind of plumb, named kabouli, which is delicious when dried. I ought not to forget to mention two excellent fruits of the same country, which have no stones: one is the beautiful pomgranate named auari; which is carried into all the neighbouring countries, and is capable, on account of its goodness, of being kept more than a year. The other is a kind of grape, of which there are two species, neither of which have stones; but both are very large and extremely delicious.

They are prepared, packed up in cotton, and sent to the lower parts of the Ganges, to Delhi, and even to the coast of Coromandel. The stoneless grape of Cashmir, is divided into white chasselas, and muscate, white and red. This is less scented than common muscate, but retains its properties longer. The bark of the pomgranate is well known to be astringent, and to possess some of the same properties as the quinquina bark.

To these fruits may be added, the sweet oranges of Silote, situated between Bengal and the kingdom of Ava, of which there are many varieties unknown in Europe. The green oranges of Arcot, also the green pamplemusses of Bernagor, a city on the river Hughly, between Calcutta and Serampore. This last named fruit, absolutely unknown in Europe, is an orange of a prodigious size, its flesh is sweet, delicious, and green, red, or white. Perhaps this is one of the finest fruits in the universe. A single one fills a plate in a desert.

[This Article will be resumed.]

DIDASCALIA.

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

The tragedy of Coriolanus has been presented to the public at this theatre in a stile of elegance, and classical splendor, that reflects the greatest credit on Mr. Kemble's taste, and attention to the very minutiæ of the scene; independent of any praise he may merit for the performance of the character of Coriolanus, which we may safely affirm to be a chef-d'oeuvre in the dramatic art: nor do we think that any stage can boast its equal-notwithstanding what has been vaunted of the Larives and Talmas of a neighbouring country-both of whom we have seen,

and are proud to hail our countryman as their superior. We, however, as Britons not wholly unused to mobs and to senates, submit to the manager's judgement, whether the addition of a dozen or two of actors to augment the main body of the rabble would not improve the general effect of the scene; whether it would not enrich the picture; for we really imagined that we discovered a paucity of poor and turbulent citizens in the streets of Rome: we also wish for a few more Senators in the senate, as at present they seem hardly sufficient to "make a house." Mrs. Siddons sustained her part with great dignity and effect. We wish we could say the same of Mr. Munden, who mixed too much of the buffoon in his character; a too common fault in most performers, who think such characters as Menenius (and Polonius in Hamlet) are played well when they "set on some "quantity of barren spectators to laugh "to make the tag-rag people clap them," whereas in fact, these ludicrous personages grossly violate the general tone of the piece, and disturb that repose to the mind which the author had originally in his contemplation, and by means of which he intends to prepare the spectator for the full effect of the principal incidents and characters. And indeed as Shakespeare again observes, "Now this, "overdone, though it make the unskilful "laugh, cannot but make the judicious

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grieve; the censure of which one, must,

in your allowance, o'erweigh a whole "theatre of others." Besides, on referring to the Dramatis Persona, we perceive Menenius is described as the friend of Coriolanus, not as a Roman buffoon.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, a new play, called Adrian and Orrila; or, A Mother's Vengeance, written by Mr. DIMOND, Jun. was performed for the first time. It is a drama of the mixed kind, interspersed with music. The following is the Drainatis Personæ.

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The scene lies at the Castle of Count Rosenheim, in Saxony, whose daughter Orrila had been bred up during his absence at the Court of Dresden; Matilda Carlstein who

had been seduced by Prince Altenburg, and afterwards deserted by him, in consequence of his marriage with a German Princess, (who bore him a son, and shortly after died) lived retired in a cottage near the castle, with her supposed son Adrian, under the assumed name of Madame Clermont. Adrian during his childhood, being frequently invited to Rosenheim Castle, as he advanced to manhood, became deeply enamoured of Orrila. Prince Altenburg, who had become a widower, the patron and friend of Count Rosenheim, proposes for the hand of Orrila, and arrives with the Count at his castle to celebrate his nuptials. His arrival baffles the hopes of the young lovers. Madame Clermont, terrified at the Prince's presence, prevails on Adrian to quit the territories of Saxony; and the Count, suspecting the real state of his daughter's affections, forbids Adrian's presence at the Castle. Lothaire, (page to Altenburg) contrives a meeting between the young lovers at the house of his sister Minna; and while Adrian is on his way to Minna's cottage, he accidentally preserves the life of Altenburg, and refuses to tell who he is. The Prince receives intimation from Lothaire, and waits on Madame Clermont to thank her for his deliverance, but is disdainfully received, she not even unveiling. During this, a meeting having taken place between the lovers, Orrila consents to clope with Adrian. They are intercepted in their flight, and brought back to the Castle, Madame Clermont, hearing of the situation of Adrian (whose life is become forfeited by the laws of Saxony, for endeavouring to run away with the heiress of a noble family,) hastens to the Castle, gets admission to the Count's presence, and in vain pleads for her son. Hearing the voice of Altenburg, she hides her face with her veil. The Prince enters, leading in Adrian (his deliverer), whose pardon he obtains. Madame Clermont kneels to the Prince, unveils, and discovers herself to be Matilda Carlstein, whom the Prince had seduced; and in the relation which she gives of the occurrences of her life, Adrian is discovered to be the legitimate son of Altenburg, whom he imagined had been drowned, but whom Matilda Carlstein had stolen froin his house, stripped him of his clothes, and sent them down the Elbe; by which all difficulties in his marriage with Orrila are removed, the Count consents to their union, and the Prince receives Matilda as his wife.

This is not a translation, we believe, but only borrowed" from the German school, and strongly resembles Lovers' Vows. To say the truth it is all over German, notwithstanding the introduction of a poor Welch harper, who came into Saxony, nobody knows how, to sing ditties"in honour of the Lord of Rosenheim;" and to preserve this German

character, the Deity is continually invoked usque ad nauseam. Add to this, a plentiful share of declamation, which renders the piece both tedious and dull. However, it was very favorably received, and the audience was contented to wink at the most glaring improprieties-such, for instance, as the tolling of the bell for the execution of Adrian before he is even tried; but then we learn from the next scene that the Count of Rosenheim intends to give him up to the laws of his country; --by this dextrous anachronism the audience is amused with a pretty piece of music to the burden of ding dong bell. The language is sometimes figurative, and now and then ap proaches the true bombast. "On creation's brink," is a phrase employed to describe the situation of a fair lady dying with grief. Nor is it deficient in many other phrases equally fine.

Although our languor was happily relieved by some sweet music composed by Kelly, Atwood, &c. yet we hope the author will attend to the coinfort of future audiences who may honor this play, and not only use the pruning knife, but the hatchet, as Mr. Puff says; for it is intolerably long, and certainly a great part of it may be left out without detriment to what remains. When the curtain dropped, it was half past ten o'clock. We are antigallicans, yet we must acknowledge,

they manage these things better in France" -all theatric entertainments being, or at least used to be, over by ten.

Miss Smith, the heroine, displayed great powers, and the energy with which she sustained her praying, extravagant part, materially contributed to the success of the piece: she is second only to Mrs. Siddons. ` Miss Brunton played very prettily indeed-but her dress reminded us of Mme. Tallien and the Palais-Royal. We notice this merely, en passant, for we shall have much to say in a future number about dresses. Mr. Cooke tripped more than once or twice. Mrs. C. Kemble's character was too contemptible to make any thing of, though she bustled through it, and did all she could for it.

The newspapers have kindly told us that the prologue (written by Mr. Skeffington) was a neat classical production-we thank them; as, without their information, we should not have known it; for notwithstanding we were only three seats from the orchestra, we could not thoroughly understand one line, owing to the imperfect and confused manner in which it was delivered by Mr. Brunton. It certainly had one merit, it was short. The epilogue, by Mr. W. Porter, contained some happy allusions to the present election scenes, and put the goodnatured audience into such a merry humour, that, when the play was given out for a se cond representation, they gave a proof of their profound taste and judgement, by ap

plauding it to the skies. The epilogue was well delivered by Mrs. Mattocks and Miss Brunton.

We had hoped that the rage for German dramas which begin in seduction and conclude in left handed marriages, had been pretty well over in Britain, where not a single principle necessary to give an air of verisimility to the scene is acknowledged; and, indeed, we helieve it will prove to be so entirely sunk, that not even an occasional instance of success can revive it. The broad and general principles of human nature are the same, all the world over; the liberal refinements of education do no more than soften them, and deprive them of those asperities of which good manners prohibit the effects. Yet character, if less violent among the well-instructed, is sufficiently marked for the purposes of the theatre, because sufficiently for those of life; and what just purposes can the theatre intend, for which life does not furnish the prototype? If this play contained any thing resembling what life presents, we should readily select, approve, and applaud that ; but, in fact, our only selection, as it stands, would be the songs, our approbation would terminate in praising the exertions of the performers, and our applause would exclusively honor the music.

Thursday, November 20, was presented at Drury-lane theatre, a new comedy called the Vindictive Man. It is understood to have been from the pen of Mr. Holcroft. The principal character was that of a merchant, who having been assaulted by his brother thirty years ago, had never forgiven the offence, but had forsworn the relation. Another leading event in the fable was, the sudden acquisition of a fortune by a Devonshire rustic, whose daughter had received an excellent education; and scrupled the enjoyment of £100,000, because her aunt, from whom it descended, had received it as the wages of licentiousness. The other cha

racters were subservient.

We are sorry to announce that the demerits of this drama outweighed its merits; and that, after a patient hearing, the audience pronounced its condemnation.

If this comedy be tried by the general principles of criticism, a kind of merit must be allowed to the conception and the intention of the principal character: but it was overwhelmed by the incidents attached to it. The author no doubt intended, that his Vindictive Man should possess every other virtue, by way of counterbalance to his principal failing but the exercise of these virtues was not so apparent to the audience as to excite an interest in his favour. Moreover, from the state of facts, the principle of implacability seemed to have too much to support it: for what can be more atrocious than brother

fighting with brother? Add to this, that the habits of thirty years are too strongły confirmed to be suddenly removed by events of any kind; and that the adventures of a military life are little calculated to make any favorable impression on a commercial man. Á character which appears vindictive from first to last, which cherishes the principle of implacability, is not likely to be popular with Britons. It is not the general description of our countrymen; it departs too much from ordinary nature: such individuals may exist in every country under heaven; but among us they are distinguished by their singularity. And who can respect (we might say, who can forgive) the unforgiving?

The author had directed one British officer to weep; and another, to kneel, in supplication. Did he then forget, that the character of an officer of long standing is compounded of his personal disposition, and of his professional habits? That an officer, used to command, should on every occasion retain a firmness, which contributes to his respectability; and that the moment he ab indons this firmness, our regard for him is sensibly diminished? Heroes should be heroes under every circumstance; and prostration is no becoming attitude for a British Colonel.

Mr. Holcroft should also have recollected, that a Devonshire rustic is a marked character: it is not merely his being no Londoner which makes a rustic. Such a man, only three days in town, would strongly retain his 'modes of speech, his relative notions, and his ways of expressing them: he would, as it were, smell of his farm, of his teams, of his crops his friendships, his enmities, his gossips, for a rustic has all these, would rise" trippingly o'er his tongue," and that which he had been he would continue to be, strongly, decidedly, infallibly.

On the whole, we are of opinion, that the author composed this romedy, between sleeping and waking, when the lazy fit was upon him. His choice of materials might have been better; but he had not made the most of those he thought proper to adopt : his characters wanted mental vigour, that energy which leads the attention, and commands the sentiments of an audience; that remove from every day passability, that elevation and dignity, which results from their being well conceived and assiduously wrought up, to a finish, a distinction, a firmness, a power, which a spectator beholds with satisfaction, and a critic applauds with delight.

The general tone of the piece was that of insipidity; and the falling of the curtain relieved the audience from their ungratified attention

Two other novelties, The Deserts of Ar bia, and Tekeli, after-pieces, have appeared, but our report must be postponed.

OBSERVANDA EXTERNA.

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AMERICA.

Astronomical Observations. Annular eclipses [of the sun of course] are very rare; they are proportionately interesting to astronomers in order to observe that of June 16, 1806. M. de Ferrer, a Spanish astronomer, who resides in New York, went towards Albany under latitude 42° 23' where he knew the eclipse would be central. He observed the total obscuration to be from 11 o'clock, 7'55" to 11 o'clock 12' 32"; from whence M. Delalande concludes, that the conjunction was at 11 o'clock 25′ 33′′; and what is more interesting, he concludes also that we should add 2′′ to the semi-diameter of the moon.

But a more singular phenomenon observed by M. de Ferrer, is, that the disk of the moon appeared luminous, seven seconds before the end of the obscuration. This appears, to be occasioned by a small portion of atmosphere.

He also observed a luminous ring concentric with the sun, whose diameter was between 45 and 50 minutes, and which had not been observed in former eclipses. It appears to proceed from the light of the terrestrial atmosphere of those countries, bordering on the parts where the eclipse is total. The borders of the moon were but faintly delineated; slender columns of vapours were seen darting from it, proceeding either from the sun or from the moon, and terminating at the ring.

The total obscuration did not occasion so great a darkness as had been expected: six principal stars only were seen: we suppose Venus and Mercury, Sirius and Procyon, the two stars of Orion, the Goat and the Lyre. Birds were seen going to roost, and a little dew was felt. The light from the ring prevented a complete darkness.

Esquimaux Christians.

At the latter end of the year 1804, the mumber of Esquimaux whom the Moravian missionaries were instructing amounted to 221. Classical Literature.

Messrs. Poyntell and Co. have just issued from their Classical Press in Phiadelphia, in a neat and correct style, the first American edition of Xenophon's Cyropedia in eight books. The American editors copied from Hutchinson's London edition, and announce, that under the critical inspection of Mr. John Watts, they have corrected many errors of the London edition.

Indian Duelling.

Natches (America), July 1.-The following very extraordinary circumstance occurred a few days since. If the advocates for duelling Avere compelled to settle their "affairs of honour" in a similar manner-substituting a common hangman to terminate the scene, in

place of a son to one of the parties; it is very probable that the practice would in a short time become less fashionable.

At about 2 o'clock P. M. an Indian was discovered, by the family, entering the South end of Cirault's lane. He drew their attention, being painted in an uncommon manner; his whole body appeared red. He held in his right hand a gun, which he brandished with many gesticulations; in his left hand he held a bottle. He was attended by two other Indians, who advanced at rather a sober pace. At the opposite end of the lane, some more Indians were discovered, among whom was a man painted in like manner, but unarmed. He was held and detained by a woman; but when the one brandishing his gun came within about twenty yards of him, he burst from the embrace of his wife and rushed towards his antagonist. At about four yards distance they both halted: when the unarmed man presented his naked breast to the other, who took deliberate aim, but, appearing to recollect himself, he suddenly dropt his gun, and drank from the bottle, which at the time was tied to his wrist; the other patiently and resolutely holding his breast open and presented all the while. Hlaving finished his drink, he gave a whoop, and took fresh aim; and, in an instant, the other dropt dead almost at his feet. done, he once more loaded his gun with all possible speed, and gave it to a by-stander (son to the deceased). He then in turn, bared and presented his breast, and was instantaneou-ly sent into eternity.

This

The dead bodies were each carried the way they came, and by their respective friends interred one at each end of the lane. The wife and relatives of the unarmed one, who was first killed, howled over his remains three days and nights, and then disappeared. On Friday last they returned again, fired several guns on approaching the grave, gave a general howl about a quarter of an hour, and retired.

We learned from some among them, who spoke broken English, that they had quarrelled over a bottle some considerable time ago, when the Indian who was first killed had his finger bit by the other in such a manner, that his arm became inflamed; he declared he was spoiled," and that they must both die. They agreed, and formed the arrangement as related.

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FRANCE.

Proposed Canals to be executed in France. Grand Northern Canal. This is divided into two branches totally distinct from each other. The first is the junction of the Scheld with the Meuse from Antwerp to Venlo, The second is the junction of the Meuse with the Rhine.

Canal of La Censée. To unite the Scheld and the Scarpe. This fluvial communication is designed as an appendix to the grand canal of St. Quentin.

Lateral Canal of La Haine. To improve the navigation of that river.

Canal of the Lys to Liperlée. To shorten the passage between Lille, and other cities of Flanders, and the sea.

Canal of Charleroy to Brussels. A canal of indispensable utility for the conveyance of coal from the numerous mines near the river Sambre.

Canal of Reims. To follow the river above Braime; join the ancient Eginond canal; and then follow the bed of the Vesle to its junction with the Aisne opposite the village of Condé.

Lateral Canal of the Loire. Very advantageous to the neighbouring departments for the exportation of their territorial productions and manufactures.

Canal from Niort to Rochelle. Prisoners of war to be employed on it until they are exchanged.

Communication from Nantes to Brest. A project of incalculable advantage for supplying the ci-devant Brittany with naval stores. The plan is as follows: the junction of the Loire and the Vilaine; junction of the Vilaine with the Blavet; this navigation to be continued to Port-Launay and Brest, by the rivers Doré, Hières, and Anne. Thus there will be four communications with the sea. The plan, also, embraces a branch extending to Quimper, by the little river Odet. The canal from Nantes to Port-Launay, will be about 96 leagues in length.

Persian Professor.

M. Sylvestre de Sacy, the celebrated Orientalist, and member of the Institute, is appointed Persian Professor in the College of France.

Will of a Deaf and Dumb Person. The civil tribunal of Verdun is engaged in the decision of a cause of importance. The question is to know whether an individual born deaf and dumb, was eligible to make a will, and whether the legacies were valid. On the 18th of August, the Procureur Impérial had given his sentence before the Court, on which occasion, a great concourse of spectators attended. Our correspondent observes, that at Commercy, there

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a poor girl, also born deaf and dumb, whom a curate of this town, forty years ago,

taught to read and write, without using the method of the Abbé de l'Epée, or of that of the Abbé Sicard.-This latter, he adds, migl t make a will, since she is capable of conversation, by writing.

Ancient Ceremony re-established.

By a letter from Beauvais, dated Oct. 14, we learn that, with permission of the Prefeet, the procession, in which the women of this town have the precedency over the men has been re-established. It had been instituted to perpetuate the memory of the courageous Jeane Laisné, called in history Jeane Hachette. When Beauvais was besieged by the Burgundians in 1471, she wrested a standard from the hand of an enemy, who was attempting to fix it on the wall, and threw him head-long into the ditch, by which he roic deed she saved the town. This procession, which had been abolished by the revolution, took place last Sunday, for the first time since, among discharges of artillery and the applauses of our fellow citizens. Á young woman, personated Jeane Hachette, carrying the standard taken from the Burgundians; the tassels were held by other young women; then came the rest of the female corps, and after them the municipal officers and the rest of the followers. whole was headed by a numerous body of clergy and the shrine of Sainte Angadreme., Prize Question.

The

The free society of physical and medical science of Liege, proposed, in their meeting of 12th June, 1806, as a prize question: "To determine the influence of the passions "in the production of diseases." The society wishes that the authors will be particular in indicating the connection that exists between certain affections of the mind and the origin of certain physical affections. The prize will be a gold medal, value 200 francs, to be given at the public meeting, June, 1807. The memoirs may be written, either in French or in Latin, and directed (post paid) to M. Saveur, the secretary, previous to April 1.

New invented safe Carriages.

M. Durivoire, late Captain in the Regiment of Rohan-Soubise, advertises his having invented carriages of a new kind, for which he has obtained a patent. He affirms that these carriages are more convenient, more solid, and yet lighter, than any hitherto built; that they neither catch, nor break, nor can be overset; in short, that they offer to travellers the advantage of avoiding danger by getting out of the vehicle, although the horses should be frightened and running away. The inventor proposes to supply tra vellers on the road to St. Germain-en-Laye. Astronomy.

In the month of March, says Mr. Zach, a large spot, with two smaller ones within it,

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